Welcome to Round 3, players! We continue our month of inspiration drawing from a range of sources to create magic cards. Some of these inspirations may seem traditional. Others will challenge you to draw on things you might have never considered before. Each will provide you with a different challenge to overcome. It only gets more difficult from here!
In a life dominated by social media, various broadcast, and an ever increasing database of online information we are bombarded by current events in the news. They play to our desires, our fears, and drive our actions. They are the most relatable stories one can tell because they are here and now. Through the power of fantasy and science fiction, these current events can be explored as stories from new angles detached from their real world stigmas and seen from to seemingly objective viewpoints. It is in that tradition that I challenge you!
Challenge: Choose a news article from the month of November 2015. Based on that article (the title, the subject matter, or a point within said article) create a Magic: The Gathering card. Your article should be contemporary in nature. Your card should be fantasy (or Magic compatible) and not unglued. Include a link to your article with your entry (if you can't provide a link, don't use it.)
Sub Challenge 1: Your card is obviously from a pre-existing plane in the Magic cannon.
The Deadline for Submissions is this Sunday the 22st, 11:59 EST. Judge deadlines will be next Friday, the 27th 11:59 EST. Note I'm giving some extra time around the Thanksgiving holiday for those who may be affected by it. Plan accordingly.
Thorough Investigation2U
Sorcery (R)
Look at target player's hand and library.
Draw a card. The Azorious Senate has gone through the evidence. We have yet to reach a verdict.
Geoscramble3RR
Instant (R)
Each player sacrifices all lands he or she controls, then reveals cards from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals that many land cards. Each player puts all land cards revealed this way onto the battlefield, then shuffles the rest into his or her library. Taric went to sleep in the courts of Valeron. When he awoke, he looked out over the burning wastelands of Jund in shock.
Political Unrest2BW
Enchantment (R)
As ~ enters the battlefield, choose a color. Whenever a player casts a spell of the chosen color, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
The Orzhov clergy were quick to decry the attacks made by the insurgent Gateless movement, leaving the innocent guildless to suffer as the church coffers only grew from new supplicants.
Guildpact Negotiations1W
Enchantment (R)
Activated abilities of creatures and planeswalkers cost 3 more to activate. "Jace, the guilds agree on this. It’s time for the bleeding to stop."
—Teysa
Heated Debate1UR
Enchantment (R)
At the beggining of each end step, the player who cast the most noncreature spells this turn puts a 1/1 red and blue Follower creature token with prowess onto the battlefield. Speaking louder is as important as speaking more.
Silence of the Stars3W
Enchantment (R)
Devoid
When Silence of the Stars enters the battlefield, exile all other enchantments.
Enchantment spells cost 3 more to cast. "The void in Nyx grows larger and darker each night. I fear to think what evils this portent bodes."
—Prokopios, astronomer of Meletis
Treaty-bound Skycaptain1RWU
Creature - Human Soldier [M]
Flash
Flying Battalion -- Whenever Treaty-bound Skycaptain and at least two other creatures attack, detain up to X target creatures your opponents control, where X is the number of attacking creatures with flying. The swift justice of the Ravnican air force owes its existence to the Guildpact and the compacts the Azorius and Boros ratified to assure their mutual protection.
3/4
Status: judgments complete, not final until deadline.
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
Challenges: what counts is always the letter of the law.
Quality: half a point deducted for any error in templating, wording, spelling, or grammar, no matter how little they may be; a whole point for particularly serious errors.
No complaints unless I got something objectively wrong.
Guildpact Negotiations1W
Enchantment (R)
Activated abilities of creatures and planeswalkers cost 3 more to activate. "Jace, the guilds agree on this. It’s time for the bleeding to stop."
—Teysa
Design (1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny can try to do something or use this as protection for a combo, but it feels a bit of a stretch to me. Spike loves this card: just play a creatureless and planeswalkerless control deck and watch your opponent struggle to activate their abilities while you go to town. (3/3) Elegance - This feels an exemplar card here. It's just perfect in this regard.
Development (3/3) Viability - Color pie? Check! Rarity? Check! Doesn't break rules? Check! Full score. (2/3) Balance - The interaction of this with opposing planeswalkers looks quite strong. Forcing the opponent to pay three mana whenever he or she wants to activate one of his or her planeswalkers' abilities makes them in a bad position: do they want to activate the ability and risk to not have enough mana to do something else on their turn, or do they prefer to give up activating the planeswalker's ability for the turn? Still, this doesn't outright prevent them from activating the ability. The overall balance looks strong but not broken to me. I'm not sure I'd play this in limited, where I usually want my noncreature spells to be either combat tricks or removal, and in constructed I see this as more of a sideboard card. Some players may find not that fun having to make choices like the one I was just talking about, but that's kind of the point of the card, so it's not a problem here.
Creativity (2.5/3) Uniqueness - Hitting planeswakers too, causing you to have to pay mana in addition to the normal loyalty cost to activate a planeswalker's ability, makes this feel definitely unique, even though taxing is some we're used to in white. (3/3) Flavor - Both the name and the flavor text are very good and I'd totally expect them to see print as is. Excellent work here.
Polish (3/3) Quality - All good here. (2/2) Main Challenge - All good here. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Silence of the Stars3W
Enchantment (R)
Devoid
When Silence of the Stars enters the battlefield, exile all other enchantments.
Enchantment spells cost 3 more to cast. "The void in Nyx grows larger and darker each night. I fear to think what evils this portent bodes."
—Prokopios, astronomer of Meletis
Design (1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny may try to do something with devoid or use this to protect his combo from opposing enchantments if that's something it's vulnerable to. Spike likes cards like this: he can play this in a deck without enchantments and break the symmetry. (2/3) Elegance - If this had not devoid, I would have given it full score here. I looked at this card multiple times and always went: why does this have devoid? It just doesn't feel right to me. It's not that it can't have it mechanically, it obviously can, but it just doesn't feel right to me. It feels disconnected from the rest of the card.
Development (3/3) Viability - These are all things that white can do, it doesn't have devoid in BFZ but I see nothing that inherently prevents white from getting it hypothetically. Rarity feels right and no other rules are broken. (2/3) Balance - In a block like Theros, where enchantment creatures are a thing, I'd certainly play this in limited, as the etb ability can easily become a wrath effect and the cost increase may be highly relevant. In a block without an enchantment theme I'm not sure I'd play this at all in my limited deck, where I prefer my noncreature spells to be actual removal or combat tricks. In constructed, I see this as a sideboard card at most. I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (1.5/3) Uniqueness - Nothing on this card is particularly unique: exiling permanents, enchantment interactions, and taxing are all things we see quite often in white. This single combination has never been done before, but it doesn't feel very original. The most original thing here is actually devoid on a white permanent, while white is the only color to not get devoid in BFZ so far (it may still do in OGW though). (3/3) Flavor - Both the name and the flavor text are very good and I'd totally expect them to see print as is. Excellent work here.
Polish (3/3) Quality - All good here. (2/2) Main Challenge - All good here. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Heated Debate1UR
Enchantment (R)
At the beggining of each end step, the player who cast the most noncreature spells this turn puts a 1/1 red and blue Follower creature token with prowess onto the battlefield. Speaking louder is as important as speaking more.
Design (1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny loves this card, it's very open ended and gives him a very good challenge: can he reliably cast more noncreatures spells than his opponents? It almost feels like a minigame for him, and that's very good. Spike can try to play this with card drawing and burn spells, but this card is probably not as reliable as he'd like. (2.5/3) Elegance - The template for the ability is necessarily new, but it looks the simplest it can be while still being functional, and anyway it's certainly clear enough. It may take a moment to get a good grasp of what this card does, but it's still very understandable. The connection between checking noncreature spells and the token having prowess is very good and noticeable here.
Development (3/3) Viability - Blue and red are certainly the right colors for such an effect: they are the ones that most interact with noncreature spells, and it's not by chance that they are the primary prowess colors. Rarity definitely feels right. (1.5/3) Balance - I don't think I'd play this card in limited, where noncreature spells are not that abundant and they're usually either removal or combat tricks. In constructed, this requires a whole deck built around it to be playable, but it may be worth it and some Johnny will certainly try it. I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer, maybe the only thing worth being mentioned is that this scales in an unusual way in multiplayer: this gets worse when the number of players increases, as you will have more opponents to play more noncreatures spells than. We're used at cards that are better in multiplayer rather than in a regular duel, but this is certainly not a problem, just a particularity.
Creativity (3/3) Uniqueness - Checking who played the most noncreature spells in a turn is very original and definitely makes this card feel very unique. (2.5/3) Flavor - The name and flavor text are good enough and make perfect sense with each other. They don't look like the most inspired thing but they work.
Polish (2.5/3) Quality - The word "beginning" is spelled wrong (half a point deducted). (2/2) Main Challenge - All good here. (1/2) Subchallenges - This has flavor text, but I can't see clearly which existing plane this comes from.
Well, that's the least you could say! Whenever I read this sentence, I can't help but hear this song in my mind... (Yes, after Linkin Park, R.E.M. is my favorite band. I'm so sorry they disbanded...) (Also, I'm writing this before starting to judge.)
Perfect FitW
Enchantment — Aura [C]
Enchant creature
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to enchanted creature that's not exactly equal to its toughness. "Preposterous. You cannot possibly expect that ridiculous piece of junk to fit in here."
—Muzzio, Visionary Architect, to his apprentice Daretti
Design (1/3) Appeal - I don't expect Timmy to be impressed by this card, even though he can still use it to protect his fatties. Johnny may use this too for protection of a combo-enabling creature, but there will probably be better choices for that. Spike would just like this to prevent all damage and full stop. (2.5/3) Elegance - Some players might need to pause for a moment to get a good grasp of what this card does, but it's still understandable enough. The template is the clearest it can be while still being functional.
Development (2/3) Viability - Damage prevention is white, no doubt about that. This may get redflagged as a common for board and comprehension complexity, but I'm not sure about that, and a few redflagged commons can still exist in a set anyway. If this gets bumped, at most it will go at uncommon, certainly not rare. (1/3) Balance - I don't think I'd play this in limited, you usually want to play removal spells or combat tricks as your noncreature spells. I can't honestly see this in constructed either. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (2.5/3) Uniqueness - The "exactly equal to its toughness" part gains you high points here. That's definitely very original and unique. Still, the card is reminiscent of cards like Inviolability, Prismatic Ward, and more recent cards in that vein. (2/3) Flavor - The name and flavor text fit the card perfectly (pun obviously intended), but I'm not sure we'd see this flavor on a real Magic card. I think it would heavily depend on the art, as that should make clear what exactly Daretti is trying to fit in where. If it doesn't have a double meaning it will be ok, but if the art also plays into the sexual ambiguity of the card I can't see this card getting printed as is. Magic is still supposed to be a family-friendly game after all.
Polish (3/3) Quality - The "damage exactly equal to the creature's toughness" ability has never been done before, so there's not an established template for it. Yours looks reasonable and plausible enough though, so I'm accepting it. (2/2) Main Challenge - All good here. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
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 just updated my post because the OP says that the deadline for submissions was tonight at Midnight no?
Huh. You're right. For some reason I thought I set it for Saturday and not Sunday.
Judging is suspended until tomorrow. Players may make edits until tonight. Brackets will be reassigned so no one has an advantage knowing what design they are going against. This will be done tomorrow.
Geoscramble3RR
Instant (R)
Each player sacrifices all lands he or she controls, then reveals cards from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals that many land cards. Each player puts all land cards revealed this way onto the battlefield, then shuffles the rest into his or her library. Taric went to sleep in the courts of Valeron. When he awoke, he looked out over the burning wastelands of Jund in shock.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: This has Johnny's name on it through and through. Exactly how much love it's going to get from Johnnies is debatable, but there should be at least some. Spike's interest depends on Johnny's success in breaking this.
(2/3) Elegance: This has some weird interactions that can bog down a game, especially online. Aside from that, I got where you were going on the first read, so I'd say you're fine.
Development -
(1.5/3) Viability: I'm not completely sure this should be mono-green. Yes, it's a mini Warp World but the focus on lands brings to mind cards like Crop Rotation and Harrow, not to mention the card I'm about to bang on about in balance. I'd rather it'd be red-green.
(1/3) Balance: Well, Scapeshift proved that there is a way to break this type of effect and combo out. Geoscramble lets players take the green out of that deck, which to be frank, I have no idea if it does any good. It just seems to me that in a world that already has Scapeshift, Geoscramble needed to bring something extra to the table in order to get my attention, and all it does is bring randomness to the effect, which is not what players like to see.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: It's the bastard child of Scapeshift and Warp World. It obviously took after its mother more than its father. I'll give some leniency since this is the only card I know of that digs for lands in a way that makes sense in red.
(3/3) Flavor: I love what you've done here. The name evokes the effect and the ties to Alara in the flavor text work really well. Full marks.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Pretty sure it's fine.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Good job on this one.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met
Political Unrest2BW
Enchantment (R)
As ~ enters the battlefield, choose a color. Whenever a player casts a spell of the chosen color, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
The Orzhov clergy were quick to decry the attacks made by the insurgent Gateless movement, leaving the innocent guildless to suffer as the church coffers only grew from new supplicants.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: This has a certain fringe appeal. Both Timmy and Johnny might like it for different reasons, but Spike probably won't. I guess you deserve some points for the fact that this fits perfectly into the newly-arisen Karlov of the Ghost Council EDH deck.
(2.5/3) Elegance: It's a fairly simple card that will make a lot of sense to most players. My one worry is that it strides the line between "rewarding me" and "Punishing Others" and players might not get that they're supposed to lode life when it's another player that did the casting of a spell of the chosen color.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: This fits perfectly into the philosophy of black-white, and the philosophy of the Orzhov in particular. I'm torn on the rarity. Rare feels right if this was part of a precon, but if I'm drafting, I will not be thrilled opening it as my rare. Uncommon should work fine.
(2.5/3) Balance: Most of the points here you get not because your card hit the "just right" spot on the balance scale, but because it will work great in the decks that want it and are willing to make room for a four-drop. It won't make any competitive deck a winner, but it will make some games more interesting.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: it's Prism Ring mixed with Curse of Wizardry. It is a very obvious place for those mechanics to go, but I feel like Black-white needed this card in its roster.
(1.5/3) Flavor: There's a good connection between most parts of the card. I like the name, but I feel you've fumbled the flavor text a bit. I am not sure what the Orzhov did exactly, and I'm also not sure what's the difference between 'gateless' and 'guildless' (that's probably more on Wizards than on you, but the mentioning of both in one line of flavor text doesn't help).
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Why use the ~ when copy+paste works fine? also, a line break is needed after "choose a color".
(2/2) Main Challenge: It's a bit of a stretch, but I'll allow it.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met
Total: 18/25
PasstheChips. It may not be by much, but I stand behind my decision. His was the all around better card.
Heated Debate1UR
Enchantment (R)
At the beggining of each end step, the player who cast the most noncreature spells this turn puts a 1/1 red and blue Follower creature token with prowess onto the battlefield. Speaking louder is as important as speaking more.
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This fits the Johnny/Spike end of the player spectrum, but the effect is a bit o the weak side for the cost and the investment. Spike has better options, Johnny has crazier ones. I'm also disappointed you've chosen 'follower' as the token type, since it doesn't have any tribal interactions.
(1/3) Elegance: What happens when no one played a non-creature spell? what happens when each player played one? what happens when it's a super busy turn on the multiplayer table, and somebody just used Flusterstorm and everyone needs to stop to count spells? or if someone plays a non creature spell while the ability is on the stack? I'm sure the rules wil have answers to all these questions, but the fact that they are not clear from the onset hurts the elegance of your card.
Development -
(1.5/3) Viability: It's the type of generic effect that would have been fine in any combination of Jeskai colors, really, which is to say that while I can't find a problem with it being blue-red, I can't think of a reason why it should be either. It would have been fine in mono-color. Rare is ok though.
(1/3) Balance: I'm sorry, I just don't get it. Players can, for the same CMC, get a token for each non-creature spell they play, and even if not, the need for constant non-creature spells to take full advantage of this effect puts it way below Bitterblossom in terms of effectiveness. It only place to shine is as a political tool in multiplayer games, and even that's out of the controller's hands.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: I don't recall an card that counted who played the most spells of any kind for a given effect. Often they count who controls a permanent of a certain type, and this is a very good way to bring that mechanic into the non-permanent spells area. Too bad the effect is just putting a 1/1 token into play.
(3/3) Flavor: By far the strongest point in your card's flavor. You've brought the feeling of participating in a heated debate into the mechanics of magic. Flavor text is both fitting and deliciously sarcastic.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: 'beginning' is misspelled.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Very well done.
(1/2) Subchallenges: The mechanics say Tarkir, but the flavor doesn't fit the Jeskai clan, so I can't say you've fulfilled the first challenge.
Perfect FitW
Enchantment — Aura [C]
Enchant creature
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to enchanted creature that's not exactly equal to its toughness. "Preposterous. You cannot possibly expect that ridiculous piece of junk to fit in here."
—Muzzio, Visionary Architect, to his apprentice Daretti
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This is an ok Timmy card, but there could have been potential here for much more. I really wih that you'd have gone for a global effect rather than an aura. I'm pretty sure this is going to be one of those cards that end up spread on the floor after a draft. Always try strive to impress in a competition.
(3/3) Elegance: This is a very clever way to manifest a notion that's not easily explained in Magic card form. With one sentence you've encapsulated something very interesting, and yet it's not complicated at all.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: White and common are very fitting for an aura like this, but there is no way a Wizards designer would spend such an interesting effect on such a lowly card. Again, this effect is begging to be global.
(2.5/3) Balance: Here I'm more inclined in your favor. Yes, it's a limited effect that probably won't cause anyone to fall off the edge of their seat, but it does have some limited implications, not to mention synergy with cards like Pestilence and Thrashing Wumpus. If the metagame allows, this can be quite a useful tool. In that case, the cost is just perfect for it.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Concept gets an A+, execution, less so. It is unique, though, and a good way to develop the often forgotten damage prevention part of White's pie.
(1.5/3) Flavor: Knowing the article of inspiration, the flavor text is a bit cringe worthy. Assuming I would have known nothing about it, the flavor is only so-so. I like where you took the idea, but the flavor text sends a wrong message by sharing a discussion between two artificers, while the card deals mainly with creatures. I can see the progress you've made from top-down, but I doubt it would be clear to any random reader.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: I think it's fine.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met. And I bet you were only on that website to read the articles. You naughty, naughty boy.
(2/2) Subchallenges: All's good. Interesting choice of a plane.
Total: 20/25
Ber_F, but he really should feel ashamed of himself
Treaty-bound Skycaptain1RWU
Creature - Human Soldier [M]
Flash
Flying Battalion -- Whenever Treaty-bound Skycaptain and at least two other creatures attack, detain up to X target creatures your opponents control, where X is the number of attacking creatures with flying. The swift justice of the Ravnican air force owes its existence to the Guildpact and the compacts the Azorius and Boros ratified to assure their mutual protection.
3/4
Design - (2/3) Appeal: It’s big enough with a splash effect that timmy will like it. Johnny doesn’t really have much to play with here. Spike sees potential as a surprise blocker, an end of turn drop, and an oppressive attacker once his battalion ability triggers. (2/3) Elegance: There is something very weird about having a flash flyer that then has a battalion ability that in no way synergizes with having flash. There is also the battalion ability simultaneous caring about the number of attacks as well as the type of attackers. The variables seem too similar and potentially confusing in the same ability.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: Red feels tacked on here as the reference to the battalion ability word doesn’t feel like enough. This is often fudged a little in multicolor sets, but more often than not they still try to make the abilities in some way reflect all the colors that compose a card. This card does not. For power level reasons, this could make sense as a mythic. (2/3) Balance: Limited wise this is fine. Restoration Angel seems like an obvious point of comparison for a similar costing Flash Flyer with a bonus. As for the ability, the closest would be Archon of the Triumvirate. Right now, standard is easily a tri color format and allows splashing for a 4th color with little to no harm for decks. A Ravnica block, with its multicolored nature, already makes it fairly easy to meet tri colored requirements too, so the gold nature of the card isn’t as huge of a limiting factor as it may first appear. This doesn’t have the immediate effect of the Angel, but it does come with an ability that it similar in power to the archon (perhaps slightly less overall, but with the potential to do greater.) However, the Archon is an end game card and this card could easily dominate well before that, as if it successfully triggers its ability once it’s likely to do it for the rest of the game. The is further amplified as it really works a little too well in multiples. This card is close, but I think the easy fix would just to make it a legend so you can’t stack more of itself on top of other flyers to trigger battalion. It might not need to be a mythic after such change either, and the slot could be used for something more distinct.
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: It blends the faction abilities well, but really is it that different from Archon of the Triumvirate in what it tries to accomplish? I don’t think so. I just think wizards decided that a repeatable, multi detaining finisher card works better/less oppressively as a late game option. (1.5/3) Flavor: There isn’t room on this card for flavor text. Just because a challenge requires it doesn’t mean you get off scott free for not designing a card with the space for it. Additionally, while the concept for the flavor text is good, the last phrase draws some confusion: “Their mutual protection.” “Their” as in the Azorius and Boros or all the members of the guildpact? This could be better phrased.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: “Bound” in the name and where it is repeated in the rules text needs to be capitalized. (1.5/2) *Main Challenge: Going off multiple articles makes your card feel a bit too generalized. Sticking to one article where one could make a more specific reference tends to produce stronger results. (2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
V.
Thorough Investigation2U
Sorcery (R)
Look at target player's hand and library.
Draw a card. The Azorious Senate has gone through the evidence. We have yet to reach a verdict.
Design - (0.5/3) Appeal: Cards like this don’t do anything for timmy. Maybe there is some vague use for this with Johnny thanks to being able to see what comes next in their draws or hand combinations, but I’d limit that to the more extreme Johnnies looking to justify a really bad/weak card. Spike feels nauseous. (2.5/3) Elegance: If anything, it’s elegant. It might be best with a reminder that the library returns back in order. That, and the idea that you could use this on yourself feels odd since you already look at your own hand.
Development - (1/3) Viability: This is very, very blue. Despite the combinations of effects being potential weird, it doesn’t justify a rare. The cost don’t reflect a rare either. However, my biggest concern in viability is the time to take to execute the effect. Looking through your opponent's entire library is time consuming, especially if someone decides to take notes or are not familiar with some of the cards in your deck. This card brings the game to a stop, which while it matches its namesake, is not good for the game at all. It also opens the door for cheating a bit too, letting your opponent handle your entire deck and flip through it a while. (0.5/3) Balance: My initial reaction here was “Ick.” Who would want this as a RARE? Nobody. The cost is too much and in both limited and constructed it would be left in binders. Look at peek. Did that card damage magic while it was around? Certainly not. I’d play it well before this. Getting to see your opponent's draws for (potentially but not likely) the rest of the game is the only thing that prevents me from giving this a flat zero.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: I’m not sure that looking at target players entire library for the sake of just “looking” has ever been done. Usually there is some shuffling at the end or some specific searching involved. Otherwise this card is an expansion of peek. (2.5/3) Flavor: The flavor of the card and what it does makes perfect sense, at least in a vacuum. Expect me to expand on that in the Main Challenge category. If anything the way its phrases suggest a quote, but it isn’t marked as one.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: Azorius is spelled incorrectly. (1/2) *Main Challenge: The flavor text here helps your card, as it seems like the most direct reference to your article. The issue I have is that the article you cited in not really a thorough investigation, nor is such mentioned within. That and this card is so generic in concept it feels like it could have been inspired by a huge number of references. I feel you could have drawn on something more specific to your article. (2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 14.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Geoscramble3RR
Instant (R)
Each player sacrifices all lands he or she controls, then reveals cards from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals that many land cards. Each player puts all land cards revealed this way onto the battlefield, then shuffles the rest into his or her library. Taric went to sleep in the courts of Valeron. When he awoke, he looked out over the burning wastelands of Jund in shock.
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy is not interested. Multiple lands coming into play open trigger potential for Johnny, amongst other quirky things this could do. Spike is curious about the potential of this as an instant. (2/3) Elegance: This effect makes sense, but is dense enough in what actually happening that I can’t give it a full score.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Well, it’s a red rare. I’m quite a bit dubious of an effect like this as an instant, but I’ll stick to that in balance. (2/3) Balance: This card is the new brother in a family of Warp World like effects as well as Scapeshift. It gets a little wonky real quick though, as the instant timing here allows for some weird shenanigans, particularly interrupting what your opponent is doing. The thing is though, with the lands this generates coming into play untapped, there is some very odd acceleration potential, or some very odd combo potential out there that also seems odd. Its very tough for me to say what power this has, but the interactions at instant speed seem wrong. I get this also closes the door on your opponent using their new untapped lands against you, but I think it’s more appropriate to just have this cost less as a sorcery.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: I’ve pointed to similar cards. The instant nature of this is perhaps the most distinct, but I don’t think that’s for the best. That issue is docked elsewhere. (2.5/3) Flavor: The name seems solid. The flavor text seems good. Geoscramble seems like an odd choice to reference the actual conflux. A bit to technical, so it wouldn't be my first choice. That and it wasn't that the lands where scrambled, they were recombined. so it was more of a border change.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Seems fine. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Great use of inspiration (2/2) Subchallenges: Fine
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
V.
Political Unrest2BW
Enchantment (R)
As ~ enters the battlefield, choose a color. Whenever a player casts a spell of the chosen color, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
The Orzhov clergy were quick to decry the attacks made by the insurgent Gateless movement, leaving the innocent guildless to suffer as the church coffers only grew from new supplicants.
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy is not interested. Johnny sees combo potential in picking a color that you play yourself and abusing/looping some card. This is pretty powerful as an incremental effect, but its lack of board presence deters spike. (2/3) Elegance: Easy enough to understand. The concept behind the mechanics here throw me off a little, as the enchantment punishes your opponent regardless of who casts the spell. Thematically this seems wrong.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: The colors are right, and it doesn't break the rules of the game. I see this more as uncommon, but perhaps there is some room for this at rare. It would be underwhelming one though. (2/3) Balance: Limited this is fine, but certainly isn't a rare that on its own would pull you in BW. I don’t see it being used in constructed formats due to its lack of board presence, minus some combo emerging abusing the effect. I think this would be better off as an uncommon so it could play a role in limited games or help define an archetype somehow.
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: The effect is not new, the choosing of color to tax or combo with doesn’t really add much to that. (2/3) Flavor: The concept and name make sense. The flavor text kinda runs off in two directions though, as the Orzhov decrying against the gateless translating into money for them doesn’t make sense. Who are these supplicants joining them? There is a step missing in the logic, a disconnect. One too many things going on.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Looks good to me. (1/2) *Main Challenge: The article you cited isn’t about political unrest, its about Republicans debating about refugees. Your interpretation doesn’t make sense to me. If you wanted a card to reference the unrest caused by Islamic extremist attacks, refugees, and related unrest I would of picked something more directed at that. (2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Round 3: In Other News...
Welcome to Round 3, players! We continue our month of inspiration drawing from a range of sources to create magic cards. Some of these inspirations may seem traditional. Others will challenge you to draw on things you might have never considered before. Each will provide you with a different challenge to overcome. It only gets more difficult from here!
In a life dominated by social media, various broadcast, and an ever increasing database of online information we are bombarded by current events in the news. They play to our desires, our fears, and drive our actions. They are the most relatable stories one can tell because they are here and now. Through the power of fantasy and science fiction, these current events can be explored as stories from new angles detached from their real world stigmas and seen from to seemingly objective viewpoints. It is in that tradition that I challenge you!
Challenge: Choose a news article from the month of November 2015. Based on that article (the title, the subject matter, or a point within said article) create a Magic: The Gathering card. Your article should be contemporary in nature. Your card should be fantasy (or Magic compatible) and not unglued. Include a link to your article with your entry (if you can't provide a link, don't use it.)
Sub Challenge 1: Your card is obviously from a pre-existing plane in the Magic cannon.
Sub challenge 2: Your card uses flavor text.
Our Judges:
IcariiFA
bravelion83
EpiCycle1
ASrama
Our Players
Ber_F
Doombringer
Hemlock
Koopa
palanthas
PasstheChips
sperlman
theazurespirit
The Deadline for Submissions is this Sunday the 22st, 11:59 EST. Judge deadlines will be next Friday, the 27th 11:59 EST. Note I'm giving some extra time around the Thanksgiving holiday for those who may be affected by it. Plan accordingly.
Best of luck!
Thorough Investigation 2U
Sorcery (R)
Look at target player's hand and library.
Draw a card.
The Azorious Senate has gone through the evidence. We have yet to reach a verdict.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Geoscramble 3RR
Instant (R)
Each player sacrifices all lands he or she controls, then reveals cards from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals that many land cards. Each player puts all land cards revealed this way onto the battlefield, then shuffles the rest into his or her library.
Taric went to sleep in the courts of Valeron. When he awoke, he looked out over the burning wastelands of Jund in shock.
Political Unrest 2BW
Enchantment (R)
As ~ enters the battlefield, choose a color. Whenever a player casts a spell of the chosen color, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
The Orzhov clergy were quick to decry the attacks made by the insurgent Gateless movement, leaving the innocent guildless to suffer as the church coffers only grew from new supplicants.
Guildpact Negotiations 1W
Enchantment (R)
Activated abilities of creatures and planeswalkers cost 3 more to activate.
"Jace, the guilds agree on this. It’s time for the bleeding to stop."
—Teysa
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Heated Debate 1UR
Enchantment (R)
At the beggining of each end step, the player who cast the most noncreature spells this turn puts a 1/1 red and blue Follower creature token with prowess onto the battlefield.
Speaking louder is as important as speaking more.
Silence of the Stars 3W
Enchantment (R)
Devoid
When Silence of the Stars enters the battlefield, exile all other enchantments.
Enchantment spells cost 3 more to cast.
"The void in Nyx grows larger and darker each night. I fear to think what evils this portent bodes."
—Prokopios, astronomer of Meletis
Creature - Human Soldier [M]
Flash
Flying
Battalion -- Whenever Treaty-bound Skycaptain and at least two other creatures attack, detain up to X target creatures your opponents control, where X is the number of attacking creatures with flying.
The swift justice of the Ravnican air force owes its existence to the Guildpact and the compacts the Azorius and Boros ratified to assure their mutual protection.
3/4
Inspirations: 1 2 3 4
- My Full Mirrodin Cube (draft it here)
- My One-Drop Cube (draft it here)
MCC Winner Nov ‘14 & Nov ‘15
Doombringer V.
Koopa(disqualified)Judges: EpiCycle1, Asrama
sperlman V. Ber_F
Judges: bravelion83, EpiCycle1
palanthas V. theazurespirit
Judges: IcariiFA, bravelion83
hemlock V. PasstheChips
Judges: IcariiFA, Asrama
The judge deadline is this Friday, the 27th 11:59 EST. It's a longer than normal period due to the US Holiday. Take it away, judges!
Note - When I say "#N in MOQX", it means: this is the mistake number N in my "Mark of Quality, part X" article.
Challenges: what counts is always the letter of the law.
Quality: half a point deducted for any error in templating, wording, spelling, or grammar, no matter how little they may be; a whole point for particularly serious errors.
No complaints unless I got something objectively wrong.
Design
(1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny can try to do something or use this as protection for a combo, but it feels a bit of a stretch to me. Spike loves this card: just play a creatureless and planeswalkerless control deck and watch your opponent struggle to activate their abilities while you go to town.
(3/3) Elegance - This feels an exemplar card here. It's just perfect in this regard.
Development
(3/3) Viability - Color pie? Check! Rarity? Check! Doesn't break rules? Check! Full score.
(2/3) Balance - The interaction of this with opposing planeswalkers looks quite strong. Forcing the opponent to pay three mana whenever he or she wants to activate one of his or her planeswalkers' abilities makes them in a bad position: do they want to activate the ability and risk to not have enough mana to do something else on their turn, or do they prefer to give up activating the planeswalker's ability for the turn? Still, this doesn't outright prevent them from activating the ability. The overall balance looks strong but not broken to me. I'm not sure I'd play this in limited, where I usually want my noncreature spells to be either combat tricks or removal, and in constructed I see this as more of a sideboard card. Some players may find not that fun having to make choices like the one I was just talking about, but that's kind of the point of the card, so it's not a problem here.
Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - Hitting planeswakers too, causing you to have to pay mana in addition to the normal loyalty cost to activate a planeswalker's ability, makes this feel definitely unique, even though taxing is some we're used to in white.
(3/3) Flavor - Both the name and the flavor text are very good and I'd totally expect them to see print as is. Excellent work here.
Polish
(3/3) Quality - All good here.
(2/2) Main Challenge - All good here.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 22/25
Design
(1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny may try to do something with devoid or use this to protect his combo from opposing enchantments if that's something it's vulnerable to. Spike likes cards like this: he can play this in a deck without enchantments and break the symmetry.
(2/3) Elegance - If this had not devoid, I would have given it full score here. I looked at this card multiple times and always went: why does this have devoid? It just doesn't feel right to me. It's not that it can't have it mechanically, it obviously can, but it just doesn't feel right to me. It feels disconnected from the rest of the card.
Development
(3/3) Viability - These are all things that white can do, it doesn't have devoid in BFZ but I see nothing that inherently prevents white from getting it hypothetically. Rarity feels right and no other rules are broken.
(2/3) Balance - In a block like Theros, where enchantment creatures are a thing, I'd certainly play this in limited, as the etb ability can easily become a wrath effect and the cost increase may be highly relevant. In a block without an enchantment theme I'm not sure I'd play this at all in my limited deck, where I prefer my noncreature spells to be actual removal or combat tricks. In constructed, I see this as a sideboard card at most. I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(1.5/3) Uniqueness - Nothing on this card is particularly unique: exiling permanents, enchantment interactions, and taxing are all things we see quite often in white. This single combination has never been done before, but it doesn't feel very original. The most original thing here is actually devoid on a white permanent, while white is the only color to not get devoid in BFZ so far (it may still do in OGW though).
(3/3) Flavor - Both the name and the flavor text are very good and I'd totally expect them to see print as is. Excellent work here.
Polish
(3/3) Quality - All good here.
(2/2) Main Challenge - All good here.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 20/25
Design
(1.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny loves this card, it's very open ended and gives him a very good challenge: can he reliably cast more noncreatures spells than his opponents? It almost feels like a minigame for him, and that's very good. Spike can try to play this with card drawing and burn spells, but this card is probably not as reliable as he'd like.
(2.5/3) Elegance - The template for the ability is necessarily new, but it looks the simplest it can be while still being functional, and anyway it's certainly clear enough. It may take a moment to get a good grasp of what this card does, but it's still very understandable. The connection between checking noncreature spells and the token having prowess is very good and noticeable here.
Development
(3/3) Viability - Blue and red are certainly the right colors for such an effect: they are the ones that most interact with noncreature spells, and it's not by chance that they are the primary prowess colors. Rarity definitely feels right.
(1.5/3) Balance - I don't think I'd play this card in limited, where noncreature spells are not that abundant and they're usually either removal or combat tricks. In constructed, this requires a whole deck built around it to be playable, but it may be worth it and some Johnny will certainly try it. I see no particular problems in casual or multiplayer, maybe the only thing worth being mentioned is that this scales in an unusual way in multiplayer: this gets worse when the number of players increases, as you will have more opponents to play more noncreatures spells than. We're used at cards that are better in multiplayer rather than in a regular duel, but this is certainly not a problem, just a particularity.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness - Checking who played the most noncreature spells in a turn is very original and definitely makes this card feel very unique.
(2.5/3) Flavor - The name and flavor text are good enough and make perfect sense with each other. They don't look like the most inspired thing but they work.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - The word "beginning" is spelled wrong (half a point deducted).
(2/2) Main Challenge - All good here.
(1/2) Subchallenges - This has flavor text, but I can't see clearly which existing plane this comes from.
Total: 19.5/25
Well, that's the least you could say! Whenever I read this sentence, I can't help but hear this song in my mind... (Yes, after Linkin Park, R.E.M. is my favorite band. I'm so sorry they disbanded...) (Also, I'm writing this before starting to judge.)
Design
(1/3) Appeal - I don't expect Timmy to be impressed by this card, even though he can still use it to protect his fatties. Johnny may use this too for protection of a combo-enabling creature, but there will probably be better choices for that. Spike would just like this to prevent all damage and full stop.
(2.5/3) Elegance - Some players might need to pause for a moment to get a good grasp of what this card does, but it's still understandable enough. The template is the clearest it can be while still being functional.
Development
(2/3) Viability - Damage prevention is white, no doubt about that. This may get redflagged as a common for board and comprehension complexity, but I'm not sure about that, and a few redflagged commons can still exist in a set anyway. If this gets bumped, at most it will go at uncommon, certainly not rare.
(1/3) Balance - I don't think I'd play this in limited, you usually want to play removal spells or combat tricks as your noncreature spells. I can't honestly see this in constructed either. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - The "exactly equal to its toughness" part gains you high points here. That's definitely very original and unique. Still, the card is reminiscent of cards like Inviolability, Prismatic Ward, and more recent cards in that vein.
(2/3) Flavor - The name and flavor text fit the card perfectly (pun obviously intended), but I'm not sure we'd see this flavor on a real Magic card. I think it would heavily depend on the art, as that should make clear what exactly Daretti is trying to fit in where. If it doesn't have a double meaning it will be ok, but if the art also plays into the sexual ambiguity of the card I can't see this card getting printed as is. Magic is still supposed to be a family-friendly game after all.
Polish
(3/3) Quality - The "damage exactly equal to the creature's toughness" ability has never been done before, so there's not an established template for it. Yours looks reasonable and plausible enough though, so I'm accepting it.
(2/2) Main Challenge - All good here.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 18/25
Doombringer: 22
theazurespirit: 20
Hemlock: 19.5
Ber_F: 18
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.)
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Judging is suspended until tomorrow. Players may make edits until tonight. Brackets will be reassigned so no one has an advantage knowing what design they are going against. This will be done tomorrow.
Sorry for the error. It's been a "fun" week.
Doombringer V. theazurespirit
Judges: EpiCycle1, bravelion83
Hemlock V. Ber_F
Judges: bravelion83, Asrama
palanthas V. koopa
Judges: IcariiFA, EpiCycle1
sperlman V. PasstheChips
Judges: IcariiFA, Asrama
The judge deadline is this Friday, the 27th 11:59 EST. It's a longer than normal period due to the US Holiday.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: This has Johnny's name on it through and through. Exactly how much love it's going to get from Johnnies is debatable, but there should be at least some. Spike's interest depends on Johnny's success in breaking this.
(2/3) Elegance: This has some weird interactions that can bog down a game, especially online. Aside from that, I got where you were going on the first read, so I'd say you're fine.
Development -
(1.5/3) Viability: I'm not completely sure this should be mono-green. Yes, it's a mini Warp World but the focus on lands brings to mind cards like Crop Rotation and Harrow, not to mention the card I'm about to bang on about in balance. I'd rather it'd be red-green.
(1/3) Balance: Well, Scapeshift proved that there is a way to break this type of effect and combo out. Geoscramble lets players take the green out of that deck, which to be frank, I have no idea if it does any good. It just seems to me that in a world that already has Scapeshift, Geoscramble needed to bring something extra to the table in order to get my attention, and all it does is bring randomness to the effect, which is not what players like to see.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: It's the bastard child of Scapeshift and Warp World. It obviously took after its mother more than its father. I'll give some leniency since this is the only card I know of that digs for lands in a way that makes sense in red.
(3/3) Flavor: I love what you've done here. The name evokes the effect and the ties to Alara in the flavor text work really well. Full marks.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Pretty sure it's fine.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Good job on this one.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met
Total: 17.5/25
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: This has a certain fringe appeal. Both Timmy and Johnny might like it for different reasons, but Spike probably won't. I guess you deserve some points for the fact that this fits perfectly into the newly-arisen Karlov of the Ghost Council EDH deck.
(2.5/3) Elegance: It's a fairly simple card that will make a lot of sense to most players. My one worry is that it strides the line between "rewarding me" and "Punishing Others" and players might not get that they're supposed to lode life when it's another player that did the casting of a spell of the chosen color.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: This fits perfectly into the philosophy of black-white, and the philosophy of the Orzhov in particular. I'm torn on the rarity. Rare feels right if this was part of a precon, but if I'm drafting, I will not be thrilled opening it as my rare. Uncommon should work fine.
(2.5/3) Balance: Most of the points here you get not because your card hit the "just right" spot on the balance scale, but because it will work great in the decks that want it and are willing to make room for a four-drop. It won't make any competitive deck a winner, but it will make some games more interesting.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: it's Prism Ring mixed with Curse of Wizardry. It is a very obvious place for those mechanics to go, but I feel like Black-white needed this card in its roster.
(1.5/3) Flavor: There's a good connection between most parts of the card. I like the name, but I feel you've fumbled the flavor text a bit. I am not sure what the Orzhov did exactly, and I'm also not sure what's the difference between 'gateless' and 'guildless' (that's probably more on Wizards than on you, but the mentioning of both in one line of flavor text doesn't help).
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Why use the ~ when copy+paste works fine? also, a line break is needed after "choose a color".
(2/2) Main Challenge: It's a bit of a stretch, but I'll allow it.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met
Total: 18/25
PasstheChips. It may not be by much, but I stand behind my decision. His was the all around better card.
And
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This fits the Johnny/Spike end of the player spectrum, but the effect is a bit o the weak side for the cost and the investment. Spike has better options, Johnny has crazier ones. I'm also disappointed you've chosen 'follower' as the token type, since it doesn't have any tribal interactions.
(1/3) Elegance: What happens when no one played a non-creature spell? what happens when each player played one? what happens when it's a super busy turn on the multiplayer table, and somebody just used Flusterstorm and everyone needs to stop to count spells? or if someone plays a non creature spell while the ability is on the stack? I'm sure the rules wil have answers to all these questions, but the fact that they are not clear from the onset hurts the elegance of your card.
Development -
(1.5/3) Viability: It's the type of generic effect that would have been fine in any combination of Jeskai colors, really, which is to say that while I can't find a problem with it being blue-red, I can't think of a reason why it should be either. It would have been fine in mono-color. Rare is ok though.
(1/3) Balance: I'm sorry, I just don't get it. Players can, for the same CMC, get a token for each non-creature spell they play, and even if not, the need for constant non-creature spells to take full advantage of this effect puts it way below Bitterblossom in terms of effectiveness. It only place to shine is as a political tool in multiplayer games, and even that's out of the controller's hands.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: I don't recall an card that counted who played the most spells of any kind for a given effect. Often they count who controls a permanent of a certain type, and this is a very good way to bring that mechanic into the non-permanent spells area. Too bad the effect is just putting a 1/1 token into play.
(3/3) Flavor: By far the strongest point in your card's flavor. You've brought the feeling of participating in a heated debate into the mechanics of magic. Flavor text is both fitting and deliciously sarcastic.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: 'beginning' is misspelled.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Very well done.
(1/2) Subchallenges: The mechanics say Tarkir, but the flavor doesn't fit the Jeskai clan, so I can't say you've fulfilled the first challenge.
Total: 15/25
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This is an ok Timmy card, but there could have been potential here for much more. I really wih that you'd have gone for a global effect rather than an aura. I'm pretty sure this is going to be one of those cards that end up spread on the floor after a draft. Always try strive to impress in a competition.
(3/3) Elegance: This is a very clever way to manifest a notion that's not easily explained in Magic card form. With one sentence you've encapsulated something very interesting, and yet it's not complicated at all.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: White and common are very fitting for an aura like this, but there is no way a Wizards designer would spend such an interesting effect on such a lowly card. Again, this effect is begging to be global.
(2.5/3) Balance: Here I'm more inclined in your favor. Yes, it's a limited effect that probably won't cause anyone to fall off the edge of their seat, but it does have some limited implications, not to mention synergy with cards like Pestilence and Thrashing Wumpus. If the metagame allows, this can be quite a useful tool. In that case, the cost is just perfect for it.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Concept gets an A+, execution, less so. It is unique, though, and a good way to develop the often forgotten damage prevention part of White's pie.
(1.5/3) Flavor: Knowing the article of inspiration, the flavor text is a bit cringe worthy. Assuming I would have known nothing about it, the flavor is only so-so. I like where you took the idea, but the flavor text sends a wrong message by sharing a discussion between two artificers, while the card deals mainly with creatures. I can see the progress you've made from top-down, but I doubt it would be clear to any random reader.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: I think it's fine.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met. And I bet you were only on that website to read the articles. You naughty, naughty boy.
(2/2) Subchallenges: All's good. Interesting choice of a plane.
Total: 20/25
Ber_F, but he really should feel ashamed of himself
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
I've got tons of art from the web. Want art for a render? PM me! Want to create your own collection? Start here!
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: It’s big enough with a splash effect that timmy will like it. Johnny doesn’t really have much to play with here. Spike sees potential as a surprise blocker, an end of turn drop, and an oppressive attacker once his battalion ability triggers.
(2/3) Elegance: There is something very weird about having a flash flyer that then has a battalion ability that in no way synergizes with having flash. There is also the battalion ability simultaneous caring about the number of attacks as well as the type of attackers. The variables seem too similar and potentially confusing in the same ability.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Red feels tacked on here as the reference to the battalion ability word doesn’t feel like enough. This is often fudged a little in multicolor sets, but more often than not they still try to make the abilities in some way reflect all the colors that compose a card. This card does not. For power level reasons, this could make sense as a mythic.
(2/3) Balance: Limited wise this is fine. Restoration Angel seems like an obvious point of comparison for a similar costing Flash Flyer with a bonus. As for the ability, the closest would be Archon of the Triumvirate. Right now, standard is easily a tri color format and allows splashing for a 4th color with little to no harm for decks. A Ravnica block, with its multicolored nature, already makes it fairly easy to meet tri colored requirements too, so the gold nature of the card isn’t as huge of a limiting factor as it may first appear. This doesn’t have the immediate effect of the Angel, but it does come with an ability that it similar in power to the archon (perhaps slightly less overall, but with the potential to do greater.) However, the Archon is an end game card and this card could easily dominate well before that, as if it successfully triggers its ability once it’s likely to do it for the rest of the game. The is further amplified as it really works a little too well in multiples. This card is close, but I think the easy fix would just to make it a legend so you can’t stack more of itself on top of other flyers to trigger battalion. It might not need to be a mythic after such change either, and the slot could be used for something more distinct.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: It blends the faction abilities well, but really is it that different from Archon of the Triumvirate in what it tries to accomplish? I don’t think so. I just think wizards decided that a repeatable, multi detaining finisher card works better/less oppressively as a late game option.
(1.5/3) Flavor: There isn’t room on this card for flavor text. Just because a challenge requires it doesn’t mean you get off scott free for not designing a card with the space for it. Additionally, while the concept for the flavor text is good, the last phrase draws some confusion: “Their mutual protection.” “Their” as in the Azorius and Boros or all the members of the guildpact? This could be better phrased.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: “Bound” in the name and where it is repeated in the rules text needs to be capitalized.
(1.5/2) *Main Challenge: Going off multiple articles makes your card feel a bit too generalized. Sticking to one article where one could make a more specific reference tends to produce stronger results.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(0.5/3) Appeal: Cards like this don’t do anything for timmy. Maybe there is some vague use for this with Johnny thanks to being able to see what comes next in their draws or hand combinations, but I’d limit that to the more extreme Johnnies looking to justify a really bad/weak card. Spike feels nauseous.
(2.5/3) Elegance: If anything, it’s elegant. It might be best with a reminder that the library returns back in order. That, and the idea that you could use this on yourself feels odd since you already look at your own hand.
Development -
(1/3) Viability: This is very, very blue. Despite the combinations of effects being potential weird, it doesn’t justify a rare. The cost don’t reflect a rare either. However, my biggest concern in viability is the time to take to execute the effect. Looking through your opponent's entire library is time consuming, especially if someone decides to take notes or are not familiar with some of the cards in your deck. This card brings the game to a stop, which while it matches its namesake, is not good for the game at all. It also opens the door for cheating a bit too, letting your opponent handle your entire deck and flip through it a while.
(0.5/3) Balance: My initial reaction here was “Ick.” Who would want this as a RARE? Nobody. The cost is too much and in both limited and constructed it would be left in binders. Look at peek. Did that card damage magic while it was around? Certainly not. I’d play it well before this. Getting to see your opponent's draws for (potentially but not likely) the rest of the game is the only thing that prevents me from giving this a flat zero.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: I’m not sure that looking at target players entire library for the sake of just “looking” has ever been done. Usually there is some shuffling at the end or some specific searching involved. Otherwise this card is an expansion of peek.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The flavor of the card and what it does makes perfect sense, at least in a vacuum. Expect me to expand on that in the Main Challenge category. If anything the way its phrases suggest a quote, but it isn’t marked as one.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Azorius is spelled incorrectly.
(1/2) *Main Challenge: The flavor text here helps your card, as it seems like the most direct reference to your article. The issue I have is that the article you cited in not really a thorough investigation, nor is such mentioned within. That and this card is so generic in concept it feels like it could have been inspired by a huge number of references. I feel you could have drawn on something more specific to your article.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 14.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy is not interested. Multiple lands coming into play open trigger potential for Johnny, amongst other quirky things this could do. Spike is curious about the potential of this as an instant.
(2/3) Elegance: This effect makes sense, but is dense enough in what actually happening that I can’t give it a full score.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Well, it’s a red rare. I’m quite a bit dubious of an effect like this as an instant, but I’ll stick to that in balance.
(2/3) Balance: This card is the new brother in a family of Warp World like effects as well as Scapeshift. It gets a little wonky real quick though, as the instant timing here allows for some weird shenanigans, particularly interrupting what your opponent is doing. The thing is though, with the lands this generates coming into play untapped, there is some very odd acceleration potential, or some very odd combo potential out there that also seems odd. Its very tough for me to say what power this has, but the interactions at instant speed seem wrong. I get this also closes the door on your opponent using their new untapped lands against you, but I think it’s more appropriate to just have this cost less as a sorcery.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: I’ve pointed to similar cards. The instant nature of this is perhaps the most distinct, but I don’t think that’s for the best. That issue is docked elsewhere.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The name seems solid. The flavor text seems good. Geoscramble seems like an odd choice to reference the actual conflux. A bit to technical, so it wouldn't be my first choice. That and it wasn't that the lands where scrambled, they were recombined. so it was more of a border change.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Seems fine.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Great use of inspiration
(2/2) Subchallenges: Fine
Total: 20/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy is not interested. Johnny sees combo potential in picking a color that you play yourself and abusing/looping some card. This is pretty powerful as an incremental effect, but its lack of board presence deters spike.
(2/3) Elegance: Easy enough to understand. The concept behind the mechanics here throw me off a little, as the enchantment punishes your opponent regardless of who casts the spell. Thematically this seems wrong.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: The colors are right, and it doesn't break the rules of the game. I see this more as uncommon, but perhaps there is some room for this at rare. It would be underwhelming one though.
(2/3) Balance: Limited this is fine, but certainly isn't a rare that on its own would pull you in BW. I don’t see it being used in constructed formats due to its lack of board presence, minus some combo emerging abusing the effect. I think this would be better off as an uncommon so it could play a role in limited games or help define an archetype somehow.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: The effect is not new, the choosing of color to tax or combo with doesn’t really add much to that.
(2/3) Flavor: The concept and name make sense. The flavor text kinda runs off in two directions though, as the Orzhov decrying against the gateless translating into money for them doesn’t make sense. Who are these supplicants joining them? There is a step missing in the logic, a disconnect. One too many things going on.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good to me.
(1/2) *Main Challenge: The article you cited isn’t about political unrest, its about Republicans debating about refugees. Your interpretation doesn’t make sense to me. If you wanted a card to reference the unrest caused by Islamic extremist attacks, refugees, and related unrest I would of picked something more directed at that.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Doombringer (43) V. theazurespirit (40.5)
Judges: EpiCycle1, bravelion83
Hemlock (34.5) V. Ber_F (38)
Judges: bravelion83, Asrama
palanthas (36.5) V. koopa (30.5)
Judges: IcariiFA, EpiCycle1
sperlman (37.5) V. PasstheChips (35.5)
Judges: IcariiFA, Asrama
Congratulations to our finalists! Expect the final round to be posted shortly.