This month we will be messing with different abilities
Main Challenge: Design a creature with three different abilities. Subchallenge 1: None of the abilities are a keyword Subchallenge 2: The three abilities are one of each: static, activated, and triggered.
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Challenge: All of the abilities must be innate to the creature. Meaning you cannot have abilities like "2G: Target creature gains trample." and have that be both an activated ability and a static ability.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by August 26th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by August 29th 11:59 PM EST
Design - (X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card? (X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development - (X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity? (X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity - (X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”? (X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish - (X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating. (X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge? (X/2) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Judges:
Koopa
Gerrard's Mom
Antiantiserum
Contestants:
Marco
Jimmy Grove
netn10
RaikouRider
Hemlock
Raptorchan
bravelion83
A reminder to everyone: In the MCC, putting rarity on cards is mandatory! If you don't put a rarity on your card, expect huge deductions in both Viability AND Quality.
Also, you should format your text cards accordingly to the forum rules (see the "this formatting looks best" spoiler in the linked OP). Again, expect deductions in Quality otherwise.
Orzhov Deathmaster2WB
Creature — Human Assassin (R)
If a creature card would be put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain life equal to the number of creature cards your opponents own in exile. XBB, T: Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn. The Orzhov have very convincing methods of bringing Dimir defectors on their side.
2/3
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Kenazi, Body and Mind as OneWUR
Legendary Creature - Avatar Monk (Mythic)
Other creatures you control have vigilance.
Whenever you activate an ability that targets only a single creature you control, copy that ability for each other creature you control that ability could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures. T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3/3
Lord of the CycleBBGG
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
Lord of the Cycle's power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Whenever a creature you control dies, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card. BG, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
*/*
Deep-Sea SalvagerWU
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate.
1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Deep-Sea SalvagerWU
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate. 1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Satja, Tasigur's Caretaker2BG
Legendary Creature - Human Assassin (R)
Other Assassin creatures you control have deathtouch.
Whenever Satja deals combat damage to an opponent, create a 1/1 black Assassin creature token with deathtouch. 2G: Creatures you control other than Satja must be blocked this turn if able.
3/3
Silverpaw Detective 1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Due to a forum glitch I cannot edit the above post - reposting for clarity.
Silverpaw Detective1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.) T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
b]Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster[/b]1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible. T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible. T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
Kenazi, Body and Mind as OneWUR
Legendary Creature - Avatar Monk (Mythic)
Other creatures you control have vigilance.
Whenever you activate an ability that targets only a single creature you control, copy that ability for each other creature you control that ability could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures. T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3/3
Design .:. (3/3) Appeal: Txmmy wants a commander deck with this. Jnny wants to find nice combos with this, and there are a lot of possibilities. Probably also good enough for Spike. (3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:. (3/3) Viability: Cards that copy activated abilities so far are either artifacts or red, blue is more about copying permanents or spells. Blue is probably needed for flavor reasons though. Mythic is a good spot for this. (3/3) Balance: The card is powerful and adds a whole new spectrum to abilities that usually only target single creatures. Especially in multiplayer this could make some cards you usually would or could not play more attractive. At worst it's a slightly more complex Always Watching on a stick.
Creativity .:. (2/3) Uniqueness: A fresh combination of the aforementioned enchantment and a tweaked Zada, Hedron Grinder. (3/3) Flavor: The card represents a battle monk who has achieved enlightenment through means of meditation. Or something. I'm convinced.
Polish .:. (2,5/3) Quality: As of KTK we see the order as URW. (2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied! (2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 23,5/25
VS
Orzhov Deathmaster2WB
Creature — Human Assassin (R)
If a creature card would be put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain life equal to the number of creature cards your opponents own in exile. XBB, T: Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn. The Orzhov have very convincing methods of bringing Dimir defectors on their side.
2/3
Design .:. (1/3) Appeal: The card best performs in commander, a Txmmy format. (3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:. (3/3) Viability: Exiling cards from graveyards and klling creatures is in black, gaining life is white. A nice rare. (3/3) Balance: The card hoses graveyard decks, gains you life, and even kills (indestructible) creatures. With the replacement effect the last ability often comes down to "exile target creature with thoughness X or less an opponent controls". The way it is worded it even does something when you don't have enough mana. What is the "an opponent controls" about here anywayswhat am I missing? This is a powerful control card but probably a bit expensive to make it into constructed besides standard and commander. Standard I'm not sure about, against creature light decks this is a pretty slow underwhelming card, very meta dependant. Commander players would be very happy about this. A card that gets stronger through the game and hits all opponents is always interesting.
Creativity .:. (2,5/3) Uniqueness: Inspired by Leyline of the Void and various assassins we here have an interesting new source of life. Exiled creatures usually only pile up more and more. (3/3) Flavor: Oh and how they have mastered death.
Polish .:. (3/3) Quality: No flaws detected! (2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied! (2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 22,5/25
Silverpaw Detective1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.) T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Design .:. (3/3) Appeal: 3-mana creature with the potential to get big? Txmmy is listening. Jxnny would love to cheat things into play using clues. There are some cheap clue makers already established in modern, so this card might be interesting for Spike. (3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:. (2,5/3) Viability: Clues in green and white, sure. But there's really not a lot of presedence for free casting in those colors. We have Descendants' Path for creatures. And then there's the expertisecycle. If it would allow timing restrictions to be ignored I'd say it feels like a break. With timing restrictions however I can see it as a bend. Rare is okey. (3/3) Balance: Between Thraben Inspector, Confront the Unknown, and Tireless Tracker there has to be some kind of interesting constructed deck. Getting up to two free clues per turn cycle sounds powerful. Add a Karn, Scion of Urza and other artifact synergies, voila. If it wasn't for the challenge I'd say the first two abilities are already enough to make this playable. This might only be a 1/2 or something on turn three but qiuckly can get out of hand. Besides that this card gives GW commander decks some much needed card draw.
Creativity .:. (3/3) Uniqueness: Very unique design with clues. (3/3) Flavor: Seems to be a pretty effective detective.
Polish .:. (2,5/3) Quality: Clues are colorless artifact tokens, something that has to be specified when they are created. (2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied! (2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 24/25
VS
Deep-Sea SalvagerWU
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate. 1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Design .:. (1/3) Appeal: Cheating on eqip cost sounds like a Jxnny thing to do. (3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:. (3/3) Viability: It's plausible to assume that white could return euipment from graveyard to hand. Making them cheaper is also in white's terrain. The blue part is about the control changing effect. This is a rare card. (3/3) Balance: I don't know of any blue based decks that care for eqipment. Blue gives you unblockable things, so that might be interesting. This is stuff for new deck ideas. Stealing equipments feels a little tacked on and is probably not relevant a lot of times. Making equip cost cheaper makes equipment better but not overly strong I think. That's mostly about re-attaching after combat. Besides that there a hand full of things that grant tap abilities and things like Skullclamp that get a lot better with this card. Still, the need to expand into blue might balance out these cards effects. I imagine this to be a lot stronger if it was mono-white.
Creativity .:. (3/3) Uniqueness:Another card for that part-blue equipment deck, exciting! (2/3) Flavor: I'm slightly confused. Are they diving for sunken goods or are they thieves?
Polish .:. (2,5/3) Quality: It's "Equip costs you pay cost 2 less.", e.g. Auriok Steelshaper. (2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied! (2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Kenazi, Body and Mind as OneWUR
Legendary Creature - Avatar Monk (Mythic)
Other creatures you control have vigilance.
Whenever you activate an ability that targets only a single creature you control, copy that ability for each other creature you control that ability could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures. T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3/3
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Lots of possibility (3/3) Elegance: All the abilities tie into a theme
Development - (2/3) Viability: Colors are fine, a bit of a stretch for mythic (3/3) Balance: Basically an anthem with potential for lots of upsides.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: I like the radiate ability in white (2/3) Flavor: Not sure what an avatar monk is but sounds cool
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: Symbol order (2/2) Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
Orzhov Deathmaster2WB
Creature — Human Assassin (R)
If a creature card would be put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain life equal to the number of creature cards your opponents own in exile. XBB, T: Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn. The Orzhov have very convincing methods of bringing Dimir defectors on their side.
2/3
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Repeatable kill is popular (3/3) Elegance: Sticks to the theme
Development - (3/3) Viability: Fine (2/3) Balance: It's a must-remove for Commander
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: The exile line is good (2/3) Flavor: The flavor text is a bit confusing and I'm not sure what about deathmasters gains you life
Polish - (3/3) Quality: (2/2) Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
Lord of the CycleBBGG
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
Lord of the Cycle's power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Whenever a creature you control dies, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card. BG, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
*/*
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Pretty open-ended and powerful (2/3) Elegance: The interaction between the activation and the trigger is a little odd.
Development - (3/3) Viability: No issues (3/3) Balance: The mana cost is pretty restrictive but it's powerful with cheap creature sources and silver bullet or limited fatty strategies
Creativity - (1/3) Uniqueness: Basically everything here has been done one way or another (2/3) Flavor: Name is weird
Polish - (3/3) Quality: (2/2) Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
Satja, Tasigur's Caretaker2BG
Legendary Creature - Human Assassin (R)
Other Assassin creatures you control have deathtouch.
Whenever Satja deals combat damage to an opponent, create a 1/1 black Assassin creature token with deathtouch. 2G: Creatures you control other than Satja must be blocked this turn if able.
3/3
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Fun for whoever needed a Golgari Assassin lord (2/3) Elegance: Duplicating the deathtouch and not having it herself is weird
Development - (3/3) Viability: Seems fine (2/3) Balance: It seems like this plan is a bit tough as most assassins are small and want to stay out of combat with tap abilities and stuff.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: An interesting new take on evasion that works well in these colors (2/3) Flavor: I guess she's like, taking care of dirty work?
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: I think you have to write out the full name the first time (2/2) Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible. T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Sure, a fun equipment lord (3/3) Elegance: It sticks to the theme
Development - (3/3) Viability: Doesn't really need red but it's good to have for commander (2/3) Balance: Tap instead of a mana cost is awfully awkward on a guy that you are usually going to want to attack with.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: Nothing incredibly new, but the interaction is fresh (2/3) Flavor: Weird that his Short Sword is so defensively good but I guess he is parrying blows or something.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: (2/2) Main Challenge: (2/2) Subchallenges:
[box] Silverpaw Detective1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.) T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
[/box] Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes playing his big guys but this takes too long. Johnny likes the ability to make multiple clues and cheat creatures in. Spike likes the card advantage and efficient abilities. (2.5/3) Elegance: Card is pretty clear. There is just a lot going on here (which is going to happen with 3 abilities)
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: Green works well for the Clue effects but I think the "free cast" feels blue and the whole Clue subtheme was UG. I don't think W is poor, I just don't see the white here. (2/3) Balance: This card is quite strong but only hitting one clue a turn feels like it is balanced. The "cheating" ability is very dangerous.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: Carrying about Clues isn't ground breaking but this is new territory for sure. (2.5/3) Flavor: Flavor is solid though "Silverpaw" made me think this was going to be a Wolfir at first.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: Create a COLORLESS clue token. (2/2) *Main Challenge: All good (2/2) Subchallenges: Yup! Total: 21/25
[box] Deep-Sea SalvagerWU
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate. 1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
[/box] Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn't care. Johnny could have fun with free equipment. Spike might like gaining control of equipment and the build in card advantage. (2/3) Elegance: The first two abilities are very simple and easy to understand but gaining control of equipment can be tricky. For example, if you equip your creature and I gain control of the equipment, it is still attached to your creature, which could create some real feel-bad experiences.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Blue and White is good. Rare is good. (2.5/3) Balance: This is fine if not a little weak.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: Decreasing equip costs and returning stuff isn't new but gaining control of equipment is different. (3/3) Flavor: Flavor is quite good for no flavor text.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality:Auriok Steelshaper is the correct way to format the second ability. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good (2/2) Subchallenges: Yup
Total: 20.5/25
Lord of the CycleBBGG
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
Lord of the Cycle's power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Whenever a creature you control dies, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card. BG, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
*/*
[/box] Design - (3/3) Appeal: Timmy likes big creatures and this can get real big. Johnny sees the powerful draw engine here. Spike is foaming at the mouth for the tutor and draw. (2.5/3) Elegance: Like every card in this round, there is a lot going on here but it is quite simple.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Green and black are perfect colors here. Rare is fine but this could be a mythic. (2.5/3) Balance: This card is real strong. With it's own abilities you can basically blank your opponents removal until they deal with this and once you have something like a free sac outlet you can just go to town on drawing cards. The color restriction helps balance this, but I would be worried it would warp standard.
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness:Evolutionary Leap plus some drawing. (2.5/3) Flavor: Flavor is good.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Good (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good (2/2) Subchallenges: Good
Total: 22/25
Satja, Tasigur's Caretaker2BG
Legendary Creature - Human Assassin (R)
Other Assassin creatures you control have deathtouch.
Whenever Satja deals combat damage to an opponent, create a 1/1 black Assassin creature token with deathtouch. 2G: Creatures you control other than Satja must be blocked this turn if able.
3/3
[/box] Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy is medium. Johnny is medium. Spike likes how this dominates combat. (2/3) Elegance: Like Regal Caracal, I dislike how this grants Deathtouch and then makes tokens that with the keyword. It makes the card feel weird. Also, aside from the challenge restriction, why doesn't this have deathtouch?
Development - (3/3) Viability: BG and is fine here. Rare is good. (3/3) Balance: This seems fine. You have to at least make one connection to get a token but once you get a couple the effects really snowball.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: Assassin tribal is different for sure. (2/3) Flavor: The flavor in regards to the name is lost on me here. However, the mechanics mesh well together for a Assassin lord.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good (2/2) Subchallenges: Good
Total: 22/25
Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible. T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
[/box] Design - (2/3) Appeal: Spike likes the efficiency here. Johnny likes the ability to blink for multiple swords and the fun of moving equipment around. Timmy is meh (3/3) Elegance: This is probably the most elegant card I had in the round.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Red and white is good. Rare is good. (2.5/3) Balance: This seems to hit the mark but being able to move an indestructable shield around once per turn is very good.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Equipment-matters cards aren't new but this is a fresh take on it. (2.5/3) Flavor: The only thing I miss here is how does she make your equipped creatures indestructible?
August MCC 2018 Round 3 - Hat Trick
This month we will be messing with different abilities
Main Challenge: Design a creature with three different abilities.
Subchallenge 1: None of the abilities are a keyword
Subchallenge 2: The three abilities are one of each: static, activated, and triggered.
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Challenge: All of the abilities must be innate to the creature. Meaning you cannot have abilities like "2G: Target creature gains trample." and have that be both an activated ability and a static ability.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by August 26th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by August 29th 11:59 PM EST
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development -
(X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity?
(X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity -
(X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”?
(X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish -
(X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
(X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
(X/2) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Judges:
Koopa
Gerrard's Mom
Antiantiserum
Contestants:
Marco
Jimmy Grove
netn10
RaikouRider
Hemlock
Raptorchan
bravelion83
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards:
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Creature — Human Assassin (R)
If a creature card would be put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain life equal to the number of creature cards your opponents own in exile.
XBB, T: Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn.
The Orzhov have very convincing methods of bringing Dimir defectors on their side.
2/3
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Legendary Creature - Avatar Monk (Mythic)
Other creatures you control have vigilance.
Whenever you activate an ability that targets only a single creature you control, copy that ability for each other creature you control that ability could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures.
T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3/3
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
Lord of the Cycle's power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Whenever a creature you control dies, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card.
BG, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
*/*
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate.
1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate.
1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Legendary Creature - Human Assassin (R)
Other Assassin creatures you control have deathtouch.
Whenever Satja deals combat damage to an opponent, create a 1/1 black Assassin creature token with deathtouch.
2G: Creatures you control other than Satja must be blocked this turn if able.
3/3
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Silverpaw Detective 1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible.
T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible.
T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
Koopa:
RaikouRider vs Marco
Jimmy Grove vs Raptorchan vs Hemlock
Gerrard's Mom:
netn10 vs bravelion83
Jimmy Grove vs Raptorchan vs Hemlock
Antiantiserum:
netn10 vs bravelion83
RaikouRider vs Marco
Winner from each paring advances
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Legendary Creature - Avatar Monk (Mythic)
Other creatures you control have vigilance.
Whenever you activate an ability that targets only a single creature you control, copy that ability for each other creature you control that ability could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures.
T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3/3
Design .:.
(3/3) Appeal: Txmmy wants a commander deck with this. Jnny wants to find nice combos with this, and there are a lot of possibilities. Probably also good enough for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:.
(3/3) Viability: Cards that copy activated abilities so far are either artifacts or red, blue is more about copying permanents or spells. Blue is probably needed for flavor reasons though. Mythic is a good spot for this.
(3/3) Balance: The card is powerful and adds a whole new spectrum to abilities that usually only target single creatures. Especially in multiplayer this could make some cards you usually would or could not play more attractive. At worst it's a slightly more complex Always Watching on a stick.
Creativity .:.
(2/3) Uniqueness: A fresh combination of the aforementioned enchantment and a tweaked Zada, Hedron Grinder.
(3/3) Flavor: The card represents a battle monk who has achieved enlightenment through means of meditation. Or something. I'm convinced.
Polish .:.
(2,5/3) Quality: As of KTK we see the order as URW.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied!
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 23,5/25
Creature — Human Assassin (R)
If a creature card would be put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain life equal to the number of creature cards your opponents own in exile.
XBB, T: Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn.
The Orzhov have very convincing methods of bringing Dimir defectors on their side.
2/3
Design .:.
(1/3) Appeal: The card best performs in commander, a Txmmy format.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:.
(3/3) Viability: Exiling cards from graveyards and klling creatures is in black, gaining life is white. A nice rare.
(3/3) Balance: The card hoses graveyard decks, gains you life, and even kills (indestructible) creatures. With the replacement effect the last ability often comes down to "exile target creature with thoughness X or less an opponent controls". The way it is worded it even does something when you don't have enough mana. What is the "an opponent controls" about here anywayswhat am I missing? This is a powerful control card but probably a bit expensive to make it into constructed besides standard and commander. Standard I'm not sure about, against creature light decks this is a pretty slow underwhelming card, very meta dependant. Commander players would be very happy about this. A card that gets stronger through the game and hits all opponents is always interesting.
Creativity .:.
(2,5/3) Uniqueness: Inspired by Leyline of the Void and various assassins we here have an interesting new source of life. Exiled creatures usually only pile up more and more.
(3/3) Flavor: Oh and how they have mastered death.
Polish .:.
(3/3) Quality: No flaws detected!
(2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied!
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 22,5/25
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
Design .:.
(3/3) Appeal: 3-mana creature with the potential to get big? Txmmy is listening. Jxnny would love to cheat things into play using clues. There are some cheap clue makers already established in modern, so this card might be interesting for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:.
(2,5/3) Viability: Clues in green and white, sure. But there's really not a lot of presedence for free casting in those colors. We have Descendants' Path for creatures. And then there's the expertise cycle. If it would allow timing restrictions to be ignored I'd say it feels like a break. With timing restrictions however I can see it as a bend. Rare is okey.
(3/3) Balance: Between Thraben Inspector, Confront the Unknown, and Tireless Tracker there has to be some kind of interesting constructed deck. Getting up to two free clues per turn cycle sounds powerful. Add a Karn, Scion of Urza and other artifact synergies, voila. If it wasn't for the challenge I'd say the first two abilities are already enough to make this playable. This might only be a 1/2 or something on turn three but qiuckly can get out of hand. Besides that this card gives GW commander decks some much needed card draw.
Creativity .:.
(3/3) Uniqueness: Very unique design with clues.
(3/3) Flavor: Seems to be a pretty effective detective.
Polish .:.
(2,5/3) Quality: Clues are colorless artifact tokens, something that has to be specified when they are created.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied!
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 24/25
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate.
1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
Design .:.
(1/3) Appeal: Cheating on eqip cost sounds like a Jxnny thing to do.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is easy to understand and makes sense.
Development .:.
(3/3) Viability: It's plausible to assume that white could return euipment from graveyard to hand. Making them cheaper is also in white's terrain. The blue part is about the control changing effect. This is a rare card.
(3/3) Balance: I don't know of any blue based decks that care for eqipment. Blue gives you unblockable things, so that might be interesting. This is stuff for new deck ideas. Stealing equipments feels a little tacked on and is probably not relevant a lot of times. Making equip cost cheaper makes equipment better but not overly strong I think. That's mostly about re-attaching after combat. Besides that there a hand full of things that grant tap abilities and things like Skullclamp that get a lot better with this card. Still, the need to expand into blue might balance out these cards effects. I imagine this to be a lot stronger if it was mono-white.
Creativity .:.
(3/3) Uniqueness: Another card for that part-blue equipment deck, exciting!
(2/3) Flavor: I'm slightly confused. Are they diving for sunken goods or are they thieves?
Polish .:.
(2,5/3) Quality: It's "Equip costs you pay cost 2 less.", e.g. Auriok Steelshaper.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Main challenge satisfied!
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges satisfied!
Total: 21,5/25
VS
bravelion83 22,5
RaikouRider 24,0
VS
Marco 21,5
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Lots of possibility
(3/3) Elegance: All the abilities tie into a theme
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Colors are fine, a bit of a stretch for mythic
(3/3) Balance: Basically an anthem with potential for lots of upsides.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: I like the radiate ability in white
(2/3) Flavor: Not sure what an avatar monk is but sounds cool
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Symbol order
(2/2) Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 22.5/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Repeatable kill is popular
(3/3) Elegance: Sticks to the theme
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Fine
(2/3) Balance: It's a must-remove for Commander
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: The exile line is good
(2/3) Flavor: The flavor text is a bit confusing and I'm not sure what about deathmasters gains you life
Polish -
(3/3) Quality:
(2/2) Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 23/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Pretty open-ended and powerful
(2/3) Elegance: The interaction between the activation and the trigger is a little odd.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No issues
(3/3) Balance: The mana cost is pretty restrictive but it's powerful with cheap creature sources and silver bullet or limited fatty strategies
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Basically everything here has been done one way or another
(2/3) Flavor: Name is weird
Polish -
(3/3) Quality:
(2/2) Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 21/25
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Fun for whoever needed a Golgari Assassin lord
(2/3) Elegance: Duplicating the deathtouch and not having it herself is weird
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Seems fine
(2/3) Balance: It seems like this plan is a bit tough as most assassins are small and want to stay out of combat with tap abilities and stuff.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: An interesting new take on evasion that works well in these colors
(2/3) Flavor: I guess she's like, taking care of dirty work?
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: I think you have to write out the full name the first time
(2/2) Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 20.5/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Sure, a fun equipment lord
(3/3) Elegance: It sticks to the theme
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Doesn't really need red but it's good to have for commander
(2/3) Balance: Tap instead of a mana cost is awfully awkward on a guy that you are usually going to want to attack with.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Nothing incredibly new, but the interaction is fresh
(2/3) Flavor: Weird that his Short Sword is so defensively good but I guess he is parrying blows or something.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality:
(2/2) Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 22/25
bravelion83: 23
Jimmy Groove: 21
Raptorchan: 20.5
Hemlock: 22
[box]
Silverpaw Detective 1GW
Creature - Elf Advisor {R}
Silverpaw Detective gets +1/+1 for each Clue you control.
Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, investigate. (Create a Clue artifact token with "2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
T: You may cast a nonland card from your hand with converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of Clues you control without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
0/1
[/box]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes playing his big guys but this takes too long. Johnny likes the ability to make multiple clues and cheat creatures in. Spike likes the card advantage and efficient abilities.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Card is pretty clear. There is just a lot going on here (which is going to happen with 3 abilities)
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Green works well for the Clue effects but I think the "free cast" feels blue and the whole Clue subtheme was UG. I don't think W is poor, I just don't see the white here.
(2/3) Balance: This card is quite strong but only hitting one clue a turn feels like it is balanced. The "cheating" ability is very dangerous.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Carrying about Clues isn't ground breaking but this is new territory for sure.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Flavor is solid though "Silverpaw" made me think this was going to be a Wolfir at first.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Create a COLORLESS clue token.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: All good
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yup!
Total: 21/25
[box]
Deep-Sea Salvager WU
Creature - Human Scout (Rare)
When Deep-Sea Salvager enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.
Equip abilities you activate cost up to 2 less to activate.
1U, T: Gain control of target Equipment.
2/2
[/box]
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn't care. Johnny could have fun with free equipment. Spike might like gaining control of equipment and the build in card advantage.
(2/3) Elegance: The first two abilities are very simple and easy to understand but gaining control of equipment can be tricky. For example, if you equip your creature and I gain control of the equipment, it is still attached to your creature, which could create some real feel-bad experiences.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue and White is good. Rare is good.
(2.5/3) Balance: This is fine if not a little weak.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Decreasing equip costs and returning stuff isn't new but gaining control of equipment is different.
(3/3) Flavor: Flavor is quite good for no flavor text.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Auriok Steelshaper is the correct way to format the second ability.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good
(2/2) Subchallenges: Yup
Total: 20.5/25
Lord of the Cycle BBGG
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
Lord of the Cycle's power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Whenever a creature you control dies, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card.
BG, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
*/*
[/box]
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Timmy likes big creatures and this can get real big. Johnny sees the powerful draw engine here. Spike is foaming at the mouth for the tutor and draw.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Like every card in this round, there is a lot going on here but it is quite simple.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Green and black are perfect colors here. Rare is fine but this could be a mythic.
(2.5/3) Balance: This card is real strong. With it's own abilities you can basically blank your opponents removal until they deal with this and once you have something like a free sac outlet you can just go to town on drawing cards. The color restriction helps balance this, but I would be worried it would warp standard.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: Evolutionary Leap plus some drawing.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Flavor is good.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Good
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good
Total: 22/25
Satja, Tasigur's Caretaker 2BG
Legendary Creature - Human Assassin (R)
Other Assassin creatures you control have deathtouch.
Whenever Satja deals combat damage to an opponent, create a 1/1 black Assassin creature token with deathtouch.
2G: Creatures you control other than Satja must be blocked this turn if able.
3/3
[/box]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy is medium. Johnny is medium. Spike likes how this dominates combat.
(2/3) Elegance: Like Regal Caracal, I dislike how this grants Deathtouch and then makes tokens that with the keyword. It makes the card feel weird. Also, aside from the challenge restriction, why doesn't this have deathtouch?
Development -
(3/3) Viability: BG and is fine here. Rare is good.
(3/3) Balance: This seems fine. You have to at least make one connection to get a token but once you get a couple the effects really snowball.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Assassin tribal is different for sure.
(2/3) Flavor: The flavor in regards to the name is lost on me here. However, the mechanics mesh well together for a Assassin lord.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality:
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good
Total: 22/25
Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster1RW
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior (r)
When Dono, Battlefield Weaponmaster enters the battlefield, create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Short Sword with
"Equipped creature gets +1/+1." and equip 1.
Equipped creatures you control have indestructible.
T: Unattach an equipment from Dono and attach it to target creature you control.
3/3
[/box]
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Spike likes the efficiency here. Johnny likes the ability to blink for multiple swords and the fun of moving equipment around. Timmy is meh
(3/3) Elegance: This is probably the most elegant card I had in the round.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Red and white is good. Rare is good.
(2.5/3) Balance: This seems to hit the mark but being able to move an indestructable shield around once per turn is very good.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Equipment-matters cards aren't new but this is a fresh take on it.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The only thing I miss here is how does she make your equipped creatures indestructible?
Polish -
(3/3) Quality:
(2/2) *Main Challenge:
(2/2) Subchallenges:
Total: 22.5/25
Raikou: 21
Marco: 20.5
Jimmy: 22
Raptor: 22
Hemlock: 22.5
Raikou, Hemlock, and netn10 advance!
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor