The first step in this case is to define the word Subvert.
1.
to overthrow (something established or existing).
2.
to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of.
3.
This gives me a wealth of information. First and foremost is that it is a verb. Its an action. Subvert is something that you do. The actual definition is about overthrowing established order and corruption.
to undermine the principles of; corrupt
Subvert certainly sounds like a Phyrexian word. More specifically, Subvert sounds like an inherently Black thing. I'm picking up some hints of Red in overthrowing order, but the connotation of Subvert as provided by its Wikipedia entry leads me to believe Red isn't the right fit. While Subversion is used to overthrow order, its a more subtle and insidious weapon. Subversion is about slow methodical corruption through misinformation and the stealing of vital resources. The Red Scare is a good example of perceived subversion. Subversion is using the opponent's resources against them. While I'm not saying Subvert has to be Blue, if its going to go in another color Blue is looking attractive.
The next step is to see if there is any mechanical connotation within Magic that connects with Subvert. A gatherer search for the word Subvert turns up nothing but Subversion is a card. Subversion plays into the idea of Subvert. Its a slow stealing of the opponent's resources over to your side. Based on this my first thought was to have a reverse Extort.
Subvert - B (Whenever an opponent casts a spell you may pay B. If you do, each opponent loses one life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.)
While I think this execution nails the flavor perfectly, there are a number of problems. First, its completely reactive. You are piggybacking on the opponent's casts. As such you have to keep up mana all the time since you can't plan for how many Subvert triggers you need to pay in a given turn. This lends itself to heavy control deck with lots of instants, but this can only go on permanents so the mechanic fights itself. In the same vein, Subvert is a verb. It should be an action. This is not something that you can do whenever you decide to do it. Its also very paralytic. It makes people not want to cast spells which isn't good gameplay.
The mechanic wants to be more proactive, but it still wants to retain the core of using the opponents resources against them. What other resource can be exploited besides them casting spells? Well, in Black you have access to Graveyards, Hands, Creatures, and Libraries. My first thought was a Delve-ish mechanic:
Subvert ( When you cast *this* you may exile a card in an opponent's graveyard.)
This kicker-esque mechanic uses a resource that black cares about, but there are a number of problems. The most obvious is that in Black most spells put cards into your opponent's graveyard. Thus the mechanic feeds itself. Also, not everyone can use the graveyard. Against most Red decks Subvert doesn't impact them in the slightest. Ideally Subvert makes the opponent upset to see their stuff being used. My next idea is a bit of a riff on Morbid.
Subvert B (Whenever a card goes to an opponent's graveyard, you may pay B)
Whenever *this's* Subvert cost is paid, ACTION.
Pros of this mechanic are that it is proactive, You can make cards go to the opponent's graveyard. It still makes the opponent cautious of playing spells since spells go to the graveyard on resolution. It still has to appear on permanents only, but that isn't the worst drawback. I think it has some development issues. Getting to cascade cards is an issue. Repeating the effect several times has me a bit concerned, though it could be costed so that its not as much of an issue. This still has the problem of not tapping the opponent's current resources. This is a time sensitive mechanic that only works on cards that are "dying" in one form or another. It does have the benefit of still having the oppressive nature of Phyrexians. Phyrexians feed on death and transform it into other resources.
What other resources exist? Permanents in play, cards in hand, the library. Previous mechanics that are specifically U/B, Transmute, Delve, Cipher, and Exploit. Proliferate was essentially a U/B mechanic. Delve uses your graveyard as a resource. Exploit uses creatures as a resource. Cipher used the combat step as a resource. Transmute used the cards in your library as a resource. Proliferate used counters as a resources. U/B is about finding resources in unlikely places.
What if there was a way to feed off the opponent drawing cards?
Subvert COST (Whenever an opponent draws a card, you may pay COST)
Whenever you Subvert, ACTION
This means that you will always have an opportunity to use the Subvert ability. Its oppressive, because it feeds off the opponent, but it does so in a specific enough way that its not going to be a paralytic. The only place where this becomes a real battle is in a control vs control match, where evaluating when/if to draw extra cards is interesting. So some proposed cards/effects.Its proactive enough to feel in control of the cards your playing, and reactive enough to fit U/B's style. As the opponent you don't get to skip your draw step so these cards present a threat, but you do get to control when you would draw additional cards.
ST01 2B
Creature
Subvert B
When you subvert, target player loses 1 life.
1/4
ST02 1U
Creature
Subvert U
When you Subvert, tap target creature
1/3
ST03 1UB
Creature
Subvert UB
When you subvert target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
2/2
These cards are just the tip of the iceberg and I'm excited to get into the full design phase now that I have a mechanic that I like.
Cheers!
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