An Interesting Twist. How Would This Change the Game?

[True Life]

I was imagining playing a physical version of Shadow Era where the hero was played face down and wouldn't be revealed until the controlling player activated the hero's shadow ability. ie the duel began in the "Cover of Night". This option could also be implemented digitally very easily to add a new dimension to the game and spark some new interest. I imagine this format could also have a separate ranking system as well.

If the game was played this way I was curious what hero's would dominate, if any less used heroes would be used more often, and / or if there were any new play styles that would develop.

Would love to hear your thoughts / feedback. A possible name for this format could be "Nocturnal Advantage"

[tman507]

Interesting, but I think for the most part it would be pretty easy to tell based on the cards the other person uses to tell down to at least what faction/class combination they are using. For example, if my opponent plays Puwen on T2, then I know they are a human, then if they use Fireball on T3, I know they're a mage, and are henceforth either Eladwen or Nishaven, and if I get to find out when they use there ability, I'm going to most likely find out by the next turn.

[Warr Byrd]

Yeah, using any traditional deck, you would at least know the class and faction, if not which hero, your opponent is using by turn 6 or 7, so the only real change would be how concerned you were about saccing tech cards in the early game. I suppose somebody could make a deck using only faction or class cards to try and take advantage of this format with a hero that could hold off on using its ability and spam it starting turn 10, but with the current card pool I think that would weaken the deck more than the element of surprise would help it.

[Dynikus]

I think this, in combination with meltdown, would make an amazing format.

[Index]

This will be very interesting when we have like 50 heroes. or in a 2v2 mode where one of the players could hide their card at beginning(dunno how this mode works )

[AnomalousT]

I like the facedown card idea. (Not necessarily for the hero but for all cards) That's why I like trap cards (I wish there were more of them for more factions) But I digress. I agree with Index, This idea would be a lot more interesting if there were a lot more heroes or in a 2v2 mode.

[Kross]

Another way you would be able to tell which hero you are facing (or not facing at least) is by that heroes health.. Simply putting -1 and +1 counters on top of a face down hero wouldnt suffice, its only fair to know exactly how many hits it will take to finish off your opponent..

[Jeniva]

It wouldn't. You could tell easily and it's ultimately pointless

[Dynikus]

Another way you would be able to tell which hero you are facing (or not facing at least) is by that heroes health.. Simply putting -1 and +1 counters on top of a face down hero wouldnt suffice, its only fair to know exactly how many hits it will take to finish off your opponent..

You would be able to tell to some extent, but if your opponent has 28 health for example, that leaves 8 possible heroes that you could be up against.

It wouldn't. You could tell easily and it's ultimately pointless

Really? So if I was playing up against you in meltdown, and I just played a puwen, followed by what big teeth, and then chimera, you would be able to tell what hero I was playing?
Or say in a normal format, I played ironhide karash then Infernal Gargoyle, or puwen followed by Aldon, you could tell easily?
There are of course some cards that would be pretty big give-aways as to what hero you're up against, but you could easily either a) not play those until you're ready to reveal it, or b) build a deck in a way that it wouldn't be so obvious.
It's not pointless if someone finds enjoyment out of it. I'll try it out in some physical games and see how it goes.

[Jeniva]

You would be able to tell to some extent, but if your opponent has 28 health for example, that leaves 8 possible heroes that you could be up against.


Really? So if I was playing up against you in meltdown, and I just played a puwen, followed by what big teeth, and then chimera, you would be able to tell what hero I was playing?
Or say in a normal format, I played ironhide karash then Infernal Gargoyle, or puwen followed by Aldon, you could tell easily?
There are of course some cards that would be pretty big give-aways as to what hero you're up against, but you could easily either a) not play those until you're ready to reveal it, or b) build a deck in a way that it wouldn't be so obvious.
It's not pointless if someone finds enjoyment out of it. I'll try it out in some physical games and see how it goes.

I'd probably have a reasonable idea based on your heroes health. But i guess in meltdown it would be harder. Either way on about turn 3-4, the hero is revealed and i really don't think it's worth bothering in the first place.