(This banner is my own elaboration on the art of the card End Hostilities by Jason Rainville.)
July MCC
Judge signup thread
We all thought that June would have been the last month of contests here on MTGS. It turns out that it wasn't, but don't worry, the end is still nigh. That, the end, is the loose theme of this month. But there is a thing that never ends as long as there is an MCC somewhere: the need for judges.
A very important note - I absolutely want this month to be over and declare a winner on July 31st. This implies two things:
1. The contest will have only three rounds again this month. My current intention is to eliminate the round that traditionally gives the most trouble as a host: the versus round. My current plan is to have normal brackets in round 1 and round 2 (maybe with each player being judged by two different judges in round 2, but still using a traditional bracket structure), and have all judges judge all cards in the third and final round. There might be variations to this plan depending on the number of players and judges we get this month. The number of players that advance each round will also depend on those variables. 2. The judging deadlines will be heavily enforced. Having only three rounds will allow me to give one or two more days than I usually do in my months for the judges to do their work. If there are still any judgments missing the first time I check the site after the judging deadline has passed, I will immediately PM the judge(s) whose judgments are still missing giving them a 24-hour time extension, then if the extension has passed and the judgments are still missing, I will do them myself and move on. I don't want the contest to be delayed by judges not submitting their judgments on time, including in the final round. By signing up as a judge this month, you're accepting these terms.
If you want to sign up as a judge for the July MCC, just reply to this thread. If you've already judged before, that's enough. If you've never judged before, there is a little extra step required: please try to judge the sample card you can find below with the MCC rubric and post your sample judgment here. I will reply to you as soon as possible with my own thoughts about it and if you did good enough of a job, I will officially welcome you as an MCC judge. (Don't worry, I don't remember ever having to turn down anyone, and by the way I've also helped a number of judges on their first experience.)
As always, since I am hosting, I am also going to be a judge. We need at the very least two more, maybe three if player participation is high enough. Will you be one?
SAMPLE CARD
Assume all challenges (main and both subs) are met.
End of Knowledge3B
Enchantment — Aura (U)
Whenever End of Knowledge enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand, target opponent discards two cards.
The enchanted creature gets “When this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card.” “Are you worried to forget your keys as you leave your house? Don’t worry, soon you’ll foget everything.”
—Ashiok
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.
Judge signups will stay open until the design deadline for Round 1 or until we get enough judges, whichever comes first. The judge signups will be going on in parallel with Round 1. You can find Round 1 here.
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.)
I can step up as a judge if you end up with fewer than four and want/need an additional hand.
Thank you. For now, I'll put you in as a reserve judge. I'll let you know if I need you as the design deadline comes. Feel free to post a card as a player in the meantime, so that you end up playing if I don't need you as judge.
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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.)
I'm willing to judge again. When I get off work I'll write up how I use the rubric to grade cards and what deductions I usually apply in what amounts, since that seemed to be a source of confusion last month.
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Top 16 - 2012 Indiana State Championships Currently Playing: GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
I actually was thinking. It's been a long time since I've judged an MCC (about 7 years, by my estimate) and, looking back through my old account's post history, it seems that all MCC threads where I judged have been deleted (also, reading those posts that I made, I've realized I was a stupid kid).
Should I judge the sample card as though I were a new judge?
I'm willing to judge again. When I get off work I'll write up how I use the rubric to grade cards and what deductions I usually apply in what amounts, since that seemed to be a source of confusion last month.
Thank you. I've also been toying with the idea to write such a note regarding myself for years, but I've never actually done it so far, and it seems pointless to me to do it right before the contests (and myself with them) migrating to Nexus. Anyway, one of the intents behind the current rubric (which I happen to be one of the creators of, by the way) was that no such things would have been needed because we thought that this rubric would have improved uniformity among judgments, which hasn't actually happened in the measure we were hoping for.
I say "one of the intents" because there were also other ones, like getting a full zero in the Main Challenge category being the only way a submission could ever get DQ'ed, but I don't want to bring up that recent discussion now (which I followed from behind the scenes willingly restraining myself from commenting, so I do know what you're talking about).
For clarity, I'll say it now as the host for this month: a card will only be DQ'ed this month if it gets a zero in the Main Challenge category, and that should only happen if it completely fails the Main Challenge (for example if the Main Challenge asks for a monowhite card and the player designs a monored one, I know this is a bad example but it's the first that came to my mind), and the rubric will be applied with all the original intents behind it, which, again, I know as one of its creators.
All of this is meant only as information, I'm not scolding you or anything like that. I'm always at discomfort in such things, because it's impossible to convey tone in writing. Please just read this as if I was talking in a friendly tone. I'm actually looking forward to work with you this month, and I'm sure you will do an excellent job. Putting you in as a judge right now.
I actually was thinking. It's been a long time since I've judged an MCC (about 7 years, by my estimate) and, looking back through my old account's post history, it seems that all MCC threads where I judged have been deleted (also, reading those posts that I made, I've realized I was a stupid kid).
Should I judge the sample card as though I were a new judge?
As far as the letter of the law is concerned, if you've ever judged in the MCC, you're fine. It's true, however, that since 7 years ago the rubric has changed, as I was just mentioning answering to Algernone25, so if you want to judge the sample card to be sure you're at ease with the new (to you as a judge, as it's been implemented for years by now) rubric, you're free to try it. I'm not requiring it though. Just do it if you feel like and if you have the will and time. Should I just put you in as a regular judge instead of reserve? If so, we have four judges, and I'll close the judge signups.
As for your posts, are you sure they haven't just been moved to the new archive?
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.)
Ah, I didn't notice the archive. That might indeed be where they are.
Though, you can keep me as reserve. I'm just thinking about making sure I'd be a good judge while, at the same time, dragging my feet when it comes to making a potential submission for the game.
Ok, keeping you as reserve then and keeping the signups open for now. Please let me know if you change your mind at any time before the design deadline.
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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.)
Thank you. I've also been toying with the idea to write such a note regarding myself for years, but I've never actually done it so far, and it seems pointless to me to do it right before the contests (and myself with them) migrating to Nexus. Anyway, one of the intents behind the current rubric (which I happen to be one of the creators of, by the way) was that no such things would have been needed because we thought that this rubric would have improved uniformity among judgments, which hasn't actually happened in the measure we were hoping for.
I say "one of the intents" because there were also other ones, like getting a full zero in the Main Challenge category being the only way a submission could ever get DQ'ed, but I don't want to bring up that recent discussion now (which I followed from behind the scenes willingly restraining myself from commenting, so I do know what you're talking about).
For clarity, I'll say it now as the host for this month: a card will only be DQ'ed this month if it gets a zero in the Main Challenge category, and that should only happen if it completely fails the Main Challenge (for example if the Main Challenge asks for a monowhite card and the player designs a monored one, I know this is a bad example but it's the first that came to my mind), and the rubric will be applied with all the original intents behind it, which, again, I know as one of its creators.
All of this is meant only as information, I'm not scolding you or anything like that. I'm always at discomfort in such things, because it's impossible to convey tone in writing. Please just read this as if I was talking in a friendly tone. I'm actually looking forward to work with you this month, and I'm sure you will do an excellent job. Putting you in as a judge right now.
I understand that it's difficult if not impossible to convey tone just by words, and thank you for your candor. I'll follow the guidelines as set forth.
Also as promised, here is my personal view of the rubric, please say something if you have questions or concerns.
Appeal: 1 point for each psychographic if they would like the card. Half-point deduction if they would go "I like this but..." or would warm up to the card eventually. Full point deduction if they hate it. (e.g. Timmy having to pay life, Johnny being completely locked out of combos, Spike seeing severe overcost/undervalue)
Elegance: Full points if I can explain what it does to someone who knows nothing about magic. If I have to reread it to understand how it works, half point deduction for each time I have to work through and re-read it until it makes sense. (re-reads to check on viability and rules text are excluded from this count)
Viability: I lean heavily on Scryfall to see how already printed cards use the closest approximation to the abilities. Half-point deduction for wrong rarity and/or color for effects, will cite cards to show why it's wrong. If the card has effects that are paradoxical or create clearly unintended consequences, deductions up to 2 points may be applied based on severity. An additional half-point deduction will be applied here if the error was specifically tied to a subchallenge. (e.g. making a card that should be mono-red a red/white card because "is multicolored" is a subchallenge)
Balance: Balance is judged based on Limited, Standard, Modern, and Commander aspects - Is this a card I'd want for a deck? Does it do something better than what's already in the deck for that purpose? Is it a card I groan every time my opponent plays it? Can I imagine people saying it should be banned? Full marks unless there's a convincing "NO" for the first two questions or a convincing "YES" for the last two - and an explanation why. Generally a half-point deduction for a moderate error, up to 2 point deduction for a gross error (Talking cat combo levels of screwup here)
Uniqueness: How immediately do comparisons come to mind? Up to half-point deduction if the card falls into a known or easily established pattern of previous cards, 1 to 2 point deduction for variant reprint (It's the same as [card] but for [different card type]) or effectively functional reprint, 3 point deduction for a word-for-word reprint. Generally waived if part of the main challenge.
Flavor: Half-point to 1 point deduction for name/typeline mismatch, (Named person/place/thing but not Legendary, card type contradicts naming schema) half point to 2 point deduction for ignorance or breaking of currently established canon, depending on how severe or obvious the flavor fail is. Half-point deduction for flavor text with no space, or no flavor text when the card doesn't explain itself well on its own. Content of the flavor text will only be penalized if it's grossly inappropriate for the card.
Quality: In general, half-point deduction per error (multiple instances of the same error count as a single error.) Reminder text should be appended for all non-evergreen keywords.
Main Challenge/Sub-challenges: Points if you did them, no points if you didn't. A half-point deduction will be applied if by fulfilling a challenge you made the card less viable.
Private Mod Note
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Top 16 - 2012 Indiana State Championships Currently Playing: GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
I understand that it's difficult if not impossible to convey tone just by words, and thank you for your candor. I'll follow the guidelines as set forth.
Thank you for both your nice words and your understanding. I had serious worries that you could misunderstand my tone or intentions, that's why I included that final note.
Also as promised, here is my personal view of the rubric, please say something if you have questions or concerns...
I really like this. It's very close to the intentions that the rubric has been created with, and also very close to what my own system is, even if there's obviously not a 100% overlap, but we're way more than close enough. I could write a similar thing, but I will wait for the migration to Nexus to do that.
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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.)
Leo, I'd be very grateful if you could help write the MCC guidelines for Nexus when the time comes for that (very soon). Although as moderator I'll be enforcing the actual forum rules, I'd prefer not to be the sole, dictatorial source of the contest guidelines and as (I think) the one active member of the community who wrote the rubric we have today, your contribution is valuable.
Leo, I'd be very grateful if you could help write the MCC guidelines for Nexus when the time comes for that (very soon). Although as moderator I'll be enforcing the actual forum rules, I'd prefer not to be the sole, dictatorial source of the contest guidelines and as (I think) the one active member of the community who wrote the rubric we have today, your contribution is valuable.
Yes, I'll definitely do this, even if I'm not actually the only active member today who created the current rubric. I'd say let me know "when the time comes". (probably best via pm I guess?)
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.)
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy and Johnny both like to build up creatures voltron-style with loads of auras. Timmy, however, wouldn't immediately see this particular aura in that light. Timmy gravitates towards power and toughness boosts, or mechanics that improve a creature's effectiveness in combat, and doesn't automatically see the use of attacking the opponent's hand. Still, I could see Timmy enjoying this card. Meanwhile, Johnny would love to pair this with something to make a creature unblockable, or perhaps use it as fuel for a discard-based combo. Spike, out of the three, dislikes auras the most, as it comes with potential card disadvantage, as a removal spell on the enchanted permanent now removes both the permanent and the aura. The discard on ETB evens this out a bit for Spike, but there is still the fact that the damage trigger might not ever go off, making this into an over-costed Mind Rot. Spike is not a fan. (2/3) Elegance: I'm unsure where the "if you cast it from your hand" bit comes from. Why does this particular card care about being cast from the hand? There are not a great many ways to abuse ETB effects of auras. Though, aside from that, everything is in place and works well.
Development - (2/3) Viability: This is perfectly on-color, but, comparing it to similar cards, might be better served as a common. (3/3) Balance: So, comparing this to other auras. The two auras closest to this one would be Strands of Undeath and Helm of the Ghastlord. Both have one of the two abilities that End of Knowledge has, as well as a second ability. Helm of the Ghastlord also buffs the creature, but it's color-specific, so I put the two abilities on par with each other. In this sense, the balance of this card is right on point.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: There exist no cards with this particular combination of abilities. Also, the "if you cast it from your hand" part, even if it makes the card in-elegant, does make it unique. (2/3) Flavor: So, for me, at least, the line "forget your keys as you leave your house" invokes a sense of a plane where suburbia exists, which might be a cool idea, actually. I've always been interested by the plane posited by the flavor of Patrician's Scorn. A plane with an aesthetic like that of the 1910s or 1920s America is interesting, and on the same note, one with an aesthetic like that of 1950s America might also be interesting. However, the rest of the card doesn't really fit in with that concept, being much more of bog-standard MtG "mind rot" flavor, even featuring Ashiok, who I would wager doesn't have a concept of what house keys are. So either the mention of house keys is out of place, or the rest is. However, things are mostly fine aside from this one discrepancy.
Polish - (0.5/3) Quality: You left off the "Enchant creature" keyword. Also, you reversed the words "When" and "Whenever" in the two different triggered abilities. The rule is that you use "When" if it's an event which should only happen once and "Whenever" if it's an event that could happen several times over the course of a game. Lastly, half a point off for "foget" in the flavor text. (2/2) Main Challenge: One. (2/2) Subchallenges: Two. Three.
That's an excellent judgment, very close to perfect in my opinion. I have absolutely nothing to say about it except for the fact that you missed one intended Quality mistake, which would just bring the Quality score to a full zero, that's what I had meant for the card to get. You did catch all the other ones though, even the dissonance in flavor which was also a totally intended point of discussion that I thought would be very hard to catch, but you did. And yes, I agree that a plane like the one you propose could be very interesting.
If you were a new judge, you'd absolutely be in right now, but you were already in as reserve, so nothing changes actually. Seeing how few submissions we are getting for now, if the design deadline was right now I don't think you would actually be needed as a judge, but if we have a surge of entries in the last two days (a host can hope...) that might change, and I'd be more than satisfied to bring you in. I guess we'll see.
In the meantime, do you want to try to catch the last Quality mistake just for fun? It's very evident, probably so evident that your eyes just skipped over it. It's much more evident than the others you caught.
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.)
Yeah, you win! You've got it! As I said, it was just too evident, but it was just there before your eyes!
Private Mod Note
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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.)
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(This banner is my own elaboration on the art of the card End Hostilities by Jason Rainville.)
July MCC
Judge signup thread
We all thought that June would have been the last month of contests here on MTGS. It turns out that it wasn't, but don't worry, the end is still nigh. That, the end, is the loose theme of this month. But there is a thing that never ends as long as there is an MCC somewhere: the need for judges.
A very important note - I absolutely want this month to be over and declare a winner on July 31st. This implies two things:
1. The contest will have only three rounds again this month. My current intention is to eliminate the round that traditionally gives the most trouble as a host: the versus round. My current plan is to have normal brackets in round 1 and round 2 (maybe with each player being judged by two different judges in round 2, but still using a traditional bracket structure), and have all judges judge all cards in the third and final round. There might be variations to this plan depending on the number of players and judges we get this month. The number of players that advance each round will also depend on those variables.
2. The judging deadlines will be heavily enforced. Having only three rounds will allow me to give one or two more days than I usually do in my months for the judges to do their work. If there are still any judgments missing the first time I check the site after the judging deadline has passed, I will immediately PM the judge(s) whose judgments are still missing giving them a 24-hour time extension, then if the extension has passed and the judgments are still missing, I will do them myself and move on. I don't want the contest to be delayed by judges not submitting their judgments on time, including in the final round. By signing up as a judge this month, you're accepting these terms.
If you want to sign up as a judge for the July MCC, just reply to this thread. If you've already judged before, that's enough. If you've never judged before, there is a little extra step required: please try to judge the sample card you can find below with the MCC rubric and post your sample judgment here. I will reply to you as soon as possible with my own thoughts about it and if you did good enough of a job, I will officially welcome you as an MCC judge. (Don't worry, I don't remember ever having to turn down anyone, and by the way I've also helped a number of judges on their first experience.)
As always, since I am hosting, I am also going to be a judge. We need at the very least two more, maybe three if player participation is high enough. Will you be one?
SAMPLE CARD
Assume all challenges (main and both subs) are met.
End of Knowledge 3B
Enchantment — Aura (U)
Whenever End of Knowledge enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand, target opponent discards two cards.
The enchanted creature gets “When this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card.”
“Are you worried to forget your keys as you leave your house? Don’t worry, soon you’ll foget everything.”
—Ashiok
(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.
Judge signups will stay open until the design deadline for Round 1 or until we get enough judges, whichever comes first. The judge signups will be going on in parallel with Round 1. You can find Round 1 here.
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.)
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
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.)
Currently Playing:
GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG
RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR
RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
Clan Contest 3 Mafia - Mafia Co-MVP
Should I judge the sample card as though I were a new judge?
I say "one of the intents" because there were also other ones, like getting a full zero in the Main Challenge category being the only way a submission could ever get DQ'ed, but I don't want to bring up that recent discussion now (which I followed from behind the scenes willingly restraining myself from commenting, so I do know what you're talking about).
For clarity, I'll say it now as the host for this month: a card will only be DQ'ed this month if it gets a zero in the Main Challenge category, and that should only happen if it completely fails the Main Challenge (for example if the Main Challenge asks for a monowhite card and the player designs a monored one, I know this is a bad example but it's the first that came to my mind), and the rubric will be applied with all the original intents behind it, which, again, I know as one of its creators.
All of this is meant only as information, I'm not scolding you or anything like that. I'm always at discomfort in such things, because it's impossible to convey tone in writing. Please just read this as if I was talking in a friendly tone. I'm actually looking forward to work with you this month, and I'm sure you will do an excellent job. Putting you in as a judge right now.
As far as the letter of the law is concerned, if you've ever judged in the MCC, you're fine. It's true, however, that since 7 years ago the rubric has changed, as I was just mentioning answering to Algernone25, so if you want to judge the sample card to be sure you're at ease with the new (to you as a judge, as it's been implemented for years by now) rubric, you're free to try it. I'm not requiring it though. Just do it if you feel like and if you have the will and time. Should I just put you in as a regular judge instead of reserve? If so, we have four judges, and I'll close the judge signups.
As for your posts, are you sure they haven't just been moved to the new archive?
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.)
Though, you can keep me as reserve. I'm just thinking about making sure I'd be a good judge while, at the same time, dragging my feet when it comes to making a potential submission for the game.
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.)
I understand that it's difficult if not impossible to convey tone just by words, and thank you for your candor. I'll follow the guidelines as set forth.
Also as promised, here is my personal view of the rubric, please say something if you have questions or concerns.
Elegance: Full points if I can explain what it does to someone who knows nothing about magic. If I have to reread it to understand how it works, half point deduction for each time I have to work through and re-read it until it makes sense. (re-reads to check on viability and rules text are excluded from this count)
Viability: I lean heavily on Scryfall to see how already printed cards use the closest approximation to the abilities. Half-point deduction for wrong rarity and/or color for effects, will cite cards to show why it's wrong. If the card has effects that are paradoxical or create clearly unintended consequences, deductions up to 2 points may be applied based on severity. An additional half-point deduction will be applied here if the error was specifically tied to a subchallenge. (e.g. making a card that should be mono-red a red/white card because "is multicolored" is a subchallenge)
Balance: Balance is judged based on Limited, Standard, Modern, and Commander aspects - Is this a card I'd want for a deck? Does it do something better than what's already in the deck for that purpose? Is it a card I groan every time my opponent plays it? Can I imagine people saying it should be banned? Full marks unless there's a convincing "NO" for the first two questions or a convincing "YES" for the last two - and an explanation why. Generally a half-point deduction for a moderate error, up to 2 point deduction for a gross error (Talking cat combo levels of screwup here)
Uniqueness: How immediately do comparisons come to mind? Up to half-point deduction if the card falls into a known or easily established pattern of previous cards, 1 to 2 point deduction for variant reprint (It's the same as [card] but for [different card type]) or effectively functional reprint, 3 point deduction for a word-for-word reprint. Generally waived if part of the main challenge.
Flavor: Half-point to 1 point deduction for name/typeline mismatch, (Named person/place/thing but not Legendary, card type contradicts naming schema) half point to 2 point deduction for ignorance or breaking of currently established canon, depending on how severe or obvious the flavor fail is. Half-point deduction for flavor text with no space, or no flavor text when the card doesn't explain itself well on its own. Content of the flavor text will only be penalized if it's grossly inappropriate for the card.
Quality: In general, half-point deduction per error (multiple instances of the same error count as a single error.) Reminder text should be appended for all non-evergreen keywords.
Main Challenge/Sub-challenges: Points if you did them, no points if you didn't. A half-point deduction will be applied if by fulfilling a challenge you made the card less viable.
Currently Playing:
GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG
RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR
RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
Clan Contest 3 Mafia - Mafia Co-MVP
I really like this. It's very close to the intentions that the rubric has been created with, and also very close to what my own system is, even if there's obviously not a 100% overlap, but we're way more than close enough. I could write a similar thing, but I will wait for the migration to Nexus to do that.
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.)
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Yes, I'll definitely do this, even if I'm not actually the only active member today who created the current rubric. I'd say let me know "when the time comes". (probably best via pm I guess?)
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.)
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy and Johnny both like to build up creatures voltron-style with loads of auras. Timmy, however, wouldn't immediately see this particular aura in that light. Timmy gravitates towards power and toughness boosts, or mechanics that improve a creature's effectiveness in combat, and doesn't automatically see the use of attacking the opponent's hand. Still, I could see Timmy enjoying this card. Meanwhile, Johnny would love to pair this with something to make a creature unblockable, or perhaps use it as fuel for a discard-based combo. Spike, out of the three, dislikes auras the most, as it comes with potential card disadvantage, as a removal spell on the enchanted permanent now removes both the permanent and the aura. The discard on ETB evens this out a bit for Spike, but there is still the fact that the damage trigger might not ever go off, making this into an over-costed Mind Rot. Spike is not a fan.
(2/3) Elegance: I'm unsure where the "if you cast it from your hand" bit comes from. Why does this particular card care about being cast from the hand? There are not a great many ways to abuse ETB effects of auras. Though, aside from that, everything is in place and works well.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: This is perfectly on-color, but, comparing it to similar cards, might be better served as a common.
(3/3) Balance: So, comparing this to other auras. The two auras closest to this one would be Strands of Undeath and Helm of the Ghastlord. Both have one of the two abilities that End of Knowledge has, as well as a second ability. Helm of the Ghastlord also buffs the creature, but it's color-specific, so I put the two abilities on par with each other. In this sense, the balance of this card is right on point.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: There exist no cards with this particular combination of abilities. Also, the "if you cast it from your hand" part, even if it makes the card in-elegant, does make it unique.
(2/3) Flavor: So, for me, at least, the line "forget your keys as you leave your house" invokes a sense of a plane where suburbia exists, which might be a cool idea, actually. I've always been interested by the plane posited by the flavor of Patrician's Scorn. A plane with an aesthetic like that of the 1910s or 1920s America is interesting, and on the same note, one with an aesthetic like that of 1950s America might also be interesting. However, the rest of the card doesn't really fit in with that concept, being much more of bog-standard MtG "mind rot" flavor, even featuring Ashiok, who I would wager doesn't have a concept of what house keys are. So either the mention of house keys is out of place, or the rest is. However, things are mostly fine aside from this one discrepancy.
Polish -
(0.5/3) Quality: You left off the "Enchant creature" keyword. Also, you reversed the words "When" and "Whenever" in the two different triggered abilities. The rule is that you use "When" if it's an event which should only happen once and "Whenever" if it's an event that could happen several times over the course of a game. Lastly, half a point off for "foget" in the flavor text.
(2/2) Main Challenge: One.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Two. Three.
Total: 18/25
If you were a new judge, you'd absolutely be in right now, but you were already in as reserve, so nothing changes actually. Seeing how few submissions we are getting for now, if the design deadline was right now I don't think you would actually be needed as a judge, but if we have a surge of entries in the last two days (a host can hope...) that might change, and I'd be more than satisfied to bring you in. I guess we'll see.
In the meantime, do you want to try to catch the last Quality mistake just for fun? It's very evident, probably so evident that your eyes just skipped over it. It's much more evident than the others you caught.
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.)
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.)