(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 2
Ribonucleic Acid
I have two degrees in chemistry and I am a chemistry teacher in real life, so I had a good laugh when I saw that the set code for Ravnica Allegiance was RNA. A friend of mine, who is currently studying chemistry too and also a Magic player, wondered where the DNA was! But wait, the bad biochemistry jokes aren't over! What is one of the roles of RNA in cells? Activating the synthesis of proteins. So, while we're talking about the activation of metabolical processes, let's play with activations in Magic too! (I told you the joke was bad...)
Main Challenge - Choose one of the five guilds from Ravnica Allegiance (Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic) and design a monocolored card of one of the chosen guild's colors that has an activated ability with the other color in its activation cost. No hybrid mana anywhere on the card.
Subchallenge 1 - The activation cost is also monocolored.
Subchallenge 2 - Your round 2 card is of a different guild than your card from round 1 (see table below).
For the main challenge, a monocolored card with an activated ability that requires both of the guild's colors is fine. It will not pass subchallenge 1, but it does pass the main challenge. The card cannot be colorless or multicolored (neither gold nor hybrid). 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).
The off-color ability must be activated, it cannot be a triggered or static ability. You can recognize an activated ability because it always contains a colon, what comes before is the cost, what comes after is the effect. Your card can have any other ability in addition to the required off-color activated ability.
The off-color activated ability can have any other cost in addition to a mana component. The main challenge only checks the mana component of the activation cost.
Examples: Elite Arrester and Twilight Panther pass both the main challenge and subchallenge 1. Resolute Watchdog doesn't pass the main challenge (despite how much I like it), because the mana in the activation cost is generic. Zarichi Tiger doesn't pass the main challenge because the activation cost is the same color of the card's mana cost. Soulsworn Jury passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1, because the mana component of the activation cost is monocolored (subchallenge 1) and of a different color than the card's mana cost (main challenge). The fact that it also costs "Sacrifice CARDNAME" to activate in addition to the blue mana doesn't matter. Aerie Mystics passes the main challenge (it has an activated ability that requires at least one different color in the activation cost) but not subchallenge 1 (the activation cost includes two colors, so it is not monocolored). Bant Battlemage passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1, because it has at least one ability with a different color in its activation cost and that cost is monocolored. The fact that it has two such abilities doesn't matter. Dauntless River Marshal passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1. The fact that it has another ability in addition to the blue activated ability doesn't matter. Dismantling Blow or Feeling of Dread do not pass the main challenge because neither kicker nor flashback are activated abilities. The off-color ability can be a keyword, but it has to be a keyworded activated ability. For example, Resounding Silence passes the main challenge, because cycling is an activated ability and the cycling cost includes different colors than the card's mana cost. The fact that the activation cost also includes the card's color or that the activated ability doesn't work from the battlefield but from your hand doesn't matter. It doesn't pass subchallenge 1 though, because the activation cost is not monocolored. General Tazri passes the main challenge, because its activation cost contains a different color (actually multiple ones) in addition to the card's color. The fact that the activation cost also includes the card's color doesn't matter. It doesn't pass subchallenge 1 though, because the activation cost is not monocolored (you don't get as far from monocolored as including all five colors). Mistmeadow Witch doesn't pass the main challenge because of hybrid mana. Tasigur, the Golden Fang also doesn't pass the main challenge because of hybrid mana. It would pass the main challenge if its activation cost was 2GU instead of 2(G/U)(G/U). In either case, it doesn't pass subchallenge 1 because the activation cost isn't monocolored.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Saturday, February 16th 23:59 EST
Judging deadline: Tuesday, February 19th 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
PLAYERS
Only the players included in the following table can submit a card. For each player, the guilds erased are those that player has already designed a card for during this month. This is relevant for subchallenge 2, and will also be relevant in future rounds.
Cardz5000 - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. Clockwork Gamer - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. Flatline - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. Freyleyes - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2. IcariiFA - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2. Jimmy Groove - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. Legend - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. picnic_bomber - can design for Azorius, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. RaikouRider - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. StonerOfKruphix - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. Superbajt - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2. void_nothing - can design for Azorius, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2. zdtsd - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards, I wrote it more than two years ago but it's still totally valid.
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.)
Orzhov Soulwarden B
Creature-Human Cleric(Rare)
Deathtouch W, sacrifice Orzhov Soulwarden: Spirit creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn. When the Boros attacked the chapel, all they found was one priest, defending the souls of the dead
1/2
Cephalopotamus3G
Creature — Squid Hippo {U}
Trample 5U: Adapt 3 (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put three +1/+1 counters on it.)
Whenever Cephalopotamus deals combat damage to a player, if it has any +1/+1 counters on it, draw a card.
3/3
Baliff of Spells3W
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Vigilance Addendum - UU, T: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1. If it is your main phase, counter that spell unless it's controller pays 3 instead.
2/4
Sideshow Swindler1B
Creature — Human Rogue (R)
If a player would discard a card, that player exiles that card instead. R, sacrifice Sideshow Swindler: Until end of turn, you may play cards you own exiled by Sideshow Swindler and you may cast spells this way as though they had flash. "For my next trick, I shall make something disappear. May I see your necklace for a moment, ma'am?"
2/1
(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)
Back-Alley Butcher (Rare) 3R
Creature - Ogre Assassin
3/3
Haste 1B, t: Move all counters from target creature onto Back-Alley Butcher. If one or more counters is moved this way, Back-Alley Butcher fights that creature. Activate this ability only at any time you could cast a sorcery.
Grugg, Scab-Clan Chieftain2GG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Riot
Other creatures you control have riot. 3R, T: Remove any number of +1/+1 counters from creatures you control. Scab-Clan Chieftain deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters removed this way.
3/3
Zhur-taa ShamanR
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Riot G, T: Add two mana of any color. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has a +1/+1 counter on it. R, T: Zhur-taa Shaman deals 1 damage to any target. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has no +1/+1 counter on it.
0/1
Ila, Guardian Project Overseer1GG
Legendary Creature — Elf Wizard Mutant (MR)
The first creature you cast each turn enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it. 1U: Target creature with a counter on it can't be blocked this turn. "I respect the Utopian ideas, but results speak louder than a million words."
2/4
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)
The Demon WithinR
Creature - Human [M] BB, Sacrifice a creature: The Demon Within becomes a Human Horror with base power and toughness 3/2. BBBB, Pay 5 life: If The Demon Within is a Horror, sacrifice it. If you do, create The Hungerer, a legendary 6/6 black Demon creature token with flying, lifelink and indestructible. "Feed me little one, my hunger grows."
1/2
Betrayal of Services4WW
Enchantment (M)
When Betrayal of Services enters the battlefield, destroy all creatures. 5BB: Put target creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black and white Spirit in addition to its other colors and types. Little did citizens know that Orzhov protection services had a exclusion: Bolas.
Unhinged Ringleader1RR
Creature - Human Shaman (Mythic Rare) B, Discard a card: Unhinged Ringleader gains +2/+0 and gains menace until end of turn. Hellbent — As long as you have no cards in hand, instants and sorceries in your graveyard have flashback. The flashback cost is equal to their mana cost.
______ They're screaming for an encore!
3/2
Pain Poet2B
Creature - Human Rogue (U)
Whenever a player discards a card, each opponent loses 1 life. 3R, Discard a card: Draw a card. Rakdos artists tend to overemphasize slamming in their slam poetry.
3/2
Transport Declaration3U
Enchantment (R)
Each creature you control has "T, Put this creature on the bottom of its owner's library: You may put a creature with the same toughness as this creature from your hand onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery." 1W: Target creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn. "This is a crisis measure, so grant my passengers free entry and I don't care how!" - Shabrov, Jelenn aerialist
Judgments complete. It was a very hard bracket to judge, probably one of the most difficult I've ever done. Scores are very close. Congratulations to everybody, including and especially those eliminated, for making it so difficult, it means all cards in this bracket were good designs. In the end, I had to make a choice.
Cephalopotamus3G
Creature — Squid Hippo {U}
Trample 5U: Adapt 3 (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put three +1/+1 counters on it.)
Whenever Cephalopotamus deals combat damage to a player, if it has any +1/+1 counters on it, draw a card.
3/3 Design (3/3) Appeal - A relevant creature that can grow and has trample and amazing flavor: Timmy approves. Johnny can do something with the counters or use this to dig for combo pieces. The card also looks efficient enough, as a four-mana 3/3 that can draw her cards, to get Spike's approval too, at least in limited. (3/3) Elegance - Not too long and very easy to understand.
Development (3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity. (3/3) Balance - This card looks very well balanced to me. The adapt cost might look a little too high at first, but it's probably right when you think that you get a 6/6 trample creature with curiosity out of it. And anyway, better safe than sorry. Certainly playable in limited. I think this might see some Standard play because of the card advantage it might give you. Trample really helps you trigger the curiosity ability. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (1.5/3) Uniqueness - There is nothing new here. Trample is evergreen, adapt is the Simic mechanic from the latest set, and the so-called "curiosity" ability is also something we've seen a lot of over the years, in recent times too. This card is technically new but just in the sense that this exact text has not been done before. If you will remember this card, it will be for its flavor. That is the memorable part of the card. Better than nothing. (2.5/3) Flavor - Another amazing Simic creation! I am Boros, but even as a proud soldier of the Legion, I must admit Simic has probably the best flavor gems in the whole Ravnica with these krasises (is this the plural?). Name, creature types and card concept are just perfect. Too bad for the lack of flavor text (the only reason why you didn't get full points here). MSE shows me up to a couple lines could have very easily fit the frame. I still want to prize the Simic genius though!
Polish (2/3) Quality - Adapt is a keyword action, so it needs a period after the number (-0.5). The intervening if clause in the last ability should say "if it has a +1/+1 counter on it" (-0.5) (2/2) Main Challenge - Good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 22/25
Unhinged Ringleader1RR
Creature - Human Shaman (Mythic Rare) B, Discard a card: Unhinged Ringleader gains +2/+0 and gains menace until end of turn. Hellbent — As long as you have no cards in hand, instants and sorceries in your graveyard have flashback. The flashback cost is equal to their mana cost.
______ They're screaming for an encore!
3/2 Design (2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't like to discard cards as a cost. While he might get them back later, it's still a feel bad to him. Johnny can definitely use both the discard outlet and giving flashback to cards in his graveyard, not necessarily coming from the first ability but also by self-milling or other means. Spike sees the interaction of the two abilities as a source of card advantage, and she likes that. (3/3) Elegance - The text is not the shortest one, but it's still very easy to understand. I also really like the synergy between the two abilities: the first one lets you discard to help you get hellbent, and if you discard an instant or sorcery you will be able to cast it anyway from your graveyard when you get hellbent.
Development (3/3) Viability - The activated ability is black and giving flashback to cards in your graveyard can be red (or blue, it has been done even in black once, though not keyworded, but I don't think it would be a black effect today). I can see this at mythic. (3/3) Balance - Certainly playable in limited. I can see this card having constructed applications because of the flashback granting ability. That kind of ability is usually quite relevant in spell decks. In fact, I can see Izzet being more interested than Rakdos in that, but thankfully an Izzet deck can also play this card, even if it won't be able to get full advantage of the card not being able to activate the first ability. Let's say Rakdos is more interested in the hellbent part and Izzet in the flashback part. A Rakdos deck will also appreciate that the hellbent ability helps with its biggest problem: running out of gas. Overall, I think this card is strong , especially if you build your deck around it, but I don't think it's broken. No problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (1/3) Uniqueness - The first ability is nothing new. The flashback granting ability feels a little more original, mostly because I don't remember it being paired with hellbent before, but it's also something we've seen multiple times by now, and in three colors: blue, red, and black. (2.5/3) Flavor - The word "unhinged" in the name is technically allowed and it fits the Rakdos well, but it just immediately makes me think of the silver border set, and I'm not sure this is what you want here. The flavor text also fits the current version of the Rakdos guild as the entertainment circus-like guild very well.
Polish (1/3) Quality - The activated ability should say "gets +2/+0 and gains menace..." (-0.5). I know you were trying to replicate the new bar between rules text and flavor text introduced in Dominaria, but it's not by chance my own reminder about card formatting has been there for two years (-0.5). Flashback is not an evergreen keyword, so it needs reminder text (-0.5). You're only allowed to leave it out on a mythic (which this is) when there is no room for it, but MSE shows me there is room here, so it should be there. For an example, see Snapcaster mage in all three of its printings, even as a mythic: Innistrad, MM2017, Ultimate Masters. Finally, in the graveyard there are instant and sorcery cards ("instants" and "sorceries" only exist on the stack, everywhere else they are "instant cards" and "sorcery cards"), so the hellbent ability should say "...instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard have flashback..." (-0.5). You can look at Snapcaster Mage as an example for this too. (2/2) Main Challenge - Good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 20/25
Zhur-taa ShamanR
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Riot G, T: Add two mana of any color. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has a +1/+1 counter on it. R, T: Zhur-taa Shaman deals 1 damage to any target. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has no +1/+1 counter on it.
0/1 Design (2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy is interested in both mana acceleration and direct damage, but he probably would like this to be a bit bigger and wouldn't mind paying more mana for that (unlike Spike). Johnny could certainly use the pinger ability, and he also likes to change from one ability to the other by adding or removing counters. Spike just loves the choice between this being a mana dork or a pinger depending on what she chooses for riot. It requires high skill to always make the right choice in every situation. (3/3) Elegance - The text is very easy to understand. The symmetry between "activate if it has a counter" and "activate if it has no counter" is nice and helps in this area.
Development (3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity. (2.5/3) Balance - y first thought as a comparison for this card was Deathrite Shaman, a card that I personally like but that has been banned in multiple formats. Might this act as a fixed version of that? Maybe. Probably. It certainly has multiple balancing factors, like dealing 1 less damage (I know the Shaman has life loss, as black should, but you get the point), having one less ability, but mostly having just one ability active at a time. If this has no +1/+1 counters, it's a one-mana Prodigal Pyromancer with one less power and that costs one mana to activate. Looks strong but plausible. If it has a +1/+1 counter, it's a red Llanowar Elves (you gain one mana from the green ability as you have to spend one to get two) with one more toughness and that can add mana of any color, not just green. This also looks quite strong, maybe a bit too much for just one mana actually. Allowing you to essentially choose between the two modes adds even more flexibility to the card, making it even stronger. Maybe it's a little too much for just one mana, would it still be playable at two mana? Playtest would be needed to answer that. As is, with two strong modes and added flexibility, I think this would easily see play not just in limited but in Standard too. If it had been allowed by the challenge, I think this would have been a good red/green hybrid design, costing (R/G) instead of R. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (2/3) Uniqueness - The single effects are nothing new. The most original thing is the "activate this ability if it has a counter / if it has no counters" part. I can remember each option by itself, but not together on a single card before. (3/3) Flavor - The name is fine, as are the creature types. No flavor text, but MSE shows there is indeed no room for it if you include the reminder text for riot (as you should, see Quality), so for once I will say not including flavor text was the right choice and I will not deduct any points for that.
Polish (2/3) Quality - Riot is not an evergreen keyword and this is a rare, not a mythic, so it needs reminder text (0.5). Wrong capitalization of Zhur-Taa (see Zhur-Taa Ancient, Zhur-Taa Druid, Zhur-Taa Goblin and Zhur-Taa Swine, -0.5). (2/2) Main Challenge - Good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
I don't know you but I would bet you're not. And trust me, I know a lot about having a low self-esteem... You don't want to know what I'm able to tell myself sometimes. Maybe you made a mistake, but who doesn't? Grugg, Scab-Clan Chieftain2GG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Riot
Other creatures you control have riot. 3R, T: Remove any number of +1/+1 counters from creatures you control. Scab-Clan Chieftain deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters removed this way.
3/3 Design (2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy just loves this card. Johnny appreciates being able to remove counters from any creature of his, not just from Grugg itself. Also, in the history of Magic there are certainly a lot of creatures that benefit from having riot, or an additional instance of it. This card also looks good enough for Spike, but she might see the activation cost as a little too expensive. (3/3) Elegance - The text is maybe a bit long but still very easy to understand, so that's not a problem.
Development (3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity. (3/3) Balance - Costs look well balanced to me. I actually wonder if the activation costs could be lower, but it's hard to say without playtest, and anyway it's certainly better to err on the side of safety. I'd certainly play this card in limited. I think it could also see some Standard play in Gruul or Temur (Gruul plus Simic) decks built around +1/+1 counter synergies. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity (0.5/3) Uniqueness - This just feels like a pumped up version of Bolrac-Clan Crusher to me, just with riot. It's very easy to pass from "Remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control: Deal 2 damage" to "Remove X +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Deal X damage." Giving riot to other creatures is also something we've already seen. Technically new but only in the sense that this exact text has not been done before. Not a very inspired card. (3/3) Flavor - Grugg definitely sounds like a Gruul name and the Scab Clan is indeed one of the known Gruul clans, so no problems with the name. The mechanics fit the card concept very well. No flavor text, but MSE shows me that while one line could technically fit, the card looks much better without it, so for the second time in my bracket I will say not including flavor text was the right choice and I will not deduct any points for that. I don't remember this happening twice in a bracket of mine maybe ever.
Polish (2.5/3) Quality - Riot is not an evergreen keyword and this is a rare, not a mythic, so it needs reminder text (0.5). (2/2) Main Challenge - Good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 21.5/25
Transport Declaration3U
Enchantment (R)
Each creature you control has "T, Put this creature on the bottom of its owner's library: You may put a creature with the same toughness as this creature from your hand onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery." 1W: Target creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn. "This is a crisis measure, so grant my passengers free entry and I don't care how!" - Shabrov, Jelenn aerialist Design (2/3) Appeal - I don't think Timmy cares very much about this card. I can see a lot of ways Johnny can use this card. Spike probably sees this as pseudo-ninjutsu. She also appreciates the skill required by using the two abilites together in the correct way. (2/3) Elegance - Quite long and probably takes a couple reads before getting it, especially for less experienced players. Nice synergy between the abilities though.
Development (2.5/3) Viability - I feel like there should be some green somewhere in the first ability. Putting creatures directly onto the battlefield feels more green than blue to me, even if blue could probably still do it, especially if you see the ability as a variation on ninjutsu. And if you wonder, yes, I would say the same thing about Emergency Powers too, even though that is a real card. I wouldn't want to see this card at anything below rare, so rarity is fine. (1.5/3) Balance - I'll be honest, I'm not sure I would play this in limited. In constructed (more casual than competitive), chances look a bit better to me as you can build your whole deck around this effect. The last ability being able to target other players' creatures too can be interesting in multiplayer.
Creativity (3/3) Uniqueness - Ok, I have to get better in this area as a judge and I don't remember any existing card working like this ever, so how about just giving this full points here? (3/3) Flavor - I see no problems here. The name and flavor text are fine and they both fit the card concept. The flavor text fits just barely in the frame, especially if you put the flavor text attribution in a separate line (as you should, see Quality),but it still fits (nine lines in MSE, I consider ten to be the limit) so no problem.
Polish (2.5/3) Quality - The attribution in the flavor text should be on its own line amd with no space right after the dash (-0.5). (2/2) Main Challenge - Good. (2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
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.)
Pain Poet2B
Creature - Human Rogue (U)
Whenever a player discards a card, each opponent loses 1 life. 3R, Discard a card: Draw a card. Rakdos artists tend to overemphasize slamming in their slam poetry.
3/2
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a small creature that doesn’t help with playing its bigger cards. Johnny is curious to see what kinds of discard shenanigans he can get up to. Spike sees a strong limited creature with a way to enable spectacle and a way to abuse wheels in EDH (looking at you, Nekusar). (3/3) Elegance: The two abilities mesh together very well, and it’s hard to be confused by this card.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Black cares about people punishing people for discarding and discard-draw looting is very much a red ability. It’s ability to act as a synergistic tool for discard decks puts it above common for most sets, but the overall complexity and high cost of the discard ability would put this solidly at uncommon. (2/3) Balance: 3/2 for 3 is a nice body for uncommon black creatures to have. Plaguecrafter is a good example of this. It’s stats are good but still fragile enough to die to most burn spells or combat scenarios. It fits well into a discard themed deck without the oppressive side of making your opponents discard. This is good because it’s an archetype that doesn’t amount to much once your opponent has no hand, and this card still lets you take advantage of your own discards by filtering through your deck. The life loss helps it synergize with spectacle, but I like that it doesn’t force itself to play with the mechanic either. This can do some crazy deals in multiplayer with wheel effects which people would need to look out for, but I think that those types of games it’s fragile enough to be removed by an opponent in such scenarios.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: There are a couple cards that punish your opponents when they discard a card, but no cards that punish every opponent anytime anyone discards a card, so this is a fresh take on a popular side of design space. A lot of cards also let you discard to draw, but most of those are tap abilities like Rummaging Goblin or Dismissive Pyromancer. Seeing this effect on a mana only ability I hasn’t been seen since Compulsion - a blue card printed ten years ago, with only two other cards having similar abilities (Mental Discipline and Mesmeric Trance). Since then of course discard-draw looting has been shifted into red, and although it would make more sense to see this first printed on a red card than a black one with a red ability, it’s definitely a newer design space to explore for both colors. (3/3) Flavor: Pain Poet is nice alliteration, and the flavor text is an absolutely brilliant play on words with slam poetry. I can visualize the art of this card really well because of this.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: I don’t spot any mistakes here. (2/2) *Main Challenge: It’s a mono black Rakdos creature with a red activated ability. (2/2) Subchallenges: It’s a monored ability, and you chose a different guild than the one in your previous challenge which was Simic.
Ila, Guardian Project Overseer1GG
Legendary Creature — Elf Wizard Mutant (MR)
The first creature you cast each turn enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it. 1U: Target creature with a counter on it can't be blocked this turn. "I respect the Utopian ideas, but results speak louder than a million words."
2/4
Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a way to make his big creatures a little bigger and then go for the face. Johnny sees +1/+1 synergy but wishes for a little more. Spike sees a creature with great stats for its mana cost that breaks parity in both limited and constructed games. (3/3) Elegance: The first ability flows well into the second ability without making the latter dependant on Ila alone.
Development - (2/3) Viability: Green has always rewarded you for playing creatures, and Rashmi, Eternities Crafter shows us that you can get rewards for casting a spell on your turn. In terms of rarity I can understand how this card might be too powerful a card for limited environments, but I feel that doesn’t really have the "wow factor” you usually see in mythic rares. (2/3) Balance: In limited and in constructed this card is a bomb. Even if you’re not playing blue, a three mana 2/4 body is difficult to remove in the early game and this card only helps you establish a stronger board against your opponent. It’s still weak to a lot of removal and requires a specific style of play to take full advantage of, so as an opponent there are ways you can work around it. Now its interactions with +1/+1 counters do good things in a block with riot and adapt (and I like that the activated ability works with any kind of counter, not just +1/+1 counters), but the first ability does conflict with the mechanics behind adapt, as you are then no longer able to activate those abilities and that’s a shame I feel.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: The first ability bears resemblance to Rashmi and Zameck Guildmage/Bloodspore Thrinax so it isn’t pushing the design space in a new direction especially, but as an ability it’s never existed yet. Likewise for the second ability being a pseudo combination of Herald of Secret Streams and Thassa, God of the Sea. Doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before, but it does do it in a different way. (2/3) Flavor: Ila doesn’t appear on any flavor text I’ve seen, and I don’t have access to the Art of Ravnica book so I can’t check if their name appears in it, but as a card title it’s too long I feel. As a Simic card in RNA/WAR, “Ila, Project Overseer” feels a little better and still leaves little doubt as to which project they lead considering the peppering of the Guardian Project in various flavor texts. It’s also a shame that it isn’t obvious what kind of mutant creature Ila is. Skatewing Spy shows us that Mutant is an acceptable type, but the clue in which animal is hybridized with is in that card’s name. I would have liked to see a creature type that was a little more Simic. The flavor text feels a little off to me, but that’s a personal thing more than likely.
Polish - (2/5/3) Quality:Hymn of the Wilds shows us that its “The first creature spell you cast each turn…”. Otherwise it’s well formatted. (2/2) *Main Challenge: We have here a mono green Simic creature with a blue activated ability. (2/2) Subchallenges: Said activated ability is mono-blue, and your entry last round was a Gruul card.
Back-Alley Butcher (Rare) 3R
Creature - Ogre Assassin
3/3
Haste 1B, t: Move all counters from target creature onto Back-Alley Butcher. If one or more counters is moved this way, Back-Alley Butcher fights that creature. Activate this ability only at any time you could cast a sorcery.
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a 3/3 haste for 4 mana and isn’t super enthused. Johnny appreciates the counter manipulation but is worried that the forced fight limits his options too much. Spike sees a pretty bad rare that has some limited potential against Simic/Gruul decks. (3/3) Elegance: The card is worded in a way that’s easy to understand. Haste is helpful for its second ability, which reflects its assassin creature type well.
Development - (2/3) Viability: Moving counters isn’t at all in red's color pie (belonging more to green and then blue), but red has been known to move and steal equipment so this could be reasoned to be a tertiary ability. It does exist in black via cards like Thief of Blood and Fate Transfer. The overall power level of the card doesn’t feel rare to me (as we have a Hostile Minotaur with a very situational ability). Were it not for the complexity of the second ability I would probably put this at uncommon (and a good one at that.) Fight exists in red and green so this isn’t too much of a stretch besides the fact that it’s on a black ability. (2.5/3) Balance: This card doesn’t do anything overly powerful except against decks that play with +1/+1 counters a lot, and that’s a healthy thing for limited games. In a limited environment this isn’t a gamebreaking rare to open but it has good stats for aggressive decks and can be a threat in certain matchups. It isn’t likely to see any constructed play.
Creativity - (1/5/3) Uniqueness: Being able to steal the counters off of someone and then kill them off is a very interesting use of design space that lets black’s counter removal work with red’s fighting. Aside from that, in most games this card is Hostile Minotaur: same cost, same body.
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”? (1/3) Flavor: I appreciate the wordplay on the name and you providing a link to said wordplay (would not have seen it otherwise). The name definitely feels like a Magic card, but I have issues with the creature typing being assassin, a very black creature type. There are only two mono-red assassins (Goblin Assassin and Mogg Assassin, both with flavor relating to their idiocy), and whilst Ogres are dim-witted in Magic lore this card doesn’t feel like a “joke” assassin, and so the idea of a slow minded Ogre being an stealthy assassin is incongruous to me, especially when you factor in that Ogres on Ravnica are known for their stench (see Ratcatcher, Poisonbelly Ogre, Ogre Slumlord).
Polish - (1.5/3) Quality: Rarity should be indicated on the type line, Power/Toughness is supposed to be after rules/flavor text. “Counters” is plural, so the sentence should be “if one or more counters are moved this way, ..." (2/2) *Main Challenge: It’s a red Rakdos creature with a black activated ability. (2/2) Subchallenges: The ability is mono-black, and your guild last round was Azorius.
Orzhov Soulwarden B
Creature-Human Cleric(Rare)
Deathtouch W, sacrifice Orzhov Soulwarden: Spirit creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn. When the Boros attacked the chapel, all they found was one priest, defending the souls of the dead
1/2
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a little dork that’s super annoying for its fatties, Johnny sees spirit tribal shenanigans and is thinking about ways to abuse indestructibility. Spike sees an anti-aggro tool that has potential for token decks. (3/3) Elegance: The card is perfectly understandable.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Deathtouch is primary in black, and granting indestructibility is primary in white and has seen increasing presence in black. Granting mass indestructible exists primarily among rare cards but has seen print on uncommons if the effect is more restrictive (see Inspiring Call or Song of Freyalise). A 1/2 body with deathtouch is very similar to Orzhov Enforcer, an uncommon from the set already, and whilst your card doesn’t have afterlife (which is a shame-that would have been a good synergy with its ability), this could still be a very strong uncommon. This is still fine at rare however. (3/3) Balance: This card could see copious amounts of play in spirit decks. It’s a good, cheap body with deathtouch which de-incentivises your opponents from attacking whilst you built up your board, and then it provides protection to said board later down the line. This I think is a very balanced rare: relevant stats for a lot of decks to consider running it, and an ability that makes it incredibly viable in specific decks.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: This is the first black 1/2 with innate deathtouch (we’ve had those in green before but no other color), making is slightly stronger than the other four 1/1s with deathtouch in black (being Ruthless Ripper, Hired Poisoner, Typhoid Rats and Pharika’s Chosen), so I wouldn’t say this stands out too much in that regard. The second ability is the first sacrificing mass-indestructible granting ability to have mana in its activation cost, and is the first to grant them to a specific creature type rather than all creatures. (2/3) Flavor: The idea of an Orzhov priest selflessly sacrificing itself to protect the spirits works well flavorfully but doesn’t feel like a mono-black card (this card having afterlife would have also made sense then because he would mechanically join their ranks). The name Soulwarden just makes me think of the iconic card Soul Warden and because there’s no obvious reference to it on this card I’m a little disappointed.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: Sacrifice should be capitalized. (2/2) *Main Challenge: We have a mono-black Orzhov creature with a white activated ability. (2/2) Subchallenges: The ability is mono-white and your guild in the last round was Azorius.
Sideshow Swindler1B
Creature — Human Rogue (R)
If a player would discard a card, that player exiles that card instead. R, sacrifice Sideshow Swindler: Until end of turn, you may play cards you own exiled by Sideshow Swindler and you may cast spells this way as though they had flash. "For my next trick, I shall make something disappear. May I see your necklace for a moment, ma'am?"
2/1Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny is quite intrigued, and it even brings out Spike's inner Johnny. Timmy isn't immediately impressed, but at least sees a lite bear with maybe a little something something on the side. (1.75/3) Elegance: There's a LOT going on with this card, and the activated ability takes some processing. End result is...still something you have to think about pretty constantly during the game.
Development - (2.75/3) Viability: Colors and rules are fine. Rare is probably most appropriate for this, not because of the power level (although in the right deck, it can be powerful), but because of the narrowness of the ability. (2.5/3) Balance:1B to make all discards be to exile is pretty solid just because of how it warps normal gameplay/expectations, but it's attached to a pretty frail body, so probably fine. Getting a lot of benefit out of this is going to require several pieces/strong timing (either global discard for all players or self-discard outlets; discard occurring while your card is in play; keeping him alive long enough to start a turn with enough mana to cast all the spells you want that have been exiled by him), so...I anticipate him turning out to be one of those strong Johnny cards that when he goes off it's spectacular and game-changing, but most of the time he maybe exiles some cards and dies, maybe netting you an extra spell if you have the mana laying around. No concerns with format variants, that I can think of, but 9 times out of 10 he'll be passed over in draft. Overall, I think he's fine, maybe a little on the underpowered side.
Creativity - (3/3) Uniqueness: This feels pretty strongly innovative. There's a little hint of Hellcarver Demon, and the ability overall feels very similar to madness, although it's really not. (2.75/3) Flavor: Flavor text is a little bulky, but other than that, this is a home run for me. Name is solid (and has multiple meanings, as once he's down there's a little sidegame of "let's discard stuff and play it later"), flavor text relates well. I'd sorta like to see a bit more carnage given that it's Rakdos, but if Rakdos killed all their patrons, there'd be no one left to tell others to come enjoy the show.
Polish - (2.75/3) Quality: Sacrifice should be capitalized as per Smelt-Ward Ignus. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
The Demon WithinR
Creature - Human [M] BB, Sacrifice a creature: The Demon Within becomes a Human Horror with base power and toughness 3/2. BBBB, Pay 5 life: If The Demon Within is a Horror, sacrifice it. If you do, create The Hungerer, a legendary 6/6 black Demon creature token with flying, lifelink and indestructible. "Feed me little one, my hunger grows."
1/2Design - (3/3) Appeal: Spike and Johnny like the versatility and power. Timmy loves the end result. (2.5/3) Elegance: Second ability has some memory requirements, but it's not extraneous. I'd like to see a counter of some sort to mark it easily, but there's no space. The rest is a little bulky but doable.
Development - (2.75/3) Viability: No rules issues, and this feels mythic. However, there's no real reason for this to start out red other than the Rakdos link. Eh...within that context, I could see WotC making the same decision. (2.75/3) Balance: The overall cost (BBBBBBR, Sac a creature, Pay 5 life) is a little steep for the end result, but the ability to pay over multiple turns (and possibly get this out T3/T4) is pretty strong. There's also a nifty little side aspect that if you can turn it into a Horror some otherway, you can bypass the first ability completely. I also like that an opponent can change its creature type in response to you activating the second ability to counter the ability, but that it doesn't include the sacrifice, so you would have to pay the life again (and possibly change its type again), but could repeat the ability. Very high draft pick, strong constructed card.
Creativity - (2.75/3) Uniqueness: There have been "progression" creatures before, but this feels very fresh and fun. (3/3) Flavor: Solid home run. Creepy evocative name, relevant and horrifying flavor text, flavor-filled concept. Stellar.
Polish - (2.75/3) Quality: The comma in the flavor text should be a semicolon. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 23.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Betrayal of Services4WW
Enchantment (M)
When Betrayal of Services enters the battlefield, destroy all creatures. 5BB: Put target creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black and white Spirit in addition to its other colors and types. Little did citizens know that Orzhov protection services had a exclusion: Bolas.Design - (3/3) Appeal: Board wipers are almost universally appreciated. The activated ability makes this a high want card for all player types. (2.75/3) Elegance: Pretty straightforward, with a little bit of clunky "you're now a spirit" addendum, but not bad.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Color, rules, and rarity are appropriate. (2.5/3) Balance: Extreme power is mostly balanced with extreme costs in this case. 6 mana to wipe the board is expensive and sad if it gets disenchanted as soon as it hits the board, but at least you still wrath'd. The repeatability and versatility of any graveyard is still pretty incredible. As far as I know, only Lilliana, the Necromancer allows repeatable grave theft from other player's graveyards.
Creativity - (1.75/3) Uniqueness:Day of Judgement + Gravewalker, but interesting and logical combination. (2.5/3) Flavor: Name and flavor text fit well, although the flavor text itself feels a little clunky. As a suggestion that you can take or leave, I think something like "Few read the protection services fine print to find the Bolas exclusion clause" would work better, but yours is fine, too.
Polish - (2.75/3) Quality: Flavor text should be "...had an exclusion...". (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 22.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Baliff of Spells3W
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Vigilance Addendum - UU, T: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1. If it is your main phase, counter that spell unless it's controller pays 3 instead.
2/4Design - (2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike like this, but it's not flashy enough for Timmy. (2.75/3) Elegance: Pretty straightforward. Vigilance feels a little tacked on, but still makes sense.
Development - (3/3) Viability: No concerns here. (2/3) Balance: Base cost-body is fine. The addendum is interesting because most the time it's just a (rather expensive) Disruptive Student, but as counter-counterspell (on your turn) purposes, it's slightly better than Ghost-Lit Warder. Overall, I feel like the activation cost probably could have just been , , especially at rare (maybe even just ).
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: It's a pretty well established concept, mostly just an addendum twist. I like the addition of vigilance and larger body, as that makes it more of a battle mage concept. (1.25/3) Flavor: Name is descriptive, but pretty bland. No flavor text when something short could be added doesn't help.
Polish - (2.25/3) Quality: I suspect that if addendum were printed on activated abilities, it would get wording of "Addendum - [activation cost]: [Effect]. If this ability was activated during your main phase, [other effect]." Bailiff is misspelled. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good. (2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 19.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Freyleyes: 23.5
IcariiFA: 22.25
Flatline: 22
Jimmy Groove: 19.25
(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 2
Ribonucleic Acid
I have two degrees in chemistry and I am a chemistry teacher in real life, so I had a good laugh when I saw that the set code for Ravnica Allegiance was RNA. A friend of mine, who is currently studying chemistry too and also a Magic player, wondered where the DNA was! But wait, the bad biochemistry jokes aren't over! What is one of the roles of RNA in cells? Activating the synthesis of proteins. So, while we're talking about the activation of metabolical processes, let's play with activations in Magic too! (I told you the joke was bad...)
Main Challenge - Choose one of the five guilds from Ravnica Allegiance (Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic) and design a monocolored card of one of the chosen guild's colors that has an activated ability with the other color in its activation cost. No hybrid mana anywhere on the card.
Subchallenge 1 - The activation cost is also monocolored.
Subchallenge 2 - Your round 2 card is of a different guild than your card from round 1 (see table below).
For the main challenge, a monocolored card with an activated ability that requires both of the guild's colors is fine. It will not pass subchallenge 1, but it does pass the main challenge. The card cannot be colorless or multicolored (neither gold nor hybrid). 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).
The off-color ability must be activated, it cannot be a triggered or static ability. You can recognize an activated ability because it always contains a colon, what comes before is the cost, what comes after is the effect. Your card can have any other ability in addition to the required off-color activated ability.
The off-color activated ability can have any other cost in addition to a mana component. The main challenge only checks the mana component of the activation cost.
Examples:
Elite Arrester and Twilight Panther pass both the main challenge and subchallenge 1.
Resolute Watchdog doesn't pass the main challenge (despite how much I like it), because the mana in the activation cost is generic.
Zarichi Tiger doesn't pass the main challenge because the activation cost is the same color of the card's mana cost.
Soulsworn Jury passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1, because the mana component of the activation cost is monocolored (subchallenge 1) and of a different color than the card's mana cost (main challenge). The fact that it also costs "Sacrifice CARDNAME" to activate in addition to the blue mana doesn't matter.
Aerie Mystics passes the main challenge (it has an activated ability that requires at least one different color in the activation cost) but not subchallenge 1 (the activation cost includes two colors, so it is not monocolored).
Bant Battlemage passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1, because it has at least one ability with a different color in its activation cost and that cost is monocolored. The fact that it has two such abilities doesn't matter.
Dauntless River Marshal passes both the main challenge and subchallenge 1. The fact that it has another ability in addition to the blue activated ability doesn't matter.
Dismantling Blow or Feeling of Dread do not pass the main challenge because neither kicker nor flashback are activated abilities. The off-color ability can be a keyword, but it has to be a keyworded activated ability. For example, Resounding Silence passes the main challenge, because cycling is an activated ability and the cycling cost includes different colors than the card's mana cost. The fact that the activation cost also includes the card's color or that the activated ability doesn't work from the battlefield but from your hand doesn't matter. It doesn't pass subchallenge 1 though, because the activation cost is not monocolored.
General Tazri passes the main challenge, because its activation cost contains a different color (actually multiple ones) in addition to the card's color. The fact that the activation cost also includes the card's color doesn't matter. It doesn't pass subchallenge 1 though, because the activation cost is not monocolored (you don't get as far from monocolored as including all five colors).
Mistmeadow Witch doesn't pass the main challenge because of hybrid mana.
Tasigur, the Golden Fang also doesn't pass the main challenge because of hybrid mana. It would pass the main challenge if its activation cost was 2GU instead of 2(G/U)(G/U). In either case, it doesn't pass subchallenge 1 because the activation cost isn't monocolored.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Saturday, February 16th 23:59 EST
Judging deadline: Tuesday, February 19th 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
PLAYERS
Only the players included in the following table can submit a card. For each player, the guilds erased are those that player has already designed a card for during this month. This is relevant for subchallenge 2, and will also be relevant in future rounds.
Cardz5000 - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
Clockwork Gamer - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
Flatline - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
Freyleyes - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2.
IcariiFA - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2.
Jimmy Groove - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
Legend - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
picnic_bomber - can design for Azorius, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
RaikouRider - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
StonerOfKruphix - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
Superbajt - can design for Azorius, Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov to pass subchallenge 2.
void_nothing - can design for Azorius, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
zdtsd - can design for Rakdos, Gruul, Orzhov, Simic to pass subchallenge 2.
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards, I wrote it more than two years ago but it's still totally valid.
BRACKETS
Judge: bravelion83
Cardz5000
Clockwork Gamer
picnic_bomber
RaikouRider
void_nothing
Judge: Cantripmancer
Flatline
Freyleyes
IcariiFA
Jimmy Groove
Judge: Subject16
Legend
StonerOfKruphix
Superbajt
zdtsd
Top 2 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.)
Creature-Human Cleric(Rare)
Deathtouch
W, sacrifice Orzhov Soulwarden: Spirit creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn.
When the Boros attacked the chapel, all they found was one priest, defending the souls of the dead
1/2
Deal with it.
Creature — Squid Hippo {U}
Trample
5U: Adapt 3 (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put three +1/+1 counters on it.)
Whenever Cephalopotamus deals combat damage to a player, if it has any +1/+1 counters on it, draw a card.
3/3
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Vigilance
Addendum - UU, T: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1. If it is your main phase, counter that spell unless it's controller pays 3 instead.
2/4
Creature — Human Rogue (R)
If a player would discard a card, that player exiles that card instead.
R, sacrifice Sideshow Swindler: Until end of turn, you may play cards you own exiled by Sideshow Swindler and you may cast spells this way as though they had flash.
"For my next trick, I shall make something disappear. May I see your necklace for a moment, ma'am?"
2/1
3R
Creature - Ogre Assassin
3/3
Haste
1B, t: Move all counters from target creature onto Back-Alley Butcher. If one or more counters is moved this way, Back-Alley Butcher fights that creature. Activate this ability only at any time you could cast a sorcery.
Grugg, Scab-Clan Chieftain 2GG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Riot
Other creatures you control have riot.
3R, T: Remove any number of +1/+1 counters from creatures you control. Scab-Clan Chieftain deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters removed this way.
3/3
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Riot
G, T: Add two mana of any color. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has a +1/+1 counter on it.
R, T: Zhur-taa Shaman deals 1 damage to any target. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has no +1/+1 counter on it.
0/1
Legendary Creature — Elf Wizard Mutant (MR)
The first creature you cast each turn enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
1U: Target creature with a counter on it can't be blocked this turn.
"I respect the Utopian ideas, but results speak louder than a million words."
2/4
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)
Creature - Human [M]
BB, Sacrifice a creature: The Demon Within becomes a Human Horror with base power and toughness 3/2.
BBBB, Pay 5 life: If The Demon Within is a Horror, sacrifice it. If you do, create The Hungerer, a legendary 6/6 black Demon creature token with flying, lifelink and indestructible.
"Feed me little one, my hunger grows."
1/2
Enchantment (M)
When Betrayal of Services enters the battlefield, destroy all creatures.
5BB: Put target creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black and white Spirit in addition to its other colors and types.
Little did citizens know that Orzhov protection services had a exclusion: Bolas.
Creature - Human Shaman (Mythic Rare)
B, Discard a card: Unhinged Ringleader gains +2/+0 and gains menace until end of turn.
Hellbent — As long as you have no cards in hand, instants and sorceries in your graveyard have flashback. The flashback cost is equal to their mana cost.
______
They're screaming for an encore!
3/2
I'm sure you can think of something by yourself.
Creature - Human Rogue (U)
Whenever a player discards a card, each opponent loses 1 life.
3R, Discard a card: Draw a card.
Rakdos artists tend to overemphasize slamming in their slam poetry.
3/2
Enchantment (R)
Each creature you control has "T, Put this creature on the bottom of its owner's library: You may put a creature with the same toughness as this creature from your hand onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery."
1W: Target creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"This is a crisis measure, so grant my passengers free entry and I don't care how!" - Shabrov, Jelenn aerialist
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
BRACKETS
Judge: bravelion83
Cardz5000
Clockwork Gamer
picnic_bomber
RaikouRider
void_nothing
Judge: Cantripmancer
Flatline
Freyleyes
IcariiFA
Jimmy Groove
Judge: Subject16
Legend
StonerOfKruphix
Superbajt
zdtsd
Top 2 from each bracket advance.
Judgments complete. It was a very hard bracket to judge, probably one of the most difficult I've ever done. Scores are very close. Congratulations to everybody, including and especially those eliminated, for making it so difficult, it means all cards in this bracket were good designs. In the end, I had to make a choice.
Creature — Squid Hippo {U}
Trample
5U: Adapt 3 (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put three +1/+1 counters on it.)
Whenever Cephalopotamus deals combat damage to a player, if it has any +1/+1 counters on it, draw a card.
3/3
Design
(3/3) Appeal - A relevant creature that can grow and has trample and amazing flavor: Timmy approves. Johnny can do something with the counters or use this to dig for combo pieces. The card also looks efficient enough, as a four-mana 3/3 that can draw her cards, to get Spike's approval too, at least in limited.
(3/3) Elegance - Not too long and very easy to understand.
Development
(3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity.
(3/3) Balance - This card looks very well balanced to me. The adapt cost might look a little too high at first, but it's probably right when you think that you get a 6/6 trample creature with curiosity out of it. And anyway, better safe than sorry. Certainly playable in limited. I think this might see some Standard play because of the card advantage it might give you. Trample really helps you trigger the curiosity ability. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(1.5/3) Uniqueness - There is nothing new here. Trample is evergreen, adapt is the Simic mechanic from the latest set, and the so-called "curiosity" ability is also something we've seen a lot of over the years, in recent times too. This card is technically new but just in the sense that this exact text has not been done before. If you will remember this card, it will be for its flavor. That is the memorable part of the card. Better than nothing.
(2.5/3) Flavor - Another amazing Simic creation! I am Boros, but even as a proud soldier of the Legion, I must admit Simic has probably the best flavor gems in the whole Ravnica with these krasises (is this the plural?). Name, creature types and card concept are just perfect. Too bad for the lack of flavor text (the only reason why you didn't get full points here). MSE shows me up to a couple lines could have very easily fit the frame. I still want to prize the Simic genius though!
Polish
(2/3) Quality - Adapt is a keyword action, so it needs a period after the number (-0.5). The intervening if clause in the last ability should say "if it has a +1/+1 counter on it" (-0.5)
(2/2) Main Challenge - Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 22/25
Creature - Human Shaman (Mythic Rare)
B, Discard a card: Unhinged Ringleader gains +2/+0 and gains menace until end of turn.
Hellbent — As long as you have no cards in hand, instants and sorceries in your graveyard have flashback. The flashback cost is equal to their mana cost.
______
They're screaming for an encore!
3/2
Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy doesn't like to discard cards as a cost. While he might get them back later, it's still a feel bad to him. Johnny can definitely use both the discard outlet and giving flashback to cards in his graveyard, not necessarily coming from the first ability but also by self-milling or other means. Spike sees the interaction of the two abilities as a source of card advantage, and she likes that.
(3/3) Elegance - The text is not the shortest one, but it's still very easy to understand. I also really like the synergy between the two abilities: the first one lets you discard to help you get hellbent, and if you discard an instant or sorcery you will be able to cast it anyway from your graveyard when you get hellbent.
Development
(3/3) Viability - The activated ability is black and giving flashback to cards in your graveyard can be red (or blue, it has been done even in black once, though not keyworded, but I don't think it would be a black effect today). I can see this at mythic.
(3/3) Balance - Certainly playable in limited. I can see this card having constructed applications because of the flashback granting ability. That kind of ability is usually quite relevant in spell decks. In fact, I can see Izzet being more interested than Rakdos in that, but thankfully an Izzet deck can also play this card, even if it won't be able to get full advantage of the card not being able to activate the first ability. Let's say Rakdos is more interested in the hellbent part and Izzet in the flashback part. A Rakdos deck will also appreciate that the hellbent ability helps with its biggest problem: running out of gas. Overall, I think this card is strong , especially if you build your deck around it, but I don't think it's broken. No problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(1/3) Uniqueness - The first ability is nothing new. The flashback granting ability feels a little more original, mostly because I don't remember it being paired with hellbent before, but it's also something we've seen multiple times by now, and in three colors: blue, red, and black.
(2.5/3) Flavor - The word "unhinged" in the name is technically allowed and it fits the Rakdos well, but it just immediately makes me think of the silver border set, and I'm not sure this is what you want here. The flavor text also fits the current version of the Rakdos guild as the entertainment circus-like guild very well.
Polish
(1/3) Quality - The activated ability should say "gets +2/+0 and gains menace..." (-0.5). I know you were trying to replicate the new bar between rules text and flavor text introduced in Dominaria, but it's not by chance my own reminder about card formatting has been there for two years (-0.5). Flashback is not an evergreen keyword, so it needs reminder text (-0.5). You're only allowed to leave it out on a mythic (which this is) when there is no room for it, but MSE shows me there is room here, so it should be there. For an example, see Snapcaster mage in all three of its printings, even as a mythic: Innistrad, MM2017, Ultimate Masters. Finally, in the graveyard there are instant and sorcery cards ("instants" and "sorceries" only exist on the stack, everywhere else they are "instant cards" and "sorcery cards"), so the hellbent ability should say "...instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard have flashback..." (-0.5). You can look at Snapcaster Mage as an example for this too.
(2/2) Main Challenge - Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 20/25
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Riot
G, T: Add two mana of any color. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has a +1/+1 counter on it.
R, T: Zhur-taa Shaman deals 1 damage to any target. Activate this ability only if Zhur-taa Shaman has no +1/+1 counter on it.
0/1
Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy is interested in both mana acceleration and direct damage, but he probably would like this to be a bit bigger and wouldn't mind paying more mana for that (unlike Spike). Johnny could certainly use the pinger ability, and he also likes to change from one ability to the other by adding or removing counters. Spike just loves the choice between this being a mana dork or a pinger depending on what she chooses for riot. It requires high skill to always make the right choice in every situation.
(3/3) Elegance - The text is very easy to understand. The symmetry between "activate if it has a counter" and "activate if it has no counter" is nice and helps in this area.
Development
(3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity.
(2.5/3) Balance - y first thought as a comparison for this card was Deathrite Shaman, a card that I personally like but that has been banned in multiple formats. Might this act as a fixed version of that? Maybe. Probably. It certainly has multiple balancing factors, like dealing 1 less damage (I know the Shaman has life loss, as black should, but you get the point), having one less ability, but mostly having just one ability active at a time. If this has no +1/+1 counters, it's a one-mana Prodigal Pyromancer with one less power and that costs one mana to activate. Looks strong but plausible. If it has a +1/+1 counter, it's a red Llanowar Elves (you gain one mana from the green ability as you have to spend one to get two) with one more toughness and that can add mana of any color, not just green. This also looks quite strong, maybe a bit too much for just one mana actually. Allowing you to essentially choose between the two modes adds even more flexibility to the card, making it even stronger. Maybe it's a little too much for just one mana, would it still be playable at two mana? Playtest would be needed to answer that. As is, with two strong modes and added flexibility, I think this would easily see play not just in limited but in Standard too. If it had been allowed by the challenge, I think this would have been a good red/green hybrid design, costing (R/G) instead of R. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness - The single effects are nothing new. The most original thing is the "activate this ability if it has a counter / if it has no counters" part. I can remember each option by itself, but not together on a single card before.
(3/3) Flavor - The name is fine, as are the creature types. No flavor text, but MSE shows there is indeed no room for it if you include the reminder text for riot (as you should, see Quality), so for once I will say not including flavor text was the right choice and I will not deduct any points for that.
Polish
(2/3) Quality - Riot is not an evergreen keyword and this is a rare, not a mythic, so it needs reminder text (0.5). Wrong capitalization of Zhur-Taa (see Zhur-Taa Ancient, Zhur-Taa Druid, Zhur-Taa Goblin and Zhur-Taa Swine, -0.5).
(2/2) Main Challenge - Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 22/25
I don't know you but I would bet you're not. And trust me, I know a lot about having a low self-esteem... You don't want to know what I'm able to tell myself sometimes. Maybe you made a mistake, but who doesn't?
Grugg, Scab-Clan Chieftain 2GG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior {R}
Riot
Other creatures you control have riot.
3R, T: Remove any number of +1/+1 counters from creatures you control. Scab-Clan Chieftain deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters removed this way.
3/3
Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - Timmy just loves this card. Johnny appreciates being able to remove counters from any creature of his, not just from Grugg itself. Also, in the history of Magic there are certainly a lot of creatures that benefit from having riot, or an additional instance of it. This card also looks good enough for Spike, but she might see the activation cost as a little too expensive.
(3/3) Elegance - The text is maybe a bit long but still very easy to understand, so that's not a problem.
Development
(3/3) Viability - No problems with the color pie or rarity.
(3/3) Balance - Costs look well balanced to me. I actually wonder if the activation costs could be lower, but it's hard to say without playtest, and anyway it's certainly better to err on the side of safety. I'd certainly play this card in limited. I think it could also see some Standard play in Gruul or Temur (Gruul plus Simic) decks built around +1/+1 counter synergies. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
(0.5/3) Uniqueness - This just feels like a pumped up version of Bolrac-Clan Crusher to me, just with riot. It's very easy to pass from "Remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control: Deal 2 damage" to "Remove X +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Deal X damage." Giving riot to other creatures is also something we've already seen. Technically new but only in the sense that this exact text has not been done before. Not a very inspired card.
(3/3) Flavor - Grugg definitely sounds like a Gruul name and the Scab Clan is indeed one of the known Gruul clans, so no problems with the name. The mechanics fit the card concept very well. No flavor text, but MSE shows me that while one line could technically fit, the card looks much better without it, so for the second time in my bracket I will say not including flavor text was the right choice and I will not deduct any points for that. I don't remember this happening twice in a bracket of mine maybe ever.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - Riot is not an evergreen keyword and this is a rare, not a mythic, so it needs reminder text (0.5).
(2/2) Main Challenge - Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 21.5/25
Enchantment (R)
Each creature you control has "T, Put this creature on the bottom of its owner's library: You may put a creature with the same toughness as this creature from your hand onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery."
1W: Target creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"This is a crisis measure, so grant my passengers free entry and I don't care how!" - Shabrov, Jelenn aerialist
Design
(2/3) Appeal - I don't think Timmy cares very much about this card. I can see a lot of ways Johnny can use this card. Spike probably sees this as pseudo-ninjutsu. She also appreciates the skill required by using the two abilites together in the correct way.
(2/3) Elegance - Quite long and probably takes a couple reads before getting it, especially for less experienced players. Nice synergy between the abilities though.
Development
(2.5/3) Viability - I feel like there should be some green somewhere in the first ability. Putting creatures directly onto the battlefield feels more green than blue to me, even if blue could probably still do it, especially if you see the ability as a variation on ninjutsu. And if you wonder, yes, I would say the same thing about Emergency Powers too, even though that is a real card. I wouldn't want to see this card at anything below rare, so rarity is fine.
(1.5/3) Balance - I'll be honest, I'm not sure I would play this in limited. In constructed (more casual than competitive), chances look a bit better to me as you can build your whole deck around this effect. The last ability being able to target other players' creatures too can be interesting in multiplayer.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness - Ok, I have to get better in this area as a judge and I don't remember any existing card working like this ever, so how about just giving this full points here?
(3/3) Flavor - I see no problems here. The name and flavor text are fine and they both fit the card concept. The flavor text fits just barely in the frame, especially if you put the flavor text attribution in a separate line (as you should, see Quality),but it still fits (nine lines in MSE, I consider ten to be the limit) so no problem.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - The attribution in the flavor text should be on its own line amd with no space right after the dash (-0.5).
(2/2) Main Challenge - Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges - Both met.
Total: 20.5/25
Cardz5000: 22
picnic_bomber: 22
RaikouRider: 21.5
void_nothing: 20.5
Clockwork Gamer: 20
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.)
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a small creature that doesn’t help with playing its bigger cards. Johnny is curious to see what kinds of discard shenanigans he can get up to. Spike sees a strong limited creature with a way to enable spectacle and a way to abuse wheels in EDH (looking at you, Nekusar).
(3/3) Elegance: The two abilities mesh together very well, and it’s hard to be confused by this card.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Black cares about people punishing people for discarding and discard-draw looting is very much a red ability. It’s ability to act as a synergistic tool for discard decks puts it above common for most sets, but the overall complexity and high cost of the discard ability would put this solidly at uncommon.
(2/3) Balance: 3/2 for 3 is a nice body for uncommon black creatures to have. Plaguecrafter is a good example of this. It’s stats are good but still fragile enough to die to most burn spells or combat scenarios. It fits well into a discard themed deck without the oppressive side of making your opponents discard. This is good because it’s an archetype that doesn’t amount to much once your opponent has no hand, and this card still lets you take advantage of your own discards by filtering through your deck. The life loss helps it synergize with spectacle, but I like that it doesn’t force itself to play with the mechanic either. This can do some crazy deals in multiplayer with wheel effects which people would need to look out for, but I think that those types of games it’s fragile enough to be removed by an opponent in such scenarios.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: There are a couple cards that punish your opponents when they discard a card, but no cards that punish every opponent anytime anyone discards a card, so this is a fresh take on a popular side of design space. A lot of cards also let you discard to draw, but most of those are tap abilities like Rummaging Goblin or Dismissive Pyromancer. Seeing this effect on a mana only ability I hasn’t been seen since Compulsion - a blue card printed ten years ago, with only two other cards having similar abilities (Mental Discipline and Mesmeric Trance). Since then of course discard-draw looting has been shifted into red, and although it would make more sense to see this first printed on a red card than a black one with a red ability, it’s definitely a newer design space to explore for both colors.
(3/3) Flavor: Pain Poet is nice alliteration, and the flavor text is an absolutely brilliant play on words with slam poetry. I can visualize the art of this card really well because of this.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: I don’t spot any mistakes here.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: It’s a mono black Rakdos creature with a red activated ability.
(2/2) Subchallenges: It’s a monored ability, and you chose a different guild than the one in your previous challenge which was Simic.
Total: 22.5/25
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a way to make his big creatures a little bigger and then go for the face. Johnny sees +1/+1 synergy but wishes for a little more. Spike sees a creature with great stats for its mana cost that breaks parity in both limited and constructed games.
(3/3) Elegance: The first ability flows well into the second ability without making the latter dependant on Ila alone.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Green has always rewarded you for playing creatures, and Rashmi, Eternities Crafter shows us that you can get rewards for casting a spell on your turn. In terms of rarity I can understand how this card might be too powerful a card for limited environments, but I feel that doesn’t really have the "wow factor” you usually see in mythic rares.
(2/3) Balance: In limited and in constructed this card is a bomb. Even if you’re not playing blue, a three mana 2/4 body is difficult to remove in the early game and this card only helps you establish a stronger board against your opponent. It’s still weak to a lot of removal and requires a specific style of play to take full advantage of, so as an opponent there are ways you can work around it. Now its interactions with +1/+1 counters do good things in a block with riot and adapt (and I like that the activated ability works with any kind of counter, not just +1/+1 counters), but the first ability does conflict with the mechanics behind adapt, as you are then no longer able to activate those abilities and that’s a shame I feel.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: The first ability bears resemblance to Rashmi and Zameck Guildmage/Bloodspore Thrinax so it isn’t pushing the design space in a new direction especially, but as an ability it’s never existed yet. Likewise for the second ability being a pseudo combination of Herald of Secret Streams and Thassa, God of the Sea. Doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before, but it does do it in a different way.
(2/3) Flavor: Ila doesn’t appear on any flavor text I’ve seen, and I don’t have access to the Art of Ravnica book so I can’t check if their name appears in it, but as a card title it’s too long I feel. As a Simic card in RNA/WAR, “Ila, Project Overseer” feels a little better and still leaves little doubt as to which project they lead considering the peppering of the Guardian Project in various flavor texts. It’s also a shame that it isn’t obvious what kind of mutant creature Ila is. Skatewing Spy shows us that Mutant is an acceptable type, but the clue in which animal is hybridized with is in that card’s name. I would have liked to see a creature type that was a little more Simic. The flavor text feels a little off to me, but that’s a personal thing more than likely.
Polish -
(2/5/3) Quality: Hymn of the Wilds shows us that its “The first creature spell you cast each turn…”. Otherwise it’s well formatted.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: We have here a mono green Simic creature with a blue activated ability.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Said activated ability is mono-blue, and your entry last round was a Gruul card.
Total: 20/25
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a 3/3 haste for 4 mana and isn’t super enthused. Johnny appreciates the counter manipulation but is worried that the forced fight limits his options too much. Spike sees a pretty bad rare that has some limited potential against Simic/Gruul decks.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is worded in a way that’s easy to understand. Haste is helpful for its second ability, which reflects its assassin creature type well.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Moving counters isn’t at all in red's color pie (belonging more to green and then blue), but red has been known to move and steal equipment so this could be reasoned to be a tertiary ability. It does exist in black via cards like Thief of Blood and Fate Transfer. The overall power level of the card doesn’t feel rare to me (as we have a Hostile Minotaur with a very situational ability). Were it not for the complexity of the second ability I would probably put this at uncommon (and a good one at that.) Fight exists in red and green so this isn’t too much of a stretch besides the fact that it’s on a black ability.
(2.5/3) Balance: This card doesn’t do anything overly powerful except against decks that play with +1/+1 counters a lot, and that’s a healthy thing for limited games. In a limited environment this isn’t a gamebreaking rare to open but it has good stats for aggressive decks and can be a threat in certain matchups. It isn’t likely to see any constructed play.
Creativity -
(1/5/3) Uniqueness: Being able to steal the counters off of someone and then kill them off is a very interesting use of design space that lets black’s counter removal work with red’s fighting. Aside from that, in most games this card is Hostile Minotaur: same cost, same body.
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”?
(1/3) Flavor: I appreciate the wordplay on the name and you providing a link to said wordplay (would not have seen it otherwise). The name definitely feels like a Magic card, but I have issues with the creature typing being assassin, a very black creature type. There are only two mono-red assassins (Goblin Assassin and Mogg Assassin, both with flavor relating to their idiocy), and whilst Ogres are dim-witted in Magic lore this card doesn’t feel like a “joke” assassin, and so the idea of a slow minded Ogre being an stealthy assassin is incongruous to me, especially when you factor in that Ogres on Ravnica are known for their stench (see Ratcatcher, Poisonbelly Ogre, Ogre Slumlord).
Polish -
(1.5/3) Quality: Rarity should be indicated on the type line, Power/Toughness is supposed to be after rules/flavor text. “Counters” is plural, so the sentence should be “if one or more counters are moved this way, ..."
(2/2) *Main Challenge: It’s a red Rakdos creature with a black activated ability.
(2/2) Subchallenges: The ability is mono-black, and your guild last round was Azorius.
Total: 17/25
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy sees a little dork that’s super annoying for its fatties, Johnny sees spirit tribal shenanigans and is thinking about ways to abuse indestructibility. Spike sees an anti-aggro tool that has potential for token decks.
(3/3) Elegance: The card is perfectly understandable.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Deathtouch is primary in black, and granting indestructibility is primary in white and has seen increasing presence in black. Granting mass indestructible exists primarily among rare cards but has seen print on uncommons if the effect is more restrictive (see Inspiring Call or Song of Freyalise). A 1/2 body with deathtouch is very similar to Orzhov Enforcer, an uncommon from the set already, and whilst your card doesn’t have afterlife (which is a shame-that would have been a good synergy with its ability), this could still be a very strong uncommon. This is still fine at rare however.
(3/3) Balance: This card could see copious amounts of play in spirit decks. It’s a good, cheap body with deathtouch which de-incentivises your opponents from attacking whilst you built up your board, and then it provides protection to said board later down the line. This I think is a very balanced rare: relevant stats for a lot of decks to consider running it, and an ability that makes it incredibly viable in specific decks.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: This is the first black 1/2 with innate deathtouch (we’ve had those in green before but no other color), making is slightly stronger than the other four 1/1s with deathtouch in black (being Ruthless Ripper, Hired Poisoner, Typhoid Rats and Pharika’s Chosen), so I wouldn’t say this stands out too much in that regard. The second ability is the first sacrificing mass-indestructible granting ability to have mana in its activation cost, and is the first to grant them to a specific creature type rather than all creatures.
(2/3) Flavor: The idea of an Orzhov priest selflessly sacrificing itself to protect the spirits works well flavorfully but doesn’t feel like a mono-black card (this card having afterlife would have also made sense then because he would mechanically join their ranks). The name Soulwarden just makes me think of the iconic card Soul Warden and because there’s no obvious reference to it on this card I’m a little disappointed.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Sacrifice should be capitalized.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: We have a mono-black Orzhov creature with a white activated ability.
(2/2) Subchallenges: The ability is mono-white and your guild in the last round was Azorius.
Total: 21.5/25
Superbajt: 22.5/25
StonerOfKruphix: 20/25
Legend: 17/25
zdtsd: 21.5/25
Supebajt and zdtsd to advance to the next round
Creature — Human Rogue (R)
If a player would discard a card, that player exiles that card instead.
R, sacrifice Sideshow Swindler: Until end of turn, you may play cards you own exiled by Sideshow Swindler and you may cast spells this way as though they had flash.
"For my next trick, I shall make something disappear. May I see your necklace for a moment, ma'am?"
2/1
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny is quite intrigued, and it even brings out Spike's inner Johnny. Timmy isn't immediately impressed, but at least sees a lite bear with maybe a little something something on the side.
(1.75/3) Elegance: There's a LOT going on with this card, and the activated ability takes some processing. End result is...still something you have to think about pretty constantly during the game.
Development -
(2.75/3) Viability: Colors and rules are fine. Rare is probably most appropriate for this, not because of the power level (although in the right deck, it can be powerful), but because of the narrowness of the ability.
(2.5/3) Balance: 1B to make all discards be to exile is pretty solid just because of how it warps normal gameplay/expectations, but it's attached to a pretty frail body, so probably fine. Getting a lot of benefit out of this is going to require several pieces/strong timing (either global discard for all players or self-discard outlets; discard occurring while your card is in play; keeping him alive long enough to start a turn with enough mana to cast all the spells you want that have been exiled by him), so...I anticipate him turning out to be one of those strong Johnny cards that when he goes off it's spectacular and game-changing, but most of the time he maybe exiles some cards and dies, maybe netting you an extra spell if you have the mana laying around. No concerns with format variants, that I can think of, but 9 times out of 10 he'll be passed over in draft. Overall, I think he's fine, maybe a little on the underpowered side.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: This feels pretty strongly innovative. There's a little hint of Hellcarver Demon, and the ability overall feels very similar to madness, although it's really not.
(2.75/3) Flavor: Flavor text is a little bulky, but other than that, this is a home run for me. Name is solid (and has multiple meanings, as once he's down there's a little sidegame of "let's discard stuff and play it later"), flavor text relates well. I'd sorta like to see a bit more carnage given that it's Rakdos, but if Rakdos killed all their patrons, there'd be no one left to tell others to come enjoy the show.
Polish -
(2.75/3) Quality: Sacrifice should be capitalized as per Smelt-Ward Ignus.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 22/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Creature - Human [M]
BB, Sacrifice a creature: The Demon Within becomes a Human Horror with base power and toughness 3/2.
BBBB, Pay 5 life: If The Demon Within is a Horror, sacrifice it. If you do, create The Hungerer, a legendary 6/6 black Demon creature token with flying, lifelink and indestructible.
"Feed me little one, my hunger grows."
1/2
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Spike and Johnny like the versatility and power. Timmy loves the end result.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Second ability has some memory requirements, but it's not extraneous. I'd like to see a counter of some sort to mark it easily, but there's no space. The rest is a little bulky but doable.
Development -
(2.75/3) Viability: No rules issues, and this feels mythic. However, there's no real reason for this to start out red other than the Rakdos link. Eh...within that context, I could see WotC making the same decision.
(2.75/3) Balance: The overall cost (BBBBBBR, Sac a creature, Pay 5 life) is a little steep for the end result, but the ability to pay over multiple turns (and possibly get this out T3/T4) is pretty strong. There's also a nifty little side aspect that if you can turn it into a Horror some other way, you can bypass the first ability completely. I also like that an opponent can change its creature type in response to you activating the second ability to counter the ability, but that it doesn't include the sacrifice, so you would have to pay the life again (and possibly change its type again), but could repeat the ability. Very high draft pick, strong constructed card.
Creativity -
(2.75/3) Uniqueness: There have been "progression" creatures before, but this feels very fresh and fun.
(3/3) Flavor: Solid home run. Creepy evocative name, relevant and horrifying flavor text, flavor-filled concept. Stellar.
Polish -
(2.75/3) Quality: The comma in the flavor text should be a semicolon.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 23.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Enchantment (M)
When Betrayal of Services enters the battlefield, destroy all creatures.
5BB: Put target creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a black and white Spirit in addition to its other colors and types.
Little did citizens know that Orzhov protection services had a exclusion: Bolas.
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Board wipers are almost universally appreciated. The activated ability makes this a high want card for all player types.
(2.75/3) Elegance: Pretty straightforward, with a little bit of clunky "you're now a spirit" addendum, but not bad.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Color, rules, and rarity are appropriate.
(2.5/3) Balance: Extreme power is mostly balanced with extreme costs in this case. 6 mana to wipe the board is expensive and sad if it gets disenchanted as soon as it hits the board, but at least you still wrath'd. The repeatability and versatility of any graveyard is still pretty incredible. As far as I know, only Lilliana, the Necromancer allows repeatable grave theft from other player's graveyards.
Creativity -
(1.75/3) Uniqueness: Day of Judgement + Gravewalker, but interesting and logical combination.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Name and flavor text fit well, although the flavor text itself feels a little clunky. As a suggestion that you can take or leave, I think something like "Few read the protection services fine print to find the Bolas exclusion clause" would work better, but yours is fine, too.
Polish -
(2.75/3) Quality: Flavor text should be "...had an exclusion...".
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 22.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Vigilance
Addendum - UU, T: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1. If it is your main phase, counter that spell unless it's controller pays 3 instead.
2/4
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike like this, but it's not flashy enough for Timmy.
(2.75/3) Elegance: Pretty straightforward. Vigilance feels a little tacked on, but still makes sense.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No concerns here.
(2/3) Balance: Base cost-body is fine. The addendum is interesting because most the time it's just a (rather expensive) Disruptive Student, but as counter-counterspell (on your turn) purposes, it's slightly better than Ghost-Lit Warder. Overall, I feel like the activation cost probably could have just been , , especially at rare (maybe even just ).
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: It's a pretty well established concept, mostly just an addendum twist. I like the addition of vigilance and larger body, as that makes it more of a battle mage concept.
(1.25/3) Flavor: Name is descriptive, but pretty bland. No flavor text when something short could be added doesn't help.
Polish -
(2.25/3) Quality: I suspect that if addendum were printed on activated abilities, it would get wording of "Addendum - [activation cost]: [Effect]. If this ability was activated during your main phase, [other effect]." Bailiff is misspelled.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Good.
Total: 19.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
IcariiFA: 22.25
Flatline: 22
Jimmy Groove: 19.25