"The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long pass, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning."
Robert Jordan - The Eye of the World
As the cycles of old fades away, new cycles will take their places. For this round we will revisit the Commands cycle from Lorwyn. Or more specifically, Modal spells.
Main Challenge: Design a Monocolored modal instant or sorcery card that is not the same color as your round one card.
Subchallenge 1: Your card allows for two or more modes to be selected.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a converted manacost of 3 or less.
Please indicate the color of your round one card and include a link to it, or a quote.
An object with exactly one color is monocolored. Colorless objects aren’t monocolored.
A modal spell or ability begins with "Choose one —" (or "Choose two —", etc.) followed by multiple possible effect choices, or modes.
Choosing modes can be done in many ways, for example Entwine or just the normal "Choose x —".
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.
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.
DEADLINES
Player deadline: Sunday, April 16th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges deadline: Wednesday, April 19th 2017 23:59 EDT
Erebos’s DecreeBBB
Sorcery (R)
Choose two or more —
• Create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
• Each player sacrifices a creature.
• Return a creature card with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
• Each player loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. Erebos doesn’t need to speak to let his will be known. A stroke of his whip is enough.
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.)
Tyrannic CrescendoBB
Sorcery {R}
Escalate 1(Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• Target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
• You draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Cicario, Sparkeater2RR
Legendary Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying, haste
Whenever Cicario, Sparkeater attacks a planeswalker, it gets +4/+0 until end of turn. Pet of Bolas, bane of the Gatewatch.
4/4
Titan's Command1CC
Instant (R)
Choose 2 -
The next colorless spell you cast this turn costs 2 less to cast.
Counter target spell if it targets a colorless creature you control.
Target colorless creature you control deals damage equal to it's power to another target creature.
Create a 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature token. It has "Sacrifice this creature: Add C to your mana pool."
Tarross, the Bloodseeker5RRR
Legendary Creature — Dragon {M}
Flying
If a player's life total is less than half his or her starting life total, Tarross, the Bloodseeker costs 5 less to cast.
Whenever a player loses the game during the combat phase on your turn, untap all creatures you control. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Once Tarross scents blood, there can be only one outcome.
7/7
Parom Silverscale4UUU
Legendary Creature - Dragon Wizard (M)
Flying
At the beginning of each end step, create a legendary blue enchantment token named Seal of Naught with "Sacrifice this enchantment: Counter target spell." His knowledge is his hoard and he guards it like any other dragon would theirs.
7/7
Desperate Ambition1B
Instant (M)
Desperate Ambition can't be countered by spells or abilities.
Escalate—Draw two cards. (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
Malygos, the Aspect of Magic4UUU
Legendary Creature - Elder Dragon [Mythic rare]
Flying
You may pay 0 rather than pay the mana cost for instant or sorcery spells you cast.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may scry 2. The essence of magic incarnated.
4/4
Call in the Raid1RR
Sorcery - (rare)
Escalate 1R (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more—
Create three 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens.
Reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of Goblins you control. You may put a Goblin creature card among them onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Target Goblin you control gets +1/+0 for each other Goblin you control and gains menace until end of turn.
Haganam, Scourge of the Old4RRR
Legendary Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying, Haste
Whenever Haganam, Scourge of the Old attacks, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, untap Haganam and after this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase.
4/7
Stance of Guile1U
Instant (R)
Choose one —
• Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
• Return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less.
• Draw a card, then discard a card.
If you have four or more cards in your hand, you may choose two modes instead.
note: followed Entwine for templating of having option to choose further modes.
Rayel, the Mirror Sheen6UU
Legendary Creature - Dragon (M)
Flying
When Rayel, the Mirror Sheen enters the battlefield, for each other creature, create a token that's a copy of that creature with base power and toughness 1/1. Objects in mirror may be larger than they appear.
6/6
Othebbzia's Command1W
Instant (R)
Choose two —
• Exile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
• Exile target creature you don't control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
• Until end of turn, whenever a creature enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white bird creature token with flying.
• Until end of turn, whenever a creature leaves the battlefield, create a 1/1 white bird creature token with flying.
Shardax, Tyrant of Madness5RRR
Legendary Creature -- Dragon (M)
Flying, haste
At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose any number of target creatures with total power 6 or less. Gain control of those creatures until end of turn. Untap those creatures. They gain haste until end of turn. "There is no alliance that I cannot break."
6/6
So red isn't allowed.
Abundant Command1GG
Instant (R)
Choose two:
Reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, you may put it onto the battlefield.
Destroy target enchantment.
Creatures you control gain trample and hexproof until end of turn.
Put target card from a graveyard on top of its owner's library.
Until end of turn, whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may have it fight target creature you don't control.
Create a 1/1 green Snake creature token with deathtouch.
Entwine—2G, Put two -1/-1 counters on a creature you control. (Do both if you paid the entwine cost.) The Trial of Strength houses all sorts of deadly creatures.
Solan, Eternal Light8WW
Legendary Creature - Dragon God (MR)
Indestructible, flying
Whenever a dragon you control attacks, you may exile target non-Dragon creature until Solan, Eternal Light leaves the battlefield. Solan is the Heart of Dragons, her light expelling lesser creatures from the presence of the worthy.
7/7
Mandate of Darkness3BBB
Sorcery (MR)
Choose X, where X is your devotion to black. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• Put the top two cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Gain one life for each creature card put into a graveyard this way.
• Sacrifice a creature. if you do, target player loses two life.
Erebos’s DecreeBBB
Sorcery (R)
Choose two or more —
- Create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
- Each player sacrifices a creature.
- Return a creature card with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
- Each player loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. Erebos doesn’t need to speak to let his will be known. A stroke of his whip is enough.
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: It is lacking the wow factor for Timmy. Spike loves the versatility and value. Johnny can pull something awesome here.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything fits well here. I like the heavy black cost combined with the devotion to black.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: The effects are pretty black and this can fit as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: Even at 3 black, I feel this card is a bit to powerful for allowing all four effects. I think it would have been better to allow for 3 of the 4 options instead.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: The effects as a whole feels kinda unique in the sense that some of the effects from the modes are a new take on the old effects, like the Gray Merchant of Asphodel effect and also a nice Death Cloud
(3/3) Flavor: The flavor text I really like, and all the effects fits well into the theme of what Erebos would do in his decree.
Polish - 6
(2/3) Quality: It should be "Return target creature card with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield."
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and Met
Risky Bargains XR
Sorcery (R)
Choose two or more -
Deadly Deals deals X damage to target creature and X damage to you.
Draw X cards, then discard X cards at random.
Target creature you control and target creature you don't control each get +X/+0 until end of turn.
Destroy X target artifacts, then sacrifice X lands.
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy does not like the drawbacks, Johnny can try and negate the drawbacks in some way. Spike likes the versatility the card has.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense here to me.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: This feels red and I think it can pass as a rare.
(3/3) Balance: The card balances it self out with the drawbacks.
Creativity - 4
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a pretty unique mixture of effects.
(1/3) Flavor: I love the theme of the card with advantage and then disadvantage. Could have used some flavor text tho. The part where you give the two creatures +X feels like it should be that the creature you don't controls owner should decide, since targeting a tapped creature takes away from the advantage/disadvantage theme.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and met.
Haganam, Scourge of the Old4RRR
Legendary Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying, Haste
Whenever Haganam, Scourge of the Old attacks, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, untap Haganam and after this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase.
4/7
Stance of Guile1U
Instant (R)
Choose one —
- Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
- Return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less.
- Draw a card, then discard a card.
If you have four or more cards in your hand, you may choose two modes instead.
note: followed Entwine for templating of having option to choose further modes.
Design - 3
(1/3) Appeal: I don't see Spike, Johnny or Timmy using this card. I think that Spike might, in a rare case, use this for the versatility it brings.
(3/3) Elegance: I will assume here that the creature is returned to it's owners hand. So then it all makes sense to me.
Development - 4
(2/3) Viability: This fits blue, but I see no way where this can qualify as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: I feel that this card lacks power as a rare, and even as an uncommon it can easily just cost one blue for the effects that it brings to the table.
Creativity - 4
(2/3) Uniqueness: The effects are pretty generic. I do like the way that the extra option is selected tho.
(1/3) Flavor: I would have liked it more if the effects all complemented each other. Each one feels like just being on there, with no link to each other really. This could also have used some flavor text.
Polish - 6
(2/3) Quality: I am sure you meant it to be "Return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less to it's owners hand." Regarding the formatting, I think it should have been just "If you have four or more cards in your hand, you may choose two effects instead. But this is a new way of using it, so lets say that way is the way to go.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and met.
Solan, Eternal Light8WW
Legendary Creature - Dragon God (MR)
Indestructible, flying
Whenever a dragon you control attacks, you may exile target non-Dragon creature until Solan, Eternal Light leaves the battlefield. Solan is the Heart of Dragons, her light expelling lesser creatures from the presence of the worthy.
7/7
Mandate of Darkness3BBB
Sorcery (MR)
Choose X, where X is your devotion to black. You may choose the same mode more than once.
- Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
- Put the top two cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Gain one life for each creature card put into a graveyard this way.
- Sacrifice a creature. if you do, target player loses two life.
Design - 4
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the massive effect that the card has. Johnny can make something work here. It is a bit to expensive for spike, he would want to play this in a deck where he would not be restricted to just black.
(2/3) Elegance: The choosing part is a bit cluttered. See quality.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine for this card given it's approach for an "interesting" effect. Black fits the effects well, if it was not for the fact that you could target the players library, that effect would not have fit black.
(3/3) Balance: I think the cost balances this card out pretty well.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a pretty unique way of using the choices for a modal spell. The effects arn't that generic either.
(2/3) Flavor: Could have used some flavor text to better bind the card.
Polish - 5
(2/3) Quality: The way modal cards are templated is [Choose X] - [Modes]. So then at the Choose clause it should be "Choose X, where X is your devotion to black. -" Then have the "You may choose the same mode more than once." come after the modes in a separate line, or at the start before the choose clause. This will also make it read better.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has a cmc higher than 3.
Vaz'Naar, Death Overseer5BBB
Legendary Creature — Zombie Dragon (M)
Vaz'Naar, Death Overseer costs 1 less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Flying
Other creatures you control have: "T, Sacrifice this creature: Return target creature with lesser converted mana cost from your graveyard to the battlefield." The one who defied reincarnation became its ruler.
5/5
Part of a cycle of commands that give you one more option when you obtain the attack-or-block condition for the respective God.
Hazoret's CommandRRR
Sorcery (R)
Choose two. If you have one or fewer cards in hand, you may choose three instead.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to target player.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to target creature.
Hazoret's Command deals 3 damage to each creature.
Create three 1/1 red Warrior creature tokens with haste. Exile those tokens at the beginning of the next end step.
Parom Silverscale4UUU
Legendary Creature - Dragon Wizard (M)
Flying
At the beginning of each end step, create a legendary blue enchantment token named Seal of Naught with "Sacrifice this enchantment: Counter target spell." His knowledge is his hoard and he guards it like any other dragon would theirs.
7/7
Desperate Ambition1B
Instant (M)
Desperate Ambition can't be countered by spells or abilities.
Escalate—Draw two cards. (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
Shardax, Tyrant of Madness5RRR
Legendary Creature -- Dragon (M)
Flying, haste
At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose any number of target creatures with total power 6 or less. Gain control of those creatures until end of turn. Untap those creatures. They gain haste until end of turn. "There is no alliance that I cannot break."
6/6
So red isn't allowed.
Abundant Command1GG
Instant (R)
Choose two:
Reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, you may put it onto the battlefield.
Destroy target enchantment.
Creatures you control gain trample and hexproof until end of turn.
Put target card from a graveyard on top of its owner's library.
DESIGN
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy sees plenty of potential here. Its big and splashy and promises FIRE, FIRE EVERYWHERE! AHAHAHAHAH! Ahem. Johnny has less interest in this card, because while it is big, nothing jumps out as "exploitable". The concept not the mechanic mind you. As this is a very versatile and efficient card, Aggro Spikes can easily sign off on it as a finisher.
ELEGANCE (3/3) Pretty straight forward, pick 2 for standard applications, and 3 for topdecking.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (3/3) What does this card do? BURN. And also temp small dudes. Perfectly in line with red's slice and rarity appropriate.
BALANCE (2.5/3) This is a trickier bit. Triple red is a stiff price, but even then I have my reservations compared to Anger of the Gods and its kin. The raw options this card provides at cmc 3 is astounding, but I think I can see this being printed... maybe.
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) The same facts that make this well suited to red also make it a touch... boring. Red burns and rushes. Nothing really new here.
FLAVOR (3/3) Certainly fits Hazoret's M.O., the flavor text is supportive to the over concept, and zealots rushing ot there death's is spot on for Amonkhet.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
FINAL SCORE: 22.5
DESIGN
APPEAL (2.5/3) Even though this is built to avoid abuse, there are still some loopholes to be found. Johnny approves. Its brutal efficiency earn Spike's point. Buuut while technically proficient, it doesn't shout "BIG" to me. Card advantage is all well and good, but Timmy wants things on the board.
ELEGANCE (1.5/3) HOO BOY. I see what you're aiming for with this card, a versatile payment system that mixes all the things that black likes to pitch for cards, and I can't think of a better way to word this concept. That being said, this card is a mind bender, and would require a 2nd and 3rd read for most players to get. The fact that you HAVE to escalate this spell for it to do anything consumes a lot of complexity points.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (2.5/3) Breaking your own things to draw cards, it a o.k. for black. The fact that is says "destroy" over sacrifice is odd, and opens some ways around the downside that I think should be intrinsic to this kind of card.
BALANCE (1.5/3) EHH. The whole destroy clause of this card worries me greatly, that and the fact that the losses you would suffer can be bounced, protected, blinked, or just granted indestructible, makes me have to clip some points. Plus a potential 4 cards for 2 cards in board state and 2 life off just ONE colored mana at INSTANT seems extreme to me. If this were double black I would be more lenient.
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (3/3) This is an oddball idea about black's bartering system and I like it. Even if it doesn't do anything new, it does it in a novel way. Full score!
FLAVOR (2/3) Desperate Ambition is kind of a generic black spell name. But what this card does doesn't really need a lot of frills or explanation.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both Met.
FINAL SCORE: 20
DESIGN
APPEAL (1.5/3) This card does a little bit of everything, but none of its well. A resounding "meh" echoes from the trio.
ELEGANCE (3/3) That being said, this card lends itself to easy comprehension.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (3/3) All abilities here are well within color, and rarity.
BALANCE (2/3) Its understandable to shy away from pushing a card to far in the power department. Underpowered cards, while boring, don't warp environments half as much as busted ones do. Still this card feels rather blasé. Would it be so bad for the first ability to allow the player to draw the card if it was a nonland? Or to swap the position of the first and fourth mode to allow one to put a land from their graveyard to the battlefield?
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) As mentioned above the lukewarm modes of this card don't really explore new ground or use green's old tricks in new ways. The limited synergy of them don't help either.
FLAVOR (1.5/3) Much like the rest of the card. What's here is bland. "Abundant" is a rather generic word to strap to a green card, and even then it calls to mind, growth, and expansive fields. That doesn't really come through with the actual card.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
FINAL SCORE: 19.5
STONER OF KRUPHIX: 22.5
VERTAIN: 20
GROOVELORD: 19.5
The next colorless spell you cast this turn costs 2 less to cast.
Counter target spell if it targets a colorless creature you control.
Target colorless creature you control deals damage equal to it's power to another target creature.
Create a 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature token. It has "Sacrifice this creature: Add C to your mana pool."
DESIGN
(1/3) Appeal: Tammy likes the quick progression into larger creatures, but quickly realizes that this doesn't actually accelerate you one bit in mana.
Spike would rarely care about this, even in Eldrazi Tron. Johnny likes the synergy and potential protection it affords to a colorless combo, but it's still a rare sight.
(3/3) Elegance: If I was to make any notions here, I would say that you could arguably make the card a bit more complex, to fall in line with the other commands, but overall it still does work well in terms of complexity.
DEVELOP
(3/3) Viability: Rare is the spot for most commands, and all of these make sense for colorless and rare.
(1/3) Balance: There are two main problems with this card. First, though, we need to look at modal spells. Modal spells usually cost about as much as the most expensive mode(s). In Cryptic Command, countering a spell costs 2-3 mana, and bouncing a permanent costs 1-2 mana. Usually, that will cost a total of 4. However, a considerably worse Gruesome Slaughter (which is already overcosted) and everything else costs about 1. So, this is often just bad, especially since you will always, at best, come out with parity in mana if you choose either of the mana based modes.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: The card seems just like a bigger version of Warping Wail, with a few slight changes.
(1/3) Flavor: I dinged you on effort and uniqueness here, both for a full point. I feel that the flavor wasn't really taken into account much here, and was just half assed. This also just feels a lot like Titan's Presence and the commands, especially when it comes to a flavor perspective.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: "Choose 2" Should be "Choose two" (-.5) and "it's" should be "its" (-.5).
(0/2) Main Challenge: Sorry, but colorless is not a color, and thus I sadly have to DQ you for it.
(2/2) Sub: Done and Done.
Total: 15/25* - DQ'd.
Call in the Raid1RR
Sorcery - (rare)
Escalate 1R (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more—
Create three 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens.
Reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of Goblins you control. You may put a Goblin creature card among them onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Target Goblin you control gets +1/+0 for each other Goblin you control and gains menace until end of turn.
DESIGN
(1.5/3) Appeal: Out of any group, Johnny is the most likely to like tribal cards due to the immense synergy and such, and Spike might enjoy this if Goblins was a competitive deck anywhere.
(3/3) Elegance: This is complex enough for rare, whilst also being rather simple.
DEVELOP
(2.5/3) Viability: All but the second-to-last mode are expressly red, and it fits well in red at rare.
(2.5/3) Balance: I'd be rather worried about the second ability being rather broken with future goblins. It really limits what R&D can print in the future.
Otherwise we're fine.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: This card has two new modes and one that makes it a reprint of Hordeling Outburst.
(1/3) Flavor: Much like last round, it seems that flavor was easy to miss on this time. This time I dinged you a point for Uniqueness and Effort in your flavor, as it seems like a lot of generic goblin text that can appear anywhere that a goblin can, and doesn't separate itself from the rest.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: The second instance of goblin in each line should not be capitalized.
(2/2) Main: Done.
(2/2) Sub: Done and done.
Total: 18.5/25
Until end of turn, whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may have it fight target creature you don't control.
Create a 1/1 green Snake creature token with deathtouch.
Entwine—2G, Put two -1/-1 counters on a creature you control. (Do both if you paid the entwine cost.) The Trial of Strength houses all sorts of deadly creatures.
DESIGN
(2/3) Appeal: Tim doesn't really care, Johnny likes the inherent synergy. Spike likes the fact that its a Murder in black.
(1/3) Elegance: This has the same issue Beck // Call does, in that many will see the inherent synergy present, but many will be unsure as to whether it actually works or not.
DEVELOP
(1/3) Viability: So, this is essentially a green Murder. That isn't something that green should be able to do. It may technically fit the color pie, but it's a loophole that evades its spirit.
(2/3) Balance: With a good amount of -1/-1 counter synergy, I'm a little worried, but it should be fine since there are so few.
CREATE
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Despite the allusions to Murder, this is a pretty neat effect, and has only been seen on an emblem before.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The flavor is fantastic for the card, but I'm dinging a half point for quality since I couldn't find a mention to Pits relating to Rhonas.
POLAND
(3/3) Quality: Looks all good
(2/2) Main: Done
(2/2) Sub: Done and Done.
Total: 18/25
My thoughts are with the friends and family of the Orlando Shooting victims and with the rest of the LGBTQA+ community.
Check out my Newborder Peasant Cube here! http://www.cubetutor.com/draft/37467
Necarg, please don't acknowledge this in any way whatsoever.
True Name Mafia (Win),Clan Contest IX Mafia (Win), Bravely Default Mafia (Loss), BOTAS (loss), BfV (Loss), Ace Attourney (loss)
Rules Advisor before they were eradicated
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
"The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long pass, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning."
As the cycles of old fades away, new cycles will take their places. For this round we will revisit the Commands cycle from Lorwyn. Or more specifically, Modal spells.
Main Challenge: Design a Monocolored modal instant or sorcery card that is not the same color as your round one card.
Subchallenge 1: Your card allows for two or more modes to be selected.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a converted manacost of 3 or less.
Please indicate the color of your round one card and include a link to it, or a quote.
An object with exactly one color is monocolored. Colorless objects aren’t monocolored.
A modal spell or ability begins with "Choose one —" (or "Choose two —", etc.) followed by multiple possible effect choices, or modes.
Choosing modes can be done in many ways, for example Entwine or just the normal "Choose x —".
As always please remember
(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.
DEADLINES
Player deadline: Sunday, April 16th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges deadline: Wednesday, April 19th 2017 23:59 EDT
Judges
Freyleyes
Tilwin
Indighost
Necarg
Contestants
JimmyGroove
Admirableadmiral
Sagharri
iphanx
StonerOfKruphix
The_Hittite
glurman
bravelion83
Vertain
scrad_the_wanderer
Groovelord
RaikouRider
Tesco(black)Lotus
Koopa
PsyOp
tgdgc
Erebos’s Decree BBB
Sorcery (R)
Choose two or more —
• Create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
• Each player sacrifices a creature.
• Return a creature card with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
• Each player loses X life, where X is your devotion to black.
Erebos doesn’t need to speak to let his will be known. A stroke of his whip is enough.
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.)
Tyrannic Crescendo BB
Sorcery {R}
Escalate 1 (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• Target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
• You draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Cicario, Sparkeater 2RR
Legendary Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying, haste
Whenever Cicario, Sparkeater attacks a planeswalker, it gets +4/+0 until end of turn.
Pet of Bolas, bane of the Gatewatch.
4/4
Titan's Command 1CC
Instant (R)
Choose 2 -
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Instant {R}
Choose one —
Instant (M)
Desperate Ambition can't be countered by spells or abilities.
Escalate—Draw two cards. (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
Call in the Raid 1RR
Sorcery - (rare)
Escalate 1R (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more—
Stance of Guile 1U
Instant (R)
Choose one —
• Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
• Return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less.
• Draw a card, then discard a card.
If you have four or more cards in your hand, you may choose two modes instead.
note: followed Entwine for templating of having option to choose further modes.
Othebbzia's Command 1W
Instant (R)
Choose two —
• Exile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
• Exile target creature you don't control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
• Until end of turn, whenever a creature enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white bird creature token with flying.
• Until end of turn, whenever a creature leaves the battlefield, create a 1/1 white bird creature token with flying.
So red isn't allowed.
Abundant Command 1GG
Instant (R)
Choose two:
Mandate of the Pits G
Sorcery [U]
Choose one —
The Trial of Strength houses all sorts of deadly creatures.
Legendary Creature - Dragon God (MR)
Indestructible, flying
Whenever a dragon you control attacks, you may exile target non-Dragon creature until Solan, Eternal Light leaves the battlefield.
Solan is the Heart of Dragons, her light expelling lesser creatures from the presence of the worthy.
7/7
Mandate of Darkness 3BBB
Sorcery (MR)
Choose X, where X is your devotion to black. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• Put the top two cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Gain one life for each creature card put into a graveyard this way.
• Sacrifice a creature. if you do, target player loses two life.
Freyleyes
bravelion83
Sagharri
iphanx
Jimmy Groove
Tilwin
RaikouRider
The_Hittite
glurman
PsyOp
Indighost
StonerOfKruphix
Vertain
Groovelord
Necarg
Koopa
Tesco(black)lotus
admirableadmiral
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: It is lacking the wow factor for Timmy. Spike loves the versatility and value. Johnny can pull something awesome here.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything fits well here. I like the heavy black cost combined with the devotion to black.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: The effects are pretty black and this can fit as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: Even at 3 black, I feel this card is a bit to powerful for allowing all four effects. I think it would have been better to allow for 3 of the 4 options instead.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: The effects as a whole feels kinda unique in the sense that some of the effects from the modes are a new take on the old effects, like the Gray Merchant of Asphodel effect and also a nice Death Cloud
(3/3) Flavor: The flavor text I really like, and all the effects fits well into the theme of what Erebos would do in his decree.
Polish - 6
(2/3) Quality: It should be "Return target creature card with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield."
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and Met
Total: 22/25
Design - 5
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy does not like the drawbacks, Johnny can try and negate the drawbacks in some way. Spike likes the versatility the card has.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything makes sense here to me.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: This feels red and I think it can pass as a rare.
(3/3) Balance: The card balances it self out with the drawbacks.
Creativity - 4
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a pretty unique mixture of effects.
(1/3) Flavor: I love the theme of the card with advantage and then disadvantage. Could have used some flavor text tho. The part where you give the two creatures +X feels like it should be that the creature you don't controls owner should decide, since targeting a tapped creature takes away from the advantage/disadvantage theme.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see no problems here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and met.
Total: 21/25
Design - 3
(1/3) Appeal: I don't see Spike, Johnny or Timmy using this card. I think that Spike might, in a rare case, use this for the versatility it brings.
(3/3) Elegance: I will assume here that the creature is returned to it's owners hand. So then it all makes sense to me.
Development - 4
(2/3) Viability: This fits blue, but I see no way where this can qualify as a rare.
(2/3) Balance: I feel that this card lacks power as a rare, and even as an uncommon it can easily just cost one blue for the effects that it brings to the table.
Creativity - 4
(2/3) Uniqueness: The effects are pretty generic. I do like the way that the extra option is selected tho.
(1/3) Flavor: I would have liked it more if the effects all complemented each other. Each one feels like just being on there, with no link to each other really. This could also have used some flavor text.
Polish - 6
(2/3) Quality: I am sure you meant it to be "Return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less to it's owners hand." Regarding the formatting, I think it should have been just "If you have four or more cards in your hand, you may choose two effects instead. But this is a new way of using it, so lets say that way is the way to go.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(2/2) Subchallenges: Met and met.
Total: 17/25
Design - 4
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy likes the massive effect that the card has. Johnny can make something work here. It is a bit to expensive for spike, he would want to play this in a deck where he would not be restricted to just black.
(2/3) Elegance: The choosing part is a bit cluttered. See quality.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine for this card given it's approach for an "interesting" effect. Black fits the effects well, if it was not for the fact that you could target the players library, that effect would not have fit black.
(3/3) Balance: I think the cost balances this card out pretty well.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a pretty unique way of using the choices for a modal spell. The effects arn't that generic either.
(2/3) Flavor: Could have used some flavor text to better bind the card.
Polish - 5
(2/3) Quality: The way modal cards are templated is [Choose X] - [Modes]. So then at the Choose clause it should be "Choose X, where X is your devotion to black. -" Then have the "You may choose the same mode more than once." come after the modes in a separate line, or at the start before the choose clause. This will also make it read better.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Met
(1/2) Subchallenges: Card has a cmc higher than 3.
Total: 20/25
bravelion83 - 22
Sagharri - 21
iphanx - 17
Jimmy Groove - 20
APPEAL (2.5/3) Timmy sees plenty of potential here. Its big and splashy and promises FIRE, FIRE EVERYWHERE! AHAHAHAHAH! Ahem. Johnny has less interest in this card, because while it is big, nothing jumps out as "exploitable". The concept not the mechanic mind you. As this is a very versatile and efficient card, Aggro Spikes can easily sign off on it as a finisher.
ELEGANCE (3/3) Pretty straight forward, pick 2 for standard applications, and 3 for topdecking.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (3/3) What does this card do? BURN. And also temp small dudes. Perfectly in line with red's slice and rarity appropriate.
BALANCE (2.5/3) This is a trickier bit. Triple red is a stiff price, but even then I have my reservations compared to Anger of the Gods and its kin. The raw options this card provides at cmc 3 is astounding, but I think I can see this being printed... maybe.
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) The same facts that make this well suited to red also make it a touch... boring. Red burns and rushes. Nothing really new here.
FLAVOR (3/3) Certainly fits Hazoret's M.O., the flavor text is supportive to the over concept, and zealots rushing ot there death's is spot on for Amonkhet.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
FINAL SCORE: 22.5
APPEAL (2.5/3) Even though this is built to avoid abuse, there are still some loopholes to be found. Johnny approves. Its brutal efficiency earn Spike's point. Buuut while technically proficient, it doesn't shout "BIG" to me. Card advantage is all well and good, but Timmy wants things on the board.
ELEGANCE (1.5/3) HOO BOY. I see what you're aiming for with this card, a versatile payment system that mixes all the things that black likes to pitch for cards, and I can't think of a better way to word this concept. That being said, this card is a mind bender, and would require a 2nd and 3rd read for most players to get. The fact that you HAVE to escalate this spell for it to do anything consumes a lot of complexity points.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (2.5/3) Breaking your own things to draw cards, it a o.k. for black. The fact that is says "destroy" over sacrifice is odd, and opens some ways around the downside that I think should be intrinsic to this kind of card.
BALANCE (1.5/3) EHH. The whole destroy clause of this card worries me greatly, that and the fact that the losses you would suffer can be bounced, protected, blinked, or just granted indestructible, makes me have to clip some points. Plus a potential 4 cards for 2 cards in board state and 2 life off just ONE colored mana at INSTANT seems extreme to me. If this were double black I would be more lenient.
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (3/3) This is an oddball idea about black's bartering system and I like it. Even if it doesn't do anything new, it does it in a novel way. Full score!
FLAVOR (2/3) Desperate Ambition is kind of a generic black spell name. But what this card does doesn't really need a lot of frills or explanation.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both Met.
FINAL SCORE: 20
APPEAL (1.5/3) This card does a little bit of everything, but none of its well. A resounding "meh" echoes from the trio.
ELEGANCE (3/3) That being said, this card lends itself to easy comprehension.
DEVELOPMENT
VIABILITY (3/3) All abilities here are well within color, and rarity.
BALANCE (2/3) Its understandable to shy away from pushing a card to far in the power department. Underpowered cards, while boring, don't warp environments half as much as busted ones do. Still this card feels rather blasé. Would it be so bad for the first ability to allow the player to draw the card if it was a nonland? Or to swap the position of the first and fourth mode to allow one to put a land from their graveyard to the battlefield?
CREATIVITY
UNIQUENESS (1.5/3) As mentioned above the lukewarm modes of this card don't really explore new ground or use green's old tricks in new ways. The limited synergy of them don't help either.
FLAVOR (1.5/3) Much like the rest of the card. What's here is bland. "Abundant" is a rather generic word to strap to a green card, and even then it calls to mind, growth, and expansive fields. That doesn't really come through with the actual card.
POLISH
QUALITY (3/3) No errors found.
MAIN C. (2/2) Met.
SUB C. (2/2) Both met.
FINAL SCORE: 19.5
STONER OF KRUPHIX: 22.5
VERTAIN: 20
GROOVELORD: 19.5
DESIGN
(1/3) Appeal: Tammy likes the quick progression into larger creatures, but quickly realizes that this doesn't actually accelerate you one bit in mana.
Spike would rarely care about this, even in Eldrazi Tron. Johnny likes the synergy and potential protection it affords to a colorless combo, but it's still a rare sight.
(3/3) Elegance: If I was to make any notions here, I would say that you could arguably make the card a bit more complex, to fall in line with the other commands, but overall it still does work well in terms of complexity.
DEVELOP
(3/3) Viability: Rare is the spot for most commands, and all of these make sense for colorless and rare.
(1/3) Balance: There are two main problems with this card. First, though, we need to look at modal spells. Modal spells usually cost about as much as the most expensive mode(s). In Cryptic Command, countering a spell costs 2-3 mana, and bouncing a permanent costs 1-2 mana. Usually, that will cost a total of 4. However, a considerably worse Gruesome Slaughter (which is already overcosted) and everything else costs about 1. So, this is often just bad, especially since you will always, at best, come out with parity in mana if you choose either of the mana based modes.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: The card seems just like a bigger version of Warping Wail, with a few slight changes.
(1/3) Flavor: I dinged you on effort and uniqueness here, both for a full point. I feel that the flavor wasn't really taken into account much here, and was just half assed. This also just feels a lot like Titan's Presence and the commands, especially when it comes to a flavor perspective.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: "Choose 2" Should be "Choose two" (-.5) and "it's" should be "its" (-.5).
(0/2) Main Challenge: Sorry, but colorless is not a color, and thus I sadly have to DQ you for it.
(2/2) Sub: Done and Done.
Total: 15/25* - DQ'd.
DESIGN
(1.5/3) Appeal: Out of any group, Johnny is the most likely to like tribal cards due to the immense synergy and such, and Spike might enjoy this if Goblins was a competitive deck anywhere.
(3/3) Elegance: This is complex enough for rare, whilst also being rather simple.
DEVELOP
(2.5/3) Viability: All but the second-to-last mode are expressly red, and it fits well in red at rare.
(2.5/3) Balance: I'd be rather worried about the second ability being rather broken with future goblins. It really limits what R&D can print in the future.
Otherwise we're fine.
CREATE
(2/3) Uniqueness: This card has two new modes and one that makes it a reprint of Hordeling Outburst.
(1/3) Flavor: Much like last round, it seems that flavor was easy to miss on this time. This time I dinged you a point for Uniqueness and Effort in your flavor, as it seems like a lot of generic goblin text that can appear anywhere that a goblin can, and doesn't separate itself from the rest.
POLAND
(2/3) Quality: The second instance of goblin in each line should not be capitalized.
(2/2) Main: Done.
(2/2) Sub: Done and done.
Total: 18.5/25
DESIGN
(2/3) Appeal: Tim doesn't really care, Johnny likes the inherent synergy. Spike likes the fact that its a Murder in black.
(1/3) Elegance: This has the same issue Beck // Call does, in that many will see the inherent synergy present, but many will be unsure as to whether it actually works or not.
DEVELOP
(1/3) Viability: So, this is essentially a green Murder. That isn't something that green should be able to do. It may technically fit the color pie, but it's a loophole that evades its spirit.
(2/3) Balance: With a good amount of -1/-1 counter synergy, I'm a little worried, but it should be fine since there are so few.
CREATE
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Despite the allusions to Murder, this is a pretty neat effect, and has only been seen on an emblem before.
(2.5/3) Flavor: The flavor is fantastic for the card, but I'm dinging a half point for quality since I couldn't find a mention to Pits relating to Rhonas.
POLAND
(3/3) Quality: Looks all good
(2/2) Main: Done
(2/2) Sub: Done and Done.
Total: 18/25
Tesco(black)lotus - 18.5
admirableadmiral - 18
Koopa - 15 + DQ
Check out my Newborder Peasant Cube here! http://www.cubetutor.com/draft/37467
True Name Mafia (Win),Clan Contest IX Mafia (Win), Bravely Default Mafia (Loss), BOTAS (loss), BfV (Loss), Ace Attourney (loss)
Rules Advisor before they were eradicated