You have always enjoyed the Eternal Formats and as a designer you now have the ability to make some waves. The problem is that anything good enough to impact those formats on power alone is going to ruin your Standard environment. Youre gonna have to snake something past development, somehow...
Main challenge: Design a card that will see Legacy or Vintage play but doesn't earp the Standard metagame.
Subchallenge 1: The card has a CMC of 4 or more
Subchallenge 2: The card is a creature.
None yet.
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: Saturday, October 3rd23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Tuesday, October 6th 23:59 EDT
Selora, Faultless Songstress2UU
Legendary Creature - Siren Wizard (R)
Flying
Whenever an opponent casts a spell without paying mana equal to thats spells mana cost, counter that spell.
3/4
Status: judgments complete, not final until deadline.
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
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.
Selora, Faultless Songstress2UU
Legendary Creature - Siren Wizard (R)
Flying
Whenever an opponent casts a spell without paying mana equal to thats spells mana cost, counter that spell.
3/4
Design (2/3) Appeal - Timmy likes the body that is big enough to be relevant, but doesn't care that much about the ability. Johnny likes the strangeness of this card but I don't see much to do for him. Spike loves this card for Legacy, where it's meant to be played. (3/3) Elegance - All good here.
Development (3/3) Viability - Everything is in color and rarity looks right. (2.5/3) Balance - The ability is mostly useless in any format that doesn't contain Force of Will, so it shouldn't create any problems in limited or Standard, where it's playable as a French vanilla 3/4 flying for four mana is (playable in limited, not so much in constructed). I think that ability is enough tp make this playable in Legacy, and it's also in the strongest and most played color there (obviously the two are related). I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (3/3) Uniqueness - I can't remember an effect like this before. (2/3) Flavor - The name and concept are very good. Too bad there is a lot of room here for flavor text and there is none.
Polish (2/3) Quality - Two typos in two words: "thats spells cost" should be "that (without s) spell's (apostrophe) cost" (two tmies half a point makes one point deducted). There's no precedent for the wording and it makes sense so I'm accepting it. (2/2) Main Challenge - This has certainly implications in Legacy mostly because it counters Force of Will. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Void Precursor2BB
Creature — Human Wizard (Rare)
Flash
When Void Precursor enters the battlefield, you may search your library for an nonland card with converted mana cost 0, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
2/3
Design (2/3) Appeal - I don't see Timmy caring that much about this. Johnny likes this, he can use this to search for some combo pieces. Spike likes for the Eternal implications that were required by the challenge. (3/3) Elegance - All good here.
Development (2/3) Viability - Tutors are in black and flash in tertiary in colors other than blue and green. Usually, though, it's used in white, black, and red only when it's needed for the card to function, but it doesn't look the case to me here. To me it looks like flash is here to make the card more powerful, it's not needed for the card to function. The card would work just fine without it. Rarity feels right. (2.5/3) Balance - In limited it's certainly playable even without cards to be found in the library as a French vanilla creature. In constructed it's only really playable in formats with enough zero-mana relevant cards (mostly Moxen, but maybe other things too). I don't see this would see much play in recent formats (anything from Modern onwards). I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer. For someone, the reduced variance of tutors is a problem, but nor for me.
Creativity (1.5/3) Uniqueness - Tutors are a relatively common thing in black. The most original part of this part is actually flash in black, which is allowed but tertiary, so it's very rare. (1.5/3) Flavor - The name and concept are fine. No room for flavor text.
Polish (2.5/3) Quality - A typo: "an nonland card" should be "a nonland card" (half a point deducted). (2/2) Main Challenge - This is made for finding Moxen, so it's good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
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.)
Selora, Faultless Songstress2UU
Legendary Creature - Siren Wizard (R)
Flying
Whenever an opponent casts a spell without paying mana equal to thats spells mana cost, counter that spell.
3/4
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Timmy is unexcited. Johnny is unexcited. Spike likes the potential against certain decks but isn't happy with the cost. (3/3) Elegance: Nice.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Blue and rare are excellent. (2/3) Balance: A 3/4 flier for 4 is on curve and this is with upside. It does feel a little weak compared to other 4 drops that are Legacy playable.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: Countering spells is tried and true but never done like this. (1/3) Flavor: Flavor is a miss for me.
Polish - (2/3) Quality: Some grammar issues in the ability line. (2/2) *Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
Void Precursor2BB
Creature — Human Wizard (Rare)
Flash
When Void Precursor enters the battlefield, you may search your library for an nonland card with converted mana cost 0, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
2/3
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Spike and Johnny both love tutoring, especially when it can get Black Lotus. Timmy is unimpressed. (3/3) Elegance: Easily grokable
Development - (2/3) Viability: Tutoring is black and rare is fine, though uncommon is a possibility if the ability could be relevant for the limited format. Flash is pretty rare on black creatures though. (2/3) Balance: Card is balanced but feel a little weak for Legacy/Vintage compared to the other 4 drops.
Creativity - (1/3) Uniqueness: Tutoring is pretty common in black though never with this restriction. (1/3) Flavor: Flavor is a miss for me.
(1/3) Appeal: This is definitely a Spike card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No problems here.
(2/3) Balance: This is obviously meant to hose Force of Will. Though an evil Johnny would combine this with cards that force you pay more or less mana to cast spells, like Vryn Wingmare. That'll shut down noncreature spells right there.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: That ability has not been seen before.
(2/3) Flavor: Some flavour text would have been nice.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Two typos found
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20/25
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike would like this card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: You could have made do without flash.
(2/3) Balance: Sure, there's Dark Ritual, but it's still weak in Legacy.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Black tutor with a big restriction.
(1.5/3) Flavor: Not too crazy for the name.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Grammar error.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20/25
Sorry for being late, and for giving tying scores.
September MCC Round 4
"The Legacy"
You have always enjoyed the Eternal Formats and as a designer you now have the ability to make some waves. The problem is that anything good enough to impact those formats on power alone is going to ruin your Standard environment. Youre gonna have to snake something past development, somehow...
Main challenge: Design a card that will see Legacy or Vintage play but doesn't earp the Standard metagame.
None yet.
(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: Saturday, October 3rd23:59 EDT
Judge deadline: Tuesday, October 6th 23:59 EDT
Judges
Players
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Selora, Faultless Songstress 2UU
Legendary Creature - Siren Wizard (R)
Flying
Whenever an opponent casts a spell without paying mana equal to thats spells mana cost, counter that spell.
3/4
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
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.
Design
(2/3) Appeal - Timmy likes the body that is big enough to be relevant, but doesn't care that much about the ability. Johnny likes the strangeness of this card but I don't see much to do for him. Spike loves this card for Legacy, where it's meant to be played.
(3/3) Elegance - All good here.
Development
(3/3) Viability - Everything is in color and rarity looks right.
(2.5/3) Balance - The ability is mostly useless in any format that doesn't contain Force of Will, so it shouldn't create any problems in limited or Standard, where it's playable as a French vanilla 3/4 flying for four mana is (playable in limited, not so much in constructed). I think that ability is enough tp make this playable in Legacy, and it's also in the strongest and most played color there (obviously the two are related). I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness - I can't remember an effect like this before.
(2/3) Flavor - The name and concept are very good. Too bad there is a lot of room here for flavor text and there is none.
Polish
(2/3) Quality - Two typos in two words: "thats spells cost" should be "that (without s) spell's (apostrophe) cost" (two tmies half a point makes one point deducted). There's no precedent for the wording and it makes sense so I'm accepting it.
(2/2) Main Challenge - This has certainly implications in Legacy mostly because it counters Force of Will.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 21.5/25
Design
(2/3) Appeal - I don't see Timmy caring that much about this. Johnny likes this, he can use this to search for some combo pieces. Spike likes for the Eternal implications that were required by the challenge.
(3/3) Elegance - All good here.
Development
(2/3) Viability - Tutors are in black and flash in tertiary in colors other than blue and green. Usually, though, it's used in white, black, and red only when it's needed for the card to function, but it doesn't look the case to me here. To me it looks like flash is here to make the card more powerful, it's not needed for the card to function. The card would work just fine without it. Rarity feels right.
(2.5/3) Balance - In limited it's certainly playable even without cards to be found in the library as a French vanilla creature. In constructed it's only really playable in formats with enough zero-mana relevant cards (mostly Moxen, but maybe other things too). I don't see this would see much play in recent formats (anything from Modern onwards). I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer. For someone, the reduced variance of tutors is a problem, but nor for me.
Creativity
(1.5/3) Uniqueness - Tutors are a relatively common thing in black. The most original part of this part is actually flash in black, which is allowed but tertiary, so it's very rare.
(1.5/3) Flavor - The name and concept are fine. No room for flavor text.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - A typo: "an nonland card" should be "a nonland card" (half a point deducted).
(2/2) Main Challenge - This is made for finding Moxen, so it's good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 19/25
Results
IcariiFA: 21,5
Venser_FR: 19
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.)
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Timmy is unexcited. Johnny is unexcited. Spike likes the potential against certain decks but isn't happy with the cost.
(3/3) Elegance: Nice.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue and rare are excellent.
(2/3) Balance: A 3/4 flier for 4 is on curve and this is with upside. It does feel a little weak compared to other 4 drops that are Legacy playable.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Countering spells is tried and true but never done like this.
(1/3) Flavor: Flavor is a miss for me.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Some grammar issues in the ability line.
(2/2) *Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 19/25
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Spike and Johnny both love tutoring, especially when it can get Black Lotus. Timmy is unimpressed.
(3/3) Elegance: Easily grokable
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Tutoring is black and rare is fine, though uncommon is a possibility if the ability could be relevant for the limited format. Flash is pretty rare on black creatures though.
(2/3) Balance: Card is balanced but feel a little weak for Legacy/Vintage compared to the other 4 drops.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Tutoring is pretty common in black though never with this restriction.
(1/3) Flavor: Flavor is a miss for me.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Nonlan
(2/2) *Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 17.5/25
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No problems here.
(2/3) Balance: This is obviously meant to hose Force of Will. Though an evil Johnny would combine this with cards that force you pay more or less mana to cast spells, like Vryn Wingmare. That'll shut down noncreature spells right there.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: That ability has not been seen before.
(2/3) Flavor: Some flavour text would have been nice.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Two typos found
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20/25
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: You could have made do without flash.
(2/3) Balance: Sure, there's Dark Ritual, but it's still weak in Legacy.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Black tutor with a big restriction.
(1.5/3) Flavor: Not too crazy for the name.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Grammar error.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20/25
Sorry for being late, and for giving tying scores.