Looking for Articles to assist with set creation.

[Iceboundjester8]

What is the best way to go about getting sources that assist with creating story and card concepts that flow with each other to make a set feel "Full and complete". I've located nuts and bolts but i was wondering if there were any articles about the connection with story elements.

[void_nothing]

I assume that means you've read Mark Rosewater's many articles about creating full sets, which are the best design resource out there. I myself, several years ago, wrote an article that goes into matching flavor to function specifically on legendary creatures, but I'm unaware of any articles on the specific issue you're describing.

Other posters will definitely have advice to offer, however.

[SecretInfiltrator]

What is the best way to go about getting sources that assist with creating story and card concepts that flow with each other to make a set feel "Full and complete". I've located nuts and bolts but i was wondering if there were any articles about the connection with story elements.

There used to be a creative-oriented column called Savor the Flavor. Maybe digging into the archives will help, though many of them currently are 404 thanks to a recent update to their infrastructure. :/

One thing I do when making a set is create a small "Planeswalker's Guide" where I list any concepts I have come up with and make sure to put in all proper names I introduce in a flavor text or cardname (loosely categorized by "Locations", "People", "Factions") regularly go back to it when I need a hole to fill. I make certain every card has its place, and write a short description. If I notice e. g. a Location is associated with only a single card, I might come up with a top-down design that fits there or make sure to tie an existing card to it by name-dropping it in the flavor text.

The end result is that for each thing you mention on a card there is another card that gives context to it.

If I have to cut a flavor text from a card for space or a card from the set, it stays in the document, too, as long as the idea still fits your vision of the setting.

[Iceboundjester8]

I assume that means you've read Mark Rosewater's many articles about creating full sets, which are the best design resource out there. I myself, several years ago, wrote an article that goes into matching flavor to function specifically on legendary creatures, but I'm unaware of any articles on the specific issue you're describing.

Other posters will definitely have advice to offer, however.

No! Thank you, this helps very much!

[Iceboundjester8]

What is the best way to go about getting sources that assist with creating story and card concepts that flow with each other to make a set feel "Full and complete". I've located nuts and bolts but i was wondering if there were any articles about the connection with story elements.

There used to be a creative-oriented column called Savor the Flavor. Maybe digging into the archives will help, though many of them currently are 404 thanks to a recent update to their infrastructure. :/

One thing I do when making a set is create a small "Planeswalker's Guide" where I list any concepts I have come up with and make sure to put in all proper names I introduce in a flavor text or cardname (loosely categorized by "Locations", "People", "Factions") regularly go back to it when I need a hole to fill. I make certain every card has its place, and write a short description. If I notice e. g. a Location is associated with only a single card, I might come up with a top-down design that fits there or make sure to tie an existing card to it by name-dropping it in the flavor text.

The end result is that for each thing you mention on a card there is another card that gives context to it.

If I have to cut a flavor text from a card for space or a card from the set, it stays in the document, too, as long as the idea still fits your vision of the setting.

I love this "Storyboard" approach! I haven't thought about noting possible connections to a card via similar descriptions of what could be in lore before. This helps tremendously! Thank you!