MTG Salvation

Made a bunch of updates and updated the visual spoiler

The dates at the bottom of the op are mixed up.

what do you mean? The changelog dates?

Quote from Doombringer »

what do you mean? The changelog dates?

Yes. Sorry I didn't crit anything truly relevant. I was just getting into it when I had to afk. I do plan on doing so next time I have enough time to take the time to go through the set. In the mean time, a question, how much of a likelihood is there that this set will become the first set of a block?

Quote from Legend »

Quote from Doombringer »

what do you mean? The changelog dates?

Yes. Sorry I didn't crit anything truly relevant. I was just getting into it when I had to afk. I do plan on doing so next time I have enough time to take the time to go through the set. In the mean time, a question, how much of a likelihood is there that this set will become the first set of a block?

That's fine. I more meant what about the changelog dates are mixed up? They looked fine when I skimmed them.

I don't understand. The Foretold Mox has no casting cost, so why wait 3 turns to cast it?

Legally you can't cast a car if it doesn't have a casting cost. It's why you can't cost Hypergenesis for free. "0" is still a casting cost for Ornithopter, but Evermind doesn't have one so you can't cast it.

Made a bunch of small changes based on the latest playtest. However my next major piece of work is to revamp the names and flavor text.

• The rare "Whenever a creature you control with dreamwalk attacks" cycle has been renamed to better reflect that it is a cycle. Now X Dreamstrider.
• The off color ability common cycle has had its abilities increased in power or decreased in cost. They were not promoting the color pairs strongly enough.
• Overwatch Eagle ability cost 3W -> 2W.
• Will Crasher (Now called Stimulating Dreamstrider) cost reduction changed to effect noncreature spells only.
• Fetid Slumber -1/-1 -> -2/-2 and B cost -> 1BB. Reducing the number of black low impact uncommons.
• Bellowing Dreamkite PT: 4/4 -> 5/4
• Creativity Figment reversed the double R mana cost in the premonition and normal mana cost to balance the power of the premonition.
• Dreamspark now deals 3 damage not 2.
• Flash of Inspiriation cost increased from 3RR to 4RR
• Added a may to Guardian of Sommeil
• Equinox Reaper's cost and stats reduced. Decreasing the average CMC of the rare creatures.
• Lifedusk Veil only sacrifices at sorcery speed.
• Added 3 mana activation cost to Dreameater engine
• Focusing Astrovus changed to Impulse Trimmer. Giving it a 3/3 artifact body to make it more maindeckable and increase creature count at rare.

I recently went into more depth on the Dreamscape playtest in my latest episode of Re-Making Magic
http://remakingmagic.libsyn.com/re-making-magic-episode-23

I talk about the bigger picture parts of the format like its speed and density of flying creatures.

I really enjoy your podcast, and thought I'd look over the set.
I noticed a few things that concern me:
1. Memoir says it triggers whenever it enters the graveyard from *anywhere*, but the rules say it triggers when cast OR when the card is put into the graveyard from the library. This ignores the possibility of it being discarded from your hand, or cast and then exiled. Why can't it trigger upon entering the graveyard, like the reminder text says?
2. "702.PRMa Premonition is a keyword that represents a static ability that functions while the card with *warp* is in a player's hand." Warp?
3. "702.PRMf If a one-shot effect causes an *object* to be put into the library "face up beneath the top N cards of [a player's] library," and that player's library has N or more cards in it, that player puts that *card* onto his or her library using the process described in rule 702.WRPb." Is it a card or an object? And what happens if it is not a card?
4. The incarnation of peace increases your power? Really?
5. Lethargy is a common with huge memory issues
6. Some of then cards are ridiculous in constructed -- which is fine, I guess, if this is just a draft set
7. Visions of Paradise, Rewinder Agent, and Power Unbound too cool to exist. Sorry.

@Jereshroom
Concerning points 1, 2 & 3: This is simply outdated information. I missed updating the rules text on the OP when I reworked the mechanics. I'll add it to my TO DO list.
Concerning point 4: Its peaceful for you once you have crushed all opposition As I mentioned recently a lot of the names may need a rework.
Concerning point 5: Only slightly more than Frost Breath. While this can happen multiple times, because its an aura you get a memory aid as its attached to the creature. It is definitely under my 20% Red Flag allowance under NWO.
Concerning point 6: I try to make my sets appropriate for Standard and Limited. And with a small eye on how they interact with Modern. What cards do you think are broken in constructed? I'm happy to take a look at them or address any concerns.
Concerning point 7: Glad you like them.

I originally thought I saw some specific over-powered cards, but I looked through it again and realized many of them (like Memory Glider) were no stronger than some real magic cards. I do think 2 of the main mechanics could be really good [edit: powerful], though:
Premonition w/ Scry: Premonition could be really good in constructed because of strong card draw, self-mill [including dredge!], and especially scry. Scry is going to become evergreen, and scying/milling/drawing 3 would let you immediately use a Foretold card for dirt cheap.
Trance w/ Convoke: Stoke the Flames, already good in standard right now, can immensely help trance, at instant speed, for cheap or free. Also, Maddening Relevation could be really strong -- for 3 mana, and opponent could easily lose 4 cards. That's 2 mind rots for the price of one.
Less important, and unrelated to power level: Savage Cultblade could have menace!
And on the topic of menace, if you disagree with any of the evergreen mechanic changes could you discuss it on your podcast? I figure you probably agree with all of them, but I'd be really curious to hear a contrary argument from a game designer.

@Jereshroom.
This set isn't necessarily designed for the current standard. The synergies you listed could actually be good to help cards from this set into modern, so I am favour of leaving everything as-is.
I second the evergreen changes podcast. I would suggest expanding into a general discussion on evergreen mechanics with a highlight of talking about the changes.

I've been fine tuning my common and uncommon cards in development at the moment. You can read some (but definitely not all) of the changes below:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/creativity/custom-card-creation/613303-dms-commons-uncommons-development-changes

I've been posting a variety of sample boosters on the custommagic subreddit take a look and tell me what your P1P1 is:
[DMS]Sample Booster #4
[DMS]Sample Booster #5
[DMS]Sample Booster #6

[DMS]Sample Booster #4 Unimaginable Force hands down for me, though I suspect I might consider the Dualminds or Nightwalker with more experience of the set.
[DMS]Sample Booster #5 I would hesitate a long time between Hypnotic Prism and Sanctity of Sleep. Probably end up with the Prism to stay open.
[DMS]Sample Booster #6 Cognitive Violation looks like an easy enough pick even if it might lock into certain colors (but I've always like UB in limited anyway)

1- Unimaginable Force (looks to be the strongest)
2- Gardener of Wisdom (seems pretty good and does something I like)
3- Cognitive Violation (looks to be the strongest)

Not exactly an experienced drafter, but that's what I would pick .

Booster #4
1. Unimaginable Force (Win Con/Stalemate Breaker)
2. Shrouded Rider (Conditional Removal + Body)
3. Nocturnal Hunt (Conditional Removal)

Booster #5
1. Apparition of Savergy (Win Con)
2. Recumbent Bliss (Removal + Tempo)
3. Shredded Fate (Removal + Hoser, but lest effective than 2.)

Booster #6
1. Cognitive Violation (Win Con)
2. Sleep (Win Con)
3. Cloud of Whispers (Versatile use Evasion)

Ok here is another extensive list of small developmental changes:

• Changed the Hypnotic Prism's ability from a replacement effect to a trigger so it doesn't create a nobo with the uncommon Aspirant cycle
• Added lots more flavor text
• Added menace where appropriate
• Buffed Dreamweaver
• Made Vitality Unending life total setting rather than lifegain to prevent chaining it in constructed
• Changed the green rare elemental slot to Walker of Regrowth
• Changed Memory guide from green nonland looting to draw a card to imporve the UG archetype
• Added an additional removal black spell at uncommon
• Renamed several cards that had similar names
• Added dot points to Enter the Dreamscape

I absolutely love your sets (I looked up Coins of Mercalis as well). It's what made me want to create my own custom sets.
I know this is a set primarily designed for draft, but if it wasn't, wouldn't Dreamblessed Scout be a little overpowered? I feel like its a very, very good card, especially with Eldrazi Conscription and other high-costed creature buffs.

I also have a question about Premonition: if the second card of my library is face-up, I scry 2 and for some reason I decide to put it on the bottom of my library, will it stay face-up ? I don't know why I would do that but I'm just wondering.

Anyway, this set has an amazing flavor. Dreamwalk is so cool

Hehe its funny coz I actually really dislike Coins of Mercalis now that I look back at it. The mass of complexity etc. shows my inexperience at the time but I'm glad you like it.

Dreamblessed Scout is an awesome card and looks super fun but I've been told that its almost definitely safe for modern die to its high mana cost, double white cost and is boltable. While technically you could use Vines of Vastwood etc to try and protect it for free your still using a card and relying nearly totally on this card. This means they thoughsieze you, counter it or counter your auras and your deck just falls apart.

I also have a question about Premonition: if the second card of my library is face-up, I scry 2 and for some reason I decide to put it on the bottom of my library, will it stay face-up ? I don't know why I would do that but I'm just wondering.

702.PRMd If a one-shot effect causes a player to reveal, shuffle, or randomize the order of a card or cards in a library, at least one of which is face up, each such card is turned face down, and then the cards are revealed, shuffled, or randomized.

Hmmm so I thought that I added a re-order clause in the rules but apparently I forgot. Good catch. There are two ways I can handle this.
Have face-up cards get turned face-down before the scry. OR have you scry mean the card stays face up no matter what.
I'm probably going to go for the first option as their are rules and dexterity issue due to both the scry being usually private info yet the premoniiton being public info. This also means scry is harder to abuse to get early face-up cards.

Anyway I'm glad your enjoying the set. I'll update the visual spoiler again in a few days after my next Real Life draft next week.

I like Dreamscape much more than Coins of Mercalis, but I still like it haha
Just wondering, when you do a real-life draft, how do you proceed? Do you print the cards yourself and put them in front of real cards in sleeves ?
I would like to test my own custom set with my friends sooner or later and I was wondering how you do it since you look like you know what you're doing.

Also, I agree that you should go with the first option with scry for the reasons that you listed.

Quote from Zervintz »

Just wondering, when you do a real-life draft, how do you proceed? Do you print the cards yourself and put them in front of real cards in sleeves ?

I do a full draft sets of 8-10 people but I suggest starting off with sealed pools unless you can get that many people together. Just be aware that sealed environments play slower and are less reliant on a good curve (which is a bad thing if you want to test you mana curves.)

So what I do is I print off the card sheets using MSE into a PDF document using a program called CutePDF writer. Usually with about 250-350 commons, 80 - 120 uncommons and 30 - 40 rares/mythics. I use a mix of the pack generator in MSE2 and hand picked cards that I want to playtest for choosing the cards to print. The reason I print extra is that the random generator inbuilt into MSE2 isn't the best and creates clumps of the same card while giving you no copies of others.

What I then do is take the PDF's to a printing shop like Officeworks etc and have them do color printouts on slightly thicker than normal paper (200gsm I think???) They also guillotine them for you. Both of these thinks save you a huge amount of time and is well worth the $40 - $60 to print a full set draft for 8-10 people.
Once I have my cards I sleeve them in front of a normal magic card, this is very time consuming but can be done while watching TV or other activities. I usually do this about a week before hand so that If I see any mistakes I have time to print a new small batch. Also while I am sleeving them I sort the cards into piles based on rarity.
Finally I make the booster packs. I simply shuffle the rarity piles and then lay out the top 10 commons, then the top 3 uncommon, and then a rare or mythic.

I then check that the booster is valid by following the following rules to simulate print runs.

• No more than 4 commons of the same color in the pack
• 1 card of each color at common in the pack
• At least 1 common creature in the pack
• No more than 2 uncommons of the same color in the pack
• No repeated cards in the pack

To make sure I'm not introducing too much bias sometimes I get my sister or my girlfriend who play less magic to help as they won't subconsciously try to push the archetypes into certain directions.
Once a pack is completed I finally rubber band them up, put them in a bag with any spare cards and plenty of spare sleeves/basic lands and I'm good to go!

I know it's a bit late, but from the boosters you've shown I would take:

Unimaginable Force

Recumbent Bliss (new cards: Shredded Fate)

Sleep (new cards: Cognitivr Violation)

After another round of playtesting and plenty of discussion and redesigning of some of the rares and uncommons in the set I've got a list of new changes as well as a new visual spoiler.

New Visual Spoiler
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14755602/Hosted Files/CMC Visual Spoiler/DMS visual Spoiler/dms.html

Changelog:

• Lethargy: Massively simplified the design to be appropriate at common.
• Loss of Clarity: Changed to sorcery speed to reduce the power of turbo mill in limited
• Natural Surge: Reduced initial cost to G to promote cheap green interaction
• Scapehunting: Changed from instant -> sorcery to reduce white's token focus and ability to ambush 1 toughness creatures
• AEther Predator: Removed self bounce that was doing nothing in the format and added a self mill ability to promote UG
• Sommeil Delver: changed from a super weak self mill sac ability to a reclaim effect to promote the GU self mill/memoir archetype.
• Subconcious Recall: Premonition turns changed from 7->8 to promote more self mill rather than pure value
• Somnosaurus Force: Changed from 4/4 to 5/4 to play up green's fatties and push the dreamwalk creature.
• Dreamglider Mori: Redesigned from Esperzoa style creature to a Warden of Evos Isle card for dreamwalkers
• Equinox Preacher: Changed artwork to something more appropriate for MtG
• Knight of the New Age: 2W -> 3W as was far too strong in limited
• Nightfire Aspirant: Changed tap trigger from 1 dmg ping to Mage Slayer effect to promote red/white aura's and prevent feel bad board locks.
• Penumbru Enitity: removed due to memory issues and bad gameplay and changed to Penumbra Summoner to promote R/B tokens and fight dreamwalk.
• Sommeil Sage: Made it produce color of any color of mana to help green splash.
• Sunwood Eleon: 4/4->3/3 as was too powerful in an already very powerful archetype
• Crusade of the Daumas: Changed from a rare memoir World at War that didn't make sense in the archetype to a Flamewave with lifelink.
• Herald of Nihlism: 6/6 -> 6/5 so that it can be traded with the other large fliers in the set
• Dreamstrider Cycle: removed except for the red card
• Dreamstrider Titan: removed and replaced with Primal Eleon for the Green fatte rare slot
• Stimulating Dreamstrider: Removed spell cost reduction and replaced with Lord of Illusions style card. Needs a new name.
• Suncloak Elite: Added its protection to all creatures your control to make it feel more like a rare.
• Added Dreams Unbound in a new WUBRG slot
• Apparition of Savagry: 3G -> 2GG for aesthetic reasons
• Aspired Summoning: Redesigned to be like Genesis Hydra
• Removed 5 color rare land cycle
• Guardian of Sommeil: Changed from vigilant hatebear to a rare Gravepurge style card
• Added Rush into Obliteration
• Added Tarmovore
• Added rare twisted land cycle
• Added Dreamfire Dragon
• Added Dovetwine
• Removed multiple under-performing rares