Winter holidays are coming. I hope you prepared a nice place to play with your old friends already. Trust me, nothing feels better than multiplayer game in a friendly company.
So this month we are going to compete for the best multiplayer and Commander cards.
Main Challenge: Design a card with Will of the council, Council's dilemma or Join forces.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has a monocolor or colorless identity. Subchallenge 2: Your card is a creature, artifact, enchantment or land.
Main Challenge: Important! Your choices every round will slightly affect next rounds, mostly in terms of color identity, so be careful. Your card can have more than one of the listed abiliries at the same time if need.
Subchallenge 1: Your card does not have multicolored mana cost and/or mana symbols of different colors in rules text if colored. Colorless cards with one color of mana printed in rules text are acceptable. Colorless and generic mana symbols in rules text are acceptable. Subchallenge 2: You card can have more than one permanent type at the same time if need.
Please feel free to ask additional questions if you have any in the MCC Discussion thread.
Design Deadline: All submissions are to be final and submitted by December 5th 11:59 PM EST
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by December 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.
Embrace the PainB
Sorcery (R)
Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player draws X cards and loses X life, where X is the amount of mana paid this way. "Hurt with me. Dream with me. Scream with me. Die alone."
- Hagan the Fatespinner
Derada, Fortress of Peace
Legendary Land (Mythic) T: Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Puy X brick counters on Derada, Fortress of Peace, where X is the amount of mana paid this way.
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player untap and gain control of Derada. Then, if Derada, Fortress of Peace has 100 or more brick counters, that player wins the game.
Abolishment Summit1WW
Sorcery {R} Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for a number. For each nonland permanent, destroy it unless its converted mana cost has the most votes or is tied for the most votes.
Private Mod Note
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Man-Hunt 2GG
Enchantment (R) Will of the concil-At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a player. Each player with the most votes or ties for the most votes gets a Bounty counter. Then, all players with bounty counters sacrifice a number of permanents equal to the number of bounty counters they have
Sycophant’s Lanturn2
Artifact {R} Will of the Counsel — At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a color. Until your next turn, at the beginning of each player’s precombat main phase, that player adds one mana of a color with the most votes or tied for the most votes. T: Target player gets an additional vote. Activate this ability only while voting.
Conscripted Assistance5RW
Sorcery (Rare) Will of the council - Starting with you, each player votes for a player other than you. The player with the most votes becomes your teammate at the beginning of the next end step. If the vote is tied, you choose the player. If you only have one opponent, instead gain control of all creatures until end of turn and untap them. They gain haste until end of turn. "Revolution is inevitable. Rulership isn't about one's right, but about doing what is right."
-Adrianna
Etherium Phylactery2W
Artifact [Rare]
Etherium Phylactery enters the battlefield tapped. T: Join Forces - Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Put that many charge counters on Etherium Phylactery. 2WW,T, Exile Etherium Phylactery: Each player's life total becomes the amount of charge counters on Etherium Phylactery. Activate this ability only if there are at least five charge counters on Etherium Phylactery.
- Eternity is best spent in good company.
Agramor the Two-Faced3(W/B)(W/B)
Legendary Creature- Human Knight
Will of the Council- When Agramor the Two-Faced enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for hero or villain. If hero gets more votes, sacrifice Agramor and create The Hero's Blade, a Legendary Equipment token with "Equipped creature gets +5/+5 and has vigilance, lifelink and protection from black." and "Equip 3". If villain gets more votes or the vote is tied, destroy target creature and put a number of +1/+1 counters on Agramor equal to that creature's power.
Deathtouch, menace, protection from white You know the saying...
3/3
Witch Trial3BB
Enchantment (R) Will of the council — At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a player other than you. Target player with the most votes reveals their hand. You choose a non-land card from it. That player discards that card. Guilt is the least of their concerns.
Relax W
Enchantment (U) Join forces— At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you each player may pay 1. Then each player gain X life, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way.
Judge of the Indentured Soul 2W
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Flying
Will of the council - When Judge of the Dead enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for Servitude or Doom. If Servitude gets more votes, Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Create a token that's a copy of card exiled this way except it is spirit in addition to its other types. If Doom gets more votes or the vote is tied, destroy target creature. "the Orzhov collect the debts of those who died in the afterlife or punish them eternally."
2/2
Trust me, nothing feels better than multiplayer game in a friendly company.
If 2HG counts, than I totally agree.
Last minute change:
Queen’s Strategist1WW
Creature — Human Advisor (R) Join forces — When Queen’s Strategist enters the battlefield, each player starting with you may pay any amount of mana. Destroy all other creatures with converted mana cost X or less, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way. “My Queen, it’s simple. If you want to get rid of the opposition, the best way is allying with their other enemies and going for a joint attack.”
2/2
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.)
Abolishment Summit1WW
Sorcery {R} Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for a number. For each nonland permanent, destroy it unless its converted mana cost has the most votes or is tied for the most votes.
Design - (2.25/3) Appeal: Spike can use this, although it's not his first go-to; there are more direct solutions. Timmy has a love-hate with board resets, and this will almost always sweep any ground pounders away (and, again, there are other similar solutions that appeal more directly). Johnny is really the only one who gushes about it, but just about everyone can find *something* to work with here. (2.5/3) Elegance: I feel like it's a little counter-intuitive at first because it destroys everything EXCEPT the CMC(s) that are voted for. But it's a two-read card and works for me in the end.
Development - (3/3) Viability: White definitely gets mass destruction, even selective mass destruction, and no rules concerns. Rare is appropriate for this kind of effect. (2/3) Balance: I feel like this is undercosted. Compare it to Council's Judgement, which is also a 1WW rare sorcery, but will often only exile 1-2 permanents you don't control (yes, it can be more in a large multiplayer game, but considering Commander, 2HG, and smaller multiplayer (3-5 players), Judgement often only gets 1-2). This--especially in multiplayer--is going to sweep a wide swath. Compare to Austere Command, Akroma's Vengeance, Catastrophe, even Citywide Bust, I would think 3WW or *maybe* 1WWW would be more appropriate. That said, once costed appropriately, I don't think it would be problematic, especially because of the nature of Will of the Council cards.
Creativity - (1/3) Uniqueness: This is pretty heavily trod ground, as per all the cards I mentioned in Balance (and more). It's nifty in that it's like a reverse Engineered Explosives, and this exact variation hasn't been done, but other than that, it doesn't really hit the unique-o-meter. (1.25/3) Flavor: I like the sound of "Abolishment Summit", but I feel torn, as "Abolishment Summit" sounds like the council is choosing what to abolish, when they're really choosing what to save. That said, "Preservation Summit" or "Protection Summit" or "Save the Whales Summit" don't really sound like awe-inspiring board-sweeping spells. So I sorta feel like--were this being designed by WotC--the name would end up being something completely different, like "Culling Edict" (which could even be a throwback to Culling Scales/Culling Sun). There is definitely room for flavor text, and while there is some tradition in board sweepers being somewhat stark in that area (to maximize the punch of the rules text), I feel like flavor text would help tie things together.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: This looks good. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here. (1/2) Subchallenges: It's monocolor, but not an artifact, creature, enchantment, or land.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Selvala's Exploration3GG
Enchantment (MR) Will of the council — At the beginning of your end step, starting with you, each player votes for flora or fauna. If flora gets more votes, search your library for a land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library. If fauna gets more votes or the vote is tied, search your library for a creature card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny loves this, Spike appreciates this, Johnny isn't exactly excited by it, but it's an engine, so he'll consider it. (2.75/3) Elegance: Very grokkable, use of flora/fauna makes good sense and ties things together. It's a little unwieldy with two search-and-shuffle clauses, but overall very focused.
Development - (3/3) Viability: No worries for green, rules are fine, and repeatable targeted land and creature search should definitely be at rare or higher. I don't know...I'm not feeling the "mythic" here. I suspect that it'd be printed at rare, but I could be wrong. (2.25/3) Balance:Planar Portal might think this is too cheap, but I think the cost is close to appropriate, maybe could cost 6 instead of 5. It's slightly more powerful in 2HG/Commander/any team-vs-team format because it'll often be easier to tie the vote. Sometimes it'll "just" be a deck thinner, and that's ok too.
Creativity - (2.25/3) Uniqueness: I could be wrong, but I don't think there's been a card printed that repeatedly "gave" you a land or a creature every turn. Planar Portal is certainly the closest match I could find among permanents, while Traverse the Ulvenwald is sorta the one-shot. In general, a nice twist on something familiar. (2.75/3) Flavor: Name is ok, but since you don't have space for flavor text, it has to carry more of the flavor than normal. I feel like you could find a word a little more evocative than "exploration" (especially since Selvala is an "explorer". "Expedition"? "Pilgramage"? Mostly just something for you to consider; the name is ok, just not spectacular. Selvala is a fine flavorful tie-in. Overall card feels pretty flavorfully solid.
Relax W
Enchantment (U) Join forces— At the beginning of upkeep, starting with you each player may pay 1. Each player gain X life, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way.
Design - (1/3) Appeal: This is pretty solidly a pure Johnny card. The effect isn't nearly splashy enough for Timmy, and Spike doesn't give this a second thought. (2.75/3) Elegance: Completely grokkable, a little complex for such a simple effect, but it works.
Development - (2.75/3) Viability: White is where this belongs, no rules issues. I'm a little torn on the rarity because the effect is pretty minimal (even if it can make a difference over the course of a game), so it *feels* like it should be common (see Ajani's Mantra, but this more complex, scalable, en masse version probably fits at uncommon? I think you've got it where it should be. (2.5/3) Balance: Cost is fine, imo, especially since if you drop it T1 you then have to make decisions, pre-draw, as to whether you're going to tie mana up in it each turn. I can't see it ruining or dominating any formats, other than with slight tendencies to make games longer (possibly lending itself to combo/mill decks?).
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: Eh, mostly just Ajani's Mantra for multiplayer. Fun use of Join Forces, though. Would kind of liked to have seen this on a creature rather than an enchantment. (1/3) Flavor: Name seems a little...basic? Like, I can get behind one word names if they're embodiments of aspects (Anger, Brawn), but "Relax" sounds like a command (maybe an until-end-of-turn instant that pacifies a target creature, for example), not an ongoing enchantment. "Relaxing Presence" or "Peace of Mind" or somesuch would work more for me. No flavor text when there's room? That would be a good opportunity to tie-in/strengthen that name. I feel the overall "feeling" of the flavor/effect, though, so a point for that.
Polish - (2/3) Quality: Needs "your" or "each" before "upkeep". There should be a comma after "starting with you". Should be "gains". (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here. (2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 0/25 It would have been 17.5, but you edited your submission post-deadline, which is a disqualification. I know that I have the pre-edit version saved, but still: you can't edit your submission after the deadline. Sorry.
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Argorbar, the Prolific3GGG
Legendary Creature - Hydra (M)
Trample Council's dilemma — When Argorbar, the Prolific enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for bodies or heads. Create a 3/3 green Hydra creature token with trample for each bodies vote. Put 3 +1/+1 counters on each Hydra you control for each heads vote. Argorbar boasted strength in numbers no matter how you counted them.
3/3
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Timmy gives this 327 thumbs up. Johnny can't do the math fast enough. And even Spike sees the guaranteed board presence as a good deal. (3/3) Elegance: This is very well put together. Easy to understand, holistic card idea.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Fatties in large numbers (with stacks of large numbers) fits fine in green. No rulebreaking. Feels very mythic. (1.75/3) Balance: I feel like this is too good, even at mythic and legendary. Just to talk it out, for 3GGG, in your basic duel, you're getting either a 9/9, two 6/6's, or three 3/3's. Armada Wurm produces similar, I suppose, but has to commit to white mana. Coursers' Accord gets you a 3/3 and possibly another 3/3/possibly something better. Dragon Broodmother and Dragonlair Spider both feel a little weak by comparison. Hydra Broodmaster gives you a 7/7 for your initial investment, but then you have to pump a lot more mana into it to get some tokens. Kalonian Twingrove might be comparable, but only in a duel. I mean, that's a pretty long list of strong cards that yours eclipses. And then we look at multiplayer and suddenly each additional player ramps those numbers up by one level in each category (3 players = one 12/12 or three 6/6's or four 3/3's, etc). And then Johnny taps you on the shoulder and says, "hey, have you met my friend Mirror Entity?" At which point things really get ridiculous. The Legendary is a pretty minor balancing element. Drawing a second one when you've already laid down the first isn't going to be heartbreaking; it just makes the one already on the board into a raging suicide engine of death. To be frank, I think at this cost he should be a 2/2 that makes 2/2's and grants two +1/+1 counters. Or cost at least 8 cmc.
Creativity - (1.75/3) Uniqueness: This is a twist on an pretty well established concept, but it's a fun twist. I'm actually reminded of Elegant Edgecrafters, but, of course, this is the version on steroids. Not the most unique card concept, but well executed. (2.75/3) Flavor: Name is mostly ok, although Argorbar is more of a mouthful than it needs to be. Even just "Argobar" is less of a workout for your tongue. Flavor text is well-done; I like it. Overall package is pretty cohesive and adds to the Hydra library nicely.
Polish - (3/3) Quality: Good. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here. (2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 22.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Notes:
• Judgings are not final until the judging deadline.
• If you have questions or concerns with the way I have judged your card, feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss it, but, as per the MCC rules, don't expect a change in score unless I've missed something hugely significant.
Demanding Warlord4RR
Creature - Orc Warrior (R) Council's Dilemma - Starting with you, each opponent votes for pain or privilege. Demanding Warlord deals 3 damage to any target for each pain vote and you exile the top card of your library for each privilege vote. Until the end of your next turn, you may play cards exiled this way. "Follow my whims, or suffer."
4/3
Argorbar, the Prolific3GGG
Legendary Creature - Hydra (M)
Trample Council's dilemma — When Argorbar, the Prolific enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for bodies or heads. Create a 3/3 green Hydra creature token with trample for each bodies vote. Put 3 +1/+1 counters on each Hydra you control for each heads vote. Argorbar boasted strength in numbers no matter how you counted them.
3/3
Nationalism3WW
Enchantment (R) Council's dilemma — When Nationalism enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for pride or prejudice. When they do, put a pride counter on Nationalism for each pride vote and exile target nonland permanent for each prejudice vote.
Creatures you control get +1/+1 for each pride counter on Nationalism.
Psionic Dismantler2BB
Creature - Aetherborn Rogue (Rare)
Lifelink Join Forces - When Psionic Dismantler enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player reveals their libraries, and each player starting with you, may exile X cards from the libraries, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way. Shuffle each library. The New Consul cannot be corrupted, because the dismantlers ensure the corrupted cannot become consuls.
4/2
Maddening Chant1RRR
Sorcery (r) Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player discards their hand, then draws X cards, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way "Fata! Fata! Melawé! Fatafata! Melawé! Fatafatamelawé! FATAFATAMELAWÉ!"
Private Mod Note
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Se murió Kung Fu
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December MCC 2018 Round 1 - Decisions, decisions
Winter holidays are coming. I hope you prepared a nice place to play with your old friends already. Trust me, nothing feels better than multiplayer game in a friendly company.
So this month we are going to compete for the best multiplayer and Commander cards.
Main Challenge: Design a card with Will of the council, Council's dilemma or Join forces.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has a monocolor or colorless identity.
Subchallenge 2: Your card is a creature, artifact, enchantment or land.
Subchallenge 1: Your card does not have multicolored mana cost and/or mana symbols of different colors in rules text if colored. Colorless cards with one color of mana printed in rules text are acceptable. Colorless and generic mana symbols in rules text are acceptable.
Subchallenge 2: You card can have more than one permanent type at the same time if need.
Please feel free to ask additional questions if you have any in the MCC Discussion thread.
Judging Deadline: All judgements are to be final and completed by December 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.
Raptorchan
void_nothing
Cantripmancer
Antiantiserum
Contestants:
This round is open for everyone!
Brackets:
Raptorchan
Jimmy Groove
Cardz5000
TotallyHaywire
bravelion83
Forestguy
void_nothing
netn10
Subject16
Flintlock
soramaro
Flintlock
Cantripmancer
RaikouRider
StonerOfKruphix
mirrodin71
IcariiFA
Antiantiserum
InfinityDie
Clockwork Gamer
Ulka
Superbajt
A helpful tip for those formatting their cards:
Sorcery (R)
Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player draws X cards and loses X life, where X is the amount of mana paid this way.
"Hurt with me. Dream with me. Scream with me. Die alone."
- Hagan the Fatespinner
Legendary Land (Mythic)
T: Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Puy X brick counters on Derada, Fortress of Peace, where X is the amount of mana paid this way.
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player untap and gain control of Derada. Then, if Derada, Fortress of Peace has 100 or more brick counters, that player wins the game.
Sorcery {R}
Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for a number. For each nonland permanent, destroy it unless its converted mana cost has the most votes or is tied for the most votes.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Enchantment (R)
Will of the concil-At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a player. Each player with the most votes or ties for the most votes gets a Bounty counter. Then, all players with bounty counters sacrifice a number of permanents equal to the number of bounty counters they have
Artifact {R}
Will of the Counsel — At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a color. Until your next turn, at the beginning of each player’s precombat main phase, that player adds one mana of a color with the most votes or tied for the most votes.
T: Target player gets an additional vote. Activate this ability only while voting.
Sorcery (Rare)
Will of the council - Starting with you, each player votes for a player other than you. The player with the most votes becomes your teammate at the beginning of the next end step. If the vote is tied, you choose the player. If you only have one opponent, instead gain control of all creatures until end of turn and untap them. They gain haste until end of turn.
"Revolution is inevitable. Rulership isn't about one's right, but about doing what is right."
-Adrianna
Artifact [Rare]
Etherium Phylactery enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Join Forces - Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Put that many charge counters on Etherium Phylactery.
2WW,T, Exile Etherium Phylactery: Each player's life total becomes the amount of charge counters on Etherium Phylactery. Activate this ability only if there are at least five charge counters on Etherium Phylactery.
-
Eternity is best spent in good company.
I'm sure you can think of something by yourself.
Legendary Creature- Human Knight
Will of the Council- When Agramor the Two-Faced enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for hero or villain. If hero gets more votes, sacrifice Agramor and create The Hero's Blade, a Legendary Equipment token with "Equipped creature gets +5/+5 and has vigilance, lifelink and protection from black." and "Equip 3". If villain gets more votes or the vote is tied, destroy target creature and put a number of +1/+1 counters on Agramor equal to that creature's power.
Deathtouch, menace, protection from white
You know the saying...
3/3
Enchantment (R)
Will of the council — At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you, each player votes for a player other than you. Target player with the most votes reveals their hand. You choose a non-land card from it. That player discards that card.
Guilt is the least of their concerns.
Enchantment (U)
Join forces— At the beginning of your upkeep, starting with you each player may pay 1. Then each player gain X life, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way.
Creature - Spirit (Rare)
Flying
Will of the council - When Judge of the Dead enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for Servitude or Doom. If Servitude gets more votes, Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Create a token that's a copy of card exiled this way except it is spirit in addition to its other types. If Doom gets more votes or the vote is tied, destroy target creature.
"the Orzhov collect the debts of those who died in the afterlife or punish them eternally."
2/2
Last minute change:
Queen’s Strategist 1WW
Creature — Human Advisor (R)
Join forces — When Queen’s Strategist enters the battlefield, each player starting with you may pay any amount of mana. Destroy all other creatures with converted mana cost X or less, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way.
“My Queen, it’s simple. If you want to get rid of the opposition, the best way is allying with their other enemies and going for a joint attack.”
2/2
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.)
(2.25/3) Appeal: Spike can use this, although it's not his first go-to; there are more direct solutions. Timmy has a love-hate with board resets, and this will almost always sweep any ground pounders away (and, again, there are other similar solutions that appeal more directly). Johnny is really the only one who gushes about it, but just about everyone can find *something* to work with here.
(2.5/3) Elegance: I feel like it's a little counter-intuitive at first because it destroys everything EXCEPT the CMC(s) that are voted for. But it's a two-read card and works for me in the end.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: White definitely gets mass destruction, even selective mass destruction, and no rules concerns. Rare is appropriate for this kind of effect.
(2/3) Balance: I feel like this is undercosted. Compare it to Council's Judgement, which is also a 1WW rare sorcery, but will often only exile 1-2 permanents you don't control (yes, it can be more in a large multiplayer game, but considering Commander, 2HG, and smaller multiplayer (3-5 players), Judgement often only gets 1-2). This--especially in multiplayer--is going to sweep a wide swath. Compare to Austere Command, Akroma's Vengeance, Catastrophe, even Citywide Bust, I would think 3WW or *maybe* 1WWW would be more appropriate. That said, once costed appropriately, I don't think it would be problematic, especially because of the nature of Will of the Council cards.
Creativity -
(1/3) Uniqueness: This is pretty heavily trod ground, as per all the cards I mentioned in Balance (and more). It's nifty in that it's like a reverse Engineered Explosives, and this exact variation hasn't been done, but other than that, it doesn't really hit the unique-o-meter.
(1.25/3) Flavor: I like the sound of "Abolishment Summit", but I feel torn, as "Abolishment Summit" sounds like the council is choosing what to abolish, when they're really choosing what to save. That said, "Preservation Summit" or "Protection Summit" or "Save the Whales Summit" don't really sound like awe-inspiring board-sweeping spells. So I sorta feel like--were this being designed by WotC--the name would end up being something completely different, like "Culling Edict" (which could even be a throwback to Culling Scales/Culling Sun). There is definitely room for flavor text, and while there is some tradition in board sweepers being somewhat stark in that area (to maximize the punch of the rules text), I feel like flavor text would help tie things together.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: This looks good.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here.
(1/2) Subchallenges: It's monocolor, but not an artifact, creature, enchantment, or land.
Total: 18/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(2.5/3) Appeal: Johnny loves this, Spike appreciates this, Johnny isn't exactly excited by it, but it's an engine, so he'll consider it.
(2.75/3) Elegance: Very grokkable, use of flora/fauna makes good sense and ties things together. It's a little unwieldy with two search-and-shuffle clauses, but overall very focused.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: No worries for green, rules are fine, and repeatable targeted land and creature search should definitely be at rare or higher. I don't know...I'm not feeling the "mythic" here. I suspect that it'd be printed at rare, but I could be wrong.
(2.25/3) Balance: Planar Portal might think this is too cheap, but I think the cost is close to appropriate, maybe could cost 6 instead of 5. It's slightly more powerful in 2HG/Commander/any team-vs-team format because it'll often be easier to tie the vote. Sometimes it'll "just" be a deck thinner, and that's ok too.
Creativity -
(2.25/3) Uniqueness: I could be wrong, but I don't think there's been a card printed that repeatedly "gave" you a land or a creature every turn. Planar Portal is certainly the closest match I could find among permanents, while Traverse the Ulvenwald is sorta the one-shot. In general, a nice twist on something familiar.
(2.75/3) Flavor: Name is ok, but since you don't have space for flavor text, it has to carry more of the flavor than normal. I feel like you could find a word a little more evocative than "exploration" (especially since Selvala is an "explorer". "Expedition"? "Pilgramage"? Mostly just something for you to consider; the name is ok, just not spectacular. Selvala is a fine flavorful tie-in. Overall card feels pretty flavorfully solid.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks good.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 22.5/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(1/3) Appeal: This is pretty solidly a pure Johnny card. The effect isn't nearly splashy enough for Timmy, and Spike doesn't give this a second thought.
(2.75/3) Elegance: Completely grokkable, a little complex for such a simple effect, but it works.
Development -
(2.75/3) Viability: White is where this belongs, no rules issues. I'm a little torn on the rarity because the effect is pretty minimal (even if it can make a difference over the course of a game), so it *feels* like it should be common (see Ajani's Mantra, but this more complex, scalable, en masse version probably fits at uncommon? I think you've got it where it should be.
(2.5/3) Balance: Cost is fine, imo, especially since if you drop it T1 you then have to make decisions, pre-draw, as to whether you're going to tie mana up in it each turn. I can't see it ruining or dominating any formats, other than with slight tendencies to make games longer (possibly lending itself to combo/mill decks?).
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: Eh, mostly just Ajani's Mantra for multiplayer. Fun use of Join Forces, though. Would kind of liked to have seen this on a creature rather than an enchantment.
(1/3) Flavor: Name seems a little...basic? Like, I can get behind one word names if they're embodiments of aspects (Anger, Brawn), but "Relax" sounds like a command (maybe an until-end-of-turn instant that pacifies a target creature, for example), not an ongoing enchantment. "Relaxing Presence" or "Peace of Mind" or somesuch would work more for me. No flavor text when there's room? That would be a good opportunity to tie-in/strengthen that name. I feel the overall "feeling" of the flavor/effect, though, so a point for that.
Polish -
(2/3) Quality: Needs "your" or "each" before "upkeep". There should be a comma after "starting with you". Should be "gains".
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 0/25 It would have been 17.5, but you edited your submission post-deadline, which is a disqualification. I know that I have the pre-edit version saved, but still: you can't edit your submission after the deadline. Sorry.
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
(3/3) Appeal: Timmy gives this 327 thumbs up. Johnny can't do the math fast enough. And even Spike sees the guaranteed board presence as a good deal.
(3/3) Elegance: This is very well put together. Easy to understand, holistic card idea.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Fatties in large numbers (with stacks of large numbers) fits fine in green. No rulebreaking. Feels very mythic.
(1.75/3) Balance: I feel like this is too good, even at mythic and legendary. Just to talk it out, for 3GGG, in your basic duel, you're getting either a 9/9, two 6/6's, or three 3/3's. Armada Wurm produces similar, I suppose, but has to commit to white mana. Coursers' Accord gets you a 3/3 and possibly another 3/3/possibly something better. Dragon Broodmother and Dragonlair Spider both feel a little weak by comparison. Hydra Broodmaster gives you a 7/7 for your initial investment, but then you have to pump a lot more mana into it to get some tokens. Kalonian Twingrove might be comparable, but only in a duel. I mean, that's a pretty long list of strong cards that yours eclipses. And then we look at multiplayer and suddenly each additional player ramps those numbers up by one level in each category (3 players = one 12/12 or three 6/6's or four 3/3's, etc). And then Johnny taps you on the shoulder and says, "hey, have you met my friend Mirror Entity?" At which point things really get ridiculous. The Legendary is a pretty minor balancing element. Drawing a second one when you've already laid down the first isn't going to be heartbreaking; it just makes the one already on the board into a raging suicide engine of death. To be frank, I think at this cost he should be a 2/2 that makes 2/2's and grants two +1/+1 counters. Or cost at least 8 cmc.
Creativity -
(1.75/3) Uniqueness: This is a twist on an pretty well established concept, but it's a fun twist. I'm actually reminded of Elegant Edgecrafters, but, of course, this is the version on steroids. Not the most unique card concept, but well executed.
(2.75/3) Flavor: Name is mostly ok, although Argorbar is more of a mouthful than it needs to be. Even just "Argobar" is less of a workout for your tongue. Flavor text is well-done; I like it. Overall package is pretty cohesive and adds to the Hydra library nicely.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Good.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Good here.
(2/2) Subchallenges: Both met.
Total: 22.25/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
• Judgings are not final until the judging deadline.
• If you have questions or concerns with the way I have judged your card, feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss it, but, as per the MCC rules, don't expect a change in score unless I've missed something hugely significant.
StonerOfKruphix: 22.75
IcariiFA: 22.25
RaikouRider: 18
mirrodin71: 0
Creature - Orc Warrior (R)
Council's Dilemma - Starting with you, each opponent votes for pain or privilege. Demanding Warlord deals 3 damage to any target for each pain vote and you exile the top card of your library for each privilege vote. Until the end of your next turn, you may play cards exiled this way.
"Follow my whims, or suffer."
4/3
Legendary Creature - Hydra (M)
Trample
Council's dilemma — When Argorbar, the Prolific enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for bodies or heads. Create a 3/3 green Hydra creature token with trample for each bodies vote. Put 3 +1/+1 counters on each Hydra you control for each heads vote.
Argorbar boasted strength in numbers no matter how you counted them.
3/3
The round will be closed in 14 hours.
Enchantment (R)
Council's dilemma — When Nationalism enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for pride or prejudice. When they do, put a pride counter on Nationalism for each pride vote and exile target nonland permanent for each prejudice vote.
Creatures you control get +1/+1 for each pride counter on Nationalism.
Creature - Aetherborn Rogue (Rare)
Lifelink
Join Forces - When Psionic Dismantler enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player reveals their libraries, and each player starting with you, may exile X cards from the libraries, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way. Shuffle each library.
The New Consul cannot be corrupted, because the dismantlers ensure the corrupted cannot become consuls.
4/2
Sorcery (r)
Join forces — Starting with you, each player may pay any amount of mana. Each player discards their hand, then draws X cards, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way
"Fata! Fata! Melawé! Fatafata! Melawé! Fatafatamelawé! FATAFATAMELAWÉ!"