So looking at the discussion rationally what is the (non subjective) definition of something "Overpowered".  What conditions (since they are not absolutes or in a vacumm) can objectively determine that? 
What do the playtesters use when they are seeing if something is out of balance or not?

Combination of factors, but is it on a sliding scale?  Is it the potential interactions with other cards?  Various synergies and combos that are presented?

If it is a sliding scale what is the range?
Like how do you evaluate: mana cost vs spell book cost vs armor, hp, damage, effects etc etc to see if something is too good or too low?

Note: I'm totally not taking any side or even commenting on anyone elses views.  Just interested in this discussion and trying to step back from it and look at it from all angles, since this is undoubtably going to come up again and again with DvN coming out.  I KNOW someone's going to say something is OP, but I don't want the playtesters or the game developers to be afraid to make "good" cards because of it.  I'd rather have cards that range in "goodness", they don't all have to be perfectly balanced to make the game fun and interesting.  I also am not a fan of errata/nerfing or changing a card AFTER it is in print.  There are other options, such as new cards that bring things back in balance if something does get out of balance.

Oh that is interesting.  So a card with 'extinguish' you can't use the extinguish effect to remove burn effects?  I too had thought it was just immune to the negative effects, and especially the damage part.  So I can't cast a water spell at hydro immune and just have it do no damage?  boo 

Nice Fyst! 

One thing that balances (or helps balance) Wizard tower is you need to use your mana resources EVERY time you use it.  It isn't like it casts anything for 'Free'.  It gives you action advantage, and the slight channeling, but you still can't just chain cast huge fireballs or chain lightning or anything every turn without using up an entire turn's worth of mana.  So I think it is good but the mana need to fuel it balances it.  You have to "choose" cast a big spell or a medium creature, you can't do both.  So it has it's limits.

I guess I am just anti changing cards after they have been printed.  Add new cards that can deal with them, don't change existing ones.  I don't think they should have ever changed the temples (and that isn't because I even used them much) I just think they were good but could be played around or killed.  Just like the tower.

Further to the point these "too good" cards adds a challenge and complexity to the game which I really enjoy tackling, so hope they don't nerf or get rid of fun challenges to puzzle through and play with just because folks think they are good. 

Quote from: Stormmaster on September 06, 2013, 08:28:30 AM

Every card has a weakness and can be taken down.

When I read that, it sounds like you mean that no card could ever be too good. Is that really what you mean?

That is pretty close to what I mean yes. 

Every "too good" card I've seen just adds challenge to the game.  It makes me think of ways to take it down, which makes the game a challenge.  There is always a way, it might just be harder or more difficult.  Who wants it too easy?  That is boring.  More powerful the better bring it on. Gives a challenge.

I suppose there is an outer threshold to the argument that indeed there might possibly be something so out of balance that it is just unkillable there is NO way to win a game when that card hits the table, but I have yet to see that card exist. 

Cantrip makes it worth almost anything, never worry again about being caught without armor, even after everything has been dispelled/destroyed this can come back out.  Me personally I wouldn't pull it out early and would favor non upkeep forms of armor first, 2 mana per turn (early on) is just too costly, but later game wouldn't matter as much.

What about tainted?  Can you toss tainted conditions on them for the -3 life?
Like from the spider or from Drain Soul.  I know Drain Life wouldn't work, but would Drain Soul?

Well they do want to sell the product and without letting people know at least some of what they will be paying money for it is difficult.  It generates interest and provides information.  If I want total mystery and to have no idea what I am purchasing I can ignore the spoilers.  For me I like to get a taste of what I am buying.