Welcome to the Card Creation League Final Round Poll to determine the winner of the June CCL, hosted by yours truly.
The Card Creation League is a monthly contest in which players compete over seven rounds. Each month has an overall theme and/or story, determined by that month's host.
Each round, the host will assign a card creation task to the players. This task may vary between teams or players.
The first three rounds are open to everyone who joined in the sign-up thread, which will be posted near the end of the previous month. After these rounds, the Top 8 players will move on to three single elimination rounds to determine a winner.
Rounds usually last three to four days for submissions and about two days for critiques, but the host has final say in making the schedule.
For the first three rounds, players are divided into teams. Four teams is standard, but there may be more or less depending on the number of players. Each team will review another team's cards during the critique period of that round.
Each player must submit a Top 3 ranking for the team he or she critiques at the end of each round. Each 1st place is worth 3 points, 2nd place 2 points, and 3rd place 1 point.
Additionally, each player can receive 2 bonus points per round. One point is awarded for posting a Top 3, and one point for providing critiques for that team's cards.
Suggested areas to critique include creativity, balance, printability, and relation to the overall theme or that player's previous cards.
Players who do not post a card or a Top 3 will be put on "probation." Top 3 violations for a round can be removed by posting or PMing the host with your Top 3 before the end of the next round. Any player that would receive a second violation is disqualified from further competition that month.
At the end of the first three rounds, the Top 8 players will be selected by points (usually the top 2 from each team). In the case of ties, there may be more than 8 players advancing. The host will determine matchups for single elimination. At the end of each elimination round, remaining players not in that matchup will choose a winner to advance. The host will break any ties.
The final round is determined by public poll.
This is it, all! The final round, where two contestants face off in a battle of card design. The final match up is:
FuriouslySleepingIdea vs. BlueLotus
The war has lasted for years since your civilization started as a small village, and your citizens is growing weary. You decide that it is now all or nothing, and you must employ all resources to conquer the last civilization in your way.
While at base camp, you receive a message that your "super weapon" that you commisioned your scientists to create is done, and ready for use. You send a message back to send it to the front.
During the war, you have reaped many rewards, and conquered many opponents. However, you feel a little different, like you have a higher destiny. During the night, you realize you have obtained a planewalker spark, and you think that this is exactly what is needed to win the war.
Also during the war, you have come across many remarkable individuals in your army who have demonstrated (insert appropriate adjectives here) and, as such you have promoted to the rank of generals after so long.
The day has come. Prepare your forces, and move out!
And their challenge!
Final Round Challenge: The particiapant's challenge was 3-fold:
Recreate your commander as a planeswalker.
Create a leveler which depicts the progression of your army from conscript to general based off of your civilization mechanic.
Create an artifact that is a superweapon of your civilization.
Valia, Graceful Spirit2GW
Legendary Creature - Elf Advisor (MR)
Whenever Valia, Graceful Spirit would deal damage, instead put that many +1/+1 counters on each other creature you control. "Watch well, my children, and learn."
1/4
Scarab Colony
Land (U) T: Add G to your mana pool.
Graft 1
As long as Scarab Colony has at least one counter on it, it’s a 0/0 green Insect creature in addition to its other types.
Magnanimous PrelateGW
Creature - Elf Cleric (U)
Graft 1
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it deals damage, you gain 1 life.
1/1
Perfect BlessingGGWW
Sorcery (MR)
Target creature gains flying, double strike, lifelink, vigilance, trample, deathtouch, shroud, and haste until end of turn. Because there's no such thing as overkill.
Battle Current-Reader2GW
Creature - Elf Advisor (U)
Graft 2
Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them gain "T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn." “There are currents in everything, even battle. Know how to read them, know how to change them, and victory is all but inevitable.”
1/1
Accomplished Trainer1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor (R) T: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with converted mana cost 2 or less.
2/2
Battlefrenzy Conductor2RW
Creature - Elf Warrior (U)
Graft 2
Remove a +1/+1 counter from Battlefrenzy Conductor: Target creature gains double strike until end of turn. Just one turns a soldier into a hero, and a battle into a massacre.
1/1
Coordinated TacticsRGW
Instant (U)
Coordinated Tactics deals X damage to target creature, another target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, and you gain X life, where X is equal to the number of creatures you control.
Valia could feel the joy of her people at her conquest, and, with the latest acquisitions raising the population ever higher, had an untold amount of power flowing in from all the citizens. She woke up one day feeling... right. Everything suddenly looked clearer than it ever had before- Valia now saw how to win this war, and unite an entire world behind her.
Valia, Purity's Core2GW
Planeswalker - Valia (MR)
+1: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature.
-X: X target creatures each get +X/+X until end of turn.
-6: For each counter on permanents you control, put a 0/0 green Saproling creature token with graft 1 onto the battlefield.
{4}
Of course, conquest meant spoils of war. Valia had always been a big proponent towards the assimilation of all that was strong in the defeated nations, so instantly tasked the court scientists and magicians to create a golem to control and assimilate the others after conquering Elsavan. They slaved over deactivated golems for months, until finally, they created a curious mix of magic and science made from scavenged golem parts.
Solen, Master of the Essence5
Legendary Artifact Creature - Golem (MR)
Solen, Master of the Essence enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each counter on permanents you control. 3, Remove a counter from Solen: Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature.
0/0
There was also good news from the fronts- with Valia's new powers, whomsoever Valia placed a blessing on could now pass on the power to others around them.
Valia's VanguardW
Creature - Elf Soldier (R)
Graft 1
Level up—Remove a +1/+1 counter from Valia's Vanguard
0/0
LEVEL 1-4
0/0
Valia's Vanguard gets +1/+1 for each level counter on it.
LEVEL 5+
0/0
Creatures you control get +1/+1 for each level counter on Valia's Vanguard.
Alrin the Archlich :2mana::symu::symb: Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard [r]
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Alrin the Archlich. Exile the top card of your library for each damage prevented this way.
You may cast instant and sorcery cards exiled with Arlin the Archlich this turn.
3/3
Nexus of Reclamation
Land [r]
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
:symtap:, put an exiled card you own on the bottom of your library: Add 1 mana of each of that card's colors to your mana pool. Here reality is thin and nothing is gone forever.
Etchedbone Servitor :1mana::symu::symb: Creature - Skeleton Wizard [u]
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may pay :symu::symb:. If you do, return Etchedbone Servitor from your graveyard to the battlefield. "Carved with words of power, the resonance of nearby magic returns it to unlife." 3/1
Bleak Echo :xmana::symbu::symbu: Instant [u]
You may cast target instant or sorcery from your graveyard with converted mana cost X without paying its mana cost. New tragedies are born from the evils of the past.
Masochistic Revel :symb::symb:
Enchantment [r]
Whenever a source an opponent controls deals damage to you, add that much colorless mana to your mana pool. I embrace my pain, that I may bring pain.
Spellrider Shade :2mana::symb::symb: Creature - Shade
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, spellrider shade gets +1/+1 for each black mana spent to cast that spell. What the others eat is so foul I don't wish to know what it does.
Infused Husk :xmana::symr: Creature - Elemental[R]
As an additional cost to cast infused husk, exile an instant or sorcery card with mana cost X from your hand.
Infused Husk's power and toughness are equal to the converted mana cost of the exiled card.
When Infused Husk leaves play, you may cast the exiled card without paying its mana cost.
X/X
Chains of Corruption :1mana::symu::symb: Instant [u]
Gain control of target permanent that dealt damage to you this turn. Those who fight wickedness become wicked.
Arlin Ascended :2mana::symb::symu: Planeswalker - Arlin [MR]
+2: Exile the top 2 cards of target player's library.
+0: Search your library for a card and exile it.
-X: You may cast a card exiled with Arlin Ascended with converted mana cost X without paying its mana cost.
<3>
Demonblood Tome
Artifact [MR]
When Demonblood Tome comes into play, you may search your library for any number of cards and exile them face down then shuffle those cards and your library.
If you would draw a card, you may instead put a the top card exiled with Demonblood Tome into your hand.
When Demonblood Tome leaves play, shuffle all cards exiled with it into your library.
Darkfall Mesmerist
Zombie Wizard [u]
Level Up
1/1
----------
Level 2-3
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, they lose 1 life.
1/3
----------
Level 4+
Whenever a player casts a spell, each opponent loses 1 life.
2/4\
Please vote based on which person did the best job, in your opinion. There is no formal grading criteria, but don't be erratic in the judgings. Thanks.
Unless they want to vote for the opponent, we will assume that each player will vote for his/herself.
[U]The poll will end in exactly 1 week from today! Please Vote!![/U]
BlueLotus IMO, due to his interactions with the graft mechanic, the rarities made a little more sense, and the cards intertwined with one another.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Fun with the guys at gamez.
"Hey Donkey Lips, Are you done Yet?"
"No, now let me see here, untap..."
"Hey Donkey Lips, let's go so I can beat your face in with my 2/2.
One second, ok I cast Emrakul. HARD-CASTED. Raah"
Decks
Standard: BRB/R ControlBR
Legacy: BuildingRGR/G MadnessRG
EDH:GWUTreva, the Renewer GWU
Thnx to AWOL at Damnation Studios for the Awesome sig! Thanks guys. U RULE!
Both of the planeswalkers are spot on for their two colors. I like what Blue has done with the X creatures getting +X/+X and counting counters, but FSI's abilities are certainly smooth as well.
Both themes got a little tired with the artifacts. FSI's feels a little more mythic, in the line of Lich's Mirror, while Solen just sort of shuffles around counters slowly.
I appreciate the ideas behind Valia's Vanguard, but it's just too reliant on other cards. I'm not a fan of getting +1/+1 for each counter on it either, having played a Soldier deck I know what a pain it is to keep track of varied pump effects, and counters only make it worse. A straight mana cost would have at least made it possible to get something out of him without going back and forth all the time. FSI's guy is probably too cheap compared to other uncommon levelers, but the two abilities are interesting and certainly make sense as tiers. The first ability should be "that player," not "they," though.
Giving it to FSI here for overall better execution of the theme.
I appreciate the ideas behind Valia's Vanguard, but it's just too reliant on other cards. I'm not a fan of getting +1/+1 for each counter on it either, having played a Soldier deck I know what a pain it is to keep track of varied pump effects, and counters only make it worse. A straight mana cost would have at least made it possible to get something out of him without going back and forth all the time.
The reason I didn't use a mana cost was I didn't want two types of counters on one card- to tell the truth, leveling really shouldn't be used with my mechanic, or really any mechanic that relies on counters. This was just my solution to making level counters act like +1/+1 counters.
Ah, that does make sense, I didn't think about Level Up using counters. In that case, you might have gone with something that doesn't have inherent +1/+1 counters, but works to put them on other creatures or pumps for counters in the way you did. That was certainly a tricky part of the challenge though.
There are 12 hours left until the poll closes. If you have not voted, please take about 5 minutes of your time and vote for he person you think made the best cards for the challenge.
Thanks!
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Blue's Ideas were a little more cumbersome, and FSI's cards more elegant, thus initially I was leaning toward FSI, but then on closer examination, both had templating errors, but FSI had pre-m10 wording, which is SO easy to fix, that it made me think he had less heart and soul into his cards, thus I voted for Blue. Sorry FSI, but Demonblood Tome needed some m10 updates, or I would have voted for ya
FuriouslySleepingIdea vs. BlueLotus
The war has lasted for years since your civilization started as a small village, and your citizens is growing weary. You decide that it is now all or nothing, and you must employ all resources to conquer the last civilization in your way.
While at base camp, you receive a message that your "super weapon" that you commisioned your scientists to create is done, and ready for use. You send a message back to send it to the front.
During the war, you have reaped many rewards, and conquered many opponents. However, you feel a little different, like you have a higher destiny. During the night, you realize you have obtained a planewalker spark, and you think that this is exactly what is needed to win the war.
Also during the war, you have come across many remarkable individuals in your army who have demonstrated (insert appropriate adjectives here) and, as such you have promoted to the rank of generals after so long.
The day has come. Prepare your forces, and move out!
And their challenge!
Final Round Challenge: The particiapant's challenge was 3-fold:
Valia, Graceful Spirit 2GW
Legendary Creature - Elf Advisor (MR)
Whenever Valia, Graceful Spirit would deal damage, instead put that many +1/+1 counters on each other creature you control.
"Watch well, my children, and learn."
1/4
Scarab Colony
Land (U)
T: Add G to your mana pool.
Graft 1
As long as Scarab Colony has at least one counter on it, it’s a 0/0 green Insect creature in addition to its other types.
Magnanimous Prelate GW
Creature - Elf Cleric (U)
Graft 1
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it deals damage, you gain 1 life.
1/1
Perfect Blessing GGWW
Sorcery (MR)
Target creature gains flying, double strike, lifelink, vigilance, trample, deathtouch, shroud, and haste until end of turn.
Because there's no such thing as overkill.
Battle Current-Reader 2GW
Creature - Elf Advisor (U)
Graft 2
Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them gain "T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn."
“There are currents in everything, even battle. Know how to read them, know how to change them, and victory is all but inevitable.”
1/1
Accomplished Trainer 1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor (R)
T: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with converted mana cost 2 or less.
2/2
Battlefrenzy Conductor 2RW
Creature - Elf Warrior (U)
Graft 2
Remove a +1/+1 counter from Battlefrenzy Conductor: Target creature gains double strike until end of turn.
Just one turns a soldier into a hero, and a battle into a massacre.
1/1
Coordinated Tactics RGW
Instant (U)
Coordinated Tactics deals X damage to target creature, another target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, and you gain X life, where X is equal to the number of creatures you control.
Valia could feel the joy of her people at her conquest, and, with the latest acquisitions raising the population ever higher, had an untold amount of power flowing in from all the citizens. She woke up one day feeling... right. Everything suddenly looked clearer than it ever had before- Valia now saw how to win this war, and unite an entire world behind her.
Planeswalker - Valia (MR)
+1: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature.
-X: X target creatures each get +X/+X until end of turn.
-6: For each counter on permanents you control, put a 0/0 green Saproling creature token with graft 1 onto the battlefield.
{4}
Of course, conquest meant spoils of war. Valia had always been a big proponent towards the assimilation of all that was strong in the defeated nations, so instantly tasked the court scientists and magicians to create a golem to control and assimilate the others after conquering Elsavan. They slaved over deactivated golems for months, until finally, they created a curious mix of magic and science made from scavenged golem parts.
Legendary Artifact Creature - Golem (MR)
Solen, Master of the Essence enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each counter on permanents you control.
3, Remove a counter from Solen: Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature.
0/0
There was also good news from the fronts- with Valia's new powers, whomsoever Valia placed a blessing on could now pass on the power to others around them.
Creature - Elf Soldier (R)
Graft 1
Level up—Remove a +1/+1 counter from Valia's Vanguard
0/0
LEVEL 1-4
0/0
Valia's Vanguard gets +1/+1 for each level counter on it.
LEVEL 5+
0/0
Creatures you control get +1/+1 for each level counter on Valia's Vanguard.
Alrin the Archlich :2mana::symu::symb:
Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard [r]
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Alrin the Archlich. Exile the top card of your library for each damage prevented this way.
You may cast instant and sorcery cards exiled with Arlin the Archlich this turn.
3/3
Nexus of Reclamation
Land [r]
:symtap:: Add
:symtap:, put an exiled card you own on the bottom of your library: Add 1 mana of each of that card's colors to your mana pool.
Here reality is thin and nothing is gone forever.
Etchedbone Servitor :1mana::symu::symb:
Creature - Skeleton Wizard [u]
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may pay :symu::symb:. If you do, return Etchedbone Servitor from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"Carved with words of power, the resonance of nearby magic returns it to unlife."
3/1
Bleak Echo :xmana::symbu::symbu:
Instant [u]
You may cast target instant or sorcery from your graveyard with converted mana cost X without paying its mana cost.
New tragedies are born from the evils of the past.
Masochistic Revel :symb::symb:
Enchantment [r]
Whenever a source an opponent controls deals damage to you, add that much colorless mana to your mana pool.
I embrace my pain, that I may bring pain.
Spellrider Shade :2mana::symb::symb:
Creature - Shade
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, spellrider shade gets +1/+1 for each black mana spent to cast that spell.
What the others eat is so foul I don't wish to know what it does.
Infused Husk :xmana::symr:
Creature - Elemental[R]
As an additional cost to cast infused husk, exile an instant or sorcery card with mana cost X from your hand.
Infused Husk's power and toughness are equal to the converted mana cost of the exiled card.
When Infused Husk leaves play, you may cast the exiled card without paying its mana cost.
X/X
Chains of Corruption :1mana::symu::symb:
Instant [u]
Gain control of target permanent that dealt damage to you this turn.
Those who fight wickedness become wicked.
Arlin Ascended :2mana::symb::symu:
Planeswalker - Arlin [MR]
+2: Exile the top 2 cards of target player's library.
+0: Search your library for a card and exile it.
-X: You may cast a card exiled with Arlin Ascended with converted mana cost X without paying its mana cost.
<3>
Demonblood Tome
Artifact [MR]
When Demonblood Tome comes into play, you may search your library for any number of cards and exile them face down then shuffle those cards and your library.
If you would draw a card, you may instead put a the top card exiled with Demonblood Tome into your hand.
When Demonblood Tome leaves play, shuffle all cards exiled with it into your library.
Darkfall Mesmerist
Zombie Wizard [u]
Level Up
1/1
----------
Level 2-3
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, they lose 1 life.
1/3
----------
Level 4+
Whenever a player casts a spell, each opponent loses 1 life.
2/4\
Please vote based on which person did the best job, in your opinion. There is no formal grading criteria, but don't be erratic in the judgings. Thanks.
Unless they want to vote for the opponent, we will assume that each player will vote for his/herself.
[U]The poll will end in exactly 1 week from today! Please Vote!![/U]
For reference, please refer to the previous rounds, or look within the participant's spoilers for older cards: Signups Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Final Round
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Standard: BRB/R ControlBR
Legacy: BuildingRGR/G MadnessRG
EDH:GWU Treva, the Renewer GWU
Thnx to AWOL at Damnation Studios for the Awesome sig! Thanks guys. U RULE!
Both themes got a little tired with the artifacts. FSI's feels a little more mythic, in the line of Lich's Mirror, while Solen just sort of shuffles around counters slowly.
I appreciate the ideas behind Valia's Vanguard, but it's just too reliant on other cards. I'm not a fan of getting +1/+1 for each counter on it either, having played a Soldier deck I know what a pain it is to keep track of varied pump effects, and counters only make it worse. A straight mana cost would have at least made it possible to get something out of him without going back and forth all the time. FSI's guy is probably too cheap compared to other uncommon levelers, but the two abilities are interesting and certainly make sense as tiers. The first ability should be "that player," not "they," though.
Giving it to FSI here for overall better execution of the theme.
The reason I didn't use a mana cost was I didn't want two types of counters on one card- to tell the truth, leveling really shouldn't be used with my mechanic, or really any mechanic that relies on counters. This was just my solution to making level counters act like +1/+1 counters.
We are currently tied! Please get your votes in!!! You didn't have to participate in this, just please vote.
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Thanks!
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Congratulations to BlueLotus for winning the June CCL!
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.