Jaya Ballard, Task Mage, taken from the Magic: the Gathering Art Appreciation Tumblr, by Matt Cavotta and Wizards of the Coast
Welcome to the Card Creation League! Everyone is free to participate in either or both of the first two rounds. Come join us!
Theme
Looks like a good month for "trip through time" themes. This month we're going to be revisiting the ideas and overall feel of Time Spiral block, using the era of Magic between 8th Edition and Magic Origins instead of Alpha through Judgment.
It's hard to believe that another "era" has passed, but the reality is Magic's design is on a consciously new path since the end of Tarkir block/Origins. Two blocks per year of two sets each, and no core sets, has definitely changed how Magic design is done. So it's possible to wring a definitively old-school feel out of cards older than that.
One of the most obvious ways to do that is just to go the Spellshaper/Magus route, and just use the old cards wholesale.
Challenge
Design a card that references a noncreature card that was first printed in a Modern-legal set.
A reference can be as tight as including the full text of the card Magus-style or as relatively loose as the relationship between Keeper of Kookus and Thick-Skinned Goblin. Your fellow contestants should be able to understand what you're referring to, though.
The card you're referencing itself doesn't have to be legal in Modern. The set it was first printed in just has to be eligible for the format.
Make sure to include a rarity.
Stay tuned for April's CCL Final Poll. Anyone who votes will receive 2 bonus points for April's CCL!
Your submissions are due Saturday, May 6, 23:59 EST.
Schedule
Round 1 — Open to Everyone (May 1st–6th)
Round 2 — Open to Everyone (May 7th–12th)
Rounds 1 and 2 Critiques (Due May 16th)
Top 8 — Open to top 8 finishers (May 17th–20th)
Top 8 Critiques (Due May 23rd)
Top 4 — Open to top 4 finishers from last round (May 24th–26th)
Top 4 Critiques (Due May 28th)
Final (End of month, winner determined by public poll)
Souls of Hollowhenge3W
Enchantment (Rare)
At the begining of your upkeep, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. 2B: Return Souls of Hollowhenge from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Briskwind ZealotWW
Creature — Kithkin Monk (Rare)
First Strike
When Briskwind Zealot enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library, and exile one face down. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library.
You may play the exiled card without paying its mana cost if Briskwind Zealot and at least two other creatures attacked this turn.
2/2
Relic From The Past2
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (R)
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage, put a charge counters on Relic From The Past.
Remove a charge counter from Relic From The Past: Choose one —
• Equipped creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• You gain 1 life.
Equip 2
Seeker of KaldraWUB
Creature - Human Scout (MR)
Whenever Seeker of Kaldra attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If that card is named Helm of Kaldra, Shield of Kaldra, or Sword of Kaldra, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise put it into the graveyard. Repeat this process until you put a permanent card onto the battlefield. "There is no place I will not go and no risk I will not take to track down the Rainment of Kaldra. It is likely our final hope."
3/3
Embodiment of the Five Suns5GG
Creature - Avatar (M)
Trample
When Embodiment of the Five Suns dies, exile it. Then for each color, return up to one target card of that color from your graveyard to your hand. The oil soiled the land and all who roamed it leaving only the stars untainted.
7/7
Oona’s BlossomB
Creature — Faerie Rogue (R)
Flying T, Pay 1 life: Create a 1/1 black Faerie Rogue creature token with flying. Despite the lack of a day-night cycle, some things on Lorwyn were still cyclical, such as the birth of new fae from Oona’s essence.
1/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Unsightly CuriosityB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has "Whenever this creature attacks, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost." Greatness sometime lies in the places no one wants to go...
Ramshackle AethersealUR
Enchantment {U}
At beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on Ramshackle Aetherseal or remove all counters from it.
Whenever a charge counter is put on Ramshackle Aetherseal you may have it deal damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. If you do, return it and another target creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of charge counters on Ramshackle Aetherseal, to their owner's hands.
Warp Mage2R
Creature - Human Wizard (R) 2RR: All players shuffle a permanent he or she owns into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a artifact, creature, enchantment or a land card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
1/1
Render in progress
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Over time, all trips end up in the same place, at home."
Feast1G
Instant (R)
Target creature you control gets +2/+2 until end of turn. When that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, untap all lands you control.
Famine2BB
Sorcery (R)
Aftermath - Choose target player dealt combat damage this turn. That player discards two cards at random.
Artificer’s MightRW
Sorcery (U)
Put two brick counters on target artifact. That artifact is a 2/2 creature with haste and “2, Remove a brick counter from this creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.” for as long as it has a brick counter on it. If you control an artificer, untap target artifact.
Overseer of the Pods
Creature — Elf Shaman (R)
When Overseer of the Pods enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
3/3
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Magus of the Archive3U
Creature - Sphinx Wizard (R)
Flying
If you would gain life, you gain twice that much life instead.
If you would draw a card except the first one you draw in each of your draw steps, draw two cards instead.
2/3
Wingbleach WU
Instant {U}
Counter target noncreature spell. Its controller creates X 1/1 white and blue Bird creature tokens with flying, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
Draw a card.
Elvish GuideG
Creature — Elf Scout Ally (R)
Haste
Whenever Elvish Guide attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it into your hand.
1/1
Unsightly CuriosityB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has "Whenever this creature attacks, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost." Greatness sometime lies in the places no one wants to go...
Nice reference to Dark Confidant. I like this mechanically, but I find the name not particularly black. The concept of curiosity feels more blue to me, and the mechanic nicknamed curiosity is blue and green. The flavor text helps the flavor make sense with another nice reference to the Confidant's original flavor text.
Ruggley
Ramshackle AethersealUR
Enchantment {U}
At beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on Ramshackle Aetherseal or remove all counters from it.
Whenever a charge counter is put on Ramshackle Aetherseal you may have it deal damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. If you do, return it and another target creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of charge counters on Ramshackle Aetherseal, to their owner's hands.
I admit I don't get the reference at first glance. Anyway, even if I got it, the wordiness and the many templating mistakes kill this card for me. I'm sorry.
StonerOfKruphix
Mindcensor's Presence1WW
Enchantment (R)
If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead. "You're allowed to think whatever you want. Within my limits, of course."
—Megdat, Chief of Repurposing
Now we're talking. I really like everything about this card, both mechanically and flavorfully. Very nice reference to Aven Mindcensor, planeshifted to be set on Kaladesh. I think I found my first place, it will be hard to do better than this.
mirrodin71
Warp Mage2R
Creature - Human Wizard (R) 2RR: All players shuffle a permanent he or she owns into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a artifact, creature, enchantment or a land card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
1/1
Well, I guess it's supposed to be "each player" instead of "all players" at the beginning of the ability, otherwise the grammar is completely off. Also, "an artifact". The intention is good, the inspiration is clear (Warp World), but too many Quality mistakes for my taste, to say it as in the MCC.
kjsharp
Feast1G
Instant (R)
Target creature you control gets +2/+2 until end of turn. When that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, untap all lands you control.
Famine2BB
Sorcery (R)
Aftermath - Choose target player dealt combat damage this turn. That player discards two cards at random.
I like the idea of making an aftermath version of Sword of Feast and Famine, but my reaction right after reading the Famine half was "why at random?" and then "why two?". I felt like something was off. I would have really made the Famine half just "That player discards a card", adjusting the mana cost of course.
Amuzet
Artificer’s MightRW
Sorcery (U)
Put two brick counters on target artifact. That artifact is a 2/2 creature with haste and “2, Remove a brick counter from this creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.” for as long as it has a brick counter on it. If you control an artificer, untap target artifact.
As with another card before, I really don't get the reference. Maybe I'm missing something obvious. Also, this card looks way too complex to me, and the "untap target artifact" part feels completely disconnected from the rest of the card to me. I also see a couple templating mistakes.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I am unworthy to critique, but here it goes!
5 of 6 on my list designed a card I recognized immediately. Good work
Designed by StonerOfKruphix
Mindcensor's Presence1WW
Enchantment (R)
If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead. "You're allowed to think whatever you want. Within my limits, of course."
—Megdat, Chief of Repurposing
An Aven Mindcensor that is not a physical threat. I dig it, but only to the top 4, of course
Must it lose flash? It's got the extra W compared to Even.
Designed by mirrodin71
Warp Mage2R
Creature - Human Wizard (R) 2RR: All players shuffle a permanent he or she owns into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a artifact, creature, enchantment or a land card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
1/1
My top pick and for good reason; My name's Timmy. I get a group Unexpected Results vibe and I love it! Chaotic Red
Designed by kjsharp
Feast1G
Instant (R)
Target creature you control gets +2/+2 until end of turn. When that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, untap all lands you control.Famine2BB
Sorcery (R)
Aftermath — Choose target player dealt combat damage this turn. That player discards two cards at random.
Swords feels good split up like this and Feast and Famine specifically feels the best with Aftermath!
Designed by Amuzet
Artificer’s MightRW
Sorcery (U)
Put two brick counters on target artifact. That artifact is a 2/2 creature with haste and “2, Remove a brick counter from this creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.” for as long as it has a brick counter on it. If you control an artificer, untap target artifact.
A lot going on here Amuzet. I like the idea of building stuff out of the brick counters and a cleaner version of this would have been more desirable.
Designed by Flatline
Overseer of the Pods4G
Creature — Elf Shaman (R)
When Overseer of the Pods enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
3/3
Got some lingering unhappiness with Pod ban? Eldritch Evolution and Emerge a fun and your card seems like it is too. I want to run this in Commander big time.
Designed by Theelkspeaks
Magus of the Archive3U
Creature - Sphinx Wizard (R)
Flying
If you would gain life, you gain twice that much life instead.
If you would draw a card except the first one you draw in each of your draw steps, draw two cards instead.
2/3
A little under costed imo when I compare it to its source card and against Rhox Faithmender. Does it have to be a Wizard? Aren't sphinxes naturally wizardy? I'd put it into most blue EDH decks I have. Especially BUG. Fun card
This is my first go-round in this particular contest. If any of this is done wrong, let me know. I'll fix.
Quote from "Ruggley" »
Ramshackle AethersealUR
Enchantment {U}
At beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on Ramshackle Aetherseal or remove all counters from it.
Whenever a charge counter is put on Ramshackle Aetherseal you may have it deal damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. If you do, return it and another target creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of charge counters on Ramshackle Aetherseal, to their owner's hands.
(I almost started this with, "So it's basically a reverse Aether Vial?", which reminded me the theme of this round. Derp.)
While the creativity factor is high here, I find the text pretty confusing to parse. There are several moving parts in play, namely the choice of resetting it each turn and having to take damage to "activate" it. Its complexity makes it difficult to evaluate in terms of balance. I THINK it's printable, with maybe an improvement in text box economy, but I'm not sure what decks would find a place for it. It's not as versatile as its namesake, and has some significant drawbacks. I'd jam it in a draft deck for the shenanigan factor, though. Fo sho.
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Quote from "iphanx" »
Unsightly CuriosityB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has "Whenever this creature attacks, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost." Greatness sometime lies in the places no one wants to go...
(I don't think unsightly means what you think it means)
Somehow, you may have taken a step towards fixing Dark Confidant by reimagining Curiosity. Unexpected, but pretty neat! Or wait... is it the other way around? I AM SO CONFUSED. Anyhoo, I like the design, and could definitely see this slotting into lots of decks, limited and constructed alike. Even EDH, where your choices of safe attack targets is 4x as great.
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Quote from "bravelion83" »
Oona’s BlossomB
Creature — Faerie Rogue (R)
Flying t, Pay 1 life: Create a 1/1 black Faerie Rogue creature token with flying. Despite the lack of a day-night cycle, some things on Lorwyn were still cyclical, such as the birth of new fae from Oona’s essence.
1/1
(Actually good flavor text. *golfclap*)
Except that it dies to a wider array of removal than Bitterblossom, This is just a way, way better Bitterblossom. It comes down a turn earlier, doesn't force life loss, can attack & block, and can conceivably be activated multiple times in a turn. But... it's still a 1/1 with no protection. So depending on the situation, it's either way-too-good or it essentially reads "B: Eat a removal spell of an opponent's choice". I can't get totally behind this one, but I do like the concept and the feel of the design.
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Quote from "IcariiFA" »
Embodiment of the Five Suns5GG
Creature — Avatar (M)
Trample
When Embodiment of the Five Suns dies, exile it. Then for each color, return up to one target card of that color from your graveyard to your hand. The oil soiled the land and all who roamed it leaving only the stars untainted.
7/7
(Gigantic green avatars are my favorite avatars.)
Sweeet. Straightforward, uncomplicated design that succeeds at being compelling anyway. I do kinda wish the card had some way to help itself die, but maybe being a scary roflstomper is enough to expect some removal being pointed at it. As-is, you'd need a sac outlet in order to control when you get your big payoff. It's still fair and totally still a bomb. My only real gripe is that relegating such a unique and powerful card as All Suns' Dawn to incidental value from a big, dumb creature's death trigger does seem a bit of a waste.
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Quote from "Jimmy Groove" »
Seeker of KaldraWUB
Creature - Human Scout (MR)
Whenever Seeker of Kaldra attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If that card is named Helm of Kaldra, Shield of Kaldra, or Sword of Kaldra, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise put it into the graveyard. Repeat this process until you put a permanent card onto the battlefield.
"There is no place I will not go and no risk I will not take to track down the Rainment of Kaldra. It is likely our final hope."
3/3
(Kaldraception)
It's a 3CMC tutor for a 3 or 4CMC equipment, and on a 3/3 body. My instincts are telling me this is too good, even for three different colors. It's a card that would never get played, execpt in a very specific "equipment tron" deck. The goal was to reimagine a card, but you've designed a new card that synergizes with threeexistingcards (and nothing else).
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Quote from "Koopa" »
Relic from the Past2
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (R)
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage, put a charge counters on Relic From The Past.
Remove a charge counter from Relic From The Past: Choose one —
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
You gain 1 life.
Equip 2
(Now serving Umezawa, party of eight!)
First of all, does the triggered ability grant "a counter" or "two counters?" I don't usually harp on typos, but this one is pretty egregious, given the text of the original card. So... does the world need a fixed Umezawa's Jitte? I'm unsure, but I know this version is just as unprecedentedly complicated as its forebearer (I guess it's not without precedent NOW, but... meh, you get it). Bottom line: Yes, I think you successfully fixed the Jitte, but you've basically very slightly-modified version of an existing card. It's a good redesign from a balance perspective, but not very creative or interesting in the context of a contest.
1. iphanx — Unsightly Curiosity
2. IcariiFA — Embodiment of the Five Suns
3. bravelion83 — Oona's Blossom
“Everything Old is Referenced Again”
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage, taken from the Magic: the Gathering Art Appreciation Tumblr, by Matt Cavotta and Wizards of the Coast
Theme
Looks like a good month for "trip through time" themes. This month we're going to be revisiting the ideas and overall feel of Time Spiral block, using the era of Magic between 8th Edition and Magic Origins instead of Alpha through Judgment.
It's hard to believe that another "era" has passed, but the reality is Magic's design is on a consciously new path since the end of Tarkir block/Origins. Two blocks per year of two sets each, and no core sets, has definitely changed how Magic design is done. So it's possible to wring a definitively old-school feel out of cards older than that.
One of the most obvious ways to do that is just to go the Spellshaper/Magus route, and just use the old cards wholesale.
Challenge
Stay tuned for April's CCL Final Poll. Anyone who votes will receive 2 bonus points for April's CCL!
Schedule
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Enchantment (Rare)
At the begining of your upkeep, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying.
2B: Return Souls of Hollowhenge from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Creature — Kithkin Monk (Rare)
First Strike
When Briskwind Zealot enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library, and exile one face down. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library.
You may play the exiled card without paying its mana cost if Briskwind Zealot and at least two other creatures attacked this turn.
2/2
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (R)
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage, put a charge counters on Relic From The Past.
Remove a charge counter from Relic From The Past: Choose one —
• Equipped creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• You gain 1 life.
Equip 2
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Creature - Human Scout (MR)
Whenever Seeker of Kaldra attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If that card is named Helm of Kaldra, Shield of Kaldra, or Sword of Kaldra, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise put it into the graveyard. Repeat this process until you put a permanent card onto the battlefield.
"There is no place I will not go and no risk I will not take to track down the Rainment of Kaldra. It is likely our final hope."
3/3
Creature - Avatar (M)
Trample
When Embodiment of the Five Suns dies, exile it. Then for each color, return up to one target card of that color from your graveyard to your hand.
The oil soiled the land and all who roamed it leaving only the stars untainted.
7/7
Creature — Faerie Rogue (R)
Flying
T, Pay 1 life: Create a 1/1 black Faerie Rogue creature token with flying.
Despite the lack of a day-night cycle, some things on Lorwyn were still cyclical, such as the birth of new fae from Oona’s essence.
1/1
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has "Whenever this creature attacks, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost."
Greatness sometime lies in the places no one wants to go...
Enchantment {U}
At beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on Ramshackle Aetherseal or remove all counters from it.
Whenever a charge counter is put on Ramshackle Aetherseal you may have it deal damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. If you do, return it and another target creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of charge counters on Ramshackle Aetherseal, to their owner's hands.
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
2RR: All players shuffle a permanent he or she owns into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a artifact, creature, enchantment or a land card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
1/1
Render in progress
Instant (R)
Target creature you control gets +2/+2 until end of turn. When that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, untap all lands you control.
Famine2BB
Sorcery (R)
Aftermath - Choose target player dealt combat damage this turn. That player discards two cards at random.
Artificer’s Might RW
Sorcery (U)
Put two brick counters on target artifact. That artifact is a 2/2 creature with haste and “2, Remove a brick counter from this creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.” for as long as it has a brick counter on it. If you control an artificer, untap target artifact.
Creature — Elf Shaman (R)
When Overseer of the Pods enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
3/3
Creature - Sphinx Wizard (R)
Flying
If you would gain life, you gain twice that much life instead.
If you would draw a card except the first one you draw in each of your draw steps, draw two cards instead.
2/3
Instant {U}
Counter target noncreature spell. Its controller creates X 1/1 white and blue Bird creature tokens with flying, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
Draw a card.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Creature — Elf Scout Ally (R)
Haste
Whenever Elvish Guide attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it into your hand.
1/1
netn10
Roccovsky
Koopa
Jimmy Groove
IcariiFA
bravelion83
iphanx
Ruggley
StonerOfKruphix
mirrodin71
kjsharp
Amuzet
Flatline
Theelkspeaks
RaikouRider
Turbler
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
iphanx
Unsightly Curiosity B
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has "Whenever this creature attacks, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost."
Greatness sometime lies in the places no one wants to go...
Nice reference to Dark Confidant. I like this mechanically, but I find the name not particularly black. The concept of curiosity feels more blue to me, and the mechanic nicknamed curiosity is blue and green. The flavor text helps the flavor make sense with another nice reference to the Confidant's original flavor text.
Ruggley
Ramshackle Aetherseal UR
Enchantment {U}
At beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on Ramshackle Aetherseal or remove all counters from it.
Whenever a charge counter is put on Ramshackle Aetherseal you may have it deal damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. If you do, return it and another target creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of charge counters on Ramshackle Aetherseal, to their owner's hands.
I admit I don't get the reference at first glance. Anyway, even if I got it, the wordiness and the many templating mistakes kill this card for me. I'm sorry.
StonerOfKruphix
Mindcensor's Presence 1WW
Enchantment (R)
If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead.
"You're allowed to think whatever you want. Within my limits, of course."
—Megdat, Chief of Repurposing
Now we're talking. I really like everything about this card, both mechanically and flavorfully. Very nice reference to Aven Mindcensor, planeshifted to be set on Kaladesh. I think I found my first place, it will be hard to do better than this.
mirrodin71
Warp Mage 2R
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
2RR: All players shuffle a permanent he or she owns into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a artifact, creature, enchantment or a land card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
1/1
Well, I guess it's supposed to be "each player" instead of "all players" at the beginning of the ability, otherwise the grammar is completely off. Also, "an artifact". The intention is good, the inspiration is clear (Warp World), but too many Quality mistakes for my taste, to say it as in the MCC.
kjsharp
Feast1G
Instant (R)
Target creature you control gets +2/+2 until end of turn. When that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, untap all lands you control.
Famine2BB
Sorcery (R)
Aftermath - Choose target player dealt combat damage this turn. That player discards two cards at random.
I like the idea of making an aftermath version of Sword of Feast and Famine, but my reaction right after reading the Famine half was "why at random?" and then "why two?". I felt like something was off. I would have really made the Famine half just "That player discards a card", adjusting the mana cost of course.
Amuzet
Artificer’s Might RW
Sorcery (U)
Put two brick counters on target artifact. That artifact is a 2/2 creature with haste and “2, Remove a brick counter from this creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.” for as long as it has a brick counter on it. If you control an artificer, untap target artifact.
As with another card before, I really don't get the reference. Maybe I'm missing something obvious. Also, this card looks way too complex to me, and the "untap target artifact" part feels completely disconnected from the rest of the card to me. I also see a couple templating mistakes.
2nd place: iphanx
3rd place: kjsharp
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
5 of 6 on my list designed a card I recognized immediately. Good work
While the creativity factor is high here, I find the text pretty confusing to parse. There are several moving parts in play, namely the choice of resetting it each turn and having to take damage to "activate" it. Its complexity makes it difficult to evaluate in terms of balance. I THINK it's printable, with maybe an improvement in text box economy, but I'm not sure what decks would find a place for it. It's not as versatile as its namesake, and has some significant drawbacks. I'd jam it in a draft deck for the shenanigan factor, though. Fo sho.
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(I don't think unsightly means what you think it means)
Somehow, you may have taken a step towards fixing Dark Confidant by reimagining Curiosity. Unexpected, but pretty neat! Or wait... is it the other way around? I AM SO CONFUSED. Anyhoo, I like the design, and could definitely see this slotting into lots of decks, limited and constructed alike. Even EDH, where your choices of safe attack targets is 4x as great.
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(Actually good flavor text. *golfclap*)
Except that it dies to a wider array of removal than Bitterblossom, This is just a way, way better Bitterblossom. It comes down a turn earlier, doesn't force life loss, can attack & block, and can conceivably be activated multiple times in a turn. But... it's still a 1/1 with no protection. So depending on the situation, it's either way-too-good or it essentially reads "B: Eat a removal spell of an opponent's choice". I can't get totally behind this one, but I do like the concept and the feel of the design.
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(Gigantic green avatars are my favorite avatars.)
Sweeet. Straightforward, uncomplicated design that succeeds at being compelling anyway. I do kinda wish the card had some way to help itself die, but maybe being a scary roflstomper is enough to expect some removal being pointed at it. As-is, you'd need a sac outlet in order to control when you get your big payoff. It's still fair and totally still a bomb. My only real gripe is that relegating such a unique and powerful card as All Suns' Dawn to incidental value from a big, dumb creature's death trigger does seem a bit of a waste.
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(Kaldraception)
It's a 3CMC tutor for a 3 or 4CMC equipment, and on a 3/3 body. My instincts are telling me this is too good, even for three different colors. It's a card that would never get played, execpt in a very specific "equipment tron" deck. The goal was to reimagine a card, but you've designed a new card that synergizes with three existing cards (and nothing else).
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(Now serving Umezawa, party of eight!)
First of all, does the triggered ability grant "a counter" or "two counters?" I don't usually harp on typos, but this one is pretty egregious, given the text of the original card. So... does the world need a fixed Umezawa's Jitte? I'm unsure, but I know this version is just as unprecedentedly complicated as its forebearer (I guess it's not without precedent NOW, but... meh, you get it). Bottom line: Yes, I think you successfully fixed the Jitte, but you've basically very slightly-modified version of an existing card. It's a good redesign from a balance perspective, but not very creative or interesting in the context of a contest.
1. iphanx — Unsightly Curiosity
2. IcariiFA — Embodiment of the Five Suns
3. bravelion83 — Oona's Blossom