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[kru5h]

I know I said I wouldn't post this until Monday, but the cards were revealed early, so here's your contest:

Weekly Design Contest #172: Trait Me Right

The rules are simple: Design a Trait. Your Trait may have another card/card-shaped-thing associated with it, but please limit yourselves to 1 Trait and a max of 1 other new thing. So, neither 4-way split piles, Traveller lines, nor whole new sets of 15 Loots will be accepted.

The contest will close on Wednesday the 28th, so you get a little extra time for this one if you're gone for the Holidays (like I will be.)

Have fun!

Edit: Grammar

[Snes]

Resourceful
When you gain a Resourceful card, you may put a non-Duration Action card you have in play onto your deck.

I considered letting you topdeck any card, but then I considered how many treasures (especially loot) would make it much easier to keep buying the resourceful cards each turn and empty the pile quickly.

[majiponi]

Resourceful
When you gain a Resourceful card, you may put an Action card you have in play onto your deck.

I considered letting you topdeck any card, but then I considered how many treasures (especially loot) would make it much easier to keep buying the resourceful cards each turn and empty the pile quickly.

2 Magpies, pile out.

[Snes]

Resourceful
When you gain a Resourceful card, you may put an Action card you have in play onto your deck.

I considered letting you topdeck any card, but then I considered how many treasures (especially loot) would make it much easier to keep buying the resourceful cards each turn and empty the pile quickly.

2 Magpies, pile out.

Eh?

[BryGuy]

I had the set-up of the Journey token being face-up, but the text was too small so it got removed.

[Gubump]

Resourceful
When you gain a Resourceful card, you may put an Action card you have in play onto your deck.

I considered letting you topdeck any card, but then I considered how many treasures (especially loot) would make it much easier to keep buying the resourceful cards each turn and empty the pile quickly.

2 Magpies, pile out.

Eh?

You have two Magpies in your hand. You play the Magpie it to draw a card, then reveal an Action or Victory card as the next card in your deck. You gain a Resourceful Magpie and topdeck the Magpie you just played. Then you play the other Magpie in your hand to redraw the first Magpie, then reveal the same card you revealed before to topdeck the Magpie you played. Repeat until the Magpie pile empties.

This is a specific enough scenario that I think it's fine, but the actual problem with Resourceful is that it has tracking issues due to being able to topdeck Duration cards the same turn you play them in. It ought to not be able to topdeck Durations.

[Builder_Roberts]

Undead - Trait
When you trash an Undead card, set it aside and play it at the start of your next turn.

I like how Traits can let you play cards in weird situations. If you feel that Undead Pillage and other on-trash cards are too good in the slim case that it occurs, use this instead:

Undead - Trait
When you trash an Undead card other than from play, set it aside and play it at the start of your next turn.

But I feel that it's rare enough and would create a cool enough situation, that the simpler wording could slide. It's your decision, though.

[LibraryAdventurer]

Diver
Trait
When you discard a Diver card, you may reveal it to put it on the bottom of your deck.

FAQ: This includes discarding from play or from your hand during clean-up.

PS: Tireless really should have a "you may" as well.

[AJL828]

Thrifty
Trait
When you gain a Thrifty card, gain a cheaper card that shares a type with it.

Thrifty cards get you really good bang for your buck, assuming they're cards you wanted in the first place.

[AJL828]

Traits that buff their card are cool, but I've especially liked ones that interact beyond the card with the trait. Inheritance is the inspiration here, obviously.  It has some interesting differences, like it might be playing a Treasure, or maybe an expensive Action card. Who knows!
Thematically, the Refined card is visiting you in your wealthy Province.

Also I need help with the wording. I don't want Lurker to be able to trash it from the Supply, and ideally I wouldn't want Quarry to affect its price.
Could I do "Provinces in your hand..." or "Provinces not in the Supply....", perhaps?

I think that this would have problems with other cards as well. With this trait, Changeling, Kiln, Specialist, Tools, Disciple (and maybe others?) could outright gain provinces even with them only counting as actions in your hand.
Beyond that I think it messes with some of the interesting strategy of the game too much. Having Provinces not only no longer take up space in your deck, but also often having the ability to further increase your ability to draw pushes for super early greening.

[JW]

Flexible
Once a turn, when you discard a Flexible card from play, you may exchange it for a card costing as much as it or less.

Notes: Feedback on whether this is the right wording appreciated. Also, are there any problematic (or confusing) interactions that a slightly different wording would avoid?

Edit: Minor wording update. Thanks, SignError!

[MrFrog]

Independent
Trait
After playing your 3rd Action card in a turn, play an Independent card from the supply, leaving it there.

I did play a handfull of solo games with this and it was a fun experience. Feedback welcome!

[MrFrog]

Independent
Trait
After playing your 3rd Action card in a turn, play an Independent card from the supply, leaving it there.

Its activation is mandatory? No "you may play"?

Yes, it's mandatory.

[Ethan]

Warm
Trait
At the end of your Buy phase, if you have at least $4 unspent, gain a Warm card.

[Aquila]

Wanted
When you play a Wanted card, +1 Action and +. When you discard a Wanted card from play, Exile it.

[Snes]

This is a specific enough scenario that I think it's fine, but the actual problem with Resourceful is that it has tracking issues due to being able to topdeck Duration cards the same turn you play them in. It ought to not be able to topdeck Durations.

If you topdeck a duration, do you still have to pretend the duration is still in play?  I assumed that once a duration is no longer on the field, its effect ends (ie. topdecking your Lighthouse loses you the +$1 next turn and makes you vulnerable to attacks again, topdecking your Voyage loses you the extra turn, etc.).

[segura]

This is a specific enough scenario that I think it's fine, but the actual problem with Resourceful is that it has tracking issues due to being able to topdeck Duration cards the same turn you play them in. It ought to not be able to topdeck Durations.

If you topdeck a duration, do you still have to pretend the duration is still in play?  I assumed that once a duration is no longer on the field, its effect ends (ie. topdecking your Lighthouse loses you the +$1 next turn and makes you vulnerable to attacks again, topdecking your Voyage loses you the extra turn, etc.).

That is not how the rules of Dominion work. The Duration still does what it does but tracking becomes difficult. That is why official cards like e.g. Captain don’t allow such a mess.

[Snes]

This is a specific enough scenario that I think it's fine, but the actual problem with Resourceful is that it has tracking issues due to being able to topdeck Duration cards the same turn you play them in. It ought to not be able to topdeck Durations.

If you topdeck a duration, do you still have to pretend the duration is still in play?  I assumed that once a duration is no longer on the field, its effect ends (ie. topdecking your Lighthouse loses you the +$1 next turn and makes you vulnerable to attacks again, topdecking your Voyage loses you the extra turn, etc.).

That is not how the rules of Dominion work. The Duration still does what it does but tracking becomes difficult. That is why official cards like e.g. Captain don’t allow such a mess.

Darn, that would have been a good interaction.  Okay, I'll edit my submission.

[4est]

Nope, I didn't make a mistake. For the Kindred Trait, there are two Kindred cards, and both are randomized to a different Action/Treasure Supply pile like normal Traits. The Kindred cards are inseparably linked: the first time you gain one Kindred card, you get a copy of the other (whether you want it or not, similar to Fawning).

Depending on what the pair is, this can lead to some interesting interactions, such as when a good card is tied to a not so good one, or letting you get around challenging price points (hey, I can gain Grand Markets for $3 if I buy their Kindred Fortune Tellers, hmm but do I really want a bunch of Fortune Tellers).

Initially I used differently named, but this gets messy with split piles (including autopiling the Knights) so now it checks which pile the card came from.

*Edit: simplified wording (thanks Gubump)

[Xen3k]

Grand
Trait
You can’t buy Grand cards if you have any Coppers in play.
When you gain a Grand card you bought, gain another Grand card.

Make anything Grand! Gainers avoid the Copper limitation, but only benefit from the Port effect if you can gain a Grand card during your Buy phase. If you do buy a Grand card, you get another for free.

Edit: Simplified wording to just trigger the extra gain when gaining a Grand card you bought.

[Gubump]

Nope, I didn't make a mistake. For the Kindred Trait, there are two Kindred cards, and both are randomized to a different Action/Treasure Supply pile like normal Traits. The Kindred cards are inseparably linked: any time you gain one Kindred card, you get a copy of the other (whether you want it or not, similar to Fawning).

Depending on what the pair is, this can lead to some interesting interactions, such as when a good card is tied to a not so good one, or letting you get around challenging price points (hey, I can gain Grand Markets for $3 if I buy their Kindred Fortune Tellers, hmm but do I really want a bunch of Fortune Tellers).

Initially I used differently named, but this gets messy with split piles (including autopiling the Knights) so now it checks which pile the card came from.

Wouldn't this function the same with the simpler "The first time you gain a Kindred card in a turn, gain a Kindred card from a different pile."?

[Gubump]

[SignError]

Diver
Trait
When you discard a Diver card, you may reveal it to put it on the bottom of your deck.

FAQ: This includes discarding from play or from your hand during clean-up.

PS: Tireless really should have a "you may" as well.

Tireless’s text:

When you discard a Tireless card from play, set it aside, and put it onto your deck at end of turn.

Cards in play are community knowledge, so Tireless does not need “you may” like Diver does to avoid accountability issues when discarding your hand. I think Tireless being mandatory makes it more interesting. On some cards it will be a benefit, but on others it will be detrimental, and that’s something the players need to decide for themselves each game.  If it were optional, it could only be a buff.

[segura]

(entry withdrawn)

Traits that buff their card are cool, but I've especially liked ones that interact beyond the card with the trait. Inheritance is the inspiration here, obviously.  It has some interesting differences, like it might be playing a Treasure, or maybe an expensive Action card. Who knows!
Thematically, the Refined card is visiting you in your wealthy Province.

Also I need help with the wording. I don't want Lurker to be able to trash it from the Supply, and ideally I wouldn't want Quarry to affect its price.
Could I do "Provinces in your hand..." or "Provinces not in the Supply....", perhaps?

I think this is too similar to Fawning (and also strictly better).

[emtzalex]

My Submission:

Versatile • Trait
Versatile Actions are also Treasures. Versatile Treasures are also Actions.

[segura]

This uses a fan card mechanic, freeze. With gaining being delayed for, most often, one shuffle this is a bit like Importer. I first though about the going down the total token-mania road, i.e. also Horses and VP tokens, but that seems too wild/versatile.

[xyz123]

Induction
Trait

When you discard an Induction card other than during Clean-up, +1 Villager

[Kingreaper]

I like traits that are mixed blessings the most; the purely positive tend to be too clear an "empty this pile" thing. So here's a little something that's often detrimental, but also often useful.

Begging
Trait

After playing a Begging card, gain a card costing $2 or less to your hand.

EDIT: Changed it from a "when you play" trigger to an "after playing"

[X-tra]

Silly idea, but why not?

Right now, hesitant between +1 Card for your next hand, or +2. Two cards make it seem very good compared to Shy, but you do lose that card, whereas that Shy card could be redrawn and played.

[Ethan]

Versatile • Trait
Versatile Actions are also Treasures. Versatile Treasures are also Actions.

I have the same idea before my submission It will be interesting and sometimes quite strong.

[bigpotato]

Nets you a bunch of itself, but once the pile's out, they start disappearing.

Not sure if I need to clarify that you never get to exile nothing. None of this Torturer nonsense.

[Will(ow|iam)]

Repetitive

Ally - Trait

When you discard a repetitive card, you may spend 2 favors to reveal it and set it aside. If you did, play it at the start of your next turn.

Rulebook: Multitype Allies are chosen from the Ally randomizer.

[Holger]

Warm
Trait
At the end of your Buy phase, if you have at least $4 unspent, gain a Warm card.

This is likely overpowered with a $6+ card - you could effectively "buy" a Warm King's court or Grand Market for only $4, without even using up a buy.
It's also clearly better than Cheap with any $6+ card, but underwhelming with a card costing $3 or less...

[segura]

Warm
Trait
At the end of your Buy phase, if you have at least $4 unspent, gain a Warm card.

It's also clearly better than Cheap with any $6+ card, but underwhelming with a card costing $3 or less...

As you don’t need a buy to gain a Warm card via the Trait, the notion that this is weak under $2s and $3s is highly dubious.

[NoMoreFun]

Magnetic
Trait
When you play a Magnetic card, you may return a Copper to the supply. If you didn't, gain a Copper to your hand

[Ethan]

Warm
Trait
At the end of your Buy phase, if you have at least $4 unspent, gain a Warm card.

This is likely overpowered with a $6+ card - you could effectively "buy" a Warm King's court or Grand Market for only $4, without even using up a buy.

Yes, it will sometimes change the game hugely. But we have several official Traits that gain you a card regardless of its price, so I don't think it's a big problem.

[SignError]

Durable
Trait

Don't discard Durable cards from play in Clean-up. When scoring, for each Durable card you have in play, 1VP and 1VP per $2 it costs (round down).

Durable uses Journey’s trick of not discarding cards from play, to turn (almost) any card into a pseudo-Duration.  The reward is VP, like a mini Distant Lands.  The downside is that Durable cards effectively become one-shots.  Speaking of one-shots, Durable doesn’t do anything with some cards that are already one-shots, such as Experiment.  It also has anti-synergies with cards with Debt and Potion costs.  I originally tried fixed VP amounts, like 2VP, which is less impactful when compared to Obelisk, and then 3VP, which seemed like too much for cheap cards. Then I tried scaling 1VP per $2, and finally I added 1 bonus VP to the calculation, which ends up matching Bishop’s formula.

[segura]

There is an argument for trashing them for VP, above all clarity (it becomes a visual mess if the Durable cards are Durations that sit in your play area together with a bunch of other Durations). Mechanically it is the same except for now worthless unplayed Durables. You get rid of Peddler and Swamp Shack interactions and create trash interactions (e.g. Graverobber, Necromancer)-

[majiponi]

Exhaust
Traits
Directly after playing an Exhaust card, if it is still in play, replay it, leaving there (this doesn't cause another playing), and when you discard it from play, return it to its pile.


Reckless Outpost is evil.

[segura]

I don’t get it. Is this supposed to be a nerfed Reckless? Is this nerf really necessary?

[SignError]

There is an argument for trashing them for VP, above all clarity (it becomes a visual mess if the Durable cards are Durations that sit in your play area together with a bunch of other Durations). Mechanically it is the same except for now worthless unplayed Durables. You get rid of Peddler and Swamp Shack interactions and create trash interactions (e.g. Graverobber, Necromancer)-

Durable cannot use trashing for the same reason that Reckless does not use trashing.  It would create infinite loops with Fortress.

I considered using Victory tokens and Exile, but that’s more wordy and involves lots of mechanics from other expansions.  It is also more powerful and enables loops in some kingdoms. Staying in play fits well with the Plunder expansion. For Durable cards that are naturally Durations, you can turn them facedown when they are done doing what they do.

[SignError]

Flexible
Once a turn, when you discard a Flexible card from play, you may exchange it for a card costing less than or equal to it.

Notes: Feedback on whether this is the right wording appreciated. Also, are there any problematic (or confusing) interactions that a slightly different wording would avoid?

Wheelwright uses “costing as much as it or less.”

[Commodore Chuckles]

Scarce
Trait
When setting up the game, only put 4 Scarce cards in their pile.

[Augie279]

A Way trait for when a card has served its purpose. Uses round up instead of down on purpose as I think it makes it more fun.

[Gubump]

Scarce
Trait
When setting up the game, only put 4 Scarce cards in their pile.

How does this work with split piles? Would you randomly select 4 to have in the pile?

[NoMoreFun]

Silly idea, but why not?

Right now, hesitant between +1 Card for your next hand, or +2. Two cards make it seem very good compared to Shy, but you do lose that card, whereas that Shy card could be redrawn and played.

You might want to change it to "+2 Cards at end of turn" instead of using the Expedition wording, to make it clear what happens in situations where you play cards during another player's turn turn (e.g. Black Cat).

[X-tra]

You might want to change it to "+2 Cards at end of turn" instead of using the Expedition wording, to make it clear what happens in situations where you play cards during another player's turn turn (e.g. Black Cat).

Good idea, that should take care of weird situations. I usually prefer the "draw X extra card(s) for your next hand" wording, but in this situation, it makes more sense to use the "+X card(s) at end of turn" wording.

[arowdok]

My Entry is a Linked Trait pair
*one more time trying to get it somewhat balanced this time*

Romeo & Juliet
These are temporary flavor I will likely replace them latter if this plays well. I thought it best to use an iconic pair to show how these are linked. Suggestions welcome.

Romeo Trait After playing a Romeo card from your hand, you may play a Juliet card from the Supply, leaving it there. When discarding one from play, return it to its pile. - Setup: Add Juliet to another non-Command Action or Treasure pile in the Supply.	Juliet Trait After playing a Juliet card from your hand, you may play a Romeo card from the Supply, leaving it there. When discarding one from play, return it to its pile.

V2

Romeo Trait When you buy a Romeo card, gain a Juliet card. After playing a Romeo card on your turn, you may play a Juliet from your hand.	Juliet Trait When you buy a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card. After playing a Juliet card on your turn, you may play a Romeo from your hand.

V1

Romeo Trait When you gain a Romeo card, gain a Juliet card. After playing a Romeo card on your turn, you may play a Juliet from your hand.	Juliet Trait When you gain a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card. After playing a Juliet card on your turn, you may play a Romeo from your hand.

[emtzalex]

My Entry is a Linked Trait pair
Romeo & Juliet
These are temporary flavor I will likely replace them latter if this plays well. I thought it best to use an iconic pair to show how these are linked. Suggestions welcome.

Romeo Trait When you gain a Romeo card, gain a Juliet card. After playing a Romeo card on your turn, you may play a Juliet from your hand.	Juliet Trait When you gain a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card. After playing a Juliet card on your turn, you may play a Romeo from your hand.

These need to say something like "When you gain a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card (that doesn't come with another Juliet card)". Otherwise, gaining either one will pile out both (unless they aren't the same size; in that case, it'll pile out the smaller one, and give that many copies of the larger). (See Experiment).

[arowdok]

My Entry is a Linked Trait pair
Romeo & Juliet
These are temporary flavor I will likely replace them latter if this plays well. I thought it best to use an iconic pair to show how these are linked. Suggestions welcome.

Romeo Trait When you gain a Romeo card, gain a Juliet card. After playing a Romeo card on your turn, you may play a Juliet from your hand.	Juliet Trait When you gain a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card. After playing a Juliet card on your turn, you may play a Romeo from your hand.

These need to say something like "When you gain a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card (that doesn't come with another Juliet card)". Otherwise, gaining either one will pile out both (unless they aren't the same size; in that case, it'll pile out the smaller one, and give that many copies of the larger). (See Experiment).

Good catch i will update

[grrgrrgrr]

My Entry is a Linked Trait pair
Romeo & Juliet
These are temporary flavor I will likely replace them latter if this plays well. I thought it best to use an iconic pair to show how these are linked. Suggestions welcome.

Romeo Trait When you buy a Romeo card, gain a Juliet card. After playing a Romeo card on your turn, you may play a Juliet from your hand.	Juliet Trait When you buy a Juliet card, gain a Romeo card. After playing a Juliet card on your turn, you may play a Romeo from your hand.

I know Buy triggers are out dated but I am trying to keep the text box small.

I would honestly forego the gain part altogether. Simplicity is important and you also don't want to unlock the ability to gain a $6 cost by buying a $2 cost.

[exfret]

Most sets come with a generous supply of blanks, and if you don't have any there's always a good way to make do. If remembering the card instructions is a problem, set one aside and use one extra blank.

[Will(ow|iam)]

Most sets come with a generous supply of blanks, and if you don't have any there's always a good way to make do. If remembering the card instructions is a problem, set one aside and use one extra blank.

Do the Allies split piles have 56 cards in them?

[exfret]

Most sets come with a generous supply of blanks, and if you don't have any there's always a good way to make do. If remembering the card instructions is a problem, set one aside and use one extra blank.

Do the Allies split piles have 56 cards in them?

Good point. Let's say it just says the top card of the pile is duplicated.

[Erick648]

Frugal
Trait
Directly after you finish playing a Frugal card, you may pay 1 Action for +1 Villager or pay $1 for +1 Coffer.

[Marpharos]

Riding
Trait
When you gain a Riding card, gain 2 Horses.

Just wanted to gain a horse.

[segura]

This is pretty funky with Experiment.

[NoMoreFun]

This is pretty funky with Experiment.

A lot of Traits are!

[kru5h]

Evening of the Final Day.

24 Hours remain.

Warning: I will not be providing feedback on every card this time. It's very difficult to give feedback on Traits since they don't have to be balanced or work with every card.
Also: I'm very busy this week.

[kru5h]

Contest closed.

Results shortly. (No Feedback. Sorry.)

[kru5h]

Honorable Mention: arowdok with Romeo and Juliet

3rd Place: Builder_Roberts with Undead

2nd Place:  Gubump with Possessed

1st Place: 4est with Kindred

[Gubump]

As soon as I saw Kindred, I was like "okay, contest over, not topping that one."

Congratulations, 4est!

[4est]

Thanks kru5h for this week's contest and the win! It was brave of you to host one on Traits as we're all still figuring these out haha. I know I would have really struggled with giving feedback on these too. I enjoyed the many fun submissions though

New contest will be up momentarily!