Variabili - a complex, innovative counter-based archetype

[Bleaknight]

The Variabili are a new archetype I came up with. Their concept revolves around really strong monsters (stat- and effect-wise) with low levels that require constant managing of resources to be kept on the field, and for their effects to be activate. Their effects also constantly "mutate": all of them have two. One of each can only be activated during your Main Phase, and has a Spell Speed of 1, and another one that can be activated at any time except during your Main Phase, and has Spell Speed 2. Their Spells/Traps relate to the monsters, and also sometimes obey the same "unstability" concept. They are based/inspired on the Koa'ki Meiru and Cloudian archetypes, also drawing inspiration from the Spell Counter archetype. Here they come!

[spoiler='Variabili Beasts - the monsters']
[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/blind.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card to target 1 card on the field; until the End Phase, that card's effects are negated, and it cannot be activated. During your Main Phase: You can remove 4 Varial Counters from this card; destroy 1 monster on the field.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/centipede.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card to target 1 card on the field; return it to the hand. During your Main Phase: You can remove 4 Varial Counters from this card; destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/scale.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card to target 1 "Variabili" monster you control; during this turn, it is unaffected by Spell/Trap Cards. During your Main Phase: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; banish 1 "Variabili" monster you control. Return it to the field during your opponent's Standby Phase in face-up Attack Position.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/scorch.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; this turn, neither player can add cards from their Deck or Graveyard to their hand except by drawing them. During your Main Phase: You can discard 1 "Variabili Charge" card; Special Summon 1 "Variabili" monster from your Graveyard, except "Variabili Beast - Scorch".[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/radula.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can discard 1 "Variabili Charge" card; at the End Phase, place 1 Varial Counter on each "Variabili" monster you control for each Spell Card activated this turn. During your Main Phase: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card; add 1 "Variabili" monster from your Graveyard to your hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/crusher.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can Tribute 1 other "Variabili" monster to negate the activation of an opponent's Trap Card that would destroy a monster and destroy it. During your Main Phase: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card; send 1 "Variabili Charge" card from your Deck to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/gaze.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 4 Varial Counters from this card; your opponent sends monsters they control to the Graveyard so that they control only 1 Attribute. During your Main Phase: You can discard 1 "Variabili Charge" card; destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the field.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/swamp.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phase: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; negate the activation of an effect that happens in the Graveyard and banish that card. During your Main Phase: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; banish 1 "Variabili" card from your Deck. Add that card to your hand during your 2nd Standby Phase after this effect's activation.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/wyrm.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can discard 1 "Variabili Charge" card; flip 1 face-up card on the field face-down. During your Main Phase: You can remove 5 Varial Counters from this card; destroy all monsters your opponent controls that attacked during your opponent's last Battle Phase.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/paleobrute.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Normal Summoned, Summoned by the effect of a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 2 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or send 1 "Variabili" card from your hand to the Graveyard, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; reduce the Level of an opponent's face-up monster by up to 2. During your Main Phase: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card; send 1 card from your opponent's Extra Deck to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/levia.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Tribute Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 3 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 3 Varial Counters from it or send 1 "Variabili" card from your hand to the Graveyard, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card; banish up to 3 cards from either player's Graveyard. During your Main Phase: You can remove 4 Varial Counters from this card; the effects of your opponent's Spell/Trap Cards are negated until their next Standby Phase.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/hydra.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When this card is Tribute Summoned, Summoned by a "Variabili" card or flipped face-up, place 3 Varial Counters on it. During your End Phases: Destroy this card unless you remove 3 Varial Counters from it or send 1 "Variabili" card from your hand to the Graveyard, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, except during your Main Phases: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; negate the activation of a monster effect that can only be activated once per turn and destroy that monster. During your Main Phase: You can remove 2 Varial Counters from this card; Normal Summon 1 "Variabili" monster in addition to your Normal Summon or Set.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/simian.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']During your Standby Phase: place 2 Varial Counters on this card. You can remove 1 Varial Counter from this card: Target 1 "Variabili" monster you control; remove a number of Varial Counters from this card and place an equal number of Varial Counters on that target (max. 5).[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/hex.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must be Special Summoned by banishing a number of "Variabili Beast" cards from your Graveyard, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. During the End Phase of the turn this card is Special Summoned: Return it to the hand. When this card is Special Summoned: distribute new Varial Counters among face-up cards you can place Varial Counters on equal to the number of "Variabili Beast" cards banished for this card's Special Summon + 1.[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]

[spoiler='Variabili Spells']
[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/enkindling%20alpha.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Once per turn, you can reveal this card in your hand; place 1 Varial Counter on each "Variabili" monster you control. During your Draw Phase, if this card was sent to the Graveyard by a "Variabili" card, you can add this card to your hand instead of drawing, and/or discard 1 "Variabili" monster to add this card to your hand. You can only reveal up to 3 different "Variabili Charge" cards by their own effects per turn.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/ellipse%20alpha.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Once per turn, you can reveal this card in your hand; distribute new Varial Counters among different "Variabili" monsters you control equal to the number of "Variabili" monsters you control. During your Draw Phase, if this card was sent to the Graveyard by a "Variabili" card, you can add this card to your hand instead of drawing, and/or discard 1 "Variabili" monster to add this card to your hand. You can only reveal up to 3 different "Variabili Charge" cards by their own effects per turn.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/white%20hole%20alpha.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Once per turn, you can reveal this card in your hand; place a number of Varial Counters on 1 "Variabili" monster you control equal to the number of "Variabili" monsters you control +1. During your Draw Phase, if this card was sent to the Graveyard by a "Variabili" card, you can add this card to your hand instead of drawing, and/or discard 1 "Variabili" monster to add this card to your hand. You can only reveal up to 3 different "Variabili Charge" cards by their own effects per turn.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/nebula.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Add 1 "Variabili Charge" or "Variabili Strike" card from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/orbit.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Remove 2 Varial Counters from anywhere on the field. Add 1 "Variabili" Level 4 or lower monster from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/transference%20alpha.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Once per turn, you can reveal this card in your hand to move a number of Varial Counters from a "Variabili" monster you control to another "Variabili" monster you control. You can discard this card to add up to 2 "Variabili Charge" cards from your Graveyard to your hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/nucleus.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Reveal 3 different "Variabili Charge" cards in your hand. Apply the appropriate effect, based on the turn player:
● You: Target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy it.
● Your opponent: Negate the Special Summon of 1 of your opponent's monsters and destroy it.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/luminosity.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Reveal 2 different "Variabili Charge" cards in your hand. Apply the appropriate effect, based on the turn player:
● You: Add 1 "Variabili Energy" card from your Deck to your hand.
● Your opponent: Target up to 2 cards your opponent controls; return them to the hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/lifestream.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']All face-up "Variabili" monsters you control gain 300 ATK. You can move any multiple of 2 Varial Counters from "Variabili" monsters you control to this card. All face-up "Variabili" monsters you control gain an additional 100 ATK for every 2 Varial Counters on this card. When this card is destroyed, distribute the Varial Counters on this card among face-up "Variabili" monsters.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/galaxy.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']You can discard this card to place 2 Varial Counters on every face-up "Variabili" monster you control. When this card is activated: Place 1 Varial Counter on each face-up "Variabili" monster you control. If a "Variabili" monster would be destroyed during this turn, you can remove 1 Varial Counter from it instead.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/departure.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Return 1 "Variabili Charge" card from your hand or Graveyard to the Deck. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Variabili" monster from your hand or your Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/contact%20zone.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']After activation, place 2 Varial Counters on each "Variabili" monster you control. During your End Phases, remove 1 Varial Counter from this card; destroy this card if there are no Varial Counters on it. Once per turn: You can send 1 "Variabili Charge" card from your Deck to the Graveyard to target 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls; negate its effects until the End Phase. You can take any multiple of 2 Varial Counters from "Variabili" cards you control to place them on this card. Once per turn: You can remove 3 Varial Counters from this card; add 1 "Variabili Charge" card from your Graveyard to your hand.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/satellite%20companion.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Special Summon 1 "Variabili Token" (Rock-Type/LIGHT/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. If this Token battles, any battle damage is halved. If this token leaves the field due to your opponent's monster, distribute new Varial Counters equal to that monster's Level among face-up cards you can place Varial Counters on, or, if this token leaves the field due to your opponent's Spell/Trap Card, distribute 4 new Varial Counters among face-up cards you can place Varial Counters on.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/cataclysm.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Add 1 "Variabili Charge" or "Variabili Strike" card from your Graveyard to your hand, except "Variabili Strike - Cataclysm".[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/rebirth.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Add 1 "Variabili" monster from your Graveyard to your hand. If that monster or a monster with the same name is Summoned during this turn, place 3 Varial Counters on it.[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]

[spoiler='Variabili Traps']
[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/nova.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When an opponent's card or effect is activated: Tribute 1 "Variabili" monster you control; take damage equal to its Level x 100, then activate 1 of the following effects:
● Distribute new Varial Counters among cards you can place Varial Counters on equal to that monster's Level.
● Destroy 1 card your opponent controls for every 4 Varial Counters that were on the Tributed monster.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/shockwave.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Discard 1 "Variabili Charge" card. Negate the activation of your opponent's Spell or Trap Card and destroy it.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/supernova.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Remove 3 Varial Counters from anywhere on the field to destroy all face-up monsters your opponent controls.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/remnants.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']After activation, place 3 Varial Counters on this card. When a "Variabili" monster effect or Spell/Trap Card resolves, place 1 Varial Counter on this card (during the Chain). During each of your turns: You can move 1 Varial Counter from this card to a face-up "Variabili" monster. When there are no Varial Counters on this card, destroy it.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/surface%20impact.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']When a "Variabili" monster is Summoned to your side of the field: Place 3 Varial Counters on it, then place 2 Varial Counters on all other "Variabili" monsters you control.[/spoiler]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30058283/ygo%20cards/variabili/disfragmentation.jpg[/img]
[spoiler='Lore']Tribute 1 "Variabili" monster you control; destroy all monsters your opponent has Summoned this turn. Then, distribute new Varial Counters among face-up "Variabili" monsters you control equal to the number of monsters destroyed by this effect.[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Feedback is greatly accepted, please comment!
Also check out my other archetypes
[url="http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/291978-an-archetype-of-trap-monsters-the-ambush-tribe/"]The Ambush Tribe[/url]
[url="http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/291981-the-best-offense-is-a-good-defense/"]The Full Defense[/url]

[Bleaknight]

Bump!

[Supertramp]

I did't read all cards until now, but I already have a question that concerns all monsters, I think:
[quote]Destroy this card unless you remove 2 Varial Counters from it or discard 1 "Variabili" card, or if there are no Varial Counters on this card.[/quote]
So it doesn't get destroyed if there are no Varial Counters on it? Then the monsters are overpowered, because they have a very high ATK for their Level and no negative effect. Or at least altogether a better effect than Normal Monsters.

Other than that they look really interesting and innovative, you didn't exaggerate. I'll read the other ones and reply to all cards, if I know the answer

[Bleaknight]

[quote name='Supertramp' timestamp='1353788482' post='6076914']
I did't read all cards until now, but I already have a question that concerns all monsters, I think:
So it doesn't get destroyed if there are no Varial Counters on it? Then the monsters are overpowered, because they have a very high ATK for their Level and no negative effect. Or at least altogether a better effect than Normal Monsters.
Other than that they look really interesting and innovative, you didn't exaggerate. I'll read the other ones and reply to all cards, if I know the answer [/quote]

Actually, they are destroyed. You destroy them if x, or if y, as the effect says, with "y" being the monster not having any counters. They will be destroyed unless they have 3 or more counters or you discard 1 Variabili card.
Thanks for the feedback so far!

[Supertramp]

Hmm.. seems that my English is worse than I thought ^^'
So you mean that if there are 2 Counters on it and you remove these 2 Counters in the End Phase, it still gets destroyed because now it has no Counters anymore?
And if it has no Counters in the End Phase, you also cannot avert the destruction by discarding 1 Variabily card, right?

Now I'm even more confused xD

[Bleaknight]

[quote name='Supertramp' timestamp='1354134256' post='6080319']
Hmm.. seems that my English is worse than I thought ^^'
So you mean that if there are 2 Counters on it and you remove these 2 Counters in the End Phase, it still gets destroyed because now it has no Counters anymore?[/quote]

Correct.

[quote name='Supertramp' timestamp='1354134256' post='6080319']
And if it has no Counters in the End Phase, you also cannot avert the destruction by discarding 1 Variabily card, right?
Now I'm even more confused xD [/quote]

Incorrect, you can avoid their destruction either way by discarding 1 Variabili card. However, I see your point, their wording is confusing as is.

[Supertramp]

Alright. Well, now I finally read through all cards.
First of all, I the artwork of your set is gorgeous, great job. Only the pictures of the Spell Cards are too similar in my opinion.
And as I said before, i love the concept of your set, it is really innovative. I also like the way you created the Spell & Trap Cards with revealing ect, trying to ensure a constant distribution of Varial Counters.
If I had to guess, I'd say these cards are altogether a little bit overpowered. But it is really hard (for me) to say if this whole set is balanced or not, mainly because of 2 reasons: 1. I haven't seen any archetype by now that is even a little similar to this archetype. 2. Those cards are really confusing, especially the monsters, because of their complexity and because some cards seem pretty similar.
And that second point is actually the only bigger critique I have. After reading, if you'd give me the name and picture of a card I probably could not tell now what it does.
But yet, I'd love to play with a Variabili Deck. I give your whole set a 9/10. Awesome

[BLS - EOTB]

That artwork is so f**king amazing...

[KitoMP]

Great artwork, innovative, interesting... yeah, it's pretty good. 8.5/10

[Bleaknight]

[quote name='Supertramp' timestamp='1355433211' post='6092263']
Alright. Well, now I finally read through all cards.
First of all, I the artwork of your set is gorgeous, great job. Only the pictures of the Spell Cards are too similar in my opinion.
And as I said before, i love the concept of your set, it is really innovative. I also like the way you created the Spell & Trap Cards with revealing ect, trying to ensure a constant distribution of Varial Counters.
If I had to guess, I'd say these cards are altogether a little bit overpowered. But it is really hard (for me) to say if this whole set is balanced or not, mainly because of 2 reasons: 1. I haven't seen any archetype by now that is even a little similar to this archetype. 2. Those cards are really confusing, especially the monsters, because of their complexity and because some cards seem pretty similar.
And that second point is actually the only bigger critique I have. After reading, if you'd give me the name and picture of a card I probably could not tell now what it does.
But yet, I'd love to play with a Variabili Deck. I give your whole set a 9/10. Awesome
[/quote]

Thanks for the feedback! I've played with this deck a bit (there's a simulator which accepts created cards that I use to play against people sometimes) and, even though I do agree that even to me they seem a bit overpowered at times, varial counter distribution is harder than it seems, based on the little bit I've played with them. Sometimes they can get pretty stagnant, like, you start generating just as much counters as you need to keep them alive and nothing else. I still need to test them further though. The Variabili are probably the archetype I'm most proud of creating, lol.
And yeah, I understand about the Spells/Traps having similar art. It couldn't really be that much different, to be honest; all of them have a galaxy/planets theme, and you don't see that much room for innovation keeping that theme, I guess. At least when nearly all of your art comes from Deviantart.
And I agree again, they are very confusing given how big their effects are and stuff, but that's just really their idea, can't change that.

[BishopBlade]

I am still amazed at the artwork of this set. This is the best artwork I've ever seen

[Bleaknight]

I am still amazed at the artwork of this set. This is the best artwork I've ever seen :D

 

Well thank you sir. Kind of made easy when any Space Art in Deviantart is amazing and when I can use pretty much any random savage monster I want for the monster pictures.

[BishopBlade]

No problem

[Bleaknight]

Come on, up!

[Bleaknight]

Up.

[Bleaknight]

Bump