A bit of self-indulgence, since I took this month on short notice, so it'll be Alara Month this time around! First we'll tackle the Esper shard and how it adapted post-Conflux.
Main Challenge: Design a colored artifact.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has BOTH one or more of the colors of Esper (white, blue, or black) AND one or more of the excluded colors (red or green). Subchallenge 2: Your card is not a creature on its typeline.
Subchallenge 1: A monoblue, white-black, or monored card would not pass, for example. A green-blue, blue-red-white, or five-color card would. This means the actual colors of the card, not color identity.
Subchallenge 2: This means that Vehicles pass the subchallenge, as does any noncreature artifact that has an ability that allows it to become a creature. Only cards that have the typeline "Artifact Creature" would not pass.
Please feel free to ask additional questions if you have any in the MCC Discussion thread.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by April 6th 11:59 PM EDT
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by April 9th 11:59 PM EDT
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.
Mana Resonance ArrayUG
Artifact - Fortification (U)
Fortified land has "T: Add two mana in any combination of colors."
Whenever Mana Resonance Array becomes attached to a land, untap that land.
Whenever fortified land becomes tapped, untap target nonland permanent you control.
Fortify 2(G/U) Research by the scholars of the Sanctum Arcanum to tame the new wild mana brought by the Maelstrom led to surprisingly positive results.
Filigree Lance1GW
Artifact - Equipment (Uncommon)
Equipped creature gets +2/+0 and has first strike.
Whenever equipped creature attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn. If it's an artifact creature, put a +1/+1 counter on it instead.
Equip 2 The Esperites always knew how to combine elegance with efficiency.
RagestoneWUB(R/G)
Artifact (Rare)
At the beginning of each combat on your turn, target creature you control gains flying and indestructible, then fights target creature you don’t control. Sacrifice it at end of combat.
Carnival Bandwagon
Artifact - Vehicle [U]
Menace
Whenever Carnival Bandwagon becomes a creature, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each creature crewing it.
Crew 1 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 1 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
0/1
Etherium Charger1UR
Artifact Creature — Dragon (R)
Flying, haste
As Etherium Charger enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice any number of creatures and/or artifacts. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters on it.
When Etherium Charger dies, draw cards equal to its power, then discard two cards.
2/2
(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)
Tajic’s Powersword3RW
Legendary Artifact — Equipment (M)
Equipped creature gets +5/+5 and has first strike, haste, and indestructible.
Equip 4(R/W)
Tajic’s Powersword’s equip ability costs 4 less to activate if it targets a creature that’s exactly red and white. A symbol of immaculate purity and righteous fury at the same time.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Strix Foundry
Artifact (R) 2, : Create a 1/1 blue and black Bird artifact creature token with flying and deathtouch. 2GG, Sacrifice Strix Foundry: For each creature you control, choose a target creature an opponent controls. Those creatures fight each other.
Saheeli's Puzzle Box1UR
Artifact (R)
At the beginning of each player’s end step, have that player scry X, where X is the number of cards in that player’s hand.
Sacrilegious Relic1BR
Artifact - Equipment (R) T: Add B or R. If that mana is spent to cast a creature spell with haste or menace, attach Sacrilegious Relic to that creature.
Equipped creature is a Demon with flying in addition to its other types and abilities, and has base power and toughness 5/5.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MtG is where you can hate white players or black players, and still not be racist.
Predator Producer3UG
Artifact (R)
Artifact creatures you control have base power and toughness 4/4. T: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. It becomes an artifact in addition to its other types. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.) "An animal is a strong as it's claws. Why settle for what's natural?"
— Croloz, Plant Overseer
If I judge, this just becomes a judging placeholder.
If I'm playing, this is where my submission will go.
Possible submission:
ToadstonesGW
Artifact (U)
, : Destroy any number of target artifacts and/or enchantments attached to target creature you control.
Sacrifice Toadstones: Destroy target artifact or enchantment. Priceless panaceas, extracted from the head of a living toad.
Phyrexian RepurposerBG
Artifact - Equipment (U)
Living Weapon (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, create a 0/0 black Germ creature token, then attach this to it.)
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and "Whenever an artifact or creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature."
Equip 2
Berserker's BraidBRG
Artifact - Equipment {R}
Equipped creature gets +3/+0 and has trample.
Whenever equipped creature attacks for the first time in a turn, untap it. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Only equipped creature can attack during that combat phase.
Equip 4
Augustal Scepter2WU
Legendary Artifact (r) T: Spells you cast this turn cost 1 less to cast. T: Spells your opponents cast this turn cost 1 more to cast. The Augustal Scepter is regarded with all the respect History had bestowed upon it, as if the very hand of Augustin IV is still holding it.
Sangrite Reactor(U/R)(B/R)(R/W)
Artifact (U) T, Sacrifice an artifact: Choose one —
- Add UR, BR or RW.
- Draw a card. Miscreants usually arrive with cognitive implants, as to preserve order during the process.
Turquoise Powerbead(G/U)
Artifact (U) T, Sacrifice Turquoise Powerbead: Counter target spell that targets a creature you control.
If that creature is white, put two +1/+1 counters on it. Algae of the Lucent Depths sense only magic and purity of one's soul.
Illusion of Strength1UG
Artifact (U)
At the beginning of combat on each player's turn, create a 0/1 Decoy artifact creature token with haste and “This creature must be blocked if able.” At the beginning of the next end step, exile that token.
Rakdos's ScytheBR
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (R)
Whenever equipped creature attacks, it deals 2 damage to the defending player. If equipped creature is a Demon, it deals 3 damage to the defending player and each creature that player controls instead.
Equip 2 Madness infused in this giant blade gives enough strength for devils to wield it, and for demons to obliterate.
Compleating DeviceBG
Artifact (Rare) BG, T: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. As long as it has a -1/-1 counter on it, it has indestructible and infect. "Enter the chamber and leave your flesh behind."
Endless Junkyard1BG
Artifact (Mythic)
Sacrifice an artifact: Draw cards equal to its converted mana cost, then discard three cards. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Artifact Greater Good!
ATTACHMENTS
Endless Junkyard
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
April MCC 2019 Round 1 - Spreading Filigree
A bit of self-indulgence, since I took this month on short notice, so it'll be Alara Month this time around! First we'll tackle the Esper shard and how it adapted post-Conflux.
Main Challenge: Design a colored artifact.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has BOTH one or more of the colors of Esper (white, blue, or black) AND one or more of the excluded colors (red or green).
Subchallenge 2: Your card is not a creature on its typeline.
Subchallenge 2: This means that Vehicles pass the subchallenge, as does any noncreature artifact that has an ability that allows it to become a creature. Only cards that have the typeline "Artifact Creature" would not pass.
Please feel free to ask additional questions if you have any in the MCC Discussion thread.
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by April 9th 11:59 PM EDT
(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.
void_nothing
Superbajt
StonerOfKruphix
Please sign up to be a judge if you do not play!
Contestants:
This round is open for everyone!
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Artifact - Fortification (U)
Fortified land has "T: Add two mana in any combination of colors."
Whenever Mana Resonance Array becomes attached to a land, untap that land.
Whenever fortified land becomes tapped, untap target nonland permanent you control.
Fortify 2(G/U)
Research by the scholars of the Sanctum Arcanum to tame the new wild mana brought by the Maelstrom led to surprisingly positive results.
magicjudge.tumblr.com
GWU Angus Mackenzie's Fog of War GWU / B Sheoldred's Sleepless Cemetery B / R Ashling's Purifying Pilgrimage R
U Unesh's Sphinx Storm U / R Ib's Goblins: What It Says On The Tin R / UR Okaun & Zndrsplt Flip Out UR
Oathbreaker: UB Ashiok's Persistent Nightmare UB
Artifact - Equipment (Uncommon)
Equipped creature gets +2/+0 and has first strike.
Whenever equipped creature attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn. If it's an artifact creature, put a +1/+1 counter on it instead.
Equip 2
The Esperites always knew how to combine elegance with efficiency.
Artifact (Rare)
At the beginning of each combat on your turn, target creature you control gains flying and indestructible, then fights target creature you don’t control. Sacrifice it at end of combat.
Artifact - Vehicle [U]
Menace
Whenever Carnival Bandwagon becomes a creature, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each creature crewing it.
Crew 1 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 1 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
0/1
Artifact Creature — Dragon (R)
Flying, haste
As Etherium Charger enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice any number of creatures and/or artifacts. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters on it.
When Etherium Charger dies, draw cards equal to its power, then discard two cards.
2/2
Legendary Artifact — Equipment (M)
Equipped creature gets +5/+5 and has first strike, haste, and indestructible.
Equip 4(R/W)
Tajic’s Powersword’s equip ability costs 4 less to activate if it targets a creature that’s exactly red and white.
A symbol of immaculate purity and righteous fury at the same time.
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.)
Artifact (R)
2, : Create a 1/1 blue and black Bird artifact creature token with flying and deathtouch.
2GG, Sacrifice Strix Foundry: For each creature you control, choose a target creature an opponent controls. Those creatures fight each other.
Artifact (R)
At the beginning of each player’s end step, have that player scry X, where X is the number of cards in that player’s hand.
Artifact - Equipment (R)
T: Add B or R. If that mana is spent to cast a creature spell with haste or menace, attach Sacrilegious Relic to that creature.
Equipped creature is a Demon with flying in addition to its other types and abilities, and has base power and toughness 5/5.
Artifact (R)
Artifact creatures you control have base power and toughness 4/4.
T: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. It becomes an artifact in addition to its other types. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.)
"An animal is a strong as it's claws. Why settle for what's natural?"
— Croloz, Plant Overseer
If I'm playing, this is where my submission will go.
Possible submission:
Toadstones GW
Artifact (U)
, : Destroy any number of target artifacts and/or enchantments attached to target creature you control.
Sacrifice Toadstones: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
Priceless panaceas, extracted from the head of a living toad.
Artifact - Equipment (U)
Living Weapon (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, create a 0/0 black Germ creature token, then attach this to it.)
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and "Whenever an artifact or creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature."
Equip 2
Artifact - Equipment {R}
Equipped creature gets +3/+0 and has trample.
Whenever equipped creature attacks for the first time in a turn, untap it. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Only equipped creature can attack during that combat phase.
Equip 4
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Legendary Artifact (r)
T: Spells you cast this turn cost 1 less to cast.
T: Spells your opponents cast this turn cost 1 more to cast.
The Augustal Scepter is regarded with all the respect History had bestowed upon it, as if the very hand of Augustin IV is still holding it.
Artifact (U)
T, Sacrifice an artifact: Choose one —
- Add UR, BR or RW.
- Draw a card.
Miscreants usually arrive with cognitive implants, as to preserve order during the process.
Artifact (U)
T, Sacrifice Turquoise Powerbead: Counter target spell that targets a creature you control.
If that creature is white, put two +1/+1 counters on it.
Algae of the Lucent Depths sense only magic and purity of one's soul.
Artifact (U)
At the beginning of combat on each player's turn, create a 0/1 Decoy artifact creature token with haste and “This creature must be blocked if able.” At the beginning of the next end step, exile that token.
Legendary Artifact - Equipment (R)
Whenever equipped creature attacks, it deals 2 damage to the defending player. If equipped creature is a Demon, it deals 3 damage to the defending player and each creature that player controls instead.
Equip 2
Madness infused in this giant blade gives enough strength for devils to wield it, and for demons to obliterate.
Artifact (Rare)
BG, T: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. As long as it has a -1/-1 counter on it, it has indestructible and infect.
"Enter the chamber and leave your flesh behind."
Artifact (Mythic)
Sacrifice an artifact: Draw cards equal to its converted mana cost, then discard three cards.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Artifact Greater Good!