-I'll give you a task, and each leaguer has 3.5 days to submit a card. (We have a deadline, so try to adhere to this.)
- Then, the round closes, and each of you will have 1.5 days to post a Top 3 and reviews (And I shall do my best to have the next round up every 5 days.)
- Each 1st place earns you 3 points, 2nd place earns 2 points and 3rd place earns 1 point
- Additionaly, each player who posts a review for at least half the cards gains 1 point. Anyone who submits a T3 within deadline also receives a point.
- At the end of the third round, we go to a Top 8, where each session becomes a 1 vs. 1 (or not, it can sometimes be a 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 battle royale ) elimination, until we have our champion.
- If you don't post a round, you're on probation. If you don't post again, I'm sorry, but you're out.
- We have a "No Review Penalty" which means that if you don't post a T3, you are on probation, just as if you didn't post a card. If you didn't have time to post your T3 in time, PM it to me and I'll remove the probation, no extra charge!
- We'll have 2 teams. Each team will review the other team's cards. After 3 rounds, we will have a T4 for each team (team A 1st will face Team B 4th, team B 1st will face team A 4th, and so on).
- Some rounds I will vary the teams and scoring policies. I'll do my best to inform everyone what those changes entail.
The CCL is among the more fun games on the MtGSalvation forums due to its inherent aspect of interactivity among the Leaguers (that’s you). We actively critique each other’s card designs at the end of each round, putting a more personal interest into our cards and generally making us all better designers. Typically, we build worlds more complete than many games, as each round builds on the designs and ideas of previous rounds in the month. The CCL allows for Leaguers to plumb the depths of creativity, as the point schedule aspect allows for three full rounds without fear of elimination.
Schedule
The CCL will run six rounds, each lasting five days.
Rounds 1, 2 & 3 will be free-for-alls with each leaguer fighting for the most points during critiques. At the beginning of each of these rounds. The host will divide the league members evenly into two teams and each team will be assigned their design challenge. At the challenge deadline, the round will elapse into the critique section (see Critiques below). Once the critique section ends, the host will tally points and post the next round. Team rosters are likely to change between rounds; the new rosters will be included in the initial posting for the next round.
Each round will last five days: 3.5 to finalize designs, 1.5 for critiques.
The schedule will usually operate according to US Easter time zone (GMT -5) We will stick to this schedule as closely as possible, adjusting as necessary.
Challenge Rounds
At the start of each round, the host will post the challenge for the round. This may be, at the host’s discretion, a single challenge for all leaguers, a list for each leaguer to choose from, challenges assigned to each leaguer, or other challenge variation.
Each Leaguer will post his/her entry by the deadline, 3.5 days after the round is posted.
Critique Rounds
At the end of each challenge round, the host, or an individual the host designates, will officially close the round and open the forum for critiques. After this point, modifying the post containing your entry for the round will incur penalties (see Penalties section).
Each Leaguer will thoroughly critique at least 50% of the entries given by the leaguers on the other team.
In addition to the critiques, each Leaguer generates his/her list of the Top 3 entries for the round. The Top 3 listings are the chief source of points within the CCL and are therefore required to complete. Even if critiques are not completed, Top 3’s must be listed to avoid penalties (see Penalties for penalty schedule). Regardless of the cards actually critiqued by a given Leaguer, Top 3’s can be drawn from any valid entry of the round. Submitting Top 3’s grants one point.
A valid critique does not need to be lengthy. A few constructive sentences will do as long as they are meaningful. Neither “Hated it,” “Too expensive,” nor “Bahhrokken!!!” are valid critiques.
Example: The following card is submitted by Fitzgerald:
A few decent critics:
from Tiberius: Templating issue with “nonpermanent card,” it's confusing and should just read “instant or sorcery card.” And the cost seems steep: I’m giving up a mana, a card, and immediate access to the card I looked for. Creative, but not bad.
from Wilhelmina: I hate the name. Also the shuffle part should be right after removing the tutored card instead of on a separate line. Seems powerful as an instant, play it on the opponents turn and you get basically a free draw, but you get to pick it.
from Beauregard: A bit complicated for uncommon. It doesn’t go to microtext on a render (sans flavor text) but it still isn’t all that intuitive.
Valid Entry Constitution
A valid entry in a given round cleanly delivers all required components of the challenge. The CCL is based around card design, so each challenge will direct Leaguers to design one or more cards, but other components may be given according to the judge’s discretion. Historically, these non-card components have included such things as keyword mechanic designs, story pieces, and various ideas for the judge to incorporate into later rounds. Include only what is described by the challenge requirements, as superfluous items may sway judgings unfairly and will incur penalties.
It is customary to include card renders in entries. This is not required. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and therefore will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render. However, it must be understood that a proper render is easier to judge/critique as it is more pleasing to the eye, more memorable and allows for Leaguers to judge the card by its wordiness, a very important aspect of a card’s design. Common rendering software used include Magic Set Editor (free program, the standard that most amateur designers use), PhotoShop (not free), and GIMP (free PhotoShop knockoff).
Scoring
The bulk of available points will be derived from Top 3 listings, as is League custom. Within each Top 3 listing, the choice for 1st place will be awarded 3 points, the choice for 2nd place will receive 2 points, and the choice for 3rd place will receive 1 point. It is common for Leaguers to post an Honorable Mention or two along with their T3 listings. Honorable Mentions are not awarded points. Posting T3s is required and awards one point for completion of the requirements. There are penalties for failure to post T3s (see Penalties section).
Critiques are an optional aspect of the CCL, therefore no penalties are given for failure to complete critiques. Any Leaguer completing critiques for at least 50% of the other team's entries will receive 1 bonus point. An additional point will be awarded if a Leaguer critiques all valid entries in the round.
As noted in the section on Valid Entry Constitution, entries are encouraged to contain proper card renders. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render.
Penalties
Failure to post Top 3s as required during the Critique section of any round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an Top 3 in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
Once a Round elapses into its critique section, any Leaguer modifying their entry after any leaguer has posted a critique, will be disqualified for the round.
Failure to post an entry within the Challenge round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an entry in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
Making Magic by Mark Rosewater, current head of Magic Design at Wizards of the Coast. Making Magic is a weekly article detailing the trials, tribulations and achievements of Magic R&D in riveting prose.
Magiccards.info is the database mtgsalvation draws upon when you use the [card] tag. The advanced search functionality is useful for searching all cards officially printed by WotC.
Gatherer is the database maintained officially by WotC. It has slightly different functionality than magiccards.info, but the differences are too numerable to list here. (Someone should write an article about that)
Your other Leaguers are fantastic resources. We, more than the players of other games on this forum, are a community, as can be seen by the dialogue of any CCL thread.
Question, consult with, challenge and encourage each other at every opportunity.
Credits
Round 1 Posted - August 3
Round 1 Critiques - August 6
Round 2 Posted - August 9
Round 2 Critiques - August 12
Round 3 Posted - August 15
Round 3 Critiques - August 18
Round 4 Posted - August 20
Round 4 Critiques - August 23
Round 5 Posted - August 25
Round 5 Critiques - August 28
Round 1: The wrong place at the wrong time?
Analysis of rift stability was completed. Six planes reached. Unpredictability was measured at 79%. Thaumagility was measured at 112%. Chance of success, according to measurements: 9%.
We have concluded that in order to guaranty success, trial must be repeated at least 100 times. This may reproduces multiple failed subjects, and perhaps even multiple successful ones, but we are certain at least one valuable subject will be found after the chaotic influences will be neutralized.
Side effects of multiple rift activations: Unknown. Recommend course of action: Observation from afar.
Report has been sent.
~~~~~~
You look around you, trying to find that strange bluish gateway you've passed through just now, but no sign of it can be found. The landscape here is like nothing you've ever seen before, the skies are dark and stormy looking, the smell of salt is in the air. The few trees rising from the bizarre hills surrounding you are twisted and lean. As if that wasn't enough, as you walk down the hill you were on, the day changes into night, than dusk, then midday again. What land is this that even time seem to have gone wrong in it?
Your first challenge is to scout your surroundings. You'll need to make a card that will allow you to gather information on whats going around you. The card should still retain the flavour of your home plane.
Team Glory shall make a sorcery card, depicting either a spell to scout the area or the actual act of scouting. Team Renown shall make a non creature artifact card depicting a device you could use to help you scout the area. Team Fame shall make an instant card, depicting either a spell to scout the area or the actual act of scouting. Team Prestige shall make an enchantment card, depicting a spel you can use multiple times to scout the area or continuing act of scouting.
Please link your avatar in your post.
Team Glory:
Maokun
CasualThor
person3412
Arcadic
Svennihilator
BlackBull
domogrue
_IF_
Team Renown: Nekyia
Harbinger_
GetItWrong
KoolKoal
Concallesco
Dodavehu
d@rkelf
Team Fame:
MagicProfessor28
Phyrexian Editor
void_nothing
Gerrard's Mom
seratonin
Saire
Jimmy Groove
Manascrew
Team Prestige:
bearsareawesome
Jau
Twilight Kiwi
snoopYah
Krey
Alabran
kiwoli
Team Glory will critique Team Renown. Team Renown will critique Team Fame. Team Fame will critique Team Prestige. Team Prestige will critique Team Glory.
Reconnoiter1W
Instant (U)
You may pay WUBRG rather than play Reconnoiter's mana cost.
Search your library for a plains and put it into your hand. If you paid the alternate cost, also search your library for a island, swamp, mountain, and forest and put them into your hand. Shuffle your library afterwards.
Draw a card. "Start with land that is familiar, and radiate outward from there. Soon enough we'll have a clear map, and from there we can plan our next move."
Spark of Alara :symw::symu::symb::symr::symg:
Legendary Creature - Elemental (MR)
: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost X or less, where X is the highest power among creatures you control. Put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
:symw::symu::symb::symr::symg:: Until end of turn, Spark of Alara gets +5/+5.
5/5
Waters of Fate1UB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant Island or Swamp
Whenever enchanted land is tapped for mana, look at the top three cards of target player’s library, you may put one of them into that player’s hand. What you see may be the past, the present or the future. Or it may be nothing at all.
Grubhunter's Amulet 3
Artifact--Equipment (uncommon)
Equip (R/G)
Equipped creature must be blocked by exactly one creature if able.
Equipped creature must be blocked by a creature with power less than its power and toughness less than its toughness if able. Skarng shook the Roar-Clan treasure and let out a low growl. It was supposed to point out the nearest food source...so why did it keep saying that was him?
Fame means many things to Kaylo. Famous for his prisoners, famous for his escape, famous for his employment. This reality is different though. This reality, he can't just rely on the mana he's used to. No, he must delve into the Ancient magics he learned during the Assimilation...
Enveloping Mirage(U/B)G
Instant {U}
You gain control of target land that came onto the battlefield this turn. "You'd think a band of thieves would be more concerned when their camp is replaced by thin air." -Ipan Scout
TriangulationG
Sorcery
Search your library for two basic land cards and reveal them, then shuffle your library. Put one of those lands in your hand and the other on top of your library.
"Numai to the East, Shizo to the South. I can exactly tell where am I. In deep trouble." -Azusa's journeys.
I'm calling it right now- worst rare in the set. Even good limited players will find better bombs at common and uncommon no sweat. Worst. Episode. Ever.
I really do predict this to be our worst rare in set award winner. I'd be happier opening a jar of eyeballs, so I think anything worse is highly unlikely. This card wont just have zero constructed potential, but not be significantly better than a mass of ghouls in a draft.
Svogthir, Golgari Deity 3BBGG
Legendary Creature- Plant Zombie {MR}
Dredge 10
Svogthir, Golgari Deity’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard. XXT: Put target creature card with converted mana cost X or less in your graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types. He has found a way to transcend death by embracing it head on.
*/*
Scouting Swarm BG
Instant {Uncommon}
As an additional cost to cast Scouting Swarm, sacrifice a land.
Put a 1/1 green and black Insect creature token onto the battlefield with “When this creature leaves the battlefield, search your library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield tapped.”
Dredge 3 Much like the cycle of life and death, Golgari scouting insects will descend upon infertile land and cause a fruitful vineyard to arise.
Illus. Jan Patrik Krasny
First idea (with wich I'm not convinced at all, and beside design, I hate microtext. >.>)
Consult the FoliageG
Sorcery C
Choose land or nonland and reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a card of the chosen kind. Put that card into your hand and put all other cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in a random order. When you have talked with hundreds of spirits, it isn’t necessary to contact any rational being to clear your doubts.
Illus: James Ryman
Amast, Scribe of Lies :3mana::symu::symb:
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard {R}
:1mana::symu::symb:,: Target player reveals his or her hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card. Search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost as that card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/3
Scandalous SurveyUB
Instant {U}
For each card in target opponent's hand, you may look at that many cards on the top of your library and put them back in any order. Then for each card in your hand you may look at that many cards on top of that opponent's library and put them back in any order.
Kasir Eol, Master Cytoshaper2UG
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Graft 3 2UG: Choose a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. Target creature becomes a copy of that creature until the beginning of the end step. "The best way to verify the success of an experiment is to duplicate it."
0/0
Simic Scrying1UG
Enchantment
Whenever an opponent draws a card, he or she reveals it. If it's a land card, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If it's a creature card, you may put a land from your hand onto the battlefield. Each new region brings new ecosystems to study. Each new lifeform brings new understandings of its ecosystem.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Suffer the little creatures, for they may yet rise up and beat you senseless."
Jhessian Spyglass2
Artifact - Equipment {U}
Exalted
Equipped creature has “T: Look at the top card of target players library.”
Equip 2 “With the merging of the shards came the need to chronicle the familiar yet foreign landscapes”
Arlyene Vei, Knight Errant2WW
Legendary Creature - Human Knight {MR}
Other knight creatures you control get +1/+1.
Whenever Arlyene Vei, Knight Errant blocks or is blocked by a creature, choose a color. Creatures you control gain protection from that color until end of turn. “I have dedicated my life to uphold, what Elspeth gave up hers to protect” - Arlyene Vei
Koji was shocked by this new landscape. He has not seen anything like it in its voyages from Eiganjo to the Takenuma Swamp, or anyplace else. Koji looked around and found a nice secluded spot, he sit and started a meditation technique teached by Dosan the monk. "Hmm... a samurai in the service of Lord Konda relying on monks methods, who would have tought. But for what I need now it would serve good." tought Koji. Suddently he entered in meditation and manipulated the energy around him and a small spirit appeared before him, Koji draw his katana and carved a kanji into the essence of the spirit. "Search and report" the kanji said. As the spirit began moving Koji hold his head, a burning sensation on his mind. "Guess this magic is not as painless as whe Dosan used it, then again I am not Dosan and I never finished my training. But to find out where I am a simple spirit won't do." Koji took a deep breath and began the spell again...
My Card:
Spiritual Exploration2W
Enchantment W,Discard a card: Put a 1/1 white spirit token with flying into the battlefield. If a spirit or arcane card was discarded to pay for this abiity put two 1/1 white spirit tokens with flying into the battlefield. "The spirits appeared before him, ready to do his bidding. But at what cost?"
Undine, Disciple of CircuUB
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Shroud
Whenever Undine, Disciple of Circu deals or is dealt damage, each player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard instead.
Dimir Underpulse1UB
Sorcery
For each land target player controls, that player puts the top 2 cards from his or her library into his or her graveyard. Dimir mages used underpulses to locate and strip the minds of biological signatures before sending an assassin. It seemed the strange aether of this world had it identifying other things.
Uncommon
Nayan Shaman Staff1GW
Artifact [C] ,t: Search your library for a basic land card and put it into play tapped. "With the shaking of the staff and the ritual that followed visions showed them the path ahead."
Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani2WRG
Legendary Creature - Cat Warrior
Whenever a creature you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield you may have Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani deal damage equal to its power to target creature or player.
Whenever Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani deals damage you gain that much life or you may put a +1/+1 counter on Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani.
Avatars he sculpts of Passion, Grace and Might. 3/3
Spectral Scouting 2
Sorcery {C}
Put a 1/1 white spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield. Exile Spectral Scouting haunting it.
When the creature Spectral Scouting haunts is put into a graveyard, put a 3/3 black thrull creature token onto the battlefield. A resilient reporter for a fallen scout.
Adrian, Collector of Fallen Debt :2mana::symw::symb:
Legendary Creature - Human Cleric
Other creatures you control have haunt.
Whenever a haunted creature leaves the battlefield, choose one — Return target face up exiled card you own to your hand and discard a card; or put target creature card in your graveyard onto the battlefield. Death does not free one from debt to the Orzhov.
2/2
Restless Patrol 3(R/W)
Instant
Whenever a player plays a spell this turn, Restless Patrol deals 2 damage to him or her.
Whenever a creature attacks this turn, Restless Patrol deals 2 damage to it.
Retrace "Militia-hobs, you're dismissed. My archers will take this watch. I fear this night will be the longest of our lives." - Geruft, hoblord
Gub :1mana::symb::symr::symg:
Legendary Creature - Goblin Mutant (Rare)
Whenever a player sacrifices a creature, put a +1/+1 counter on Gub.
Whenever Gub blocks a creature with power less than it, that creature’s controller sacrifices it and you may put a +1/+1 counter on Gub.
“Why spend so much effort looking for food, when food will look for you?”
2/2
Expendable Explorers 1BRR - Enchantment (Rare)
Whenever a nontoken creature you control attacks, put a 1/1 red goblin scout creature token onto the battlefield, tapped and attacking.
Whenever a goblin scout creature deals combat damage to an opponent, sacrifice it. If you do, Expendable Explorers deals 1 damage to that player, and fateseal 1. Spee discovered three things that day: an enemy town, its vunerablity to fire, and accidental self-immolation.
A representative from the Selesnya Conclave of Ravnica.
Wrizfar Barkfeather :1mana::symg::symw:
Legendary Creature - Elf Shapeshifter (R)
:symw:: Wrizfar Barkfeather becomes a 3/3 Bird with flying until end of turn.
:symg:: Wrizfar Barkfeather becomes a 4/4 Elephant until end of turn. “The expression of life cannot be confined to a single form. It yearns to be free from its constraints, to take flight and take charge.”
2/2
It all happened so fast. One second, Wrizfar Barkfeather was watching with anguish as Vitar Yescu, the Great Tree he had sworn to defend, was reduced to a pile of ashes. The next, a bluish portal appeared before his eyes and the metropolis disappeared altogether, replaced by an alien landscape unfamiliar to the First Acolyte of the Conclave. What the... Wrizfar turned around, slowly taking in the sights and sounds of this foreign environment. The cityscape of Ravnica was nowhere to be seen. Where were the golden spires? The city gardens and the decrepit slums? The answer then struck him like a Dimir mind-controlling spell. This.....this is not Ravnica. But where was he then? And why was he here?
More confused than ever, Wrizfar weighed his options. He couldn't go back through the portal, as it had vanished as quickly as it appeared. He considered shapeshifting to his bird form to scout the surroundings, but the sources of white mana were few and far between. He would not be able to maintain his aven state for long. Perhaps he should seek help from this plane's inhabitants. Yes, that would be a wise course of action. Wrizfar got up and walked down the hill he was on. Bewilderment overcame him as he realised that as he walked, day gradually shifted to night, and then night back to day as he neared the bottom. What a strange land this is., he thought to himself.
And then Wrizfar had an idea. Why waste my time and energy exploring this world, when the Ancient Ones can aid me in my predicament? Green mana trickled to his fingertips as he chanted in an Elvish dialect. Undal En Simala.....Latori Moun Eckun! At the last word, Wrizfar knelt down and gently laid his hands on the ground. Rivulets of mana snaked through the cracks in the terrain, spiraling away from the point of contact as the shapeshifter entered a familiar trance.
Barksight :1mana::symg:
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If a land card is revealed this way, you may put that card into your hand. “The trees shall be my eyes and ears.”
— Wrizfar Barkfeather
Slov, Izzet Alchemist :2mana::symr::symr::symu:
Legendary Creature- Human Wizard
At the beginning of your upkeep, do one of the following at random: Put a 3/1 elemental with haste into the battlefield, draw 2 cards, or ~ deals 2 damage to you. Think i got it this time.
Izzet Show Globe 3
Artifact {U}
At the beginning of your upkeep, do one of the following at random: Look at target players hand, look at the top 3 cards of your library and put them back in any order, or ~ deals 1 damage to each creature. "Its such a wonderful tool. Now only if i could get it to work right."- Slov, Izzet Alchemist
At the beginning of each player’s upkeep, that player reveals the top card of his or her library. You gain life equal to that card’s converted mana cost unless you pay UB. If you do, put that card into it’s owner’s graveyard.
An ephemeral shadow in the Azorius sentries' eyes is the only hint of the darker powers that control them.
Weird’s Weirding1UU
Instant
Draw four cards, then put three cards from your hand on top of your library in any order. If R was spent to cast Weird’s Weirding, then you may shuffle your library.
Mokurai, the World Root :symg::symg:
Legendary Creature - Spirit (R)
Vigilance
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may search your library for a Forest card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on Mokurai, the World Root. Then shuffle your library. Never moving, he simply grows towards his objectives.
2/2
Spread from the Jukai2G
Instant — Arcane (C) Sweep — Return any number of Forests you control to their owner's hand.
For each Forest returned this way, search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. There is no earthly environ that a root cannot reach.
Vela of Vela Ves3W
Creature - Shapeshifter
Changeling
At the beginning of each upkeep, choose a creature type. Until end of turn, Vela of Velis Vel gains protection from the chosen creature type, and its power and toughness each become equal to the number of permanents of the chosen type on the battlefield.
1/1
I'll add flavor and try to think of a better name later.
Recruitment Expedition1G
Tribal Sorcery - Changeling
Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.)
Choose a creature type, then reveal the top four cards of your library. Put all cards of the chosen type revealed this way into your hand, and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Iriki, Dreams' Ripples1UU
Legendary Creature - Spirit
Flying
Arcane cards you own have Splice onto Arcane equal to their casting cost.
You may Splice onto Instant and Sorcery spells as though you cast the spell and as though it was Arcane.
"The kami are the very essence of the world itself. Can they not then shape even the dreams of men to their will?" - Lady Azami
1/4
Left Hand of Desire5
Legendary Artifact
Left Hand of Desire comes into play tapped. ,T, Exile Left Hand of Desire: Search target player's library for up to five nonland cards and exile them. You may cast one of them without paying its mana cost any time you could cast an instant. If you do, put the exiled cards into their owner's graveyard. (This effect lasts indefinitely) Even the world of mortals belongs to the kami, for them to do as they wish.
Abeno the Half-Breed3BB
Legendary Creature - Human Spirit Wizard t, sacrifice a spirit: Destroy target spirit. It cannot be regenerated. His heritage brought him ridicule in two worlds - and power over both.
2/3
In another reality, he might have been celebrated for his gifts. Abeno, born to a nobleman and a flighty air spirit, had been an inquisitive, mischievous and brilliant child. He inherited his mother's beauty and his father's dignity. Then the Kami War began. His father was exiled as a traitor, and hostile spirits disintegrated Abeno's mother before his eyes.
Wandering the ruined battlefields of the war, Abeno discovered his heritage had given him power to summon his spirit brethren - and, using his enchanted blade, to destroy them to feed ever more powerful magic. It was in search of power that he had entered the small temple, built over a cave entrance on the mountainside, and found the glittering shield. He couldn't resist. What treasures could be beyond it? But now he found himself here. Wherever here was, he would need more mana for his spells. And whenever Abeno wanted to hear about a new place, he simply asked those who died there. This plane couldn't be too different from Kamigawa, Abeno realized - his summoning spells still worked. In response to his incantation a translucent spirit rose from the earth. She looked at Abeno with curiosity.
Abeno raised his sword to her neck.
Graveyard InquestUB
Instant
As an additional cost to cast Graveyard Inquest, sacrifice a spirit.
Reveal cards from target opponent's library until you reveal a spirit card, then exile that card and put the rest back in any order. "To see through a spirit's eyes, you need only remove them." - Abeno the Half-Breed
Welcome to the Card Creation League!
-I'll give you a task, and each leaguer has 3.5 days to submit a card. (We have a deadline, so try to adhere to this.)
- Then, the round closes, and each of you will have 1.5 days to post a Top 3 and reviews (And I shall do my best to have the next round up every 5 days.)
- Each 1st place earns you 3 points, 2nd place earns 2 points and 3rd place earns 1 point
- Additionaly, each player who posts a review for at least half the cards gains 1 point. Anyone who submits a T3 within deadline also receives a point.
- At the end of the third round, we go to a Top 8, where each session becomes a 1 vs. 1 (or not, it can sometimes be a 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 battle royale ) elimination, until we have our champion.
- If you don't post a round, you're on probation. If you don't post again, I'm sorry, but you're out.
- We have a "No Review Penalty" which means that if you don't post a T3, you are on probation, just as if you didn't post a card. If you didn't have time to post your T3 in time, PM it to me and I'll remove the probation, no extra charge!
- We'll have 2 teams. Each team will review the other team's cards. After 3 rounds, we will have a T4 for each team (team A 1st will face Team B 4th, team B 1st will face team A 4th, and so on).
- Some rounds I will vary the teams and scoring policies. I'll do my best to inform everyone what those changes entail.
The Long Version:
The following card is submitted by Fitzgerald:
from Wilhelmina: I hate the name. Also the shuffle part should be right after removing the tutored card instead of on a separate line. Seems powerful as an instant, play it on the opponents turn and you get basically a free draw, but you get to pick it.
from Beauregard: A bit complicated for uncommon. It doesn’t go to microtext on a render (sans flavor text) but it still isn’t all that intuitive.
Round 1 Posted - August 3
Round 1 Critiques - August 6
Round 2 Posted - August 9
Round 2 Critiques - August 12
Round 3 Posted - August 15
Round 3 Critiques - August 18
Round 4 Posted - August 20
Round 4 Critiques - August 23
Round 5 Posted - August 25
Round 5 Critiques - August 28
Round 6 Posted - August30
Round 6 Critiques - September 2
Analysis of rift stability was completed. Six planes reached. Unpredictability was measured at 79%. Thaumagility was measured at 112%. Chance of success, according to measurements: 9%.
We have concluded that in order to guaranty success, trial must be repeated at least 100 times. This may reproduces multiple failed subjects, and perhaps even multiple successful ones, but we are certain at least one valuable subject will be found after the chaotic influences will be neutralized.
Side effects of multiple rift activations: Unknown. Recommend course of action: Observation from afar.
Report has been sent.
~~~~~~
You look around you, trying to find that strange bluish gateway you've passed through just now, but no sign of it can be found. The landscape here is like nothing you've ever seen before, the skies are dark and stormy looking, the smell of salt is in the air. The few trees rising from the bizarre hills surrounding you are twisted and lean. As if that wasn't enough, as you walk down the hill you were on, the day changes into night, than dusk, then midday again. What land is this that even time seem to have gone wrong in it?
Your first challenge is to scout your surroundings. You'll need to make a card that will allow you to gather information on whats going around you. The card should still retain the flavour of your home plane.
Team Glory shall make a sorcery card, depicting either a spell to scout the area or the actual act of scouting.
Team Renown shall make a non creature artifact card depicting a device you could use to help you scout the area.
Team Fame shall make an instant card, depicting either a spell to scout the area or the actual act of scouting.
Team Prestige shall make an enchantment card, depicting a spel you can use multiple times to scout the area or continuing act of scouting.
Please link your avatar in your post.
Team Glory:
Maokun
CasualThor
person3412
Arcadic
Svennihilator
BlackBull
domogrue
_IF_
Team Renown:
Nekyia
Harbinger_
GetItWrong
KoolKoal
Concallesco
Dodavehu
d@rkelf
Team Fame:
MagicProfessor28
Phyrexian Editor
void_nothing
Gerrard's Mom
seratonin
Saire
Jimmy Groove
Manascrew
Team Prestige:
bearsareawesome
Jau
Twilight Kiwi
snoopYah
Krey
Alabran
kiwoli
Team Renown will critique Team Fame.
Team Fame will critique Team Prestige.
Team Prestige will critique Team Glory.
Good luck!
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
I've got tons of art from the web. Want art for a render? PM me! Want to create your own collection? Start here!
Instant (U)
You may pay WUBRG rather than play Reconnoiter's mana cost.
Search your library for a plains and put it into your hand. If you paid the alternate cost, also search your library for a island, swamp, mountain, and forest and put them into your hand. Shuffle your library afterwards.
Draw a card.
"Start with land that is familiar, and radiate outward from there. Soon enough we'll have a clear map, and from there we can plan our next move."
Legendary Creature - Elemental (MR)
: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost X or less, where X is the highest power among creatures you control. Put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
:symw::symu::symb::symr::symg:: Until end of turn, Spark of Alara gets +5/+5.
5/5
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant Island or Swamp
Whenever enchanted land is tapped for mana, look at the top three cards of target player’s library, you may put one of them into that player’s hand.
What you see may be the past, the present or the future. Or it may be nothing at all.
3
Artifact--Equipment (uncommon)
Equip (R/G)
Equipped creature must be blocked by exactly one creature if able.
Equipped creature must be blocked by a creature with power less than its power and toughness less than its toughness if able.
Skarng shook the Roar-Clan treasure and let out a low growl. It was supposed to point out the nearest food source...so why did it keep saying that was him?
Edit: Avatar
Make a card called Long For This World.
Enveloping Mirage (U/B)G
Instant {U}
You gain control of target land that came onto the battlefield this turn.
"You'd think a band of thieves would be more concerned when their camp is replaced by thin air."
-Ipan Scout
Winner of the First and Fourth Double Dare Single Elimination Contests
2009 July CCL: COMING THIS JULY
2008 December CCL: The Mechinations of Fate
Double Dare to Design: The 5th Single Elimination Contest
Double Dare That Designer: The 2nd Single Elimination Contest
Sorcery
Search your library for two basic land cards and reveal them, then shuffle your library. Put one of those lands in your hand and the other on top of your library.
"Numai to the East, Shizo to the South. I can exactly tell where am I. In deep trouble." -Azusa's journeys.
Svogthir, Golgari Deity 3BBGG
Legendary Creature- Plant Zombie {MR}
Dredge 10
Svogthir, Golgari Deity’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
XXT: Put target creature card with converted mana cost X or less in your graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types.
He has found a way to transcend death by embracing it head on.
*/*
Scouting Swarm BG
Instant {Uncommon}
As an additional cost to cast Scouting Swarm, sacrifice a land.
Put a 1/1 green and black Insect creature token onto the battlefield with “When this creature leaves the battlefield, search your library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield tapped.”
Dredge 3
Much like the cycle of life and death, Golgari scouting insects will descend upon infertile land and cause a fruitful vineyard to arise.
Illus. Jan Patrik Krasny
Jan Patrik Krasny
http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=92247
Consult the Foliage G
Sorcery C
Choose land or nonland and reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a card of the chosen kind. Put that card into your hand and put all other cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in a random order.
When you have talked with hundreds of spirits, it isn’t necessary to contact any rational being to clear your doubts.
Illus: James Ryman
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard {R}
:1mana::symu::symb:,: Target player reveals his or her hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card. Search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost as that card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/3
Scandalous Survey UB
Instant {U}
For each card in target opponent's hand, you may look at that many cards on the top of your library and put them back in any order. Then for each card in your hand you may look at that many cards on top of that opponent's library and put them back in any order.
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Graft 3
2UG: Choose a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. Target creature becomes a copy of that creature until the beginning of the end step.
"The best way to verify the success of an experiment is to duplicate it."
0/0
Simic Scrying 1UG
Enchantment
Whenever an opponent draws a card, he or she reveals it. If it's a land card, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If it's a creature card, you may put a land from your hand onto the battlefield.
Each new region brings new ecosystems to study. Each new lifeform brings new understandings of its ecosystem.
My First (And Probably Only) MCC Perfect Score: December 09 (Round One)
Artifact - Equipment {U}
Exalted
Equipped creature has “T: Look at the top card of target players library.”
Equip 2
“With the merging of the shards came the need to chronicle the familiar yet foreign landscapes”
Arlyene Vei, Knight Errant 2WW
Legendary Creature - Human Knight {MR}
Other knight creatures you control get +1/+1.
Whenever Arlyene Vei, Knight Errant blocks or is blocked by a creature, choose a color. Creatures you control gain protection from that color until end of turn.
“I have dedicated my life to uphold, what Elspeth gave up hers to protect” - Arlyene Vei
The Story:
Koji was shocked by this new landscape. He has not seen anything like it in its voyages from Eiganjo to the Takenuma Swamp, or anyplace else. Koji looked around and found a nice secluded spot, he sit and started a meditation technique teached by Dosan the monk. "Hmm... a samurai in the service of Lord Konda relying on monks methods, who would have tought. But for what I need now it would serve good." tought Koji. Suddently he entered in meditation and manipulated the energy around him and a small spirit appeared before him, Koji draw his katana and carved a kanji into the essence of the spirit. "Search and report" the kanji said. As the spirit began moving Koji hold his head, a burning sensation on his mind. "Guess this magic is not as painless as whe Dosan used it, then again I am not Dosan and I never finished my training. But to find out where I am a simple spirit won't do." Koji took a deep breath and began the spell again...
My Card:
Spiritual Exploration 2W
Enchantment
W,Discard a card: Put a 1/1 white spirit token with flying into the battlefield. If a spirit or arcane card was discarded to pay for this abiity put two 1/1 white spirit tokens with flying into the battlefield.
"The spirits appeared before him, ready to do his bidding. But at what cost?"
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Shroud
Whenever Undine, Disciple of Circu deals or is dealt damage, each player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard instead.
Sorcery
For each land target player controls, that player puts the top 2 cards from his or her library into his or her graveyard.
Dimir mages used underpulses to locate and strip the minds of biological signatures before sending an assassin. It seemed the strange aether of this world had it identifying other things.
Uncommon
Artifact [C]
,t: Search your library for a basic land card and put it into play tapped.
"With the shaking of the staff and the ritual that followed visions showed them the path ahead."
Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani 2WRG
Legendary Creature - Cat Warrior
Whenever a creature you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield you may have Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani deal damage equal to its power to target creature or player.
Whenever Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani deals damage you gain that much life or you may put a +1/+1 counter on Kifair and Morai, Disciples of Ajani.
Avatars he sculpts of Passion, Grace and Might.
3/3
From the Naya Shard of Alara
Sorcery {C}
Put a 1/1 white spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield. Exile Spectral Scouting haunting it.
When the creature Spectral Scouting haunts is put into a graveyard, put a 3/3 black thrull creature token onto the battlefield.
A resilient reporter for a fallen scout.
Legendary Creature - Human Cleric
Other creatures you control have haunt.
Whenever a haunted creature leaves the battlefield, choose one — Return target face up exiled card you own to your hand and discard a card; or put target creature card in your graveyard onto the battlefield.
Death does not free one from debt to the Orzhov.
2/2
Instant
Whenever a player plays a spell this turn, Restless Patrol deals 2 damage to him or her.
Whenever a creature attacks this turn, Restless Patrol deals 2 damage to it.
Retrace
"Militia-hobs, you're dismissed. My archers will take this watch. I fear this night will be the longest of our lives." - Geruft, hoblord
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Team: Prestige
Avatar: Gub
Legendary Creature - Goblin Mutant (Rare)
Whenever a player sacrifices a creature, put a +1/+1 counter on Gub.
Whenever Gub blocks a creature with power less than it, that creature’s controller sacrifices it and you may put a +1/+1 counter on Gub.
“Why spend so much effort looking for food, when food will look for you?”
2/2
Expendable Explorers
1BRR - Enchantment (Rare)
Whenever a nontoken creature you control attacks, put a 1/1 red goblin scout creature token onto the battlefield, tapped and attacking.
Whenever a goblin scout creature deals combat damage to an opponent, sacrifice it. If you do, Expendable Explorers deals 1 damage to that player, and fateseal 1.
Spee discovered three things that day: an enemy town, its vunerablity to fire, and accidental self-immolation.
Wrizfar Barkfeather :1mana::symg::symw:
Legendary Creature - Elf Shapeshifter (R)
:symw:: Wrizfar Barkfeather becomes a 3/3 Bird with flying until end of turn.
:symg:: Wrizfar Barkfeather becomes a 4/4 Elephant until end of turn.
“The expression of life cannot be confined to a single form. It yearns to be free from its constraints, to take flight and take charge.”
2/2
More confused than ever, Wrizfar weighed his options. He couldn't go back through the portal, as it had vanished as quickly as it appeared. He considered shapeshifting to his bird form to scout the surroundings, but the sources of white mana were few and far between. He would not be able to maintain his aven state for long. Perhaps he should seek help from this plane's inhabitants. Yes, that would be a wise course of action. Wrizfar got up and walked down the hill he was on. Bewilderment overcame him as he realised that as he walked, day gradually shifted to night, and then night back to day as he neared the bottom. What a strange land this is., he thought to himself.
And then Wrizfar had an idea. Why waste my time and energy exploring this world, when the Ancient Ones can aid me in my predicament? Green mana trickled to his fingertips as he chanted in an Elvish dialect. Undal En Simala.....Latori Moun Eckun! At the last word, Wrizfar knelt down and gently laid his hands on the ground. Rivulets of mana snaked through the cracks in the terrain, spiraling away from the point of contact as the shapeshifter entered a familiar trance.
Barksight :1mana::symg:
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If a land card is revealed this way, you may put that card into your hand.
“The trees shall be my eyes and ears.”
— Wrizfar Barkfeather
Artwork: D'Lacie McBride
Slov, Izzet Alchemist :2mana::symr::symr::symu:
Legendary Creature- Human Wizard
At the beginning of your upkeep, do one of the following at random: Put a 3/1 elemental with haste into the battlefield, draw 2 cards, or ~ deals 2 damage to you.
Think i got it this time.
Izzet Show Globe 3
Artifact {U}
At the beginning of your upkeep, do one of the following at random: Look at target players hand, look at the top 3 cards of your library and put them back in any order, or ~ deals 1 damage to each creature.
"Its such a wonderful tool. Now only if i could get it to work right."- Slov, Izzet Alchemist
Enchantment [u]
At the beginning of each player’s upkeep, that player reveals the top card of his or her library. You gain life equal to that card’s converted mana cost unless you pay UB. If you do, put that card into it’s owner’s graveyard.
An ephemeral shadow in the Azorius sentries' eyes is the only hint of the darker powers that control them.
Instant
Draw four cards, then put three cards from your hand on top of your library in any order. If R was spent to cast Weird’s Weirding, then you may shuffle your library.
Legendary Creature - Spirit (R)
Vigilance
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may search your library for a Forest card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on Mokurai, the World Root. Then shuffle your library.
Never moving, he simply grows towards his objectives.
2/2
Instant — Arcane (C)
Sweep — Return any number of Forests you control to their owner's hand.
For each Forest returned this way, search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
There is no earthly environ that a root cannot reach.
Vela of Vela Ves 3W
Creature - Shapeshifter
Changeling
At the beginning of each upkeep, choose a creature type. Until end of turn, Vela of Velis Vel gains protection from the chosen creature type, and its power and toughness each become equal to the number of permanents of the chosen type on the battlefield.
1/1
I'll add flavor and try to think of a better name later.
Recruitment Expedition 1G
Tribal Sorcery - Changeling
Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.)
Choose a creature type, then reveal the top four cards of your library. Put all cards of the chosen type revealed this way into your hand, and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Legendary Creature - Spirit
Flying
Arcane cards you own have Splice onto Arcane equal to their casting cost.
You may Splice onto Instant and Sorcery spells as though you cast the spell and as though it was Arcane.
"The kami are the very essence of the world itself. Can they not then shape even the dreams of men to their will?" - Lady Azami
1/4
Left Hand of Desire 5
Legendary Artifact
Left Hand of Desire comes into play tapped.
,T, Exile Left Hand of Desire: Search target player's library for up to five nonland cards and exile them. You may cast one of them without paying its mana cost any time you could cast an instant. If you do, put the exiled cards into their owner's graveyard. (This effect lasts indefinitely)
Even the world of mortals belongs to the kami, for them to do as they wish.
Legendary Creature - Human Spirit Wizard
t, sacrifice a spirit: Destroy target spirit. It cannot be regenerated.
His heritage brought him ridicule in two worlds - and power over both.
2/3
In another reality, he might have been celebrated for his gifts. Abeno, born to a nobleman and a flighty air spirit, had been an inquisitive, mischievous and brilliant child. He inherited his mother's beauty and his father's dignity. Then the Kami War began. His father was exiled as a traitor, and hostile spirits disintegrated Abeno's mother before his eyes.
Wandering the ruined battlefields of the war, Abeno discovered his heritage had given him power to summon his spirit brethren - and, using his enchanted blade, to destroy them to feed ever more powerful magic. It was in search of power that he had entered the small temple, built over a cave entrance on the mountainside, and found the glittering shield. He couldn't resist. What treasures could be beyond it? But now he found himself here. Wherever here was, he would need more mana for his spells. And whenever Abeno wanted to hear about a new place, he simply asked those who died there. This plane couldn't be too different from Kamigawa, Abeno realized - his summoning spells still worked. In response to his incantation a translucent spirit rose from the earth. She looked at Abeno with curiosity.
Abeno raised his sword to her neck.
Graveyard Inquest UB
Instant
As an additional cost to cast Graveyard Inquest, sacrifice a spirit.
Reveal cards from target opponent's library until you reveal a spirit card, then exile that card and put the rest back in any order.
"To see through a spirit's eyes, you need only remove them." - Abeno the Half-Breed