The Gotcha Scale is a ranking of the likelihood that a given mechanic will be reprinted in future Acorn sets. Mechanics are ranked from 1 (very likely) to 10 (very unlikely).
The Gotcha Scale is one of the Rosewater Scales, analogous to the Storm Scale for traditional game mechanics. The Storm Scale is named for the storm mechanic, which has proven so developmentally problematic that it will almost certainly never be reprinted in a Standard-legal set. In the same way, the Gotcha Scale is named for the Gotcha mechanic, which will almost certainly never be used in future un-sets because it makes games un-fun to play.
Though it is published by Mark Rosewater, it is only a reflection of his opinion and generalities about these sets and mechanics. It does not account for any actual future plans, or the opinions of other R&D members.
Descriptive rankings[ | ]
As described in Storm Scale the following rankings apply:
- Level 1: Will definitely see again
- Level 2: Will definitely see again, but not necessarily right away
- Level 3: Will most likely do again, probably many times
- Level 4: Will most likely do again, but they have issues that make them less of a guarantee
- Level 5: We need to find the right place to bring it back, but I'm optimistic
- Level 6: We need to find the right place to bring it back, but I'm a little less optimistic
- Level 7: It's unlikely to return, but possible if the right environment comes along
- Level 8: It's unlikely to return, but possible if the stars align
- Level 9: I never say never, but this would require a minor miracle
- Level 10: I never say never, but this would require a major miracle
Gotcha scale rankings[ | ]
| Mechanic | Latest ranking | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| "Booster Tutor" | 3 | 3[13] |
| Augment | 7 | 7[2] |
| Contraptions | 8 | 8[4] |
| Denimwalk | 10 | 10[12] |
| Dice rolling | 1 | 1[1] |
| Fractional mana | 8 | 8[14] |
| Gotcha | 10 | 10[1] |
| Hiding cards | 5 | 5[5] |
| Host | 7 | 7[2] |
| Long card names | 8 | 8[10] |
| Outside assistance | 3 | 3[6] |
| Physical dexterity | 2 | 2[9] |
| Ripping cards | 10 | 10[11] |
| Squirrellink | 7 | 7[7] |
| Subgame | 3 | 3[3] |
| Wordy | 5 | 5[8] |
References[ | ]
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (2020-02-01). "How would the initial Gotcha Scale look like?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (2020-02-01). "Where is host/augment on the Gotcha Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-02). "Okay, one last Gotcha! scale question...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-02). "Where are contraptions on the Gotcha! scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-03). "gotcha scale for hiding cards?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-03). "Where are “cares about people outside the game”...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-03). "Gotcha scale for squirrellink?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-04). "Gotcha! scale for wordy?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-04). "Where is physical dexterity on the Gotcha! scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-02-05). "Gotcha scale for really really really long card names?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-09-16). "Where does ripping cards (Blacker Lotus and Chaos Confetti) fall on the Gotcha Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2021-10-26). "Can I get a gotcha-scale rating for denimwalk or similar effects?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2021-10-26). "Does the "open a pack" mechanic...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2022-02-19). "Where is fractional mana on the Gotcha scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
