Animation3U
Sorcery (R)
You may put an artifact, enchantment, or land card from your hand onto the battlefield, then awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
EnsoulmentU
When Ensoulment enters the battlefield, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.) 1U: Return Ensoulment to its owner’s hand.
Alright, I reworked the rare and uncommon awaken slots as well as a few other unique mechanics I wanted to get some feedback on. A Polymerization attempt, a Dual Land and an Enchantress Legend.
Druid's Circle
Land (R)
Druid’s Circle enters the battlefield tapped.
While you’re searching your library for a basic land card, you may find Druid’s Circle instead. T: Add G or U to your mana pool.
HomunculistUU
Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever a noncreature permanent enters the battlefield under your control, you may awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
TransfusionU
Sorcery (R)
Exile two target nontoken creatures you control. Put a token thats a copy of one of those cards onto the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the power of the other card except it gains “When this creature dies, return the cards exiled by Transfusion to the battlefield under your control.” Exile Transfusion.
Stefan, Potion Master2GU
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever an artifact, enchantment, or land enters the battlefield under your control, draw a card. “Variety is the spice of life, but consistency is its sweetness.”
2/2
Hermetic SealU
Enchantment (U)
At the beginning of your upkeep, awaken Hermetic Seal. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Stefan would get banned almost immediately in EDH. But I would kill for him to be printed... Even more so if he was URG... Oh man, change his cmc to 1URG
Awakening is something I want to like but seems pretty bad. Why would I want to make my lands and enchantments easier to be killed? Because I want a 1/1 creature also? Perhaps it could be more interesting if when you awaken a permanent, it's power and toughness is equal to it's CMC and you add the +1/+1 counter. Maybe it'd be more interesting if there were benefits to awaken stuff you control.
Stefan, Potion Master is dangerously broken. He might be okay with a "use this ability once each turn" clause added on though.
Druid's Circle is dangerous power creep. Cultivate shouldn't effectively be able to find Breeding Pool.
Awakening is something I want to like but seems pretty bad. Why would I want to make my lands and enchantments easier to be killed? Because I want a 1/1 creature also? Perhaps it could be more interesting if when you awaken a permanent, it's power and toughness is equal to it's CMC and you add the +1/+1 counter. Maybe it'd be more interesting if there were benefits to awaken stuff you control.
I was hoping to print cards like Crowned Ceratok in the set surrounding the awakening cards to help the mechanic shine a bit more. Another important aspect about the mechanic is that you can put +1/+1 counters on your creatures that are already creatures or just pick one land/artifact/enchantment and continue to beef that one up repeatedly. Being able to animate something, even if just a 1/1 at first, allows the player to always have a target for Aura/Equipment which will be a big theme of the set the mechanic is in as well as to benefit from things like Darksteel Citadel's indestructibility. Or in the case of Homunculist it comes down early so the 1/1 lands can come out and swing for damage in a timely matter despite being able to be killed, are easy ways to push for extra damage, especially if you have x2 Homunculists in play or are playing it alongside of Hermetic Seal for aggro strategies, particularly in limited where board wipes will be much less likely.
Here is a full list of the Awaken cards due for print in the set:
Hermetic SealU
Enchantment (U)
At the beginning of your upkeep, awaken Hermetic Seal. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
HomunculistUU
Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever a noncreature permanent enters the battlefield under your control, you may awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
Thoughtform2U
Sorcery (C)
Awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Draw a card.
Gathering of Ancients2G
Sorcery (U)
Awaken a permanent you control, then put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Great Awakening4GG
Sorcery (R)
Untap all permanents you control and awaken them. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Spring Dryad1G
Creature — Dryad (C)
When Spring Dryad enters the battlefield, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
1/1
Archaic Revival1GU
Enchantment (R)
Whenever you cast a spell, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Druid’s Chant2GU
Instant (C)
Counter target spell, then awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Evermist ScionGU
Creature — Avatar Druid (U) T: Awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
Is Hermetic Seal supposed to get a +1/+1 counter every turn? Because that is what it does at the moment and it is pretty unintuitive. Also it seems weird to me that none of these cards target.
It's a limited mechanic that is weak and isn't viable in constructed at all. These rares are all "junk rares" that most players will be disappointed to open in a pack. Why would I want to play Great Awakening if my opponent can destroy all my lands, enchantments and artifacts with Electrickery afterwards. Essentially I read the mechanic as put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control, otherwise make your lands, enchantments and artifacts super vulnerable.
On top of that, the flavor doesn't make much sense. You can awaken a permanent that is already a creature and you can awaken a creature that has already been awakened. The only constructed playable awakening card here is Animation which is too powerful and ultimately reads as a one sided Show and Tell.
It's a limited mechanic that is weak and isn't viable in constructed at all. These rares are all "junk rares" that most players will be disappointed to open in a pack. Why would I want to play Great Awakening if my opponent can destroy all my lands, enchantments and artifacts with Electrickery afterwards. Essentially I read the mechanic as put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control, otherwise make your lands, enchantments and artifacts super vulnerable.
On top of that, the flavor doesn't make much sense. You can awaken a permanent that is already a creature and you can awaken a creature that has already been awakened. The only constructed playable awakening card here is Animation which is too powerful and ultimately reads as a one sided Show and Tell.
OK, OK, OK ; How about instead of AWAKEN, ALTER?
Awakener Dryad1G
Creature - Drayd (C)
When Awakener Dryad enters the battlefield, alter target creature you control. (Put a +1/+1 counter on it, then you may move any number of counters on and/or cards attached to other creatures you control onto that creature.)
1/1
Sorcery (R)
You may put an artifact, enchantment, or land card from your hand onto the battlefield, then awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Ensoulment U
When Ensoulment enters the battlefield, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
1U: Return Ensoulment to its owner’s hand.
Avalon: The Legend Begins :: Pirate Set :: Babel: The Æther Wars
Favorite Magic Card: Fowl Play
[Primer] [Barrin's Tome]: A Master Wizard's Spellbook.
Ensoulment feels not blue in that if you want to, you can play it as 1UU: Put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control.
True the first is too narrow and the second seemed more a W card. I'll work some other angles.
Avalon: The Legend Begins :: Pirate Set :: Babel: The Æther Wars
Favorite Magic Card: Fowl Play
[Primer] [Barrin's Tome]: A Master Wizard's Spellbook.
Druid's Circle
Land (R)
Druid’s Circle enters the battlefield tapped.
While you’re searching your library for a basic land card, you may find Druid’s Circle instead.
T: Add G or U to your mana pool.
Homunculist UU
Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever a noncreature permanent enters the battlefield under your control, you may awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
Transfusion U
Sorcery (R)
Exile two target nontoken creatures you control. Put a token thats a copy of one of those cards onto the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the power of the other card except it gains “When this creature dies, return the cards exiled by Transfusion to the battlefield under your control.” Exile Transfusion.
Stefan, Potion Master 2GU
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever an artifact, enchantment, or land enters the battlefield under your control, draw a card.
“Variety is the spice of life, but consistency is its sweetness.”
2/2
Hermetic Seal U
Enchantment (U)
At the beginning of your upkeep, awaken Hermetic Seal. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Avalon: The Legend Begins :: Pirate Set :: Babel: The Æther Wars
Favorite Magic Card: Fowl Play
[Primer] [Barrin's Tome]: A Master Wizard's Spellbook.
Stefan, Potion Master is dangerously broken. He might be okay with a "use this ability once each turn" clause added on though.
Druid's Circle is dangerous power creep. Cultivate shouldn't effectively be able to find Breeding Pool.
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
Finally a good white villain quote: "So, do I ever re-evaluate my life choices? Never, because I know what I'm doing is a righteous cause."
Factions: Sleeping
Remnants: Valheim
Legendary Journey: Heroes & Planeswalkers
Saga: Shards of Rabiah
Legends: The Elder Dragons
Read up on Red Flags & NWO
I was hoping to print cards like Crowned Ceratok in the set surrounding the awakening cards to help the mechanic shine a bit more. Another important aspect about the mechanic is that you can put +1/+1 counters on your creatures that are already creatures or just pick one land/artifact/enchantment and continue to beef that one up repeatedly. Being able to animate something, even if just a 1/1 at first, allows the player to always have a target for Aura/Equipment which will be a big theme of the set the mechanic is in as well as to benefit from things like Darksteel Citadel's indestructibility. Or in the case of Homunculist it comes down early so the 1/1 lands can come out and swing for damage in a timely matter despite being able to be killed, are easy ways to push for extra damage, especially if you have x2 Homunculists in play or are playing it alongside of Hermetic Seal for aggro strategies, particularly in limited where board wipes will be much less likely.
Here is a full list of the Awaken cards due for print in the set:
Hermetic Seal U
Enchantment (U)
At the beginning of your upkeep, awaken Hermetic Seal. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Homunculist UU
Creature — Human Artificer (R)
Whenever a noncreature permanent enters the battlefield under your control, you may awaken that permanent. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
Thoughtform 2U
Sorcery (C)
Awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Draw a card.
Gathering of Ancients 2G
Sorcery (U)
Awaken a permanent you control, then put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Great Awakening 4GG
Sorcery (R)
Untap all permanents you control and awaken them. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Spring Dryad 1G
Creature — Dryad (C)
When Spring Dryad enters the battlefield, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
1/1
Archaic Revival 1GU
Enchantment (R)
Whenever you cast a spell, awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Druid’s Chant 2GU
Instant (C)
Counter target spell, then awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
Evermist Scion GU
Creature — Avatar Druid (U)
T: Awaken a permanent you control. (To awaken a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then if its not a creature, it becomes a creature in addition to its other types.)
2/2
Avalon: The Legend Begins :: Pirate Set :: Babel: The Æther Wars
Favorite Magic Card: Fowl Play
[Primer] [Barrin's Tome]: A Master Wizard's Spellbook.
What is the P/T supposed to be?
Interested in Custom Card Creation.
My Cube:Cardinal Custom Cube
A custom version of a third modern masters: MM2019
(filter->rarity to see in set rarity).
"A Plague on All Your Houses!" - Thespian's Stage Pox
On top of that, the flavor doesn't make much sense. You can awaken a permanent that is already a creature and you can awaken a creature that has already been awakened. The only constructed playable awakening card here is Animation which is too powerful and ultimately reads as a one sided Show and Tell.
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
OK, OK, OK ; How about instead of AWAKEN, ALTER?
Awakener Dryad 1G
Creature - Drayd (C)
When Awakener Dryad enters the battlefield, alter target creature you control. (Put a +1/+1 counter on it, then you may move any number of counters on and/or cards attached to other creatures you control onto that creature.)
1/1
Aura Finesse + Magnetic Theft + Battlegrowth ??!
Avalon: The Legend Begins :: Pirate Set :: Babel: The Æther Wars
Favorite Magic Card: Fowl Play
[Primer] [Barrin's Tome]: A Master Wizard's Spellbook.