"The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long pass, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning."
Robert Jordan - The Eye of the World
For this round we will take inspiration from some weapons of old, the swords that came to be on Mirrodin.
Main Challenge: Design an artifact equipment card with two different color words in its rules text, each from your round 1 and round 2 cards.(See clarifications for more info.)
Subchallenge 1: Your card does not contain the word protection.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a converted manacost of 4 or more.
Please indicate the color of your round one and round two card and include a link to it, or a quote.
For this challenge your card must contain the words Red, Blue, Black, White or Green in its rules text. One color word must be the color of your round one card and the other color word must be the color of your round two card.
For example, if your round one card was blue and your round two card was black, then your card must contain the words "Black" and "Blue" in its rules text.
Rules text defines a card’s abilities. It is contained within the text box and is not italicized like reminder text or flavor text.
A reminder to everyone: In the MCC, putting rarity on cards is mandatory! If you don't put a rarity on your card, expect huge deductions in both Viability AND Quality.
Also, you should format your text cards accordingly to the forum rules (see the "this formatting looks best" spoiler in the linked OP). Again, expect deductions in Quality otherwise.
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.
DEADLINES
Player deadline: Sunday, April 23th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges deadline: Wednesday, April 26th 2017 23:59 EDT
Parom Silverscale4UUU
Legendary Creature - Dragon Wizard (M)
Flying
At the beginning of each end step, create a legendary blue enchantment token named Seal of Naught with "Sacrifice this enchantment: Counter target spell." His knowledge is his hoard and he guards it like any other dragon would theirs.
7/7
Desperate Ambition1B
Instant (M)
Desperate Ambition can't be countered by spells or abilities.
Escalate—Draw two cards. (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
Destroy target creature you control.
Destroy target land you control.
You lose 2 life.
Staff of Zul Ashur4
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (M)
As long as equipped creature is blue, it has "2U, T: Return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand."
As long as equipped creature is black, it has "B, T: Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand."
Equip 0 The Lich Lord's most treasured possession.
Boggart Staff4
Artifact — Equipment (R)
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has haste.
As long as equipped creature is black or red, it has “T, Sacrifice a Goblin: This creature deals 2 damage to target creature or player.”
Equip 3 Gryst was charmed by that spiky wooden staff he found in the forest, so he took it and ran away. He couldn’t wait to try it and to share his discovery with his warren mates. If only he could find a way to do both at the same time...
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.)
Angelfire Blade4
Artifact — Equipment {U}
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has double strike.
Whenever a red or white creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature.
Equip 2 “I used to think the Gateless only took signets as trophies. I know better now.”
—Pel Javya, Wojek investigator
Tarross, the Bloodseeker5RRR
Legendary Creature — Dragon {M}
Flying
If a player's life total is less than half his or her starting life total, Tarross, the Bloodseeker costs 5 less to cast.
Whenever a player loses the game during the combat phase on your turn, untap all creatures you control. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Once Tarross scents blood, there can be only one outcome.
7/7
Immortal's Chestplate4
Artifact — Equipment [M]
Equipped creature gets +3/+0, has deathtouch if it's black, has trample if it's green, and has indestructible if it's black and green.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If you can't, sacrifice Immortal's Chestplate.
Equip 2
Malygos, the Aspect of Magic4UUU
Legendary Creature - Elder Dragon [Mythic rare]
Flying
You may pay 0 rather than pay the mana cost for instant or sorcery spells you cast.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may scry 2. The essence of magic incarnated.
4/4
Call in the Raid1RR
Sorcery - (rare)
Escalate 1R (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more—
Create three 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens.
Reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of Goblins you control. You may put a Goblin creature card among them onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Target Goblin you control gets +1/+0 for each other Goblin you control and gains menace until end of turn.
Roil Shaper's Staff4
Artifact - Equipment [rare]
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has haste.
Whenever equipped creature attacks, choose one—
Create a 4/1 red Elemental creature token that's tapped and attacking. Exile that token at end of combat.
Create a 3/2 blue Elemental creature token with flying.
Schakka, the Crashing Comet6RR
Legendary Creature - Dragon {M}
Flying, haste
Whenever Schakka, the Crashing Comet or another Dragon you control dies, it deals damage equal to its power to each non-Dragon creature and each opponent. Dragons aren't the only creatures that perish in the Shriek of Flame.
7/7
Tyrannic CrescendoBB
Sorcery {R}
Escalate 1(Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• Target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
• You draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Soul-Eater Scythe5
Artifact - Equipment {R}
Whenever you sacrifice a creature, put a blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe. If the sacrificed creature was black or red, put two blood counters on it instead.
Equipped creature has menace and gets +1/+0 for each blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe.
Equip--1, Sacrifice a creature.
The round is now closed. Top contestant in each VS. will advance. Brackets are as follows:
Freyleyes
Vertain VS. Sagharri
Tesco(black)lotus VS. RaikouRider
Tilwin
StonerOfKruphix VS. bravelion83
Vertain VS. Sagharri
Indighost
StonerOfKruphix VS. bravelion83
The_Hittite VS. admirableadmiral
Necarg
Tesco(black)lotus VS. RaikouRider
The_Hittite VS. admirableadmiral
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: The effects are to "meh" for Timmy. Johnny is sold by the word "return". Spike might have a use for this.
(3/3) Elegance: Makes sense at first glance.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine for me here.
(2/3) Balance: I think that some cost to equip would help it here. It is easy to just bounce through your creatures, paying 1 black, and returning allot of creatures to your hand.
Creativity - 4
(2/3) Uniqueness: The effects aren't all that new, but the way they are incorporated feels fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: This really feels like a possession of a lich. The fact that it is mythic and legendary adds to the epic feel. I just feel like maybe as an equip cost it could use a sacrifice or discard clause to strengthen the effects.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 21/25
Design - 4.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the "can't be blocked", but does not like that he has to have played a blue spell. Johnny likes the potential of a one turn kill. Spike likes the power and utility/versatility here.
(2/3) Elegance: This reads a bit hard at first glance.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: I can see this as a rare.
(3/3) Balance: I like that the effect is added to the creature, and not the equipment, since we know that equipment cards with instant speed attaching and high attack numbers doesn't play that fair. Cranial Plating.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This feels pretty new for me. Nice effects combined here in interesting ways.
(3/3) Flavor: I love the flavor of this card, it melds pretty well together.
Polish - 4
(0/3) Quality: Should be "... if you cast a blue spell this turn." and "Whenever you cast a red spell" Also "Equipped creature can't be blocked if you cast blue spell this turn." should be phrased as a "When ever" clause.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 20.5/25
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy might like the extra creatures. Spike likes the fact that he can keep the creature he creates. Johnny doesn't like this that much.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense to me here.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: I can see this as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: I feel this might be a bit to much. The 3/2 with flying you get with each attack is good, and that combined with the choice of the other effect is pushing it. I think 4 total stats would have been better here. A 3/1 red and 2/2 blue respectively.
Creativity - 3.5
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: This reminds me allot of Moonsilver Spear Very similar in effect.
(2/3) Flavor: Love the "roil elemental" theme going here. My concern here regarding flavor is I would have liked to see the creature get maybe flying as well, or something blue. The haste links me to red, so instead of +1/+1 I would have liked something linking to blue.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Challenge met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 20.5/25
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy like how this can become very big. Johnny will try and find a way to go for one hit 20 damage kills. Spike needs this in a creature heavy deck to get best value for it, but find that it is costed just a little to high for him.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense to me here.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: I think this can pass as rare.
(3/3) Balance: At first glance it does seem like this can get out of hand, but the way it accumulates the counters by having to have a creature sacrificed puts it in check.
Creativity - 4.5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This has that Rakdos Riteknife vibe to it, but other then the feel of that, this is pretty unique.
(1.5/3) Flavor: I don't get why a red creature would give an additional counter. I can see why a black one would maybe, and then maybe a blue or white creature.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Vaz'Naar, Death Overseer5BBB
Legendary Creature — Zombie Dragon (M)
Vaz'Naar, Death Overseer costs 1 less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Flying
Other creatures you control have: "T, Sacrifice this creature: Return target creature with lesser converted mana cost from your graveyard to the battlefield." The one who defied reincarnation became its ruler.
5/5
Hazoret's CommandRRR
Sorcery (R)
Choose two. If you have one or fewer cards in hand, you may choose three instead.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to target player.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to target creature.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to each creature.
Create three 1/1 red Warrior creature tokens with haste. Exile those tokens at the beginning of the next end step.
"To the afterlife."
Rakdos Bloodspikes4
Artifact — Equipment (R)
Equipped creature gets +2/+2, gains menace and can't block.
As long as equipped creature is black, black creatures you control get +1/+0 and gain deathtouch.
As long as equipped creature is red, red creatures you control get +1/+0 and gain first strike.
Equip 3 Perfect for raves, rituals and riots.
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy wants to strap this to his bruiser and bash in, Johnny sees a more nuanced work around for color shifting his other creature to get sudden boosts, and Spike, well, probably see this a touch on the expensive side at 7 mana for one turn attaching, but none the less can work with the immense power it provides.
ELEGANCE (2.5/3) Modern templating usually specifies both the equipped creature and other creatures gain the ability in question to clarify, but I can also see reason for avoiding adding to much to the card.
VIABILITY (3/3) All the abilities check out, equipment is allowed to grant them, and as for rarity... the individual clauses are in line, but...
BALANCE (2/3) I think this REALLY pushed. You need not even attack with the creature you strap this to to reap a massive benefit in the anthems granted. Plus, if the equipped creature DOES meet the qualifications, A +4/+2 first strike, death touch, menace creature needs a staggering amount of creatures to stop it. That said, at 4 mana to cost, 3 to equip and the loss of blocking, you made a solid effort to reign in this card.
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) Average, I guess? All the constituent pieces are not that new, and together they don't so anything unexpected or novel.
FLAVOR (3/3) Name involves blood or gore? Check. Grants lunatic aggressive powers? Check. Flavor text names the top three activities of the Rakdos? Check, check, check.
QUALITY (1.5/3) The terminology for equipment, is "has/have quality" not "gains quality", this is repeated throughout the card. Major strike against templating.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
Boggart Staff4
Artifact — Equipment (R)
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has haste.
As long as equipped creature is black or red, it has “T, Sacrifice a Goblin: This creature deals 2 damage to target creature or player.”
Equip 3 Gryst was charmed by that spiky wooden staff he found in the forest, so he took it and ran away. He couldn’t wait to try it and to share his discovery with his warren mates. If only he could find a way to do both at the same time...
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy probably likes this the least, with it holding small numbers on it, but it still garners his favor it is plain humor. Johnny applauds the plans it sparks in goblins decks. Spike, doesn't see anything flashy in this card, but none the less admires it for its plain utility.
ELEGANCE (3/3) Straight and to the point. Normally makes a dude bigger and faster. Occasionally lets you chuck gobbos at people. Simple.
VIABILITY (3/3) Everything seems to be in order here. Artifacts can grant all mentioned abilities. Fine at this rarity. Reminds me of Thornbite Staff.
BALANCE (2.5/3) As a draft card this is, OK. Unless the set includes a fair deal of Goblins, the second ability won't be to relevant. As a constructed card, the price of 4 and equip of 3, will keep this out of more aggressive decks, or at least from being 4ofs. A solid side boarder. Perhaps a little drab, in terms of raw power, but solid.
UNIQUENESS (2/3) The pieces of this card are nothing new, but not over done as to be out-and-out boring. Firing goblins at people is at the very least hilarious.
FLAVOR (2.5/3) As mentioned before, humorous. As anything involving goblins should be. The name, flavor text, and abilities mesh well.
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
Angelfire Blade4
Artifact — Equipment {U}
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has double strike.
Whenever a red or white creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature.
Equip 2 “I used to think the Gateless only took signets as trophies. I know better now.”
—Pel Javya, Wojek investigator
Tarross, the Bloodseeker5RRR
Legendary Creature — Dragon {M}
Flying
If a player's life total is less than half his or her starting life total, Tarross, the Bloodseeker costs 5 less to cast.
Whenever a player loses the game during the combat phase on your turn, untap all creatures you control. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Once Tarross scents blood, there can be only one outcome.
7/7
APPEAL (3/3) Double strike is always a favorite across the board. Timmy likes big hitters, Johnny likes to abuse activation-on-hit abilities, and Spike just likes the opponent dies twice as fast.
ELEGANCE (3/3) All the abilities on this card are rather straight forward.
VIABILITY (2/3) While fine in terms of color pie, I think this card is too pushed to keep at uncommon. Rare would suit this one better. Fireshrieker as comparison.
BALANCE (1.5/3) As above the rarity on this card, makes it a problem in limited. With the inherent +1/+1 and the boosting ability on certain death triggers, I don't think the one extra mana in the casting cost evens out the shear power provided.
UNIQUENESS (2/3) Mechanically, this is a bit lacking in the novelty department. The individual parts have do have some synergy, but it doesn't really push the envelope of possible space.
FLAVOR (2.5/3) Solid piece here. The name and flavor text mesh well together and almost as well with the abilities. The only little detail is that the +1/+1 counter triggers off EITHER sides boros deaths. Making it a touch odd to do what is optimal here and put it in a deck that is boros itself.
QUALITY (2.5/3) Common clarity formatting typically denotes "and/or" between two qualities like the colors mentioned here.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
Immortal's Chestplate4
Artifact — Equipment [M]
Equipped creature gets +3/+0, has deathtouch if it's black, has trample if it's green, and has indestructible if it's black and green.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If you can't, sacrifice Immortal's Chestplate.
Equip 2
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy likes big smashy, tramply, deathtouchy things. Johhny probably sees potential in color shifting things. But Spike has mixed feelings. Yes, the power granted here is quite potent, but the requirements and costs to get this rolling are rather prohibitive.
ELEGANCE (2/3) The incorrect formatting here makes the card read awkwardly, and the well-known-to-veterans but newbie-confusing deathtouch/trample interaction basically require that uninformed players have to look up how this card would work. Something WoTC is loathe to have as necessary.
VIABILITY (2/3) WoTC basically NEVER puts both deathtouch and trample on the same card because of the aforementioned unintuitive interaction of hitting anything for 1 before moving on. There's a chance that this could happen at mythic, but I really doubt it.
BALANCE (2/3) I keep harping on deathtouch, and trample, but it really is a problem for a number of things. This card would be useless without a solid multicolor environment, and risks being over dominant in one that includes even a hair too much. The only thing keeping this in the realm of reason is the constant creature sacrifice upkeep.
UNIQUENESS (2.5/3) While the other scores reflects why WoTC haven't done this combination of abilities, I cannot argue that it does make it a first in Magic.
FLAVOR (1.5/3) The overall feel of this card is rather disjointed. The lack of flavor text is certainly a missed opportunity to clarify the sacrifice clause that otherwise feels tacked on as a mechanical balancer.
QUALITY (1.5/3) The correct formatting for the color checking abilities on such cards are typically templated as "As long as equipped creature is QUALITY, it has ABILITY."
MAIN C. (1/2) I'm not sure where else to put this deduction, but you failed to quote or link your first two rounds of cards as mentioned in the rules.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
Roil Shaper's Staff4
Artifact - Equipment [rare]
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has haste.
Whenever equipped creature attacks, choose one—
Create a 4/1 red Elemental creature token that's tapped and attacking. Exile that token at end of combat.
Create a 3/2 blue Elemental creature token with flying.
Equip 4
DESIGN
Appeal (2/3): Johnny likes this in voltron style decks and token decks, whilst Tammy likes the rather big effect this can have.
Elegance (2/3): Having the two tokens enter the battlefield in different states will add a lot of unneeded complexity for newer players.
DEVELOP
Viability (2.5/3): Giving effects like flying and such on colorless cards can be dangerous, but the tokens are fine.
Balance (2/3): The effect is powerful, but a bit unreasonably overcosted. 4+ mana equips are often reserved for effects that are much too powerful unattended to, like losing half your life. Making a 3/2 flier isn't quite there imo. Haste will also almost always be irrelevant, though, with an equip cost so high.
CREATE
Uniqueness (2.5/3): The closest I could find was Captain's Claws and Moonsilver Spear, but choosing which one does set it apart.
Flavor (3/3): I have no qualms here.
POLAND
Quality (3/3): All good here.
Main (2/2): Done.
Sub (2/2): Done and Done.
Total: 21/25
Soul-Eater Scythe5
Artifact - Equipment {R}
Whenever you sacrifice a creature, put a blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe. If the sacrificed creature was black or red, put two blood counters on it instead.
Equipped creature has menace and gets +1/+0 for each blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe.
Equip--1, Sacrifice a creature.
DESIGN
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the potentially big things, Johnny likes big sacrifice shenanigans, and Spike likes the sheer power of a sac outlet.
(1/3) Elegance: Jitte showed us that counters on equipment is a bad idea.
DEVELOP
(3/3) Viability: All good here.
(2/3) Balance: An exceptionally efficient sacrifice outlet is always dangerous.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: This reminds me heavily of Lyzolda, and Butcher's Cleaver, but does a fair amount to change it.
(.5/3) Flavor: I honestly feel like this was a wasted opportunity. This has such similarity to Lyzolda and Dissension's Rakdos that I feel it should have been imperative to hearken back to that flavor rather than the genericism that exists in the card you made.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: Use spaces instead of dashes for equip, and the p/t boost comes before the menace.
(2/2) Main
(2/2) Sub
TOTAL: 17/25
Angelfire Blade4
Artifact — Equipment {U}
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has double strike.
Whenever a red or white creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature.
Equip 2 “I used to think the Gateless only took signets as trophies. I know better now.”
—Pel Javya, Wojek investigator
DESIGN
Appeal (1.5/3): Timmy likes how this can make things bigger, although this doesn't do much. Spike likes the double strike and effect unique in red and white.
Elegance (2.5/3): I firmly believe it's more in red/white's color pie if it said you control, and I feel many players will read it that way, which is problematic and what causes issues in elegance.
DEVELOP
Viability (1/3): Giving players double strike at a cheap equip cost is dangerous, and leaving out a "you control" means this could end up as sideboard tech against some decks, which I don't feel is the intent. If you added you control and made it cost RW or 1(R/W), it would be fine. This also feels like a rare, not an uncommon.
Balance (2/3): A high equip cost is kind of pivotal to high impact equipment, otherwise it has the potential to be broken.
CREATE
Uniqueness (2/3): The double strike is something new, but making a creature death effect colorless is to my knowledge.
Flavor (3/3): This is the flavor I love to see in this contest. References to a plane we know, but unique and genius flavor for the concept that proves that you've done your research.
POLAND
Quality (3/3): No issues
Main (2/2)
Sub (2/2)
TOTAL: 19/25
Immortal's Chestplate4
Artifact — Equipment [M]
Equipped creature gets +3/+0, has deathtouch if it's black, has trample if it's green, and has indestructible if it's black and green.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If you can't, sacrifice Immortal's Chestplate.
Equip 2
NOTE: I'm not giving you a penalty directly for not including a statement of the last round's colors, but please do so in future competitions that rely on other rounds.
DESIGN
Appeal (3/3): Johnny and Spike like the deathtouch + trample. Tammy likes the larger p/t boost.
Elegance (1/3): The mechanics make sense, but the formatting makes it horrid.
DEVELOP
Viability (2/3): Mythic is definitely not the spot for this. Rare might not even be the spot for it, depending on the format.
Balance (1.5/3): This can provide a very large boost, and is rather broken in a bg standard deck. I'd be rather worried in some standard formats.
CREATE
Uniqueness (1/3): This is the cycle of hybrid enchantments from lorwyn block on an equipment. That's a neat twist, but it isn't much.
Flavor (1/3): Wait, there's flavor here? You only have the name, and that does not do much.
POLAND
Quality (1/3): Should be, "as long as equipped creature is _____, it has _______." It also should be worded as 4 separate abilities, not 1.
Main (2/2)
Sub (2/2)
TOTAL: 14.5/25
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My thoughts are with the friends and family of the Orlando Shooting victims and with the rest of the LGBTQA+ community.
Check out my Newborder Peasant Cube here! http://www.cubetutor.com/draft/37467
Necarg, please don't acknowledge this in any way whatsoever.
True Name Mafia (Win),Clan Contest IX Mafia (Win), Bravely Default Mafia (Loss), BOTAS (loss), BfV (Loss), Ace Attourney (loss)
Rules Advisor before they were eradicated
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"The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long pass, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning."
For this round we will take inspiration from some weapons of old, the swords that came to be on Mirrodin.
Main Challenge: Design an artifact equipment card with two different color words in its rules text, each from your round 1 and round 2 cards.(See clarifications for more info.)
Subchallenge 1: Your card does not contain the word protection.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a converted manacost of 4 or more.
Please indicate the color of your round one and round two card and include a link to it, or a quote.
For this challenge your card must contain the words Red, Blue, Black, White or Green in its rules text. One color word must be the color of your round one card and the other color word must be the color of your round two card.
For example, if your round one card was blue and your round two card was black, then your card must contain the words "Black" and "Blue" in its rules text.
Rules text defines a card’s abilities. It is contained within the text box and is not italicized like reminder text or flavor text.
As always please remember
(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.
DEADLINES
Player deadline: Sunday, April 23th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges deadline: Wednesday, April 26th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges
Freyleyes
Tilwin
Indighost
Necarg
Contestants
RaikouRider
The_Hittite
bravelion83
Sagharri
StonerOfKruphix
Vertain
Tesco(black)lotus
admirableadmiral
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (M)
As long as equipped creature is blue, it has "2U, T: Return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand."
As long as equipped creature is black, it has "B, T: Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand."
Equip 0
The Lich Lord's most treasured possession.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Boggart Staff 4
Artifact — Equipment (R)
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has haste.
As long as equipped creature is black or red, it has “T, Sacrifice a Goblin: This creature deals 2 damage to target creature or player.”
Equip 3
Gryst was charmed by that spiky wooden staff he found in the forest, so he took it and ran away. He couldn’t wait to try it and to share his discovery with his warren mates. If only he could find a way to do both at the same time...
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 — Equipment {U}
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has double strike.
Whenever a red or white creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature.
Equip 2
“I used to think the Gateless only took signets as trophies. I know better now.”
—Pel Javya, Wojek investigator
Image source.
Artifact — Equipment [M]
Equipped creature gets +3/+0, has deathtouch if it's black, has trample if it's green, and has indestructible if it's black and green.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If you can't, sacrifice Immortal's Chestplate.
Equip 2
Roil Shaper's Staff 4
Artifact - Equipment [rare]
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has haste.
Whenever equipped creature attacks, choose one—
Soul-Eater Scythe 5
Artifact - Equipment {R}
Whenever you sacrifice a creature, put a blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe. If the sacrificed creature was black or red, put two blood counters on it instead.
Equipped creature has menace and gets +1/+0 for each blood counter on Soul-Eater Scythe.
Equip--1, Sacrifice a creature.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Freyleyes
Vertain VS. Sagharri
Tesco(black)lotus VS. RaikouRider
Tilwin
StonerOfKruphix VS. bravelion83
Vertain VS. Sagharri
Indighost
StonerOfKruphix VS. bravelion83
The_Hittite VS. admirableadmiral
Necarg
Tesco(black)lotus VS. RaikouRider
The_Hittite VS. admirableadmiral
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: The effects are to "meh" for Timmy. Johnny is sold by the word "return". Spike might have a use for this.
(3/3) Elegance: Makes sense at first glance.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine for me here.
(2/3) Balance: I think that some cost to equip would help it here. It is easy to just bounce through your creatures, paying 1 black, and returning allot of creatures to your hand.
Creativity - 4
(2/3) Uniqueness: The effects aren't all that new, but the way they are incorporated feels fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: This really feels like a possession of a lich. The fact that it is mythic and legendary adds to the epic feel. I just feel like maybe as an equip cost it could use a sacrifice or discard clause to strengthen the effects.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 21/25
Design - 4.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the "can't be blocked", but does not like that he has to have played a blue spell. Johnny likes the potential of a one turn kill. Spike likes the power and utility/versatility here.
(2/3) Elegance: This reads a bit hard at first glance.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: I can see this as a rare.
(3/3) Balance: I like that the effect is added to the creature, and not the equipment, since we know that equipment cards with instant speed attaching and high attack numbers doesn't play that fair. Cranial Plating.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This feels pretty new for me. Nice effects combined here in interesting ways.
(3/3) Flavor: I love the flavor of this card, it melds pretty well together.
Polish - 4
(0/3) Quality: Should be "... if you cast a blue spell this turn." and "Whenever you cast a red spell" Also "Equipped creature can't be blocked if you cast blue spell this turn." should be phrased as a "When ever" clause.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 20.5/25
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy might like the extra creatures. Spike likes the fact that he can keep the creature he creates. Johnny doesn't like this that much.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense to me here.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: I can see this as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: I feel this might be a bit to much. The 3/2 with flying you get with each attack is good, and that combined with the choice of the other effect is pushing it. I think 4 total stats would have been better here. A 3/1 red and 2/2 blue respectively.
Creativity - 3.5
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: This reminds me allot of Moonsilver Spear Very similar in effect.
(2/3) Flavor: Love the "roil elemental" theme going here. My concern here regarding flavor is I would have liked to see the creature get maybe flying as well, or something blue. The haste links me to red, so instead of +1/+1 I would have liked something linking to blue.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Challenge met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 20.5/25
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy like how this can become very big. Johnny will try and find a way to go for one hit 20 damage kills. Spike needs this in a creature heavy deck to get best value for it, but find that it is costed just a little to high for him.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense to me here.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: I think this can pass as rare.
(3/3) Balance: At first glance it does seem like this can get out of hand, but the way it accumulates the counters by having to have a creature sacrificed puts it in check.
Creativity - 4.5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This has that Rakdos Riteknife vibe to it, but other then the feel of that, this is pretty unique.
(1.5/3) Flavor: I don't get why a red creature would give an additional counter. I can see why a black one would maybe, and then maybe a blue or white creature.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Has a CMC of 4 or more and does not contain the word protection.
Total: 22.5/25
Vertain = 21
Sagharri = 20.5
Tesco(black)lotus = 20.5
RaikouRider = 22.5
Edit : I am trying to switch the brackets that Indighost don't have to re judge, lets see where we get.
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy wants to strap this to his bruiser and bash in, Johnny sees a more nuanced work around for color shifting his other creature to get sudden boosts, and Spike, well, probably see this a touch on the expensive side at 7 mana for one turn attaching, but none the less can work with the immense power it provides.
ELEGANCE (2.5/3) Modern templating usually specifies both the equipped creature and other creatures gain the ability in question to clarify, but I can also see reason for avoiding adding to much to the card.
VIABILITY (3/3) All the abilities check out, equipment is allowed to grant them, and as for rarity... the individual clauses are in line, but...
BALANCE (2/3) I think this REALLY pushed. You need not even attack with the creature you strap this to to reap a massive benefit in the anthems granted. Plus, if the equipped creature DOES meet the qualifications, A +4/+2 first strike, death touch, menace creature needs a staggering amount of creatures to stop it. That said, at 4 mana to cost, 3 to equip and the loss of blocking, you made a solid effort to reign in this card.
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) Average, I guess? All the constituent pieces are not that new, and together they don't so anything unexpected or novel.
FLAVOR (3/3) Name involves blood or gore? Check. Grants lunatic aggressive powers? Check. Flavor text names the top three activities of the Rakdos? Check, check, check.
QUALITY (1.5/3) The terminology for equipment, is "has/have quality" not "gains quality", this is repeated throughout the card. Major strike against templating.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
FINAL SCORE: 20/25
VS
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy probably likes this the least, with it holding small numbers on it, but it still garners his favor it is plain humor. Johnny applauds the plans it sparks in goblins decks. Spike, doesn't see anything flashy in this card, but none the less admires it for its plain utility.
ELEGANCE (3/3) Straight and to the point. Normally makes a dude bigger and faster. Occasionally lets you chuck gobbos at people. Simple.
VIABILITY (3/3) Everything seems to be in order here. Artifacts can grant all mentioned abilities. Fine at this rarity. Reminds me of Thornbite Staff.
BALANCE (2.5/3) As a draft card this is, OK. Unless the set includes a fair deal of Goblins, the second ability won't be to relevant. As a constructed card, the price of 4 and equip of 3, will keep this out of more aggressive decks, or at least from being 4ofs. A solid side boarder. Perhaps a little drab, in terms of raw power, but solid.
UNIQUENESS (2/3) The pieces of this card are nothing new, but not over done as to be out-and-out boring. Firing goblins at people is at the very least hilarious.
FLAVOR (2.5/3) As mentioned before, humorous. As anything involving goblins should be. The name, flavor text, and abilities mesh well.
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
TOTAL SCORE: 22.5/25
WINNER: BRAVELION
ELEGANCE (3/3) All the abilities on this card are rather straight forward.
VIABILITY (2/3) While fine in terms of color pie, I think this card is too pushed to keep at uncommon. Rare would suit this one better. Fireshrieker as comparison.
BALANCE (1.5/3) As above the rarity on this card, makes it a problem in limited. With the inherent +1/+1 and the boosting ability on certain death triggers, I don't think the one extra mana in the casting cost evens out the shear power provided.
UNIQUENESS (2/3) Mechanically, this is a bit lacking in the novelty department. The individual parts have do have some synergy, but it doesn't really push the envelope of possible space.
FLAVOR (2.5/3) Solid piece here. The name and flavor text mesh well together and almost as well with the abilities. The only little detail is that the +1/+1 counter triggers off EITHER sides boros deaths. Making it a touch odd to do what is optimal here and put it in a deck that is boros itself.
QUALITY (2.5/3) Common clarity formatting typically denotes "and/or" between two qualities like the colors mentioned here.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
TOTAL SCORE: 20.5/25 APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy likes big smashy, tramply, deathtouchy things. Johhny probably sees potential in color shifting things. But Spike has mixed feelings. Yes, the power granted here is quite potent, but the requirements and costs to get this rolling are rather prohibitive.
ELEGANCE (2/3) The incorrect formatting here makes the card read awkwardly, and the well-known-to-veterans but newbie-confusing deathtouch/trample interaction basically require that uninformed players have to look up how this card would work. Something WoTC is loathe to have as necessary.
VIABILITY (2/3) WoTC basically NEVER puts both deathtouch and trample on the same card because of the aforementioned unintuitive interaction of hitting anything for 1 before moving on. There's a chance that this could happen at mythic, but I really doubt it.
BALANCE (2/3) I keep harping on deathtouch, and trample, but it really is a problem for a number of things. This card would be useless without a solid multicolor environment, and risks being over dominant in one that includes even a hair too much. The only thing keeping this in the realm of reason is the constant creature sacrifice upkeep.
UNIQUENESS (2.5/3) While the other scores reflects why WoTC haven't done this combination of abilities, I cannot argue that it does make it a first in Magic.
FLAVOR (1.5/3) The overall feel of this card is rather disjointed. The lack of flavor text is certainly a missed opportunity to clarify the sacrifice clause that otherwise feels tacked on as a mechanical balancer.
QUALITY (1.5/3) The correct formatting for the color checking abilities on such cards are typically templated as "As long as equipped creature is QUALITY, it has ABILITY."
MAIN C. (1/2) I'm not sure where else to put this deduction, but you failed to quote or link your first two rounds of cards as mentioned in the rules.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
WINNER: THE HITTITE
DESIGN
Appeal (2/3): Johnny likes this in voltron style decks and token decks, whilst Tammy likes the rather big effect this can have.
Elegance (2/3): Having the two tokens enter the battlefield in different states will add a lot of unneeded complexity for newer players.
DEVELOP
Viability (2.5/3): Giving effects like flying and such on colorless cards can be dangerous, but the tokens are fine.
Balance (2/3): The effect is powerful, but a bit unreasonably overcosted. 4+ mana equips are often reserved for effects that are much too powerful unattended to, like losing half your life. Making a 3/2 flier isn't quite there imo. Haste will also almost always be irrelevant, though, with an equip cost so high.
CREATE
Uniqueness (2.5/3): The closest I could find was Captain's Claws and Moonsilver Spear, but choosing which one does set it apart.
Flavor (3/3): I have no qualms here.
POLAND
Quality (3/3): All good here.
Main (2/2): Done.
Sub (2/2): Done and Done.
Total: 21/25
DESIGN
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the potentially big things, Johnny likes big sacrifice shenanigans, and Spike likes the sheer power of a sac outlet.
(1/3) Elegance: Jitte showed us that counters on equipment is a bad idea.
DEVELOP
(3/3) Viability: All good here.
(2/3) Balance: An exceptionally efficient sacrifice outlet is always dangerous.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: This reminds me heavily of Lyzolda, and Butcher's Cleaver, but does a fair amount to change it.
(.5/3) Flavor: I honestly feel like this was a wasted opportunity. This has such similarity to Lyzolda and Dissension's Rakdos that I feel it should have been imperative to hearken back to that flavor rather than the genericism that exists in the card you made.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: Use spaces instead of dashes for equip, and the p/t boost comes before the menace.
(2/2) Main
(2/2) Sub
TOTAL: 17/25
DESIGN
Appeal (1.5/3): Timmy likes how this can make things bigger, although this doesn't do much. Spike likes the double strike and effect unique in red and white.
Elegance (2.5/3): I firmly believe it's more in red/white's color pie if it said you control, and I feel many players will read it that way, which is problematic and what causes issues in elegance.
DEVELOP
Viability (1/3): Giving players double strike at a cheap equip cost is dangerous, and leaving out a "you control" means this could end up as sideboard tech against some decks, which I don't feel is the intent. If you added you control and made it cost RW or 1(R/W), it would be fine. This also feels like a rare, not an uncommon.
Balance (2/3): A high equip cost is kind of pivotal to high impact equipment, otherwise it has the potential to be broken.
CREATE
Uniqueness (2/3): The double strike is something new, but making a creature death effect colorless is to my knowledge.
Flavor (3/3): This is the flavor I love to see in this contest. References to a plane we know, but unique and genius flavor for the concept that proves that you've done your research.
POLAND
Quality (3/3): No issues
Main (2/2)
Sub (2/2)
TOTAL: 19/25
NOTE: I'm not giving you a penalty directly for not including a statement of the last round's colors, but please do so in future competitions that rely on other rounds.
DESIGN
Appeal (3/3): Johnny and Spike like the deathtouch + trample. Tammy likes the larger p/t boost.
Elegance (1/3): The mechanics make sense, but the formatting makes it horrid.
DEVELOP
Viability (2/3): Mythic is definitely not the spot for this. Rare might not even be the spot for it, depending on the format.
Balance (1.5/3): This can provide a very large boost, and is rather broken in a bg standard deck. I'd be rather worried in some standard formats.
CREATE
Uniqueness (1/3): This is the cycle of hybrid enchantments from lorwyn block on an equipment. That's a neat twist, but it isn't much.
Flavor (1/3): Wait, there's flavor here? You only have the name, and that does not do much.
POLAND
Quality (1/3): Should be, "as long as equipped creature is _____, it has _______." It also should be worded as 4 separate abilities, not 1.
Main (2/2)
Sub (2/2)
TOTAL: 14.5/25
Check out my Newborder Peasant Cube here! http://www.cubetutor.com/draft/37467
True Name Mafia (Win),Clan Contest IX Mafia (Win), Bravely Default Mafia (Loss), BOTAS (loss), BfV (Loss), Ace Attourney (loss)
Rules Advisor before they were eradicated