Source: https://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/373406-merge-free-cards-back-into-casual/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 04:45:10+00:00

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The separation of Free Cards from the current Casual was intended to give people an area to post cards without having to follow design principles and well, be free to do whatever. This meant breaking the 5000 ATK/DEF cap, Joke Cards and well, everything else that wouldn't fit into Casual as-is.
General reasoning for splitting is that some of you who post in Casual Cards do put in some effort for designing and not getting it mixed with broken cards in the area; especially since Joke Cards as a section got retired.
As you guys probably noticed by now, Free Cards is generally inactive nowadays and after reading things over, yeah, there isn't too much difference between Casual and Free in terms. Unlike the DP area, posts do come in, but very minimal. Also takes away some of the activity from Casual.
I plan on moving all of the threads here into Casual and updating the rules accordingly within a week or so, but before I do that, giving you guys the opportunity to speak up.
Personally I prefer having a place to post without specific rules. If you don't want to have a "Free Cards" section, perhaps we could add a "Cards Workshop" section where people can post their cards to be reviewed to determine how broken they are or aren't, as well as receive advice from more experienced card creators on how to hone their cards. This would avoid incidents like I experienced where I would post cards in Casual thinking they were perfectly fine/balanced...and then have lots of people tell me 70% of them were horribly broken.
Basically I'm saying it would be nice to have a proving grounds/workshop of sorts where people can get help and guidance from their fellow creators before posting in one of the more official forums and getting hit with: "This stuff is all broken/unfinished, please post finished cards only."
Well, the intended change for Casual after the merger is basically dropping the design standards (so you won't be held to the same expectations as those in Advanced) and yes, Advanced Clause will be gone. This section's rules will be transferred to Casual for the most part.
You won't be losing much, though a workshopping area could be considered in Free Card's place instead of that design idea thread stickied in Casual.
Just to be clear though, you are not required to post ONLY finished sets or works in Custom Cards. You can just post a bit at a time and work up to completion; along the way, we can just give you insight so you can fix stuff. If anyone else tells you that only finished cards are allowed in the area, then that is an incorrect statement (though Casual is usually where you'd want to workshop stuff otherwise; Advanced...not so much, but that's a different matter).
Also is a lot easier to digest for reviewers instead of having to grade several cards at once.
Casual is kind of a design workshop in a way, but moreso somewhere you can try out new ideas without getting chewed out because your card so happens to break something in the meta.
If your stuff is broken, then you can probably fix it so thing isn't as busted but retains your original idea. Idea here is that you didn't INTENTIONALLY make the card to be busted. Let's be honest; not all of us are aware of what's going on in the actual game to the same extent, and to ask that you have a working knowledge of it is a very tall order.
I did leave a vote in there, but only so I can actually see who voted what without actually clicking the "show votes" thing every time. The decision is not absolute; right now, it's a given, taking into consideration CC's activity, but I can dial some things back based on feedback.
For future reference, while you aren't required to vote in the poll AND explain your reasoning, it helps if you do as then I can address any concerns you may have with the move (or keeping things as-is) and then adjust my decision accordingly.
I am not a mind reader, so if you do feel strongly about this one way or another, you need to say it; otherwise, how can I know? I'd like to make this section amicable for everyone, both for newbies and veterans.
As I noted beforehand, the proposed merge would just be moving all of the threads in here to Casual (and categorized into their appropriate sections) and then adapting this section's rules over to Casual. To be fair, the rules in here are generally the same as in here, but with less of the technical stuff like default formats, etc.
Another option would be that I simply make Free Card Design a subsection of Casual Cards again with the design limiters removed; similar to how Joke Cards used to be, but without the stigma that was attached to it. You wouldn't be losing the section or its benefits, but just stuff may be buried in the posts that come out of regular Casual; depending on activity. However, given how the place is nowadays, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem.
Merging things back would require some categorizing [albeit not much, since the section is small] and revamping the rules (but I have a draft for that already in case it happens). Keeping this section where it is now (or even just making it a subsection of Casual again) won't require major changes; would just need to clarify that certain rules in Casual will not apply in Free Cards.
Though, if you have other options for this section's future, I want to hear them.
I like the free cards section because it does somewhat help with inspiration. Also, I love seeing what some people can come up with and if there is any viable way to makr that playable. Besides, sometimes it's cool to see a card so broken that it needs so many fixes to the effect so it wouldn't technically be banned by Konami right off the bat. I think cards like that are cool. Like if somebody made a fusion that required 5 Blue-Eyes Shining Dragons to be on the field in order to be summoned. Stuff like that is fun. Granted, it is broken and impossible to summon given the rules of the game. But just the thought of such a beast should be terrifying enough to make your hair stand and skin tingle with excitement.
1. Replicate the rules on Free design into Casual Section.
2. Remove Free Design section.
IMO there is no need to be too picky with the advanced clause and the like in Casual Section, and reserve those rules for Advanced. Once that is done, Free Design section loses its purpose, and can be scrapped.
The most that needs to be dealt with in terms of posting quality is well, shitposting, but that normally boils down to writing random comments that are irrelevant to the card threads in question. But then again, I can just address the posts as necessary.
Also the matter of people who actually want to make decent cards but just aren't as savvy on the competitive / design aspect as required for Advanced, however for the most part, think those cases will normally outweigh the number of "free cards" that don't break the usual design standards in Casual.
This is pretty much "don't break the 5,000 threshold for original ATK/DEF" [as I don't really see a reason for needing to exceed these values] and not making things that are obviously busted [if you minus the meta from it]. These will be dropped.
That being said, once things are merged, the reviewing thing for this section will carry over (as in the one where you need to keep metagame things to a minimum).
Like I've mentioned in the other thread, you may still reference the metagame, but just don't throw the entire competitive book at people like you would do in Advanced; tone it down for Casual.
So for guys who would like Free Cards because the design standards are off, yeah, Casual will become that (you're free to do whatever you'd like without being subjected to design standards and whatnot). You'll just be in with the other members who design slightly higher, but it should not affect how you post.
Also, this section will probably be used for other stuff, but what that'll be remains to be seen at the moment (maybe workshopping like a few of you wanted, but we'll get to it later).
Let's just handle the merger first before figuring out what to do.
I love the idea of workshopping. Give card/set creators time to complete their project before moving it to the appropriate section. It could also allow other users to give input on the design of the set and make suggestions for ocg fixes, card designs, or card ideas they'd wanna see implemented into the set.
Like sometimes, I might have a card idea that might not fit into anything I'm working on but could just fall into a set that somebody else could be making.
I mean, there's no rule saying that your stuff MUST be complete before posting in the regular area (though it does help with reviewing a bit if you have a general idea). But that being said, your project should generally be stuff that YOU want to design based on your own tastes, as you're the designer.
Nothing wrong with taking some request stuff every now and then, though.
Who knows, you guys may float similar ideas and collab projects could very well be born out of that. Might as well give it a shot (and give that Planning Thread in Casual a new life somewhat; well, expand it to its own section).
So yeah, if you guys really want it, this section can become a Workshopping area instead after the renovation where you can float ideas around. Just gotta see if it should be kept here or subsectioned into Casual again.
Decent cards can still be posted on Casual, and if gets thumbs ups from the reviewers, the creator can consider moving them to Advanced for more polished reviews.
That is true, though it's up to the member though if they want to move it to Advanced after reviews, as the impression is that Casual is for designing without being pressured by the metagame or current cards to make things work. You and I both know that members already post decent stuff in Casual as it currently is (well, Egmodeus comes to mind as one of them).
Granted, I cannot predict what members will want to do sometime later after posting their initial thread and getting feedback; it depends on them. Given the members who do post in there at present (and in here), they're likely doing it for fun and to show us what they have made; not necessarily making something that will be topping the next regionals or something.
With that being said, you guys have spoken up and though it was generally a close result, the bulk of you wanted Free Cards to be merged back into Casual.
So yeah, I will be shifting everything in this section at present to the appropriate areas in Casual, and the rulebook shall be updated accordingly. So you know what to expect, here's what I have from merging the current Casual ones and stuff from here.
This should be self-explanatory; any general site rules such as behavioral standards and so forth will apply in addition to the section specifics listed underneath. You may reference the rulebook as a forum-wide announcement at the top of the section or here.
If one of us gives you a command (either to fix the main post with appropriate changes, correct the images, card name, etc.), you are expected to comply. Insubordination will be penalized accordingly.
2. Cards you make in this section are (generally) free design.
Unlike in Advanced Cards, you are not required to abide by design standards such as the 5000 ATK/DEF cap for original stats (though in most cases, you should not have to break this), balancing and whatever. You are also welcome to post cards that would normally fit into standard design here.
Any pictures used must be no higher than PG-17 or not toeing the line into adult. If you are iffy about a picture being acceptable, please take it up with me over PM.
Explicit language in the card name.
Seriously, don't make a card with the f-bomb or coarse language in its name.
You will be asked to change the name if it is deemed inappropriate; failure to comply will result in warn increases.
Discrimination against a certain nationality, religion, fandom, sexuality, etc.
This also includes making a card to implicitly flame/harass another user on this site.
Meme cards are fine, but using them to discriminate against a certain group is not okay.
Breaking this rule will result in severe punishments, ranging from potential loss of posting privileges up to temporary/permanent ban. The first one will ALWAYS be penalized with a permaban, so don't post adult content.
3. All threads are subject to commenting.
By posting your cards in the section, you are permitting other users to comment on them as necessary. This also includes giving "critique" (or things that you should fix with your cards). Even if you do not agree with the comments people give, you are expected to respect them and be grateful that they took the time to look at your work. Either thank them in the thread, or just like their post.
Please remember that members are under no obligation to actually look at your threads.
While there is no Advanced Clause that prescribes posting standards in this section, any replies must be relevant to the card(s) in question and not random posts that are irrelevant. Even saying "good job 10/10" is fine. Memes and reaction posts are okay IF/ONLY IF they are relevant to the card itself; don't post them for the hell of it.
I cannot forbid the use of Advanced-level critique in this section, however you must keep this to a minimum. Most of the members who come in here probably do not have a working knowledge of the existing game and/or are just here to post their stuff; not worry about if some meta combo is breaking their stuff or their design is iffy.
You may reference the meta or design, but do not go all the way.
This goes without saying, but you must be respectful towards other users in the thread (including the staff members if we come in here to break up arguments that arise). Don't act like a jackass or you will be punished severely.
5. Default formats for CC.
The default list for CC is TCG hybrid, which is defined as the current TCG list with any OCG cards added on as necessary. If you wish to design solely for one format (TCG or OCG), you must make it clear in the opening post or thread title.
Custom Cards uses Master Rule 4 (or VRAINS format) as its default standard. However, due to the changes made in VRAINS with regards to the playing field and other mechanics (and to accommodate all users), CC caters to two separate formats.
They are defined as thus.
STANDARD: VRAINS mechanics. Separate monster zones for Extra Deck monsters, Pendulum Zones moved to the S/T area, Link format.
LEGACY: ARC-V mechanics (Master Rule 3). Defined as no segregated monster zones for monsters summoned from the Extra Deck, Pendulums have their own areas on the side between Monster / Spell & Trap Cards. Cyberse are allowed under this banner if they don't mention things mentioned in MR4.
If you are designing cards for the Legacy format, you NEED to tag your threads (either as a thread tag or noted in the title).
There will be no penalty if you don't tag your thread, however it means that your cards will be graded on how they interact in the VRAINS environment (which may differ dramatically from how they'd do in the ARC-V generation). If you wish to have your card graded for both formats, make sure you mention this in the main post.
Please respect the format tags and grade the works accordingly. This means don’t talk about Link design in a legacy thread, keep discussion relevant to the TCG unless the thread creator wishes for comments on both formats, etc.
6. Do not post your cards in another user's thread.
If you want your cards to be seen, make your own thread for it. Please do not post them in another user's thread.
The exception to this is if you are in a collaboration project. Make sure that we know who's involved with the project so we don't accidentally warn you. If you wish to collaborate with another user, contact them via PM or elsewhere (do not ask them in the thread, nor should you badger them repeatedly).
You may post an existing card for comparative purposes, but only if you comment properly.
7. Threads with 2 or more cards are to be posted in the Multiples section.
The main forum (where you are reading this thread in) is for singular cards. If your thread contains more than 1 card, then it needs to be posted in the Multiples section. This is to make it easier for you to locate your cards as opposed to lumping everything into one forum (singles and multiples combined).
A single Ritual Monster and its corresponding Ritual Spell are considered to be 1 card, and may be posted in the main forum.
8. Cards and reviews are to be posted in ENGLISH.
As YCM is an English-speaking forum, all members are required to write in English. Do NOT assume that members know your native language or are fluent in it otherwise.
Posting your cards in your native language is fine, but you must provide an adequate English translation for other members. The same rule applies for reviewers who are sufficient in the user's language, and wish to respond. Posting a translation from Google Translate or another translation site will suffice most of the time. Otherwise, try your best to write English and we'll help you correct the card grammar and other spelling/grammatical mistakes if needed.
All members who post their cards as pictures will be required to post their card's information beneath their cards, regardless if they can read off the image or not. We have members who access this site off of a mobile device / a small screen and/or have visual problems that prevent them from reading directly off the card, or cannot view the images due to Imgur/whatever image host being blocked in certain countries or institutions.
Do not assume that members will be able to read off the pictures without difficulty.
Additionally, if images don't work on YCM (which happens), the written cards will give us something to grade. There is a template in the FAQ thread that you can use.
If you use TCGEditor to create your cards, please resize them to 50-60% and/or keep them in spoiler tags. If your post has 10 or more cards, then you need to spoiler tag them so they don’t lag the page.
Please avoid posting cards without pictures (i.e. blank image).
10. All cards related to a custom Archetype or that rely on each other must be in one thread.
You must keep ALL cards linked to a custom Archetype / cards that rely on each other in one thread (in the opening post), or link to them if you have posted some members earlier on this forum. Ideally, you should post all of them at once, or just release whatever you have at the time and add on as you go.
If you need to use subsequent posts due to space/formatting concerns, then link to them as you do and note that in the original post. However, I do not foresee this to occur, unless you make an extremely large set or are doing a group collaboration.
11. The following threads will be locked on sight.
Cards not of the thread creator.
Threads where the discussion has derailed for various reasons.
1. If you do not have at least 1 card for us to look at and grade, then thread gets locked. This is also the reason why you need to have the written info beneath; if the picture goes away, then we at least have the written data to work from. This also includes threads that simply say "post your cards here".
2. Refer to the FAQ thread in terms of what you are permitted to post here. You are allowed to remake any existing card from the actual game or from anime/manga only, however you must make noticeable changes to it. Blatantly copy/pasting without any changes will result in a thread lock.
3. Posting other member’s cards that you did not make will result in a thread lock (and a warning for ripping), unless under extreme circumstances, which can be worked out with a moderator. Such circumstances may include posting cards for another person who is currently ineligible for their own account or cannot post them at the present time.
Bring up your situation to me via PM and we'll sort it out.
Collaboration cards may be posted by any member in the project, provided we know who is involved. We do not need to know who made each card.
4. Do not act like a little kid and bash users for giving you critique, and not a simple "good job" or something. If I catch you being disrespectful to other users who gave you appropriate comments, thread gets locked and you will be punished.
Same goes if the thread starts devolving into pointless discussions and off-topic tangents.
Thread creators are allowed to bump their thread if 6 or more hours have elapsed since the last post (given the section's activity). If you’re off by 10-15 minutes, I will let it slide; otherwise, you will be penalized for early bumping. Just be patient and wait for the time to come around.
Ideally, you should only bump the thread if/only if you have made some form of update since your last post.
There are two conditions for determining if a thread is dead or not; depending if the member in question is the one who created the thread in the first place or not.
Condition 1 (Normal): If a thread has no replies for 30 or more days, it is considered to be dead and SHOULD NOT be posted in.
Threads posted in after this period will be considered as necrobumped and will be locked on-sight; either with a verbal note or none at all.
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You will need to mention what changes you have made.
Exceptions can be made due to a user's circumstances at the time when the bump period expires (i.e. power outage, on a trip, lack of internet, etc). Just let me know about these cases, and the standard period can be waived or extension granted.
This refers to the act of posting multiple times in a row within the same thread. If you must announce multiple updates within the 8 hour period, just edit your last post or make the changes and do not update that.
If you spot any rule breaks in this section, either use the Report button at the bottom left of posts OR PM me about the issue; either method works. Don't post in the thread to tell the user they broke a rule; otherwise it will be considered as spamming/mini-moderating and warned accordingly.
If you are unsure about whether a thread/post should be reported, use the button otherwise. You will not be penalized for reporting a thread/post that is otherwise judged to be in line with the section rules. It's important that this section remains clean, and your help is greatly appreciated in doing so.
Some stuff may be condensed and/or removed, but a lot of it is mostly common sense stuff and differences from the standard rulebook.
For those of you who want to keep Free Cards as its own section, I understand why you would want this (and ideally, that was what the original plan for this section was). It's just being merged back because the activity isn't as high as expected (and I guess not being too different from Casual either in terms of policies).
Your stuff will just be mixed in with the others in Casual, both the more decent cards and things you'd normally post here. However, as said before, you are getting the design requirements dropped, so stuff like 15,000 ATK Ultimate Blue-Eyes Shining is fine in Casual. Just don't cards that promote adult/explicit content or discrimination for the most part, but that's standard business.
Now...some of you also expressed interest in having Free Cards become a workshop area of sorts for idea building and theorycrafting (as in you getting some idea before putting cards down; given how the section is right now with requiring at least 1 card), should the merger happen (which it is).
For now, I'll leave this section for that purpose in there and see how it turns out in a couple weeks. Things go well, it can stay; otherwise, yeah, merge back. In hindsight, I think we should have a section for theorycrafting and getting ideas before devoting time to a set. Easier to find stuff as separate threads as opposed to searching a whole thread.
Experimental Cards still gotta go in their assigned area though, but again, let's just see how it goes.
Thank you to those who voted in the poll and/or left your thoughts in this thread. I took your responses into consideration when deciding what to do about Free Card and whatnot.
If you have further concerns, please, don't hesitate to PM me.

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