Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help you get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content.
In Italian we have a saying that goes: "La vita è fatta a scale, c'è chi scende e c'è chi sale", that translates to "Life is made of stairs, there's who goes down and who goes up". Now we climb the third step of the stairs. Just like that in that saying, some planes of the multiverse have a good fate, and others a bad one. There are worlds that get reborn, and there are worlds that get worse because of someone making it better for himself.
Main challenge: design a creature card that's exactly three colors.
Subchallenge 1: the card is flavored as to be from a shard of Alara before the Conflux (Bant, Esper, Grixis, Jund, Naya) or a Khans of Tarkir clan (Abzan, Jeskai, Sultai, Mardu, Temur).
Subchallenge 2: the card is not legendary.
Please see clarifications.
- For the main challenge, the card must have exactly three colors of mana in its mana cost or have a three-colored color indicator (note that I'm not advising making a three-colored color indicator in any way).
A card with a colorless mana cost but that has a three-colored color indicator DOES count, because the color indicator makes the card those colors.
A card with a colorless mana cost and no color indicator but that contains three colors as mana symbols in its rules text (or, in other words, that has a three-colored color identity) does NOT count, because being a color and having a color identity are different things.
- For subchallenge 1, mixing the shards as was done in Alara Reborn is NOT acceptable, that's why I specified "before the Conflux". Also, for Tarkir, only the old KTK timeline counts, the new DTK timeline is also NOT acceptable.
- For subchallenge 2, as long as the card doesn't have the "Legendary" supertype it's fine. It can interact with legendary permanents in any other way. This subchallenge is different than that in last round because in this round your card can be a Dragon. Just remember that in the KTK timeline dragons are extinct... (hint, hint!) so making a Dragon may not be that good of an idea if you also want to meet subchallenge 1...
Design deadline: Sunday, April 19th, 23:59 EDT. This has been extended, see post #8.
Judge deadline: Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. This has changed from the previous version. Judges, please try to respect this new deadline.
Design (X/10) - This reflects the work put into the initial concept of the card. Creativity - How original or innovative is the card? Does it present an old idea with a new twist? Does it employ an entirely new mechanic? Elegance - Is the concept easily understood at a glance? Does the design just 'click' with the flavor? Potential - Will different player psychographics (Timmy/Johnny/Spike) find a use for this card? Does it stand out as a card to build a deck around?
Development (X/10) - This reflects the execution of the idea, fleshing it into a playable card. Viability - How well does this card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it at the appropriate rarity? Balance - Does the card's cost match its power? How balanced are its interactions with other cards? Can it be played in constructed, limited, or multiplayer without breaking any of those formats? Creative Writing - Does the name sound like it fits on a card? Does the flavor text feel natural and professional? Does the combination of name, flavor text, and card concept make Vorthos spout poetry?
Polish - This reflects the finishing touches made to the card, polishing it to an end product that could see print. Challenge (X/2) - One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition. Quality (X/3) - Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
As usual, round 3 is made of four 1 vs 1 matches, each judged by two judges. The player with the best combined score in each match advances to the final round.
Judge: bravelion83
L0ng5h0t vs Ninja Caterpie
IcariiFA vs SelesnyaNewLife
Judge: Ogonomany
FortuitousEntity vs PsyOp
L0ng5h0t vs Ninja Caterpie
Judge: Moss_Elemental
admirableadmiral vs doomfish
FortuitousEntity vs PsyOp
Judge: Tilwin
IcariiFA vs SelesnyaNewLife
admirableadmiral vs doomfish
The new judging deadline is Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. Judges, please try to respect the deadline.
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.)
Kaisham Mountebank1(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)
Creature -- Efreet Monk (R)
Flying, first strike
At the beginning of each opponent's combat phase, target creature that player controls attacks this turn if able.
3/2 "If we must endure war, let us laugh about it - afterwards."
--Kasan, Kaisham wanderer
Nacatl Monster-Caller1G
Creature - Cat Wizard [R]
First strike RGW, T: Target creature gets +5/+5 until end of turn. 2RGW, T, Sacrifice Nacatl Monster-Caller: Search your library for a creature card with power 5 or greater and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library afterwards.
3/2
Edit: Thanks to extension, I can correct egregious spelling errors.
Akrasan Archangel2GWU
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying, vigilance
Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control. The blessings of a single angel can inspire more strength than the roars of an entire platoon.
4/4
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
Sidisi's Agent1BGU
Creature — Naga Shaman [R]
Hexproof
When Sidisi's Agent enters the battlefield, target player reveals his or her hand. You choose a multicolored card from it. That player discards that card. "Let the figureheads sit on their gilded thrones of lies. I know who has the true power around here."
3/4
Amesha of Order1GWU
Creature - Angel (R)
Flash
Flying
When Amesha of Order enters the battlefield, target creature blocks this turn if able. Tap each other creature its controller controls. Two champions. One field. That was the agreement of the Blessed.
3/3
The deadline is right now and we're still missing three submissions, which is kind of a problem in a round that's supposed to be 1 vs 1. I'll still leave the submissions open for 12 to 18 hours more (there have already been five days for submissions, it should not(*) take that long to submit a card). Then, these will be the different possibilities: 1 - None of the three missing people posts a card by then: all judges will judge all five cards submitted so far and the three players with the best combined score will advance to the final round.
2 - Only one of the three missing people posts a card by then: there will be three 1 vs 1 matches, each judged by three judges. Three players will advance to the final round.(not possible anymore)
3 - Only two of the three missing people post a card by then: there will be two 1 vs 1 matches and one with three players, each judged by three judges. Three players will advance to the final round.
4 - All three missing people post a card by then: everything goes on as normal. (Let's hope this is the case.)
* Edited because of an obvious and ironic typo: "it should take that long to post a card"!
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.)
Dragon Tamer1BRG
Creature - Goblin (R)
Whenever Dragon Tamer attacks, you may put a Dragon creature card from your hand onto the battlefield, tapped and attacking.
At the end of your turn, sacrifice a Dragon. There's no such dragon, which survives a goblins care.
2/2
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Ok, so luckily the case was #4 from the previous post and everything goes back to normal. I'd like to invite everyone to try to respect deadlines or pm the host if they have any problem.
Brackets are posted in the edited OP.
The new judging deadline is Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. Judges, please try to respect the deadline. Judgment is final.
Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help you get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content.
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
Design/development: I mentally divide points equally among subsections, assign them, then add them up.
Challenges: what counts is always the letter of the law.
Quality: half a point deducted for any error in templating, wording, spelling, or grammar, no matter how little they may be; a whole point for particularly serious errors.
No complaints unless I got something objectively wrong.
Nacatl Monster-Caller1G
Creature - Cat Wizard [R]
First strike RGW, T: Target creature gets +5/+5 until end of turn. 2RGW, T, Sacrifice Nacatl Monster-Caller: Search your library for a creature card with power 5 or greater and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library afterwards.
3/2
Design (6/10) Creativity – Nothing in this card is particularly new. Elegance – All good here, except maybe the mana cost and the hybrid mana being in there but not in the ability costs too could confuse some players, especially less experienced ones. Potential – Timmy likes to turn his little creatures into threats and to search for his big monsters. Johnny isn't that interested in this, maybe the search, but that's a stretch. Spike is more interested in the 3/2 first strike body for three mana than in the abilities.
Development (7/10) Viability – First strike is white and red and the effects of the activated abilities are green, and the mana cost rightly reflects that. What is less right is having red and white mana in the ability costs: giving a creature +5/+5 and putting a creature from your library onto the battlefield are both monogreen effects. The general nayan flavor of the card justifies all three colors being there though, but mechanically those abilities are monogreen. Rarity feels right. Balance – All costs seem reasonable. Maybe the last ability could cost some mana more, as the thought of getting, say, a Blightsteel Colossus or a Progenitus out of your library and onto the battlefield for only five mana is quite scarying. I understand that entering tapped is meant to balance this, but I'm not sure it's enough. At least it plays very nicely into the "5 power or greater" theme of Naya. Surely playable in limited. In constructed, this looks like an ok creature, maybe playable in some specific decks, but to be universally playable it should have a little something more. To me it feels like it's almost there, but not quite yet. Creative Writing – Name is fine. No room for flavor text.
Polish Challenge (2/2) – Both met. Quality (2.5/3) – The word "afterwards" is not needed in black border and should not be there (half a point deducted). In fact, if you search for it in Gatherer, you get only silver-bordered cards.
Akrasan Archangel2GWU
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying, vigilance
Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control. The blessings of a single angel can inspire more strength than the roars of an entire platoon.
4/4
Design (7/10) Creativity – The triggered ability is a nice twist on exalted, but other than that, there's nothing new here. Elegance – All good here. Potential – Timmy likes a big evasive creature that can boost any of his creatures in a potentially huge way. Johnny doesn't care. Spike sees quite a lot of value for the mana cost and he's appleased.
Development (9/10) Viability – Flying can be white and blue, vigilance can be green and white, the trigger feels white. The end result is a card that could be either monowhite, green/white, white/blue, or Bant colored, so we're good here. Rarity is definitely right. Balance – The mana cost feels like it's the least it can be while still being acceptable. Limited bomb and probably playable in constructed too, maybe not at top levels, but it should be more than decent in there. Creative Writing – Name is fine. The flavor text fits very nicely with the triggered ability.
Polish Challenge (2/2) – Both met. Quality (3/3) – All good here.
Amesha of Order1GWU
Creature - Angel (R)
Flash
Flying
When Amesha of Order enters the battlefield, target creature blocks this turn if able. Tap each other creature its controller controls. Two champions. One field. That was the agreement of the Blessed.
3/3
Design (7.5/10) Creativity – No single part of this card is particularly new, but put together they make something better than the mere sum of the parts. Elegance – All good here. Potential – This is just big enough for Timmy to care, even if he isn't excited. Johnny hasn't much to do with this. Spike loves this because of how efficient and versatile it is: you can use it both on offense, depriving your opponent of good blockers and killing a creature by forcing it to block a bigger creature, and on defense, casting this in your opponent's beginning of combat step, leaving him/her his/her weakest creature to attack and tapping all other ones, which will also stay conveniently tapped on your counterattack.
Development (9/10) Viability – Let's break it down: flash is green and blue (tertiary in other colors when needed for functionality), flying is white and blue, forcing a creature to block is green, and tapping a bunch of creatures is blue (see Cryptic Command and Sleep for example). So, in the end, this could either be green/blue or Bant colored, so we're good here. Rarity feels right. Balance – The cost is as low as it can be without this being broken. Very playable in limited, maybe not as big as it would need to be to be properly called a bomb, but if you have this in your pool there is a very good chance you'll play it. I could easily see this in an already existing Bant archetype in constructed. Creative Writing – Name is fine, and flavor text is quite good.
Polish Challenge (2/2) – Both met. Quality (3/3) – All good here.
Apex Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is equal to the number of creatures target player controls.
3RWG, T: Triple the number of +1/+1 counters on Apex Hydra.
0/0
Design (8.5/10) Creativity – Tripling counters gives you full points here. Elegance – All good here. Potential – Timmy loves this: even if it enters the battlefield with one or two counters (and remember that with the right wording, see "Quality", this does NOT count itself), a couple activations of the last ability will make this as huge as Timmy likes. Johnny may try to maximize the number of counters this gets, but it feels like a bit of a stretch. Spike is not interested in this, he wants his six-drops to win the game on the spot.
Development (6/10) Viability – Trample is red and green, entering with X +1/+1 counters feels more green than white or red, just as tripling them do. The end result is a card that could have easily been monogreen. What makes this card nayan is only its flavor, even if Hydras are anyway green's iconic creature type. Rarity is definitely right, I could see this at mythic too just because of the uniqueness of tripling counters. Balance – I certainly wouldn't want the ability cost to be lower than this. The mana cost, on the other hand, could maybe have been one mana less. Having this enter the battlefield on turn five and then tripling the counters on turn six looks like it might have been a nice sequence. Playable in limited, but I can't see this in constructed unless maybe in some specific decks, like for example a token deck that drops a bunch of tokens and then uses this as a finisher. Creative Writing – Name is fine. MSE tells me one or two lines of flavor text could have fit.
Polish Challenge (2/2) – Both met. Quality (2/3) – There is a quite serious problem here that doesn't make the second ability work at all: static abilities can't target. If you wanted that ability to target the player, you would need it to be a triggered one that triggers when the Hydra enters the battlefield, but it wouldn't trigger on time to put the counters on it before it dies from SBAs (state-based actions) to being checked and seeing a 0/0 creature on the battlefield. So the only way to make this work is to not have it target and make it an "as" ability (thus making it static and not triggered, see #31 in MOQ2). Like this:
As Apex Hydra enters the battlefield, choose a player. Apex Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the number of creatures the chosen player controls.
As I've said before, this is a serious error because it makes the card not work at all in the rules as it is, so one point deducted.
Finally, I recommend formatting cards as specified in the CCC forum rules. In this case, that means avoiding double breaks between the abilities, but I'm not going to deduct points for this, as it's just a matter of formatting.
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.)
Design:
Creativity – While there's nothing like this, I hardly call this a stretch of the imagination.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny might find some combos for this.
8/10.
Development:
Viability – I can see this as just blue and black.
Balance – This is rare, so I think you could have made the EtB ability like Duress or even Coercion.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
8/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – No problems here.
5/5
Total: 21/25
Design:
Creativity – Kaalia of the Vast and Preeminent Captain does something similar to your card, though this one has you sacrificing a creature at the end of your turn.
Elegance – Why would a Tamer kill a dragon each turn?
Potential – Timmy would like it. Johnny might like it.
7/10.
Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – As I mentioned, Kaalia and Preeminent Captain lets you put creature cards from your hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Unlike them, your card forces a sacrifice. I think it would be better if you didn't sacrifice your Dragon.
Creative Writing – This is clearly supposed to be from Shards of Alara, so I feel that the name doesn't fit the card. Goblins don't tame dragons in Jund, they just get fed to them.
7/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – It should be “At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice a Dragon.”
4/5
Total: 18/25
Design:
Creativity – That last ability is new.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny might have some fun with it.
9/10.
Development:
Viability – I can see this as just blue and red.
Balance – I think I can see this as a 3/3.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
8/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – No problems here
5/5
Total: 22/25
Design:
Creativity – Soul Warden that looks for creatures dying? Sure.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny would find some combos with this. Spike might play with this.
8/10.
Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – 3/3 may be a bit big for this.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
9/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met
Quality – No problems here.
5/5
Total: 22/25
As always, no complaints and it's not final until after the deadline.
Design (6.5/10): Creativity: Lure effects are usually done as activated abilities, so that's a bit of a twist. Nothing else is too crazy. Elegance: The design itself is very clean and simple. They attack, you have a good blocker for it. That mana cost sticks out like sore thumb. It would have been cleaner to just have the cost be 1UWR. Potential: I don't see tons of potential for this card, though I imagine it will appeal to Spike who want to get the most out of this as possible.
Development (8.5/10): Viability: While the mana cost is a bit of a mess, it is pretty appropriate given the abilities on the card. Pretty sure rare is correct for this, especially since this messes up combat a lot. Balance: I like the power level that this card is at. Obviously this is a house for something like limited, but even in constructed it is very good at playing defense and can make combat a nightmare for your opponent. It clearly doesn't do anything too busted, but it does enough interesting things to probably make it playable. Creative Writing: The flavor text comes across as a bit more serious than I would like given the general flavoring of the card (the Kaisham being tricksters and all that). The name fits pretty well with the card, and the flavor text is OK on it's own, but they don't really come together.
Polish: Challenge (2/2): Good. Quality (2.5/3): Should be "At the beginning of combat on each opponent's turn, ..."
Total: 19.5/25
Design (7/10): Creativity: Soul Warden + Deathgreeter. Nothing crazy, but an interesting combination. Elegance: Card is very clean and simple, and I can a creature caring about both life and death, so this works. One small issue I have is that it should probably be "Whenever another creature ..." for clarity. Potential: If there is a use for Soul Warden, there is a use for this, so I could see some people wanting this.
Development (8.5/10): Viability: While this would be perfectly fine as WB, these effect should up in green enough that this being Abzan is fine. Plus it plays nicely with the flavor of the clan. Balance: I really like the power level of this card, especially for an uncommon. Obviously it's good in limited, as all 3 mana 3/3's are, since it's ability makes up for it's difficult mana cost. However, even in constructed I could see this being good against aggressive decks since it's body is relevant in combat and gives you incidental life gain. Very good. Creative Writing: I wish the name were a bit more evocative, but it isn't too bad. The flavor text is good but I feel like it should be quoted by someone.
Design (7/10): Creativity: Neither ability is completely original (pump and tutoring), but both do have their own unique twist on it. Elegance: This feels more like a collection of abilities on a card rather than a cohesive idea for a design. They all fit the Naya theme pretty nicely (aside from the fact that this has first strike cuz), but nothing really goes together. Potential: TIMMMMMMMMY!!!
Development (3/10): Viability: I'm not the biggest fan of hybrid mixed with normal costs, but it's not too egregious here. I'm not entirely convinced that this couldn't be mythic, since it does some pretty crazy stuff. Balance: One ability is busted for limited, the other is busted for constructed. The +5/+5 pump is way too good on an early drop, and essentially makes attacking and blocking with this thing on the field impossible (it's already pretty difficult since this is a 3/2 with first strike). The second ability is way too cheap and easy to just go plop an Emrakul, the Aeons Torn onto the battlefield. Creative Writing: Name sounds a bit silly, though it does convey what the card does fairly well. The lack of flavor text hurts (I know there's no room for it, but still), since the flavor doesn't come through the design particularly well.
Polish: Challenge (2/2): Good. Quality (2.5/3): The "afterwards" is unnecessary.
Total: 14.5/25
Design (5/10): Creativity: I mean...it's kind of just Sublime Archangel with vigilance, right? Elegance: The card is very clean and simple, especially compared to Sublime Archangel, which comes across as a bit more clunky. It also fits the Bant shard very well. Potential: People like Sublime Archangel, so...
Development (6.5/10): Viability: Though this could be mono-white (like Sublime Archangel), the fact that this round is based on shards makes Bant acceptable. Could be mythic, but rare is fine. Balance: Sublime Archangel didn't break anything, and this is more expensive and more difficult to cast for not as much upside. This wouldn't do much in constructed, and would of course be a house in limited. Creative Writing: Name is good if a bit generic, but the flavor text is a home run.
Polish: Challenge (2/2): Good. Quality (2.5/3): Needs "until end of turn" at the end.
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.)
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April MCC Round 3
"A clan reborn"
Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help you get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content.
In Italian we have a saying that goes: "La vita è fatta a scale, c'è chi scende e c'è chi sale", that translates to "Life is made of stairs, there's who goes down and who goes up". Now we climb the third step of the stairs. Just like that in that saying, some planes of the multiverse have a good fate, and others a bad one. There are worlds that get reborn, and there are worlds that get worse because of someone making it better for himself.
Main challenge: design a creature card that's exactly three colors.
Subchallenge 1: the card is flavored as to be from a shard of Alara before the Conflux (Bant, Esper, Grixis, Jund, Naya) or a Khans of Tarkir clan (Abzan, Jeskai, Sultai, Mardu, Temur).
Subchallenge 2: the card is not legendary.
Please see clarifications.
- For the main challenge, the card must have exactly three colors of mana in its mana cost or have a three-colored color indicator (note that I'm not advising making a three-colored color indicator in any way).
A card with a colorless mana cost but that has a three-colored color indicator DOES count, because the color indicator makes the card those colors.
A card with a colorless mana cost and no color indicator but that contains three colors as mana symbols in its rules text (or, in other words, that has a three-colored color identity) does NOT count, because being a color and having a color identity are different things.
- For subchallenge 1, mixing the shards as was done in Alara Reborn is NOT acceptable, that's why I specified "before the Conflux". Also, for Tarkir, only the old KTK timeline counts, the new DTK timeline is also NOT acceptable.
- For subchallenge 2, as long as the card doesn't have the "Legendary" supertype it's fine. It can interact with legendary permanents in any other way. This subchallenge is different than that in last round because in this round your card can be a Dragon. Just remember that in the KTK timeline dragons are extinct... (hint, hint!) so making a Dragon may not be that good of an idea if you also want to meet subchallenge 1...
Design deadline: Sunday, April 19th, 23:59 EDT. This has been extended, see post #8.
Judge deadline: Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. This has changed from the previous version. Judges, please try to respect this new deadline.
Creativity - How original or innovative is the card? Does it present an old idea with a new twist? Does it employ an entirely new mechanic?
Elegance - Is the concept easily understood at a glance? Does the design just 'click' with the flavor?
Potential - Will different player psychographics (Timmy/Johnny/Spike) find a use for this card? Does it stand out as a card to build a deck around?
Development (X/10) - This reflects the execution of the idea, fleshing it into a playable card.
Viability - How well does this card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it at the appropriate rarity?
Balance - Does the card's cost match its power? How balanced are its interactions with other cards? Can it be played in constructed, limited, or multiplayer without breaking any of those formats?
Creative Writing - Does the name sound like it fits on a card? Does the flavor text feel natural and professional? Does the combination of name, flavor text, and card concept make Vorthos spout poetry?
Polish - This reflects the finishing touches made to the card, polishing it to an end product that could see print.
Challenge (X/2) - One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Quality (X/3) - Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
Total: X/25
JUDGES:
bravelion83
Ogonomany
Moss_Elemental
Tilwin
PLAYERS:
admirableadmiral
doomfish
FortuitousEntity
IcariiFA
L0ng5h0t
Ninja Caterpie
PsyOp
SelesnyaNewLife
Good luck everyone!
BRACKETS
As usual, round 3 is made of four 1 vs 1 matches, each judged by two judges. The player with the best combined score in each match advances to the final round.
Judge: bravelion83
L0ng5h0t vs Ninja Caterpie
IcariiFA vs SelesnyaNewLife
Judge: Ogonomany
FortuitousEntity vs PsyOp
L0ng5h0t vs Ninja Caterpie
Judge: Moss_Elemental
admirableadmiral vs doomfish
FortuitousEntity vs PsyOp
Judge: Tilwin
IcariiFA vs SelesnyaNewLife
admirableadmiral vs doomfish
The new judging deadline is Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. Judges, please try to respect the deadline.
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.)
Creature -- Efreet Monk (R)
Flying, first strike
At the beginning of each opponent's combat phase, target creature that player controls attacks this turn if able.
3/2
"If we must endure war, let us laugh about it - afterwards."
--Kasan, Kaisham wanderer
Creature - Cat Wizard [R]
First strike
RGW, T: Target creature gets +5/+5 until end of turn.
2RGW, T, Sacrifice Nacatl Monster-Caller: Search your library for a creature card with power 5 or greater and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library afterwards.
3/2
Edit: Thanks to extension, I can correct egregious spelling errors.
CCL Winner- July '08, Aug '08 Sept '08, Oct '08
Survivor- CCS: Lost in Takenuma, CCS: Stranded In Tolaria
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying, vigilance
Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control.
The blessings of a single angel can inspire more strength than the roars of an entire platoon.
4/4
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 — Naga Shaman [R]
Hexproof
When Sidisi's Agent enters the battlefield, target player reveals his or her hand. You choose a multicolored card from it. That player discards that card.
"Let the figureheads sit on their gilded thrones of lies. I know who has the true power around here."
3/4
Creature - Angel (R)
Flash
Flying
When Amesha of Order enters the battlefield, target creature blocks this turn if able. Tap each other creature its controller controls.
Two champions. One field. That was the agreement of the Blessed.
3/3
1 - None of the three missing people posts a card by then: all judges will judge all five cards submitted so far and the three players with the best combined score will advance to the final round.(not possible anymore)2 - Only one of the three missing people posts a card by then: there will be three 1 vs 1 matches, each judged by three judges. Three players will advance to the final round.
3 - Only two of the three missing people post a card by then: there will be two 1 vs 1 matches and one with three players, each judged by three judges. Three players will advance to the final round.
4 - All three missing people post a card by then: everything goes on as normal. (Let's hope this is the case.)
* Edited because of an obvious and ironic typo: "it should take that long to post a card"!
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.)
Dragon Tamer 1BRG
Creature - Goblin (R)
Whenever Dragon Tamer attacks, you may put a Dragon creature card from your hand onto the battlefield, tapped and attacking.
At the end of your turn, sacrifice a Dragon.
There's no such dragon, which survives a goblins care.
2/2
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Brackets are posted in the edited OP.
The new judging deadline is Friday, April 24th, 23:59 EDT. Judges, please try to respect the deadline.
Judgment is final.
Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help you get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content.
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
Design/development: I mentally divide points equally among subsections, assign them, then add them up.
Challenges: what counts is always the letter of the law.
Quality: half a point deducted for any error in templating, wording, spelling, or grammar, no matter how little they may be; a whole point for particularly serious errors.
No complaints unless I got something objectively wrong.
L0ng5h0t vs Ninja Caterpie
L0ng5h0t
Design (6/10)
Creativity – Nothing in this card is particularly new.
Elegance – All good here, except maybe the mana cost and the hybrid mana being in there but not in the ability costs too could confuse some players, especially less experienced ones.
Potential – Timmy likes to turn his little creatures into threats and to search for his big monsters. Johnny isn't that interested in this, maybe the search, but that's a stretch. Spike is more interested in the 3/2 first strike body for three mana than in the abilities.
Development (7/10)
Viability – First strike is white and red and the effects of the activated abilities are green, and the mana cost rightly reflects that. What is less right is having red and white mana in the ability costs: giving a creature +5/+5 and putting a creature from your library onto the battlefield are both monogreen effects. The general nayan flavor of the card justifies all three colors being there though, but mechanically those abilities are monogreen. Rarity feels right.
Balance – All costs seem reasonable. Maybe the last ability could cost some mana more, as the thought of getting, say, a Blightsteel Colossus or a Progenitus out of your library and onto the battlefield for only five mana is quite scarying. I understand that entering tapped is meant to balance this, but I'm not sure it's enough. At least it plays very nicely into the "5 power or greater" theme of Naya. Surely playable in limited. In constructed, this looks like an ok creature, maybe playable in some specific decks, but to be universally playable it should have a little something more. To me it feels like it's almost there, but not quite yet.
Creative Writing – Name is fine. No room for flavor text.
Polish
Challenge (2/2) – Both met.
Quality (2.5/3) – The word "afterwards" is not needed in black border and should not be there (half a point deducted). In fact, if you search for it in Gatherer, you get only silver-bordered cards.
Total: 17.5/25
Design (7/10)
Creativity – The triggered ability is a nice twist on exalted, but other than that, there's nothing new here.
Elegance – All good here.
Potential – Timmy likes a big evasive creature that can boost any of his creatures in a potentially huge way. Johnny doesn't care. Spike sees quite a lot of value for the mana cost and he's appleased.
Development (9/10)
Viability – Flying can be white and blue, vigilance can be green and white, the trigger feels white. The end result is a card that could be either monowhite, green/white, white/blue, or Bant colored, so we're good here. Rarity is definitely right.
Balance – The mana cost feels like it's the least it can be while still being acceptable. Limited bomb and probably playable in constructed too, maybe not at top levels, but it should be more than decent in there.
Creative Writing – Name is fine. The flavor text fits very nicely with the triggered ability.
Polish
Challenge (2/2) – Both met.
Quality (3/3) – All good here.
Total: 21/25
IcariiFA vs SelesnyaNewLife
IcariiFA
Design (7.5/10)
Creativity – No single part of this card is particularly new, but put together they make something better than the mere sum of the parts.
Elegance – All good here.
Potential – This is just big enough for Timmy to care, even if he isn't excited. Johnny hasn't much to do with this. Spike loves this because of how efficient and versatile it is: you can use it both on offense, depriving your opponent of good blockers and killing a creature by forcing it to block a bigger creature, and on defense, casting this in your opponent's beginning of combat step, leaving him/her his/her weakest creature to attack and tapping all other ones, which will also stay conveniently tapped on your counterattack.
Development (9/10)
Viability – Let's break it down: flash is green and blue (tertiary in other colors when needed for functionality), flying is white and blue, forcing a creature to block is green, and tapping a bunch of creatures is blue (see Cryptic Command and Sleep for example). So, in the end, this could either be green/blue or Bant colored, so we're good here. Rarity feels right.
Balance – The cost is as low as it can be without this being broken. Very playable in limited, maybe not as big as it would need to be to be properly called a bomb, but if you have this in your pool there is a very good chance you'll play it. I could easily see this in an already existing Bant archetype in constructed.
Creative Writing – Name is fine, and flavor text is quite good.
Polish
Challenge (2/2) – Both met.
Quality (3/3) – All good here.
Total: 21.5/25
Design (8.5/10)
Creativity – Tripling counters gives you full points here.
Elegance – All good here.
Potential – Timmy loves this: even if it enters the battlefield with one or two counters (and remember that with the right wording, see "Quality", this does NOT count itself), a couple activations of the last ability will make this as huge as Timmy likes. Johnny may try to maximize the number of counters this gets, but it feels like a bit of a stretch. Spike is not interested in this, he wants his six-drops to win the game on the spot.
Development (6/10)
Viability – Trample is red and green, entering with X +1/+1 counters feels more green than white or red, just as tripling them do. The end result is a card that could have easily been monogreen. What makes this card nayan is only its flavor, even if Hydras are anyway green's iconic creature type. Rarity is definitely right, I could see this at mythic too just because of the uniqueness of tripling counters.
Balance – I certainly wouldn't want the ability cost to be lower than this. The mana cost, on the other hand, could maybe have been one mana less. Having this enter the battlefield on turn five and then tripling the counters on turn six looks like it might have been a nice sequence. Playable in limited, but I can't see this in constructed unless maybe in some specific decks, like for example a token deck that drops a bunch of tokens and then uses this as a finisher.
Creative Writing – Name is fine. MSE tells me one or two lines of flavor text could have fit.
Polish
Challenge (2/2) – Both met.
Quality (2/3) – There is a quite serious problem here that doesn't make the second ability work at all: static abilities can't target. If you wanted that ability to target the player, you would need it to be a triggered one that triggers when the Hydra enters the battlefield, but it wouldn't trigger on time to put the counters on it before it dies from SBAs (state-based actions) to being checked and seeing a 0/0 creature on the battlefield. So the only way to make this work is to not have it target and make it an "as" ability (thus making it static and not triggered, see #31 in MOQ2). Like this:
As I've said before, this is a serious error because it makes the card not work at all in the rules as it is, so one point deducted.
Finally, I recommend formatting cards as specified in the CCC forum rules. In this case, that means avoiding double breaks between the abilities, but I'm not going to deduct points for this, as it's just a matter of formatting.
Total: 18.5/25
L0ng5h0t: 17.5
Ninja Caterpie: 21
IcariiFA: 21.5
SelesnyaNewLife: 18.5
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.)
Creativity – While there's nothing like this, I hardly call this a stretch of the imagination.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny might find some combos for this.
8/10.
Development:
Viability – I can see this as just blue and black.
Balance – This is rare, so I think you could have made the EtB ability like Duress or even Coercion.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
8/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – No problems here.
5/5
Total: 21/25
Creativity – Kaalia of the Vast and Preeminent Captain does something similar to your card, though this one has you sacrificing a creature at the end of your turn.
Elegance – Why would a Tamer kill a dragon each turn?
Potential – Timmy would like it. Johnny might like it.
7/10.
Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – As I mentioned, Kaalia and Preeminent Captain lets you put creature cards from your hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Unlike them, your card forces a sacrifice. I think it would be better if you didn't sacrifice your Dragon.
Creative Writing – This is clearly supposed to be from Shards of Alara, so I feel that the name doesn't fit the card. Goblins don't tame dragons in Jund, they just get fed to them.
7/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – It should be “At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice a Dragon.”
4/5
Total: 18/25
Creativity – That last ability is new.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny might have some fun with it.
9/10.
Development:
Viability – I can see this as just blue and red.
Balance – I think I can see this as a 3/3.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
8/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met.
Quality – No problems here
5/5
Total: 22/25
Creativity – Soul Warden that looks for creatures dying? Sure.
Elegance – No problems here.
Potential – Johnny would find some combos with this. Spike might play with this.
8/10.
Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – 3/3 may be a bit big for this.
Creative Writing – No problems here.
9/10
Polish:
Challenges – Both met
Quality – No problems here.
5/5
Total: 22/25
As always, no complaints and it's not final until after the deadline.
Creativity: Lure effects are usually done as activated abilities, so that's a bit of a twist. Nothing else is too crazy.
Elegance: The design itself is very clean and simple. They attack, you have a good blocker for it. That mana cost sticks out like sore thumb. It would have been cleaner to just have the cost be 1UWR.
Potential: I don't see tons of potential for this card, though I imagine it will appeal to Spike who want to get the most out of this as possible.
Development (8.5/10):
Viability: While the mana cost is a bit of a mess, it is pretty appropriate given the abilities on the card. Pretty sure rare is correct for this, especially since this messes up combat a lot.
Balance: I like the power level that this card is at. Obviously this is a house for something like limited, but even in constructed it is very good at playing defense and can make combat a nightmare for your opponent. It clearly doesn't do anything too busted, but it does enough interesting things to probably make it playable.
Creative Writing: The flavor text comes across as a bit more serious than I would like given the general flavoring of the card (the Kaisham being tricksters and all that). The name fits pretty well with the card, and the flavor text is OK on it's own, but they don't really come together.
Polish:
Challenge (2/2): Good.
Quality (2.5/3): Should be "At the beginning of combat on each opponent's turn, ..."
Total: 19.5/25
Creativity: Soul Warden + Deathgreeter. Nothing crazy, but an interesting combination.
Elegance: Card is very clean and simple, and I can a creature caring about both life and death, so this works. One small issue I have is that it should probably be "Whenever another creature ..." for clarity.
Potential: If there is a use for Soul Warden, there is a use for this, so I could see some people wanting this.
Development (8.5/10):
Viability: While this would be perfectly fine as WB, these effect should up in green enough that this being Abzan is fine. Plus it plays nicely with the flavor of the clan.
Balance: I really like the power level of this card, especially for an uncommon. Obviously it's good in limited, as all 3 mana 3/3's are, since it's ability makes up for it's difficult mana cost. However, even in constructed I could see this being good against aggressive decks since it's body is relevant in combat and gives you incidental life gain. Very good.
Creative Writing: I wish the name were a bit more evocative, but it isn't too bad. The flavor text is good but I feel like it should be quoted by someone.
Polish:
Challenge (2/2): Good.
Quality (3/3): Good.
Total: 20.5/25
Creativity: Neither ability is completely original (pump and tutoring), but both do have their own unique twist on it.
Elegance: This feels more like a collection of abilities on a card rather than a cohesive idea for a design. They all fit the Naya theme pretty nicely (aside from the fact that this has first strike cuz), but nothing really goes together.
Potential: TIMMMMMMMMY!!!
Development (3/10):
Viability: I'm not the biggest fan of hybrid mixed with normal costs, but it's not too egregious here. I'm not entirely convinced that this couldn't be mythic, since it does some pretty crazy stuff.
Balance: One ability is busted for limited, the other is busted for constructed. The +5/+5 pump is way too good on an early drop, and essentially makes attacking and blocking with this thing on the field impossible (it's already pretty difficult since this is a 3/2 with first strike). The second ability is way too cheap and easy to just go plop an Emrakul, the Aeons Torn onto the battlefield.
Creative Writing: Name sounds a bit silly, though it does convey what the card does fairly well. The lack of flavor text hurts (I know there's no room for it, but still), since the flavor doesn't come through the design particularly well.
Polish:
Challenge (2/2): Good.
Quality (2.5/3): The "afterwards" is unnecessary.
Total: 14.5/25
Creativity: I mean...it's kind of just Sublime Archangel with vigilance, right?
Elegance: The card is very clean and simple, especially compared to Sublime Archangel, which comes across as a bit more clunky. It also fits the Bant shard very well.
Potential: People like Sublime Archangel, so...
Development (6.5/10):
Viability: Though this could be mono-white (like Sublime Archangel), the fact that this round is based on shards makes Bant acceptable. Could be mythic, but rare is fine.
Balance: Sublime Archangel didn't break anything, and this is more expensive and more difficult to cast for not as much upside. This wouldn't do much in constructed, and would of course be a house in limited.
Creative Writing: Name is good if a bit generic, but the flavor text is a home run.
Polish:
Challenge (2/2): Good.
Quality (2.5/3): Needs "until end of turn" at the end.
Total: 16/25
PsyOp: 20.5/25
L0ng5h0t: 14.5/25
Ninja Caterpie: 16/25
FortuitousEntity: 19.5 + 22 = 41.5
PsyOp: 20.5 + 22 = 42.5
L0ng5h0t: 17.5 + 14.5 = 32
Ninja Caterpie: 21 + 16 = 37
admirableadmiral: 21 + 22 = 43
doomfish: 18 + 18.5 = 36.5
IcariiFA: 22 + 21.5 = 43.5
SelesnyaNewLife: 19 + 18.5 = 37.5
The final round will be posted in a few minutes.
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.)