Welcome to the first MCC of the new year! Prepare for a month of challenges that will test your metal as you fill in cards late into a sets development! Be ready to try and tie your design and development skills.
Playtesting for the newest set has gone pretty well. Overall the cards and archetypes feel pretty well balanced, but development is concerned there isn't enough variety in the meta. They want to create a last minute addition, a card to give midrange decks more presence. It needs to be strong enough to be played and adhere to what mid range values.
Main Challenge: Design a creature card for this fictitious standard that uses EXACTLY three keyword abilities. Those keywords abilities MUST be from the following:
Lifelink
Reach
Prowess
Haste
Menace
Subchallenge 1 : Your card has a converted mana cost of 4. (Right in the middle of the curve!) Subchallenge 2: Your card has a single color identity. (Development wants this card to be flexibly included, offering a lot of deck building directions.)
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Main Challenge
Your card CANNOT have additional keyword abilities beyond the 3 to fulfill the challenge. They must be from the list.
Your card must have these abilities baseline on them. The keyword abilities cannot be gained as part of a triggered ability, activated ability, static ability, or otherwise. Those do not count.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by January 23th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by January 26th 11:59 PM EST
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.
Judges:
IcariiFA
Raptorchan
Flatline
Contestants:
bravelion83
Forestsguy
Jimmy Groove
kjsharp
RickyRister
Sub_Silentio
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.
Dashan, Port Plunderer2RR
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Menace, haste, prowess
Whenever Dashan attacks, create a colorless artifact Treasure token with “ , Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.”
Sacrifice three artifacts: Transform Dashan. Activate this ability only as a sorcery.
3/3
////////// Dashan, Brigand King
• Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Whenever this creature transforms into Dashan, Brigand King, you become the Monarch. 2R, Sacrifice an artifact: Target creature an opponent controls deals damage equal to its power to another target creature that player controls. Money buys the hearts of men, and the hearts of men buy power.
3/4
Myslan, Psychic Predator2BB
Legendary Creature — Vampire (R)
Lifelink, haste, menace
Whenever you gain life, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card. “Thoughts are the blood of the mind. The more bitter, the tastier they are.”
2/3
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.)
Ewazi, Balance Incarnate2WW
Legendary Creature - Spirit Monk(MR)
Lifelink, prowess, reach
Whenever you gain life, each opponent also gains that much life. "A tranquil storm is a storm nonetheless."
6/6
Anjali of the Thousand Blades2RR
Legendary Creature – Human Warrior (M)
Prowess, menace, haste
Whenever Anjali of the Thousand Blades attacks, you may exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, Anjali’s base power and toughness each become equal to the base power and toughness of the exiled creature until end of turn. “Each weapon belonged to a fallen comrade. It is only through their mastery that I can ensure their memory lives on.”
2/4
Everflaming Peastrich2RR
Creature - Bird Beast (MR)
Prowess, haste, menace
If you would draw a card, instead exile the top two cards of your library face down. You may look at and play those cards until your next turn. Like the peastrich which gave its wings of wind for legs and plumes of fire, so too shall the pyromancer close tomorrow to master the present.
3/2
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MtG is where you can hate white players or black players, and still not be racist.
Impulsiveness2RR
Creature - Incarnation (M)
Haste, prowess, menace
When Impulsiveness enters the battlefield, at the beginning of your upkeep, or whenever you play a card from exile, exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card. "Think without care, act without worry, and let your instincts carry you to victory."
--Lavessi, Magmatic Oracle
1/1
Myslan, Psychic Predator2BB
Legendary Creature — Vampire (R)
Lifelink, haste, menace
Whenever you gain life, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card. “Thoughts are the blood of the mind. The more bitter, the tastier they are.”
2/3
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy can see a good looking but underwhelming beater (2 power is still 2 power anyway), pike will be glad to draw cards, Johnny will gladly build a lifegain deck around this. (3/3) Elegance: As simple as it can be.
Development - (2,5/3) Viability: I guess the mana payment allows it to be a rare instead of a mythic. But I think this is borderline blue, not monoblack. Good thing - it looks similar to Investigate, but again, Investigate never been black. (2,5/3) Balance: Looks good in a vacuum and may be worth to be 4-drop in midrange decks to generate you some midgame advantage. Extremely usable in Commander, eternal formats do not care.
Creativity - (2,5/3) Uniqueness: This exact mix of keywords is 100% new. Ability is similar to Drogskol Reaver but not enough. (3/3) Flavor: I am not going to argue about the tastes - so all good!
Polish - (3/3) Quality: All perfect. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied. (2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 22,5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Impulsiveness2RR
Creature - Incarnation (M)
Haste, prowess, menace
When Impulsiveness enters the battlefield, at the beginning of your upkeep, or whenever you play a card from exile, exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card. "Think without care, act without worry, and let your instincts carry you to victory."
--Lavessi, Magmatic Oracle
1/1
Design - (1,5/3) Appeal: Timmy will be like: "Who on Earth will use 1/1 even with three combat abilities for 4 mana?" Spike likes additional cards but the impulsive draw is uncertain for him. Johnny will try to abuse it and maybe he will be successful at it. (2/3) Elegance: The wording of three impulsive draws is very confusing from the first glance.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Yes it's red and it can be a mythic for being a such unique card. (1,5/3) Balance: The main problem in any format - this is extremely fragile for any removal for such cost.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: This exact mix of keywords is 100% new, again. Ability that grants you three ways to impulsive draw is also unique so 3/3 no less. (2/3) Flavor: All incarnation cards in MtG have graveyard shenanigans and your card hasn't which is odd. Flavor text is generic but absolutely true for red.
Polish - (2,5/3) Quality: I am sure it should be worded differently but the case is unique so I am not sure how exactly. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied. (2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 19,5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Everflaming Peastrich2RR
Creature - Bird Beast (MR)
Prowess, haste, menace
If you would draw a card, instead exile the top two cards of your library face down. You may look at and play those cards until your next turn. Like the peastrich which gave its wings of wind for legs and plumes of fire, so too shall the pyromancer close tomorrow to master the present.
3/2
Design - (2,5/3) Appeal: Card advantage is good for Spike and Johnny, body and board impact is good nut not perfect for Timmy. (2/3) Elegance: Second ability is not easy from the first glance, but that's just how this ability is.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Yep this is red and probably worth to be mythic. (2/3) Balance: This is powerful but comes long with a drawbck which is not easy to avoid - for example, it will be hard to save an instant spell for more than one turn. However, advantage is an advantage, but like many other red and red-blue cards, this is nt reliable enough to call it 100% balanced.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: Turns every draw to double impulsive draw - unique enough I guess. (2,5/3) Flavor: I don't want to criticize your choice of a creature type, but why Beast?
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Don't see any problems. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied. (2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Anjali of the Thousand Blades2RR
Legendary Creature – Human Warrior (M)
Prowess, menace, haste
Whenever Anjali of the Thousand Blades attacks, you may exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, Anjali’s base power and toughness each become equal to the base power and toughness of the exiled creature until end of turn. “Each weapon belonged to a fallen comrade. It is only through their mastery that I can ensure their memory lives on.”
2/4
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Johnny will find a way to abuse it (Death's Shadow? Yes please). Timmy will probably find a way to use it with big bodies he likes but not sure. Spike can see possibilities but also restrictions which is not good for him. (2,5/3) Elegance: Wordy but understandable enough - see Quality section also.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Yeah this is red (all three of you guys who chose red made a right decision of keywords) and worth to be mythic, also legendary. (2/3) Balance: Can be powerful and can be mediocre - it depends.
Creativity - (2,5/3) Uniqueness: Red semi-shapeshifter effect is known but the execution is new. (3/3) Flavor: Really good, I can feel it.
Polish - (2/3) Quality: Power and toughness of exiled CARD, not just a creature. See Mimeoplasm for example. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied. (2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 21/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
I just want to give everybody a heads up that my judgments will probalby be a few hours late tomorrow. I'm almost done, but I need to go to sleep, and I probably won't be home tomorrow until after midnight. It's possible I may get them in on time, but it's more likely I'll post them somewhere between 1 and 3 hours late.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
(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)
I just want to give everybody a heads up that my judgments will probalby be a few hours late tomorrow. I'm almost done, but I need to go to sleep, and I probably won't be home tomorrow until after midnight. It's possible I may get them in on time, but it's more likely I'll post them somewhere between 1 and 3 hours late.
That's fine. I'm probably going to be posting my judgements tomorrow too. Players can expect a slight delay but I'll be done before the late afternoon.
Sweet! I just got home, and it's 2:45 AM where I am right now, so early tomorrow afternoon works better for me too.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
(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)
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: A tad small for timmy, though life gain and the abilities help. Johnny wants to abuse the trigger will spike wants to abuse the card advantage.
(2.5/3) Elegance: It reads very simply, though there will always be a little confusion with overlapping life gain triggers (like having two lifelink creatures deal damage at the same time.)
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Seems mostly on point. This card reads a little blue as is. Maybe if you paid life instead of mana on the trigger it would feel mono black?
(3/3) Balance: As is this card reads totally fair. People would try it in standard, and I think it would have a place somewhere. Commander has a home for it as well, and it’ll be used at kitchen tables.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: The suite of abilities makes it new, though it has a feel of “Why hasn’t something like this already been done?” That’s more of a good thing than bad, but the card itself doesn’t feel as new as it is.
(3/3) Flavor: A great tie of mechanics to flavor. This card tells a story, creates a character. That’s what the game wants. This card seems darkly awesome.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: I think it was decided that menace would come out ahead of lifelink and haste.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: This card has a lot of what midrange wants: An aggressive creature the gains avantage against control and simultaneous gains you life to outpace aggro. However, I think that while two power is totally balanced for the card as is, it prevents it from being strong enough to guarantee success. If it were a 3/2 perhaps I’d feel differently.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Got em.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: To small for timmy without enough splash, johnny wants to try it just to get a chain reaction of exile plays. Spike sees potential, but worries about how vulnerable it is for the cost.
(2/3) Elegance: The amount of triggers here and how the card abilities feed into more and more exile triggers make this not the easiest to grok.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: This is very, very red.
(2/3) Balance: while the idea here is quite interesting, this would probably be a junk mythic. It looks cool on paper until you get to that 1/1 stat. Even if you do untap with it, it’s hard to gain value with it as an attacker. It’s more of a card advantage engine. It would have some appeal to casual players but wouldn’t be played elsewhere.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: the combination of keywords and the chaining exile triggers make this very unique. A cool, mythic twist on reds card draw.
(1.5/3) Flavor: This is does not feel like an incarnation to me. Usually the have something going in when they are in the graveyard, or otherwise are part of a very tight cycle of abilities. Also, for an “impulsive” card, it really should have the exile trigger for the beginning of your upkeep. Instead, it should also trigger on attacking. Very core set level flavor.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Menace again looks out of order.
(1/2) *Main Challenge: this card isn’t constructed playable, so it wouldn’t work for “this fictitious standard.” Still has the abilities though.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both done.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(2.0/3) Appeal: Timmy really likes it at first, but is confused by the drawback. Johnny wants to make the drawback an advantage. Spike appreciates the present it has and vigilance gives him some options. The timing of the right attack with it gives him or her a skillful challenge. The drawback may be too much.
(2.5/3) Elegance: While elegant, casual players may not understand the interplay of this dealing damage to an opponent before they gain life, which leaves room for state based actions to kill them.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Much white. Very balance. Wow. Mythic works here for how unusual it is and nto wanting to stall limited.
(1.5/3) Balance: This is a toughie. Do I think the card is fair? It’s close. But this thing is huge for white for four mana, when white usually doesn't get such big bodies at that cost. It even gets bigger! Yes, there is a drawback that “balances” it out, but I think that’s part of the issue too. Either you swing with this and kill your opponent with the first blow, or it’s going to make for a VERY long game. Doesn’t sound fun. If this card became a thing in standard, it’ll like be because there is a way to work around the drawback, or because they have an alt win condition that doesn’t card about life.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Feel very fresh, the combination of keywords here helps it instead of bringing it back to earth.
(2/3) Flavor: I’m not sure about the oxymoron of a tranquil storm. I can really invision what that is. I guess I can see how it ties to balance, but I’m la bit lost. Maybe if it sounded like the flavor text was directed at a person I’d see it working better, because as is it almost reads as referring to the environment since Ewazi is saying it.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Reach need to be ahead of lifelink.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: While this would stop aggro players dead in their tracks, control players might actually thank you. If this sees standard play, it’ll probably be unhealthy. But it could find a home.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Double check.
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: timmy will have fun, and there is a lot of directions this card goes for johnny. Those options make spike interested, especially since it may not be the right decision to transform it all the time. A meaningful chouce.
(2/3) Elegance: I think you managed to a do a good job combining abilities that flow well together, but just the sheer amount of what’s going on this card makes it hard to keep track.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Quite red, good show. Mythic is certainly correct.
(2/3) Balance: I think this card is pretty close to what standard would want. It’s quite the aggressive creature to start but can switch modes if it suites the game. It’ strong, but legendary here balances it out fairly. I worry that there will be some unfun moments over people regretting transforming it, but decisions like that can also be rewarding when you make the right one. Probably my one serious gripe with the card is that it feels like it usually be better to not transform it.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: The card is mechanically new with a transforming pirate that becomes king. It’s a great concept. The front side is a little similiar to a lot of Ixcalan cards but strikes off on it’s own flipped.
(2.5/3) Flavor:The mechanics here tie together greatly with the flavor overall, but the flavor text reads all King and no Brigand.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: I think this will outrace control but im not sure about agrro. In fact it almost seems like the curve topper for an aggro deck and less the midrange.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yup
Total: 21.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Everflaming Peastrich2RR
Creature - Bird Beast (MR)
Prowess, haste, menace
If you would draw a card, instead exile the top two cards of your library face down. You may look at and play those cards until your next turn. Like the peastrich which gave its wings of wind for legs and plumes of fire, so too shall the pyromancer close tomorrow to master the present.
3/2
Design - (5/6) (2/3) Appeal: This is a bit on the small side for Timmy. Spike likes the potential card advantage and the aggressive, evasive creature, but wishes it came with a little bit bigger butt for four mana. Johnny likes card advantage that helps him set up his combo, and really wants to cast Faithless Looting with this out and an empty hand. (3/3) Elegance: Seems good to me.
Development - (5.5/6) (2.5/3) Viability: Color is right, but I think I would've made this a rare. (3/3) Balance: Giving up your card draws is a pretty big drawback, but if you build a deck that wants you to keep playing as many cheaps spells as possible, this actually turns into some pretty decent card advantage, especially with the old style red loot effects. I could see this being played in Standard. It would work rather well as the top end in a Burn deck or a weenie creature deck. I would pick this pretty early in draft, but I'd be nervous about it not working out very well if the deck around it didn't come together correctly. I don't see this card making a major splash in any other format.
Creativity - (4/6) (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Replacing your draws with double the temporary draws is a design I've been expecting to be printed since the new mechanic was rolled out, but it hasn't yet, so this card seems pretty fresh. (1.5/3) Flavor: What the heck is a peastrich? Why not just make it an ostrich? I'm not sure I get the flavor text. What's a pyromancer got to do with it?
Polish - (5.5/7) (2/3) Quality: Menace would come before haste on a card that had both on one line with no reminder text, as the combination of Dire Fleet Ravager and Queen Marchesa show. Also, I'd really like a comma to be inserted after "peastrich" in the flavor text. Saying "peastrich which" quickly sounds like you're ordering something at the Italian deli. (1.5/2) *Main Challenge: I'd don't see this as a midrange card. I'd say this card is more likely to find a home as the top end in an aggro deck. In order to reap the potential card advantage, you'd really want to play a lot of cheap spells. The cheap spells in a midrange deck are often removal, which generally work much better in midrange decks if you're allowed to hold onto to the card until it is really needed. Aggro is more likely to cast precombat removal as a means to get a blocker out of the way. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Anjali of the Thousand Blades2RR
Legendary Creature – Human Warrior (M)
Prowess, menace, haste
Whenever Anjali of the Thousand Blades attacks, you may exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, Anjali’s base power and toughness each become equal to the base power and toughness of the exiled creature until end of turn. “Each weapon belonged to a fallen comrade. It is only through their mastery that I can ensure their memory lives on.”
2/4
Design - (3.5/6) (2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes a potentially giant, hasty, evasive creature. Spike likes that he can get it out by turn 4, but wishes it was easier to pump over and over again without having to run a bunch of creatures you might not want to cast. Johnny appreciates the challenge of getting enough giant creatures into your graveyard to make its triggered ability work. (1.5/3) Elegance: Changing base power and toughness is one of the most confusing effects in Magic, but for those that get it, this is pretty straight forward. This card leaves me wondering what sort of deck it was made for. Sure it's an efficient enough creature (mostly because of the 3 evergreen abilities), but 2 power on a hasty, red, legendary 4 drop seems odd, as does prowess on a card that relies on other creatures for one of its abilities. This group of abilities just doesn't really add up to me.
Development - (3/6) (1.5/3) Viability: Resetting a creature's base power and toughness is a blue and green (and sometimes white) ability. I tried to find instances of red doing this, but pretty much came up empty. Anything like this that was red, also had blue or green in it. The recent printing of Tilonalli's Skinshifter makes me feel like there is some potential for such effect in red though. I don't think this card needs to be rare or legendary. Having two of these out would make it rather difficult to feed both of them, so that kind of takes care of the same problem legendary does. (1.5/3) Balance: I'd say this card has an appropriate power level, although I'm not sure this card is powerful enough to see play in Standard unless the environment was set up perfectly for it. It's certainly powerful enough to be drafted early though. As I said earlier, it's an efficient enough creature. I don't really see this being played in any other formats. I don't think red has enough support for for its triggered ability to really see play as a commander.
Creativity - (5.5/6) (2.5/3) Uniqueness: I am unaware of any ability quite like this card's triggered ability. That makes this card feel pretty unique to me. (3/3) Flavor: I really like the flavor of this card. The name and flavor text combined combined with the triggered ability really works for me.
Polish - (6/7) (2.5/3) Quality: Should be "power and toughness of exiled card", not "exiled creature". (1.5/2) *Main Challenge: Huh. While I'm not sure this card is strong enough to see play in Standard, I would say that a midrange type of deck is where it would make the most sense. While the mish-mash of abilities may hurt this card's elegance, the fact that it does a little of everything helps here by adding to this card's versatility. (2/2) Subchallenges: Looks good.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Ewazi, Balance Incarnate2WW
Legendary Creature - Spirit Monk(MR)
Lifelink, prowess, reach
Whenever you gain life, each opponent also gains that much life. "A tranquil storm is a storm nonetheless."
6/6
Design - (4.5/6) (2/3) Appeal: Timmy loves the big, cheap body, but hates the drawback. Spike also dislikes the drawback, unless there are some playable cards around to counteract it. Johnny really appreciates the opportunity to play around the drawback, and is salivating at the though of playing this alongside something like Rampaging Ferocidan. (2.5/3) Elegance: The fact that this could kill someone before the drawback triggers could cause some confusion, but everything else here works.
Development - (2/6) (1/3) Viability: There has never been a mono-white card with reach, and I don't expect to see one in the future. Also, we haven't seen prowess in white outside of Kahn's as far as I'm aware, but the fact that this is a monk is enough for me to overlook that. I'm not sure this needs to be a mythic, or legendary. (1/3) Balance: This card seems pretty weak to me if it can't be combined with a Rampaging Ferocidan type of card. It reminds me a lot of Alms Beast, which never really saw any play anywhere. I don't think I can see this card really seeing play anywhere either.
Creativity - (4.5/6) (1.5/3) Uniqueness: Again, this really reminds me of Alms Beast. The cards are different, but it's hard not to compare the two for me. (3/3) Flavor: I like the flavor of this quite a bit.
Polish - (5.5/7) (2.5/3) Quality: Vigilance should come before lifelink. (1/2) *Main Challenge: I just can't see this being played in Standard. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 16.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Dashan, Port Plunderer2RR
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Menace, haste, prowess
Whenever Dashan attacks, create a colorless artifact Treasure token with “ , Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.”
Sacrifice three artifacts: Transform Dashan. Activate this ability only as a sorcery.
3/3
////////// Dashan, Brigand King
• Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Whenever this creature transforms into Dashan, Brigand King, you become the Monarch. 2R, Sacrifice an artifact: Target creature an opponent controls deals damage equal to its power to another target creature that player controls. Money buys the hearts of men, and the hearts of men buy power.
3/4
Design - (5/6) (3/3) Appeal: Although this creature isn't very big, Timmy does have some appreciation for a hasty, evasive creature with upside. This probably has enough power to interest Spike. There's enough here for Johnny to find something he likes. (2/3) Elegance: There's is a lot going on here, but everything seems grokable enough. It's kinda weird to me that the front side will often end up being better than the backside in a lot of situations.
Development - (5.5/6) (3/3) Viability: Everything works for me here. I'd like to discount a 1/2 point for having 3 different set specific abilities on a very rare creature type (although transform seems be used more and more frequently these days), but I suppose it is possible. (2.5/3) Balance: This seems pretty well balanced for a mythic as far as I'm concerned. It's a powerful card that would probably get a look in a Standard environment that had treasures. It also looks like it might make for a fun artifact-based commander. I don't see this being played in any of the older formats. The only problem I have here is that the front side is often better than the back.
Creativity - (5/6) (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Most everything here has been done before in some form, but there's enough moving parts for this to seem pretty unique. (2.5/3) Flavor: I wish the name on the front side had more to do with buying favor, but otherwise, this card does a nice job of showing how Dashan used his plundered money to buy enough favor to rise to power. Still, a plunderer becoming king seems a little far fetched. It's basically like the show Stranger Things, the premise and things that happen aren't very realistic, but it's done well enough to overlook that.
Polish - (5/7) (1.5/3) Quality: It should be "colorless Treasure artifact token". It should be "When this creature transforms...." as can be seen on Awoken Horror as well as many others. Transforming cards only use "whenever" if they are designed to keep transforming back and forth like Ravager of the Fells. (1.5/2) *Main Challenge: A card that relies this heavily on artifacts isn't my idea of a flexible card. Sure it makes its own artifacts on the front side, but the back side needs other artifacts to shine. Even in a Standard that has Treasures, this card forces you to go that route to fully utilize the backside. Sure you could just make a few Treasures more than needed before flipping it, but at that point, the front side actually just seems better than the backside. I'd say it qualifies as a midrange type of card in the correct meta though. (2/2) Subchallenges: All good.
Total: 20.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Forestsguy: 20
Sub_Silentio: 18
Jimmy Groove 16.5
kjsharp 20.5
Edit: Oops. I just realized that the thing about flexibility was a side note of sub-challlenge 2, not part of the notes on the Standard environment, as I treated it in my judgments for some reason. I'm not going to take the time to fix it though, because the only effect it had on the scoring was that it reduced kjsharp's main-challenge score by a half point, and he won anyway so it would only cause him to win by a half point more.
(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)
January MCC 2018 Round 3 - Mid-Ranged Hole
Welcome to the first MCC of the new year! Prepare for a month of challenges that will test your metal as you fill in cards late into a sets development! Be ready to try and tie your design and development skills.
Playtesting for the newest set has gone pretty well. Overall the cards and archetypes feel pretty well balanced, but development is concerned there isn't enough variety in the meta. They want to create a last minute addition, a card to give midrange decks more presence. It needs to be strong enough to be played and adhere to what mid range values.
Main Challenge: Design a creature card for this fictitious standard that uses EXACTLY three keyword abilities. Those keywords abilities MUST be from the following:
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a single color identity. (Development wants this card to be flexibly included, offering a lot of deck building directions.)
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Main Challenge
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by January 23th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by January 26th 11:59 PM EST
(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.
Judges:
IcariiFA
Raptorchan
Flatline
Contestants:
bravelion83
Forestsguy
Jimmy Groove
kjsharp
RickyRister
Sub_Silentio
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards:
Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Menace, haste, prowess
Whenever Dashan attacks, create a colorless artifact Treasure token with “ , Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.”
Sacrifice three artifacts: Transform Dashan. Activate this ability only as a sorcery.
3/3
//////////
Dashan, Brigand King
• Legendary Creature - Human Pirate (M)
Whenever this creature transforms into Dashan, Brigand King, you become the Monarch.
2R, Sacrifice an artifact: Target creature an opponent controls deals damage equal to its power to another target creature that player controls.
Money buys the hearts of men, and the hearts of men buy power.
3/4
Legendary Creature — Vampire (R)
Lifelink, haste, menace
Whenever you gain life, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card.
“Thoughts are the blood of the mind. The more bitter, the tastier they are.”
2/3
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.)
Legendary Creature - Spirit Monk(MR)
Lifelink, prowess, reach
Whenever you gain life, each opponent also gains that much life.
"A tranquil storm is a storm nonetheless."
6/6
Legendary Creature – Human Warrior (M)
Prowess, menace, haste
Whenever Anjali of the Thousand Blades attacks, you may exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, Anjali’s base power and toughness each become equal to the base power and toughness of the exiled creature until end of turn.
“Each weapon belonged to a fallen comrade. It is only through their mastery that I can ensure their memory lives on.”
2/4
Creature - Bird Beast (MR)
Prowess, haste, menace
If you would draw a card, instead exile the top two cards of your library face down. You may look at and play those cards until your next turn.
Like the peastrich which gave its wings of wind for legs and plumes of fire, so too shall the pyromancer close tomorrow to master the present.
3/2
Creature - Incarnation (M)
Haste, prowess, menace
When Impulsiveness enters the battlefield, at the beginning of your upkeep, or whenever you play a card from exile, exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card.
"Think without care, act without worry, and let your instincts carry you to victory."
--Lavessi, Magmatic Oracle
1/1
Judges: IcariiFA + Raptorchan
bravelion83
V.
RickyRister
Judges: Raptorchan + Flatline
Forestsguy
V.
Sub_Silentio
Judges: IcariiFA + Flatine
Jimmy Groove
V.
kjsharp
Legendary Creature — Vampire (R)
Lifelink, haste, menace
Whenever you gain life, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card.
“Thoughts are the blood of the mind. The more bitter, the tastier they are.”
2/3
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy can see a good looking but underwhelming beater (2 power is still 2 power anyway), pike will be glad to draw cards, Johnny will gladly build a lifegain deck around this.
(3/3) Elegance: As simple as it can be.
Development -
(2,5/3) Viability: I guess the mana payment allows it to be a rare instead of a mythic. But I think this is borderline blue, not monoblack. Good thing - it looks similar to Investigate, but again, Investigate never been black.
(2,5/3) Balance: Looks good in a vacuum and may be worth to be 4-drop in midrange decks to generate you some midgame advantage. Extremely usable in Commander, eternal formats do not care.
Creativity -
(2,5/3) Uniqueness: This exact mix of keywords is 100% new. Ability is similar to Drogskol Reaver but not enough.
(3/3) Flavor: I am not going to argue about the tastes - so all good!
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: All perfect.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 22,5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Creature - Incarnation (M)
Haste, prowess, menace
When Impulsiveness enters the battlefield, at the beginning of your upkeep, or whenever you play a card from exile, exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card.
"Think without care, act without worry, and let your instincts carry you to victory."
--Lavessi, Magmatic Oracle
1/1
Design -
(1,5/3) Appeal: Timmy will be like: "Who on Earth will use 1/1 even with three combat abilities for 4 mana?" Spike likes additional cards but the impulsive draw is uncertain for him. Johnny will try to abuse it and maybe he will be successful at it.
(2/3) Elegance: The wording of three impulsive draws is very confusing from the first glance.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Yes it's red and it can be a mythic for being a such unique card.
(1,5/3) Balance: The main problem in any format - this is extremely fragile for any removal for such cost.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: This exact mix of keywords is 100% new, again. Ability that grants you three ways to impulsive draw is also unique so 3/3 no less.
(2/3) Flavor: All incarnation cards in MtG have graveyard shenanigans and your card hasn't which is odd. Flavor text is generic but absolutely true for red.
Polish -
(2,5/3) Quality: I am sure it should be worded differently but the case is unique so I am not sure how exactly.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 19,5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Creature - Bird Beast (MR)
Prowess, haste, menace
If you would draw a card, instead exile the top two cards of your library face down. You may look at and play those cards until your next turn.
Like the peastrich which gave its wings of wind for legs and plumes of fire, so too shall the pyromancer close tomorrow to master the present.
3/2
Design -
(2,5/3) Appeal: Card advantage is good for Spike and Johnny, body and board impact is good nut not perfect for Timmy.
(2/3) Elegance: Second ability is not easy from the first glance, but that's just how this ability is.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Yep this is red and probably worth to be mythic.
(2/3) Balance: This is powerful but comes long with a drawbck which is not easy to avoid - for example, it will be hard to save an instant spell for more than one turn. However, advantage is an advantage, but like many other red and red-blue cards, this is nt reliable enough to call it 100% balanced.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Turns every draw to double impulsive draw - unique enough I guess.
(2,5/3) Flavor: I don't want to criticize your choice of a creature type, but why Beast?
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Don't see any problems.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Legendary Creature – Human Warrior (M)
Prowess, menace, haste
Whenever Anjali of the Thousand Blades attacks, you may exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, Anjali’s base power and toughness each become equal to the base power and toughness of the exiled creature until end of turn.
“Each weapon belonged to a fallen comrade. It is only through their mastery that I can ensure their memory lives on.”
2/4
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny will find a way to abuse it (Death's Shadow? Yes please). Timmy will probably find a way to use it with big bodies he likes but not sure. Spike can see possibilities but also restrictions which is not good for him.
(2,5/3) Elegance: Wordy but understandable enough - see Quality section also.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Yeah this is red (all three of you guys who chose red made a right decision of keywords) and worth to be mythic, also legendary.
(2/3) Balance: Can be powerful and can be mediocre - it depends.
Creativity -
(2,5/3) Uniqueness: Red semi-shapeshifter effect is known but the execution is new.
(3/3) Flavor: Really good, I can feel it.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Power and toughness of exiled CARD, not just a creature. See Mimeoplasm for example.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Main challenge is definetely satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yes and yes.
Total: 21/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(2.5/3) Appeal: A tad small for timmy, though life gain and the abilities help. Johnny wants to abuse the trigger will spike wants to abuse the card advantage.
(2.5/3) Elegance: It reads very simply, though there will always be a little confusion with overlapping life gain triggers (like having two lifelink creatures deal damage at the same time.)
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Seems mostly on point. This card reads a little blue as is. Maybe if you paid life instead of mana on the trigger it would feel mono black?
(3/3) Balance: As is this card reads totally fair. People would try it in standard, and I think it would have a place somewhere. Commander has a home for it as well, and it’ll be used at kitchen tables.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: The suite of abilities makes it new, though it has a feel of “Why hasn’t something like this already been done?” That’s more of a good thing than bad, but the card itself doesn’t feel as new as it is.
(3/3) Flavor: A great tie of mechanics to flavor. This card tells a story, creates a character. That’s what the game wants. This card seems darkly awesome.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: I think it was decided that menace would come out ahead of lifelink and haste.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: This card has a lot of what midrange wants: An aggressive creature the gains avantage against control and simultaneous gains you life to outpace aggro. However, I think that while two power is totally balanced for the card as is, it prevents it from being strong enough to guarantee success. If it were a 3/2 perhaps I’d feel differently.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Got em.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(1.5/3) Appeal: To small for timmy without enough splash, johnny wants to try it just to get a chain reaction of exile plays. Spike sees potential, but worries about how vulnerable it is for the cost.
(2/3) Elegance: The amount of triggers here and how the card abilities feed into more and more exile triggers make this not the easiest to grok.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: This is very, very red.
(2/3) Balance: while the idea here is quite interesting, this would probably be a junk mythic. It looks cool on paper until you get to that 1/1 stat. Even if you do untap with it, it’s hard to gain value with it as an attacker. It’s more of a card advantage engine. It would have some appeal to casual players but wouldn’t be played elsewhere.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: the combination of keywords and the chaining exile triggers make this very unique. A cool, mythic twist on reds card draw.
(1.5/3) Flavor: This is does not feel like an incarnation to me. Usually the have something going in when they are in the graveyard, or otherwise are part of a very tight cycle of abilities. Also, for an “impulsive” card, it really should have the exile trigger for the beginning of your upkeep. Instead, it should also trigger on attacking. Very core set level flavor.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Menace again looks out of order.
(1/2) *Main Challenge: this card isn’t constructed playable, so it wouldn’t work for “this fictitious standard.” Still has the abilities though.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both done.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(2.0/3) Appeal: Timmy really likes it at first, but is confused by the drawback. Johnny wants to make the drawback an advantage. Spike appreciates the present it has and vigilance gives him some options. The timing of the right attack with it gives him or her a skillful challenge. The drawback may be too much.
(2.5/3) Elegance: While elegant, casual players may not understand the interplay of this dealing damage to an opponent before they gain life, which leaves room for state based actions to kill them.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Much white. Very balance. Wow. Mythic works here for how unusual it is and nto wanting to stall limited.
(1.5/3) Balance: This is a toughie. Do I think the card is fair? It’s close. But this thing is huge for white for four mana, when white usually doesn't get such big bodies at that cost. It even gets bigger! Yes, there is a drawback that “balances” it out, but I think that’s part of the issue too. Either you swing with this and kill your opponent with the first blow, or it’s going to make for a VERY long game. Doesn’t sound fun. If this card became a thing in standard, it’ll like be because there is a way to work around the drawback, or because they have an alt win condition that doesn’t card about life.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Feel very fresh, the combination of keywords here helps it instead of bringing it back to earth.
(2/3) Flavor: I’m not sure about the oxymoron of a tranquil storm. I can really invision what that is. I guess I can see how it ties to balance, but I’m la bit lost. Maybe if it sounded like the flavor text was directed at a person I’d see it working better, because as is it almost reads as referring to the environment since Ewazi is saying it.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Reach need to be ahead of lifelink.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: While this would stop aggro players dead in their tracks, control players might actually thank you. If this sees standard play, it’ll probably be unhealthy. But it could find a home.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Double check.
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(3/3) Appeal: timmy will have fun, and there is a lot of directions this card goes for johnny. Those options make spike interested, especially since it may not be the right decision to transform it all the time. A meaningful chouce.
(2/3) Elegance: I think you managed to a do a good job combining abilities that flow well together, but just the sheer amount of what’s going on this card makes it hard to keep track.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Quite red, good show. Mythic is certainly correct.
(2/3) Balance: I think this card is pretty close to what standard would want. It’s quite the aggressive creature to start but can switch modes if it suites the game. It’ strong, but legendary here balances it out fairly. I worry that there will be some unfun moments over people regretting transforming it, but decisions like that can also be rewarding when you make the right one. Probably my one serious gripe with the card is that it feels like it usually be better to not transform it.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: The card is mechanically new with a transforming pirate that becomes king. It’s a great concept. The front side is a little similiar to a lot of Ixcalan cards but strikes off on it’s own flipped.
(2.5/3) Flavor:The mechanics here tie together greatly with the flavor overall, but the flavor text reads all King and no Brigand.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: I think this will outrace control but im not sure about agrro. In fact it almost seems like the curve topper for an aggro deck and less the midrange.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yup
Total: 21.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design - (5/6)
(2/3) Appeal: This is a bit on the small side for Timmy. Spike likes the potential card advantage and the aggressive, evasive creature, but wishes it came with a little bit bigger butt for four mana. Johnny likes card advantage that helps him set up his combo, and really wants to cast Faithless Looting with this out and an empty hand.
(3/3) Elegance: Seems good to me.
Development - (5.5/6)
(2.5/3) Viability: Color is right, but I think I would've made this a rare.
(3/3) Balance: Giving up your card draws is a pretty big drawback, but if you build a deck that wants you to keep playing as many cheaps spells as possible, this actually turns into some pretty decent card advantage, especially with the old style red loot effects. I could see this being played in Standard. It would work rather well as the top end in a Burn deck or a weenie creature deck. I would pick this pretty early in draft, but I'd be nervous about it not working out very well if the deck around it didn't come together correctly. I don't see this card making a major splash in any other format.
Creativity - (4/6)
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Replacing your draws with double the temporary draws is a design I've been expecting to be printed since the new mechanic was rolled out, but it hasn't yet, so this card seems pretty fresh.
(1.5/3) Flavor: What the heck is a peastrich? Why not just make it an ostrich? I'm not sure I get the flavor text. What's a pyromancer got to do with it?
Polish - (5.5/7)
(2/3) Quality: Menace would come before haste on a card that had both on one line with no reminder text, as the combination of Dire Fleet Ravager and Queen Marchesa show. Also, I'd really like a comma to be inserted after "peastrich" in the flavor text. Saying "peastrich which" quickly sounds like you're ordering something at the Italian deli.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: I'd don't see this as a midrange card. I'd say this card is more likely to find a home as the top end in an aggro deck. In order to reap the potential card advantage, you'd really want to play a lot of cheap spells. The cheap spells in a midrange deck are often removal, which generally work much better in midrange decks if you're allowed to hold onto to the card until it is really needed. Aggro is more likely to cast precombat removal as a means to get a blocker out of the way.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design - (3.5/6)
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes a potentially giant, hasty, evasive creature. Spike likes that he can get it out by turn 4, but wishes it was easier to pump over and over again without having to run a bunch of creatures you might not want to cast. Johnny appreciates the challenge of getting enough giant creatures into your graveyard to make its triggered ability work.
(1.5/3) Elegance: Changing base power and toughness is one of the most confusing effects in Magic, but for those that get it, this is pretty straight forward. This card leaves me wondering what sort of deck it was made for. Sure it's an efficient enough creature (mostly because of the 3 evergreen abilities), but 2 power on a hasty, red, legendary 4 drop seems odd, as does prowess on a card that relies on other creatures for one of its abilities. This group of abilities just doesn't really add up to me.
Development - (3/6)
(1.5/3) Viability: Resetting a creature's base power and toughness is a blue and green (and sometimes white) ability. I tried to find instances of red doing this, but pretty much came up empty. Anything like this that was red, also had blue or green in it. The recent printing of Tilonalli's Skinshifter makes me feel like there is some potential for such effect in red though. I don't think this card needs to be rare or legendary. Having two of these out would make it rather difficult to feed both of them, so that kind of takes care of the same problem legendary does.
(1.5/3) Balance: I'd say this card has an appropriate power level, although I'm not sure this card is powerful enough to see play in Standard unless the environment was set up perfectly for it. It's certainly powerful enough to be drafted early though. As I said earlier, it's an efficient enough creature. I don't really see this being played in any other formats. I don't think red has enough support for for its triggered ability to really see play as a commander.
Creativity - (5.5/6)
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: I am unaware of any ability quite like this card's triggered ability. That makes this card feel pretty unique to me.
(3/3) Flavor: I really like the flavor of this card. The name and flavor text combined combined with the triggered ability really works for me.
Polish - (6/7)
(2.5/3) Quality: Should be "power and toughness of exiled card", not "exiled creature".
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: Huh. While I'm not sure this card is strong enough to see play in Standard, I would say that a midrange type of deck is where it would make the most sense. While the mish-mash of abilities may hurt this card's elegance, the fact that it does a little of everything helps here by adding to this card's versatility.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Looks good.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design - (4.5/6)
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy loves the big, cheap body, but hates the drawback. Spike also dislikes the drawback, unless there are some playable cards around to counteract it. Johnny really appreciates the opportunity to play around the drawback, and is salivating at the though of playing this alongside something like Rampaging Ferocidan.
(2.5/3) Elegance: The fact that this could kill someone before the drawback triggers could cause some confusion, but everything else here works.
Development - (2/6)
(1/3) Viability: There has never been a mono-white card with reach, and I don't expect to see one in the future. Also, we haven't seen prowess in white outside of Kahn's as far as I'm aware, but the fact that this is a monk is enough for me to overlook that. I'm not sure this needs to be a mythic, or legendary.
(1/3) Balance: This card seems pretty weak to me if it can't be combined with a Rampaging Ferocidan type of card. It reminds me a lot of Alms Beast, which never really saw any play anywhere. I don't think I can see this card really seeing play anywhere either.
Creativity - (4.5/6)
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: Again, this really reminds me of Alms Beast. The cards are different, but it's hard not to compare the two for me.
(3/3) Flavor: I like the flavor of this quite a bit.
Polish - (5.5/7)
(2.5/3) Quality: Vigilance should come before lifelink.
(1/2) *Main Challenge: I just can't see this being played in Standard.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 16.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design - (5/6)
(3/3) Appeal: Although this creature isn't very big, Timmy does have some appreciation for a hasty, evasive creature with upside. This probably has enough power to interest Spike. There's enough here for Johnny to find something he likes.
(2/3) Elegance: There's is a lot going on here, but everything seems grokable enough. It's kinda weird to me that the front side will often end up being better than the backside in a lot of situations.
Development - (5.5/6)
(3/3) Viability: Everything works for me here. I'd like to discount a 1/2 point for having 3 different set specific abilities on a very rare creature type (although transform seems be used more and more frequently these days), but I suppose it is possible.
(2.5/3) Balance: This seems pretty well balanced for a mythic as far as I'm concerned. It's a powerful card that would probably get a look in a Standard environment that had treasures. It also looks like it might make for a fun artifact-based commander. I don't see this being played in any of the older formats. The only problem I have here is that the front side is often better than the back.
Creativity - (5/6)
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Most everything here has been done before in some form, but there's enough moving parts for this to seem pretty unique.
(2.5/3) Flavor: I wish the name on the front side had more to do with buying favor, but otherwise, this card does a nice job of showing how Dashan used his plundered money to buy enough favor to rise to power. Still, a plunderer becoming king seems a little far fetched. It's basically like the show Stranger Things, the premise and things that happen aren't very realistic, but it's done well enough to overlook that.
Polish - (5/7)
(1.5/3) Quality: It should be "colorless Treasure artifact token". It should be "When this creature transforms...." as can be seen on Awoken Horror as well as many others. Transforming cards only use "whenever" if they are designed to keep transforming back and forth like Ravager of the Fells.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: A card that relies this heavily on artifacts isn't my idea of a flexible card. Sure it makes its own artifacts on the front side, but the back side needs other artifacts to shine. Even in a Standard that has Treasures, this card forces you to go that route to fully utilize the backside. Sure you could just make a few Treasures more than needed before flipping it, but at that point, the front side actually just seems better than the backside. I'd say it qualifies as a midrange type of card in the correct meta though.
(2/2) Subchallenges: All good.
Total: 20.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Sub_Silentio: 18
Jimmy Groove 16.5
kjsharp 20.5
Edit: Oops. I just realized that the thing about flexibility was a side note of sub-challlenge 2, not part of the notes on the Standard environment, as I treated it in my judgments for some reason. I'm not going to take the time to fix it though, because the only effect it had on the scoring was that it reduced kjsharp's main-challenge score by a half point, and he won anyway so it would only cause him to win by a half point more.