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Designing a Red-White Detective那: Crafting a Nelly Borca-inspired MTG card

If you love the thrill of a well-timed attack and the moral gymnastics of a cunning investigator, you’re in for a treat. The legendary creature Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser from Murders at Karlov Manor Commander bursts onto the scene with a bold mix of vigilance and goad, wrapped in a red-white (RW) punch that plays nicely with both offense and political play. As a designer, translating that energy into a new card design is a delicious challenge: how do you capture the same tension between accusation and action, while inviting players to build around it? 🧙‍♂️🔥

First, let’s ground ourselves in what makes Nelly Borca tick. She is a 2/4 legendary Human Detective for {2}{R}{W}, a color identity that sings with fast aggression, bold tempers, and a dash of strategic flair. Her vigilance keeps her ready for an all-out assault, while her attack trigger introduces a tactical element: when she attacks, you “suspect” a creature and then goad all suspected creatures. Goad forces opponents to attack with their other creatures, which fits perfectly with a classic RW tempo strategy: you trade tempo for card draw and pressure, while your opponents are pulled into uncomfortable choices. The final piece—the card draw when combat damage lands on opponents—gives you a back-end payoff that rewards ongoing aggression. It’s a design triangle that tastes of spicy decision-making, much like a good whodunit with a dash of revenge. ⚔️🎨

When you’re envisioning a Nelly Borca-inspired design, think about three pillars: the sudden snap of an accusation, the strategic reordering of combat via goad, and a payoff that rewards the audacious plan. The magic of the original card lies in how simple mechanics pair with a strong theme to create both memorable moments and flexible gameplay. 🧠💎

Key design principles you can borrow

• Color identity and mana cost: A RW curve that leans toward aggressive plays and meaningful attacks. The mana cost {2}{R}{W} signals a midrange-to-forward deck that can pivot into control elements with the right support. Use a similar color pairing to evoke the detective vibe—red for urgency and white for discipline and law-and-order flavor. 🔥⚔️
• Vigilance as a tempo anchor: Keep vigilance or a light defensive angle so the card can threaten on offense while staying useful on defense. Vigilance is a storyteller’s tool, hinting at a character who never truly relaxes—always watching, always ready to strike. 🧭
• Goad as a narrative shifter: Goad is the mechanic that forces players to rethink their boards and riskier lines. A well-tuned goad effect should push opponents into making suboptimal blocks or awkward attacks, heightening the drama of every combat phase. For a custom design, consider scaling goad with card advantage or additional payoffs when goaded creatures deal damage. ⚡
• Card advantage tied to aggression: The draw trigger tied to multiple damage events creates a reliable payoff for an attack-heavy approach. When a card rewards players for opponents dealing damage, you’re nudging a reciprocal dynamic: you push damage, they push back with consequences. Let those consequences feed your next turns. 🔄
• Flavor through text and naming: Names like “suspicion,” “suspected creatures,” and “menace while suspected” (via goad) give you a lane to weave flavor into the mechanics. Thematic keywords help players remember what the card “feels” like in a room full of conspirators. 🕵️‍♀️

Practical design roadmap for a Nelly Borca-inspired card

• Start with a dynamic ally to RW: a legendary creature with a robust on-attack trigger and a goad element. Consider a 3/3 or 2/4 body to keep the card relevant in the late game.
• Balance the goad so it punishes or punishes players without locking entire boards. You want a moment of vulnerability for opponents, not an inevitability.
• Pair with an optional, optional “suspect” mechanic that can be optional or targeted: selecting an opposing creature for “suspect” is the core storytelling beat—make sure it’s clearly worded and left room for varied deckbuilding.
• Cap the design with an end-phase payoff, like a card-draw trigger that scales with damage to opponents. This confirms the plan is working and invites players to commit to the acceleration path.

Incorporating these ideas into a custom design gives you a card that feels like a natural extension of a detective’s docket—strategic, theatrical, and a little ruthless. The art direction—think James Ryman’s moody linework, the echo of a candle-lit manor, and the glare of a keen-eyed investigator—can help players immediately sense the flavor. And of course, a well-chosen rarity level and foil treatment can turn your card into a collectible gem that shines at a table where memes and memories collide. 💎

As you sketch your own design, remember the core lesson: blend a compelling mechanic with a strong thematic throughline. The best custom cards don’t just tick boxes; they tell a story with every draw step and combat damage calculation. And if you’re ever unsure, imagine you’re at Karlov Manor, interrogating your opponent’s board—how would your card bend the night to your will? 🧙‍♂️

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