A bit of self-indulgence, since I took this month on short notice, so it'll be Alara Month this time around! Finally we'll deal with probably the most overlooked Alara mechanic, that of Grixis.
Main Challenge: Design a card with unearth.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has one or more triggered abilities. Subchallenge 2: Your card has four or more colored mana symbols between its mana cost and text.
Please feel free to ask additional questions if you have any in the MCC Discussion thread.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by May 7th 11:59 PM EDT
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by May 10th 11:59 PM EDT
Design - (X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card? (X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development - (X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity? (X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity - (X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”? (X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish - (X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating. (X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge? (X/2) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Dark Knights of New Alara4(W/B)(W/B)
Creature — Human Knight (R)
When Dark Knights of New Alara enters the battlefield, exile another target creature you don’t control. If it entered from your graveyard and under your control, instead exile all other creatures and all creature cards from all graveyards.
Unearth 5WB(5WB: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.) A Bant battalion tainted by Grixis dark magic.
4/4
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.)
Guider from Beyond1W
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Whenever a creature you control is exiled from the battlefield, you may pay 1W. If you do, return that creature to the battlefield.
Unearth 3W
2/1
Harox, City of Corpses
Legendary Land (M) T: Add C. B, T, Sacrifice Harox, City of Corpses: Add CC.
When Harox, City of Corpses enters the battlefield, if you unearthed it, it becomes a 10/10 black Zombie Giant in addition to it's other types.
Unearth 6BBB
Dark Knights of New Alara4(W/B)(W/B)
Creature — Human Knight (R)
When Dark Knights of New Alara enters the battlefield, exile another target creature you don’t control. If it entered from your graveyard and under your control, instead exile all other creatures and all creature cards from all graveyards.
Unearth 5WB(5WB: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.) A Bant battalion tainted by Grixis dark magic.
4/4
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: All three of the psychographics see some value in this, but Spike a bit less than the other two because of the high costs.
(2.5/3) Elegance: The card reads clearly and it's pretty elegant, but the "under your control" clause will make a few players scratch their heads in case they want to reanimate it from another player's graveyard.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: White and black are the two colors that are able to exile creatures and graveyards, so at face value, as a hybrid card, there's nothing wrong with that. While Unearth has usually been a Grixis mechanic, I could see this as an interesting twist in case of a return to Alara. I could see this at mythic for limited purposes, but rare seems appropriate too.
(3/3) Balance: While both effects are definitely strong, they are kept in check by both the high and specific mana costs. At a closer look, this opens the door for some reanimation shenanigans, as you get the "super" etb effect in case of classic reanimation too, but this would mean you should have to run a deck geared towards that. This is a windmill slam in limited for its splashability and effect, but I don't see it as making a huge splash in eternal formats (outside EDH, of course), even though, as I already said, some reanimator decks would love to play with this.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Having a card improve on its effect by the use of a mechanic is a fresh and interesting take on Unearth.
(2.5/3) Flavor: There's nothing wrong in this card, per se, but I feel like the flavor text is a bit bland. My hypothesis is because you didn't want to overcrowd the card, but, still, I think it was a good call.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: All good here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Check and check.
Guider from Beyond1W
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Whenever a creature you control is exiled from the battlefield, you may pay 1W. If you do, return that creature to the battlefield.
Unearth 3W
2/1
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: This is mainly a Johnny card. Timmy sees nothing in it, and Spike likes this for sideboarding potential.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Very elegant, but see the Quality section for my remarks.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: While is not new to having some "imposition" effects, and this plays well in its court, as well as falling in the wheel of protection effects White also has to offer. The effect is deserving of it's rarity, but it's nothing to write home about. "Unearth" on a Spirit feels strange, though, without mentioning that it's not even a mechanic White has access to.
(2/3) Balance: While there's nothing wrong in a 2/1 for 1W in contemporary standard, this card is either really weak or really broken if you take advantage of the effect clause, but that would mean investing a lot of mana. This is not a high pick in limited and could, at best, see some fringe play in sideboards.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: I have to give credit where credit is due, there's not a card to this day that "prevents" things from being exiled.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The card's name is perfect, and gives a very accurate idea of what the card does. My problem is that this card has a lot of space on it which I feel could've been used to either put in Unearth reminder text (although it's not required at higher rarity) or some flavor text.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: The card should have a "under it's owner's/your control" after the last sentence. This opens up some weird scenarios, like: what if I steal this and then use a blink effect? Under which player control would the creature return to?
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Has the triggered ability but not the mana symbols.
Harox, City of Corpses
Legendary Land (M) T: Add C. B, T, Sacrifice Harox, City of Corpses: Add CC.
When Harox, City of Corpses enters the battlefield, if you unearthed it, it becomes a 10/10 black Zombie Giant in addition to it's other types.
Unearth 6BBB
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy and Johnny like this. Spike likes this in the late game only, and the fact that it's both legendary and colorless prevent him from really really liking it.
(3/3) Elegance: Very elegant.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Black is the main Unearth color and has already had lands that like to sacrifice themselves in the past, so there's nothing wrong with that. The fact that it's going to be pretty telegraphed when it's about to come down makes me think this could be a rare, but I could see this as a mythic for its flair and uniqueness.
(3/3) Balance: This is a very interesting land, since it works as a Wastes for most of the game, but later gives you the option to Unearth it by itself, as it's not that easy (especially in limited) to sacrifice a land. I must commend you for making so you break even on mana (which you can use to Unearth it) when you crack this, as I feel that many would've given it a way more potent mana boost. Probably not a windmill slam in limited, I could see this as part of some control builds who want to add one more finisher without muddying the spells part of the deck too much. I don't see this seeing play in modern, but maybe it could find a home in Legacy Lands for the surprise effect.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Even though there are lands that sport mechanics (the first one off the top of my head is Zoetic Cavern), this is a very interesting and fresh design.
(2.5/3) Flavor: This card has an awesome flavor, but it could be enriched by some flavor text, as MSE shows me that there's abundant space for it. The name sounds Grixian, but I would've liked to know more.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Should be "its". Should also become a creature.
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Check and check.
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Dark Knights of New Alara4(W/B)(W/B)
Creature — Human Knight (R)
When Dark Knights of New Alara enters the battlefield, exile another target creature you don’t control. If it entered from your graveyard and under your control, instead exile all other creatures and all creature cards from all graveyards.
Unearth 5WB(5WB: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.) A Bant battalion tainted by Grixis dark magic.
4/4
Design - (2/3) Appeal: It's not a Johnny card, but Spike and Timmy are quite happy. (1.5/3) Elegance: The "and under your control" rider matters basically never (as you already have "from your graveyard"). I also don't like the lack of symmetry of effects and wordiness.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Colors, rules and rarity ok. (2/3) Balance: This may be quite expensive, but it still is a sweeper that doesn't cost you a card, and even without Unearth it's a Duplicant, which is quite a good card.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: I don't feel any part of this card is very new, but the combination seems quite interesting. (2/3) Flavor: No flavor in rules text and quite bland flavor text. Also, unfortunately no references to Knights of New Alara. There's nothing specifically wrong, though.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: OK (2/2) Main Challenge: OK (2/2) Subchallenges:OK
Total: 20/25
Guider from Beyond1W
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Whenever a creature you control is exiled from the battlefield, you may pay 1W. If you do, return that creature to the battlefield.
Unearth 3W
2/1Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: This card is mainly for Johnny, but Spike and Timmy may use it to protect their stuff or gain some card advantage. (3/3) Elegance: Very elegant design.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: Effect sounds white to me, and rarity is OK as well. I'm not sure about the rules for it, though. Even if they work, they may be hard to grasp in edge cases. (2.5/3) Balance: In many situations, cards get exiled for a reason, and messing with it may be dangerous. The card itself may get annoying easily. However, this is quite a narrow effect, and replaying it repeatedly is very costly, so it is probably fine.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: This is a very new design. (2/3) Flavor: Guider is a strange choice of word, and the card lacks exact flavoring.
Polish - (2/3) Quality: Needs reminder text. Needs mention after whose control creatures return. (2/2) Main Challenge: OK (1/2) Subchallenges: Not enough symbols
Total: 20.5/25
Harox, City of Corpses
Legendary Land (M) T: Add C. B, T, Sacrifice Harox, City of Corpses: Add CC.
When Harox, City of Corpses enters the battlefield, if you unearthed it, it becomes a 10/10 black Zombie Giant in addition to it's other types.
Unearth 6BBB
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy dreams about a big creature, but Spike sees that this is weak as a land and too expensive to Unearth, and Johnny just skips the card. (2/3) Elegance: A lot of text, and the self-sacrifice ability is very head scratching (fixing for Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, anyone?) on the first glance.
Development - (2/3) Viability: Color is fine; rules-wise, unearthing noncreature is OK with rules, even though it wasn't done before. However, I doubt this deserves a Mythic rarity. If it wasn't legendary, I could easily see it at uncommon, and this card plays like one. (2.5/3) Balance: Well, this card is just weak. It is a colorless land until you reach 10 mana, then you sacrifice it to play en easily chumpable creature for one turn. Even if you skip playing and sacrificing land by self mill, it is hardly game-winning in most scenarios.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: This is an interesting direction for unearth. However, in gameplay, this is not that different from Foundry of the Consuls. (2.5/3) Flavor: I quite like this flavor, but it isn't breathtaking.
Polish - (2/3) Quality: You need to specify that it becomes a creature. "It's" (2/2) Main Challenge: OK (2/2) Subchallenges: OK
Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: Txmmy's appeal here is obvious. Jxnny would love to reanimate it with "unauthorized" means. Spike doesn't want to pay quite that much for a board wipe but when it can get the last attack in as well, that's interesting. (2.5/3) Elegance: Slightly awkward wording on that triggered ability but otherwise nice neat package.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Colors, rarity, and typing all very much fine. (3/3) Balance: A tremendous bomb, but an expensive one, and the only built-in way to use the "wrath" mode costs seven mana and requires hoop-jumping.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: Plenty of wrath creatures out there but the "entered from graveyard" part is much more unusual. (2.5/3) Flavor: Pretty good, flavor text's just a little on the nose though.
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Txmmy likes keeping their stuff around, Jxnny likes how many things this card interacts with, Spike likes cheap engines. (2/3) Elegance: The messing with exile has a few inelegant interactions.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Rare is exactly where I'd put this and I suppose white seems right. (2/3) Balance: So this card can recur itself indefinitely... and it does concerning things with Food Chain. However, it is hardly the only card to have either of those issues, and you have to work for that Chain infinite combo, so.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Messing with exile is little-done (with good reason) but there is a small amount of precedent here. (1.5/3) Flavor: Definitely could have used flavor text. Name seems a little obvious and also generic.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Seems fine. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good. (1/2) Subchallenges: Not enough colored mana symbols.
Total: 20/25
Design - (2/3) Appeal: This seems to be a Txmmy/Jxnny card - Spike isn't jumping through hoops and giving up tempo to finish the game, they just want to use a regular old finisher for that. (2.5/3) Elegance: Type changing like this is sometimes rules-confusing but nothing really to not get in the card effect itself.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Looks good to me. (3/3) Balance: Game-ending if you can unearth it. If. Nine mana is a lot.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Definitely a unique take on the somewhat played out by now manland concept. (2/3) Flavor: I do wish this represented a known location on Grixis, like Unx or Kederekt (the creature version could even have been the Dragon-Skeleton of Unx), with the card concept and effect being what they are.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: "Its" other types, not "it is". (2/2) *Main Challenge: Done. (2/2) Subchallenges: And done.
April MCC 2019 Round 4 - Rise in Sedraxis
A bit of self-indulgence, since I took this month on short notice, so it'll be Alara Month this time around! Finally we'll deal with probably the most overlooked Alara mechanic, that of Grixis.
Main Challenge: Design a card with unearth.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has one or more triggered abilities.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has four or more colored mana symbols between its mana cost and text.
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by May 10th 11:59 PM EDT
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development -
(X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity?
(X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity -
(X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”?
(X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish -
(X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
(X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
(X/2) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
void_nothing
StonerOfKruphix
Superbajt
Contestants:
bravelion83
netn10
IcariiFA
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Creature — Human Knight (R)
When Dark Knights of New Alara enters the battlefield, exile another target creature you don’t control. If it entered from your graveyard and under your control, instead exile all other creatures and all creature cards from all graveyards.
Unearth 5WB (5WB: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
A Bant battalion tainted by Grixis dark magic.
4/4
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.)
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Whenever a creature you control is exiled from the battlefield, you may pay 1W. If you do, return that creature to the battlefield.
Unearth 3W
2/1
Legendary Land (M)
T: Add C.
B, T, Sacrifice Harox, City of Corpses: Add CC.
When Harox, City of Corpses enters the battlefield, if you unearthed it, it becomes a 10/10 black Zombie Giant in addition to it's other types.
Unearth 6BBB
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: All three of the psychographics see some value in this, but Spike a bit less than the other two because of the high costs.
(2.5/3) Elegance: The card reads clearly and it's pretty elegant, but the "under your control" clause will make a few players scratch their heads in case they want to reanimate it from another player's graveyard.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: White and black are the two colors that are able to exile creatures and graveyards, so at face value, as a hybrid card, there's nothing wrong with that. While Unearth has usually been a Grixis mechanic, I could see this as an interesting twist in case of a return to Alara. I could see this at mythic for limited purposes, but rare seems appropriate too.
(3/3) Balance: While both effects are definitely strong, they are kept in check by both the high and specific mana costs. At a closer look, this opens the door for some reanimation shenanigans, as you get the "super" etb effect in case of classic reanimation too, but this would mean you should have to run a deck geared towards that. This is a windmill slam in limited for its splashability and effect, but I don't see it as making a huge splash in eternal formats (outside EDH, of course), even though, as I already said, some reanimator decks would love to play with this.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Having a card improve on its effect by the use of a mechanic is a fresh and interesting take on Unearth.
(2.5/3) Flavor: There's nothing wrong in this card, per se, but I feel like the flavor text is a bit bland. My hypothesis is because you didn't want to overcrowd the card, but, still, I think it was a good call.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: All good here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Check and check.
Total: 23.5/25
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: This is mainly a Johnny card. Timmy sees nothing in it, and Spike likes this for sideboarding potential.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Very elegant, but see the Quality section for my remarks.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: While is not new to having some "imposition" effects, and this plays well in its court, as well as falling in the wheel of protection effects White also has to offer. The effect is deserving of it's rarity, but it's nothing to write home about. "Unearth" on a Spirit feels strange, though, without mentioning that it's not even a mechanic White has access to.
(2/3) Balance: While there's nothing wrong in a 2/1 for 1W in contemporary standard, this card is either really weak or really broken if you take advantage of the effect clause, but that would mean investing a lot of mana. This is not a high pick in limited and could, at best, see some fringe play in sideboards.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: I have to give credit where credit is due, there's not a card to this day that "prevents" things from being exiled.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The card's name is perfect, and gives a very accurate idea of what the card does. My problem is that this card has a lot of space on it which I feel could've been used to either put in Unearth reminder text (although it's not required at higher rarity) or some flavor text.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: The card should have a "under it's owner's/your control" after the last sentence. This opens up some weird scenarios, like: what if I steal this and then use a blink effect? Under which player control would the creature return to?
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Has the triggered ability but not the mana symbols.
Total: 19/25
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy and Johnny like this. Spike likes this in the late game only, and the fact that it's both legendary and colorless prevent him from really really liking it.
(3/3) Elegance: Very elegant.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Black is the main Unearth color and has already had lands that like to sacrifice themselves in the past, so there's nothing wrong with that. The fact that it's going to be pretty telegraphed when it's about to come down makes me think this could be a rare, but I could see this as a mythic for its flair and uniqueness.
(3/3) Balance: This is a very interesting land, since it works as a Wastes for most of the game, but later gives you the option to Unearth it by itself, as it's not that easy (especially in limited) to sacrifice a land. I must commend you for making so you break even on mana (which you can use to Unearth it) when you crack this, as I feel that many would've given it a way more potent mana boost. Probably not a windmill slam in limited, I could see this as part of some control builds who want to add one more finisher without muddying the spells part of the deck too much. I don't see this seeing play in modern, but maybe it could find a home in Legacy Lands for the surprise effect.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Even though there are lands that sport mechanics (the first one off the top of my head is Zoetic Cavern), this is a very interesting and fresh design.
(2.5/3) Flavor: This card has an awesome flavor, but it could be enriched by some flavor text, as MSE shows me that there's abundant space for it. The name sounds Grixian, but I would've liked to know more.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Should be "its". Should also become a creature.
(2/2) Main Challenge: It has Unearth.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Check and check.
Total: 23/25
Bravelion83 23.5
IcariiFA 23
Netn10 19
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU
Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW
Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB
Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU
Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW
Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU
Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Creature — Human Knight (R)
When Dark Knights of New Alara enters the battlefield, exile another target creature you don’t control. If it entered from your graveyard and under your control, instead exile all other creatures and all creature cards from all graveyards.
Unearth 5WB (5WB: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
A Bant battalion tainted by Grixis dark magic.
4/4
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: It's not a Johnny card, but Spike and Timmy are quite happy.
(1.5/3) Elegance: The "and under your control" rider matters basically never (as you already have "from your graveyard"). I also don't like the lack of symmetry of effects and wordiness.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Colors, rules and rarity ok.
(2/3) Balance: This may be quite expensive, but it still is a sweeper that doesn't cost you a card, and even without Unearth it's a Duplicant, which is quite a good card.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: I don't feel any part of this card is very new, but the combination seems quite interesting.
(2/3) Flavor: No flavor in rules text and quite bland flavor text. Also, unfortunately no references to Knights of New Alara. There's nothing specifically wrong, though.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: OK
(2/2) Main Challenge: OK
(2/2) Subchallenges:OK
Total: 20/25
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Whenever a creature you control is exiled from the battlefield, you may pay 1W. If you do, return that creature to the battlefield.
Unearth 3W
2/1Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: This card is mainly for Johnny, but Spike and Timmy may use it to protect their stuff or gain some card advantage.
(3/3) Elegance: Very elegant design.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Effect sounds white to me, and rarity is OK as well. I'm not sure about the rules for it, though. Even if they work, they may be hard to grasp in edge cases.
(2.5/3) Balance: In many situations, cards get exiled for a reason, and messing with it may be dangerous. The card itself may get annoying easily. However, this is quite a narrow effect, and replaying it repeatedly is very costly, so it is probably fine.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a very new design.
(2/3) Flavor: Guider is a strange choice of word, and the card lacks exact flavoring.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Needs reminder text. Needs mention after whose control creatures return.
(2/2) Main Challenge: OK
(1/2) Subchallenges: Not enough symbols
Total: 20.5/25
Legendary Land (M)
T: Add C.
B, T, Sacrifice Harox, City of Corpses: Add CC.
When Harox, City of Corpses enters the battlefield, if you unearthed it, it becomes a 10/10 black Zombie Giant in addition to it's other types.
Unearth 6BBB
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy dreams about a big creature, but Spike sees that this is weak as a land and too expensive to Unearth, and Johnny just skips the card.
(2/3) Elegance: A lot of text, and the self-sacrifice ability is very head scratching (fixing for Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, anyone?) on the first glance.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Color is fine; rules-wise, unearthing noncreature is OK with rules, even though it wasn't done before. However, I doubt this deserves a Mythic rarity. If it wasn't legendary, I could easily see it at uncommon, and this card plays like one.
(2.5/3) Balance: Well, this card is just weak. It is a colorless land until you reach 10 mana, then you sacrifice it to play en easily chumpable creature for one turn. Even if you skip playing and sacrificing land by self mill, it is hardly game-winning in most scenarios.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: This is an interesting direction for unearth. However, in gameplay, this is not that different from Foundry of the Consuls.
(2.5/3) Flavor: I quite like this flavor, but it isn't breathtaking.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: You need to specify that it becomes a creature. "It's"
(2/2) Main Challenge: OK
(2/2) Subchallenges: OK
Total: 19/25
netn10 20.5
IcariiFA 19
(2.5/3) Appeal: Txmmy's appeal here is obvious. Jxnny would love to reanimate it with "unauthorized" means. Spike doesn't want to pay quite that much for a board wipe but when it can get the last attack in as well, that's interesting.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Slightly awkward wording on that triggered ability but otherwise nice neat package.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Colors, rarity, and typing all very much fine.
(3/3) Balance: A tremendous bomb, but an expensive one, and the only built-in way to use the "wrath" mode costs seven mana and requires hoop-jumping.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Plenty of wrath creatures out there but the "entered from graveyard" part is much more unusual.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Pretty good, flavor text's just a little on the nose though.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks fine.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges: And done.
Total: 22.5/25
(3/3) Appeal: Txmmy likes keeping their stuff around, Jxnny likes how many things this card interacts with, Spike likes cheap engines.
(2/3) Elegance: The messing with exile has a few inelegant interactions.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Rare is exactly where I'd put this and I suppose white seems right.
(2/3) Balance: So this card can recur itself indefinitely... and it does concerning things with Food Chain. However, it is hardly the only card to have either of those issues, and you have to work for that Chain infinite combo, so.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Messing with exile is little-done (with good reason) but there is a small amount of precedent here.
(1.5/3) Flavor: Definitely could have used flavor text. Name seems a little obvious and also generic.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Seems fine.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Not enough colored mana symbols.
Total: 20/25
(2/3) Appeal: This seems to be a Txmmy/Jxnny card - Spike isn't jumping through hoops and giving up tempo to finish the game, they just want to use a regular old finisher for that.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Type changing like this is sometimes rules-confusing but nothing really to not get in the card effect itself.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Looks good to me.
(3/3) Balance: Game-ending if you can unearth it. If. Nine mana is a lot.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Definitely a unique take on the somewhat played out by now manland concept.
(2/3) Flavor: I do wish this represented a known location on Grixis, like Unx or Kederekt (the creature version could even have been the Dragon-Skeleton of Unx), with the card concept and effect being what they are.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: "Its" other types, not "it is".
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges: And done.
Total: 21.5/25
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
netn10 19 + 20.5 + 20 = 59.5
IcariiFA 23 + 19 + 21.5 = 63.5
Congrats to bravelion83!
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝