Teferi collapsed, having defeated the ancient monster. He was not a slight man, yet even lifting a limb felt like an arduous task. In spite of his weakened state, he felt Vraska's approach long before he saw her.
"So you've come to finish your job. Do it, then."
Vraska's eyes narrowed. A small smile touched her face, then she threw her head back, cackling.
"I cannot kill you yet. Death would preclude you from serving your purpose. But that comes later. Much later, from your perspective." Teferi was taken aback. Vraska was an assassin, not a schemer. Someone had assigned her to perform a task. But to what end? Who could possibly be plotting something so grandoise that it involved eliminating planeswalkers...
"Bolas." Teferi stated, eyes wide. Vraska smiled to herself. Nothing escaped the temporal mage. It had been a long time since she encountered someone who could make her feel so conspicuous. If only Vraska's respect could save Teferi from the fate that was ordained for him.
"Sleep. You will have plenty of time to ponder the workings on the universe until your final act" she hissed. She cast a spell at him. Granite once again radiated out from her, entombing all matter it came in contact with. Teferi barely had time to react, especially in his weakened state. A moment passed, and it was upon him, a moment away from entombing him indefinitely.
Main Challenge: Design a card that thematically represents sending another card back in time.Teferi's spark activated, and instinctive magic not under his control sprang to life to defend him. It protected him, but at a great cost; he was hurled back into a time rift, saving him from one dilemma and granting him another.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has a color identity of Blue and no other colors.The magic belonging to him was comprised of his very essence; it was purely Blue. Subchallenge 2: Your card has one of the following:
—A lack of a casting cost
—An activated ability or an alternate casting cost that cannot be paid with mana Teferi's body was almost depleted of mana; the spell drew its power from another source entirely.
Please message me about any questions you might have about the challenges. Other than that, have fun, and good luck!
For the second subchallenge, "A mana cost that can't be paid" means that your card does not have a mana cost; Evermind and Lotus Bloom are examples.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by January 6th 23:59 EST
Judging Deadline: All Judgements are to be final and completed by January 9th 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.
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.
Temporal Recoil2UU
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library. "Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon." —Temporal Adept, first words
Revert
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library. "I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
(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)
Tolarian Weirding3U
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control." The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
Letter to Yourself
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library. "Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
This may be controversial, but these are my judgings and they are final.
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: It's a Spike card.
(2/3) Elegance: The alternate cost is a little confusing.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: I can see this as just rare.
(2.5/3) Balance: Four mana is reasonable for this. My only gripe is the alternate cost. I feel giving an opponent an extra turn is too big.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: It reminds me of Unsubstantiate, but it's definitely unique.
(3/3) Flavor: No problems here.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20.5/25
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: It's a Spike card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No problems here.
(2/3) Balance: The mana cost is reasonable. The alternate cost is a little low. I think it should be two Islands instead of one.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: It's unique enough, as far as I'm concerned.
(3/3) Flavor: The name's a little boring, but I'm okay with it.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 22/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: It would be loved by all.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: It should be rare.
(1/3) Balance: Sure, it costs four mana. I'm sure you'll get a decent return from the enchantment. There should be a mana cost included.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: So it makes any Island you control a Tolarian Academy.
(3/3) Flavor: No problems here.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good. (0/2) Main Challenge: This seems to include time travel from a flavour standpoint. It does not send a card “back in time” as it were, so I feel this does not meet the challenge.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 19/25, but since it didn't meet the challenge, it's moot.
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny sees combo potential. Spike just loves it.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: This should be black.
(0/3) Balance: So many things wrong with this card. You can play this on the first turn. Who needs mulliganing? Also, remember cascade? This would never be printed.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: So many other tutors in Magic.
(2/3) Flavor: I'm not too crazy about the name.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(1/2) Main Challenge: There is time travel, but the challenge was to send something back in time. This seems to bring something to the present. That's how I see it, anyway.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17/25
As always, I want no complaints, and I mean it. I felt that some of you did not read the challenge as intended.
Temporal Recoil 2UU
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library.
"Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon."
—Temporal Adept, first words
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: I feel like the people interested in this are Johhny’s, and that might be a stretch but it could allow for political play and short terma alliances in Commander. Don’t think Timmy is going to care. Hard casting probably to high for Spike, and he damn well doesn’t want his opponents taking extra turns on his dime. Fringe SB maybe, to disable game winning combo.
(3/3) Elegance: Simplistic and easy to comprhend.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Completely blue without exception. Could probably be rare imo, but in recent times, any card having to do with turns is mythic.
(3/3) Balance: Without the alt cost, the ability to CC ratio feels spot on. The alt cost doesn’t unbalance it whatsoever due to the intense drawback it can create.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Tucking has been around, though generally you are given a choice of top or bottom. Alt cost is completely new.
(3/3) Flavor: Very realistic name. Flavor text is great.
Revert 2U
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library.
"I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think Spike would welcome this card. It’s fairly stong and easy to splash.
(3/3) Elegance: No comprehension problems.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue card all the way, rarity is just right.
(2/3) Balance: Strong card for sure. Would perfer the hard CC at 1UU
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Comparable to Memory Lapse, Lapse of Certainty, and more recently, Unsubstantiate. “Counters” the uncounterable unlike the first two.
(3/3) Flavor: Good name, good flavor text.
Tolarian Weirding 3U
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control."
The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: This is probably going to be sought after by all three groups but Timmy less so. Oozes combo potential for Johhny, oozes power abuse potential for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Could see this being rare due to the reference of such a legendary location.
(1/3) Balance: Oh lawd the Academy. This twist on it is obviously strong, and if not dealt with quickly will probably be degenerate. Honestly I would have liked this to tap the land in question as the enchanment is being attached, since even instant speed LD isn’t going to completely stop the combo potential.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Unique and fresh while feeling familiar at the same time.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Concept and name are great, flavor text is good, but reads a bit odd towards the end.
Letter to Yourself
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
"Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike are going to go to great lengths to cheat this and reap the benefits.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue tutoring is usually more card type specific. Gifts being the exception, but the reason for that is the stipulations of Gifts itself.
(1/3) Balance: Problem here is, Cascade is a thing, other cheat methods are a thing.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Only card that remotely comes close to this would be Gifts Ungiven. A super tutor isn’t completely unique, but the mechanics on the card give it a certain peculairty.
(2/3) Flavor: Name makes sense thematically, but it’s a little weak for my taste. Same with the flavor text, but hey it rhymes well.
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Johnny-Spike, leaning heavily towards Johnny - Timmy doesn't want to give away advantages like that even for a big play, Spike is wary of the sheer nastiness of the additional cost but would probably be almost too glad this to have it for the mana cost, and Johnny is into mitigating or even punishing the alt-cost.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Alt-cost wording is slightly a mouthful, but other than that this is pretty solid.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: I'm wary about blue putting any permanent on the bottom of a library, given that's so akin to destruction; and this also probably needs an "If you control an Island..." clause. Mythic as all hell though.
(1/3) Balance: Forget the alt-cost, this is a little (or a lot) much even for its mana cost. There probably shouldn't be a way to get rid of spells AND permanents that efficiently; and bottom-of-library removal is not quite as good as exile but in most situations is even better than graveyard.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness:
(2.5/3) Flavor: Name's no great shakes, flavor text is good.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Although this wasn't always the case, quoted characters in flavor text get a proper name rather than just a title.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Fulfilled.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Looks good.
Total: 19/25
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny/Spike/Limited player. Johnny will take a free counter to prevent disruptions to his combo (and, with this particular example, to manipulate draws), Spike will take a free counter because it's a free counter, Timmy isn't so interested in a card-disadvantageous counter.
(3/3) Elegance: Snazzy!
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue is obviously the way to go; uncommon doesn't bother me.
(3/3) Balance: Free spells are always something to be wary of, but this is no Gush and definitely no Force of Will. It's a bigger, drawless Remand in normal mode and has a steep cost in both card advantage and tempo in the alt-cost mode, so nothing to be worried about in this case.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Similar alt-costs and similar counterspells alike have been seen, but nothing quite like this.
(3/3) Flavor: Utilitarian, but serves its purpose well. I like well-done one-word names.
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Hey, to whom did Time Spiral block appeal? Timmy, Johnny, and Spike all have a reason to get hype about this. As do Vorthos and Melvin. I wish I could grant more than three points here - what a home run.
(3/3) Elegance: I can hardly think of a more elegant solution to this challenge.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue is right in a TSP context, but this quantity of blue mana accel would feel at least out of place if not pie-violating today. Rare is much better than uncommon here for a lot of reasons.
(3/3) Balance: Tolarian Academy is crazy-go-nuts strong, but that's because it's a land. Four mana and being an Aura solves those issues.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: About as unique as a callback card can be. Definitely unique thinking behind this, though.
(3/3) Flavor: Another category I wish I could give extra points in. Tasty!
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Sweet.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Monoblue, no alt cost.
Total: 22/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Big Play(tm) appeal for Timmy, is the ultimate combo setup for Johnny, is a free tutor for Spike.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Slightly wordy, but by necessity.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Rare is good - this doesn't need to be mythic by any stretch of the imagination - but perhaps not being monoblue would have served this better; monoblack or blue-black feel righter with this effect despite the time travel flavor and Distant Memories is probably not the right precedent here.
(2/3) Balance: Hard to evaluate; the costs here are steep, but a double tutor may as well be the setup for opponents' scoop phases in the kind of deck this would get played in, and the discard cost can be more of an advantage when playing with madness or needing to fill the grave for any number of reasons.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Some really, really "different" stuff here - being a tutor and reusing an old mechanic are about the only non-unique things about this.
(3/3) Flavor: Probably tied for Remba's entry for best flavor.
Design
(2/3) Appeal: This is a Spike card. Johnny might add this in a deck that doesn't care about the hefty drawback.
(12/3) Elegance: This card isn't very simple.
Development
(0/3) Viability: Blue doesn't get to put permanents on the bottom of players' libraries. That kind of hard removal
(1.5/3) Balance: The alternative casting cost is very weak, but if you look at it as a narrow option that you only have to use when it comes up, the card is extremely powerful. The card is a Hinder/Vindicate hybrid, and for a four mana mono blue instant that is exceedingly powerful.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness: Can't fault you here.
(2/3) Flavor: The flavor text feels weird to me. I get the angle you were going for, but the flavor text had an odd feeling to it.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(5/5) Challenges:
Total: 17.5/25
Design
(1.5/3) Appeal: Spike with a hint of Johnny.
(3/3) Elegance: The symmetrical ability
Development
(2/3) Viability: This is blue. Rare or mythic rare would have been more fitting for this effect.
(1/3) Balance: I would have made this card put two islands on top of your library. Yes, the drawback is large as-is, but the current power level is through the roof.
Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness: A natural evolution of Daze.
(3/3) Flavor: The name, flavor text, and card mechanics all work together seamlessly. Well done.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(5/5) Challenges:
Total: 19.5/25
Design
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny wants to go infinite with this. Timmy would love to tap this for seven mana and cast something huge. Spike isn't a fan of how inefficient this card is.
(3/3) Elegance: Clean and crisp.
Development
(3/3) Viability: Blue can sometimes get mana ramp these days if it's related to artifacts or colorless cards.
(2.5/3) Balance: This is clearly a constructed-only card, and an extreme build-around one at that. This card has a lot of potential to be very broken in the right set Having an uncommon that's completely useless in draft penalizes your score.
Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness: As alluded to, Tolarian Academy in aura form.
(3/3) Flavor: The flavor text helps tie the package together. It's not quite there, but you did a good enough job that I feel comfortable giving you full credit here.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(2/5) Challenges: I can't say that your card passed the main challenge. I get the angle you were going for, but mechanically your card does not represent the spirit of the challenge, and even thematically it's a stretch to say that you're sending the island back in time, rather than swapping it with something else. No alternate casting cost.
Total: 19.5/25
Design
(3/3) Appeal: Johnny wants to circumvent the downside of the alternative casting cost. Spike thinks that a double demonic tutor is worth the wait. Timmy loves finding two powerful things.
(1.5/3) Elegance: The card is hard to read at a glance.
Development
(1.5/3) Viability: Blue occasionally gets tutoring, and in a Time Spiral block it could easily fit in. My problem is that there is no color requirement for the alternative casting cost. Requiring some of the discarded cards to be blue or otherwise instilling a color requirement would have worked, but as-is your mono green deck can pitch three cards to this and tutor, which is a breach of color pie.
(2/3) Balance: A double tutor is extremely powerful, but for four mana and two turns I think it's relatively fairly costed. It's still very powerful though, and the alternate cost has the potential to be outright broken.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness: Was there any score other than full marks for your card in this category?
(1.5/3) Flavor: I get the angle you were going for with the flavor text, but it doesn't really work with the card. The card mechanics somewhat mesh with the name, but I would have chosen a different name and gone with flavor text that was more descriptive.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality: There's only one precedent for the wording of your alternate cost, and that is Thick-Skinned Goblin, which says that you have the correct wording for the ability. Still, the suspend cost should come before the alternate suspend cost.
(5/5) Challenges:
Teferi collapsed, having defeated the ancient monster. He was not a slight man, yet even lifting a limb felt like an arduous task. In spite of his weakened state, he felt Vraska's approach long before he saw her.
"So you've come to finish your job. Do it, then."
Vraska's eyes narrowed. A small smile touched her face, then she threw her head back, cackling.
"I cannot kill you yet. Death would preclude you from serving your purpose. But that comes later. Much later, from your perspective."
Teferi was taken aback. Vraska was an assassin, not a schemer. Someone had assigned her to perform a task. But to what end? Who could possibly be plotting something so grandoise that it involved eliminating planeswalkers...
"Bolas." Teferi stated, eyes wide. Vraska smiled to herself. Nothing escaped the temporal mage. It had been a long time since she encountered someone who could make her feel so conspicuous. If only Vraska's respect could save Teferi from the fate that was ordained for him.
"Sleep. You will have plenty of time to ponder the workings on the universe until your final act" she hissed. She cast a spell at him. Granite once again radiated out from her, entombing all matter it came in contact with. Teferi barely had time to react, especially in his weakened state. A moment passed, and it was upon him, a moment away from entombing him indefinitely.
Main Challenge: Design a card that thematically represents sending another card back in time. Teferi's spark activated, and instinctive magic not under his control sprang to life to defend him. It protected him, but at a great cost; he was hurled back into a time rift, saving him from one dilemma and granting him another.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has a color identity of Blue and no other colors. The magic belonging to him was comprised of his very essence; it was purely Blue.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has one of the following:
—A lack of a casting cost
—An activated ability or an alternate casting cost that cannot be paid with mana
Teferi's body was almost depleted of mana; the spell drew its power from another source entirely.
Please message me about any questions you might have about the challenges. Other than that, have fun, and good luck!
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by January 6th 23:59 EST
Judging Deadline: All Judgements are to be final and completed by January 9th 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.
admirableadmiral
void_nothing
Pseudofate
Moss_Elemental
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards:
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library.
"Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon."
—Temporal Adept, first words
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library.
"I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control."
The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
"Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
(1/3) Appeal: It's a Spike card.
(2/3) Elegance: The alternate cost is a little confusing.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: I can see this as just rare.
(2.5/3) Balance: Four mana is reasonable for this. My only gripe is the alternate cost. I feel giving an opponent an extra turn is too big.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: It reminds me of Unsubstantiate, but it's definitely unique.
(3/3) Flavor: No problems here.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 20.5/25
(1/3) Appeal: It's a Spike card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No problems here.
(2/3) Balance: The mana cost is reasonable. The alternate cost is a little low. I think it should be two Islands instead of one.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: It's unique enough, as far as I'm concerned.
(3/3) Flavor: The name's a little boring, but I'm okay with it.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 22/25
(3/3) Appeal: It would be loved by all.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: It should be rare.
(1/3) Balance: Sure, it costs four mana. I'm sure you'll get a decent return from the enchantment. There should be a mana cost included.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: So it makes any Island you control a Tolarian Academy.
(3/3) Flavor: No problems here.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(0/2) Main Challenge: This seems to include time travel from a flavour standpoint. It does not send a card “back in time” as it were, so I feel this does not meet the challenge.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 19/25, but since it didn't meet the challenge, it's moot.
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny sees combo potential. Spike just loves it.
(3/3) Elegance: No problems here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: This should be black.
(0/3) Balance: So many things wrong with this card. You can play this on the first turn. Who needs mulliganing? Also, remember cascade? This would never be printed.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: So many other tutors in Magic.
(2/3) Flavor: I'm not too crazy about the name.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(1/2) Main Challenge: There is time travel, but the challenge was to send something back in time. This seems to bring something to the present. That's how I see it, anyway.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 17/25
As always, I want no complaints, and I mean it. I felt that some of you did not read the challenge as intended.
Instant (M)
If it's an opponent's turn, you may have that player take an extra turn after this one rather than pay Temporal Recoil's mana cost.
Put target spell or permanent on the bottom of its owner's library.
"Five seconds ago, I will experience a peculiar temporal phenomenon."
—Temporal Adept, first words
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: I feel like the people interested in this are Johhny’s, and that might be a stretch but it could allow for political play and short terma alliances in Commander. Don’t think Timmy is going to care. Hard casting probably to high for Spike, and he damn well doesn’t want his opponents taking extra turns on his dime. Fringe SB maybe, to disable game winning combo.
(3/3) Elegance: Simplistic and easy to comprhend.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Completely blue without exception. Could probably be rare imo, but in recent times, any card having to do with turns is mythic.
(3/3) Balance: Without the alt cost, the ability to CC ratio feels spot on. The alt cost doesn’t unbalance it whatsoever due to the intense drawback it can create.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Tucking has been around, though generally you are given a choice of top or bottom. Alt cost is completely new.
(3/3) Flavor: Very realistic name. Flavor text is great.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Satisfied
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21.5/25
Instant (U)
You may put an Island you control on top of its owner's library rather than pay Revert's mana cost.
Put target spell on top of its owner's library.
"I would give anything to return to a simpler time. A time before the onset of this seemingly endless conflict."
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: I think Spike would welcome this card. It’s fairly stong and easy to splash.
(3/3) Elegance: No comprehension problems.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue card all the way, rarity is just right.
(2/3) Balance: Strong card for sure. Would perfer the hard CC at 1UU
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: Comparable to Memory Lapse, Lapse of Certainty, and more recently, Unsubstantiate. “Counters” the uncounterable unlike the first two.
(3/3) Flavor: Good name, good flavor text.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 20/25
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Island
Enchanted Island has " : Add U to your mana pool for each artifact you control."
The time magic that was once abundant at the Tolarian Academy still flows through its ruins. Miles of ocean are randomly thrown back to the height of the Academy's glory, only to reappear in the present day hours later.
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: This is probably going to be sought after by all three groups but Timmy less so. Oozes combo potential for Johhny, oozes power abuse potential for Spike.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues here.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Could see this being rare due to the reference of such a legendary location.
(1/3) Balance: Oh lawd the Academy. This twist on it is obviously strong, and if not dealt with quickly will probably be degenerate. Honestly I would have liked this to tap the land in question as the enchanment is being attached, since even instant speed LD isn’t going to completely stop the combo potential.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Unique and fresh while feeling familiar at the same time.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Concept and name are great, flavor text is good, but reads a bit odd towards the end.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 21/25
(Color Indicator - Blue)
Sorcery (R)
You may discard three cards rather than pay Letter to Yourself's suspend cost.
Suspend 2—2UU.
Search your library for up to two cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
"Had I known where I would fall I wouldn't have come to that place at all."
Design -
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny and Spike are going to go to great lengths to cheat this and reap the benefits.
(3/3) Elegance: No issues.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue tutoring is usually more card type specific. Gifts being the exception, but the reason for that is the stipulations of Gifts itself.
(1/3) Balance: Problem here is, Cascade is a thing, other cheat methods are a thing.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Only card that remotely comes close to this would be Gifts Ungiven. A super tutor isn’t completely unique, but the mechanics on the card give it a certain peculairty.
(2/3) Flavor: Name makes sense thematically, but it’s a little weak for my taste. Same with the flavor text, but hey it rhymes well.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: No issues.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Challenge satisfied.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Subchallenges met.
Total: 19/25
How you should approach every game of Magic.
Mod Helpdesk (defunct)
My Flawless Score MCC Card | My Other One | # Three!
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Johnny-Spike, leaning heavily towards Johnny - Timmy doesn't want to give away advantages like that even for a big play, Spike is wary of the sheer nastiness of the additional cost but would probably be almost too glad this to have it for the mana cost, and Johnny is into mitigating or even punishing the alt-cost.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Alt-cost wording is slightly a mouthful, but other than that this is pretty solid.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: I'm wary about blue putting any permanent on the bottom of a library, given that's so akin to destruction; and this also probably needs an "If you control an Island..." clause. Mythic as all hell though.
(1/3) Balance: Forget the alt-cost, this is a little (or a lot) much even for its mana cost. There probably shouldn't be a way to get rid of spells AND permanents that efficiently; and bottom-of-library removal is not quite as good as exile but in most situations is even better than graveyard.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness:
(2.5/3) Flavor: Name's no great shakes, flavor text is good.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Although this wasn't always the case, quoted characters in flavor text get a proper name rather than just a title.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Fulfilled.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Looks good.
Total: 19/25
Design -
(2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny/Spike/Limited player. Johnny will take a free counter to prevent disruptions to his combo (and, with this particular example, to manipulate draws), Spike will take a free counter because it's a free counter, Timmy isn't so interested in a card-disadvantageous counter.
(3/3) Elegance: Snazzy!
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Blue is obviously the way to go; uncommon doesn't bother me.
(3/3) Balance: Free spells are always something to be wary of, but this is no Gush and definitely no Force of Will. It's a bigger, drawless Remand in normal mode and has a steep cost in both card advantage and tempo in the alt-cost mode, so nothing to be worried about in this case.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Similar alt-costs and similar counterspells alike have been seen, but nothing quite like this.
(3/3) Flavor: Utilitarian, but serves its purpose well. I like well-done one-word names.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Good.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges: ...and done.
Total: 24/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Hey, to whom did Time Spiral block appeal? Timmy, Johnny, and Spike all have a reason to get hype about this. As do Vorthos and Melvin. I wish I could grant more than three points here - what a home run.
(3/3) Elegance: I can hardly think of a more elegant solution to this challenge.
Development -
(2/3) Viability: Blue is right in a TSP context, but this quantity of blue mana accel would feel at least out of place if not pie-violating today. Rare is much better than uncommon here for a lot of reasons.
(3/3) Balance: Tolarian Academy is crazy-go-nuts strong, but that's because it's a land. Four mana and being an Aura solves those issues.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: About as unique as a callback card can be. Definitely unique thinking behind this, though.
(3/3) Flavor: Another category I wish I could give extra points in. Tasty!
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Sweet.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Monoblue, no alt cost.
Total: 22/25
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Big Play(tm) appeal for Timmy, is the ultimate combo setup for Johnny, is a free tutor for Spike.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Slightly wordy, but by necessity.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Rare is good - this doesn't need to be mythic by any stretch of the imagination - but perhaps not being monoblue would have served this better; monoblack or blue-black feel righter with this effect despite the time travel flavor and Distant Memories is probably not the right precedent here.
(2/3) Balance: Hard to evaluate; the costs here are steep, but a double tutor may as well be the setup for opponents' scoop phases in the kind of deck this would get played in, and the discard cost can be more of an advantage when playing with madness or needing to fill the grave for any number of reasons.
Creativity -
(3/3) Uniqueness: Some really, really "different" stuff here - being a tutor and reusing an old mechanic are about the only non-unique things about this.
(3/3) Flavor: Probably tied for Remba's entry for best flavor.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Met.
(2/2) Subchallenges: And met.
Total: 23/25
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
(2/3) Appeal: This is a Spike card. Johnny might add this in a deck that doesn't care about the hefty drawback.
(12/3) Elegance: This card isn't very simple.
Development
(0/3) Viability: Blue doesn't get to put permanents on the bottom of players' libraries. That kind of hard removal
(1.5/3) Balance: The alternative casting cost is very weak, but if you look at it as a narrow option that you only have to use when it comes up, the card is extremely powerful. The card is a Hinder/Vindicate hybrid, and for a four mana mono blue instant that is exceedingly powerful.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness: Can't fault you here.
(2/3) Flavor: The flavor text feels weird to me. I get the angle you were going for, but the flavor text had an odd feeling to it.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(5/5) Challenges:
Total: 17.5/25
(1.5/3) Appeal: Spike with a hint of Johnny.
(3/3) Elegance: The symmetrical ability
Development
(2/3) Viability: This is blue. Rare or mythic rare would have been more fitting for this effect.
(1/3) Balance: I would have made this card put two islands on top of your library. Yes, the drawback is large as-is, but the current power level is through the roof.
Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness: A natural evolution of Daze.
(3/3) Flavor: The name, flavor text, and card mechanics all work together seamlessly. Well done.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(5/5) Challenges:
Total: 19.5/25
(2/3) Appeal: Johnny wants to go infinite with this. Timmy would love to tap this for seven mana and cast something huge. Spike isn't a fan of how inefficient this card is.
(3/3) Elegance: Clean and crisp.
Development
(3/3) Viability: Blue can sometimes get mana ramp these days if it's related to artifacts or colorless cards.
(2.5/3) Balance: This is clearly a constructed-only card, and an extreme build-around one at that. This card has a lot of potential to be very broken in the right set Having an uncommon that's completely useless in draft penalizes your score.
Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness: As alluded to, Tolarian Academy in aura form.
(3/3) Flavor: The flavor text helps tie the package together. It's not quite there, but you did a good enough job that I feel comfortable giving you full credit here.
Polish
(3/3) Quality:
(2/5) Challenges: I can't say that your card passed the main challenge. I get the angle you were going for, but mechanically your card does not represent the spirit of the challenge, and even thematically it's a stretch to say that you're sending the island back in time, rather than swapping it with something else. No alternate casting cost.
Total: 19.5/25
(3/3) Appeal: Johnny wants to circumvent the downside of the alternative casting cost. Spike thinks that a double demonic tutor is worth the wait. Timmy loves finding two powerful things.
(1.5/3) Elegance: The card is hard to read at a glance.
Development
(1.5/3) Viability: Blue occasionally gets tutoring, and in a Time Spiral block it could easily fit in. My problem is that there is no color requirement for the alternative casting cost. Requiring some of the discarded cards to be blue or otherwise instilling a color requirement would have worked, but as-is your mono green deck can pitch three cards to this and tutor, which is a breach of color pie.
(2/3) Balance: A double tutor is extremely powerful, but for four mana and two turns I think it's relatively fairly costed. It's still very powerful though, and the alternate cost has the potential to be outright broken.
Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness: Was there any score other than full marks for your card in this category?
(1.5/3) Flavor: I get the angle you were going for with the flavor text, but it doesn't really work with the card. The card mechanics somewhat mesh with the name, but I would have chosen a different name and gone with flavor text that was more descriptive.
Polish
(2.5/3) Quality: There's only one precedent for the wording of your alternate cost, and that is Thick-Skinned Goblin, which says that you have the correct wording for the ability. Still, the suspend cost should come before the alternate suspend cost.
(5/5) Challenges:
Total: 19/25
But it's up to the admiral to determine this.