(This month's banner is my own elaboration on the art of the card Resolute Watchdog by Milivoj Ceran, my favorite art from Ravnica Allegiance.)
February MCC Round 1
Golden Memories
Why is Resolute Watchdog my favorite card concept in Ravnica Allegiance? That, the round's title and my "grieving" status from a few months ago probably give it away... I've had the privilege of having "a friend in good times, a guardian in bad times, and a savior when all else fails" for seven years, until last September, exactly one week before my birthday (and the GRN prerelease, which fell on the same day as my birthday by the way). Now all that I have left of him are memories, and they are truly golden ones. The dog depicted in that art looks like a German Shepherd, and he was half a German Shepherd too. When I look at the Watchdog's face, I see his face. I think only dog owners can understand both how I feel about this and just how true that flavor text is. Magic, this wonderful game we all love, is one of the things that helped me going on in that moment of four months ago. I badly wanted to open a Watchdog in my RNA prerelease pool just because of what that card means to me (and a huge thank you to whoever designed it at Wizards), but I did not. After the tournament, I traded for one and now I always bring it with me in my wallet wherever I go. But enough sad talk, let's move on.
Main Challenge - Choose one of the five guilds from Ravnica Allegiance (Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic) and design a traditional multicolor (aka "gold") card belonging to that guild. No hybrid mana anywhere on the card.
Subchallenge 1 - Your card has its guild mechanic from Ravnica Allegiance (addendum, spectacle, riot, afterlife, or adapt).
Subchallenge 2 - Your card is common or uncommon.
For the main challenge, the card must have both colors of its guild in its mana cost. It cannot have one color in the mana cost and the other in the rules text. It cannot have a colorless mana cost and have the two colors in the rules text. It cannot have more than two colors in its mana cost. It cannot be of a color pair that is not in the Ravnica Allegiance set. To have a color, it must have a mana cost, so no lands or Ancestral Vision-style cards (aka nonland cards with no mana cost).
For subchallenge 1, the colors of the card must correspond to the guild mechanic. An Azorius card with riot, for example, not only doesn't make any flavor sense but it also doesn't pass this challenge.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Thursday, February 7th 23:59 EST
Judging deadline: Monday, February 11th 23:59 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
bravelion83
Subject16
Cantripmancer void_nothing (reserve, only if needed)
PLAYERS
Everyone can enter this round. Just reply to this thread posting a card that meets the main challenge and any number (that includes zero) of subchallenges. Future rounds will only be open to those who advance. Come join us!
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards, I wrote it more than two years ago but it's still totally valid. Note: the links have been fixed, they were broken because the old MCC threads have been moved to the new "Monthly Contest Archive" folder and the links still pointed to the old location.
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.
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.)
Guardian of Uzdec 3WU
Creature-Sphinx (U)
Flash, Flying, Vigilance
Addendum-When Guardian of Uzdec enters the battlefield, if you cast it during your main phase, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. That creature gains vigilance until end of turn.
4/3
Hand of the NeobzedatWB
Creature - Human Cleric [U]
Afterlife 1 2, Sacrifice a creature: Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. If the sacrificed creature was both white and black, creatures you control also gain lifelink until end of turn.
2/2
Spiritual ServitudeWB
Instant {U}
Non-Spirit creatures you control gain afterlife 1 until end of turn. (Whenever one of those creatures dies this turn, create a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying.) On Ravnica, just because you're dead doesn't mean you don't have a job to do.
Simic AdeptGU
Creature - Elf Mutant {U} XGU: Adapt X. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put X +1/+1 counter on it.) When her parents told her that she can be anything she wants to be, they meant it.
2/2
Subjet One1UG
Creature - Elf Dryad (U) UG: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counter on it.)
As long Subjet One has a +1/+1 counter on it has "T, Remove a +1/+1 counter: Add UG."
1/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Over time, all trips end up in the same place, at home."
Raider of Towers1RG
Creature - Elf Archer (U)
Riot, reach
Whenever Raider of Towers attacks, it deals damage equal to its power to target creature with flying defending player controls. If you can't bring the tower down, at least bring down the skyjeks defending it.
2/2
Stall Tactics2WU
Instant {U}
Put target nonland permanent on top of its owner’s library. Addendum — If you cast this spell during your main phase, it costs 2 less. Those at war with the Azorius Senate are more likely to die from boredom than from battle.
Burning Tree Javelineer2RG
Creature — Ogre Warrior {R}
Riot (This creature enters the battlefield with your choice of a +1/+1 counter or haste.)
Reach
When Burning Tree Javelineer enters the battlefield choose one or both —
• It deals damage equal to its power to target creature with flying.
• It deals damage equal to its power to target creature without flying.
2/2
Bend to Madness3BR
Instant (U)
Gain control of target creature an opponent controls until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step
Spectacle 2BR (You may cast this spell for its spectacle cost rather than its mana cost if an opponent lost life this turn.) One laugh begins your descent....
Euphoric Demolitionist1RG
Creature - Ogre Beserker[M]
Riot, Riot, Trample, First Strike
Your maximum hand size is reduced by an amount equal to Euphoric Demolitionist's power. He ignores the scent of blood, barely registers the sight of rubble and ash. All his thoughts are consumed by the song of destruction.
4/2
Indentured AscentWB
Enchantment - Aura [U]
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has flying and afterlife 1. (When enchanted creature dies, create a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying.) “Customer agrees to assume all outstanding debts of servant spirit upon death.”
—Contract fine print
Gruul Ragestoker1RG
Creature — Viashino Shaman (U)
Riot (This creature enters the battlefield with your choice of a +1/+1 counter or haste.)
Other creatures you control with riot have riot. "Rage! Let your screams be covered only by the sound of destruction! Rage! For Ilharg's return draws near!"
3/2
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Play by the RulesWU
Instant (Common)
Tap or untap target artifact, creature, or land. Addendum - If you cast this spell during your main phase, you may tap or untap another target artifact, creature, or land. "The guilds are my chess pieces, yet I'm playing without an opponent."
- Nicol Bolas
Azorius Inspector1WU
Creature — Human Advisor (U)
Flash
When Azorius Inspector enters the battlefield, exile target noncreature spell until Azorius Inspector leaves the battlefield. Addendum — If you cast Azorius Inspector during your main phase, exile target creature an opponent controls until Azorius Inspector leaves the battlefield instead. Code violations often lead to more than confiscated goods.
1/3
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Bearshark1GU
Creature - Bear Fish {U} GU: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counters on it.)
As long as Bearshark has no +1/+1 counters on it, it has hexproof. “Grgrgrgrgle”
3/2
Regenesis PodUG
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has "UG: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counter on it.)" U: Return Regenesis Pod to its owner's hand.
Spectral Link1WB
Enchantment - Aura (u)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has lifelink. 1WB: Attach Spectral Link to target Spirit token you control. Activate this ability if Spectral Link is in your graveyard. The body is almost the only thing that gets left behind.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Se murió Kung Fu
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(This month's banner is my own elaboration on the art of the card Resolute Watchdog by Milivoj Ceran, my favorite art from Ravnica Allegiance.)
February MCC Round 1
Golden Memories
Why is Resolute Watchdog my favorite card concept in Ravnica Allegiance? That, the round's title and my "grieving" status from a few months ago probably give it away... I've had the privilege of having "a friend in good times, a guardian in bad times, and a savior when all else fails" for seven years, until last September, exactly one week before my birthday (and the GRN prerelease, which fell on the same day as my birthday by the way). Now all that I have left of him are memories, and they are truly golden ones. The dog depicted in that art looks like a German Shepherd, and he was half a German Shepherd too. When I look at the Watchdog's face, I see his face. I think only dog owners can understand both how I feel about this and just how true that flavor text is. Magic, this wonderful game we all love, is one of the things that helped me going on in that moment of four months ago. I badly wanted to open a Watchdog in my RNA prerelease pool just because of what that card means to me (and a huge thank you to whoever designed it at Wizards), but I did not. After the tournament, I traded for one and now I always bring it with me in my wallet wherever I go. But enough sad talk, let's move on.
Main Challenge - Choose one of the five guilds from Ravnica Allegiance (Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic) and design a traditional multicolor (aka "gold") card belonging to that guild. No hybrid mana anywhere on the card.
Subchallenge 1 - Your card has its guild mechanic from Ravnica Allegiance (addendum, spectacle, riot, afterlife, or adapt).
Subchallenge 2 - Your card is common or uncommon.
For the main challenge, the card must have both colors of its guild in its mana cost. It cannot have one color in the mana cost and the other in the rules text. It cannot have a colorless mana cost and have the two colors in the rules text. It cannot have more than two colors in its mana cost. It cannot be of a color pair that is not in the Ravnica Allegiance set. To have a color, it must have a mana cost, so no lands or Ancestral Vision-style cards (aka nonland cards with no mana cost).
For subchallenge 1, the colors of the card must correspond to the guild mechanic. An Azorius card with riot, for example, not only doesn't make any flavor sense but it also doesn't pass this challenge.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Thursday, February 7th 23:59 EST
Judging deadline: Monday, February 11th 23:59 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
bravelion83
Subject16
Cantripmancer
void_nothing (reserve, only if needed)
PLAYERS
Everyone can enter this round. Just reply to this thread posting a card that meets the main challenge and any number (that includes zero) of subchallenges. Future rounds will only be open to those who advance. Come join us!
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards, I wrote it more than two years ago but it's still totally valid. Note: the links have been fixed, they were broken because the old MCC threads have been moved to the new "Monthly Contest Archive" folder and the links still pointed to the old location.
BRACKETS
Judge: bravelion83
BlackWaltz3
Freyleyes
Jimmy Groove
Raptorchan
StonerOfKruphix
Superbajt
TheDrB
Theelkspeaks
Judge: Cantripmancer
Fajen Thygia
Hemlock
Legend
netn10
RaikouRider
The_Hittite
void_nothing
zdtsd
Judge: Subject16
Cardz5000
Clockwork Gamer
Flatline
Forestsguy
IcariiFA
mirrodin71
picnic_bomber
Top 4 from each bracket advance.
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.)
Guardian of Uzdec 3WU
Creature-Sphinx (U)
Flash, Flying, Vigilance
Addendum-When Guardian of Uzdec enters the battlefield, if you cast it during your main phase, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. That creature gains vigilance until end of turn.
4/3
Deal with it.
Creature - Human Cleric [U]
Afterlife 1
2, Sacrifice a creature: Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. If the sacrificed creature was both white and black, creatures you control also gain lifelink until end of turn.
2/2
Instant {U}
Non-Spirit creatures you control gain afterlife 1 until end of turn. (Whenever one of those creatures dies this turn, create a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying.)
On Ravnica, just because you're dead doesn't mean you don't have a job to do.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Creature - Elf Mutant {U}
XGU: Adapt X. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put X +1/+1 counter on it.)
When her parents told her that she can be anything she wants to be, they meant it.
2/2
Creature - Elf Dryad (U)
UG: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counter on it.)
As long Subjet One has a +1/+1 counter on it has "T, Remove a +1/+1 counter: Add UG."
1/1
Instant {U}
Choose one -
Creature - Elf Archer (U)
Riot, reach
Whenever Raider of Towers attacks, it deals damage equal to its power to target creature with flying defending player controls.
If you can't bring the tower down, at least bring down the skyjeks defending it.
2/2
Instant {U}
Put target nonland permanent on top of its owner’s library.
Addendum — If you cast this spell during your main phase, it costs 2 less.
Those at war with the Azorius Senate are more likely to die from boredom than from battle.
Creature — Ogre Warrior {R}
Riot (This creature enters the battlefield with your choice of a +1/+1 counter or haste.)
Reach
When Burning Tree Javelineer enters the battlefield choose one or both —
• It deals damage equal to its power to target creature with flying.
• It deals damage equal to its power to target creature without flying.
2/2
Enchantment [Common]
Sacrifice Debtor's Seal: Destroy target creature.
Afterlife 1
One contract ends when another begins.
I'm sure you can think of something by yourself.
Instant (U)
Gain control of target creature an opponent controls until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step
Spectacle 2BR (You may cast this spell for its spectacle cost rather than its mana cost if an opponent lost life this turn.)
One laugh begins your descent....
Creature - Ogre Beserker[M]
Riot, Riot, Trample, First Strike
Your maximum hand size is reduced by an amount equal to Euphoric Demolitionist's power.
He ignores the scent of blood, barely registers the sight of rubble and ash. All his thoughts are consumed by the song of destruction.
4/2
Enchantment - Aura [U]
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has flying and afterlife 1. (When enchanted creature dies, create a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying.)
“Customer agrees to assume all outstanding debts of servant spirit upon death.”
—Contract fine print
Creature — Viashino Shaman (U)
Riot (This creature enters the battlefield with your choice of a +1/+1 counter or haste.)
Other creatures you control with riot have riot.
"Rage! Let your screams be covered only by the sound of destruction! Rage! For Ilharg's return draws near!"
3/2
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU
Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW
Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB
Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU
Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW
Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU
Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Instant (Common)
Tap or untap target artifact, creature, or land.
Addendum - If you cast this spell during your main phase, you may tap or untap another target artifact, creature, or land.
"The guilds are my chess pieces, yet I'm playing without an opponent."
- Nicol Bolas
Creature — Human Advisor (U)
Flash
When Azorius Inspector enters the battlefield, exile target noncreature spell until Azorius Inspector leaves the battlefield.
Addendum — If you cast Azorius Inspector during your main phase, exile target creature an opponent controls until Azorius Inspector leaves the battlefield instead.
Code violations often lead to more than confiscated goods.
1/3
Creature - Bear Fish {U}
GU: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counters on it.)
As long as Bearshark has no +1/+1 counters on it, it has hexproof.
“Grgrgrgrgle”
3/2
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has "UG: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counter on it.)"
U: Return Regenesis Pod to its owner's hand.
Enchantment - Aura (u)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has lifelink.
1WB: Attach Spectral Link to target Spirit token you control. Activate this ability if Spectral Link is in your graveyard.
The body is almost the only thing that gets left behind.