Thread:Talk:Magical Assistant/Great idea!/reply (2)

A single deck for everything - that is a challenge!! My brain always gravitates to adding complexity, but I definitely see a benefit in having the core mechanic worked out first, and if desired adding on layers of detail later.

My mind immediately sees two major paths in how the the math challenges work. You could require challenges to be solved with just raw brain power, and not using other cards or resources, or you could require that an equation be solved by having the players pool together resources to make it work. For instance, a card could be a simple algebraic equation (2x+9)/3=35.

In the first scenario, a player just does the math, maybe in a certain time frame, and if they pull out the right answer there's a benefit and if they do not there's a penalty. Simple, elegant. This route has lots of possibilities, but my second thought is more complicated so I thought I'd mention it before brainstorming the first idea.

In the second scenario, players use cards in their hands to build the number required. So the equation is solved, and the answer (48) now must be created using the "spell components". Since this is a single deck game, each card could have multiple properties - I could see four. Each would have an equation, a type of operation (exponents/roots, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction), a number, and a complication/benefit. Depending on how you place the card down on the table, it takes on the chosen property (rightside up, upside down, turned clockwise, turned counterclockwise).

So, for instance in the equation mentioned, we determine 48 is the target number. We go around the table trying to build the number. The first player must put down a 7 from their hand, the next player puts an exponent card, the next a 2 - squaring it. Then someone puts down a subtraction card, and then someone else puts in a 1. 7^2-1 = success!

Figuring out scoring could go multiple ways - you could get bonus points for each card used to make the target number, without running out of cards, or you could just get more points the faster you do it. The first way might be more fun and engaging. Or maybe the "complication/benefit" part of each card would tell you what you want to do (less then 5 cards, more than 7 cards, exactly 5 cards) to gain the benefit, and if you fail to do so you get the complication.

I also see a way of having a randomized equation using these cards... but that could lead to fractional numbers which might be a pain to deal with. Or maybe not... haven't worked that thought in my head yet.

What kind of challenges were you thinking? And that teaser for that other game idea of yours piques my interest too!