Here I am again, unexpectedly. While I've created my plan for July months before, as soon as Liliana, Heretical Healer//Liliana, Defiant Necromancer was first announced, I've created this plan only yesterday night. In my experience, these two have been respectively the longest and the shortest time I've waited between creating the plan and putting it into practice. But no one else volunteered for August, so here we go again. Things don't always go as you expect!
Main challenge: design a nonland card choosing one of the following options -
• A white card that does NOT involve ANY form of tokens or life gain.
• A blue card that does NOT involve ANY form of counterspell or card draw.
• A black card that does NOT involve ANY form of creature removal or life loss (see clarifications).
• A red card that does NOT involve ANY form of direct damage (aka burn) or haste.
• A green card that does NOT involve ANY form of trample or creature pumping.
The forbidden things can't be part of the card in ANY way: they can't be one of your card's abilities, they can't be granted, checked, cared about, whatever in your card. Your card cannot mention them at all, not even as part of another ability.
Whichever option you choose, the card must still respect the modern color pie.
Subchallenge 1: The card has a monocolored color identity (which means it is both monocolored and has no off color mana symbols wherever on the card).
Subchallenge 2: The card has a converted mana cost of 4 or less.
The black card can't deal with life loss, is combat damage from a creature still ok?
Yes, combat damage is ok. You can't say "[some player] loses N life", but you can say "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player...". For the sake of this round, combat damage doesn't count as life loss. Adding this to the clarifications.
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) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Player deadline: Thursday, August 6th 23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Monday, August 10th 23:59 EDT
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.)
Sun Infuser(2/W)(2/W)
Artifact Creature — Scarecrow [U]
Flash
When Sun Infuser enters the battlefield, if you control a green permanent, regenerate target permanent. "To see life come from something utterly lifeless is quite the phenomenon indeed."
—Talara, elvish safewright
2/2
Erul, the Wanderer1GGG
Legendary Creature - Elemental (M)
When Erul, the Wanderer enters the battlefield or attacks, you may search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield.
Erul, the Wanderer's power and toughness are each equal to the number of lands you control. "He has collected keepsakes from everywhere he has visited. Usually the entire places themselves." - Rofellos
*/*
Mindscrambler Mage2UU Creature - Merfolk Wizard(R)
All opponents play with their hands revealed.
At the end of your turn, put a scramble counter on a revealed non-land card in a player's hand until that card is no longer revealed.
Cards cost 2 more to cast for each scramble counter on them.
3/4
Yakin, the Dancing BladesWW
Legendary Creature - Human Monk (Rare)
Prowess
Noncreature spells you cast during combat cost 1 less to cast.
Your opponents can't cast noncreature spells during combat. "Their minds goes blank when my blades reveals the truth." 2/2
Captain of the Black Skull2BB
Creature- Human Pirate (R)
Menace
Other Pirates you control have menace.
Whenever a Pirate you control deals combat damage to a player, put a Gold artifact token with "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool" onto the battlefield.
2/2
Ka'sark, Goblin Mama1R
Legendary Creature - Goblin Shaman {R}
Indestructible
Whenever Ka'sark, Goblin Mama deals damage to a nonartifact creature or is dealt damage by a nonartifact creature, put a love counter on that creature. 3RR: Gain control of target creature with a love counter on it. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
1/1
Props to bravelion for stepping up to post the month.
Uplifting Angel
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying Battalion - Whenever Uplifting Angel and at least two other creatures you control attack, you may return target creature card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
3/4
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Daring Defender1W
Creature - Human Soldier (Uncommon)
Defender
Ambition 1 (As this creature enters the battlefield, put the top card of your library into your graveyard and put a +1/+1 counter on it for each creature card put into your graveyard this way.) 1, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Daring Defender: Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn.
0/3
Mass Mutation2U
Instant (R)
Until end of turn, target creature you don't control loses all abilities and becomes a blue Frog with base power and toughness 1/1.
Overload 3UU(You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of "target" with "each.")
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Not sure if this counts as burn, I assume it doesn't.
Magma Binder 1RR
Creature - Elemental Shaman RR: Put a ravage counter on target tapped land. For as long as that land has a ravage counter on it, it has "whenever you tap this land for mana, this land deals 1 damage to you." (This effect continues after Magma Binder has left the battlefield.)
3/1
Props to bravelion for stepping up to post the month.
First of all, welcome back, Flatline! I can't tell how glad I am to see you again in a contest!
What did I have to do? Let the MCC die because there was no host? I don't know if it ever happened before that the same person ran two consecutive months. Well, the alternatives were either that or nothing.
Not sure if this counts as burn, I assume it doesn't.
Magma Binder 1RR
Creature - Elemental Shaman RR: Put a ravage counter on target tapped land. For as long as that land has a ravage counter on it, it has "whenever you tap this land for mana, this land deals 1 damage to you." (This effect continues after Magma Binder has left the battlefield.)
3/1
Let's call this "indirect" damage, as you're not dealing N damage to a creature or straight to the face. That is what the card is not supposed to do, and what I mean with "direct damage", so this is borderline but still acceptable.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Flameseer1R
Creature - Viashino Shaman (R)
When Flameseer enters the battlefield, scry 1, then exile he top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card.
2/1
Two-Strikes LawW
Instant - Uncommon
Buyback 3W(You may pay an additional 3W as you cast this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.)
Detain target creature. If it's already detained, exile it instead.
The two-strikes mostly refer to the method of execution.
Each opponent reveals his or her hand, then for each opponent return to his or her hand all creatures that player
controls with converted mana cost less than or equal to the highest converted mana cost amongst cards from his or her hand.
Mental Embargo2BB
Sorcery (R)
Each player reveals his or her hand. Exile each nonland card revealed this way in an opponent's hand that shares a name with card revealed this way owned by another player.
Afterimage2UU
Enchantment - Aura R
Enchant Creature
When enchanted creature dies, put a token onto the battlefield that’s a copy of enchanted creature. It is an illusion in addition to its other creature types. Gone, but not forgotten.
Sage of Pain2RR
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
Whenever Sage of Pain deals or receives combat damage, you may reveal the top card of your library. If it is an instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost equal to or less than the amount of damage dealt, you may cast it without paying its mana cost. Otherwise, put it at the bottom of your library. "During the screaming I had a great idea."
3/3
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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August MCC Round 1
"Something Unusual"
Here I am again, unexpectedly. While I've created my plan for July months before, as soon as Liliana, Heretical Healer//Liliana, Defiant Necromancer was first announced, I've created this plan only yesterday night. In my experience, these two have been respectively the longest and the shortest time I've waited between creating the plan and putting it into practice. But no one else volunteered for August, so here we go again. Things don't always go as you expect!
Main challenge: design a nonland card choosing one of the following options -
• A white card that does NOT involve ANY form of tokens or life gain.
• A blue card that does NOT involve ANY form of counterspell or card draw.
• A black card that does NOT involve ANY form of creature removal or life loss (see clarifications).
• A red card that does NOT involve ANY form of direct damage (aka burn) or haste.
• A green card that does NOT involve ANY form of trample or creature pumping.
The forbidden things can't be part of the card in ANY way: they can't be one of your card's abilities, they can't be granted, checked, cared about, whatever in your card. Your card cannot mention them at all, not even as part of another ability.
Whichever option you choose, the card must still respect the modern color pie.
Subchallenge 1: The card has a monocolored color identity (which means it is both monocolored and has no off color mana symbols wherever on the card).
Subchallenge 2: The card has a converted mana cost of 4 or less.
From the discussion thread:
Yes, combat damage is ok. You can't say "[some player] loses N life", but you can say "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player...". For the sake of this round, combat damage doesn't count as life loss. Adding this to the clarifications.
(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) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Player deadline: Thursday, August 6th 23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Monday, August 10th 23:59 EDT
JUDGES
bravelion83
Tilwin
hopefulhawkeye
nicol800
Antny223
PLAYERS
To be a player this month, simply post a card here meeting the main challenge and any number of subchallenges. We're waiting for you!
BRACKETS
Judge: bravelion83
caliburdeath
CrazyMatt
fallenonme
Jimmy Groove
Marco
RaikouRider
scrad_the_wanderer
Todris052
Judge: Tilwin
admirableadmiral
CasualR
Charm_Master3125
Flatline
IcariiFA
joekinguyr
scarbo
Judge: hopefulhawkeye
Am Shegar
Awkward Squirtle
Clockwork Gamer
FreshMeat
SkyBoundFencer
Tesco(black)lotus
Trivmvirate
Judge: nicol800
GameWorldLeader
glurman
L0ng5h0t
link3343
Moss_Elemental
Sagharri
Vertain
Judge: Antny223
ArchSinccubus
CardLurd
Hemlock
Koopa
netn10
Ninja Caterpie
NVRBLND
Top 4 from each bracket advance. Judges, happy judging! Please stick to 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.)
Artifact Creature — Scarecrow [U]
Flash
When Sun Infuser enters the battlefield, if you control a green permanent, regenerate target permanent.
"To see life come from something utterly lifeless is quite the phenomenon indeed."
—Talara, elvish safewright
2/2
Legendary Creature - Elemental (M)
When Erul, the Wanderer enters the battlefield or attacks, you may search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield.
Erul, the Wanderer's power and toughness are each equal to the number of lands you control.
"He has collected keepsakes from everywhere he has visited. Usually the entire places themselves." - Rofellos
*/*
Creature - Merfolk Wizard (R)
All opponents play with their hands revealed.
At the end of your turn, put a scramble counter on a revealed non-land card in a player's hand until that card is no longer revealed.
Cards cost 2 more to cast for each scramble counter on them.
3/4
Legendary Creature - Human Monk (Rare)
Prowess
Noncreature spells you cast during combat cost 1 less to cast.
Your opponents can't cast noncreature spells during combat.
"Their minds goes blank when my blades reveals the truth."
2/2
Creature- Human Pirate (R)
Menace
Other Pirates you control have menace.
Whenever a Pirate you control deals combat damage to a player, put a Gold artifact token with "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool" onto the battlefield.
2/2
Legendary Creature - Goblin Shaman {R}
Indestructible
Whenever Ka'sark, Goblin Mama deals damage to a nonartifact creature or is dealt damage by a nonartifact creature, put a love counter on that creature.
3RR: Gain control of target creature with a love counter on it. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
1/1
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
Uplifting Angel
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying
Battalion - Whenever Uplifting Angel and at least two other creatures you control attack, you may return target creature card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
3/4
Creature - Human Soldier (Uncommon)
Defender
Ambition 1 (As this creature enters the battlefield, put the top card of your library into your graveyard and put a +1/+1 counter on it for each creature card put into your graveyard this way.)
1, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Daring Defender: Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn.
0/3
Instant (R)
Until end of turn, target creature you don't control loses all abilities and becomes a blue Frog with base power and toughness 1/1.
Overload 3UU (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of "target" with "each.")
Magma Binder 1RR
Creature - Elemental Shaman
RR: Put a ravage counter on target tapped land. For as long as that land has a ravage counter on it, it has "whenever you tap this land for mana, this land deals 1 damage to you." (This effect continues after Magma Binder has left the battlefield.)
3/1
First of all, welcome back, Flatline! I can't tell how glad I am to see you again in a contest!
What did I have to do? Let the MCC die because there was no host? I don't know if it ever happened before that the same person ran two consecutive months. Well, the alternatives were either that or nothing.
Let's call this "indirect" damage, as you're not dealing N damage to a creature or straight to the face. That is what the card is not supposed to do, and what I mean with "direct damage", so this is borderline but still acceptable.
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 - Viashino Shaman (R)
When Flameseer enters the battlefield, scry 1, then exile he top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card.
2/1
Instant - Uncommon
Buyback 3W(You may pay an additional 3W as you cast this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.)
Detain target creature. If it's already detained, exile it instead.
The two-strikes mostly refer to the method of execution.
I'm sure you can think of something by yourself.
Sorcery R
Each opponent reveals his or her hand, then for each opponent return to his or her hand all creatures that player
controls with converted mana cost less than or equal to the highest converted mana cost amongst cards from his or her hand.
Sorcery (R)
Each player reveals his or her hand. Exile each nonland card revealed this way in an opponent's hand that shares a name with card revealed this way owned by another player.
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Enchantment - Aura R
Enchant Creature
When enchanted creature dies, put a token onto the battlefield that’s a copy of enchanted creature. It is an illusion in addition to its other creature types.
Gone, but not forgotten.
CCL Winner- July '08, Aug '08 Sept '08, Oct '08
Survivor- CCS: Lost in Takenuma, CCS: Stranded In Tolaria
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
Whenever Sage of Pain deals or receives combat damage, you may reveal the top card of your library. If it is an instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost equal to or less than the amount of damage dealt, you may cast it without paying its mana cost. Otherwise, put it at the bottom of your library.
"During the screaming I had a great idea."
3/3