Aminatou

Asylamb

Back when we were still getting paper previews for Duskmourn, I saw that the set featured Aminatou (already desparked), and I knew that it was only a matter of time before we get her PW form in Puzzle Quest.
I find her character very interesting, so I took it upon myself to draft my version of her PQ abilities, back in September. And since we now have an official version, I invite you to compare.

So, the first column is the official PQ version, the second one is my design (the extra column is the description of supports), the 3rd column is the paper version that works like PQ's Vanguards.

Before opening the discussion, I'd like to share my thoughts behind some of the decisions I made.

Overall I think that the abilities are synergized.
A1. Feeds the exile for the A3 (if it's on the board) or helps you getting to other abilities faster (mana -> loyalty).
A2. ETB triggers + feeding A3.
A3. Control.
Manually exiling cards from your hand will trigger the ultimate support, but won't work with A2 support, because it doesn't give the Emblem. But since A2 support only works once a turn, might as well get rid of the Emblem and just return the first non-spell card from exile every turn.

And I feel like A3 is not OP because

• It's "mana value"-restricted (value of X).
• It doesn't work against tokens. So, you can't exile a 3 mana creature from your hand to gain a stack of tokens from Pajami or Windgrace.
• It doesn't override Hexproof or Ward.

What it does is encourage to:

• Play higher mana value cards;
• Use powerful ETB effects;
• Use Exile strategies.

What are your thoughts?

Asylamb

With the silent judgment I made some adjustments to the table.

Tremayne

@Asylamb - I’m not sure what it is you want feedback on. Is it feedback on WebCores design, your design, the differences between the two design or something else?

I’m not sure I like Aminatou in the PQ version to begin with. Just my initial response.
Is it a she? Whatever… I expect, she is going to encourage a play style that will focus on gem conversion, so 3 converter supports (and “Golden wish” is going to be included by anyone who has it). That amount of loyalty will ensure board control with the second ability and ultimately win with all the cards the 3rd will bring to the table, if that is even necessary.

The first ability is a crapshoot but I can’t determine which colour will benefit from the first ability, nor is it totally clear how the bonus is calculated. Is it the sum, max mana value and how does the colour(s) of cards influence. Anywho, if the bonus is high enough and there is a match on the board, 15+ mana is going to be enough to cast most cards (possibly even GW). If it is GW that comes out, then you may be so lucky to gain 50+ mana in a round. Typically that will improve your board position so much that a win should be just around the corner.

That is ok, if it happens to you, but when you luck out against Greg, the loss will feel so random. So with a few caveats, that is my initial impression.

Asylamb

@Tremayne yes.