Moonlock MageWU
Creature — Human Wizard [R]
Flash
When Moonlock Mage enters the battlefield, exile target spell.
When Moonlock Mage leaves the battlefield, the exiled spell's owner may cast it without paying its mana cost. If they don't, return it to their hand.
2/2
IIW: Your opponent can't predict your plan if you never had one to begin with
Note: the cards for this challenge need not have anything to do with naming cards. Two mana multicolored 2/2s with unique and interesting abilities, for example, could do just fine.
Cards that essentially do the same thing as Meddling Mage but less effectively will be judged harshly, though.
The website said you responded to me in this post. I'm confused.
Just in case it wasn't obvious, my cycle completion specifically was speaking to Meddling Mage placement in Alara Reborn, the flavor text on each is supposed to be speaking of the opposing shard.
and, I suppose I'll make another card for the broader challenge
Gutter Dredger
Creature - Elf Shaman(R)
Deathtouch
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Gutter Dredger is in your graveyard, exile a card from your graveyard and you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. "It's amazing the things people throw away when they're dead."
2/2
Supporting SorcererUR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Supporting Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell with the chosen name, you may copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy.
2/2
Blistering SorcererBR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Blistering Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
Whenever the named card is cast, its owner loses 3 life.
2/2
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're having creature problems I feel bad for you son
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Meddling ApprenticeWU
Creature - Human Wizard (C)
Spells cost 1 more to cast.
2/2
Meddling AdeptWU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Each player can't cast more than one spell each turn.
2/2
Meddling MastermindWWUU
Creature - Human Wizard (M)
As Meddling Mastermind enters the battlefield, an opponent searches your library for a nonland card and reveals it, then you shuffle your library.
When you cast a spell with the same name as the revealed card, you win the game at the beginning of your next upkeep.
3/3
Chemister of CreativityUR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Players can't cast spells that share a name with a permanent they control or a card in their graveyard. "Redundant! Derivative! Uninspired! Are you even trying?"
2/2
IIW: Conspiracy 2
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"In the beginning, MTG Salvation switched to a new forum format.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
Sinister MageUB
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
When Sinister Mage enters the battlefield name a card.
Whenever a player cast the named card, exile the top ten cards of target player's library.
2/2
Bloodward MageWB
Creature - Human Wizard
Pay 3 life: Target creature you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. "Protection always comes at a price. What are you willing to pay?"
2/2
Meddling MastermindWWUU
Creature - Human Wizard (M)
As Meddling Mastermind enters the battlefield, an opponent searches your library for a nonland card and reveals it, then you shuffle your library.
When you cast a spell with the same name as the revealed card, you win the game at the beginning of your next upkeep.
3/3
iiw: from the bible
"Fail to find".
You might get it to work if you reveal your library and have your opponent pick, though.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're having creature problems I feel bad for you son
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Stalker of AphellusUB
Creature - Shapeshifter {R}
When Stalker of Aphellus enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever a creature with the chosen name leaves the battlefield, you may have Stalker of Aphellus become a copy of that creature.
2/2
As Sylvan Preserver enters the battlefield, name a nonbasic land.
Nonbasic lands with the chosen name cannot enter the battlefield.
2/2 "This forest is sacred. I suggest you immediately leave before the forest seeks it's revenge on you."
IIW: An actual Hate Bear.
Not very playable compared to Meddling Mage and I have a hard time picturing what else would go in a cycle with these two cards -- between nonland cards and nonbasic lands they have just about everything covered.
Riddling ShamanRG
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
As Riddling Shaman enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
The named card can't be countered.
2/2
Graceful WisentGW
Creature - Beast (R)
Haste
Whenever Graceful Wisent deals combat damage to a player, that player can't cast noncreature spells during his or her next turn.
2/2
IIW: Bears with abilities that aren't ETB abilities
Riddling Shaman: Should say "can't be countered by spells or abilities." Otherwise printable, but doesn't compare very favorably to Vexing Shusher.
Graceful Wisent: Haste feels a little weird on a card costing GW, but overall it works.
Cycleness: I wouldn't put both of these in a cycle with Meddling Mage due to the asymmetry, but I could see either one working on its own.
Mirror of NemesesUB
Creature - Shapeshifter (R)
Whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, you may have Mirror of Nemeses become a copy of that creature until end of turn.
2/2
IIW: nontoken copies
Good design. I'd like it a little better if it gave you the chance to attack back with the copied creature, but it's still pretty good.
Sabotor MageRU
Creature - Goblin Wizard (R)
When ~ enters the battlefield, name an artifact card.
When the named card enters the battlefield, destroy it. If it has no defect, make one!
2/2
IIW: Winter
This pretty much does the same thing as Meddling Mage but worse. Not what I was looking for.
Maintaining MageGW
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Maintaining Mage enters the battlefield, name a creature, artifact, enchantment, land or planeswalker card.
Permanents with the chosen name have indestructible.
2/2
IIW: Constructed lifegain
"Name a card" would be sufficient, since the second ability only affects permanents anyway. I'd rather not see indestructible bears running around in standard, but I could see printing it in an eternal only set like conspiracy.
Savaging Mage
Creature - Human Druid (R)
As Savaging Mage enters the battlefield, name a card.
The named card can't be countered. Damage from the named card can't be prevented. "A people complacent in their own demise. Its no wonder this land has been reduced to a vile slough."
2/2
Forfending Mage
Creature - Human Mystic (R)
As Forfending Mage enters the battlefield, name a card.
Permanents you control have protection from the named card. "A land rotting its people from the inside. Their throes lack conviction or grace."
2/2
Dissuading Mage
Creature - Human Cleric (R)
As Dissuading Mage enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
When a player casts the named card that player reveals cards from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals three land cards, then puts all cards revealed this way into his or her graveyard. "A people that boast of their savagery. A land that requires guidance and must be dominated."
2/2
Decimating Mage
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
As Decimating Mage enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
Whenever the named card becomes the target of a spell or ability exile it and Decimating Mage deals 3 damage to its controller. "A pristine land wasted on its denizens. A people so fraught with pomp they can't see their own demise."
2/2
IIW: mono-hybrid artifacts
Savaging Mage and Forfending mage are both good designs, but the other two are awkward. Dissuading Mage will almost always be worse than Meddling Mage, and Decimating Mage seems forced and too difficult to use effectively. If this is meant to be retroactively printed in Alara block, Dissuading Mage should be an artifact creature.
HexfurUG
Creature - Bear (R)
Flash
As Hexfur enters the battlefield, choose a permanent, spell or player.
The chosen object has hexproof.
2/2
Giving players hexproof is strictly the domain of white (and occasionally artifacts). I don't think giving a spell hexproof works the way you want it to. I like the idea, but it'll take some more development to make it work.
Moonlock MageWU
Creature — Human Wizard [R]
Flash
When Moonlock Mage enters the battlefield, exile target spell.
When Moonlock Mage leaves the battlefield, the exiled spell's owner may cast it without paying its mana cost. If they don't, return it to their hand.
2/2
IIW: Your opponent can't predict your plan if you never had one to begin with
May or may not be overpowered in a format where Cancel is the baseline counterspell. I've never seen a cycle containing two cards of the same rarity and mana cost before.
Just in case it wasn't obvious, my cycle completion specifically was speaking to Meddling Mage placement in Alara Reborn, the flavor text on each is supposed to be speaking of the opposing shard.
and, I suppose I'll make another card for the broader challenge
Gutter Dredger
Creature - Elf Shaman(R)
Deathtouch
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Gutter Dredger is in your graveyard, exile a card from your graveyard and you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. "It's amazing the things people throw away when they're dead."
2/2
IIW: Wind up
I would word this as "... and put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control" if you intend for the effect to occur even if there are no creatures it can target. Requiring you to exile a creature card rather than any card might make this a little more flavorful and a little more balanced, but it's still pretty well designed.
PaincallerRB Creature - Human Shaman R
As ~ enters the battlefield, name a card.
If a card named with ~ would take or deal damage, that card takes or deals double that amount instead.
2/2
The wording could use some work but the design is good and it fits the challenge.
Supporting SorcererUR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Supporting Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell with the chosen name, you may copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy.
2/2
IIW: Song lyrics as flavor text
Yeah, this works. Alliteration is, as always, appreciated.
Blistering SorcererBR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Blistering Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
Whenever the named card is cast, its owner loses 3 life.
2/2
This pretty much does the same thing as Meddling Mage but not as well. Not what I was looking for.
Meddling ApprenticeWU
Creature - Human Wizard (C)
Spells cost 1 more to cast.
2/2
Meddling AdeptWU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Each player can't cast more than one spell each turn.
2/2
Meddling MastermindWWUU
Creature - Human Wizard (M)
As Meddling Mastermind enters the battlefield, an opponent searches your library for a nonland card and reveals it, then you shuffle your library.
When you cast a spell with the same name as the revealed card, you win the game at the beginning of your next upkeep.
3/3
iiw: from the bible
Sphere of Resistance does not belong on a common bear. Meddling Adept is fine, and Meddling Mastermind could work with some tweaking.
Chemister of CreativityUR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Players can't cast spells that share a name with a permanent they control or a card in their graveyard. "Redundant! Derivative! Uninspired! Are you even trying?"
2/2
IIW: Conspiracy 2
Nice flavor. I'm a little wary of what this might do to a format that can support it, but the symmetry does make it more difficult to break. (Unintentionally) hoses flashback. It might be difficult to build a whole cycle out of this and Meddling Mage, but it might work with a UG and a UB as the other members.
Sinister MageUB
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
When Sinister Mage enters the battlefield name a card.
Whenever a player cast the named card, exile the top ten cards of target player's library.
2/2
iiw: Futuristic Goblin Card
I was going to say something about doing the same thing as Meddling Mage but worse, but then I noticed that it targets a player. Seems okay, but maybe a little forced to fit the challenge.
Bloodward MageWB
Creature - Human Wizard
Pay 3 life: Target creature you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. "Protection always comes at a price. What are you willing to pay?"
2/2
IIW: Creatures with unusual jobs
This sort of effect tends to make players pull out their hair in frustration. Three life would be a fair price to pay, but just threatening the ability screws up your opponent's options even if you never activate it.
Stalker of AphellusUB
Creature - Shapeshifter {R}
When Stalker of Aphellus enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever a creature with the chosen name leaves the battlefield, you may have Stalker of Aphellus become a copy of that creature.
2/2
IIW: Hibernation.
A cheaper but narrower Clone. I don't see any problems with it but it's not too exciting.
Winning MageUR
Creature - Atogaholic (M)
As Winning Mage enters the thread, the challenge becomes "Song lyrics as flavor text."
2/2
A cheaper but narrower Clone. I don't see any problems with it but it's not too exciting.
The intention was to copy things not necessarily in play at the time (think Nevermaker), but in essence yes.
Matca Champion2RG
Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, Matca Champion gets +1/+1 until end of turn. 1R, T: Matca Champion fights target creature you don't control. "Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games!"
2/3
Minds UnfetteredRW
Enchantment {U}
Spells that target players or other spells cost 2 more to cast. "We don't need no thought control!"
Ring of Fire2RR
Enchantment {R}
At the beginning of your end step, put a burn counter on Ring of Fire, then Ring of Fire deals damage equal to the number of burn counters on it to each creature.
When there are no creatures on the battlefield, sacrifice Ring of Fire. "I went down, down, down, and the flames went higher..."
Deep Slumber
Enchantment (R)
Creatures don't untap during their controller's untap step.
Whenever a creature is dealt damage, untap it.
If there are no untapped creatures on the battlefield, sacrifice Deep Slumber. "Stars are shining, day is done
Close your eyes 'till morning sun"
— Avacynian Lullaby
Giving players hexproof is strictly the domain of white (and occasionally artifacts).
Four rares do not solidify an effect into a color. The effect is completely justifiable in the two primary colors for standard hexproof. And why do you think giving spells the attribute of "Can't be targetted by spells and abilities you don't control" be bad?
Giving players hexproof is strictly the domain of white (and occasionally artifacts).
Four rares do not solidify an effect into a color. The effect is completely justifiable in the two primary colors for standard hexproof. And why do you think giving spells the attribute of "Can't be targetted by spells and abilities you don't control" be bad?
Giving spells "can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control" is not the same as giving spells "hexproof". Slippery Bogle has hexproof while it's on the stack, but it can still be countered by Cancel.
To be clear:
Quote from Magic Comprehensive Rules »
702.11. Hexproof
702.11a Hexproof is a static ability.
702.11b “Hexproof” on a permanent means “This permanent can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.”
702.11c “Hexproof” on a player means “You can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.”
702.11d Multiple instances of hexproof on the same permanent or player are redundant.
Note that there is no entry for hexproof on any object other than a permanent or player.
Haven't we established, that if something needs a quick addition to the comprehensive rules, it's assumed to be done?
The quick addition to the comprehensive rules you're suggesting would cause dozens of existing cards with hexproof to be untargetable while they're on the stack. I never said that that part of your card was a bad design, only that it needs some development to make it work.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
End the turn. Take an extra turn after this one. Exile Strange Déjà Vu. Subconscious strange sensation
Unconscious relaxation
What a pleasant nightmare.
Simple and Clean2W
Instant (R)
Choose one -
* Until end of turn, creatures loses all abilities and become white enchantment creatures with base power and toughness 1/1.
* Destroy all enchantments
Entwine -3W (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.) It's hard to let it go.
I Need a Hero1GW
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If it is a legendary creature card, put it onto the battlefield. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night.
Simple2W
Instant (R)
Until end of turn, creatures loses all abilities and become white enchantment creatures with base power and toughness 1/1.
//// Clean3W
Instant (R)
Destroy all enchantments
Fuse (You may cast one or both halves of this card from your hand.)
I Need a Hero1GW
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If it is a legendary creature card, put it onto the battlefield. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night.
Creature — Human Wizard [R]
Flash
When Moonlock Mage enters the battlefield, exile target spell.
When Moonlock Mage leaves the battlefield, the exiled spell's owner may cast it without paying its mana cost. If they don't, return it to their hand.
2/2
IIW: Your opponent can't predict your plan if you never had one to begin with
The website said you responded to me in this post. I'm confused.
and, I suppose I'll make another card for the broader challenge
Gutter Dredger
Creature - Elf Shaman(R)
Deathtouch
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Gutter Dredger is in your graveyard, exile a card from your graveyard and you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
"It's amazing the things people throw away when they're dead."
2/2
IIW: Wind up
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Supporting Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell with the chosen name, you may copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy.
2/2
IIW: Song lyrics as flavor text
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Blistering Sorcerer enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
Whenever the named card is cast, its owner loses 3 life.
2/2
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Creature - Human Wizard (C)
Spells cost 1 more to cast.
2/2
Meddling Adept WU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Each player can't cast more than one spell each turn.
2/2
Meddling Mastermind WWUU
Creature - Human Wizard (M)
As Meddling Mastermind enters the battlefield, an opponent searches your library for a nonland card and reveals it, then you shuffle your library.
When you cast a spell with the same name as the revealed card, you win the game at the beginning of your next upkeep.
3/3
iiw: from the bible
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Players can't cast spells that share a name with a permanent they control or a card in their graveyard.
"Redundant! Derivative! Uninspired! Are you even trying?"
2/2
IIW: Conspiracy 2
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
When Sinister Mage enters the battlefield name a card.
Whenever a player cast the named card, exile the top ten cards of target player's library.
2/2
iiw: Futuristic Goblin Card
Creature - Human Wizard
Pay 3 life: Target creature you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.
"Protection always comes at a price. What are you willing to pay?"
2/2
IIW: Creatures with unusual jobs
You might get it to work if you reveal your library and have your opponent pick, though.
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Creature - Shapeshifter {R}
When Stalker of Aphellus enters the battlefield, name a card.
Whenever a creature with the chosen name leaves the battlefield, you may have Stalker of Aphellus become a copy of that creature.
2/2
IIW: Hibernation.
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
As Judging Mage enters the thread, name a challenge.
Players can't enter cards in the named challenge.
2/2
Balanced and a good candidate for sharing a cycle. Pretty good overall, but I'm not blown away.Not very playable compared to Meddling Mage and I have a hard time picturing what else would go in a cycle with these two cards -- between nonland cards and nonbasic lands they have just about everything covered.Riddling Shaman: Should say "can't be countered by spells or abilities." Otherwise printable, but doesn't compare very favorably to Vexing Shusher.
Graceful Wisent: Haste feels a little weird on a card costing GW, but overall it works.
Cycleness: I wouldn't put both of these in a cycle with Meddling Mage due to the asymmetry, but I could see either one working on its own.Good design. I'd like it a little better if it gave you the chance to attack back with the copied creature, but it's still pretty good.This pretty much does the same thing as Meddling Mage but worse. Not what I was looking for."Name a card" would be sufficient, since the second ability only affects permanents anyway. I'd rather not see indestructible bears running around in standard, but I could see printing it in an eternal only set like conspiracy.Savaging Mage and Forfending mage are both good designs, but the other two are awkward. Dissuading Mage will almost always be worse than Meddling Mage, and Decimating Mage seems forced and too difficult to use effectively. If this is meant to be retroactively printed in Alara block, Dissuading Mage should be an artifact creature.Giving players hexproof is strictly the domain of white (and occasionally artifacts). I don't think giving a spell hexproof works the way you want it to. I like the idea, but it'll take some more development to make it work.May or may not be overpowered in a format where Cancel is the baseline counterspell. I've never seen a cycle containing two cards of the same rarity and mana cost before.
Creature - Atogaholic (M)
As Winning Mage enters the thread, the challenge becomes "Song lyrics as flavor text."
2/2
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
The intention was to copy things not necessarily in play at the time (think Nevermaker), but in essence yes.
Matca Champion 2RG
Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, Matca Champion gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1R, T: Matca Champion fights target creature you don't control.
"Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games!"
2/3
Minds Unfettered RW
Enchantment {U}
Spells that target players or other spells cost 2 more to cast.
"We don't need no thought control!"
Ring of Fire 2RR
Enchantment {R}
At the beginning of your end step, put a burn counter on Ring of Fire, then Ring of Fire deals damage equal to the number of burn counters on it to each creature.
When there are no creatures on the battlefield, sacrifice Ring of Fire.
"I went down, down, down, and the flames went higher..."
IIW: Oppressively junky.
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Enchantment (R)
Creatures don't untap during their controller's untap step.
Whenever a creature is dealt damage, untap it.
If there are no untapped creatures on the battlefield, sacrifice Deep Slumber.
"Stars are shining, day is done
Close your eyes 'till morning sun"
— Avacynian Lullaby
IIW: Keys
Sorcery [U]
Exile target nonland permanent and put three time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend.
IIW: Fun with relatively unused mechanics
Four rares do not solidify an effect into a color. The effect is completely justifiable in the two primary colors for standard hexproof. And why do you think giving spells the attribute of "Can't be targetted by spells and abilities you don't control" be bad?
Giving spells "can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control" is not the same as giving spells "hexproof". Slippery Bogle has hexproof while it's on the stack, but it can still be countered by Cancel.
To be clear:Note that there is no entry for hexproof on any object other than a permanent or player.
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Instant (M)
End the turn. Take an extra turn after this one. Exile Strange Déjà Vu.
Subconscious strange sensation
Unconscious relaxation
What a pleasant nightmare.
IIW: Psychedelic
"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than 'good job'." -Terrance Fletcher, Whiplash (2014)
Instant (R)
Choose one -
* Until end of turn, creatures loses all abilities and become white enchantment creatures with base power and toughness 1/1.
* Destroy all enchantments
Entwine -3W (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)
It's hard to let it go.
I Need a Hero 1GW
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If it is a legendary creature card, put it onto the battlefield.
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night.
IIW: Food
Pure // Simple