Carnage Rework

[Glamorpuss]

Since Carnage is an unlocked card that has the Ethereal trait, it feels like it was probably meant to be a powerful, but risky card. (i.e. One that's trying to tempt you to play it with Ethereal, but which isn't useful in all situations.) Right now, however, it's actually just fairly weak, as a card you could pick up. For comparison, two Headbutt or two Pommel Strike cards would deal the same damage, for the same cost, but have two non-damage effects applied, and be less risky because they could be played individually for 1 mana, or both at once (strictly more options). You could also compare it to two basic Strike cards, which deals 33% less damage, for the same cost, but more flexibility, and with no Ethereal threat. Or compare it to Heavy Blade, which deals only 22% less damage (unupgraded), but without Ethereal, and which scales very well with Strength. I feel that Carnage could be reworked to both make it more useful as a risky/reward/tempting card, and also thematically fit its art and title better.

Proposed new Carnage:
2 cost
Ethereal
deal 10 damage to all enemies (17 upgraded)
apply 2 Vulnerable to all enemies
apply 2 Vulnerable to player (1 upgraded)

Justification:
- it feels like a messy situation, that ends in many broken limbs (player vulnerable, all-attack, enemy vulnerable)
- is actually risky (player vulnerable, 2 cost), but rewarding certain situations (if you can take out an enemy or two on the turn it's played, if it's a turn with many enemies who aren't attacking)

These numbers / effects probably still need to be tweaked, but I think it's a lot closer, especially when compared to cards like Cleave, Thunderclap, and the other ones mentioned above.

[Sealer]

The player vulnerable part would mean I would never pick it up.

With that said, current carnage is worthless and needs a change. The ethereal block counterpart is way better.

[pop pop]

I would use 1 cost carnage that deals 11 damage at least.

[tty]

Originally posted by Carly 2000:

two Headbutt or two Pommel Strike cards would deal the same damage

It is just the Headbutt and Pommel Strike too strong and should be rework: I don't see the reason why someone would insist to slay the spire with a sword when the damage dealt by Strike (of the blade) is constantly lower than Headbutt or Pommel Strike. Why Ironclad not hold his sword upside down and keep using the Pommel like the blade to Strike or hold his head instead of the sword to Strike.

I wonder what the statistic says. If the Carnage is indeed unpopular, the developer would surely notice and modify it. I personally have never used this card given all the mentioned disadvantages.

[Glamorpuss]

Starting-game cards are meant (as far as I can tell) to be generally weaker than the ones you find in the game. (except for your utility ones, which stay more relevant through the rest of the game) I mean, if Strikes were as powerful as Pommel Strikes or Headbutt, you would have a lot less reason to gain any cards other than your starting ones, or to experiment with card *removal* from your deck, which is another important mechanic. (Maybe players familiar with deck-building games know about thin decks inherently, but I had to learn it in Space Food Truck, and re-learn it for this game.)

[Epsilon Rose]

Originally posted by freezelty:

Originally posted by Carly 2000:

two Headbutt or two Pommel Strike cards would deal the same damage

It is just the Headbutt and Pommel Strike too strong and should be rework: I don't see the reason why someone would insist to slay the spire with a sword when the damage dealt by Strike (of the blade) is constantly lower than Headbutt or Pommel Strike. Why Ironclad not hold his sword upside down and keep using the Pommel like the blade to Strike or hold his head instead of the sword to Strike.

I wonder what the statistic says. If the Carnage is indeed unpopular, the developer would surely notice and modify it. I personally have never used this card given all the mentioned disadvantages.

Ironically, there is an actual sword technique where where you flip it over and hit with the crossgaurd. It's called a murder strike and is used for dealing with armor. That said, there are also cards that use the blade and do much more damage than either pommel strike or headbut. It's just that the starting cards are meant to be the weakest.