Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Building a Safer Ditto

Otaku

Otaku

Active Member
Contest is now closed. Ninetales1234 won. Congrats! I sent out PMs to inform everyone on this thread.


This thread is a simple one, but maybe not. It is about designing a single card. Why? Because I got it into my head, want others ideas, and see if improvements can be made (100% sure they can be :lol:). I wouldn't mind seeing some other takes on it as well.

So, the card is Ditto ex. I'll type with white in quotes, and I think that should make it spoiler proof (unless you randomly highlight the whole post before reading this, which is your own fault :tongue:). The reason you may not want to look is I also would like to see other people's ideas for a Ditto ex. If you read mine before at least thinking about it, then you might be unduely influenced by my own.

Name: Ditto ex
Hit Points: 90
Stage: Basic
Type: Colorless
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: (C)
Poke-POWER: Extreme Transformation
After Ditto ex is played from your hand, select a Pokemon-ex in play. Ditto ex has the same HP, Type, Stage, attacks, Poke-Bodies, Poke-Powers, Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost as that the Pokemon-ex for as long as there is a copy of that Pokemon-ex in play or in either player's discard pile. If there is not, then Ditto ex uses its own information printed on its card. Ditto ex is always named Ditto ex, has the Poke-Power Extreme Transformation, and is a Basic Pokemon.
Attack: (C) Run Away And Hide
Return Ditto ex and all cards attached to it to your deck. Shuffle your deck afterwards.
Click to expand...

So that is my take on it. If you want to try and "fix" mine, you are welcome to. If you want to try a different take (there are quite a few valid ones you could use, imo), go ahead with that. There are only a few ground rules:

1. Keep It Balanced!
You know, make sure it seems at least slightly viable, but don't make it a clear cut tournament winner even in its own deck. That is to say, don't make it Medicham ex, but don't make it a Regice ex either (referring to EX Emerald versions).

2. Keep It Simple But True
Stick to whatever source material you are using, but try to avoid messy or overly complicated effects. I would prefer you include some text, at least, to minimize real rulings. I understand that whatever we do, someone will probably ask whatever ever it is you include in there, and there are going to be situations you can't explain on a small card, but catch a few obvious ones with your wording. New mechanics are frowned upon because let's face it, even if it's good, it's almost like cheating. ;) Still, they are allowed. Edit: Retracted a previous edit.

3. This Is Only For Fun.
Don't expect prizes, this is just to have fun and work on our card designing skills. ;)
 
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Although I am unsure of what you are asking, I recognized your name here. Do you happen to review Yu-Gi-Oh cards on pojo?
 
Ditto ex
90 HP {C}
Basic Pokémon

Poké-POWER Transform-ex
If Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon and not affected by a Special Condition, treat it as if it were the same card as the Defending Pokémon, including type, Hit Points, Weakness, and so on, except Ditto ex can’t evolve, always has this Poké-POWER, is always a Pokémon-ex (if Ditto ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prizes), and you may treat any Energy attached to Ditto ex as Energy of any type.

Weakness: {F}
Resistance: none
Retreat Cost: {C}
 
Carrington388 said:
Ditto ex
90 HP {C}
Basic Pokémon

Poké-POWER Transform-ex
If Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon and not affected by a Special Condition, treat it as if it were the same card as the Defending Pokémon, including type, Hit Points, Weakness, and so on, except Ditto ex can’t evolve, always has this Poké-POWER, is always a Pokémon-ex (if Ditto ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prizes), and you may treat any Energy attached to Ditto ex as Energy of any type.

Weakness: {F}
Resistance: none
Retreat Cost: {C}
Click to expand...

I can see that as a real card.
 
Hurray, posts!

Moogle: Yes. Same Otaku. Basically, I just thought it would be fun to adapt Ditto to a Pokemon-ex form. So far, we've seen classic Ditto attempted, but re-making a kind of Koga's Ditto or even the recent Ditto series in Pokemon-ex form is allowed. The title, while weird, indicates I don't want to have the problems caused by Fossil Ditto.

Carington388: Thank you for being the first to submit a Ditto ex! What you did was kinda what I want to avoid. PUSA employees and Team Compendium members have already been dispatched to "remove" us for even suggesting it... okay not really, but I wanted to avoid the hassle of the original Ditto. Some quick issues off the top of my head...

1. What about 2-on-2?
2. Does Ditto count as being Evolved or as a Stage 1/2 when copying such a Pokemon?
3. The Special Condition clause at the beginning is a bit odd. Is it supposed to be like normal or not?
4. Might the Rainbow Energy effect be a bit much?

WHISCASHEX: Seem's doubtful to me... even simple things like Mewtwo ex were toned down from their ancestors. All we have here is Ditto with nearly double the HP and the ex rule, and perhaps better wording for the same classic effect. So... instead of just being a cheer leader... why don't you take a shot yourself, see what you can do. You don't have to just use Fossil Ditto, either... ;)
 
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Carrington388 said:
Ditto ex
90 HP {C}
Basic Pokémon

Poké-POWER Transform-ex
If Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon and not affected by a Special Condition, treat it as if it were the same card as the Defending Pokémon, including type, Hit Points, Weakness, and so on, except Ditto ex can’t evolve, always has this Poké-POWER, is always a Pokémon-ex (if Ditto ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prizes), and you may treat any Energy attached to Ditto ex as Energy of any type.

Weakness: {F}
Resistance: none
Retreat Cost: {C}
Click to expand...
*points to the forum's name* =/

Otaku, I think this is a pretty good idea of a card (or should we say "revived" card?). As far as the four questions go...

1. I'd say you would have to choose which Pokemon-ex to copy, kind of like with Sandstorm Cradily's Poke-Body
2. Perhaps Basic?
3. No comment
4. No comment
 
Carrington388 said:
Ditto ex
90 HP {C}
Basic Pokémon

Poké-POWER Transform-ex
If Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon and not affected by a Special Condition, treat it as if it were the same card as the Defending Pokémon, including type, Hit Points, Weakness, and so on, except Ditto ex can’t evolve, always has this Poké-POWER, is always a Pokémon-ex (if Ditto ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prizes), You still need the correct energy to use an attack..
Weakness: {F}
Resistance: none
Retreat Cost: {C}{C}
Click to expand...


Funny when I first read the thread and before highlighting this was my idea, the only difference two to retreat, you need the correct energy and maybe 70 HP but 90 is not bad..

I definately think this card could work,
 
ditto ex hp 80(C)

poke-power

as lonh as ditto ex is your active pokemon you may search eiter player discard pile for a pokemon and ditto becomes that pokemon. he still needs the nesseary amount and type of energy to perform the attack he copies thr poke-power/body of that pokemon.this power can't be used if ditto ex is affacted by a special condition

weak retrreat resit
(C)
 
-------------------
Ditto ex // HP: 60 // Type: (C)
Basic Pokémon

[Pokémon-ex Rule: When Pokémon-ex has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.]

Poké-Body: Humanshaping -- During your turn, if your opponent played a Supporter card and Ditto ex was your Active Pokémon last turn, you may play a copy of that card from your hand. This body stops working if Ditto ex isn't your Active Pokémon.
(C) Sneaky Transform -- Base Damage: 0 -- Search your opponent's deck for a Stage X Pokémon card, where X is equal or lower to the Defending Pokémon's Stage (Basic Pokémon counts as Stage 0). Reveal it to your opponent, then shuffle it into your opponent's deck (This happens even if you didn't find a card). If you don't find a card, this attack does nothing else. If you do, treat Ditto ex as if it was the same card as the revealed card, except Ditto ex can’t evolve, always has this attack and the Humanshaping Poké-Body, is always a Pokémon-ex, and you may treat any Energy attached to Ditto ex as Energy of any type. Then, you may choose one of Ditto ex's attacks and perform it.

Weakness: (F) // Resistance: None // Retreat Cost: (C)(C)
-------------------

Has low life for an EX, but since you're getting a new Base HP with your attack, it isn't a problem to begin with. The body is quite cool. though. Sadly the attack is very wordy... If you don't understand it, feel free to ask.

EDIT: About your card... isn't the line "has the Poke-Power Extreme Transformation, " completely useless? After all, since it only works when put from your hand into play, there's no need to keep the power in it. And while reading your card, i've noticed the rule 2: Keep It Simple But True... I guess my Ditto ex is immediatly disqualified, then?
 
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You know, Otaku, instead of saying " Ditto ex uses its own information printed on its card", you could say "You can't use this power if there is no Pokémon-ex in play".

Just a suggestion.:smile:

You know, one could always make:

Ditto ex
80 HP {C}

Basic Pokémon

When Pokémon-ex has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Poké-BODY: Omni-Energy
As long as Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon, treat any Basic Energy cards attached to Ditto ex as Energy of any type.

{C}{C} Morph
Ditto ex now has the same HP, Type, attacks, Poke-Bodies, Poke-Powers, Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost as the Defending Pokémon as long as Ditto ex is your Active Pokémon. (Ditto still copies that Pokémon even if that Pokémon is no longer in play.

Weakness: {F}
Resistance:
Retreat Cost: {C}{C}

However, I'm not really sure how to add extra text to "minimize rulings". What this card does is that if your opponent has Magmar as the Active Pokémon, Ditto ex will copy all stats except for Stage and name, and still copies even if later the Magmar is no longer the Defending Pokémon. So basically, if you want Ditto to copy something else, you would have to switch it out first, which would mirror the original electronic game mechanic.
 
Ditto EX 70HP [C]

Basic Pokémon
When Pokémon-ex has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

PokéPower: Formative.
Once during your turn, Before you attack, you may have Ditto EX copy the HP, Type, attacks, Poke-Bodies, Poke-Powers, Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost of any Pokémon in play with a Tansform counter on it. Ditto always has this PokéPower and cant use this PokéPower if it is affected by a special Condition.

[C] Mark
Put a Transform counter on 1 Pokémon in play.
_______________
Weakness:[F]
Resistance:
Retreat Cost:[C][C]

What do you think?
 
IMHO it looks like underbroken, as all similar powers/attacks let you copy and use a copied attack in the same turn. I suggest changing Mark into a Poké-power. This is how the card would look like with said change.

Ditto EX 70HP [C]

Basic Pokémon
When Pokémon-ex has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

PokéPower: Formative.
Once during your turn, before you attack, you may have Ditto EX copy the HP, Type, attacks, Poké-Bodies, Poké-Powers, Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost of any Pokémon in play with a Transform counter on it. Ditto always has this PokéPower and can't use this PokéPower if it is affected by a Special Condition.
PokéPower: Mark
You can't use this PokéPower if Ditto ex hasn't a [C] Energy attached to it and isn't your Active Pokémon. Once during your turn, you may put a Transform counter on 1 Pokémon in play. You can't use this PokéPower if Ditto ex is affected by a Special Condition.
_______________
Weakness:[F]
Resistance:
Retreat Cost:[C][C]

Another good idea is to make Mark remain in Ditto ex even if it copies another card, but that's your choice.
 
Hmm... let me think. Ditto was one of my favorites in the old card game, so I might try to make one. Forgive me if the formatting of the text is incorrect, as the last Create-a-Card I did was when the Gym Leader based cards forst came out.

Ditto ex
70 HP
(Pokemon ex effect)

Poke-Body: Limber
Ditto ex cannot be Paralyzed.

(C) Shapeshift
Flip a coin. If heads, Ditto ex's Weakness, Resistance, Retreat Cost, and HP are treated as those of the Defending Pokemon (If there are 2, choose 1) until the end of your opponent's next turn. If tails, Ditto ex's Attacks are treated as those of the Defending Pokemon (If there are 2, choose 1) until the end of your next turn. Energy costs for these attacks are (C)(C)(C). These energies must be discarded at the end of the turn.

(C)(C) Transform
Search your deck for a Basic Pokemon, Stage 1, or Stage 2 evolution card with the same name as the Defending Pokemon and attach it to Ditto ex. As long as Ditto ex is your active pokemon, it's HP, Weakness, Resistance, Retreat Cost, and Attacks become those of the attached Pokemon. (Including Energy costs) If Ditto ex is placed on your bench or returned to your hand, discard the pokemon attached to it.

I think you get the idea, so if someone else wouldn't mind formatting this correctly (I tried), it would be much appreciated. By the way, Otaku, I tend to value your reviews for YGO more than others, as you are much more insightful on possibilities for cards.
 
Alright, more suggestions. haven't been on line in a few days due to whether (Lightning strikes and high winds that can damage power lines are not fun for computers).

Anyway, as I am low on time I will say that I am grateful for the posts. I do think some are not quite understanding something, so I'll say it flat out:

For those effects which don't have you copy something that has to remain in play... what do you do when you need to check wording and the Pokemon being copied is no longer in play?
 
(C) Ditto EX 80 HP
Poké-Power: Duplicate- Once during your turn (before your attack), you may search your deck for a Pokémon with “Ditto” in its name and switch it with Ditto EX. (Any cards attached to Ditto EX, damage counters, Special Conditions, and effects on it are now on the new Pokemon.) If you do, put Ditto EX on top of your deck. Shuffle your deck afterward. You can't use more than 1 Duplicate Poke-Power each turn.
(CCC) Duplication:
During your next turn, you may use the attack of any Pokémon in play as the effect of this attack (Duplication doesn't copy attacks every turn; only every other turn). Duplication copies all requirements for that attack except for its Energy cost.
(C) Copy:
Ditto EX may use the attack of any Ditto in play as the effect of this attack.
Weakness (F)
Retreat (1)

Otaku said:
that should make it spoiler proof (unless you randomly highlight the whole post before reading this, which is your own fault ). The reason you may not want to look is I also would like to see other people's ideas for a Ditto ex. If you read mine before at least thinking about it, then you might be unduely influenced by my own.
Click to expand...
Smart idea.

Archonn said:
Poké-Body: Humanshaping -- During your turn, if your opponent played a Supporter card and Ditto ex was your Active Pokémon last turn, you may play a copy of that card from your hand. This body stops working if Ditto ex isn't your Active Pokémon.
Click to expand...
Could you clarify this? I don't understand it? Does it let you play a supporter during your opponent's turn? Is it allowing you an extra supporter per turn (like cards that let you bend the "one energy per turn" rule)?
 
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Otaku: About what you should do when you must check the wording of a card not in play... Uh, just remember it? If you think the wording is going to cause you problems, just copy it in a piece of paper and your problem's over. If you are in a official tournament, then i guess you could just check the CardDex, or some other official source. (BTW, i have an even stranger situation for ya: What do you do if you want to prove a "Stage 2 on top of matching Basic with Rare Candy" play is legal, provided you don't have the matching Stage 1 Pokémon to prove it and your opponent hasn't the entire Poké-Dex memorized? For example. how do i prove i can play Butterfree on top of Caterpie with Rare Candy, if i don't have a Metapod or a nearby Pokédex (and my opponent has just started learning about Pokémon)?)

ninetales1234: Eh, i though people would have problem figuring out Sneaky Transform, not Humanshaping... Anyway, all it does is making you have a copy of any supporter played during your opponent's next turn in your hand. It doesn't breaks the "one supporter per turn" rule because you play it from your hand, and the body only works during your turn (That's the very first thing at the body), so it does nothing during your opponent's turn. Just remember that Ditto must have been active when your opponent played the supporter, and the copy only lasts one turn in your hand.

A more wordy way to word it would be this: "During your turn, if your opponent played a Supporter card last turn and Ditto ex was your Active Pokémon last turn, you may play a copy of that supporter card as if it were in your hand (Supporter cards played this way count towards the number of playable Supporter cards during a turn). This body stops working if Ditto ex isn't your Active Pokémon." Last thing; i seriously need to make simpler effects. Really.
 
Archonn said:
What do you do if you want to prove a "Stage 2 on top of matching Basic with Rare Candy" play is legal, provided you don't have the matching Stage 1 Pokémon to prove it and your opponent hasn't the entire Poké-Dex memorized? For example. how do i prove i can play Butterfree on top of Caterpie with Rare Candy, if i don't have a Metapod or a nearby Pokédex (and my opponent has just started learning about Pokémon)?)
Click to expand...
I believe it is mentioned somwhere in the compendium/ATM forum that rare candy expects you to "work backwards". For example, the only reason you are alllowed to rare candy a Charmander in Charizard, is the fact that Charizard has the words "evolves from Charmeleon" on it and Charmeleon has the words "evolves from Charmander" on it. This is the reason you cannot evolve Pichu into Raichu (neither the "baby evolution" Pichus or the Pichus that are baby Pokemon). However, I do understand where you're coming from. New players should ask for a judge if they don't trust you.
 
Hello again. I am sorry its been so long since I posted but first I was honestly busy, then the gym was down... then we got some much needed rain... with far more thunder and lightning than rain. In other words, this is the first time I've been able to get to the Gym in about a week (I was on last night, but it refused to open).

I shall endeavor to some comment/answer questions later. I will respond to one thing: comparing knowing that Charizard comes from Charmeleon comes from Charmander is one thing: only the very inexperienced would have a hard time with this. I am not a fan of Rare Candy. Its a great card, but its unbalanced, and if they retain it long enough, it will be hard to keep track of Evolution lines (think of how confusing Digimon is). However, even if one accepts your basic premise, the end results are different: all that information you have to just "remember" for a copied Pokemon is much harder than "X Evolves into Y Evolves into Z". I said keep it real, so writing it out is out (as its highly time consuming and there is no gaurantee it is correct) and having scans of every card Ditto could potentially copy is way too much. It's bad enough that someone could be crazy and have up to 60 different Japanese cards in a single deck, and thus lug that many official translations/scans/whatever are required. I think its only allowed because no one has been crazy or foolish enough to try that. Maybe my version of Ditto could get way with it, just because mine is limited to Pokemon-ex. Maybe. I still don't like it.

Oh, and uh... when wanting to prove a point with the guy who started the read and is in charge of judging... make sure your wording is most polite. ;)
 
Otaku said:
Its a great card, but its unbalanced, and if they retain it long enough, it will be hard to keep track of Evolution lines (think of how confusing Digimon is).
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you on that but I like Rare Candy.
 
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