Uprising Wishlist
With Uprising spoilers dropping next week, plenty of theories, speculations and predictions are out there. Here is my contribution, a wish list for what will make Uprising exciting, balanced and unique.
6-8 Defined Draft Archetypes
The brilliance in draft lies in preparation, pick order, and finding the archetype, or lane, that is open. Draft is intended for pods of 8 players, which is why I wish for 6-8 clearly defined archetypes in Uprising. With three heroes, the math is uncertain. If each hero offers 2 distinct archetypes this yields 6 archetypes total…which is good, but there should be at least 1-2 more to ensure a less redundant draft. The more archetypes that exist, the more carefully players must decide which cards to pick, and which cards to pass. For example, Fai should have at least two unique play styles in draft, let’s call them aggro and control. The aggro archetype might prioritize low cost red attacks, go again and attack reactions, while a control archetypes might seek blue pitches, higher cost attacks, defense reactions, and healing cards. Both will grab bomb ninja rares, but the commons of the set should offer different play styles for the same hero. Draft is at it’s best when multiple players can be on the same hero, but not the same archetype.
So how can Fai have a third archetype…this brings me to my next wish.
Class Specific Equipment that Enables a Talent
Imagine a ninja pair of boots at common that enable the ice talent. Or an illusionist pair of gloves that enable the ice talent. This enables certain heroes to play both Ice and Draconic cards, opening a new archetype at the draft table. This idea comes from a discussion I had at the pro tour with friend and local player Evan Gassman who came up with the original idea. This is the spiciest wish because it has implications for every format, but let’s consider how this impacts draft . At common these boots would be available, but not guaranteed in every draft. If seen early, a player could position themselves in a hybrid archetype, drafting a mix of draconic and ice talents cards. This might offer some explanation as to why there is only one ice talented hero in this set. Isylander drafters will compete with some Fai drafters for cards, and will not have all the ice cards to themselves.
A Weapon With Blade Break
I’m no brute, so constantly blocking with my skullcap is causing serious brain trauma. Would it ever make sense to block with…a weapon…instead of your skull? This could add flavor to the game while enhancing end of game turns. Print this at rare so not every drafter has access to it. There could even be a variety of triggered effects when different weapons break. Staffs could add resources or gain life, swords could ping for 1, daggers could tax the next action by 1 resource. All these tiny advantages could buy you one more turn while you try and close out the game weaponless.
A Defense Reaction that Prevents on Hit Effects from Attack Actions
This is probably a terribly idea. It must have limitations but there are so many on hit effects in the game and really no way around them other than throwing the kitchen sink at them. The idea is that this card will leak damage, but won’t cause the discard effects that we have all come to hate. You are still pitching 4 for this, so you better have a blue and a tunic counter ready.
Generic Defense Reaction
Mythic Rarity
Pitch 2
Cost 4
Defense 3
“If the defended attack action hits and triggers an on hit effect, that effect does not trigger.”
Meet the Author
Evan McGrew is an active member of the FABTCGDC group and 1/2 of the creative force behind FAB TCG CARDS’ playmats. He enjoys helping grow the local community one player at a time. When he is not putting counters on his Dawnblade, Evan teaches 5th grade in Fairfax, VA.