Main Challenge: Design a card that is exactly two or three colors and has converted mana cost 3, 4, or 5. Subchallenge 1: Your card is common. Subchallenge 2: Your card is a creature and/or an enchantment.
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Remember that the monohybrid symbols add 2 to a card's converted mana cost (Spectral Procession has CMC 6).
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by October 6th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by October 9th 11:59 PM 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.
Bestial Formmark1(R/G)(R/G)
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature 1(R/G)(R/G): Target enchanted creature you control becomes a red and green 6/4 Beast with trample until end of turn.
Bloodstream GuideGUB
Creature - Naga Wizard (Common)
When Bloodstream Guide enters the battlefield, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise, put that card into your hand or your graveyard.
3/3
Boros Magemark2RW
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has Mentor. (Whenever enchanted creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Creatures you control that are enchanted get +1/+1 and have vigilance. "I would not call myself a leader. But where I go is where my kinsmen follow."
-Yavic, Boros Legionnaire
Recovery Ops 1UB
<Art shows a Dimir agent extracting a memory from another fallen Dimir agent>
Enchantment {Common} 1B, exile a creature card from your graveyard: Surveil 1 1U, sacrifice Recovery Ops: Draw a card. A failed mission isn't a total loss.
Ovixen2GU
Creature — Fox Sheep Mutant (C)
When Ovixen enters the battlefield, if you control another creature that’s both green and blue, draw a card. Brain of a fox, body of a sheep. Only the Simic could create something so smart and stupid at the same time.
3/3
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Pensive Ascetic1GWU
Creature - Vedalken Monk {C}
Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
Adaptive (This creature also untaps at the beginning of each other player’s turn.)
Whenever Pensive Ascetic becomes untapped, it gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
2/2
Twilight Knight2GWB
Creature - Spirit Knight (C)
Vigilance (Attacking does not cause this creature to tap.)
Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)
2/3
Ashrays Cleric3GW
Creature - Human Cleric (C)
Return Ashrays to owner’s hand: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, prevent that damage. If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom?
- Vanessa, acolite of the order
1/3
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Over time, all trips end up in the same place, at home."
Bloodthirsty BrawlerRRG
Creature - Elf Berserker {C}
Bloodthirsty Brawler can only attack if the defending player controls more creature then you. “I love a good challenge.”
5/3
Oathbound Castellan1WU
Creature - Spirit Knight (C)
Flash
Oathbound Castellan has Indestructible during the turn it enters the battlefield. Though the war was lost long ago, the fort still holds.
3/3
Goblin Cannoneer3BR
Creature - Goblin Pirate (C)
When Goblin Cannoneer enters the battlefield, create a colorless Treasure artifact token with “TAP, sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.” When you do, each player sacrifices an artifact or creature.
4/3 Cannonballs? Why would we bring ammo that doesn't do dishes, and isn't shiny?
Wildform Shaman2RG
Creature - Human Shaman (C)
T, Sacrifice Wildform Shaman: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card with converted mana cost five or less. Put it onto the battlefield. It gains haste until end of turn. “I am one with nature.”
3/3
Gutterslither2
Creature - Snake (C)
Deathtouch From spy tunnels to conclave gardens, gutterslithers are ubiquitous in nearly all guild territories.
2/3
Boros Insignia1RW
Enchantment - Aura (c)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has mentor.
Whenever enchanted creature dies, attach Boros Insignia to target creature you control. Ranks in the Legion are earned mostly by just surviving enough.
While the round is closed, and egoblinsw appears to have graciously bowed out of competing in order to judge, they still have not finished their "application" judgment as a first-time judge yet. Please stand by for judge assignments.
Recovery Ops 1UB
<Art shows a Dimir agent extracting a memory from another fallen Dimir agent>
Enchantment {Common} 1B, exile a creature card from your graveyard: Surveil 1 1U, sacrifice Recovery Ops: Draw a card. A failed mission isn't a total loss.
Design - (0/3) Appeal: Timmy is unexcited about incremental value. Johnny doesn't see much of an opportunity for anything exciting. Spike sees "2UUB: Draw a card." (3/3) Elegance: The card makes sense, and fits together thematically.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: It's definitely in the right colors, and is a card that would be printed. I would say that putting more than one activated ability on a card usually would push it to uncommon, but I don't think it's a huge stretch. (2/3) Balance: I would class this very safely as "draft chaff". If you wanted this to play a role as a limited card, the second ability could probably have cost 0 mana, or the first ability could have cost B. Safe but unplayable except in a very dedicated limited deck.
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: It's not an exciting card. The combination of incremental scry advantage with a draw-card cash-in is not new. However, it's also not too similar to any of our surveil outlets in the set, so I give it a tentative pass. (3/3) Flavor: Very Dimir. A fact-finding mission on your own dead comrades is right up their alley. Flavor text seems suited.
Polish - (1.5/3) Quality: Name not bold. No period at the end of the first ability. Ability costs should start with a capital letter. (2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 CMC UB card. (2/2) Subchallenges: A common creature.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Oathbound Castellan1WU
Creature - Spirit Knight (C)
Flash
Oathbound Castellan has Indestructible during the turn it enters the battlefield. Though the war was lost long ago, the fort still holds.
3/3
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Timmy likes indestructible stuff. Johnny has a few pet decks that this is perfect for. You had Spike at 3/3 Flash for 3, the fact that it never trades in it's ambush turn is gravy. (3/3) Elegance: A flash indestructible blocker is something that's been done before. The fact that it doesn't have a window to be removed before an ability triggers makes this work a lot more like a beginner expects it too, which is good.
Development - (1.5/3) Viability: Flash and indestructible are blue and white for sure. This is definitely never going to be printed at Common however, or even Uncommon. This is your prototypical rare, with a lot of power pumped into a strong rate "4-of in standard" type rare. (1/3) Balance: At common this would absolutely break limited environments. I could see it creating some very unhealthy play patterns in a U/W tempo archetype in standard as well, with a strong body, that ambushes attackers, and can be played at opponent's EOT in control matchups. Slots right into UW spirits in modern as well, but probably not breaking that format :).
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: Darksteel Sentinel lost vigilance when it died? The ETB indestructible isn't especially new, but it does make the limited play pattern a lot less frustrating than Sentinel. Still doesn't feel especially exciting. (2.5/3) Flavor: Totally great name, and flavor text is fine. I was confused that the spirit doesn't have flying, but there is certainly precedent.
Polish - (2.5/3) Quality: Templating should be like Leapfrog. "...has indestructible as long as it entered the battlefield this turn." (2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 cmc blue-white card. (1/2) Subchallenges: Putting a "c" on the card doesn't make it a common. It is a creature.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Wildform Shaman2RG
Creature - Human Shaman (C)
T, Sacrifice Wildform Shaman: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card with converted mana cost five or less. Put it onto the battlefield. It gains haste until end of turn. “I am one with nature.”
3/3
Design - (1/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn't like having deckbuilding constraints. Johnny wonders if there's a 5 CMC creature he can build around. Spike doesn't like random effects unless they're a lot more abusable than this seems to be. (3/3) Elegance: This makes sense. It's an effect we've seen similarly before, and straightforward.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: G/R generating a random dude off the top of your deck and giving it haste seems totally fine. It's not super abusable (I think), and simple enough to be a common, although I hesitate to put a random effect there. (3/3) Balance: This seems fine. There might be a combo here, but it's probably not very good. Nice that you can play 4 and they chain to find your other 1-of. Seems like a fun card for your casual player in many formats.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: It's not an effect we've seen before exactly, and it will play well in some decks. Overall, I'm not super excited or disappointed by it, which might be just right. That said, we've seen a lot of similar effects before in cards like Cascade spells. (2/3) Flavor: The name and effect work well. The flavor text is uninspiring and doesn't really match the effect well.
Polish - (1.5/3) Quality: There should be a in the ability rather than a T. (smileys, MTG). There should be some instruction on what to do with the rest of the revealed cards. Do they go to deck or GY? Are they randomized at the bottom of the deck or do I choose the order? If you choose the order I know exactly what deck to build :). (2/2) *Main Challenge: It is a 2-color 4 CMC card. (2/2) Subchallenges: It is a common creature.
Total: 19.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Boros Insignia1RW
Enchantment - Aura (c)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has mentor.
Whenever enchanted creature dies, attach Boros Insignia to target creature you control. Ranks in the Legion are earned mostly by just surviving enough.
Design - (1/3) Appeal: Timmy like a buff the keeps passing to creatures. Johnny is bored. Spike was lost at 3 CMC aura that doesn't win the game. (3/3) Elegance: This makes sense as a card, and it's effects work well together.
Development - (3/3) Viability: It's a very boros card, and a good draft common. I could see Wizards printing this card. (3/3) Balance: It's a card you would sometimes play and sometimes not in a 2-drop heavy boros limited deck. There might be a commander deck that wants this, but I don't think so.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: It's a bit like rancor (more on that later), but for more initial investment and free transfers. It's not splashy but it's fine. Feels like a cross between an aura and an equipment which is cool. (2.5/3) Flavor: Everything is good except that the flavor text reads oddly. I feel like "just surviving enough" is missing a word, like "long enough" or "enough battles".
Polish - (2/3) Quality: The re-attach ability should probably be like Rancor, worded like this I think state-based effects put the card in the graveyard, and then I'm not sure if the ability should work because the card has changed zones and it's confusing which zone it was in when it triggered. "When this card is put into your graveyard from the battlefield, return it to the battlefield enchanting a creature you control." might be right? (2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 CMC 2 color card. (2/2) Subchallenges: A common enchantment.
Total: 21/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Springseeder1GW
Creature - Dryad {C}
Whenever Springseeder becomes tapped for the first time each turn, add GW to your mana pool.
2/1
Design - (1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn’t like jumping through hoops but does like ramping. Johnny can use it. Spike doesn’t see it. (2.5/3) Elegance: Adding mana during combat can confuse newer players. Otherwise it’s great.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Well suited in colors and at a reasonable rarity for an enabler. (3/3) Balance: Seems fine. It’s a role player that probably doesn’t get played much but works OK with limited tricks.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Not groundbreaking but not boring. Feels like it goes with convoke, but still incentivizes multiple spells in a turn. (2/3) Flavor: Name and effect match well. Commons like this without a ton of text should definitely have flavor text.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: looks good (2/2) *Main Challenge: 3cmc 2 colors. (2/2) Subchallenges: this is a common creature.
Total: 21.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
October MCC 2018 Round 1 - Keep On Curve
October is going to be midrange month!
Main Challenge: Design a card that is exactly two or three colors and has converted mana cost 3, 4, or 5.
Subchallenge 1: Your card is common.
Subchallenge 2: Your card is a creature and/or an enchantment.
If you have questions about the challenge, please post in the MCC discussion thread. Best of luck!
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by October 6th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by October 9th 11:59 PM EST
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(X/3) Elegance: Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
Development -
(X/3) Viability: How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity?
(X/3) Balance: Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?
Creativity -
(X/3) Uniqueness: Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel “fresh”?
(X/3) Flavor: Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?
Polish -
(X/3) Quality: Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
(X/2) *Main Challenge: Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
(X/2) Subchallenges: One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Judges:
void_nothing
Antiantiserum
Please sign up to be a judge if you do not play!
Contestants:
The first round is open to everyone!
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards:
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature
1(R/G)(R/G): Target enchanted creature you control becomes a red and green 6/4 Beast with trample until end of turn.
Creature - Naga Wizard (Common)
When Bloodstream Guide enters the battlefield, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise, put that card into your hand or your graveyard.
3/3
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has Mentor. (Whenever enchanted creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Creatures you control that are enchanted get +1/+1 and have vigilance.
"I would not call myself a leader. But where I go is where my kinsmen follow."
-Yavic, Boros Legionnaire
<Art shows a Dimir agent extracting a memory from another fallen Dimir agent>
Enchantment {Common}
1B, exile a creature card from your graveyard: Surveil 1
1U, sacrifice Recovery Ops: Draw a card.
A failed mission isn't a total loss.
Creature — Fox Sheep Mutant (C)
When Ovixen enters the battlefield, if you control another creature that’s both green and blue, draw a card.
Brain of a fox, body of a sheep. Only the Simic could create something so smart and stupid at the same time.
3/3
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Creature - Vedalken Monk {C}
Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
Adaptive (This creature also untaps at the beginning of each other player’s turn.)
Whenever Pensive Ascetic becomes untapped, it gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
2/2
Creature - Spirit Knight (C)
Vigilance (Attacking does not cause this creature to tap.)
Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)
2/3
Creature - Human Cleric (C)
Return Ashrays to owner’s hand: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, prevent that damage.
If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom?
- Vanessa, acolite of the order
1/3
Creature - Elf Berserker {C}
Bloodthirsty Brawler can only attack if the defending player controls more creature then you.
“I love a good challenge.”
5/3
Creature - Spirit Knight (C)
Flash
Oathbound Castellan has Indestructible during the turn it enters the battlefield.
Though the war was lost long ago, the fort still holds.
3/3
Creature - Bird (C)
On Naya, you can underestimate a moa at most once.
3/5
Creature - Goblin Pirate (C)
When Goblin Cannoneer enters the battlefield, create a colorless Treasure artifact token with “TAP, sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.” When you do, each player sacrifices an artifact or creature.
4/3
Cannonballs? Why would we bring ammo that doesn't do dishes, and isn't shiny?
Creature - Human Shaman (C)
T, Sacrifice Wildform Shaman: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card with converted mana cost five or less. Put it onto the battlefield. It gains haste until end of turn.
“I am one with nature.”
3/3
Creature - Snake (C)
Deathtouch
From spy tunnels to conclave gardens, gutterslithers are ubiquitous in nearly all guild territories.
2/3
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Enchantment - Aura (c)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has mentor.
Whenever enchanted creature dies, attach Boros Insignia to target creature you control.
Ranks in the Legion are earned mostly by just surviving enough.
Creature - Dryad {C}
Whenever Springseeder becomes tapped for the first time each turn, add GW to your mana pool.
2/1
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
void_nothing:
Jimmy Groove
bravelion83
Cardz5000
Forestsguy
Superbajt
Koopa
Antiantiserum:
netn10
Subject16
StonerOfKruphix
mirrodin71
Freyleyes
egoblinsw:
NightArcher
Flintlock
Gateways7
Hemlock
RaikouRider
Judges can now have until the 10th. Top 4 per bracket advance.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Design -
(0/3) Appeal: Timmy is unexcited about incremental value. Johnny doesn't see much of an opportunity for anything exciting. Spike sees "2UUB: Draw a card."
(3/3) Elegance: The card makes sense, and fits together thematically.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: It's definitely in the right colors, and is a card that would be printed. I would say that putting more than one activated ability on a card usually would push it to uncommon, but I don't think it's a huge stretch.
(2/3) Balance: I would class this very safely as "draft chaff". If you wanted this to play a role as a limited card, the second ability could probably have cost 0 mana, or the first ability could have cost B. Safe but unplayable except in a very dedicated limited deck.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: It's not an exciting card. The combination of incremental scry advantage with a draw-card cash-in is not new. However, it's also not too similar to any of our surveil outlets in the set, so I give it a tentative pass.
(3/3) Flavor: Very Dimir. A fact-finding mission on your own dead comrades is right up their alley. Flavor text seems suited.
Polish -
(1.5/3) Quality: Name not bold. No period at the end of the first ability. Ability costs should start with a capital letter.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 CMC UB card.
(2/2) Subchallenges: A common creature.
Total: 17.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(3/3) Appeal: Timmy likes indestructible stuff. Johnny has a few pet decks that this is perfect for. You had Spike at 3/3 Flash for 3, the fact that it never trades in it's ambush turn is gravy.
(3/3) Elegance: A flash indestructible blocker is something that's been done before. The fact that it doesn't have a window to be removed before an ability triggers makes this work a lot more like a beginner expects it too, which is good.
Development -
(1.5/3) Viability: Flash and indestructible are blue and white for sure. This is definitely never going to be printed at Common however, or even Uncommon. This is your prototypical rare, with a lot of power pumped into a strong rate "4-of in standard" type rare.
(1/3) Balance: At common this would absolutely break limited environments. I could see it creating some very unhealthy play patterns in a U/W tempo archetype in standard as well, with a strong body, that ambushes attackers, and can be played at opponent's EOT in control matchups. Slots right into UW spirits in modern as well, but probably not breaking that format :).
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: Darksteel Sentinel lost vigilance when it died? The ETB indestructible isn't especially new, but it does make the limited play pattern a lot less frustrating than Sentinel. Still doesn't feel especially exciting.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Totally great name, and flavor text is fine. I was confused that the spirit doesn't have flying, but there is certainly precedent.
Polish -
(2.5/3) Quality: Templating should be like Leapfrog. "...has indestructible as long as it entered the battlefield this turn."
(2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 cmc blue-white card.
(1/2) Subchallenges: Putting a "c" on the card doesn't make it a common. It is a creature.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn't like having deckbuilding constraints. Johnny wonders if there's a 5 CMC creature he can build around. Spike doesn't like random effects unless they're a lot more abusable than this seems to be.
(3/3) Elegance: This makes sense. It's an effect we've seen similarly before, and straightforward.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: G/R generating a random dude off the top of your deck and giving it haste seems totally fine. It's not super abusable (I think), and simple enough to be a common, although I hesitate to put a random effect there.
(3/3) Balance: This seems fine. There might be a combo here, but it's probably not very good. Nice that you can play 4 and they chain to find your other 1-of. Seems like a fun card for your casual player in many formats.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: It's not an effect we've seen before exactly, and it will play well in some decks. Overall, I'm not super excited or disappointed by it, which might be just right. That said, we've seen a lot of similar effects before in cards like Cascade spells.
(2/3) Flavor: The name and effect work well. The flavor text is uninspiring and doesn't really match the effect well.
Polish -
(1.5/3) Quality: There should be a in the ability rather than a T. (smileys, MTG). There should be some instruction on what to do with the rest of the revealed cards. Do they go to deck or GY? Are they randomized at the bottom of the deck or do I choose the order? If you choose the order I know exactly what deck to build :).
(2/2) *Main Challenge: It is a 2-color 4 CMC card.
(2/2) Subchallenges: It is a common creature.
Total: 19.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1/3) Appeal: Timmy like a buff the keeps passing to creatures. Johnny is bored. Spike was lost at 3 CMC aura that doesn't win the game.
(3/3) Elegance: This makes sense as a card, and it's effects work well together.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: It's a very boros card, and a good draft common. I could see Wizards printing this card.
(3/3) Balance: It's a card you would sometimes play and sometimes not in a 2-drop heavy boros limited deck. There might be a commander deck that wants this, but I don't think so.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: It's a bit like rancor (more on that later), but for more initial investment and free transfers. It's not splashy but it's fine. Feels like a cross between an aura and an equipment which is cool.
(2.5/3) Flavor: Everything is good except that the flavor text reads oddly. I feel like "just surviving enough" is missing a word, like "long enough" or "enough battles".
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: The re-attach ability should probably be like Rancor, worded like this I think state-based effects put the card in the graveyard, and then I'm not sure if the ability should work because the card has changed zones and it's confusing which zone it was in when it triggered. "When this card is put into your graveyard from the battlefield, return it to the battlefield enchanting a creature you control." might be right?
(2/2) *Main Challenge: A 3 CMC 2 color card.
(2/2) Subchallenges: A common enchantment.
Total: 21/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Design -
(1.5/3) Appeal: Timmy doesn’t like jumping through hoops but does like ramping. Johnny can use it. Spike doesn’t see it.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Adding mana during combat can confuse newer players. Otherwise it’s great.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Well suited in colors and at a reasonable rarity for an enabler.
(3/3) Balance: Seems fine. It’s a role player that probably doesn’t get played much but works OK with limited tricks.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Not groundbreaking but not boring. Feels like it goes with convoke, but still incentivizes multiple spells in a turn.
(2/3) Flavor: Name and effect match well. Commons like this without a ton of text should definitely have flavor text.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: looks good
(2/2) *Main Challenge: 3cmc 2 colors.
(2/2) Subchallenges: this is a common creature.
Total: 21.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
NightArcher 17.5
Flintlock 18
Gateways7 19.5
Hemlock 21
RaikouRider 21.5
Flintlock Gateways7 Hemlock and RaikouRider advance