The old Ida Emean

[Iuliandrei]

The old Ida Emean

For those who don't know, long time ago before the age of silver mages, Ida Emean was an ambush card that countered special cards. It wasn't very useful because there weren't many special cards in the game and they weren't played that much either, aside First Light, so more often than not it could be a 0 point silver card. She got changed for some reason but right now the game is so different that i'm thinking if we need some special counters or interactions such as the old Ida Emean.

Right now special cards are a way bigger part of the game, there are many different type of special cards and we have entire decks revolve around them. Also almost every faction plays a Runestone. I think there should be cards that do something whenever the opponent plays a special card, like boost, spawn a token, etc

Example:
Blue Stripes Sentry - 9 power
Temeria, Soldier
Whenever your opponent plays a special card, spawn a Blue Stripes Commando.

 

[AmusedScreamer]

Agreed on Ida. More ambush cards, please!

 

[Khreygond]

No way. Ida Emean was one of the worst cards in the game back in those days. Along with, coincidentally, all non-bronze ambush cards like Schiru, Toruviel (goddamn that one) and Ciaran (though he wasn't used too much from what I recall) (Schiru in particular. For those who don't know it was similar to an ambush version of G:Igni. Adding the fact that almost nothing non-ST was agile he was an auto include in Scoia decks pretty much which led to the infamous Scoia Scorch Spam meta. Meaning playing Scorch, reviving it with Eithne, then reviving it with Aglais which did the same thing, then reviving it with nature's gift which did that, then Schiru and possibly G:Igni could lead to so many scorches it was nigh-impossible to counter).

The main problem with Ida then was that no matter what happened, you couldn't really counter it. If you had a special card in your hand or were planning to play one, boom. Since there was no way of destroying her or locking her while face down, and the row she was placed on didn't matter she is an impossible to interact with token that automatically cancels the next card you play.

However that is not to say that I am against an introduction of ambush cards and even ambush cards with the effect that you are describing. But for that to happen you need ambush counters. Things that can lock or destroy face down ambush units. Moreover, these need to be neutral cards (because limiting them to a specific deck is obviously counter-intuitive) and bronze too, because it's hard enough guessing whether the enemy has played a bronze or silver ambush, if you have only one then they can just overwhelm you. But even if that suggestion is implemented, the next problem is that we will, for the first time in Gwent, have something that is specifically designed to counter a whole archetype. Sure it's not the only time this happens accidentally, like Sweers being lethal against nekkers and vicovaros ruining SK GY, but these cards DO have a general purpose. They weren't made specifically to stop ambush cards. I don't feel this is the direction the game should take or is taking to be honest.

In short, while the idea sounds interesting, it needs Gwent to take a different direction and one that it really shouldn't in my opinion. That's why reactive ambushes (like Morenn, ex-Schiru and Ida Emean) need to have a very carefully balanced effect and that's why most of these were completely reworked. Because otherwise they won't really be possible to counter. Proactive ambushes (like Toruviel) however are ok to have as long as they don't provide unlimited points

On the other hand, a carefully balanced reactive ambush like the Blue Stripes Sentry you are suggesting could be worthwhile Then the opponent has the option of delaying the playing of his special cards in order to avoid having the commando boosted by Blue Stripes Scout for example

 

[iamthedave]

We do have a situation where an entire faction mechanic simply isn't used because it's rubbish. There's only one - maybe two - ambush cards that see any play at all. And even that one is only okay.

 

[Khreygond]

We do have a situation where an entire faction mechanic simply isn't used because it's rubbish. There's only one - maybe two - ambush cards that see any play at all. And even that one is only okay.

Of course. I am all for the introduction of new Ambush cards. But Ambush used to be a ST specific mechanic (and still is). Adding NR Ambush cards kinda ruins the guerilla ambush aspect of ST as interesting as it may be. But with the knowledge that ambush cards are unable to be interacted with until flipped over, it's hard to balance it properly. The old Dol Blathana Trapper was an interesting ambush card for example.

 

[Iuliandrei]

The main problem with Ida then was that no matter what happened, you couldn't really counter it. If you had a special card in your hand or were planning to play one, boom. Since there was no way of destroying her or locking her while face down, and the row she was placed on didn't matter she is an impossible to interact with token that automatically cancels the next card you play.

Yes but now ambush cards can be locked, also this was her purpose, to deny you a special card. Maybe you don't need a counter since she IS the counter.
Even so, let's say you have a Thunder or Recon in your hand, you can purposefully play these to trigger Ida, or if it's your only special card you might aswell not play it, you trade a bronze card for a silver. But even if you do decide to trigger her, in order to safely use a runestone later, you waste 9 points, your opponent gains 4, meaning Ida would be a 13 point silver, sure it FEELS bad to be denied a card but value wise it's not that great.

edit: also i didn't say all anti-special cards should be ambush, the Blue Stripes Sentry isn't, that was an example of other types of cards that would have an effect when opponent plays a special cards.

 

[Iuliandrei]

I'm glad this is returning however as a Gold?
I don't think you can gamble gold cards like that.

 

[Rawls]

Ciaran

Cirian was OP IMO when he was a 1 point ambush silver Ciri. Uncounterable CA in any round you lose. Glad some version of Ida is back, but I think she ought to be 8-10 value as a gold card.

 

[DRK3]

I would love to see the return of more ambush cards, it was my favourite SC mechanic and archetype, and when CDPR ruined it, i lost interest in the faction. Maybe if they add new ambush units, i can play with those pointy eared bastards again...

 

[TrompeLaMort]

Funny, not one day after your post we get "Ida" back.

 

[Tir_na_Lia]

(Schiru in particular. For those who don't know it was similar to an ambush version of G:Igni. Adding the fact that almost nothing non-ST was agile he was an auto include in Scoia decks pretty much which led to the infamous Scoia Scorch Spam meta. Meaning playing Scorch, reviving it with Eithne, then reviving it with Aglais which did the same thing, then reviving it with nature's gift which did that, then Schiru and possibly G:Igni could lead to so many scorches it was nigh-impossible to counter).

I'm getting nostalgic...I'll get drunk reminiscing the times when you had a decent number of Scorch cards in your deck...:wondering: