MTG Salvation

Finally done. Sorry that took so long. Migraines.

I'm confused by the main challenge for August round 1

Challenge: Design a card that interacts with the upkeep step (the exact phrase "upkeep step(s)" rarely appears on cards).

Does this means my card needs to have the words "upkeep step(s)" in it?
Would a simple "at the beggining of your upkeep" or similar be enough for the requirement?

So I see with the last judgings that, all of a sudden, there's so many problems with my cards that I'm placed 4-6 points below where all the other judges put me, conveniently giving the win to someone else by a quarter point. Nice! Not even subtle about it.

Huge variations in the judges scoring are sure to bum out players unfavored by the judges with the biggest point differentials (Ono for example was super tight so you'd need like 10 Onos to offset another judge.) If I may suggest for the future, make it so the scores of each judge just sets an order of players (1rst, 2nd, 3rd...) and then give out points according to that order (10, 9, 8, 7, 6) In the case of a tie, the highest ranked by the head judge wins.

@DARKING: It doesn't explicitly state that the card must use the exact phrase "upkeep step(s)", only that it must interact with upkeep steps in some way, shape or form... so I'm guessing not. But I guess it depends on how strictly you're interpreting what constitues interacting with the upkeep step.

However, it does explicitly state that they cannot use the word "creature", so I'm thinking a lot of entries need revising. That, or they need to update the rules to specify that you're not allowed to use it in the rules text but it's fine as a card type.

Quote from "maximumbuttitude" »

So I see with the last judgings that, all of a sudden, there's so many problems with my cards that I'm placed 4-6 points below where all the other judges put me, conveniently giving the win to someone else by a quarter point. Nice! Not even subtle about it.

Ew, politics.

Quote from maximumbuttitude »

So I see with the last judgings that, all of a sudden, there's so many problems with my cards that I'm placed 4-6 points below where all the other judges put me, conveniently giving the win to someone else by a quarter point. Nice! Not even subtle about it.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't base my scores off who I would want to see win or advance. I also don't base my reviews off what other Judges think of cards. If I have an issue with a card, it ends up in my review. If other Judges think your cards are fine, that's their opinion. Ask a dozen people about the new Teferi Planeswalker, and you will likely get at least 3 widely different assessments.

I don't care who wins, as long as it isn't Megiddo. Or GMom. Or Moss. Or people with vowels in their names. I do try and screw over that last group as often as possible.

@maximumbuttitude: I highly doubt ES gave the scores he did precisely so you don't win. If he was giving out scores solely to make sure the card he thinks is better wins, JuanCu wouldn't have made it into the finals. Unless he has some personal vendetta against you that none of us know about, I would chalk it up to the point JuanCu made.

@JuanCu: Speaking of which, what you're saying isn't completely meritless. It might not be the worst idea to do this since scores seem to range more widely with some judges than others. However, this is kind of going down the same rabbit hole that we did with the rubric discussion, in that there is not a clear answer and it would be difficult to get a group of people together to discuss it.

@ES: Assuming you're still taking judge sign-ups, I want to make sure you're aware that I put myself down on the judge sign-up page.

The final totals are as follows:
admirableadmiral - 93.5
Freyeles - 95
JuanCu - 91
Rocket_Powered_Turbo_Slug - 101.75
maximumbuttitude - 101.5

I believe that by accepting the position of judge that you would act in a fair and impartial manner. I have no reason to believe anyone maliciously or intentionally skewed their judging due to discussion on this thread. Good job to all contestants for making it to the finals and to Rocket_Powered_Turbo_Slug for winning the MCC July 2014.

@DARKING: Sorry, the reminder text was from an earlier arrangement of Rounds, where the first Round was "draw step" and that exact phrase did have to appear in the rules text. I'll update and clarify.

@Ogonomancy: More Judges are appreciated. I'll add your name to the lists.

Point of clarification on the August MCC Round 1: if a submitted card is a creature, does it fail the challenge of not having the word "creature" appear on the card?

Add me to list of people wondering about whether or not my card can be a creature.

As far as judging goes...Personally, I'd like to thank the judges for their time. I'm pretty sure nobody's getting paid to judge our cards, and from what I can tell, the judges seem to take it quite seriously, often taking the time to look up rulings and wording on similar cards. I don't really have enough time (or knowledge) to judge myself, so I appreciate the fact that others are willing to.

Challenge 2 has had text added to specify that the four chosen words are not to appear in the card's Rules Text.

Just wanted to say thank you to all the judges.
Its been a good 2 years or so since I've done any contests (or any custom cards, really), and it feels good to win!
I know I need to start working on my flavor text. Most of the time I don't have enough time to get around to making flavor text that I'm really happy with. I'd rather put the time into working on a flavorful name.

Now on to august!

Shoot! The chance to change our cards ended 6 minutes ago right? I meant to delete my silly whining about the placement of my flavor text, and I also meant to change my flavor text. Oh well. It won't be held against me that I have something other than my card in my post will it?

I'm not judging your card, but I'm pretty sure it's not a big deal.

@Ogonomany: I just want to say that I'm not fighting to get my scored changed, but just justifying the choices I made. Stinkdrinker Daredevil reduces giants (generally cmc 5 or greater, but not as powerful as most demons) by 2, and is a common 1/3 for 2R. Dragonspeaker Shaman reduces dragons (arguably red's demon equivalent) by 2, and is an uncommon 2/2 for 1RR. I don't feel like a rare BB 1/1 is pushing it to much for a 2 reduction for demons. Maybe I should have tacked another 1 or B on to his cost for skipping your upkeep.

I was thinking about the cost reduction in conjunction with skipping your upkeep. If it were just cost reduction without skipping your upkeep, then you would probably be fine.

The bigger problem is that skipping upkeeps should not cost BB, even if it's on an extremely fragile body. I'm imagining a situation where you go turn 1 discard spell, turn 2 Dark Appeaser, turn 3 Demonic Taskmaster and Master of the Feast. That opponent is probably dead. Anyway, skipping upkeeps definitely shouldn't cost 2cc, and 3cc is maybe fine but probably isn't something I would be comfortable with (again, especially with the 2 cost reduction).

Wait, since my judge isn't here yet can I change my card?

No.

From the FAQ:

Quote from MCC Hammer »

The card that is in your post when the round ends is your final entry. If it was a different card earlier in the round that is fine, all that matters is the card that is in the post the second that round submissions close.

Editing your post after the submission part of the round has closed will result in automatic disqualification.

Oh crud. Okay, changed it back to the way it was before.

My judging is done.

Judging will be late. I know, no real surprise.

What is a surprise is that I will not have electricity at home for a few days next week. I may have somewhere to get a hot shower and internet, but it may require some groveling. Which is why my crits will be delayed tonight.

EDIT: Two to go. Tired. Will finish after waking. Hopefully Antny will have his/hers posted soon, as well.

My judge seems to be awol.

I'm sorry for the delay. I'm quite busy right now and will get to judge tout de suite.

Glad to hear it. I was getting a bit worried!