User blog comment:AmazingPST"Providence"/Amazing huh? Personal flags!/@comment-25528704-20150206092142/@comment-26069426-20150206140427

Very, very interesting control effect. It is a bit unbalanced, but that's nothing that can't be fixed. Very cool idea, though!

So for the first part, it's putting you at a disadvantage. For 1 additional gauge, you're losing a starting card. That's a -.5. Starting with 4 gauge and 5 cards would be a wash.

The second part, on the other hand, nets a +.5. Which would wash with the previous skill, as you had it originally, after it's first use, but every turn after that it would net a +.5 advantage. I like that you thought of a means to block, and that's really where we can find balance here.

So, here's a quick render of the changes that I believe would balance this and make an even more solid ability.

[ ] You may use 《Magic World》 and 《Generic》 cards.

[ ] At the start of the game, your hand must contain 5 cards, and your gauge must contain 4 cards.

[Act] "Burning Energy" Once per turn, you may discard Spell card. If you do, gain 1 life and deal 1 damage to your opponent. Your opponent may then discard a card from hand. If they do, you do not gain 1 life, and they do not receive 1 damage.

"Burning Energy" is a very interesting skill. I'm curious how effective it would be if you were allowed to use it more than once per turn. One vulnerability, though, would be Aegis. The 1 damage would be blocked. They could discard a card to stop the ability, or they could let it through and it would end up netting a -.5. But I think I like that.

Also, I mandated a Spell card in the skill to be dropped as a gating mechanic. The most important thing, I think, is that the flag abilities have a sense of sacrifice, otherwise there would be no point *not* using it every turn.