* Overview
* Schedule
* Challenge Rounds
* Critique Rounds
* Valid Entry Constitution
* Scoring
* Penalties
* Resources
* Credits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Overview
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
o 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.
o Each round will last five days: 3.5 to finalize designs, 1.5 for critiques.
o The schedule will usually operate according to US Eastern Time Zone (GMT -5). We will stick to this schedule as closely as possible, adjusting as necessary.
* Challenge Rounds
o 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.
o Each Leaguer will post his/her entry by the deadline, 3.5 days after the round is posted.
* Critique Rounds
o 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).
o Each Leaguer will thoroughly critique at least 50% of the entries given by the leaguers on the other team.
o 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.
o 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
o 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.
o 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
(This has been depricated, and pending approval from the powers that be will be deleted. See the next spoiler section for how Scoring works.)
o 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).
o 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.
o 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
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
* Resources
o This is a templating guideline compiled by Kraj. It is quite concise and very useful.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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)
o 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.
o Credits
Each round, the players have a chance of getting a total of 100 points toward their score. Each score is determined by the following equation:
The grading of 3 points for first place, 2 points for second and 1 for third still stands. This is also the case for up to 2 points for crits and Top 3.
Total points of player A in round N = 100 * X/Y
Where:
X = Total number of points given by judges + (Bonus points for critiques & Top 3)
Y = Total number of points possible (3*Number of judges + Bonus Points)
This way the grading is more streamlined in the fact that all rounds up to going to top 8 are graded equally, and there is no handicap for any team that has fewer judges.
Each player starts the next round with the score that he previously had, and another possible 100 points is given to him at the end of that round. Therefore, there is a possible 300 points before the CCL goes to top 8.
Team Aggressor Koopa
Krey
netn9
Psijet
Shaddock86
Twilight Kiwi
TyranidBill
Team Dreamer
brasil_dude101
Gerrard's Mom
Maokun
Oculus Thelas
Umi_no_Samui
void_nothing
Team Inventor Asrama
drewdagreek
Jimmy Groove
NotoriousLynx
Rocket_Powered_Turbo_Slug
Ryder052
Shinen
Team Manipulator CrazyMatt
Doom Lich
Dragoon
Lyzl
Prospero314
Rimeshade
BlackBull
However, these visions do not disappear, they only intensify, and with them comes new mana into your plane. Ancient artifacts that had faded from power and memory once again have astounding power, ancient spells and rites begin to work again, and ancient creatures start to once again walk your earth. And along with their walking, you begin to wake.
You are the land itself, solitary or home to many, unique within your realm. As the new mana enters your plane, it enters and awakens you, as a dreamer coming out of a long sleep. You find the world much changed from your vision of the past, and far different creatures walk upon you. The dregs of sleep threaten to pull you back down into their warm embrace, but the new mana gives you the power to resist, and to begin to control your environment...
For a while, as fledgling minds, you are content to merely observe what occurs above, below or within you. You learn every name of every person, animal, plant and being. You listen to the tongues of the creatures above you, and make them your own. You laugh at their misfortune, and rejoice with their successes. In time, you come to learn of their desires, dreams, past and present. All the secrets hidden skillfully within your domain are yours to peruse at will.
However, you soon grow bored. As your consciousness develops, you begin to have power over the world you inhabit. It starts as a mere influence, whether flowers here or there bloom or wither, whether the harvest is lush or scant, and eventually the minds of your inhabitants become open to your power.
However, as your power grows, so does the power of the presence that wakened you. All other mysteries within you you can discover easily and understand immediately, but not this one. At each attempt to discover its purpose and ability it hides itself further, as though through your attempts to find it you push it further from your grasp. Maddened by your failures and driven by curiosity, you decide to attack the problem in a different way. If the peoples above use you to their benefit, should not you use them? With this new idea, you begin to search for minions suitable to your cause, and plant the seed of your desire in their heads...
Round 1 Challenge:
Create a non-legendary common or uncommon creature to be your minion. It must be at least one of the colors that your land can produce or uses.
1. Your creature's power and toughness cannot be above a 4/4.
2. If your land does not produce colored mana or does not use colored mana, this means you can pick your colors.
Deadline:
Submissions due March 5 11:59 pm EST
Critiques due March 7 3:00 EST
If you submit your cards before March 5 at 3:30 pm EST, you will receive 5 extra points.
If you submit your critiques before March 6 at 11:59 pm EST, you will receive 5 bonus points.
Critiques:
Team Aggressor critiques Team Dreamer
Team Dreamer critiques Team Inventor
Team Inventor critiques Team Manipulator
Team Manipulator critiques Team Aggressor
Also, Lyzl, you are already in here on Team Manipulator. There are 6 more spots left for this CCL, which have been claimed by:
BlackBull
Shinen
Personal Comments:
First!
Ugh, forgot how long these take to make
Banner on the way!
I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
Jukan, Center of Muraganda
Legandery Land (Mythic)
Add to your mana pool for each creature you control without abilities.
:3mana:: Creatures you control without abilities gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Spend only mana from Jukan to pay this activated ability.
:5mana:: Search your library for a creature card without abilities and put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library. Spend only mana from Jukan to pay this activated ability. Each day bring new opportunities. Each day in Muraganda bring new ways to realize them.
Round 1:
Silvertail Meepling :2mana::symg:
Creature - Beast (Common)
Nature Hiding (:1mana:: This creature loses all abilities and become colorless until end of turn.)
When Silvertail Meepling enters the battlefield, you may search your library for up to three cards named Silvertail Meepling, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle your library.
2/2
Made some templating edits to my original submission.... I handed it in within 15 mins of finding the thread, so I hope this isn't a problem.
Sign-up round:
Hitenjima, the Grand Palace
Legendary Land (M) T: add one mana of any color of a legendary permanent you control to your mana pool. WUBRG, T, Sacrifice Hitenjima, the Grand Palace: Search you library for a legendary permanent card and put it onto the battlefield.
Round 1:
Imperial ServantW
Creature - Human (U) T: You may activate an activated ability on target legendary permanent you control without paying the T in it's cost. (pay all other costs associated with that ability)
1/1
Long after the violent end of the Guildpact threw Ravnica into chaos, civilization finally began crawling back from its almost total collapse. The remnants of the Selesnyan Conclave built a temple dedicated to the memory of what they had once stood for and the fallen dryad at the heart of their covenant; unknown to those who watched over it and spread their message of peace, power accumulated within this center of worship and harmony for centuries, coiling its way into the hearts and minds of those around it and spreading across the plane, bringing mutual understanding and fellowship to all those it connected.
At some point, within this web of connected lives, a new life was born - a sort of hive mind, but one whose members were willing and mostly free-willed still. And this "oversoul" understood that the only way to prevent Ravnica's history from repeating itself was to bring all life in its world under its influence, to create a truly harmonious community, where all beings worked together for the greater good rather than struggling for meaningless personal power.
But the oversoul also sought answers to what had triggered its own birth, unwilling to accept that it could be accident or coincidence. It sensed, somehow, that something was responsible not only for giving the network awareness, but for ensuring the network would be created in the first place - and many of its component beings worried at this mysterious being's motives. And so the oversoul compelled the people of Ravnica to seek out the lost mysteries of the past, excitement for what they might find tempered by apprehension.
Shrine of Mat'Selesnya
Legendary Land Unity - T: Tap any number of untapped creatures you control. For each creature tapped this way, add 1 or one mana of any of that creature's colors to your mana pool. "Apart, we were weak, foolish, rats squabbling over the scraps of the world we had squandered. Together, We can do anything."
Remnant DelverWU
Creature - Human Wizard (U) Unity - When Remnant Delver enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, draw a card.
Whenever you draw a card, gain 1 life. "We must rediscover the knowledge of those who came before... and avoid their mistakes."
2/2 Art: A scholar examines an ancient tome in a derelict, long-abandoned study. An assistant searches the shelves for other valuable relics in the background.
Gate to Spirit World
Legendary Land (R)
Whenever you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, you may put a ki counter on Gate to Spirit World.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
:2mana:,:symtap:: Search your library for a Spirit or Arcane card with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of ki counters on Gate to Spirit World and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put that card on top of it.
Dark Familiar
Creature - Spirit (U)
Whenever you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost.
1/1
Cabal Mercenary1BB
Creature - Zombie (C)
Suspend 3—B
If Cabal Mercenary is cast from anywhere other than your hand, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
1/1
Sign-up round
Karrthus' Caldera
Legendary Land (R)
Karrthus' Caldera enters the battlefield tapped. t: Add B,R or G to your mana pool. BRG,t: Target creature becomes a dragon and gets +1/+1 and flying until end of turn.
"Those who venture close can feel the might of the dragon rise within them with every heartbeat." - Sarkhan Vol
A little bit of story
The Magmaborn are a race of elemental creatures who have ventured too close to the molten domain of the dragon Karrthus. They have the bodies of humans, which they once where, but, where there once was flesh, there now is rock and flame. Seeing as their small settlements are on the very rim of the caldera, which they worship as a god, they where the natural people for the waking caldera to manipulate. To the rest of the barbarians of Jund, they are seen and respected as living embodiments of rage, and also as the living will of the great dragon tyrants above. It is an honour for them to become a Magmaborn, and every year several promising champions are send to those settlements, never to return.
Round 1:
Magmaborn Champion2RG Creature - Elemental Human Warrior (U)
Haste. (B/R): Magmaborn Champion gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
3/2
Thinking maybe:
Crazed Emberlings1(R/B)
Creature - Elemental Warrior (U)
Wither
Whenever Crazed Emberlings deals damage to creature, you may instead choose a number. If you do, Crazed Emberlings deals that much damage to that creature and to you.
2/1
Shrine of the Corroded Kami
Legendary Land T: Add 1 to your mana pool. 2: ~ becomes a 3/5 Golem Spirit artifact creature with "Soulshift 1" until the end of the turn. It's still a land. In a small neglected shrine, hidden away in one of the back corners of Kamigawa, a long forgotten relic suddenly comes to life.
Round One
Akki Relicstabber 1R
Creature- Goblin Warrior (Common)
When ~ enters the battlefield, if you control an artifact, ~ gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn. Long proponants of earth magic, many Akki were were suprised to find the effect that the odd pieces of metal now had on their raids.
Tomb of Laquatus
Legendary Land - Island Swamp
Tomb of Laquatus enters the battlefield tapped.
t, exile the top two cards of your library: If both the exiled cards have the same mana cost, you may play one of them without paying it's mana cost.
Servant of the land.
Insidious CryptomancerUB
Creature - Merfolk Wizard (U)
Intimidate.
Whenever Insidious Cryptomancer deals combat damage to a player, exile the top three cards of target player's library. 2UB: You may play a card exiled by Insidious Cryptomancer as though it was in your hand until end of turn.
2/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Using only a compass and straightedge, it's impossible to construct friends. The Greeks long suspected this, but it wasn't until April 12th of 1882 that Ferdinand von Lindemann conclusively proved it when he constructed himself the most awesome birthday party possible and nobody showed up." ~Randall Munroe
Caulra, the Lonely Valley
Legendary Land
Caulra, the Lonely Valley enters the battlefield tapped. T: Mindgate one mana of any color. (Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Use this mana only to cast cards you own from outside the game as though they were in your hand.)
As Caulra began to stir to consciousness, it started to draw others from around the multiverse, in hopes of finding one who could understand it.
Dreamscape Explorer:SymUG::SymUG:
Creature - Human Shaman (U)
When Dreamscape Explorer enters the battlefield, you may put a dream counter on target land.
If a land with a dream counter would produce mana, its controller may mindgate that mana instead. (That player adds that mana to his or her mana pool. It may only be used to cast cards he or she own from outside the game as though they were in his or her hand.)
She explores a new world without ever leaving her valley.
1/1
Ayacium, Akar Depths Legendary Land T: Add 1 to your mana pool. Erosion - ,T: Return target card from your graveyard to your hand. Activate this ability only if a library has twenty or fewer cards in it.
I wakened to this world, and found my "heart" a decaying mass of corpses, a burial ground for much of the planes. feeding my power. I can draw knowledge and resources from those entrapped within me. I grow more powerful as my stone heart fills. Perhaps with enough mana brewing within my "heart" I can discover the force that awakened me.
A group of beings on this plane have been worshiping me since long before I was awake. They call the spiraling obsidian cave system that is me Ayacium. They call the great atrium that is my "Heart"(Heh, unintended biology pun) Aya Dae. They have carved alters out of the flesh that festers in my heart, made pyres out of them as well. The massive burial group that is my heart is also their temple to me.
If I am to choose an agent to serve my purposes, it would be one of them.
Cultist of Aya Dae(U/B) Creature - Human Cleric {C}
Whenever Cultist of Aya Dae becomes tapped, target player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
When I awoke, I had no idea what was going on. All I remember, was that all of a sudden, I was there. And then I felt it. A squishy mass above me, and a lot of liquid. As my senses and understanding developed, I came to discover that the masses were corpses, and the liquid was blood. But these were no normal corpses, and no normal blood, for those who died atop me died in what they deemed "glorious" warfare. In the beginning, I did not understand why they warred. What glory was to be had? But the never less, the fighting continued, and as more and more fell, the more I became accustomed to this. Soon, I found myself taking sides in minor skirmishes, altering the landscape to favor one faction. I do not know whether I feel joy or sadness at the death of the warriors.
Galdr, Field of War
Legendary Land {R}
At the beginning of your upkeep, choose three target creatures you control. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
:1mana:, :symtap:: Add two mana in any combination of :symw:, or to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to cast creature spells or activate abilities of creatures.
Grimhilde's VindicatorWR
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Haste
Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to Grimhilde’s Vindicator. He was once a normal human. A valkyrie’s blessing changed that. 2/2
Shrine of Mat'Selesnya
Legendary Land Unity - T: Tap any number of untapped creatures you control. For each creature tapped this way, add 1 or one mana of any of that creature's colors to your mana pool. "Apart, we were weak, foolish, rats squabbling over the scraps of the world we had squandered. Together, We can do anything."
Ruin DelverWG
Creature - Human Scout (U) Unity - When Ruin Delver enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, gain 1 life for each card in your graveyard. "We must relearn the wisdom of those who came before... and avoid their mistakes."
2/2 Art: Light shines down from above as a human carrying a lot of explorers' equipment is lowered via a simple pulley system into the ruins of an ancient structure overgrown with vegetation. A smaller figure can be seen above holding the other end of the rope.
Added unity to my land. I assume that's OK since it doesn't actually change anything. It would've been weird to have such a similar ability not use the keyword.
Cabal Mercenary1BB
Creature - Zombie (C)
Suspend 3—B
If Cabal Mercenary is cast from anywhere other than your hand, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
Power/Toughness?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Winner of the August CCL '10
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
Valley of the Dead Kings
Legendary Land - Desert
Whenever a creature attacks you, Valley of the Dead Kings deals 1 damage to that creature for each desert you control.
:1mana::symb::symb:,:symtap: Return target legendary creature from your graveyard to the battlefield. Use this ability during your upkeep. Only the dead can stand the sting of the hot desert sands.
Guardian MummyBB
Creature - Zombie Warrior (U)
As an additional cost to cast Guardian Mummy, exile a creature card in your graveyard.
Sacrifice Guardian Mummy: Put onto the battlefield a 1/1 black skeleton creature token.
3/3 They don't question orders and they don't break easy
Akrasan Tournament Grounds
Legendary Land (R)
Akrasan Tournament Grounds enters the battlefield tapped.
Exalted T: Add GW, WU or GU to your mana pool. Skip your combat phase this turn. Activate this ability only during your precombat main phase. T: Put a sigil counter on target creature you control. That creature has exalted for as long as it has a sigil counter on it
Sigiled Channeler WU
Creature - Human Wizard (C)
Exalted
Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, untap it. "War is a game here on Bant. She makes sure you can always participate." -Elspeth Tirel
0/2
Buzably, the Great Hive
Legendary Land (MR)
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a charge counter on Buzably, the Great Hive. T: Add G to your mana pool. G,T, Sacrifice Buzably, the Great Hive: Put X 1/1 green Insect creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is the number of charge counters on Buzably, the Great Hive.
You could say I'm on Team Dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Ruzain, the Fertile Rift
Legendary Land (R)
Ruzain, the Fertile Rift enters the battlefield tapped.
: Add or to your mana pool.
: You may play any number of additional lands this turn. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice each land you control that came into play this turn.
Ruzain RangerRG
Creature - Elf Scout (U)
Return a land you control to its owner's hand: Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains haste until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn. The inhabitants of Ruzain have learned to consume its fruits before it consumes them.
2/1
Ura, Spire of Yixal
Legendary Land {R} T:Add B to your mana pool. T:Exile target card from a graveyard. Even Yixilid acolytes avoid the looming pinnacle, where their master waits, ever-hungering.
The Minion of No-Goodery:
Yixilid Vampire3UB
Creature - Vampire {U}
Flying
Whenever Yixilid Vampire deals combat damage to a player, you may shuffle your graveyard into your library. If you do, that player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard. They mimic their master, shortening futures to relive the past.
3/2
Spire of Silence
Legendary Land R
Spire of Silence enters the battlefield tapped. T: Add U to your mana pool. Grandeur --UU, Discard another card named Spire of Silence: Counter target spell.
Mythshaper2U
Creature - Human Wizard C
Flash
When Mythshaper enters the battlefield, return target legendary permanent to its owner's hand. "The battle went much differently as I recall..."
1/3
Asking out a girl is like trying to cast a first turn Necropotence. Sometimes the other player will have the Force of Will to say no. You shouldn't let that stop you from trying it.
Legendary Land (R) T: Add one mana of any color that a land in the battlefield could produce to your mana pool. T: Target land becomes a copy of target nonlegendary land until end of turn.
"Peer into its waters and you'll see the place dearest to your heart."
Nostalgic Pathseeker1G
Creature - Elf Druid (C)
When Nostalgic Pathfinder enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a land card with the same name as a land you control. If you do, reveal it and put it in your hand, then shuffle your library.
"He left the woods of his youth in search of the most wondrous place in the world. A thousand miles later, he realized it had always been his home."
1/1
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.
Bellows, the Endless Chasm
Legendary Land
Whenever a creature card you control goes to the graveyard from anywhere, you may exile it instead and put a charge counter on Bellows, the Endless Chasm. T: Add 1 to your mana pool for each charge counter on Bellows, the Endless Chasm.
My Minion:
Neurosis Maggot (U/B)
Creature - Insect (R)
Infect (U/B), Discard a card: Put a copy of Neurosis Maggot onto the battlefield.
1/1
March CCL Round 1
Custom Card League Rules Compendium
* Overview
* Schedule
* Challenge Rounds
* Critique Rounds
* Valid Entry Constitution
* Scoring
* Penalties
* Resources
* Credits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Overview
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
o 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.
o Each round will last five days: 3.5 to finalize designs, 1.5 for critiques.
o The schedule will usually operate according to US Eastern Time Zone (GMT -5). We will stick to this schedule as closely as possible, adjusting as necessary.
* Challenge Rounds
o 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.
o Each Leaguer will post his/her entry by the deadline, 3.5 days after the round is posted.
* Critique Rounds
o 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).
o Each Leaguer will thoroughly critique at least 50% of the entries given by the leaguers on the other team.
o 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.
o 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
o 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.
o 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
(This has been depricated, and pending approval from the powers that be will be deleted. See the next spoiler section for how Scoring works.)
o 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).
o 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.
o 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
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
* Resources
o This is a templating guideline compiled by Kraj. It is quite concise and very useful.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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)
o 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.
o Credits
Each round, the players have a chance of getting a total of 100 points toward their score. Each score is determined by the following equation:
The grading of 3 points for first place, 2 points for second and 1 for third still stands. This is also the case for up to 2 points for crits and Top 3.
Total points of player A in round N = 100 * X/Y
Where:
X = Total number of points given by judges + (Bonus points for critiques & Top 3)
Y = Total number of points possible (3*Number of judges + Bonus Points)
This way the grading is more streamlined in the fact that all rounds up to going to top 8 are graded equally, and there is no handicap for any team that has fewer judges.
Each player starts the next round with the score that he previously had, and another possible 100 points is given to him at the end of that round. Therefore, there is a possible 300 points before the CCL goes to top 8.
Team Aggressor
KoopaKrey
netn9
Psijet
Shaddock86
Twilight Kiwi
TyranidBill
Team Dreamer
brasil_dude101
Gerrard's Mom
Maokun
Oculus
ThelasUmi_no_Samui
void_nothing
Team Inventor
Asramadrewdagreek
Jimmy Groove
NotoriousLynx
Rocket_Powered_Turbo_Slug
Ryder052
Shinen
Team Manipulator
CrazyMattDoom Lich
Dragoon
Lyzl
Prospero314
Rimeshade
BlackBull
Signup Round
Throughout the multiverse, the planes are becoming less and less stable. On each plane there appear to be visions of ghosts overlaying the reality; samurai, strange priests, faeries, elemental monstrossities, mechanical demons, zombie lords, strange, sinuous creatures, gargantuan constructs, primal giants, and even entire landscapes. These scare the smallfolk of the planes, but they just assume that it's the wizard's fault and everything will be put to rights by tea time, or failing that next week, but by the end of the month at the latest.
However, these visions do not disappear, they only intensify, and with them comes new mana into your plane. Ancient artifacts that had faded from power and memory once again have astounding power, ancient spells and rites begin to work again, and ancient creatures start to once again walk your earth. And along with their walking, you begin to wake.
You are the land itself, solitary or home to many, unique within your realm. As the new mana enters your plane, it enters and awakens you, as a dreamer coming out of a long sleep. You find the world much changed from your vision of the past, and far different creatures walk upon you. The dregs of sleep threaten to pull you back down into their warm embrace, but the new mana gives you the power to resist, and to begin to control your environment...
For a while, as fledgling minds, you are content to merely observe what occurs above, below or within you. You learn every name of every person, animal, plant and being. You listen to the tongues of the creatures above you, and make them your own. You laugh at their misfortune, and rejoice with their successes. In time, you come to learn of their desires, dreams, past and present. All the secrets hidden skillfully within your domain are yours to peruse at will.
However, you soon grow bored. As your consciousness develops, you begin to have power over the world you inhabit. It starts as a mere influence, whether flowers here or there bloom or wither, whether the harvest is lush or scant, and eventually the minds of your inhabitants become open to your power.
However, as your power grows, so does the power of the presence that wakened you. All other mysteries within you you can discover easily and understand immediately, but not this one. At each attempt to discover its purpose and ability it hides itself further, as though through your attempts to find it you push it further from your grasp. Maddened by your failures and driven by curiosity, you decide to attack the problem in a different way. If the peoples above use you to their benefit, should not you use them? With this new idea, you begin to search for minions suitable to your cause, and plant the seed of your desire in their heads...
Round 1 Challenge:
Create a non-legendary common or uncommon creature to be your minion. It must be at least one of the colors that your land can produce or uses.
1. Your creature's power and toughness cannot be above a 4/4.
2. If your land does not produce colored mana or does not use colored mana, this means you can pick your colors.
Deadline:
Submissions due March 5 11:59 pm EST
Critiques due March 7 3:00 EST
If you submit your cards before March 5 at 3:30 pm EST, you will receive 5 extra points.
If you submit your critiques before March 6 at 11:59 pm EST, you will receive 5 bonus points.
Critiques:
Team Aggressor critiques Team Dreamer
Team Dreamer critiques Team Inventor
Team Inventor critiques Team Manipulator
Team Manipulator critiques Team Aggressor
Also, Lyzl, you are already in here on Team Manipulator. There are 6 more spots left for this CCL, which have been claimed by:
BlackBull
Shinen
Personal Comments:
First!
Ugh, forgot how long these take to make
Banner on the way!
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
Sign Up:
Legandery Land (Mythic)
Add to your mana pool for each creature you control without abilities.
:3mana:: Creatures you control without abilities gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Spend only mana from Jukan to pay this activated ability.
:5mana:: Search your library for a creature card without abilities and put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library. Spend only mana from Jukan to pay this activated ability.
Each day bring new opportunities. Each day in Muraganda bring new ways to realize them.
Round 1:
Creature - Beast (Common)
Nature Hiding (:1mana:: This creature loses all abilities and become colorless until end of turn.)
When Silvertail Meepling enters the battlefield, you may search your library for up to three cards named Silvertail Meepling, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle your library.
2/2
Comments: My cards are from kamigawa
Made some templating edits to my original submission.... I handed it in within 15 mins of finding the thread, so I hope this isn't a problem.
Sign-up round:
Hitenjima, the Grand Palace
Legendary Land (M)
T: add one mana of any color of a legendary permanent you control to your mana pool.
WUBRG, T, Sacrifice Hitenjima, the Grand Palace: Search you library for a legendary permanent card and put it onto the battlefield.
Round 1:
Imperial Servant W
Creature - Human (U)
T: You may activate an activated ability on target legendary permanent you control without paying the T in it's cost. (pay all other costs associated with that ability)
1/1
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011
At some point, within this web of connected lives, a new life was born - a sort of hive mind, but one whose members were willing and mostly free-willed still. And this "oversoul" understood that the only way to prevent Ravnica's history from repeating itself was to bring all life in its world under its influence, to create a truly harmonious community, where all beings worked together for the greater good rather than struggling for meaningless personal power.
But the oversoul also sought answers to what had triggered its own birth, unwilling to accept that it could be accident or coincidence. It sensed, somehow, that something was responsible not only for giving the network awareness, but for ensuring the network would be created in the first place - and many of its component beings worried at this mysterious being's motives. And so the oversoul compelled the people of Ravnica to seek out the lost mysteries of the past, excitement for what they might find tempered by apprehension.
Legendary Land
Unity - T: Tap any number of untapped creatures you control. For each creature tapped this way, add 1 or one mana of any of that creature's colors to your mana pool.
"Apart, we were weak, foolish, rats squabbling over the scraps of the world we had squandered. Together, We can do anything."
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Unity - When Remnant Delver enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, draw a card.
Whenever you draw a card, gain 1 life.
"We must rediscover the knowledge of those who came before... and avoid their mistakes."
2/2
Art: A scholar examines an ancient tome in a derelict, long-abandoned study. An assistant searches the shelves for other valuable relics in the background.
My First (And Probably Only) MCC Perfect Score: December 09 (Round One)
[Manipulated Once Again]ManipulatorDark Familiar
Creature - Spirit (U)
Whenever you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost.
1/1
TEAM AGGRESSOR
Cabal Mercenary 1BB
Creature - Zombie (C)
Suspend 3—B
If Cabal Mercenary is cast from anywhere other than your hand, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
1/1
Should I post my sign up card here wih the round's one, or should Ipost it in the oringinal thread?
Previous Cards
Karrthus' Caldera
Legendary Land (R)
Karrthus' Caldera enters the battlefield tapped.
t: Add B,R or G to your mana pool.
BRG,t: Target creature becomes a dragon and gets +1/+1 and flying until end of turn.
"Those who venture close can feel the might of the dragon rise within them with every heartbeat." - Sarkhan Vol
A little bit of story
Round 1:
Magmaborn Champion 2RG
Creature - Elemental Human Warrior (U)
Haste.
(B/R): Magmaborn Champion gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
3/2
WiJ
Peasant 540 Cube
Thinking maybe:
Crazed Emberlings 1(R/B)
Creature - Elemental Warrior (U)
Wither
Whenever Crazed Emberlings deals damage to creature, you may instead choose a number. If you do, Crazed Emberlings deals that much damage to that creature and to you.
2/1
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!
Sign Up
Legendary Land
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
2: ~ becomes a 3/5 Golem Spirit artifact creature with "Soulshift 1" until the end of the turn. It's still a land.
In a small neglected shrine, hidden away in one of the back corners of Kamigawa, a long forgotten relic suddenly comes to life.
Round One
Creature- Goblin Warrior (Common)
When ~ enters the battlefield, if you control an artifact, ~ gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
Long proponants of earth magic, many Akki were were suprised to find the effect that the odd pieces of metal now had on their raids.
Previous Cards
Legendary Land - Island Swamp
Tomb of Laquatus enters the battlefield tapped.
t, exile the top two cards of your library: If both the exiled cards have the same mana cost, you may play one of them without paying it's mana cost.
Servant of the land.
Insidious Cryptomancer UB
Creature - Merfolk Wizard (U)
Intimidate.
Whenever Insidious Cryptomancer deals combat damage to a player, exile the top three cards of target player's library.
2UB: You may play a card exiled by Insidious Cryptomancer as though it was in your hand until end of turn.
2/1
Legendary Land
Caulra, the Lonely Valley enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Mindgate one mana of any color. (Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Use this mana only to cast cards you own from outside the game as though they were in your hand.)
As Caulra began to stir to consciousness, it started to draw others from around the multiverse, in hopes of finding one who could understand it.
Dreamscape Explorer :SymUG::SymUG:
Creature - Human Shaman (U)
When Dreamscape Explorer enters the battlefield, you may put a dream counter on target land.
If a land with a dream counter would produce mana, its controller may mindgate that mana instead. (That player adds that mana to his or her mana pool. It may only be used to cast cards he or she own from outside the game as though they were in his or her hand.)
She explores a new world without ever leaving her valley.
1/1
Legendary Land
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Erosion - ,T: Return target card from your graveyard to your hand. Activate this ability only if a library has twenty or fewer cards in it.
A group of beings on this plane have been worshiping me since long before I was awake. They call the spiraling obsidian cave system that is me Ayacium. They call the great atrium that is my "Heart"(Heh, unintended biology pun) Aya Dae. They have carved alters out of the flesh that festers in my heart, made pyres out of them as well. The massive burial group that is my heart is also their temple to me.
If I am to choose an agent to serve my purposes, it would be one of them.
Creature - Human Cleric {C}
Whenever Cultist of Aya Dae becomes tapped, target player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
Generals meant to be drafted first in a single pack of 6 cards.
And here is the actual cube, meant to be drafted in 4 regular sized packs. (60 card decks)
When I awoke, I had no idea what was going on. All I remember, was that all of a sudden, I was there. And then I felt it. A squishy mass above me, and a lot of liquid. As my senses and understanding developed, I came to discover that the masses were corpses, and the liquid was blood. But these were no normal corpses, and no normal blood, for those who died atop me died in what they deemed "glorious" warfare. In the beginning, I did not understand why they warred. What glory was to be had? But the never less, the fighting continued, and as more and more fell, the more I became accustomed to this. Soon, I found myself taking sides in minor skirmishes, altering the landscape to favor one faction. I do not know whether I feel joy or sadness at the death of the warriors.
Legendary Land {R}
At the beginning of your upkeep, choose three target creatures you control. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
:1mana:, :symtap:: Add two mana in any combination of :symw:, or to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to cast creature spells or activate abilities of creatures.
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Haste
Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to Grimhilde’s Vindicator.
He was once a normal human. A valkyrie’s blessing changed that.
2/2
Absolutely fine :D.
Power/Toughness?
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
Sign Up Card
Legendary Land
T: Add G or W to your mana pool.
2GW,T: Regenerate target cat: Gain life equal to regenerated cat's toughness.
Artwork by Fil Angelakis © 2009
Symbol from Star Fox © Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Minion:
Creature - Cat Soldier
When Leonin Warder blocks a creature, you may gain 1 life.
1/4
(artwork from Ajani's Pridemate, a MTG card)
Valley of the Dead Kings
Legendary Land - Desert
Whenever a creature attacks you, Valley of the Dead Kings deals 1 damage to that creature for each desert you control.
:1mana::symb::symb:,:symtap: Return target legendary creature from your graveyard to the battlefield. Use this ability during your upkeep.
Only the dead can stand the sting of the hot desert sands.
Guardian Mummy BB
Creature - Zombie Warrior (U)
As an additional cost to cast Guardian Mummy, exile a creature card in your graveyard.
Sacrifice Guardian Mummy: Put onto the battlefield a 1/1 black skeleton creature token.
3/3
They don't question orders and they don't break easy
Legendary Land (R)
Akrasan Tournament Grounds enters the battlefield tapped.
Exalted
T: Add GW, WU or GU to your mana pool. Skip your combat phase this turn. Activate this ability only during your precombat main phase.
T: Put a sigil counter on target creature you control. That creature has exalted for as long as it has a sigil counter on it
Creature - Human Wizard (C)
Exalted
Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, untap it.
"War is a game here on Bant. She makes sure you can always participate."
-Elspeth Tirel
0/2
Buzably, the Great Hive
Legendary Land (MR)
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a charge counter on Buzably, the Great Hive.
T: Add G to your mana pool.
G,T, Sacrifice Buzably, the Great Hive: Put X 1/1 green Insect creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is the number of charge counters on Buzably, the Great Hive.
~ 1G
Creature - Insect (C)
Flying
2/2
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Legendary Land (R)
Ruzain, the Fertile Rift enters the battlefield tapped.
: Add or to your mana pool.
: You may play any number of additional lands this turn. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice each land you control that came into play this turn.
Creature - Elf Scout (U)
Return a land you control to its owner's hand: Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains haste until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.
The inhabitants of Ruzain have learned to consume its fruits before it consumes them.
2/1
You may say I'mTeam Dreamer, but I'm not the only one...EDIT=> Got beaten to it, apparently...
The Legendary Land:
The Minion of No-Goodery:
Yixilid Vampire 3UB
Creature - Vampire {U}
Flying
Whenever Yixilid Vampire deals combat damage to a player, you may shuffle your graveyard into your library. If you do, that player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
They mimic their master, shortening futures to relive the past.
3/2
[Clan Flamingo] Tier Archivist
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Legendary Land R
Spire of Silence enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add U to your mana pool.
Grandeur -- UU, Discard another card named Spire of Silence: Counter target spell.
Creature - Human Wizard C
Flash
When Mythshaper enters the battlefield, return target legendary permanent to its owner's hand.
"The battle went much differently as I recall..."
1/3
Level 1 DCI Judge
Check out my Commons Cube.
Legendary Land (R)
T: Add one mana of any color that a land in the battlefield could produce to your mana pool.
T: Target land becomes a copy of target nonlegendary land until end of turn.
"Peer into its waters and you'll see the place dearest to your heart."
Nostalgic Pathseeker 1G
Creature - Elf Druid (C)
When Nostalgic Pathfinder enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a land card with the same name as a land you control. If you do, reveal it and put it in your hand, then shuffle your library.
"He left the woods of his youth in search of the most wondrous place in the world. A thousand miles later, he realized it had always been his home."
1/1
Bellows, the Endless Chasm
Legendary Land
Whenever a creature card you control goes to the graveyard from anywhere, you may exile it instead and put a charge counter on Bellows, the Endless Chasm.
T: Add 1 to your mana pool for each charge counter on Bellows, the Endless Chasm.
My Minion:
Neurosis Maggot
(U/B)
Creature - Insect (R)
Infect
(U/B), Discard a card: Put a copy of Neurosis Maggot onto the battlefield.
1/1