Welcome to the world of Gryptia, a new plane in the multiverse we have never visited before. The plane is a world short on water and constantly under the present of a blazing ever present sun which have left the world mostly a dry, barren desert. The people of Gryptia worship the sun and live around any patches of water which can be found on the desert plane. Rashi is the one these people, a young adult ready to set foot in the world fraught with danger. This months challenge will see you discovering the world of Gryptia with her.
Round 2
Rashi's household was awash with joy as she returned with pots nearly overflowing with rainwater. Most her siblings were already soaking from dancing and playing in the outdoor showers. She could only smile at their glistening faces and muddy clothing as she swept through the house.
Her mother was at Tarik's bedside still, holding a small bowl with water close to her parched brother's mother. Unlike the children her mother was barely touched by the rain, her hair and clothes as dusty and dry as when Rashi had left. No doubt she had had one of the younger ones gather the water as she was too worried to leave her ailing son's side. She lay the pot of water by her mother and simply placed her had her shoulder. He mother gripped it tightly and then let go. Not a word needed to be spoken between the too. For the first time in days Tarik was smiling, his lips dripping with fresh water.
Rashi left the house to head to the edge of the settlement. The rolling dunes of sand were edged up to the point that people had held off settling. In the distance she could the blood red mountain rock, where nothing but but cacti and other seemingly unkilling plants grew. The dust stirring in the distance. That was never a good sign. With the rain falling on the village it seemed another long absent visitor would also return, except this one was a lot less welcome.
Challenge:
Design an uncommon card for an Egyptian themed magic set. This card should be a red, nonhuman creature card. The flavour should be a creature who lives in the desert and does whatever it needs to survive.
Clarifications
You can submit a multicoloured or hybrid card as long as at least one of the colours is red.
The card can have multiple creature subtypes as long as none of them are human.
Judging
Judge the 6 names below you. Judging consists of feedback for the designer and a top three. So for example if I were Wearth then I would judge Zoomba through to hopefulhawkeye and then rank the best three from first to third. If your at the end of the list then just swing round (e.g. Vertain judges - WantonWiard, Cythare, Egak, Wearth, Zoomba, Moss_Elemental). Any questions just ask.
Mirage Stalker2B
Creature - Hound Assassin (C)
Mirage Stalker has hexproof as long as you control an island. It’s never the Anubin you see that kills you.
2/2
Flame Scarab2RR
Creature - Insect (U)
Flying.
When Flame Scarab deals combat damage to a player, it deals 1 damage to each creature that player control.
1/1
Desiccate1B
Instant (C)
Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. If you control an Island, another target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. The Zaghiri tribe see humans as just another source of water.
Dunecrest Predator4R
Creature-- Lizard (U)
Whenever Dunecrest Predator attacks and isn't blocked, you may have it fight target creature. If you do, Dunecrest Predator deals no combat damage this turn. (Each creature deals damage to the other equal to its power.)
Its reflexes are so quick that it can turn in mid-pounce, land on its feet, and spring on another target in the time it takes you to shout for help.
3/4
@above: the card should be red!
also nonhuman, so much for my composite guys
Craven Hyena2R
Creature - Hound (U)
Craven Hyena has haste, as long as your opponent controls no creatures.
Craven Hyena enters the battlefield tapped, as long as you control no other creatures. "A single hyena is a cowardly thing. But several of them, if their victim is weak, are truly fearsome."
—Ajed, Nomad scholar
3/3
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Mental Dehydration2B
Sorcery (C)
Target player discards two cards. Draw a card if you control an Island. "It's not just the body that needs water." - Sehotep, Gryptian Healer
Viashino Ambusher3RR
Creature - Viashino Warrior (U)
Flash
First strike, haste
3/1 You know it's not a mirage when members of your party start disappearing.
Forgot about round 1. Will try to get crits in but I may have to drop.
In case I don't drop:
Skasha Thirstblade2RR
Legendary Creature - Viashino Berserker (M)
Damage doesn't wear off at end of turn.
Each creature you control gets +X/+0, where X is the amount of damage marked on it. 4/5
Dry Riverbed
Land - Desert (C) T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield. "Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Loot-Lure Solifuge2R
Creature - Insect (U)
Haste
When Loot-Lure Solifuge enters the battlefield you may discard up to X cards, where X is the number of Deserts you control. If you do, draw that many cards. "The creature's instinctual drive to hunt at the edge of oases causes it to collect coins, gems, and other shiny options from the corpses of its prey and arrange them in the desert, where the reflections lure more travelers." - Colu, Sage of Perils
2/1
Purple Wurmling4RR
Creature - Worm (U)
Trample, Flash
Purple Wurmling costs 1 less for each creature with damage marked on it.
4/3
If you are bleeding in the desert, something terrible probably has happened... and something terrible will definitely happen.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Wizards can start putting booster packs inside dog poo and dog owners will still complain.
Crimson-Sand Drifter1RR
Creature - Crocodile Nomad (U)
Sacrifice a permanent: Crimson-Sand Drifter gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn. "Traverse the Crimson Sands with caution. Those who dwell won't hesitate to take you on if you have something they want, no matter what the effort might cost them." -Huk'ra, desert hermit
3/2
Khassi Warrior1W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Khassi Warrior enters the battlefield tapped unless you control an island.
3/3
Setash BloodhoundRR
Creature - Hound (U)
Haste
At the beginning of your end step, if Setash Bloodhound did not attack, sacrifice it. The hounds of Gryptia must rely on the blood of their prey to survive the desert heat.
2/1
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nothing is so important that you cannot make fun of it.
Currently working on Nations of Pentys, my first custom set and the first set in the Pentys block. (52/250)
At the beginning of each combat,
Ravine Cougar gains your choice
of haste, first strike or flanking
until end of turn. (Whenever a
creature without flanking blocks
this creature, the blocking creature
gets -1/-1 until end of turn.)
No matter who's cornered, the wild
animal has the advantage.
Kryo's Servant2RR
Creature - Elemental (U)
As long as you control a Desert, Kyro's Servant is indestructible. R: Kyro's Servant gains +1/+0 until end of turn.
2/2
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC February 2014 - 2nd Round (11th-20th)
MCC March 2014 - 1st Round (17th-24th)
MCC April 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC May 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC June 2014 - Judge
MCC July 2014 - Host
MCC August 2014 - 1st Round (17th-31st)
MCC August 2015 - 1st Round (21st-36th)
MCC September 2015 - 1st Round (22nd-39th)
MCC October 2015 - 1st Round (13th-20th)
CCL March 2014 - Score: 71.4/300 (18th)
CCL May 2014 - Score: 29/36 (10th)
CCL June 2014 - Score: 86/150 (10th)
CCL July 2014 - Score:36/50 (6th T)
CCL August 2015 - Score: 14 (5th T)
CCL September 2015 - Score: 3 (5th)
CCL October 2015 - Host
DCC September 2015 - Score: 30 (9th)
DCC October 2015 - Score: 46 (8th-T)
OK, so it's judging time. There's a new list for this round. Same rules as before (crit the six names after yours, then top 3). Any questions just ask. OP should also be updated.
If you wanted lands top be sacrificed, you should have made the card cheaper to cast. Otherwise, it's too big a drawback.
JimmyGroove
Interesting concept.
hopefulhawkeye
Clamp ability could just read "This creature's power, toughness and abilities can't change." Also, I don't think red would have an ability like that.
Cythare
No show?
RaikouRider
I don't know if this would be printed. I thought that's what the idea behind wither.
doomfish
First off, Hyena is a creature type (Gibbering Hyenas.) Also, the wording on the second line is bad. Should be "CARDNAME enters the battlefield tapped unless you control another creature."
hopefulhawkeye - Thunderbird: Exactly how to phrase that ability is tricky, and ultimately it's an ability that reduces interactivity, which is probably not the best idea, especially not as a keyworded ability (since that implies it'd be on a fair number of cards.)
Cythare - no show
RaikouRider - Skasha Thirtblade: I've used the "damaged matters" mechanic before myself, and I'd say this is a pretty straightfoward application with the second ability. The first one, on the other hand, creates huge memory issues, and it'd probably be cleaner just to use something more like Wither so you get counters to mark it.
doomfish - Craven Hyena: It'd be pretty playable even without the possibility of haste, and that pushes it a good bit more. Still, it lacks good tribal synergy so it'd probably be fair even in Constructed. Definitely a very high pick Limited card.
Vertain - Ravine Cougar: That's definitely a pushed card, as simply having any one of those abilities is already pretty decent on a 2/1 for 2. That said, it probably wouldn't be too strong for Constructed where it is competing against a lot of other strong contenders, and it won't break Limited at uncommon.
Egak - Flame Scarab: Red doesn't get many flyers, but this seems like a reasonable one. It's hard to say whether it is costed fairly or not, but it's definitely on the safe side of things. Usually abilities like that are only seen on rares, but this seems like a small enough version that it wouldn't be dangerous at uncommon.
Kryo's Servant2RR
Creature - Elemental (U)
As long as you control a Desert, Kyro's Servant is indestructible. R: Kyro's Servant gains +1/+0 until end of turn.
2/2
Indestructible in red is rather weird. I'm guessing this is a sort of living sandstorm? Other than that flavor quibble, I like the card.
Thunderbird1R
Creature- Bird (U)
Flying
Clamp (This creature’s power and toughness are always its printed value and it can have no abilities other than its printed abilities.)
Thunderbird can't block. The Thunderbird is tasked by the Gods with bestowing the blessing of rain only after passing the judgment of light.
(3/1)
I don't like Clamp as a keyword. It feels like too much added complexity for too little benefit. Aside from that, the card itself is okay, although it's strictly better than Goblin Glider.
Sandwyrm4RR
Creature- Wyrm (Uncommon)
Haste, trample
Whenever Sandwyrm attacks, sacrifice two lands you control. "These beasts will always strike against poachers, even if it their colossal, shifting bodies cause them to destroy their own nesting grounds." -Azel Ut, monster chronicler
4/4
That drawback is far too harsh, especially for a 6-mana creature like this. Either lower the mana cost or lower the drawback.
Crimson-Sand Drifter1RR
Creature - Crocodile Nomad (U)
Sacrifice a permanent: Crimson-Sand Drifter gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn. "Traverse the Crimson Sands with caution. Those who dwell won't hesitate to take you on if you have something they want, no matter what the effort might cost them." -Huk'ra, desert hermit
3/2
Pretty simple effect, and a pretty big benefit to boot. Plays really nice with Act of Treason effects.
Dry Riverbed
Land - Desert (C) T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield. "Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Loot-Lure Solifuge2R
Creature - Insect (U)
Haste
When Loot-Lure Solifuge enters the battlefield you may discard up to X cards, where X is the number of Deserts you control. If you do, draw that many cards. "The creature's instinctual drive to hunt at the edge of oases causes it to collect coins, gems, and other shiny options from the corpses of its prey and arrange them in the desert, where the reflections lure more travelers." - Colu, Sage of Perils
2/1
I'm a bit iffy on "Deserts matter", but the effect is pretty cool. This helps thin out your deck in draft, and grants red some useful draw in constructed.
Mental Dehydration2B
Sorcery (C)
Target player discards two cards. Draw a card if you control an Island. "It's not just the body that needs water." - Sehotep, Gryptian Healer
Viashino Ambusher3RR
Creature - Viashino Warrior (U)
Flash
First strike, haste
3/1 You know it's not a mirage when members of your party start disappearing.
A pretty decent French vanilla that can serve as both defense and attack. Every set needs at least one card like this.
Welcome to the world of Gryptia, a new plane in the multiverse we have never visited before. The plane is a world short on water and constantly under the present of a blazing ever present sun which have left the world mostly a dry, barren desert. The people of Gryptia worship the sun and live around any patches of water which can be found on the desert plane. Rashi is the one these people, a young adult ready to set foot in the world fraught with danger. This months challenge will see you discovering the world of Gryptia with her.
Round 2
Rashi's household was awash with joy as she returned with pots nearly overflowing with rainwater. Most her siblings were already soaking from dancing and playing in the outdoor showers. She could only smile at their glistening faces and muddy clothing as she swept through the house.
Her mother was at Tarik's bedside still, holding a small bowl with water close to her parched brother's mother. Unlike the children her mother was barely touched by the rain, her hair and clothes as dusty and dry as when Rashi had left. No doubt she had had one of the younger ones gather the water as she was too worried to leave her ailing son's side. She lay the pot of water by her mother and simply placed her had her shoulder. He mother gripped it tightly and then let go. Not a word needed to be spoken between the too. For the first time in days Tarik was smiling, his lips dripping with fresh water.
Rashi left the house to head to the edge of the settlement. The rolling dunes of sand were edged up to the point that people had held off settling. In the distance she could the blood red mountain rock, where nothing but but cacti and other seemingly unkilling plants grew. The dust stirring in the distance. That was never a good sign. With the rain falling on the village it seemed another long absent visitor would also return, except this one was a lot less welcome.
Challenge:
Design an uncommon card for an Egyptian themed magic set. This card should be a red, nonhuman creature card. The flavour should be a creature who lives in the desert and does whatever it needs to survive.
Clarifications
You can submit a multicoloured or hybrid card as long as at least one of the colours is red.
The card can have multiple creature subtypes as long as none of them are human.
Judging
Judge the 6 names below you. Judging consists of feedback for the designer and a top three. So for example if I were Wearth then I would judge Zoomba through to hopefulhawkeye and then rank the best three from first to third. If your at the end of the list then just swing round (e.g. Vertain judges - WantonWiard, Cythare, Egak, Wearth, Zoomba, Moss_Elemental). Any questions just ask.
The list
The1AndOnlyAgar
Zoomba
Mix Master Mikaeus
GG Crono
GameWorldLeader
Moss_Elemental
SelesnyaNewLife
JimmyGroove
hopefulhawkeye
Cythare
RaikouRider
doomfish
Vertain
Egak
Am Shegar
Entry Deadline: Tuesday 12th August , 23:59 EST.
Judging Deadline: Friday 15th August 23:59 EST.
Mirage Stalker2B
Creature - Hound Assassin (C)
Mirage Stalker has hexproof as long as you control an island.
It’s never the Anubin you see that kills you.
2/2
Flame Scarab 2RR
Creature - Insect (U)
Flying.
When Flame Scarab deals combat damage to a player, it deals 1 damage to each creature that player control.
1/1
Dunecrest Predator 4R
Creature-- Lizard (U)
Whenever Dunecrest Predator attacks and isn't blocked, you may have it fight target creature. If you do, Dunecrest Predator deals no combat damage this turn. (Each creature deals damage to the other equal to its power.)
Its reflexes are so quick that it can turn in mid-pounce, land on its feet, and spring on another target in the time it takes you to shout for help.
3/4
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
also nonhuman, so much for my composite guys
Craven Hyena 2R
Creature - Hound (U)
Craven Hyena has haste, as long as your opponent controls no creatures.
Craven Hyena enters the battlefield tapped, as long as you control no other creatures.
"A single hyena is a cowardly thing. But several of them, if their victim is weak, are truly fearsome."
—Ajed, Nomad scholar
3/3
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Sorcery (C)
Target player discards two cards. Draw a card if you control an Island.
"It's not just the body that needs water." - Sehotep, Gryptian Healer
Viashino Ambusher 3RR
Creature - Viashino Warrior (U)
Flash
First strike, haste
3/1
You know it's not a mirage when members of your party start disappearing.
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
In case I don't drop:
Skasha Thirstblade 2RR
Legendary Creature - Viashino Berserker (M)
Damage doesn't wear off at end of turn.
Each creature you control gets +X/+0, where X is the amount of damage marked on it.
4/5
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Currently working on Nations of Pentys, my first custom set and the first set in the Pentys block. (52/250)
Land - Desert (C)
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield.
"Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Loot-Lure Solifuge 2R
Creature - Insect (U)
Haste
When Loot-Lure Solifuge enters the battlefield you may discard up to X cards, where X is the number of Deserts you control. If you do, draw that many cards.
"The creature's instinctual drive to hunt at the edge of oases causes it to collect coins, gems, and other shiny options from the corpses of its prey and arrange them in the desert, where the reflections lure more travelers." - Colu, Sage of Perils
2/1
Holder, I guess? Unfortunately, I already designed such a creature last round.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Creature - Worm (U)
Trample, Flash
Purple Wurmling costs 1 less for each creature with damage marked on it.
4/3
If you are bleeding in the desert, something terrible probably has happened... and something terrible will definitely happen.
Creature - Crocodile Nomad (U)
Sacrifice a permanent: Crimson-Sand Drifter gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.
"Traverse the Crimson Sands with caution. Those who dwell won't hesitate to take you on if you have something they want, no matter what the effort might cost them." -Huk'ra, desert hermit
3/2
Setash Bloodhound RR
Creature - Hound (U)
Haste
At the beginning of your end step, if Setash Bloodhound did not attack, sacrifice it.
The hounds of Gryptia must rely on the blood of their prey to survive the desert heat.
2/1
Currently working on Nations of Pentys, my first custom set and the first set in the Pentys block. (52/250)
Creature - Cat (U)
At the beginning of each combat,
Ravine Cougar gains your choice
of haste, first strike or flanking
until end of turn. (Whenever a
creature without flanking blocks
this creature, the blocking creature
gets -1/-1 until end of turn.)
No matter who's cornered, the wild
animal has the advantage.
2/1
Creature - Elemental (U)
As long as you control a Desert, Kyro's Servant is indestructible.
R: Kyro's Servant gains +1/+0 until end of turn.
2/2
MCC March 2014 - 1st Round (17th-24th)
MCC April 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC May 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC June 2014 - Judge
MCC July 2014 - Host
MCC August 2014 - 1st Round (17th-31st)
MCC August 2015 - 1st Round (21st-36th)
MCC September 2015 - 1st Round (22nd-39th)
MCC October 2015 - 1st Round (13th-20th)
CCL May 2014 - Score: 29/36 (10th)
CCL June 2014 - Score: 86/150 (10th)
CCL July 2014 - Score:36/50 (6th T)
CCL August 2015 - Score: 14 (5th T)
CCL September 2015 - Score: 3 (5th)
CCL October 2015 - Host
DCC October 2015 - Score: 46 (8th-T)
The list
The1AndOnlyAgar
Zoomba
Mix Master Mikaeus
GG Crono
GameWorldLeader
Moss_Elemental
SelesnyaNewLife
JimmyGroove
hopefulhawkeye
Cythare
RaikouRider
doomfish
Vertain
Egak
Am Shegar
Top 3
2. doomfish
3. RaikouRider
Cythare - no show
RaikouRider - Skasha Thirtblade: I've used the "damaged matters" mechanic before myself, and I'd say this is a pretty straightfoward application with the second ability. The first one, on the other hand, creates huge memory issues, and it'd probably be cleaner just to use something more like Wither so you get counters to mark it.
doomfish - Craven Hyena: It'd be pretty playable even without the possibility of haste, and that pushes it a good bit more. Still, it lacks good tribal synergy so it'd probably be fair even in Constructed. Definitely a very high pick Limited card.
Vertain - Ravine Cougar: That's definitely a pushed card, as simply having any one of those abilities is already pretty decent on a 2/1 for 2. That said, it probably wouldn't be too strong for Constructed where it is competing against a lot of other strong contenders, and it won't break Limited at uncommon.
Egak - Flame Scarab: Red doesn't get many flyers, but this seems like a reasonable one. It's hard to say whether it is costed fairly or not, but it's definitely on the safe side of things. Usually abilities like that are only seen on rares, but this seems like a small enough version that it wouldn't be dangerous at uncommon.
1. Vertain
2. Doomfish
3. Egak
A pretty decent French vanilla that can serve as both defense and attack. Every set needs at least one card like this.
2. GG Crono
3. Moss Elemental
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
Am Shegar: Purple Wurmling - Love the ability, love the flavor text.
Zoomba: Thermoleech - Basic but fun.
GG Crono: Crimson-Sand Drifter - Stretches at least the spirit of the challenge.
The1AndOnlyAGar: Setash Bloodhound - A clever twist on the Ball Lightning concept.
GameWorldLeader: Kryo's Servant - I'm a bit iffy about Deserts matter.
2.) Am Shegar
1.) Mix Master Mikaeus