Rabid Pyregrand2(R/G)(R/G)
Creature - Elemental (R)
Bloodrush -- GR, Discard Rabid Pyregrand: Target attacking creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn and fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
"I have no disrespect for life, just no tolerance for ignorance of it" The Pyregrand Caller to Ghor-Clan Chief
4/4
Ok everyone has until the 20th to do your critiques of the six contestants under your names (looping to the top as needed). I will then tally the scores to get the top 8!
Tainted Asp(B/G)(B/G)
Creature - Snake (U)
Deathtouch 1(B/G)(B/G): Regenerate Tainted Asp. Bites so gentle as Death's kisses.
2/3
This is a perfect hybrid card, that makes sense as both monocolor, and its design is also very simple and elegant. I like that very much, even though it may not be as splashy as the challenge required, but that's hard to do at uncommon. I just think this card may be slightly undercosted, as green gets a 2/3 for GG (Elvish Warrior) but vanilla, while black doesn't get that, not even as vanilla. Hybrid is easier to cast than monocolor and this card has additional upside, so I definitely think this should cost 1(B/G)(B/G), which would also mirror very nicely the regeneration cost for aesthetics. Anyway, a very good design and I like it quite a lot.
Field of Instability2(W/U)
Enchantment (R)
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if you cast it from your hand, you may exile it and return it to the battlefield.
This is perfectly fine as a card, but unfortunately the challenge explicitly required an uncommon, which this is not. This card is very nice, an open ended design for Johnny to have fun with. You can double all ETB triggers of creatures you cast with this, and this is an idea that both fits very well with the hybrid cost (flickering is something both white and blue can do) and gives that segment of the audience a card to be very excited about. Too bad this fails the main challenge as it's not an uncommon.
Paragon's Triumph2
Instant (U)
Target creature gains indestructible until end of turn. Prevent all combat damage each other creature would deal this turn. Elspeth and Melira stood above them, a testament to their kind. Their victory spurned hope in a forlorn war.
This is a card that puts together two effects that each would be hybrid by itself (indestructible and damage prevention are two areas where green and white overlap) to make a card that feels quite original and very appropriate at uncommon. The flavor is also very interesting and tells this is a card probably meant to come from the hypothetical "Mirrodin Pure", which is also a nice place to be for originality. I like this card quite a lot.
Conspiring Apprentice (U/R)
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Dethrone (Whenever this creature attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.) UR, t, Sacrifice Conspiring Apprentice: Deal 1 damage to target creature or player, draw a card.
1/1
I find quite difficult to judge this card, as I never actually played with dethrone, not having played multiplayer in a very long time. At first glance, and with that premise, I see no problems with this card. It could have been probably even more elegant if the activated ability were somehow tied to dethrone, like dealing damage equal to the Apprentice's power, but that's just a minor thing after all. It doesn't count here, but I'd advise you to bold the card name.
Unstable Force
Creature — Elemental (U)
Trample, haste
Echo (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)
Unstable Force gets -1/-1 for each tapped land you control.
4/4
This is another hard card to judge for me because of echo. I only played it in Time Spiral, and the only card that had an echo cost that was mana but less mana than the mana cost was Henchfiend of Ukor, which I didn't play much with. I admit I don't have a very good understanding of how to establish an echo cost in theory (in practice the method is always the same: playtest!). What I do appreciate in this card as a Melvin is how all the different parts interact with each other, especially echo with the last ability, that is a drawback (a 4/4 with upside for two mana just needs one) that doesn't feel like it's there just to balance the card, but actually plays right into the card concept. I also like how this is a 2/2 the first turn, a 3/3 the second and a 4/4 after that, obviously assuming you play all your other spells during your second main phase, and this card may also be a good tool to teach that to beginners who usually play everything before attacking. Overall, a very interesting design with many intricacies, that maybe could actually be better suited for a rare for exactly that reason (complexity).
Unweave2(G/W)
Instant (U)
Exile target enchantment. You may return target enchantment card from your graveyard to your hand. "It seems I've run out of thread. Mind if I borrow some?"
-Mavelle, Celadon enchantress
This feels more of a green/white gold card to me rather than hybrid. Yes, it doesn't break anything as hybrid and there are actually precedents for both green exiling enchantments and white returning them from graveyard to hand, but I can't help but feeling that the exile is way more white than green and the "return from graveyard to hand" way more green than white. It's just a feel thing. This card would feel right at home in Shadowmoor, where the line between hybrid and gold has been blurred to allow the amount of hybrid cards in the set to make it a proper "hybrid set". Except for that, this is a perfectly fine card, that feels balanced and at the right rarity and with a good flavor.
Top 3
1st place: Solesticio (for the high elegance of the card, even though it may be a little undercosted)
2nd place: IcariiFA (for originality)
3rd place: Flatline (for all the intricacies that a Melvin like me loves, even though the card has quite a lot going on and might be better at rare)
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.)
Monastery Blitzer(U/R)
Creature - Human Monk (U)
Prowess
Whenever you cast a red noncreature spell, Monastery Blitzer gains haste until end of turn.
Whenever you cast a blue noncreature spell, Monastery Blitzer gains flying until end of turn.
1/1
While this can certainly be printed either in mono red or mono blue, a player would still need to play both colors to make the most out of the card, so this feels like a multicolored card in desguise, which goes against the spirit of the challenge. On top of that, getting haste and getting flying are not the same thing. The extra hoop required to make sure this creature can attack on turn 1 means it’s worse that Monastery Swiftspear.
Flux Elemental2(U/R)(U/R)
Creature - Elemental (U)
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) (U/R): Switch Flux Elemental's power and toughness until end of turn.
[2/5]
Hey, an actual hybrid card! I’m a bit worried that this guy is a bit too punishing for a limited 4 drop. It swings for a lot and it can tank a lot, and it has prowess for an added level of uncertainty. I think the activation cost needs to be 1(U/R). Aside from that, it’s a bit unoriginal, but it showed you’ve at least understood how hybrid cards and splashy uncommons suppose to look like.
Paragon's Triumph2
Instant (U)
Target creature gains indestructible until end of turn. Prevent all combat damage each other creature would deal this turn. Elspeth and Melira stood above them, a testament to their kind. Their victory spurned hope in a forlorn war.
Oh, I’m gonna end up hating this card by the end of the block, I’m sure of it. It’s one of those cards that I’d never seem to get in a draft and will always ruin an otherwise perfect game for me, yet when I do finally get my hand on it it will basically be a Fog and nothing more. I like how you’ve used two effects that are both white and green and mixed them into a card with ample flexibility. I would say that the flavor feels more white than green though.
Worshipper of Athreos1(W/B)(W/B)
Creature — Human Cleric (U)
Lifelink
Whenever another creature you control dies, you gain 1 life. “My master can give you life or deprive you of it.”
2/2
Another good example of a hybrid effect. I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t push the envelope more here. A three drop uncommon with a 1MM cost can be more impactful as a creature. At the very least, I’d expect the p/t ratio to reflect an archetype of some sort. This would have been better as a 2/3 or 2/4. Good Theros flavor.
Mystical Selkie
Creature - Merfolk (Uncommon)
, : Another target creature you control gains hexproof until end of turn. "The blessings of mother-nature and father-sea are for everyone to share."
2/2
That is quite the little trickster you’ve got there. I’ve been recently playing against decks that featured the likes of Mother of Runes and other such creatures capable of defending the team, and so I’ve grown quite a distaste for them. That said, I’m glad you’ve included ‘another’ in the ability text, and I like how much punch this little guy can pack. It’s a great 2 drop, that would surely be picked highly. It’s a great way to push the envelope from Plaxcaster Frogling’s effect.
Flying
When Malefic Specter enters the battlefield, if any player has no cards in hand: Draw two cards if U was paid and each opponent takes 4 damage if R was paid. (Do both if UR was paid)
3/4
Here too, I do not feel like your card is in the spirit of the challenge. By design, it needs at least two colors to even be cast, and even if I could get past that, the effect will definitely will work the same if it was in a blue-black deck or a red-black deck. Worst of all, the style is of a “build me up” multicolor that wizards have specifically avoided doing in Alara Reborn. You didn’t avoid common mistakes when designing hybrids so much as stepped right into them.
1. IcariiFA - True hybrid and a surprisingly original mix of two old effects cinched this one for you.
2. Netn10 - First and second were really close. I feel like you've created a great yet simple creature, but Icarii's card was the more original.
3. Moss Elemental - I like that it's a. an actual hybrid card and b. and actual impactful splashy uncommon.
This feels more rare than uncommon. There's no reason this should be black. The creature is a Specter in name, but's it a Horror. There's so many things wrong with it.
RickyRister
We have Monestary Swiftspear, so this is a bit of a letdown. Still, I can see this printed.
bravelion83
Not particularly exciting, but it's okay.
IcariiFA
It can work as a hybrid. My gripe is the synergy. If combat damage is prevented, there's little reason to give a creature indestructbile.
Ink-Treader
I have nothing to complain about.
Solesticio
This fits in a black deck or a green deck. Excellent.
Master of Pests2(G/U)
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
When Master of Pests enters the battlefield, you may put a token into play that's a copy of target creature with converted mana cost 1 or less. "Why do people always disregard the small things? Don't they know that even a little creature can topple an empire if place dat the right place?"
2/2
Aside from the flavor text saying "if place dat", this seems solidly Simic to me. Probably should have had a more Simic-sounding name as a result. Hybrid-wise it seems fine as a tiny Spitting Image as there is precedent.
Mystical Selkie
Creature - Merfolk (Uncommon)
, : Another target creature you control gains hexproof until end of turn. "The blessings of mother-nature and father-sea are for everyone to share."
2/2
This works as a hybrid card but it seems very powerful, especially with those base stats. Also might have wanted to have the flavor text refer to the Overbeing.
Worshipper of Athreos1(W/B)(W/B)
Creature — Human Cleric (U)
Lifelink
Whenever another creature you control dies, you gain 1 life. “My master can give you life or deprive you of it.”
2/2
While not the most exciting card, it seems fine to me as a hybrid.
Flying
When Malefic Specter enters the battlefield, if any player has no cards in hand: Draw two cards if U was paid and each opponent takes 4 damage if R was paid. (Do both if UR was paid)
3/4
Oof, this breaks one of the rules about hybrid being only two colors aesthetically. Numerous language errors on the second ability. Stats are weak for that much color requirement considering it'll likely have to be played before the condition on the second ability is met.
Flux Elemental2(U/R)(U/R)
Creature - Elemental (U)
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) (U/R): Switch Flux Elemental's power and toughness until end of turn.
[2/5]
Monastery Blitzer(U/R)
Creature - Human Monk (U)
Prowess
Whenever you cast a red noncreature spell, Monastery Blitzer gains haste until end of turn.
Whenever you cast a blue noncreature spell, Monastery Blitzer gains flying until end of turn.
1/1
This seems fine to me as a hybrid. The red ability is one of those deceptively weak ones.
Unstable Force
Creature — Elemental (U)
Trample, haste
Echo (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)
Unstable Force gets -1/-1 for each tapped land you control.
4/4
Huh. Very weird card. It does work in its colors, but it just seems tough to use effectively.
Conspiring Apprentice (U/R)
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Dethrone (Whenever this creature attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.) UR, t, Sacrifice Conspiring Apprentice: Deal 1 damage to target creature or player, draw a card.
1/1
Templating is off. Other than that, it seems fine.
Blundering Mastodon(G/W)
Creature - Elephant (U)
When Blundering Mastodon enters the battlefield, return a creature you control to its owner's hand. "As graceful as a mastodon" - Abzan saying for "A disaster on legs".
3/3
Field of Instability2(W/U)
Enchantment (R)
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if you cast it from your hand, you may exile it and return it to the battlefield.
It seems to be hybrid. I wonder if WotC would cost this higher, due to potentially powerful interactions. Also, a rare, and disqualified
Bonfire Brand(R/G)(R/G)
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Whenever a noncreature permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put two +1/+1 counters on enchanted creature.
Weirdness. The fact that it doesn't offer any interaction to get those counters on its own is iffy, but the power is there. Seems questionable for red though, but not too much so.
Deadspell Dredger2(U/B)(U/B)
Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard (R)
Whenever Deadspell Dredger attacks and isn't blocked, you may cast target instant or sorcery card from that player's graveyard without paying its mana cost. If you do, Deadspell Dredger assigns no combat damage this turn. "What was once yours, I will turn upon you."
2/4
I'm not sure bout this one. Casting instants and sorceries from a graveyard is extremely rare in black. This quite looks like a version of Toshiro Umezawa, which is quite an exceptional creature. I'm worried about the power level, but, of course, relying on your opponent's stuff adds a bit to the balance.
Flux Elemental2(U/R)(U/R)
Creature - Elemental (U)
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) (U/R): Switch Flux Elemental's power and toughness until end of turn.
[2/5]
Really fits in both colors, I would say the switch should trigger on noncreature spells being cast, something ala fluxcharger, to make prowess shine a bit better.
Amphin Spearhunter1
Creature - Salamander Warrior (U)
Amphin Spearhunter has first strike as long as you control a Mountain.
Amphin Spearhunter has prowess as long as you control an Island. "Don't let their looks fool you. The buggers are just as slippery on land as in the water." -Tarkis, Valkas hermit
2/1
Not quite what the challenge is about. This cares for the basic lands you control and kind of kills the flexibility of hybrid. a 2/1 common with prowess would have looked great.
Mystical Selkie
Creature - Merfolk (Uncommon)
, : Another target creature you control gains hexproof until end of turn. "The blessings of mother-nature and father-sea are for everyone to share."
2/2
I like the clause that prevents it from protecting itself. All and all, good hybrid.
Master of Pests2(G/U)
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
When Master of Pests enters the battlefield, you may put a token into play that's a copy of target creature with converted mana cost 1 or less. "Why do people always disregard the small things? Don't they know that even a little creature can topple an empire if place dat the right place?"
2/2
Copies is a bit of a rare effect in green but with this limitation it fits very well. Intresting entry.
shinike1729 - It's more white than blue for sure, but it's passable. Cool effect, probably strong at 3.
Flatline - This is a really cool mechanic, although I'm not sure it's uncommon level (unless an entire set as such vibe). a 2/2 into 2/2 into 4/4 is interesting, with the clause that you can't tap 4 lands. Stronger with mana dorks, but seems balanced.
BubbleCat2 - Not sure if this fits the purpose of the challenge, as its ability makes it blue and red, not blue or red.
Void_Nothing - I really don't know how I feel about this. "non creature permanent" seems really weird in both green or red, but it's not like it is any better in any other color. I guess I don't get the flavor maybe? Anyway, seems strong, but it's an aura, so we know how that works.
Koopa - Nice drawback, but seen in blue before. I guess red makes sense, not so sure about white. Sorry, I'm blind. Green makes more sense of course. White has precedents, but usually doesn't have drawbacks in agressively costed creatures.
RaikouRider - Feels more black than green, but it's interesting.
1. Flatline (For sure the most hybrid of the bunch)
2. shinike1729 (the most close to fully hybrid)
3. RaikouRider (Close call for 2nd place, but feels less green than shinike1729's feel blue)
Ink-Treader: Maxes sense for both colors. The optional return effect is nice, but makes the card pretty niche. Could be a strong sideboard card in environment where enchantments are relevant, making mirror matches gross.
Solesticio: It's a true hybrid card. It's also way too aggressively costed.
shinike1729: Awesome Johnny card. Good color pairing. Almost wish it was on a body.
Flatline: I feel like I've seen this card from you before. Its surprising weak the first turn you play it, mildly underpowered the next turn, and can player around a strong 3rd turn before you probably kill it. The drawback ability feels weird for mono green, but the balance seem fair if not good enough. Its probably safe.
BubbleCat2: The tap ability and dethrone have some serious anti synergy, but let the card be at least mildly useful regardless of the board. The tap ability really makes this more of a multicolor card.
Void_Nothing: This is a really cool effect. I see this as more mono green then red/green though. Red is quite fine killing creatures, though obviously through damage. Seems a hair forced.
bubblecat2 - A 1 drop dethrone is actually rather aggressive, but the activated ability seems tacked on. Also, I feel like it is going against the spirit of the challenge a bit since it can't really be played to its fullest potential in a deck that doesn't have both colors.
void_nothing - Auras need to be pretty strong to have any appeal, and I'm not sure this one is particularly strong. Also, it seems a lot more green than red to me, and I'm pretty sure it could have fit a bit of flavor text too.
Koopa - With its current wording, you could cast this and return it as many times as you have W or G, which I'm pretty sure some Johnny would figure out a way to break. I think the flavor here is very good, although I can only think of one other green creature that has the "return a creature to its owner's hand" clause. It is a recent card though (Ambush Krotiq), so perhaps that's a direction they are going in green now. Also, there is some precedent with cards like Stampeding Wildebeests. Pretty cool card in all.
RaikuRider - Instant draw 3 is really strong, especially outside of blue. Even with the clause attached. I really feel like this card is stretch. Some flavor text would've been nice too.
Hemlock - Love it. Simple, works in both colors, flavor is great, very playable, but still printable (IMO). The only thing I question is whether they would print yet another (basically) free cantrip.
maplesmall - I rather like this one. It reminds me a bit of Wrexial, the Risen Deep. The name doesn't seem like a legend to me, and the flavor text is only so so, but overall a pretty decent card.
1st: Hemlock
2nd: Koopa
3rd: maplesmall
Lots of good stuff in my bracket. Good job to all.
(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)
Deadspell Dredger2(U/B)(U/B)
Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard (R)
Whenever Deadspell Dredger attacks and isn't blocked, you may cast target instant or sorcery card from that player's graveyard without paying its mana cost. If you do, Deadspell Dredger assigns no combat damage this turn. "What was once yours, I will turn upon you."
2/4
Dark Ophidian seems very blue and black. A nice breath of fresh air from what easily could have been "generic mill effect". EDIT: This a rare and does not qualify.
Amphin Spearhunter1
Creature - Salamander Warrior (U)
Amphin Spearhunter has first strike as long as you control a Mountain.
Amphin Spearhunter has prowess as long as you control an Island. "Don't let their looks fool you. The buggers are just as slippery on land as in the water." -Tarkis, Valkas hermit
2/1
While this card technically is blue or red, it feels... cheap. Like this card could have been ANY color and slapped these abilities on it.
Savage Brute3
Creature - Beast (U)
Trample, haste HERE I COME!
4/4
About as vanilla as it can be. This would be a boring uncommon, I would rather it be a 3/3 or cost six mana and be a common or something. Still, good hybrid.
Master of Pests2(G/U)
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
When Master of Pests enters the battlefield, you may put a token into play that's a copy of target creature with converted mana cost 1 or less. "Why do people always disregard the small things? Don't they know that even a little creature can topple an empire if place dat the right place?"
2/2
Is this green? Clones have been exclusively blue with Splitting Image being the lone exception, but that always felt like one of those Shadowmoor cards that certainly bent the color pie.
Koopa - A bit of a bleed in that green (usually) bounces its own creatures, not permanents in general, but otherwise a cool callback to cards past.
RaikouRider - Very nice. No objections to it being either color. The tricks you can set up with this are many!
Hemlock - Cool! Very elegantly Melvin-y in that at base it's a card that does nothing but self-replace; and Johnny-Spikes could have fun with it.
maplesmall - Wrexial, the Risen Deep is a thing, so this ability is in at least both colors; but there's a lot wrong here - generic name on a legend, is a rare in an uncommon challenge; dated Ophidian text.
theazurespirit - I love the Amphin and all, but this is kind of a cop-out of a hybrid design; it plays it safe in the don't-go-off-color challenge by essentially never being able to do that.
glurman - I see what you did here; using both shared evergreen keywords makes for a nice enough beater.
theazurespirit: A pretty safe design, but consistent with the colours.
glurman: The flavour is what sells this as (R/G) to me. Something makes me like it.
Asrama: Is copying green? Spitting Image does this, so it works for me.
khachuchrian: A rare card in an uncommon card challenge, but it feels in colour.
netn10: Flavour and abilities both feel very on-colour.
Moss_Elemental: This feels properly (U/R) to me. Though the switching could've been triggered by prowess instead of a separate ability.
Void_Nothing:There are no red cards that reference generic permenants going to the graveyard causing an effect. Koopa:The effect is one that both white and green have. It also makes for a unique yet simple uncommon. I think 1 mana might be a little under costed for limited. RaikouRider:Seems really easy to activate, it working on opposing creatures makes this seem to powerful to me. Hemlock:Simple card that seems dangerous, it would be really easy to combo with this, and it is really easy to generate a mana off of it. Every blue or green deck would probably run 4 of these in both standard and modern. maplesmall:Cool card but it's a rare. theazurespiritIts not really in the spirt of the challenge. It's also not that creative of a creature.
Hemlock: I don't like that this allows you to effectively run a 56 card deck. This is unprintable by current Wizards standards for one reason: storm. Certainly isn't splashy or exciting.
maplesmall: Rare. Does not qualify.
theazurespirit: I feel this is Constructed playable - hits on all cylinders. This is a really cool tempo creature, and one that's difficult to block. Whether it goes blocked or unblocked, usually its controller is happy. I like this a lot.
glurman: Not splashy - this feels like a common to me, even with Limited in mind. I like your flavor text except it's in all caps =/
Asrama: This is a bit of a break on the green side, plus copy effects are only at rare and above for complexity reasons.
khachuchrian: Rare. Does not qualify.
1) theazurespirit
2) glurman
3) Asrama
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
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
Creature - Elemental (R)
Bloodrush -- GR, Discard Rabid Pyregrand: Target attacking creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn and fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
"I have no disrespect for life, just no tolerance for ignorance of it" The Pyregrand Caller to Ghor-Clan Chief
4/4
Hemlock
maplesmall
theazurespirit
glurman
Asrama
khachuchrian
netn10
Moss_Elemental
Forestsguy
RickyRister
bravelion83
IcariiFA
Ink-Treader
Solesticio
shinike1729
Flatline
BubbleCat2
Void_Nothing
Koopa
RaikouRider
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
This is a perfect hybrid card, that makes sense as both monocolor, and its design is also very simple and elegant. I like that very much, even though it may not be as splashy as the challenge required, but that's hard to do at uncommon. I just think this card may be slightly undercosted, as green gets a 2/3 for GG (Elvish Warrior) but vanilla, while black doesn't get that, not even as vanilla. Hybrid is easier to cast than monocolor and this card has additional upside, so I definitely think this should cost 1(B/G)(B/G), which would also mirror very nicely the regeneration cost for aesthetics. Anyway, a very good design and I like it quite a lot.
This is perfectly fine as a card, but unfortunately the challenge explicitly required an uncommon, which this is not. This card is very nice, an open ended design for Johnny to have fun with. You can double all ETB triggers of creatures you cast with this, and this is an idea that both fits very well with the hybrid cost (flickering is something both white and blue can do) and gives that segment of the audience a card to be very excited about. Too bad this fails the main challenge as it's not an uncommon.
This is a card that puts together two effects that each would be hybrid by itself (indestructible and damage prevention are two areas where green and white overlap) to make a card that feels quite original and very appropriate at uncommon. The flavor is also very interesting and tells this is a card probably meant to come from the hypothetical "Mirrodin Pure", which is also a nice place to be for originality. I like this card quite a lot.
I find quite difficult to judge this card, as I never actually played with dethrone, not having played multiplayer in a very long time. At first glance, and with that premise, I see no problems with this card. It could have been probably even more elegant if the activated ability were somehow tied to dethrone, like dealing damage equal to the Apprentice's power, but that's just a minor thing after all. It doesn't count here, but I'd advise you to bold the card name.
This is another hard card to judge for me because of echo. I only played it in Time Spiral, and the only card that had an echo cost that was mana but less mana than the mana cost was Henchfiend of Ukor, which I didn't play much with. I admit I don't have a very good understanding of how to establish an echo cost in theory (in practice the method is always the same: playtest!). What I do appreciate in this card as a Melvin is how all the different parts interact with each other, especially echo with the last ability, that is a drawback (a 4/4 with upside for two mana just needs one) that doesn't feel like it's there just to balance the card, but actually plays right into the card concept. I also like how this is a 2/2 the first turn, a 3/3 the second and a 4/4 after that, obviously assuming you play all your other spells during your second main phase, and this card may also be a good tool to teach that to beginners who usually play everything before attacking. Overall, a very interesting design with many intricacies, that maybe could actually be better suited for a rare for exactly that reason (complexity).
This feels more of a green/white gold card to me rather than hybrid. Yes, it doesn't break anything as hybrid and there are actually precedents for both green exiling enchantments and white returning them from graveyard to hand, but I can't help but feeling that the exile is way more white than green and the "return from graveyard to hand" way more green than white. It's just a feel thing. This card would feel right at home in Shadowmoor, where the line between hybrid and gold has been blurred to allow the amount of hybrid cards in the set to make it a proper "hybrid set". Except for that, this is a perfectly fine card, that feels balanced and at the right rarity and with a good flavor.
Top 3
1st place: Solesticio (for the high elegance of the card, even though it may be a little undercosted)
2nd place: IcariiFA (for originality)
3rd place: Flatline (for all the intricacies that a Melvin like me loves, even though the card has quite a lot going on and might be better at rare)
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.)
While this can certainly be printed either in mono red or mono blue, a player would still need to play both colors to make the most out of the card, so this feels like a multicolored card in desguise, which goes against the spirit of the challenge. On top of that, getting haste and getting flying are not the same thing. The extra hoop required to make sure this creature can attack on turn 1 means it’s worse that Monastery Swiftspear.
Hey, an actual hybrid card! I’m a bit worried that this guy is a bit too punishing for a limited 4 drop. It swings for a lot and it can tank a lot, and it has prowess for an added level of uncertainty. I think the activation cost needs to be 1(U/R). Aside from that, it’s a bit unoriginal, but it showed you’ve at least understood how hybrid cards and splashy uncommons suppose to look like.
Oh, I’m gonna end up hating this card by the end of the block, I’m sure of it. It’s one of those cards that I’d never seem to get in a draft and will always ruin an otherwise perfect game for me, yet when I do finally get my hand on it it will basically be a Fog and nothing more. I like how you’ve used two effects that are both white and green and mixed them into a card with ample flexibility. I would say that the flavor feels more white than green though.
Another good example of a hybrid effect. I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t push the envelope more here. A three drop uncommon with a 1MM cost can be more impactful as a creature. At the very least, I’d expect the p/t ratio to reflect an archetype of some sort. This would have been better as a 2/3 or 2/4. Good Theros flavor.
That is quite the little trickster you’ve got there. I’ve been recently playing against decks that featured the likes of Mother of Runes and other such creatures capable of defending the team, and so I’ve grown quite a distaste for them. That said, I’m glad you’ve included ‘another’ in the ability text, and I like how much punch this little guy can pack. It’s a great 2 drop, that would surely be picked highly. It’s a great way to push the envelope from Plaxcaster Frogling’s effect.
Here too, I do not feel like your card is in the spirit of the challenge. By design, it needs at least two colors to even be cast, and even if I could get past that, the effect will definitely will work the same if it was in a blue-black deck or a red-black deck. Worst of all, the style is of a “build me up” multicolor that wizards have specifically avoided doing in Alara Reborn. You didn’t avoid common mistakes when designing hybrids so much as stepped right into them.
1. IcariiFA - True hybrid and a surprisingly original mix of two old effects cinched this one for you.
2. Netn10 - First and second were really close. I feel like you've created a great yet simple creature, but Icarii's card was the more original.
3. Moss Elemental - I like that it's a. an actual hybrid card and b. and actual impactful splashy uncommon.
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Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
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Top 3
2. Solecticio
3. bravelion83
Aside from the flavor text saying "if place dat", this seems solidly Simic to me. Probably should have had a more Simic-sounding name as a result. Hybrid-wise it seems fine as a tiny Spitting Image as there is precedent.
This works as a hybrid card but it seems very powerful, especially with those base stats. Also might have wanted to have the flavor text refer to the Overbeing.
While not the most exciting card, it seems fine to me as a hybrid.
Oof, this breaks one of the rules about hybrid being only two colors aesthetically. Numerous language errors on the second ability. Stats are weak for that much color requirement considering it'll likely have to be played before the condition on the second ability is met.
This seems fine to my by all means.
This seems fine to me as a hybrid. The red ability is one of those deceptively weak ones.
2) Asrama
3) Bravelion83
Huh. Very weird card. It does work in its colors, but it just seems tough to use effectively.
Templating is off. Other than that, it seems fine.
Hm. It's balanced, but not terribly interesting.
It seems to be hybrid. I wonder if WotC would cost this higher, due to potentially powerful interactions. Also, a rare, and disqualified
Weirdness. The fact that it doesn't offer any interaction to get those counters on its own is iffy, but the power is there. Seems questionable for red though, but not too much so.
A card as straightforward as it is potent. Too strong for the cost maybe? Deathtouch + Regenerate is a hell of a combo.
1. bubblecat82
2. Solesticio
3. void_nothing
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I'm not sure bout this one. Casting instants and sorceries from a graveyard is extremely rare in black. This quite looks like a version of Toshiro Umezawa, which is quite an exceptional creature. I'm worried about the power level, but, of course, relying on your opponent's stuff adds a bit to the balance.
Really fits in both colors, I would say the switch should trigger on noncreature spells being cast, something ala fluxcharger, to make prowess shine a bit better.
Not quite what the challenge is about. This cares for the basic lands you control and kind of kills the flexibility of hybrid. a 2/1 common with prowess would have looked great.
I like the clause that prevents it from protecting itself. All and all, good hybrid.
Copies is a bit of a rare effect in green but with this limitation it fits very well. Intresting entry.
Simple yet effective. Haste started to appear more in green lately. This could have worked as a common.
Standings:
Asrama
Netn10
Glurman
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Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Flatline - This is a really cool mechanic, although I'm not sure it's uncommon level (unless an entire set as such vibe). a 2/2 into 2/2 into 4/4 is interesting, with the clause that you can't tap 4 lands. Stronger with mana dorks, but seems balanced.
BubbleCat2 - Not sure if this fits the purpose of the challenge, as its ability makes it blue and red, not blue or red.
Void_Nothing - I really don't know how I feel about this. "non creature permanent" seems really weird in both green or red, but it's not like it is any better in any other color. I guess I don't get the flavor maybe? Anyway, seems strong, but it's an aura, so we know how that works.
Koopa - Nice drawback, but seen in blue before.
I guess red makes sense, not so sure about white.Sorry, I'm blind. Green makes more sense of course. White has precedents, but usually doesn't have drawbacks in agressively costed creatures.RaikouRider - Feels more black than green, but it's interesting.
1. Flatline (For sure the most hybrid of the bunch)
2. shinike1729 (the most close to fully hybrid)
3. RaikouRider (Close call for 2nd place, but feels less green than shinike1729's feel blue)
Thought of the Month:
I gave up from trying to require the 'i' on my name: SolesticIo
Solesticio: It's a true hybrid card. It's also way too aggressively costed.
shinike1729: Awesome Johnny card. Good color pairing. Almost wish it was on a body.
Flatline: I feel like I've seen this card from you before. Its surprising weak the first turn you play it, mildly underpowered the next turn, and can player around a strong 3rd turn before you probably kill it. The drawback ability feels weird for mono green, but the balance seem fair if not good enough. Its probably safe.
BubbleCat2: The tap ability and dethrone have some serious anti synergy, but let the card be at least mildly useful regardless of the board. The tap ability really makes this more of a multicolor card.
Void_Nothing: This is a really cool effect. I see this as more mono green then red/green though. Red is quite fine killing creatures, though obviously through damage. Seems a hair forced.
2nd: Ink-Treader
3rd: Flatline
void_nothing - Auras need to be pretty strong to have any appeal, and I'm not sure this one is particularly strong. Also, it seems a lot more green than red to me, and I'm pretty sure it could have fit a bit of flavor text too.
Koopa - With its current wording, you could cast this and return it as many times as you have W or G, which I'm pretty sure some Johnny would figure out a way to break. I think the flavor here is very good, although I can only think of one other green creature that has the "return a creature to its owner's hand" clause. It is a recent card though (Ambush Krotiq), so perhaps that's a direction they are going in green now. Also, there is some precedent with cards like Stampeding Wildebeests. Pretty cool card in all.
RaikuRider - Instant draw 3 is really strong, especially outside of blue. Even with the clause attached. I really feel like this card is stretch. Some flavor text would've been nice too.
Hemlock - Love it. Simple, works in both colors, flavor is great, very playable, but still printable (IMO). The only thing I question is whether they would print yet another (basically) free cantrip.
maplesmall - I rather like this one. It reminds me a bit of Wrexial, the Risen Deep. The name doesn't seem like a legend to me, and the flavor text is only so so, but overall a pretty decent card.
2nd: Koopa
3rd: maplesmall
Lots of good stuff in my bracket. Good job to all.
My card is GW, with both Invasive Species and Kor Skyfisher being Modern design examples.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Dark Ophidian seems very blue and black. A nice breath of fresh air from what easily could have been "generic mill effect". EDIT: This a rare and does not qualify.
Half Refocus. Half Manamorphose. Excellent job and the flavor is good.
This feels black and green. I would have appreciated some flavor text.
While this card technically is blue or red, it feels... cheap. Like this card could have been ANY color and slapped these abilities on it.
About as vanilla as it can be. This would be a boring uncommon, I would rather it be a 3/3 or cost six mana and be a common or something. Still, good hybrid.
Is this green? Clones have been exclusively blue with Splitting Image being the lone exception, but that always felt like one of those Shadowmoor cards that certainly bent the color pie.
1) Hemlock
2) RaikouRider
3) glurman
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Koopa - A bit of a bleed in that green (usually) bounces its own creatures, not permanents in general, but otherwise a cool callback to cards past.
RaikouRider - Very nice. No objections to it being either color. The tricks you can set up with this are many!
Hemlock - Cool! Very elegantly Melvin-y in that at base it's a card that does nothing but self-replace; and Johnny-Spikes could have fun with it.
maplesmall - Wrexial, the Risen Deep is a thing, so this ability is in at least both colors; but there's a lot wrong here - generic name on a legend, is a rare in an uncommon challenge; dated Ophidian text.
theazurespirit - I love the Amphin and all, but this is kind of a cop-out of a hybrid design; it plays it safe in the don't-go-off-color challenge by essentially never being able to do that.
glurman - I see what you did here; using both shared evergreen keywords makes for a nice enough beater.
1. Hemlock
2. RaikouRider
3. Koopa
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
glurman: The flavour is what sells this as (R/G) to me. Something makes me like it.
Asrama: Is copying green? Spitting Image does this, so it works for me.
khachuchrian: A rare card in an uncommon card challenge, but it feels in colour.
netn10: Flavour and abilities both feel very on-colour.
Moss_Elemental: This feels properly (U/R) to me. Though the switching could've been triggered by prowess instead of a separate ability.
netn10
glurman
Thought of the Month:
I gave up from trying to require the 'i' on my name: SolesticIo
Koopa:The effect is one that both white and green have. It also makes for a unique yet simple uncommon. I think 1 mana might be a little under costed for limited.
RaikouRider:Seems really easy to activate, it working on opposing creatures makes this seem to powerful to me.
Hemlock:Simple card that seems dangerous, it would be really easy to combo with this, and it is really easy to generate a mana off of it. Every blue or green deck would probably run 4 of these in both standard and modern.
maplesmall:Cool card but it's a rare.
theazurespiritIts not really in the spirt of the challenge. It's also not that creative of a creature.
2:RaikouRider
3:Hemlock
maplesmall: Rare. Does not qualify.
theazurespirit: I feel this is Constructed playable - hits on all cylinders. This is a really cool tempo creature, and one that's difficult to block. Whether it goes blocked or unblocked, usually its controller is happy. I like this a lot.
glurman: Not splashy - this feels like a common to me, even with Limited in mind. I like your flavor text except it's in all caps =/
Asrama: This is a bit of a break on the green side, plus copy effects are only at rare and above for complexity reasons.
khachuchrian: Rare. Does not qualify.
1) theazurespirit
2) glurman
3) Asrama
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