Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help new custom card designers get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content. Jeff Lionheart. This was his name, in spite of what many in the pride probably expected. There's a little irony in having a name that means "peace of God" among a tribe that has abandoned worship of human gods. Anyway, that hasn't prevented him from learning and training as a warrior, following his father's footsteps. He liked to fight when it meant protecting the meek, but he hated having to do so without a reason or to execute orders he found wrong or immoral. He was a free spirit. Whenever he could, he liked wandering alone enjoying the nature in long walks, confident that he could always fight to self-defend or defend those in need he encountered along his road. During his walks he used to reflect about his people. He felt different, and there was something he couldn't grasp about them. How could they become so insular, so detached from all other living beings that they needed to isolate themselves from everything and everyone? The more strangers he saved, the stronger this question got inside his mind. "We can't ignore others", he thought. "We all live in this world. Why can't we get along with other beings living in the same world? Our only difference is our outer appearance, inside we're all the same! Here I swear: I'll fight for all those in need, whichever race they might be!"
EXAMPLE CARD (only meant to be considered for clarity of the round's requirements, not for balance):
Jeff Lionheart3WW
Legendary Creature - Cat Warrior (M)
Vigilance
Whenever another creature you control blocks or becomes blocked, you may tap Jeff Lionheart. If you do, Jeff Lionheart deals damage equal to its power to each creature blocking or blocked by that creature, then remove that creature from combat. "I'll fight for all those in need!"
4/4
Art: http://fetsch.deviantart.com/art/Lion-195408287 Main challenge: design a legendary creature card that's an advanced version (in flavor, not necessarily mechanics) of your round 1 creature. It has to be the same character (*). It can't be a double-faced card. It can't interact in any way with other legendary permanents or with planeswalkers. Please include a link to or a quote of your round 1 entry in your submission.
(*) If the character you made in round 1 was a servant/minion/whatever of another character, this must be the servant/minion/whatever, and NOT the other character. It must be exactly whatever your round 1 card represented itself. For extra clarity, this means exactly the following (my comments in bolded italics):
Since we are aiming for great entries each round and I am sure we would like to avoid misreads of the main challenge, I would like to remind everyone the following aspects:
- Your creature should be a legendary creature (both in card ruling and flavor)! @Leo: maybe you can clarify here whether this is mandatory and subject of disqualification in case the contestants fail to make the creature legendary (knowingly or unknowingly). Yes, the round 2 card must be legendary. If it's not, it's a DQ, because it's an explicit main challenge requirement.
- Both your round 1 and round 2 entries need to refer to the same character! If your round 1 card featured let's say a blue Merfolk encountering a not-so-nice pirate by the name of Tyrius (featured in the flavor text), your round 2 card must feature a legendary creature that depicts The Merfolk. Making a card of Tyrius, The Pirate for Round 2, or maybe Krevolius, the Pillager (flavor-wise referred to as Tyrius's captain) does not pass the main challenge. @Leo: Again, I suppose this is a disqualifying factor but it would be best to have it confirmed. Yes, this is also a DQ.
Also please make sure not to forget about the link to the post of your round 1 entry, or the quote of that entry in your round 2 submission. This will save judge time so that we don't have to go looking for your Round 1 entries so we can evaluate the evolution of your character. Thanks!
The character from your first round SHOULD BE the same with the character from your second round. In my example I was mentioning that if your first round card was the Merfolk character, your second card must ALSO be the Merfolk character. It should NOT be some other character that may have appeared in the flavor text of the Round 1 card or anything of the sort.
So for the example above, if the Merfolk character was featured in the Round 1, the same Merfolk character needs to be featured in the Round 2 card. The hypothetical Pirate character I was describing could have appeared in the Flavor Text of the Round 1 card (maybe by "catching our Merfolk" or anything of the sort), but since it is not the actual creature Merfolk depicted in the card, it is NOT viable for Round 2.
This is the final warning with respect to clause number one of the Main Challenge, namely that your creature needs to be a Legendary Creature. Failure to do so will lead to the disqualification of your entries, even if your entries have a "legendary" feel but fail to be developed as such! In order to respect the fairness of the competition I shall not send private messages to any of the contestants or name them here, as it is your responsibility to ensure that your entries are according to the Main Challenge.
To the rest of the contestants who have already met the challenge, I apologize for the spam and the potential supplementary stress I understand these reminders may cause you. I am sure everyone wants a good challenge where potentially nice designs are not disqualified because of a mistake that in other circumstances might not be that severe. Kind of reminds me of those Magic matches where I ended up winning because of mistakes my opponent made, and not because I put up a good fight and played really well myself, giving me quite less satisfaction.
Thank you everyone and good luck!
Please don't include any notes. Posting any card-related notes will be cause of disqualification this month. Use only the flavor elements on the card itself to tell your character's story. Those are: card name, art (if you choose to make a render, in which case remember to give credit to the artist), subtypes, flavor text, mechanical flavor (telling flavor through the card's mechanics).
ATTENTION PLEASE: Because of the confusion they generated last round, art descriptions are no longer allowed and won't be in future rounds too.
Subchallenge 1: Your card is exactly the same color(s) of your round 1 card.
Subchallenge 2: Your creature's power and toughness are both 4 or greater in the moment it enters the battlefield.
• For subchallenge 1, color identity does NOT count. It needs to have the same colors in the mana cost or in its color indicator.
• For subchallenge 2, your creature's power needs to be 4 or greater AND its toughness too. If only one of them is 4 or greater, this subchallenge is failed. For example, a 4/4 or 5/5 is ok, while a 4/3, 3/4, 5/3, or 3/5 is not.
• If your creature is able to change power and/or toughness to values lower than 4 after it entered the battlefield, it's still fine. Subchallenge 2 only cares about the power and toughness your creature has in the moment it enters the battlefield. This is why I specified it.
• As a consequence of the last point, a 0/0 that enters the battlefield with four +1/+1 counters on it DOES pass subchallenge 2, because it's a 4/4 in the moment it enters the battlefield.
• At the contrary, a 4/4 that enters the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it does NOT pass subchallenge 2 because it's a 3/3 in the moment it enters the battlefield.
Would creating two 2/2s achieve subchallenge 2? That's kind of my character's bread and butter and I dislike making blue dudes really big.
Alternatively, how would a shapeshifter affect scoring for that subchallenge?
Your creature must always enter the battlefield with both power and toughness 4 or greater. What happens after it entered the battlefield doesn't matter. Unfortunately, two 2/2 are not equal to a single 4/4, so they're not good for the challenge. The challenge doesn't care how much total power and toughness you're putting on the battlefield, but only what P/T values your creature/character has as it enters the battlefield. If other creatures/tokens are entering the battlefield at the same time, they don't matter, because they're different creatures/characters.
Anyway, subchallenges aren't mandatory. If you think you're making a card that gains in other areas more than what it loses not meeting the subchallenge (and it can very well happen), go for it.
EDIT: If with "shapeshifter" you mean a creature that enters as a copy of another creature (for example Clone), see the answer about the Hydra below: If your Hydra(in this case your Clone) somehow always enters the battlefield as at least a 4/4 it's fine. If it can enter as a smaller creature, it's not. For extra clarity, the card Clone itself would NOT pass subchallenge 2, as it can enter as a copy of a creature with P/T lower than 4.
What if it's like a hydra, as in it can enter at any p/t?
I'm answering this anyway even if you can't post a card for round 2 because unfortunately you didn't pass round 1. Check the list of admitted players in round 2's OP (still waiting for you next month and in other contests). Anyway, it may still be useful to someone else, so here we go. Again, as I said right above here: Your creature must always enter the battlefield with both power and toughness 4 or greater.
In this case, the key word is "always". If your Hydra somehow always enters the battlefield as at least a 4/4 it's fine. If it can enter as a smaller creature, it's not.
Quote from pm »
For MCC 2, would it be possible for it to gain a ETB power and toughness boost to satisfy the challenge (if it gained haste)?
For example
2/2 Haste gaining +4/+4 when it enters the battlefield or anything to that effect.
This card:
CARDNAME COST
Creature - Whatever (RARITY)
Haste
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it gains +4/+4 until end of turn.
2/2
does NOT pass subchallenge 2, because in the moment it enters the battlefield it's still a 2/2 while the ability has to trigger, be put on the stack and only then resolve, well after the creature entered as a 2/2. To pass subchallenge 2, your creature must already be a 4/4 or above before any trigger resolves (or technically, if you know the rules, "before state-based actions are checked").
Clarification request: Is the new card supposed to replace the previous card, or coexist with it? Can the new card be a slightly fancier version of the previous one, or is it supposed supposed to be another version of the card (like the two versions of Xenagos).
Xenagos is a good example, just not for this round, but something like Mikaeus in Innistrad is a better example for this round. Your card should show a flavor progression in your character's story. Maybe he/she became more powerful, maybe he/she discovered something he/she didn't know about, maybe he/she just grew up and became adult (like my Jeff), or anything you can think about. The two cards are certainly meant to be in the same block and Standard environment, but they don't have to be exactly from the same set. Again, see Mikaeus in Innistrad: two versions in different sets of the same block.
Hope this clarifies. Adding to the clarifications (thank goodness they're in a spoiler because they're becoming quite long... I didn't think my plan would raise so many questions).
Design -
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card? (X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development - (X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity? (X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity - (X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”? (X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish - (X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating. (X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge? (X/2) Sub Challenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Player deadline: Monday, July 13th 23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Friday, July 17th 23:59 EDT
Folza and PsyOp did not submit a card. Ninja Caterpie is DQ'ed for not making his creature legendary. scrad_the_wanderer posted a card but was not entitled to as he didn't pass round 1, so he's not in any bracket. Anyway, even if he passed round 1, his card would also be DQ'ed for not being legendary.
I'm sorry but the creature being legendary was a clear requirement of the main challenge, in fact it was even underlined.
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.)
Stoneshaper Apprentice3W
Creature - Kor Artificer (U)
When Stoneshaper Apprentice enters the battlefield, put an Equipment card from your hand onto the battlefield. "You will have to carry on my work. I won't be around forever." - Nahiri
2/2
Zarkali, Weaponsmith2WW
Legendary Creature - Kor Artificer (R)
Sacrifice a non-Equipment artifact: Put a colorless Equipment artifact token named Sword onto the battlefield. It has "Equipped creature gets +2/+0," and has equip 2. People who think pulling a sword from a stone is difficult clearly haven't mastered lithomancy.
3/3
Hallowed KnightWW
Creature - Spirit Knight (Uncommon)
First strike
When Hallowed Knight enters the battlefield, you may put a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less from your hand or graveyard onto the battlefield. His squires honors him long after they died. 2/2
Round 2:
Zeria, the Exalted Watcher4WW
Legendary Creature - Spirit Knight (Rare)
You may tap four untapped creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less rather than pay Zeria's mana cost. W, Tap an untapped creature you control with converted mana cost 1 or less: Zeria gains your choice of flying, first strike, vigilance or lifelink until end of turn. "My squires serves me as I serve them, for they chose me for their salvation."
4/4
Aspiring Illusionist2UU
Creature - Wizard (U)
When Aspiring Illusionist enters the battlefield, put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of target nonlegendary creature with converted mana cost 3 or less that has "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it." "Your replications are small and fragile, Zeryl. What am I to do with you?" - Berous, Senior Mage
2/1
Art description: A wizened mage looks disapprovingly over his apprentice's shoulder as his apprentice conjures an etherial representation of the frog he is attempting to replicate.
Zeryl the Replicant3UU
Legendary Creature - Shapeshifter Wizard (M)
You may have Zeryl the Replicant enter the battlefield as a copy of any nonlegendary creature on the battlefield except its name is still Zeryl the Replicant, it's legendary in addition to its other types, and it gains "2U: Exile Zeryl the Replicant. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step." "You had misunderstood me, Berous. I have decided that the subject I will use will be myself."
4/4
As an aside, isn't your card busted in half Bravelion? Blocking/blocked creatures your opponents control automatically take 4 and get Maze of Ith'd?
Scion of VigorGG
Creature — Elemental [U]
When Scion of Vigor enters the battlefield, creatures you control enter the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on them this turn.
Suspend 1—3G(Rather than cast this card from your hand, you may pay 3G and exile it with a time counter on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, cast it without paying its mana cost. It has haste.)
2/2
Vierve, Lifeforce Unbound1GGG
Legendary Creature — Elemental [M]
Vigilance
Vierve, Lifeforce Unbound enters the battlefield with five +1/+1 counters on it. 1GG: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. 1G: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains indestructible until end of turn.
0/0
What if it's like a hydra, as in it can enter at any p/t?
Answered you in the discussion thread, where questions belong, and in the clarifications in this thread's OP. Be aware that if you post a card for this round, it won't be judged.
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.)
Wayfaring Minotaur3R
Creature - Minotaur Scout (Uncommon)
First strike
When Wayfaring Minotaur enters the battlefield, if W was spent to cast Wayfaring Minotaur, you may search your library for a Plains card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
2/3
Round 2: Mezorn, Minotaur Tyrant4RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur (Rare)
Double strike
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, Mezorn, Minotaur Tyrant gets +3/+0 until end of turn.
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control, Mezorn deals 3 damage to that player.
4/4
Zealous Lasher
Creature - Human Soldier (C) R, T: Target creature attacks this turn if able. W, T: Target creature can't attack this turn. "Masters of the lash are breathtaking to watch, their deft steps and strokes painting a red picture with the blood of the unrighteous. I hope to join their ranks someday." 1/1
Emille the Brightscourge3RW
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier {M} RR: Target creature attacks this turn if able. You choose how that creature attacks this turn. WW: Target attacking creature becomes unblocked. Remove from combat all creatures that were blocking it, then each of those creatures blocks an attacking creature of your choice. (All blocking assignments must remain legal.) 4/4
Gruul Brawler1RG
Creature - Human Warrior (U)
At the beginning of each end step, if Gruul Brawler fought another creature this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Gruul Brawler. "In the Gruul, you grow up fast or you don't grow at all."
- Feralt, Brawler Champion
3/2
Veltar, Brawling Mentor3RG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (R)
Creatures you control have "1R, t: This creature fights another target creature." 2G: Put a +1/+1 counter on each other creature you control that fought this turn.
4/4
Speaker of Tithes2BB
Creature - Human Cleric (U)
When Speaker of Tithes enters the battlefield, for each creature an opponent controls, its controller sacrifices it unless he or she pays 2 life. Isa sought to scour the temples of greed. But in her attempts she discovered a far more terrible truth.
1/3
Art by Christian Quinot
Isa, Who Sees Truth2WWU
Legendary Creature - Angel (M)
Flying
Your opponents play with their hands revealed.
If an opponent would draw a card, instead he or she draws a card and reveals it. That player can't cast cards with that card's name this turn. "The temples, the faith, even the Divinities. I see now they're all a lie."
4/5
Eager Electromancer1RR
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Haste
Whenever Eager Electromancer attacks, it deals 1 damage to each creature defending player controls. "Lightning's far superior to fire - I don't even need to aim!"
1/2
Kelis, Staticaster Adept1RR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Whenever Kelis, Staticaster Adept attacks, it deals damage equal to its power to target creature or player. R: Kelis gets +1/-1 until end of turn. Since Kelis joined the Izzet League, the incidence rate of 'freak lightning storms' in District Ten has increased by seven hundred percent.
2/3
Cursed Crusader W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
When Cursed Crusader dies, put a 2/2 black Zombie creatuer token onto the battlefield under an opponent's control.
He set out to conquer darkness, but when he returned it ruled him.
2/2
0
Lirath, Dark-Tainted2WW
Creature - Spirit Knight
Persist
As long as Lirath, Dark-Tainted has a -1/-1 counter on it, it's black and has deathtouch.
4/4
Deckhand RascalR
Creature - Human Pirate (Uncommon)
Haste Unity - If you control two or more creatures that share a type with ~, it gets +1/+1 and has menace. "Someday I'll be captain of this ship! I will be the great terror of the skies!"
1/1
Art Direction: A young bandanna-ed pirate hanging from the riggings of an Airship, looking towards the horizon.
Anara, Pirate Queen4RR
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (Rare)
First strike, menace
Whenever Anara, Pirate Queen enters the battlefield, put two 1/1 red Pirate creature tokens with menace onto the battlefield.
Whenever a Pirate you control deals combat damage to a player, gain control of target artifact that player controls. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
4/4
Barrier Technician2W
Creature - Human Artificer (U)
Defender Metalcraft - As long as you control three or more artifacts, creatures cannot attack you or planeswalkers you control unless their controller pays 2 for each attacking creature. "Good fences make good neighbors. We make sure our city has the best fences."
-Durallo, Barrier Technician.
0/3
Durallo, Ballista Engineer2WW
Legendary Creature - Human Artificer (R)
Defender
When Durallo, Ballista Engineer enters the battlefield, put a 0/4 colorless Wall artifact creature with defender onto the battlefield.
Creatures with defender you control have "t: This creature deals X damage to target attacking or blocking creature, where X is the number of artifacts you control." "Recent advances in ballistic technology have allowed my walls to play a much more active roll in defending our city in these troubled times."
-Durallo, war journal.
0/3
Shipwreck Looter1U
Creature - Human Pirate (C)
Whenever Shipwreck Looter deals combat damage to a player, plunder 1 (to plunder 1, exile the top card of target player’s library. You may put a plundered card into its owner’s graveyard at any time to add 1 to your mana pool)
Put two cards you plundered into their owners’ graveyards: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/2
Glint-Eye, Sky Raider3UU
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Flying
When Glint-Eye, Sky Raider deals damage to a player, plunder 2. (to plunder 2, exile the top two card of target player’s library. You may put a plundered card into its owner’s graveyard at any time to add 1 to your mana pool)
Put X cards you plundered into their owner’s graveyard: Search target player’s library for an artifact card with converted mana cost X and put it onto the battlefield under your control. That player then shuffles his or her library. Play this ability only once each turn.
4/4
Apprentice Aeronaut -- 2U
Creature -- Human Artificer (C)
When Apprentice Aeronaut enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
As long as you control a Thopter, Apprentice Aeronaut has flying. The instructors of Ghirapur had never seen someone so young demonstrate the Knack so effectively.
1/1
Harras, Aeronaut Commander -- X3UU
Legendary Creature -- Human Artificer (R)
When Harras enters the battlefield, put X 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield.
As long as you control a Thopter, Harras has flying and hexproof.
Thopter creatures you control get +1/+1. 3U: Put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token onto the battlefield.
4/4
Shadowbroker's Agent 2B
Creature - Human Rogue [Uncommon]
When Shadowbroker's Agent enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal one of them, put it into your hand and lose life equal to its converted mana cost. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library in random order.
"I'd be glad to provide you with the best deal as long as the price is paid."
- Lady Maria, Shadowbroker
2/2
Galivan, Thieves Boss3BB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue [Mythic Rare]
Whenever Galivan, Thieves Boss enters the battlefield or attacks, put two 1/1 black Human Rogue creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Whenever a Rogue you control deals combat damage to a player, search that player's library for a nonland card and exile it. Then that player shuffles his or her library. "Your former agent and his men are becoming more than just a nuisance now. I believe you would be proud of him."
- Inquisitor Taron to Lady Maria
4/4
This is the final warning with respect to clause number one of the Main Challenge, namely that your creature needs to be a Legendary Creature. Failure to do so will lead to the disqualification of your entries, even if your entries have a "legendary" feel but fail to be developed as such! In order to respect the fairness of the competition I shall not send private messages to any of the contestants or name them here, as it is your responsibility to ensure that your entries are according to the Main Challenge.
To the rest of the contestants who have already met the challenge, I apologize for the spam and the potential supplementary stress I understand these reminders may cause you. I am sure everyone wants a good challenge where potentially nice designs are not disqualified because of a mistake that in other circumstances might not be that severe. Kind of reminds me of those Magic matches where I ended up winning because of mistakes my opponent made, and not because I put up a good fight and played really well myself, giving me quite less satisfaction.
Thank you everyone and good luck!
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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July MCC Round 2
"Advanced Warfare"
Check out "The Lion's Lair", the article series where I specifically talk about custom card design with the intent to help new custom card designers get better at it. The article index is always updated with the latest content.
Jeff Lionheart. This was his name, in spite of what many in the pride probably expected. There's a little irony in having a name that means "peace of God" among a tribe that has abandoned worship of human gods. Anyway, that hasn't prevented him from learning and training as a warrior, following his father's footsteps. He liked to fight when it meant protecting the meek, but he hated having to do so without a reason or to execute orders he found wrong or immoral. He was a free spirit. Whenever he could, he liked wandering alone enjoying the nature in long walks, confident that he could always fight to self-defend or defend those in need he encountered along his road. During his walks he used to reflect about his people. He felt different, and there was something he couldn't grasp about them. How could they become so insular, so detached from all other living beings that they needed to isolate themselves from everything and everyone? The more strangers he saved, the stronger this question got inside his mind. "We can't ignore others", he thought. "We all live in this world. Why can't we get along with other beings living in the same world? Our only difference is our outer appearance, inside we're all the same! Here I swear: I'll fight for all those in need, whichever race they might be!"
EXAMPLE CARD (only meant to be considered for clarity of the round's requirements, not for balance):
Jeff Lionheart 3WW
Legendary Creature - Cat Warrior (M)
Vigilance
Whenever another creature you control blocks or becomes blocked, you may tap Jeff Lionheart. If you do, Jeff Lionheart deals damage equal to its power to each creature blocking or blocked by that creature, then remove that creature from combat.
"I'll fight for all those in need!"
4/4
Art: http://fetsch.deviantart.com/art/Lion-195408287
Main challenge: design a legendary creature card that's an advanced version (in flavor, not necessarily mechanics) of your round 1 creature. It has to be the same character (*). It can't be a double-faced card. It can't interact in any way with other legendary permanents or with planeswalkers. Please include a link to or a quote of your round 1 entry in your submission.
(*) If the character you made in round 1 was a servant/minion/whatever of another character, this must be the servant/minion/whatever, and NOT the other character. It must be exactly whatever your round 1 card represented itself. For extra clarity, this means exactly the following (my comments in bolded italics):
Please don't include any notes. Posting any card-related notes will be cause of disqualification this month. Use only the flavor elements on the card itself to tell your character's story. Those are: card name, art (if you choose to make a render, in which case remember to give credit to the artist), subtypes, flavor text, mechanical flavor (telling flavor through the card's mechanics).
ATTENTION PLEASE: Because of the confusion they generated last round, art descriptions are no longer allowed and won't be in future rounds too.
Subchallenge 1: Your card is exactly the same color(s) of your round 1 card.
Subchallenge 2: Your creature's power and toughness are both 4 or greater in the moment it enters the battlefield.
• For subchallenge 1, color identity does NOT count. It needs to have the same colors in the mana cost or in its color indicator.
• For subchallenge 2, your creature's power needs to be 4 or greater AND its toughness too. If only one of them is 4 or greater, this subchallenge is failed. For example, a 4/4 or 5/5 is ok, while a 4/3, 3/4, 5/3, or 3/5 is not.
• If your creature is able to change power and/or toughness to values lower than 4 after it entered the battlefield, it's still fine. Subchallenge 2 only cares about the power and toughness your creature has in the moment it enters the battlefield. This is why I specified it.
• As a consequence of the last point, a 0/0 that enters the battlefield with four +1/+1 counters on it DOES pass subchallenge 2, because it's a 4/4 in the moment it enters the battlefield.
• At the contrary, a 4/4 that enters the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it does NOT pass subchallenge 2 because it's a 3/3 in the moment it enters the battlefield.
From the discussion thread or pms:
Your creature must always enter the battlefield with both power and toughness 4 or greater. What happens after it entered the battlefield doesn't matter. Unfortunately, two 2/2 are not equal to a single 4/4, so they're not good for the challenge. The challenge doesn't care how much total power and toughness you're putting on the battlefield, but only what P/T values your creature/character has as it enters the battlefield. If other creatures/tokens are entering the battlefield at the same time, they don't matter, because they're different creatures/characters.
Anyway, subchallenges aren't mandatory. If you think you're making a card that gains in other areas more than what it loses not meeting the subchallenge (and it can very well happen), go for it.
EDIT: If with "shapeshifter" you mean a creature that enters as a copy of another creature (for example Clone), see the answer about the Hydra below: If your
Hydra(in this case your Clone) somehow always enters the battlefield as at least a 4/4 it's fine. If it can enter as a smaller creature, it's not. For extra clarity, the card Clone itself would NOT pass subchallenge 2, as it can enter as a copy of a creature with P/T lower than 4.I'm answering this anyway even if you can't post a card for round 2 because unfortunately you didn't pass round 1. Check the list of admitted players in round 2's OP (still waiting for you next month and in other contests). Anyway, it may still be useful to someone else, so here we go. Again, as I said right above here:
Your creature must always enter the battlefield with both power and toughness 4 or greater.
In this case, the key word is "always". If your Hydra somehow always enters the battlefield as at least a 4/4 it's fine. If it can enter as a smaller creature, it's not.
This card:
CARDNAME COST
Creature - Whatever (RARITY)
Haste
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it gains +4/+4 until end of turn.
2/2
does NOT pass subchallenge 2, because in the moment it enters the battlefield it's still a 2/2 while the ability has to trigger, be put on the stack and only then resolve, well after the creature entered as a 2/2. To pass subchallenge 2, your creature must already be a 4/4 or above before any trigger resolves (or technically, if you know the rules, "before state-based actions are checked").
Xenagos is a good example, just not for this round, but something like Mikaeus in Innistrad is a better example for this round. Your card should show a flavor progression in your character's story. Maybe he/she became more powerful, maybe he/she discovered something he/she didn't know about, maybe he/she just grew up and became adult (like my Jeff), or anything you can think about. The two cards are certainly meant to be in the same block and Standard environment, but they don't have to be exactly from the same set. Again, see Mikaeus in Innistrad: two versions in different sets of the same block.
Hope this clarifies. Adding to the clarifications (thank goodness they're in a spoiler because they're becoming quite long... I didn't think my plan would raise so many questions).
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development -
(X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity?
(X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity -
(X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”?
(X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish -
(X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
(X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
(X/2) Sub Challenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Player deadline: Monday, July 13th 23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Friday, July 17th 23:59 EDT
JUDGES
bravelion83
CryoZenithPiar
Ryder052
Tilwin
PLAYERS
admirableadmiral
Asrama
Awkward Squirtle
CasualR
CommanderZ
Doombringer
Folza
glurman
hopefulhawkeye
IlGreven
Koopa
Marco
Moss_Elemental
netn10
Ninja Caterpie
PsyOp
RaikouRider
Sagharri
TacticalCelebrant
Tesco(black)lotus
The design phase is officially over.
BRACKETS
bravelion83
CommanderZ
IlGreven
Marco
Sagharri
Tesco(black)lotus
Piar
hopefulhawkeye
Koopa
netn10
TacticalCelebrant
Ryder052
Asrama
Doombringer
Moss_Elemental
RaikouRider
Tilwin
admirableadmiral
Awkward Squirtle
CasualR
glurman
Top 2 from each bracket advance.
Folza and PsyOp did not submit a card.
Ninja Caterpie is DQ'ed for not making his creature legendary.
scrad_the_wanderer posted a card but was not entitled to as he didn't pass round 1, so he's not in any bracket. Anyway, even if he passed round 1, his card would also be DQ'ed for not being legendary.
I'm sorry but the creature being legendary was a clear requirement of the main challenge, in fact it was even underlined.
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.)
Stoneshaper Apprentice 3W
Creature - Kor Artificer (U)
When Stoneshaper Apprentice enters the battlefield, put an Equipment card from your hand onto the battlefield.
"You will have to carry on my work. I won't be around forever." - Nahiri
2/2
Zarkali, Weaponsmith 2WW
Legendary Creature - Kor Artificer (R)
Sacrifice a non-Equipment artifact: Put a colorless Equipment artifact token named Sword onto the battlefield. It has "Equipped creature gets +2/+0," and has equip 2.
People who think pulling a sword from a stone is difficult clearly haven't mastered lithomancy.
3/3
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Round 2:
Zeria, the Exalted Watcher 4WW
Legendary Creature - Spirit Knight (Rare)
You may tap four untapped creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less rather than pay Zeria's mana cost.
W, Tap an untapped creature you control with converted mana cost 1 or less: Zeria gains your choice of flying, first strike, vigilance or lifelink until end of turn.
"My squires serves me as I serve them, for they chose me for their salvation."
4/4
Zeryl the Replicant 3UU
Legendary Creature - Shapeshifter Wizard (M)
You may have Zeryl the Replicant enter the battlefield as a copy of any nonlegendary creature on the battlefield except its name is still Zeryl the Replicant, it's legendary in addition to its other types, and it gains "2U: Exile Zeryl the Replicant. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step."
"You had misunderstood me, Berous. I have decided that the subject I will use will be myself."
4/4
As an aside, isn't your card busted in half Bravelion? Blocking/blocked creatures your opponents control automatically take 4 and get Maze of Ith'd?
Vierve, Lifeforce Unbound 1GGG
Legendary Creature — Elemental [M]
Vigilance
Vierve, Lifeforce Unbound enters the battlefield with five +1/+1 counters on it.
1GG: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
1G: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains indestructible until end of turn.
0/0
Answered you in the discussion thread, where questions belong, and in the clarifications in this thread's OP. Be aware that if you post a card for this round, it won't be judged.
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 - Minotaur Scout (Uncommon)
First strike
When Wayfaring Minotaur enters the battlefield, if W was spent to cast Wayfaring Minotaur, you may search your library for a Plains card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
2/3
Mezorn, Minotaur Tyrant 4RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur (Rare)
Double strike
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, Mezorn, Minotaur Tyrant gets +3/+0 until end of turn.
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control, Mezorn deals 3 damage to that player.
4/4
Emille the Brightscourge 3RW
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier {M}
RR: Target creature attacks this turn if able. You choose how that creature attacks this turn.
WW: Target attacking creature becomes unblocked. Remove from combat all creatures that were blocking it, then each of those creatures blocks an attacking creature of your choice. (All blocking assignments must remain legal.)
4/4
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Gruul Brawler 1RG
Creature - Human Warrior (U)
At the beginning of each end step, if Gruul Brawler fought another creature this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Gruul Brawler.
"In the Gruul, you grow up fast or you don't grow at all."
- Feralt, Brawler Champion
3/2
Veltar, Brawling Mentor 3RG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (R)
Creatures you control have "1R, t: This creature fights another target creature."
2G: Put a +1/+1 counter on each other creature you control that fought this turn.
4/4
Isa, Who Sees Truth 2WWU
Legendary Creature - Angel (M)
Flying
Your opponents play with their hands revealed.
If an opponent would draw a card, instead he or she draws a card and reveals it. That player can't cast cards with that card's name this turn.
"The temples, the faith, even the Divinities. I see now they're all a lie."
4/5
Redesigning due to unintuitive requirements.Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Kelis, Staticaster Adept 1RR
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Whenever Kelis, Staticaster Adept attacks, it deals damage equal to its power to target creature or player.
R: Kelis gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
Since Kelis joined the Izzet League, the incidence rate of 'freak lightning storms' in District Ten has increased by seven hundred percent.
2/3
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Lirath, Dark-Tainted 2WW
Creature - Spirit Knight
Persist
As long as Lirath, Dark-Tainted has a -1/-1 counter on it, it's black and has deathtouch.
4/4
Anara, Pirate Queen 4RR
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (Rare)
First strike, menace
Whenever Anara, Pirate Queen enters the battlefield, put two 1/1 red Pirate creature tokens with menace onto the battlefield.
Whenever a Pirate you control deals combat damage to a player, gain control of target artifact that player controls. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
4/4
Legendary Creature - Human Artificer (R)
Defender
When Durallo, Ballista Engineer enters the battlefield, put a 0/4 colorless Wall artifact creature with defender onto the battlefield.
Creatures with defender you control have "t: This creature deals X damage to target attacking or blocking creature, where X is the number of artifacts you control."
"Recent advances in ballistic technology have allowed my walls to play a much more active roll in defending our city in these troubled times."
-Durallo, war journal.
0/3
Glint-Eye, Sky Raider 3UU
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Flying
When Glint-Eye, Sky Raider deals damage to a player, plunder 2. (to plunder 2, exile the top two card of target player’s library. You may put a plundered card into its owner’s graveyard at any time to add 1 to your mana pool)
Put X cards you plundered into their owner’s graveyard: Search target player’s library for an artifact card with converted mana cost X and put it onto the battlefield under your control. That player then shuffles his or her library. Play this ability only once each turn.
4/4
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
I've got tons of art from the web. Want art for a render? PM me! Want to create your own collection? Start here!
Creature -- Human Artificer (C)
When Apprentice Aeronaut enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
As long as you control a Thopter, Apprentice Aeronaut has flying.
The instructors of Ghirapur had never seen someone so young demonstrate the Knack so effectively.
1/1
Harras, Aeronaut Commander -- X3UU
Legendary Creature -- Human Artificer (R)
When Harras enters the battlefield, put X 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield.
As long as you control a Thopter, Harras has flying and hexproof.
Thopter creatures you control get +1/+1.
3U: Put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token onto the battlefield.
4/4
Creature - Human Rogue [Uncommon]
When Shadowbroker's Agent enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal one of them, put it into your hand and lose life equal to its converted mana cost. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library in random order.
"I'd be glad to provide you with the best deal as long as the price is paid."
- Lady Maria, Shadowbroker
2/2
Galivan, Thieves Boss 3BB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue [Mythic Rare]
Whenever Galivan, Thieves Boss enters the battlefield or attacks, put two 1/1 black Human Rogue creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Whenever a Rogue you control deals combat damage to a player, search that player's library for a nonland card and exile it. Then that player shuffles his or her library.
"Your former agent and his men are becoming more than just a nuisance now. I believe you would be proud of him."
- Inquisitor Taron to Lady Maria
4/4
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.)