StonerOfKruphix
Offering to the Godslayer 2WB
Legendary Enchantment (MR)
When Offering to the Godslayer enters the battlefield, exile target nonland permanent.
Sacrifice four creatures, pay 4 life: Exile Offering to the Godslayer, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
After Ajani spread the word of Elspeth's death a cult quickly formed, devoted to make sure that the champion who will destroy Theros' pantheon would return by any means possible.
////
Elspeth, Vengeful Returned
((W/B)) Planeswalker — Elspeth (MR)
Creatures you control have lifelink.
+1: Create two 2/1 white Cleric enchantment creature tokens.
-4: Exile each other nonland permanent with converted mana cost 5 or less.
-7: Exile all other permanents except for tokens.
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Think it’s to much for Timmies. Johnny is all over it. Strong enough for spike.
(3/3) Elegance: Easy to understand. ETB does this, pay this and transform.
Development -
(2.75/3) Viability: Flavor and ability wise this hits the mark for a WB card. Exception being the clerics should be WB too.
(3/3) Balance: Permanent exile for 4 is normal. The fragility of enchantment coupled with the high price of transformation makes the walker side balanced in that regard. Smart to make the -4 ability essentially a sac effect. Lots of setup involved for maximum effect.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Well everyone gets an auto point here due to the nature of the challenge. Now then. Super O-Ring into. Walker side is reminicent to Sun’s Champion, sans ultimate.
(3/3) Flavor: Believeable names, flavor text story tie in. It wouldn’t surprise me if this actually happens. Someone is gonna need to protect Theros from Phyrexia after she’s done laying waste to the Pantheon. Who better? Top notch.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues. Came dangerous close to microtexting.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenege satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchalleneges met.
Total: 23.25/25
Raptorchan
Experiment of Evil Genius 1RR
Legendary Enchantment (M)
At the beginning of your upkeep, create a 1/1 red Devil creature token. It has "When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player."
Whenever an opponent is dealt noncombat damage, if that opponent was dealt 3 or more noncombat damage this turn, exile Experiment of Evil Genius, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
//
Tibalt, Evil Genius
(R) Planeswalker - Tibalt (M)
If a source you control would deal noncombat damage to a creature or player, it deals that many plus one damage to that creature or player instead.
+1: Discard a card at random. Tibalt, Evil Genius deals damage to target player equal to that card's converted mana cost.
-2: Until end of turn, creatures you control gain "When this creature dies, it deals 2 damage to target creature an opponent controls."
-6: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of combat on your turn, gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn."
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Avoided by Tim. Johhny latches on, at this cost, seems to be a very strong token generator for spike.
(2.5/3) Elegance: A bit wordy. The term “dealt 3 or more noncombat damage” is clunky, but unavoidable.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Definetivley red.
(2/3) Balance: Should probably cost 4. Compare to Goblin Assault and Blossom, this has no drawback. Walker side feels a little weak. But then again if you could choose the card, or deal damage to player’s it would be busted.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Fairly fresh. Take alot of pre-existing thigns we’ve all seen before and puts them in one package.
(2.75/3) Flavor: The name should have “the” in it or be pluralized. Otherwise, quite flavorful.
Polish -
(2.75/3) Quality: “it deals that many” should be “it deals that much”
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21/25
Tilwin
Perilous Nightmare 1UB
Legendary Enchantment (M)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, put a nightmare counter on Perilous Nightmare and up to one target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Whenever a player discards one or more cards, put a nightmare counter on Perilous Nightmare and scry 1.
Remove five nightmare counters from Perilous Nightmare: Exile Perilous Nightmare, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
A shadow promising eternal night covered the skies of Latharia. Even dreams denied sanctuary in its wake.
///
((U/B)) Ashiok, Nightmare Incarnate
Planeswalker - Ashiok (M)
Ashiok has hexproof as long as it has two or fewer loyalty counters on it.
(+1): Create a blue and black enchantment token named Nightmare with "Sacrifice this enchantment: Counter target spell or activated ability unless its controller pays 1. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)"
(-2): Each opponent sacrifices a creature. Then each opponent who didn't sacrifice a creature loses 3 life or discards a card.
(-8): You get an emblem with "You may cast nonland cards from you graveyard. Instant or sorcery spells cast this way are then exiled."
(5)
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think only Johnny is going to be even remotely interested. Timmy’s head is going to explode trying to read it, and probably to weak and taxing for most Spikes.
(1/3) Elegance: IThere is just wayyyyyyyy too much going on here. Wall of text on both sides. Ench side would be microtext. +1 might be too.
Development -
(2.5) Viability: Blue feels a little tack on for the sake of the abilities. This could probably have been mono black if tweaked a little.
(3/3) Balance: None of these abilitties seem especially punishing. And flipping it feels like it might be difficult. Obviously meant to be built around.
Creativity -
(2.75/3) Uniqueness: Feels very unique. Especially the ench tokens. Which make sense thematticly. Ultimate is similar to uhhhhh, one of them. Gatherer just went down for matinence.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Great name. Flavor text missing a word it seems or has an extra one. Should be “Even dreams were denied sanctuary in its wake” or simply. “Dreams denied sanctuary in its wake”
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: This would be microtext unfortunetly. Should say “instant or sorcery spell” Ultimate ability is worded weird. Pretty sure it would have a “gain(s)” template. Or go full ham, give em Rebound!
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 18.75/25
Jimmy Groove
Convoy Carrier 5
Artifact - Vehicle (MR)
Haste, trample
2: Exile Convey Carrier and return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
Crew 1
6/6
/////////
Karn, Prime Mover
Planeswalker - Karn (MR)
Vehicles you control are creatures in addition to their other types.
2: Exile Karn, Prime Mover and return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control. He is a creature in addition to his other types until end of turn.
<+1>: Tap up to one untapped artifact you control. Karn deals damage to target creature equal to that artifact's converted mana cost.
<-6>: Search your library for up to seven artifact creatures and/or vehicles, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Shuffle your library.
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy and Spike. Not a lot of combo potential for Johhny.
(3/3) Elegance: Clear cut and concise.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Karn the artifact man deals with artifacts. Hard to misconstrue.
(0/3) Balance: Honestly this seems to fall somewhere between too strong and derp teir busted. Crew 1 makes this too much of a turn 5 beast, it practically can’t die, and then it costs me 2 mana a turn to slam you in the face over and over again. Or If I don’t wannt to do that, just smack you around with the rest of my dumb undercosted vehicles that no don’t have to be crewed. Also this ultimate ability is just…. Ridiculous. Seven? Good lord. 3 maybe.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Well big dumb vehciles certainly are in fashion lately. Walker side feels fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: What convoy, whose convoy? Some flavor text here would have been good.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Convey instead of Convoy in text. Should be “exile then” not “exile and” This happens twice. Iv’e never seen the word “He” in a text box. Should be Convoy Carrier becomes a creature…” I think.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 18.5/25
How do we feel about Walking Ballista in this build? Probably too slow I guess?
Was part of the original build when I was trying to abuse Revolution/Marionnete. Play it for 0, take 4, can I have this back please? No? Take 3. Sac this other artifact with trawler on the board. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Honestly I'm not convinced some sort of BR(x) Control deck using this strategy isn't a possibility, but that's another thread entirely.
It is to slow for this build. It's no more than a crappy 1/1 for 2. No ramp or Snek to abuse it's ability.
All right, think I've settled on a good mix for tonight's Testing. Hope back in for better chance at t4 Herald of Dragon, one less Harvester, three Hearts. Gives us 13 artifacts in the 1 & 2 drop slots.
Seems like you would want a lot more T1 and T2 artifacts. It's an interesting direction though.
I agree, but it's a hard balancing act currently. Maybe I'm reading too much into Hope being Legendary and it should replace Nerd Ape. Scrounger is honestly the only viable 2 drop. Scrawler was in here for a minute, but I can justify cutting removal or Chandra over it, but I may reverse the -1 Heart/Harvester +1 Axe/Defiance decision pending testing.
Jammed 2 Inspiring Statuary in here early on too cause it felt real good to play all three modes on Defiance for 3 mana. But as fun as that is, Statuary is redundant.
I had also been considering that a B/R Improvise midrange could evolve from this. What turn are you seeing the Herald and Regent drop?
Also how do you guys feel about about the Inventor's Apprentice? I replaced with Forerunner of Slaughter and Hope of Ghirapur, both of which I think are better, but with Walking Ballista walking around, it seems that the 3 toughness could be relevant. Also, Pia is still iffy for me but I haven't found a solid replacement yet.
Very limited testing so far. Will know more tomorrow after Wednesday Standard. Also in that limited test, this was more oriented towards being "too cute" and trying to abuse Marionette Master and Pia's Revolution
I had Hope in here then noticed that buzzkill "Legendary" word in its type line. Forerunner though! Damn it Gatherer. Devoid screws up all my searches lol. Was looking for another three power 2 drop. Doesn't improvise but pilots Heart.
What do you guys think of the lists in the MTGO leagues that went 5-0?
Looks pretty streamlined to me especially to beat splinter cat, and a little sideboard for midrange strategies. Gonna give it a try this week at a local tournament.
Would you link them? I couldn't find any in a quick search.
I have taken a fundamentally different approach to this since the banning and AER rotating in. The build probably doesn't even belong in here anymore but it's still BR damn it! So here ya go.
Await Processing 3CW
Enchantment {R}
When Await Processing enters the battlefield, exile X target creatures until Await Processing leaves the battlefield, where X is the number of times W was paid to cast Await Processing.
3CC, Put a card exiled with Await Processing into its owner’s graveyard: Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature, where X is the card’s converted mana cost.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Spike all day due to the power level. Johhny can find combo potential despite this being a dead blink card.
(2/3) Elegance: Fairly wordy but clearly defined.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: A bit odd. This card has distinct qualities of White, Green and to a lesser extent Blue (themeaticly)
(1/3) Balance: This is absurdly strong. Exile 4 creatures for 5 mana. Having one colorless in its CC doesn’t compensate for its power level. Compare to four O-Rings, which would cost 8WWWW.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Takes inspiration from the Processor creature type, aside from that its completely orginal.
(1.5/3) Flavor: The name is fantastic and apprehensive. But to me it is odd the way in which this works thematicaly. Exiles enemies to buff your own guys. When it should exile your own guys then return them to the battlefield with counters. To me, that’s processing/compleation. However the card wouldn’t work as intended if it did. This could just be you and I having fundemental difference of opinions on how Phyrexia operates. It’s ambigious.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No Issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has CMC of 5.
Total: 17.5/25
Winter Without End 2SG
Sorcery (U)
Glacial (As you cast this spell, you may put an ice counter on any number of non-snow lands you control to reduce the cost of this spell by S for each of those lands. Lands with ice counters on them are snow lands.)
Search your library for up to two basic snow Forests and put them onto the battlefield tapped. Shuffle your library afterwards.
"This ice age should have ended, but instead the glaciers now reach Jamuraa. Time has been rewritten."
- Karn, Planeswalker
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Probably exclusive to Spike.
(2/3) Elegance: Wordy but comprehensible.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Land ramp is distincly green.
(2/3) Balance: On par with Culti/Kodama for the most part. Putting both lands into play is strong even if the lands searched for are niche. Clerly a niche/snow deck would run this to get the maximum value. The ability without a doubut just makes this 2G all the time.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Quirky ramp spell.
(2/3) Flavor: Can see this being the name of a card, albeit a card that does something totally different. Good flavor text tie in to TSP block.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No Issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has CMC of 4.
Total: 19/25
Infantry Recruiter 4
Creature - Human Soldier (R)
( can be paid with either W or C.)
When Infantry Recruiter enters the battlefield, deposit two times. (To deposit, create a colorless Coin artifact token with "Sacrifice this artifact: Add C to your mana pool.")
Sacrifice a Coin: Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.
4/4
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy not so much, ditto Johnny. Format dependent, it a bomb rare/build around in draft for spike.
(3/3) Elegance: Very easy to understand.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: White very very rarely gets access to mana production.
(3/3) Balance: This feels well balanced on it’s own. 6 for a possible 6 power. Obviously in what ever world is handing out coins, he could be a limited bomb and a build around card.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: This is an ability we’ve seen in the past in white and with soldiers. Deposit is an interesting spin on Eldazi Spawn.
(3/3) Flavor: Ate some of the best wings I’ve ever had the other day and this card is almost as flavorful as they were.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met
Total: 22.5/25
Phyrexian Editor 17.5/25 Jimmy Groove 19/25
doomfish 22.5/25
What a about Walking Ballista and Scrap Trawler? These seem to have good synergies with the Mimic.
Walking Balista can do a lot in a game, it can attack and ping in response of destruction, going back to your hand with Scrap Trawler triggers.
I don't know if that's correct.
The target artifact card must have a lesser converted mana cost than the artifact that caused Scrap Trawler’s ability to trigger by being put into a graveyard. Use the artifact’s converted mana cost as it last existed on the battlefield to determine what may be returned.
While on the battlefield or in a graveyard, X in an object’s mana cost is 0.
Not that you'd have trouble reccuring Ballista with Trawler anyway in this deck. Just not off of itself.
Rakdos Prankster
Creature — Clown Horror (R)
Haste, menace
Whenever Rakdos Prankster deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card.
Whenever an opponent discards a card, Rakdos Prankster deals 1 damage to that player.
"Let me show you a trick."
2/2
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Too small for Tim. John is going to look to abuse the static damage ability. A very appealing aggro card for Spikes.
(3/3) Elegance: Easily understood.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: This does everything I would expect BR to be doing.
(2/3) Balance: Good solid card, but might be a bit much in Limited. If you slam this down turn 3 and your opponent stalls for even one turn it could very well take the game over by itself.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: “Specter Strike” is nothing new. Additional punishment is.
(3/3) Flavor: God I wish you have named this Pennywise Prankster. That aside, card is awash with flavor. Spot on.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: That templating looks fine to me, but the only creature in existence with haste and menance at the moment is Chittering Host and they templated the keywords on two seperate lines.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card is multicolored.
Total: 20.5/25
Doomsday Arkhulk 4WW
Artifact Creature — Ark Construct (MR)
Lifelink
When Doomsday Arkhulk enters the battlefield, exile all other creatures you control until Doomsday Arkhulk leaves the battlefield.
2WW: Destroy all creatures.
Salvation and judgement made one.
6/6
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy check. Johhny is going to find a way to flash this in and abuse ETB triggers. This is probably not quite up Spike’s alley, but perhaps finge play.
(3/3) Elegance: Very apparent what this does and the flavor text wraps it up nicely.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Everything about this card is white.
(3/3) Balance: I think you nailed it here. 6/6 for 6 is on curve. Tacking on lifelink isn’t problematic. Honestly I could see WotC putting flash on this thing if it was ever printed. That would make it a super ultra powerhouse. As is, I see no issues.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Mass blink effects are rare but have been seen before. This is obviously slower but that plays into the nature of the card.
(3/3) Flavor: High marks here. I can picture an Arkhulk cycle.
Sartra, Wicked Jester 1RR
Legendary Creature - Human Clown (MR)
Menace
At the beginning of your end step, if you control three or more artifacts, sacrifice all artifacts you control. If you do, Satra, Wicked Jester deals 5 damage to each other creature, then transform it.
He seemed a loyal, if twisted, servant of Emperor Morger, but he reality he was merely biding his time.
3/2
/////
Sartra, Overlord of Ruin
Legendary Creature - Horror Clown (MR)
Flying, Menace
At the beginning of each opponent's end step, flip a coin. If it is heads, Sartra, Overlord of Ruin deals 5 damage to a random creature that opponent controls. If it is tails, that opponent sacrifices a land.
Now he rules over a devastated world, gleefully delivering his random and terrible "justice."
5/5
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Half of this is in Timmy’s wheelhouse, not a ton of build around potential for Johhny due the chaotic aspect of it. Spike may touch it, but the slow end up clause may make him reconsider.
(2/3) Elegance: Very techincal, lots of stipulations.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Red all the way. A legendary with this much technical text would definetly be mythic.
(3/3) Balance: This feels balanced. The flip clause is obviously build around, and it’s a global wipe. The transformed side is very powerful, but chaotic, so there isn’t an easy way to abuse it.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Clearly a one of a kind card.
(2.75/3) Flavor: Name is as realistic as any Legend. Flavot text tells a story. I just don’t like the word “random” in there. Reads weird to me.
Polish -
(2.25/3) Quality: Error in flavor text. “but he reality he”. Quotations for justice missaligned.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
21.5/25
Renegade Merchant 2R
Creature - Human Barterer (U)
Revolt - T, Discard a card: Draw a card. Draw two cards instead if a permanent left the battlefield this turn.
"I can't stay long, but if you're with Miss Nalaar, we can work out a deal."
1/1
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johhny and Spike all day.
(3/3) Elegance: Easily understood.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Diggers belong to red. This could probably be rare.
(1/3) Balance: Oh boy. Uhhhhh. I guess the jury is still out on Revolt, but all the hubbub surrounding Fatal Push and fetches at the very least leads me to suspect this could be stupid efficient in certain formats. Even in Standard this could become. “Sac a clue: play something with madness, draw 3 cards” Granted that’s going to cost a minimum 3 mana.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: It’s a digger.
(3/3) Flavor: Would fit thematically into the current block no doubt.
Harmless Mannequin 2
Artifact Creature — Dummy [R]
2: Regenerate Harmless Mannequin. When Harmless Mannequin regenerates this way, transform it, then untap it.
Every night, the shopkeeper swears the doll looks more and more sinister.
0/1
////
Lifeless Killer
(B) Artifact Creature — Dummy Horror
Indestructible
t: Destroy target creature. Remove all damage from Lifeless Killer, then transform it.
Every morning, the shopkeeper has to clean off a murky, sticky liquid that wasn't there before.
0/1
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This feels like the kind of rare that you open and go. “Oh, this guy” No one is particuallry interested in having it.
(2/3) Elegance: A bit technical. The remove damage clause is odd.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Black does enjoy murdering things.
(2/3) Balance: This card is very diffcult to deal with it seems. And it makes attacking a nightmare.
Creativity -
(2.75/3) Uniqueness: Reminiscient of Creepy Doll while being completely different.
(3/3) Flavor: Well this is just adorable.
Mercurial Dealer 1R
Creature — Goblin Barterer (U)
T, Discard an artifact card: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an artifact card. Put it into your hand. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Few goblins understand the real value of goods they have.
1/1
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Maybe Johhny, and he has to put some effort into it.
(3/3) Elegance: Easy to understand.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Totally red.
(2.5/3) Balance: Filtering tutor cards like this are inherently powerful. But there is random chance involved so the effect becoming degenerate is unlikely unless you build around them. However since the activation requires you discard an artifact to begin with, the abuse potential is offset. (I’m thinking in terms of a deck like Zombie Hunt)
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Clearly Madcap Experiment is the inspiration here.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Name could be a card. Flavor text speaks to the intellect of goblins, but at the same time I don’t think it fits this particualr card that well.
Temporal Recoil 2UU
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library.
"Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon."
—Temporal Adept, first words
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: I feel like the people interested in this are Johhny’s, and that might be a stretch but it could allow for political play and short terma alliances in Commander. Don’t think Timmy is going to care. Hard casting probably to high for Spike, and he damn well doesn’t want his opponents taking extra turns on his dime. Fringe SB maybe, to disable game winning combo.
(3/3) Elegance: Simplistic and easy to comprhend.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Completely blue without exception. Could probably be rare imo, but in recent times, any card having to do with turns is mythic.
(3/3) Balance: Without the alt cost, the ability to CC ratio feels spot on. The alt cost doesn’t unbalance it whatsoever due to the intense drawback it can create.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Tucking has been around, though generally you are given a choice of top or bottom. Alt cost is completely new.
(3/3) Flavor: Very realistic name. Flavor text is great.
Revert 2U
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library.
"I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think Spike would welcome this card. It’s fairly stong and easy to splash.
(3/3) Elegance: No comprehension problems.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue card all the way, rarity is just right.
(2/3) Balance: Strong card for sure. Would perfer the hard CC at 1UU
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Comparable to Memory Lapse, Lapse of Certainty, and more recently, Unsubstantiate. “Counters” the uncounterable unlike the first two.
(3/3) Flavor: Good name, good flavor text.
Tolarian Weirding 3U
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control."
The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: This is probably going to be sought after by all three groups but Timmy less so. Oozes combo potential for Johhny, oozes power abuse potential for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Could see this being rare due to the reference of such a legendary location.
(1/3) Balance: Oh lawd the Academy. This twist on it is obviously strong, and if not dealt with quickly will probably be degenerate. Honestly I would have liked this to tap the land in question as the enchanment is being attached, since even instant speed LD isn’t going to completely stop the combo potential.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Unique and fresh while feeling familiar at the same time.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Concept and name are great, flavor text is good, but reads a bit odd towards the end.
Letter to Yourself
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
"Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike are going to go to great lengths to cheat this and reap the benefits.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue tutoring is usually more card type specific. Gifts being the exception, but the reason for that is the stipulations of Gifts itself.
(1/3) Balance: Problem here is, Cascade is a thing, other cheat methods are a thing.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Only card that remotely comes close to this would be Gifts Ungiven. A super tutor isn’t completely unique, but the mechanics on the card give it a certain peculairty.
(2/3) Flavor: Name makes sense thematically, but it’s a little weak for my taste. Same with the flavor text, but hey it rhymes well.
Offering to the Godslayer 2WB
Legendary Enchantment (MR)
When Offering to the Godslayer enters the battlefield, exile target nonland permanent.
Sacrifice four creatures, pay 4 life: Exile Offering to the Godslayer, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
After Ajani spread the word of Elspeth's death a cult quickly formed, devoted to make sure that the champion who will destroy Theros' pantheon would return by any means possible.
////
Elspeth, Vengeful Returned
((W/B)) Planeswalker — Elspeth (MR)
Creatures you control have lifelink.
+1: Create two 2/1 white Cleric enchantment creature tokens.
-4: Exile each other nonland permanent with converted mana cost 5 or less.
-7: Exile all other permanents except for tokens.
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Think it’s to much for Timmies. Johnny is all over it. Strong enough for spike.
(3/3) Elegance: Easy to understand. ETB does this, pay this and transform.
Development -
(2.75/3) Viability: Flavor and ability wise this hits the mark for a WB card. Exception being the clerics should be WB too.
(3/3) Balance: Permanent exile for 4 is normal. The fragility of enchantment coupled with the high price of transformation makes the walker side balanced in that regard. Smart to make the -4 ability essentially a sac effect. Lots of setup involved for maximum effect.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Well everyone gets an auto point here due to the nature of the challenge. Now then. Super O-Ring into. Walker side is reminicent to Sun’s Champion, sans ultimate.
(3/3) Flavor: Believeable names, flavor text story tie in. It wouldn’t surprise me if this actually happens. Someone is gonna need to protect Theros from Phyrexia after she’s done laying waste to the Pantheon. Who better? Top notch.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues. Came dangerous close to microtexting.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenege satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchalleneges met.
Total: 23.25/25
Experiment of Evil Genius 1RR
Legendary Enchantment (M)
At the beginning of your upkeep, create a 1/1 red Devil creature token. It has "When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player."
Whenever an opponent is dealt noncombat damage, if that opponent was dealt 3 or more noncombat damage this turn, exile Experiment of Evil Genius, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
//
Tibalt, Evil Genius
(R) Planeswalker - Tibalt (M)
If a source you control would deal noncombat damage to a creature or player, it deals that many plus one damage to that creature or player instead.
+1: Discard a card at random. Tibalt, Evil Genius deals damage to target player equal to that card's converted mana cost.
-2: Until end of turn, creatures you control gain "When this creature dies, it deals 2 damage to target creature an opponent controls."
-6: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of combat on your turn, gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn."
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Avoided by Tim. Johhny latches on, at this cost, seems to be a very strong token generator for spike.
(2.5/3) Elegance: A bit wordy. The term “dealt 3 or more noncombat damage” is clunky, but unavoidable.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Definetivley red.
(2/3) Balance: Should probably cost 4. Compare to Goblin Assault and Blossom, this has no drawback. Walker side feels a little weak. But then again if you could choose the card, or deal damage to player’s it would be busted.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Fairly fresh. Take alot of pre-existing thigns we’ve all seen before and puts them in one package.
(2.75/3) Flavor: The name should have “the” in it or be pluralized. Otherwise, quite flavorful.
Polish -
(2.75/3) Quality: “it deals that many” should be “it deals that much”
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21/25
Perilous Nightmare 1UB
Legendary Enchantment (M)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, put a nightmare counter on Perilous Nightmare and up to one target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Whenever a player discards one or more cards, put a nightmare counter on Perilous Nightmare and scry 1.
Remove five nightmare counters from Perilous Nightmare: Exile Perilous Nightmare, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
A shadow promising eternal night covered the skies of Latharia. Even dreams denied sanctuary in its wake.
///
((U/B)) Ashiok, Nightmare Incarnate
Planeswalker - Ashiok (M)
Ashiok has hexproof as long as it has two or fewer loyalty counters on it.
(+1): Create a blue and black enchantment token named Nightmare with "Sacrifice this enchantment: Counter target spell or activated ability unless its controller pays 1. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)"
(-2): Each opponent sacrifices a creature. Then each opponent who didn't sacrifice a creature loses 3 life or discards a card.
(-8): You get an emblem with "You may cast nonland cards from you graveyard. Instant or sorcery spells cast this way are then exiled."
(5)
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think only Johnny is going to be even remotely interested. Timmy’s head is going to explode trying to read it, and probably to weak and taxing for most Spikes.
(1/3) Elegance: IThere is just wayyyyyyyy too much going on here. Wall of text on both sides. Ench side would be microtext. +1 might be too.
Development -
(2.5) Viability: Blue feels a little tack on for the sake of the abilities. This could probably have been mono black if tweaked a little.
(3/3) Balance: None of these abilitties seem especially punishing. And flipping it feels like it might be difficult. Obviously meant to be built around.
Creativity -
(2.75/3) Uniqueness: Feels very unique. Especially the ench tokens. Which make sense thematticly. Ultimate is similar to uhhhhh, one of them. Gatherer just went down for matinence.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Great name. Flavor text missing a word it seems or has an extra one. Should be “Even dreams were denied sanctuary in its wake” or simply. “Dreams denied sanctuary in its wake”
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: This would be microtext unfortunetly. Should say “instant or sorcery spell” Ultimate ability is worded weird. Pretty sure it would have a “gain(s)” template. Or go full ham, give em Rebound!
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 18.75/25
Convoy Carrier 5
Artifact - Vehicle (MR)
Haste, trample
2: Exile Convey Carrier and return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control.
Crew 1
6/6
/////////
Karn, Prime Mover
Planeswalker - Karn (MR)
Vehicles you control are creatures in addition to their other types.
2: Exile Karn, Prime Mover and return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control. He is a creature in addition to his other types until end of turn.
<+1>: Tap up to one untapped artifact you control. Karn deals damage to target creature equal to that artifact's converted mana cost.
<-6>: Search your library for up to seven artifact creatures and/or vehicles, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Shuffle your library.
[4]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy and Spike. Not a lot of combo potential for Johhny.
(3/3) Elegance: Clear cut and concise.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Karn the artifact man deals with artifacts. Hard to misconstrue.
(0/3) Balance: Honestly this seems to fall somewhere between too strong and derp teir busted. Crew 1 makes this too much of a turn 5 beast, it practically can’t die, and then it costs me 2 mana a turn to slam you in the face over and over again. Or If I don’t wannt to do that, just smack you around with the rest of my dumb undercosted vehicles that no don’t have to be crewed. Also this ultimate ability is just…. Ridiculous. Seven? Good lord. 3 maybe.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Well big dumb vehciles certainly are in fashion lately. Walker side feels fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: What convoy, whose convoy? Some flavor text here would have been good.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Convey instead of Convoy in text. Should be “exile then” not “exile and” This happens twice. Iv’e never seen the word “He” in a text box. Should be Convoy Carrier becomes a creature…” I think.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 18.5/25
Was part of the original build when I was trying to abuse Revolution/Marionnete. Play it for 0, take 4, can I have this back please? No? Take 3. Sac this other artifact with trawler on the board. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Honestly I'm not convinced some sort of BR(x) Control deck using this strategy isn't a possibility, but that's another thread entirely.
It is to slow for this build. It's no more than a crappy 1/1 for 2. No ramp or Snek to abuse it's ability.
4 Bomat Courier
3 Hope of Ghirapur
4 Scrapheap Scrounger
4 Freejam Regent
4 Herald of Anguish
Spells
4 Lightning Axe
4 Collective Defiance
4 Unlicensed Disintegration
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Artifacts
3 Heart of Kiran
2 Aethersphere Harvester
Lands
4 Foreboding Ruins
9 Mountain
9 Swamp
2 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
4 Incendiary Flow
3 Yahenni's Expertise
3 Lost Legacy
3 Fatal Push
I agree, but it's a hard balancing act currently. Maybe I'm reading too much into Hope being Legendary and it should replace Nerd Ape. Scrounger is honestly the only viable 2 drop. Scrawler was in here for a minute, but I can justify cutting removal or Chandra over it, but I may reverse the -1 Heart/Harvester +1 Axe/Defiance decision pending testing.
Jammed 2 Inspiring Statuary in here early on too cause it felt real good to play all three modes on Defiance for 3 mana. But as fun as that is, Statuary is redundant.
Very limited testing so far. Will know more tomorrow after Wednesday Standard. Also in that limited test, this was more oriented towards being "too cute" and trying to abuse Marionette Master and Pia's Revolution
I had Hope in here then noticed that buzzkill "Legendary" word in its type line. Forerunner though! Damn it Gatherer. Devoid screws up all my searches lol. Was looking for another three power 2 drop. Doesn't improvise but pilots Heart.
Decklists
I have taken a fundamentally different approach to this since the banning and AER rotating in. The build probably doesn't even belong in here anymore but it's still BR damn it! So here ya go.
4 Bomat Courier
4 Inventor's Apprentice
4 Scrapheap Scrounger
4 Freejam Regent
4 Herald of Anguish
4 Lightning Axe
4 Collective Defiance
4 Unlicensed Disintegration
Planeswalkers
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Heart of Kiran
2 Aethersphere Harvester
Lands
4 Foreboding Ruins
9 Mountain
9 Swamp
Up until 30 seconds ago this had +1 Heart/Harvester -1 Axe/Defiance. On the fence about it. I want to jam Herald t4. No SB yet.
Open the Armory. For Mechanized Production at least
I too am fiddling around with this brew with some emphasis on Super Friends (Dovin/Tamiyo/Jace)
Judgings
Enchantment {R}
When Await Processing enters the battlefield, exile X target creatures until Await Processing leaves the battlefield, where X is the number of times W was paid to cast Await Processing.
3CC, Put a card exiled with Await Processing into its owner’s graveyard: Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature, where X is the card’s converted mana cost.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Spike all day due to the power level. Johhny can find combo potential despite this being a dead blink card.
(2/3) Elegance: Fairly wordy but clearly defined.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: A bit odd. This card has distinct qualities of White, Green and to a lesser extent Blue (themeaticly)
(1/3) Balance: This is absurdly strong. Exile 4 creatures for 5 mana. Having one colorless in its CC doesn’t compensate for its power level. Compare to four O-Rings, which would cost 8WWWW.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Takes inspiration from the Processor creature type, aside from that its completely orginal.
(1.5/3) Flavor: The name is fantastic and apprehensive. But to me it is odd the way in which this works thematicaly. Exiles enemies to buff your own guys. When it should exile your own guys then return them to the battlefield with counters. To me, that’s processing/compleation. However the card wouldn’t work as intended if it did. This could just be you and I having fundemental difference of opinions on how Phyrexia operates. It’s ambigious.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No Issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has CMC of 5.
Total: 17.5/25
Sorcery (U)
Glacial (As you cast this spell, you may put an ice counter on any number of non-snow lands you control to reduce the cost of this spell by S for each of those lands. Lands with ice counters on them are snow lands.)
Search your library for up to two basic snow Forests and put them onto the battlefield tapped. Shuffle your library afterwards.
"This ice age should have ended, but instead the glaciers now reach Jamuraa. Time has been rewritten."
- Karn, Planeswalker
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Probably exclusive to Spike.
(2/3) Elegance: Wordy but comprehensible.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Land ramp is distincly green.
(2/3) Balance: On par with Culti/Kodama for the most part. Putting both lands into play is strong even if the lands searched for are niche. Clerly a niche/snow deck would run this to get the maximum value. The ability without a doubut just makes this 2G all the time.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Quirky ramp spell.
(2/3) Flavor: Can see this being the name of a card, albeit a card that does something totally different. Good flavor text tie in to TSP block.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No Issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has CMC of 4.
Total: 19/25
Creature - Human Soldier (R)
( can be paid with either W or C.)
When Infantry Recruiter enters the battlefield, deposit two times. (To deposit, create a colorless Coin artifact token with "Sacrifice this artifact: Add C to your mana pool.")
Sacrifice a Coin: Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.
4/4
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy not so much, ditto Johnny. Format dependent, it a bomb rare/build around in draft for spike.
(3/3) Elegance: Very easy to understand.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: White very very rarely gets access to mana production.
(3/3) Balance: This feels well balanced on it’s own. 6 for a possible 6 power. Obviously in what ever world is handing out coins, he could be a limited bomb and a build around card.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: This is an ability we’ve seen in the past in white and with soldiers. Deposit is an interesting spin on Eldazi Spawn.
(3/3) Flavor: Ate some of the best wings I’ve ever had the other day and this card is almost as flavorful as they were.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met
Total: 22.5/25
Phyrexian Editor 17.5/25
Jimmy Groove 19/25
doomfish 22.5/25
I don't know if that's correct.
Not that you'd have trouble reccuring Ballista with Trawler anyway in this deck. Just not off of itself.
Rakdos Prankster
Creature — Clown Horror (R)
Haste, menace
Whenever Rakdos Prankster deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card.
Whenever an opponent discards a card, Rakdos Prankster deals 1 damage to that player.
"Let me show you a trick."
2/2
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Too small for Tim. John is going to look to abuse the static damage ability. A very appealing aggro card for Spikes.
(3/3) Elegance: Easily understood.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: This does everything I would expect BR to be doing.
(2/3) Balance: Good solid card, but might be a bit much in Limited. If you slam this down turn 3 and your opponent stalls for even one turn it could very well take the game over by itself.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: “Specter Strike” is nothing new. Additional punishment is.
(3/3) Flavor: God I wish you have named this Pennywise Prankster. That aside, card is awash with flavor. Spot on.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: That templating looks fine to me, but the only creature in existence with haste and menance at the moment is Chittering Host and they templated the keywords on two seperate lines.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card is multicolored.
Total: 20.5/25
Doomsday Arkhulk 4WW
Artifact Creature — Ark Construct (MR)
Lifelink
When Doomsday Arkhulk enters the battlefield, exile all other creatures you control until Doomsday Arkhulk leaves the battlefield.
2WW: Destroy all creatures.
Salvation and judgement made one.
6/6
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy check. Johhny is going to find a way to flash this in and abuse ETB triggers. This is probably not quite up Spike’s alley, but perhaps finge play.
(3/3) Elegance: Very apparent what this does and the flavor text wraps it up nicely.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Everything about this card is white.
(3/3) Balance: I think you nailed it here. 6/6 for 6 is on curve. Tacking on lifelink isn’t problematic. Honestly I could see WotC putting flash on this thing if it was ever printed. That would make it a super ultra powerhouse. As is, I see no issues.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Mass blink effects are rare but have been seen before. This is obviously slower but that plays into the nature of the card.
(3/3) Flavor: High marks here. I can picture an Arkhulk cycle.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 24/25
Sartra, Wicked Jester 1RR
Legendary Creature - Human Clown (MR)
Menace
At the beginning of your end step, if you control three or more artifacts, sacrifice all artifacts you control. If you do, Satra, Wicked Jester deals 5 damage to each other creature, then transform it.
He seemed a loyal, if twisted, servant of Emperor Morger, but he reality he was merely biding his time.
3/2
/////
Sartra, Overlord of Ruin
Legendary Creature - Horror Clown (MR)
Flying, Menace
At the beginning of each opponent's end step, flip a coin. If it is heads, Sartra, Overlord of Ruin deals 5 damage to a random creature that opponent controls. If it is tails, that opponent sacrifices a land.
Now he rules over a devastated world, gleefully delivering his random and terrible "justice."
5/5
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Half of this is in Timmy’s wheelhouse, not a ton of build around potential for Johhny due the chaotic aspect of it. Spike may touch it, but the slow end up clause may make him reconsider.
(2/3) Elegance: Very techincal, lots of stipulations.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Red all the way. A legendary with this much technical text would definetly be mythic.
(3/3) Balance: This feels balanced. The flip clause is obviously build around, and it’s a global wipe. The transformed side is very powerful, but chaotic, so there isn’t an easy way to abuse it.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Clearly a one of a kind card.
(2.75/3) Flavor: Name is as realistic as any Legend. Flavot text tells a story. I just don’t like the word “random” in there. Reads weird to me.
Polish -
(2.25/3) Quality: Error in flavor text. “but he reality he”. Quotations for justice missaligned.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
21.5/25
Renegade Merchant 2R
Creature - Human Barterer (U)
Revolt - T, Discard a card: Draw a card. Draw two cards instead if a permanent left the battlefield this turn.
"I can't stay long, but if you're with Miss Nalaar, we can work out a deal."
1/1
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johhny and Spike all day.
(3/3) Elegance: Easily understood.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Diggers belong to red. This could probably be rare.
(1/3) Balance: Oh boy. Uhhhhh. I guess the jury is still out on Revolt, but all the hubbub surrounding Fatal Push and fetches at the very least leads me to suspect this could be stupid efficient in certain formats. Even in Standard this could become. “Sac a clue: play something with madness, draw 3 cards” Granted that’s going to cost a minimum 3 mana.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: It’s a digger.
(3/3) Flavor: Would fit thematically into the current block no doubt.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 20/25
Harmless Mannequin 2
Artifact Creature — Dummy [R]
2: Regenerate Harmless Mannequin. When Harmless Mannequin regenerates this way, transform it, then untap it.
Every night, the shopkeeper swears the doll looks more and more sinister.
0/1
////
Lifeless Killer
(B) Artifact Creature — Dummy Horror
Indestructible
t: Destroy target creature. Remove all damage from Lifeless Killer, then transform it.
Every morning, the shopkeeper has to clean off a murky, sticky liquid that wasn't there before.
0/1
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: This feels like the kind of rare that you open and go. “Oh, this guy” No one is particuallry interested in having it.
(2/3) Elegance: A bit technical. The remove damage clause is odd.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Black does enjoy murdering things.
(2/3) Balance: This card is very diffcult to deal with it seems. And it makes attacking a nightmare.
Creativity -
(2.75/3) Uniqueness: Reminiscient of Creepy Doll while being completely different.
(3/3) Flavor: Well this is just adorable.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 20.75/25
Mercurial Dealer 1R
Creature — Goblin Barterer (U)
T, Discard an artifact card: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an artifact card. Put it into your hand. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Few goblins understand the real value of goods they have.
1/1
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Maybe Johhny, and he has to put some effort into it.
(3/3) Elegance: Easy to understand.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Totally red.
(2.5/3) Balance: Filtering tutor cards like this are inherently powerful. But there is random chance involved so the effect becoming degenerate is unlikely unless you build around them. However since the activation requires you discard an artifact to begin with, the abuse potential is offset. (I’m thinking in terms of a deck like Zombie Hunt)
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Clearly Madcap Experiment is the inspiration here.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Name could be a card. Flavor text speaks to the intellect of goblins, but at the same time I don’t think it fits this particualr card that well.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21.5/25
Flatline - 20.5
Stoner - 24
Jimmy - 21.5
Necarg - 20
Admiral - 21
Shinike - 21.5
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library.
"Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon."
—Temporal Adept, first words
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: I feel like the people interested in this are Johhny’s, and that might be a stretch but it could allow for political play and short terma alliances in Commander. Don’t think Timmy is going to care. Hard casting probably to high for Spike, and he damn well doesn’t want his opponents taking extra turns on his dime. Fringe SB maybe, to disable game winning combo.
(3/3) Elegance: Simplistic and easy to comprhend.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Completely blue without exception. Could probably be rare imo, but in recent times, any card having to do with turns is mythic.
(3/3) Balance: Without the alt cost, the ability to CC ratio feels spot on. The alt cost doesn’t unbalance it whatsoever due to the intense drawback it can create.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Tucking has been around, though generally you are given a choice of top or bottom. Alt cost is completely new.
(3/3) Flavor: Very realistic name. Flavor text is great.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Satisfied
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21.5/25
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library.
"I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think Spike would welcome this card. It’s fairly stong and easy to splash.
(3/3) Elegance: No comprehension problems.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue card all the way, rarity is just right.
(2/3) Balance: Strong card for sure. Would perfer the hard CC at 1UU
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Comparable to Memory Lapse, Lapse of Certainty, and more recently, Unsubstantiate. “Counters” the uncounterable unlike the first two.
(3/3) Flavor: Good name, good flavor text.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 20/25
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control."
The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: This is probably going to be sought after by all three groups but Timmy less so. Oozes combo potential for Johhny, oozes power abuse potential for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Could see this being rare due to the reference of such a legendary location.
(1/3) Balance: Oh lawd the Academy. This twist on it is obviously strong, and if not dealt with quickly will probably be degenerate. Honestly I would have liked this to tap the land in question as the enchanment is being attached, since even instant speed LD isn’t going to completely stop the combo potential.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Unique and fresh while feeling familiar at the same time.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Concept and name are great, flavor text is good, but reads a bit odd towards the end.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21/25
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
"Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike are going to go to great lengths to cheat this and reap the benefits.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue tutoring is usually more card type specific. Gifts being the exception, but the reason for that is the stipulations of Gifts itself.
(1/3) Balance: Problem here is, Cascade is a thing, other cheat methods are a thing.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Only card that remotely comes close to this would be Gifts Ungiven. A super tutor isn’t completely unique, but the mechanics on the card give it a certain peculairty.
(2/3) Flavor: Name makes sense thematically, but it’s a little weak for my taste. Same with the flavor text, but hey it rhymes well.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 19/25
Yeah what up now Lion!?
I'll be the fourth.