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Strategy and Tactics / Re: On mana crystal effects and efficiency
« on: October 20, 2014, 02:11:43 PM »
Objectively a Mana Crystal Effect (channeling +1) breaks even after X turns (X = Mana Cost) because only then you'll get back the mana spent and from then on it's pure gain. That is true, no arguing about it.
However, speaking of efficiency brings concepts that are not being taken into account in the discussion, and that is Plan, Objective and Purpose.
Efficiency means that the Objectives are met using the minimal possible amount of resources and time. The Objective of the game is to defeat the opponent, but there are many different possible Plans to do that. And inside each Plan, each single Card has its own Purpose.
So, if a player's Plan includes Mana Crystal Effect's Cards and has a clear Purpose for them, and the Objective is met, then we can say that the Mana Crystal Effect Card is Effective, if not necessarily Efficient.
In summary, in my opinion, a Card (or effects like it) cannot be evaluated in the void, it has an very complex game around it, and may find a place in the Winning Plan of any player.
What some players will see as a unworthy expenditure, others may see as an rewarding investment.
However, speaking of efficiency brings concepts that are not being taken into account in the discussion, and that is Plan, Objective and Purpose.
Efficiency means that the Objectives are met using the minimal possible amount of resources and time. The Objective of the game is to defeat the opponent, but there are many different possible Plans to do that. And inside each Plan, each single Card has its own Purpose.
So, if a player's Plan includes Mana Crystal Effect's Cards and has a clear Purpose for them, and the Objective is met, then we can say that the Mana Crystal Effect Card is Effective, if not necessarily Efficient.
In summary, in my opinion, a Card (or effects like it) cannot be evaluated in the void, it has an very complex game around it, and may find a place in the Winning Plan of any player.
What some players will see as a unworthy expenditure, others may see as an rewarding investment.