I mean, is it really that much worse than your men hanging Emrakul, the Aeons Torn at the Gallows of Willow Hill?
Yes. Think of the Gallows of Willow hill if it specifically called out "non-spirit"--you imagine that they are going for a stronger lore connection because, of course, spirits can't be hanged. but that's an arbitrary distinction, and in the same block there were creepy dolls, unbreathing hordes of zombies, treefolk, etc. By calling attention to the exclusion, it makes other exceptions stand out all the more--the exception proves the rule.
Why can devilthorn fox wield a shard of broken glass? because gameplay trumps flavor, and they can't call out all the exceptions that don't fit thematically. (Restricting equipment to specific class creature types would be a possible way to do it if designed that way from the beginning). But then why can't you make a Merfolk walk the plank? Presumably in this set Merfolk collectively were slightly weaker than other tribes by X, where X equals being vulnerable to one additional black kill spell.
Like I said, I'm not against it, but it is a little jarring to have inconsistent gameplay call outs to flavor. I think it would have made the most sense as a spell that killed a non-blue creature, if such a cycle were to be made.
Walk the Plank feels like it is trying for flavor/gameplay convergence, then just totally fails as it kills sphinxes, dragons, krakens, probably pterodacy type dinosaurs, even airships should they happen to be crewed on your turn. I really hope to someday see a consulate dreadnought walk the plank.
I'm not against it, as these kinds of situations are funny, but the exception here doesn't come close to making sense.
You could start by focusing on the tribes in the two innistrad blocks, since those were pretty well supported. Then expand into tribes you could support in enemy colors, perhaps focusing on classes--knights, wizards, warriors, and soldiers can all work.
I have recently downsized, just for tidyness/space reasons. Basically I decided that if I thought I'd never use a card, there wasn't too much reason to keep it around, especially if cheaply replaced. So, setting aside my commander decks, my EDH cube, my box of rares, and my uncommons, oh, yes, and my back-up cube, and the remains of my Innistrad and Conspiracy cubes, I went through the rest and kept about 75 cards of each color, figuring if I ever felt the need to make a left-over pauper cube I can do so.
That left a grocery bag full of vanilla creatures, duplicates, basic lands, and generic under-powered spells. It was kind of fun prioritizing, actually. I've still got the bag, and will offer it to friends who might want it, but I'll toss it out eventually.
Mount is also similar to Bestow. See Griffin Guide to see card that basically already represents a mount.
Comments on cards:
Accumulated Wealth seems like a black victory condition.
Aid of the Gods seems to be made worse by shuffling it back in, unless there is a very real threat of milling in the set. Could it cantrip or cycle?
Arachenya seems like a more elegant version of Arachnus Spinner
Arshak seems perfectly fair for a 7 mana mythic.
Arsonists Trickery seems bad because you're not likely playing many cards costing more than 3 that fit the criteria, are you? So there's a big chance of whiffing, and a medium chance of having a second copy of an okay card, and a small chance of getting value. Hazoret's undying fury was a mythic, but still not all that good. I think you could make this reveal two or three cards and not be broken, legacy/modern storm decks aside (in which it is already broken for all I know)
Avain Nobleman is a fantastic common, isn't it?
Ayara Glenn--are you sure you want to use intimidate? I think just straight up unblockable is more fair (doesn't randomly color hose) or trample if you want to be safe.
Ayara's call seems like it could go to hand since it is only a creature tutor. See Fierce empath for example, or jarad's orders
Back-Ally Blacksmith is fine. If you wanted a rare version, it could do a bludgeon brawl type conversion with the boost equal to sac'd artifact cmc, but that's much more complex.
Basilisk of the Darkwood--I don't like how a legendary creature is going to only have as many charges as Gaze cards you want in your deck. Why not template it more like Xathrid Gorgon?
Battlefield Prayer--ok, but I think I've seen it for less? swift justice or mortal's ardor
Beat in the Streets--As a sorcery, this is going to be poor to fair removal, since it leaves the caster open on defense and can't be used as a trick. I think costing at 1 or 2 cmc is fair in that case. Most fight effects don't tap anything.
Belittle--a fine trick and a great name, but if peasants are 0/1, how are they beating in the streets in the flavor text of that card?
Belligerent Student--I'm not sure how much other gy interaction you have, but it seems at first glance to need a couple points more toughness if it is going to matter (at that cmc)
Biting Whombax--This doesn't feel ungreen, but is it really an effect green needs access to, given big creatures and trample?
Blockade is great on an enchantment, but it's a much worse fog as an instant. (Fog at least probably tapped some creatures). This also must be played pre-attackers being declared. Let it cantrip at least.
Bloodstone Shore, etc.--did this need two drawbacks?
Bloodthirsty Outcaste--is that spelling intentional?
Brains Beget Brawn—is that high a cost needed? It’s most likely a +4/0 for 5 in a spell heavy deck. Maybe +5. So it’s a lava axe you have to build around and need an evasive creature in play, or a very situational combat trick.
Brush Fire--seems playable as a one or two of in a gruul deck. I don't like it as a signpost uncommon, and since you are sac'ing a forest already, why not make it cost 1R
Call for reinforcements is basically a modal spell that does 4 damage to an attacking creature, or gives an attacking or blocking creature +0/4. Seems okay effect at 4 for a common, but kind of high complexity.
call to the dead--slight improvement over rise from the grave
captain of the iron guard--seems strong, but triple white might be hard to cast. There's an argument to making it a 6/5, since that is what it blocks as.
Carrion Vulture--I really like this. Fair, but can get quite powerful if you work at it.
Cease--seems fine. I agree that barter makes sense as "sac any artifact" for simplicity's sake
Charred Forest--Good design!
Counterform--wordy as heck, but pretty cool for mythic.
Darkwood Behemoth--seems like the kind of card a new player will think it crazy overpowered and an experienced player will think is an okay finisher for a long game. I like it.
Darkwood Channeler--I don't know about this. I'm not saying its bad, I don't know how it would play out. It's interesting, but it seems like you'd need several pain-lands to do more than make it a mana sink for a small burn effect. But worst comes to worst and it's an expensive ramp spell. I think I'd rather it cost BG and then have the abilities free or just tap.
Darkwood Chant--okay, spoke too soon. That could be a fun combo.
Darkwood Elf--that's really cool as a rare.
Dead Reckoner--sweet card
Disarming Strike--why not an instant? As is it kills very small things or is a slight tempo play in the early game. As an instant it could be a very unusual combat trick.
Drown--probably a color pie break. Just because its expensive doesn't make it ok
Encyclopedic Knowledge--discard before draw is generally red lately. Make it "Draw X cards, then discard X cards. X can't be more cards than you have in hand when casting ~" to be blue.
Essence of the Phoenix--this is okay, although red doesn't usually get cheap fliers and it's probably not actually good without instant/sorcery support.
Etched in Memory--Another nice mythic.
Evirin--seems good. His voice is sweet too
Evoke the Highwood--seems good, though the first mode is basically trinket text
Fair Trade--seems like this should be cheaper than control magic, since the opponent gains so much
Fearless Thief--Needs Fear. Just kidding, but it could probably use another point of toughness at least.
Field of Embers--pretty strong. Makes the caster immune to x/1's, makes removal easier, etc. I don't know if red should be so defensive. Maybe on a creature? But I'm okay with it.
Fiery Rebirth--Not sure why I need to lose life for this; compare to Spark Trooper
Flickering Flame--Neat concept, but low impact. Have you tried a RRR deal 3 damage spell here?
Gatewatch Keeper--recent story changes have made this name amusing. Pretty bad card, though.
Grim Covenant--Suitable black finisher. I like it.
Gruesome Guillotine--I don't know how to cost this, but it seems high
Halt--just bad partial fog. Make it an aura enchantment that allows you to pay W for that effect each turn and it's okay.
Harass--Make it a cantrip and it's playable.
Hibernating Hookfang--no, that's a blue card. Green should get 4/4's for 4 without downside; downside creatures feel very blue. See Deep-sea terror Cost it at 3 if you want that effect in green.
I like Living Memorial. I think the activation cost could be reduced to that of mirage mirror
Mana Well is a cool build around, though I don't know if it is good. You'd need to play it before at least two counters for it to pay off, preferably 3 for a real pay-off. Could it have an activated ability to loot, scry, tap, -X/-0, become an illusion creature or something like that?
Melancholy Succubus is a pretty cool design.
Morbid Surrogate is disturbing.
Out of the Ashes seems really bad. Card disadvantage and you might just draw this same card again? I'd rather play almost anything.
Regarding the flavor - remember this is Magic. So a moon CAN have unique enough to have magical waves inspiring liftoff of vehicles.
What do you mean? It is sailing to the moon on waves? It's an interesting conceit, but you're going to really have to sell that with art or flavor text for people to get the intent.
Just so I'm not all negative, here's a suggestion Experimental Test Pilot2G
Creature Ape Pilot uncommon U:Untap Experimental Test Pilot
When Experimental Test Pilot crews a vehicle, it gains trample until end of turn
3/2
Overgrow is really weird. I see what you are trying to convey, the swiftly growing vegetation, but having to make a token copy of a creature with the creature's stats, but then remove the creature type seems like a very confusing way to get ramp+etb effects. How will it work with Awaken? It seems like it will be easy to break something on accident making tokens of things that aren't lands into lands, and if not it would be simpler to just search your library for a land instead. And that's not even talking about the color pie. Blue ramp is maybe just a bend, but if this goes into red or white, that's a pretty clear color pie break.
I don't have a problem with your other mechanics, although all told they all are a bit too reminiscent of other recent mechanics, namely embalm, emerge, exert, with just the card types switched. That's fine, but it might be more interesting to replace one of them with something more original.
Lunar Shuttle 2
Legendary Artifact - Vehicle
Crew 3
Vigilance, Haste
If Lunar Shuttle is crewed by 3 Blue Wizard creatures, it gains flying until end of turn.
4/4
This seems like a pretty poor card. I'm not sure of the power level, but it seems weak. Crew 3 is a lot, and a 4/4 vigilant creature isn't really enough pay-off for tapping down maybe my whole board (and this won't have flying much as written in limited). I get what you are going for with the blue wizard trinket text, but what exactly is your shuttle doing if it is crewed by three red goblins? Driving? Also, things going into space should probably have "can only block creatures with flying" but it's okay if you want to leave it out for gameplay or space reasons, but it seems odd this doesn't have "high flying."
What about Lunar shuttle
Legendary Artifact - Vehicle
Crew 3
Flying, Vigilance, Haste
Whenever you tap a wizard to crew ~, it gains unblockable
~ Can only block creatures with flying
When ~ deals combat damage, Scry 3
4/4
Vedalken Astronomer UUU--the last bit of text is red card draw. Maybe cost it 1UR
I had a conspiracy cube at one point; in my current edh cube I have a Monarch cycle and a draft maters cycle, as well as a few of the artifact creatures from the first set. It's 720, so they haven't become too relevant yet, except for volatile chimera being fun and arcane savant triggering Ezuri's Predation being back-breaking. Monarch hasn't happened to come up recently but I'm still a big fan of having them in.
Double-faced MtG Transformer card without "transform" ability. I've seen some crap.
I'm not 100% positive there's a face on the back side, but the ability to make him become ferocious king and the symbol in the upper left suggests it strongly.
edit: nevermind, misinterpreted you. Good point.
It's pretty darn good timing for a dinosaur/vehicle lord.
Zevan seems cool, except for the fact that your opponent will just say "Planeswalker" and you get nothing most of the time. How about "You play a card exiled with Zevan unless an opponent discards a card with the same card type?"
Expendable (When this is countered or destroyed, you may draw a card.)
By the way, this could also apply to react: When this [creature/spell] becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, draw a card.
Of course, phrased like that makes it a candidate for R/U, although "if this is targeted" effects have been used more recently in G.
I have a weird thought to differentiate it from Niv-Mizzet and Nekusar: Jun,Dar, Mage of Madness1BUR
Prowess
Your hand size is reduced to five
Draw a card at the beginning of each opponent's upkeep
Whenever you discard a card, each opponent discards a card or takes 1 damage
2/3
(I had that last ability be forcing a discard and damage, but that might be too strong with wheel effects)
Why can devilthorn fox wield a shard of broken glass? because gameplay trumps flavor, and they can't call out all the exceptions that don't fit thematically. (Restricting equipment to specific class creature types would be a possible way to do it if designed that way from the beginning). But then why can't you make a Merfolk walk the plank? Presumably in this set Merfolk collectively were slightly weaker than other tribes by X, where X equals being vulnerable to one additional black kill spell.
Like I said, I'm not against it, but it is a little jarring to have inconsistent gameplay call outs to flavor. I think it would have made the most sense as a spell that killed a non-blue creature, if such a cycle were to be made.
I'm not against it, as these kinds of situations are funny, but the exception here doesn't come close to making sense.
That left a grocery bag full of vanilla creatures, duplicates, basic lands, and generic under-powered spells. It was kind of fun prioritizing, actually. I've still got the bag, and will offer it to friends who might want it, but I'll toss it out eventually.
Comments on cards:
Accumulated Wealth seems like a black victory condition.
Aid of the Gods seems to be made worse by shuffling it back in, unless there is a very real threat of milling in the set. Could it cantrip or cycle?
Arachenya seems like a more elegant version of Arachnus Spinner
Arshak seems perfectly fair for a 7 mana mythic.
Arsonists Trickery seems bad because you're not likely playing many cards costing more than 3 that fit the criteria, are you? So there's a big chance of whiffing, and a medium chance of having a second copy of an okay card, and a small chance of getting value. Hazoret's undying fury was a mythic, but still not all that good. I think you could make this reveal two or three cards and not be broken, legacy/modern storm decks aside (in which it is already broken for all I know)
Avain Nobleman is a fantastic common, isn't it?
Ayara Glenn--are you sure you want to use intimidate? I think just straight up unblockable is more fair (doesn't randomly color hose) or trample if you want to be safe.
Ayara's call seems like it could go to hand since it is only a creature tutor. See Fierce empath for example, or jarad's orders
Back-Ally Blacksmith is fine. If you wanted a rare version, it could do a bludgeon brawl type conversion with the boost equal to sac'd artifact cmc, but that's much more complex.
Basilisk of the Darkwood--I don't like how a legendary creature is going to only have as many charges as Gaze cards you want in your deck. Why not template it more like Xathrid Gorgon?
Battlefield Prayer--ok, but I think I've seen it for less? swift justice or mortal's ardor
Beat in the Streets--As a sorcery, this is going to be poor to fair removal, since it leaves the caster open on defense and can't be used as a trick. I think costing at 1 or 2 cmc is fair in that case. Most fight effects don't tap anything.
Belittle--a fine trick and a great name, but if peasants are 0/1, how are they beating in the streets in the flavor text of that card?
Belligerent Student--I'm not sure how much other gy interaction you have, but it seems at first glance to need a couple points more toughness if it is going to matter (at that cmc)
Biting Whombax--This doesn't feel ungreen, but is it really an effect green needs access to, given big creatures and trample?
Blockade is great on an enchantment, but it's a much worse fog as an instant. (Fog at least probably tapped some creatures). This also must be played pre-attackers being declared. Let it cantrip at least.
Bloodstone Shore, etc.--did this need two drawbacks?
Bloodthirsty Outcaste--is that spelling intentional?
Brains Beget Brawn—is that high a cost needed? It’s most likely a +4/0 for 5 in a spell heavy deck. Maybe +5. So it’s a lava axe you have to build around and need an evasive creature in play, or a very situational combat trick.
Brush Fire--seems playable as a one or two of in a gruul deck. I don't like it as a signpost uncommon, and since you are sac'ing a forest already, why not make it cost 1R
Call for reinforcements is basically a modal spell that does 4 damage to an attacking creature, or gives an attacking or blocking creature +0/4. Seems okay effect at 4 for a common, but kind of high complexity.
call to the dead--slight improvement over rise from the grave
captain of the iron guard--seems strong, but triple white might be hard to cast. There's an argument to making it a 6/5, since that is what it blocks as.
Carrion Vulture--I really like this. Fair, but can get quite powerful if you work at it.
Cease--seems fine. I agree that barter makes sense as "sac any artifact" for simplicity's sake
Charred Forest--Good design!
Counterform--wordy as heck, but pretty cool for mythic.
Darkwood Behemoth--seems like the kind of card a new player will think it crazy overpowered and an experienced player will think is an okay finisher for a long game. I like it.
Darkwood Channeler--I don't know about this. I'm not saying its bad, I don't know how it would play out. It's interesting, but it seems like you'd need several pain-lands to do more than make it a mana sink for a small burn effect. But worst comes to worst and it's an expensive ramp spell. I think I'd rather it cost BG and then have the abilities free or just tap.
Darkwood Chant--okay, spoke too soon. That could be a fun combo.
Darkwood Elf--that's really cool as a rare.
Dead Reckoner--sweet card
Disarming Strike--why not an instant? As is it kills very small things or is a slight tempo play in the early game. As an instant it could be a very unusual combat trick.
Drown--probably a color pie break. Just because its expensive doesn't make it ok
Encyclopedic Knowledge--discard before draw is generally red lately. Make it "Draw X cards, then discard X cards. X can't be more cards than you have in hand when casting ~" to be blue.
Essence of the Phoenix--this is okay, although red doesn't usually get cheap fliers and it's probably not actually good without instant/sorcery support.
Etched in Memory--Another nice mythic.
Evirin--seems good. His voice is sweet too
Evoke the Highwood--seems good, though the first mode is basically trinket text
Fair Trade--seems like this should be cheaper than control magic, since the opponent gains so much
Fearless Thief--Needs Fear. Just kidding, but it could probably use another point of toughness at least.
Field of Embers--pretty strong. Makes the caster immune to x/1's, makes removal easier, etc. I don't know if red should be so defensive. Maybe on a creature? But I'm okay with it.
Fiery Rebirth--Not sure why I need to lose life for this; compare to Spark Trooper
Flickering Flame--Neat concept, but low impact. Have you tried a RRR deal 3 damage spell here?
Gatewatch Keeper--recent story changes have made this name amusing. Pretty bad card, though.
Grim Covenant--Suitable black finisher. I like it.
Gruesome Guillotine--I don't know how to cost this, but it seems high
Halt--just bad partial fog. Make it an aura enchantment that allows you to pay W for that effect each turn and it's okay.
Harass--Make it a cantrip and it's playable.
Hibernating Hookfang--no, that's a blue card. Green should get 4/4's for 4 without downside; downside creatures feel very blue. See Deep-sea terror Cost it at 3 if you want that effect in green.
I like Living Memorial. I think the activation cost could be reduced to that of mirage mirror
Mana Well is a cool build around, though I don't know if it is good. You'd need to play it before at least two counters for it to pay off, preferably 3 for a real pay-off. Could it have an activated ability to loot, scry, tap, -X/-0, become an illusion creature or something like that?
Melancholy Succubus is a pretty cool design.
Morbid Surrogate is disturbing.
Out of the Ashes seems really bad. Card disadvantage and you might just draw this same card again? I'd rather play almost anything.
Just so I'm not all negative, here's a suggestion
Experimental Test Pilot 2G
Creature Ape Pilot uncommon
U:Untap Experimental Test Pilot
When Experimental Test Pilot crews a vehicle, it gains trample until end of turn
3/2
I don't have a problem with your other mechanics, although all told they all are a bit too reminiscent of other recent mechanics, namely embalm, emerge, exert, with just the card types switched. That's fine, but it might be more interesting to replace one of them with something more original.
This seems like a pretty poor card. I'm not sure of the power level, but it seems weak. Crew 3 is a lot, and a 4/4 vigilant creature isn't really enough pay-off for tapping down maybe my whole board (and this won't have flying much as written in limited). I get what you are going for with the blue wizard trinket text, but what exactly is your shuttle doing if it is crewed by three red goblins? Driving? Also, things going into space should probably have "can only block creatures with flying" but it's okay if you want to leave it out for gameplay or space reasons, but it seems odd this doesn't have "high flying."
What about
Lunar shuttle
Legendary Artifact - Vehicle
Crew 3
Flying, Vigilance, Haste
Whenever you tap a wizard to crew ~, it gains unblockable
~ Can only block creatures with flying
When ~ deals combat damage, Scry 3
4/4
Vedalken Astronomer UUU--the last bit of text is red card draw. Maybe cost it 1UR
edit: nevermind, misinterpreted you. Good point.
It's pretty darn good timing for a dinosaur/vehicle lord.
Jean-Michel, Inquisitive Sorcerer1U
Legendary Creature Human Wizard
When ~ etb, scry 1
U, tap, return ~ to your hand: Draw 1 card
1/3
Your legendary adviser is great.
Of course, phrased like that makes it a candidate for R/U, although "if this is targeted" effects have been used more recently in G.
Jun,Dar, Mage of Madness 1BUR
Prowess
Your hand size is reduced to five
Draw a card at the beginning of each opponent's upkeep
Whenever you discard a card, each opponent discards a card or takes 1 damage
2/3
(I had that last ability be forcing a discard and damage, but that might be too strong with wheel effects)