The From The Vault series has always vaccinated me. Thematically, it is a cool, interesting design idea. However, they are really expensive to buy. So this month, we will all work together to make our own From The Vault sets. Let's start this round with enchantments.
Now that we are done with enchantment, we are moving to Instants and Sorcery cards.
Main Challenge - Design an Instant or Sorcery card, it has to be Mythic rarity. (This is for a Vault series after all.)
Subchallenge 1 - Your card does not contain the word "destroy" or "exile" in it's oracle text (we already had From The Vault : Annihilation). Subchallenge 2 - Your card has the Epic keyword.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
From the Comprehensive Rules (Ravnica Allegiance (January 25, 2019))
702.49. Epic
702.49a Epic represents two spell abilities, one of which creates a delayed triggered ability. "Epic" means "For the rest of the game, you can't cast spells," and "At the beginning of each of your upkeeps for the rest of the game, copy this spell except for its epic ability. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for the copy." See rule 706.10.
702.49b A player can't cast spells once a spell with epic they control resolves, but effects (such as the epic ability itself) can still put copies of spells onto the stack.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the MCC discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: March 18th, 24h00 GMT +2 Judging deadline: March 21st, 24h00 GMT +2
Design - (X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johnny/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 sync 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) Sub-challenges: One point awarded per satisfied sub-challenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Rouse the Gargantuans5RGW
Sorcery {M}
Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card onto the battlefield, then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. That creature gains vigilance and haste until end of turn.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Titans' LegacyCWUBRG
Sorcery (M)
You get an emblem with "Whenever a source deals damage to you or a planeswalker you control, prevent 1 of that damage." Search your library for a planeswalker card with converted mana cost less than or equal to twice the number of emblems you control, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.) As the Gatewatch strode towards Bolas, Karn...chuckled. So many years, so many similarities...
Perpetual Cycle5GGG
Sorcery (M)
Shuffle your graveyard into your library, then put the top eight cards of your library into your graveyard. For each permanent type among cards in your graveyard, return up to one card of that type from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.) Each season always brings something new to the world.
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Everlasting Headache3UUBB
Sorcery (M)
Draw two cards, then Everlasting Headache deals X damage to each opponent and you gain X life, where X is the number of cards in your hand. You have no maximum hand size for the rest of the game.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.) “Feel free to scream. Your pain is my gain.”
—Ashiok
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.)
Night of the Dead3BBB
Sorcery (Mythic Rare)
Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. If you do, create X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, where X is that creature's converted mana cost, and put all cards revealed this way into your graveyard. Otherwise, shuffle your graveyard into your library.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can't cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Bolas' Final Schemes4UBBR
Legendary Sorcery (Mythic) (You may cast a legendary sorcery only if you control a legendary creature or planeswalker.)
Search your library for a Bolas card and put it onto the battefield, then shuffle your library. Until end of turn, you may activate his abilities twice.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Call the Groundskeepers3GGG
Sorcery (M)
Create a 3/3 green Beast creature token. It gets +1/+1 for each non-forest land you control, has vigilance if you control a plains, has flying if you control an island, and has hexproof if you control both.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Aurelia's War CryxRRWW
Sorcery (m)
Create X 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying. For each creature created this way, search your library for an equipment card with converted mana cost X or less and attach it to that creature. Shuffle your library afterwards.
Design – 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes this, he can play his big guys for free and it has that wow feeling for him. Johnny can use this to set up something over a turn or two, he likes to build around it. Spike likes the value he can get, but I think he is not sure if such a sacrifice can be made in the late game.
(3/3) Elegance: Yes, yes it does, perfectly.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: This fits into the Naya shard, the individual colours also complement the card. Green for the “big creature” part, red for haste and white for vigilance. I can see this effect merit the card to be a mythic.
(3/3) Balance: This card is strong but requires a specific build around for it to work, a good balance. It weakens itself by locking in cards that you intended to pull out with it being in your hand. I would say that can balance out the part that you can pull an Progenitus consistently.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a nice new take on putting cards from your library into play.
(2/3) Flavor: This card is very flavourful. The name ties in with the effect, in some cases, pulling a Birds of Paradise does not really scream GARGANTUAN! Also, I know that the 5 cards with Epic does not have flavour text and the reminder text of Epic takes allot of space, but since it is mythic I think you can omit the reminder text and maybe add a line or two to complete this card.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see nothing wrong here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic Sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: Has Epic and no exile nor destroy.
Total: 23.5/25
Design - 4
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy loves this, he can pull his walkers one after the other. Johnny is not to keen on
this, just pulling walkers. Spike is split on this, it is really strong, but if he builds around it, it will work
for him.
(2/3) Elegance: The pieces fit, but the paragraph is to long and hard to follow. (More in Quality
explained) This is also how a card with Epic should operate, ramp up over turns and mostly act as a
finisher.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: Mythic is fine. 5 colour gold cards also allow for effects outside the colour wheel.
(2/3) Balance: First and foremost, this card is strong, very strong. It might be hard to get out in block
or standard formats, but in older formats that is not always a problem. I like that it has a colourless
mana symbol, essentially making it cost 6 different mana, this does make it a bit harder to play. Still,
getting this out early is almost game-winning in itself, pulling walkers and a stacking emblem can
cause problems.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This feels like a fresh card that we haven’t really seen before.
(3/3) Flavor: This is overflowing with flavour. I really love that this is thematically connected to the
titans, one can say a re-incarnation of it.
Polish - 5
(1/3) Quality: The second effect of the card should be on a new line. The line where Karn speaks in
the flavour text should be in quotes.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: Has the epic keyword and not destroy or exile.
Total: 20/25
Design - 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: I think Timmy can get behind that, a mass of creatures is nice, but getting some
awesome equipment cards are always nice for him. Johnny might find a use for this, in a fringe case,
where he wants to pull out equipment cards that attaches to creatures. Spike sees this card as the
ultimate value card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problem here, it semi fits for me. (I will address this in Viability)
Development - 3.5
(1/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine. I will address this here, I think the angels should be red and white,
not just white. This card seems allot more white, mechanically, creating white angels and searching
for equipment. The red feels like just added flavour to align with the Boros guild.
(2.5/3) Balance: This card is strong, it adds allot of value, it does require a semi build around, but this
can work well even if just a few of the tokens get equipment’s attached. Overall I think the power
level is high, but also fair.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: Creating a mass of tokens is nothing new, but the way it combines with searching
for the equipment and attaching them is pretty new. Although making X 4/4 angels is represented in
an extremely small number of cards, I think this still strikes as fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: I feel the effect you are trying to bring go for, the War cry calling in the legion of angels.
I think it fits well, but why no flavour text, that would encapsulate the card perfectly.
Polish - 5
(2/3) Quality: It should be “then shuffle your library.” (-1)
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic Sorcery.
(1/2) Sub-challenges: Does not have Epic. (-1)
Total: 19/25
Design – 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes this, he sees it as he can get allot of stuff, and big stuff at that. Johnny
might use this if there are some shenanigans he can pull off. Spike loves the idea of the value this
card provides.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything fits here for me.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: This is green and mythic, as it was born to be. ‘Nought said.
(2/3) Balance: This card is powerful, very powerful. The Epic does limit the power of it, making
everything basically dead in your hand, not allowing you respond from hand. Mana is steep though,
but not to hard for green to reach. I think in most situations you will pull a creature and a land,
depending on how the deck is build, maybe an artefact or enchantment every now and then, and
maybe a walker. All of this can happen to consistently, since if the pulled cards are destroyed, they
go the graveyard, and the as the card suggests, Perpetual Cycle.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This has a nice flare to it, and the way the mechanic works feels pretty new to me.
(3/3) Flavor: I just love it, the name, the flavour text, the effect, it all fits. Well done.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: Something in me says it should be worded in line with Tarmogoyf but I
can find no templating to support it.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: No destroy nor exile. Has epic.
Design - (3/3) Appeal: Kind of an all-rounder. Timmy likes the scale, Johnny likes figuring out ways to use all those extra cards in hand, Spike likes a Tendrils-esque finisher. (2.5/3) Elegance: Does a lot, some of it redundant after epic, but not an inelegant card.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Colors and rarity look alright. (3/3) Balance: A very restrictive cost for a huge effect. Seems fine.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: Definitely some precedent, especially in the original epic cycle, but some unique elements too. (2/3) Flavor: Flavor text and Ashiok connection are nice. Not so big on the name; "Headache" seems so... mundane and petty.
Design - (2.5/3) Appeal: Possible all-rounder. Timmy likes huge token swarms, Johnny likes that AND filling his 'yard, Spike just likes an efficient game win but doesn't like the possibility of whiffing here. (2.5/3) Elegance: Pretty wordy but I love the save-you-from-decking-out aspect.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Looks good. (3/3) Balance: Has to be built around; nothing objectionable.
Creativity - (1.5/3) Uniqueness: Combo of Undying Flames and Endless Swarm? (1/3) Flavor: That name really bugs me. The original epic cycle had names that implied going on forever, and the name of this card, besides being quite generic for this effect, manages to imply the exact opposite - a specific, delineated period of time, i.e. one night.
Design - (2/3) Appeal: Timmy and Spike like huge unsolveables but it's a bit linear for Johnny. (2/3) Elegance: Creates tokens with a complicated series of ability checks, but most of them at least are on-off.
Development - (3/3) Viability: Sure, that's a green (Bant?) mythic. (3/3) Balance: Looks alright - makes ability-heavy fatties as long as you have specific land types but has GGG in the cost, so getting the most out of this card would be difficult.
Creativity - (2.5/3) Uniqueness: Solidly unique stuff that still of course cribs a little from Endless Swarm and stuff like [card]Tek[/card. (1/3) Flavor: "Groundskeepers"? Groundskeeper is a profession, not a species. That makes me think of Willie, or maybe a Druid, not an animal of any kind. Also not sure why this card is specifically rewarding GWU from any of the flavor.
Polish - (1.5/3) Quality: Land types are capitalized, and the wording makes it seem oddly ambiguous whether the tokens have static abilities that check for you controlling land types or whether their characteristics are set based on the lands you control when the spell resolves. (2/2) *Main Challenge: Done. (2/2) Sub-challenges: And done.
Total: 19/25
Design - (1/3) Appeal: Pretty much a pure Timmy card. Too linear and parasitic for Johnny and Spike is looking for cheaper ways to cheat out a Bolas. (2/3) Elegance: Legendary AND epic AND double loyalty abilities is a lot.
Development - (2.5/3) Viability: Colors and rarity are fine, I'm just not sure this is printable as an epic spell because of both the paucity of Bolas cards (there are three that can exist as such in a library, soon to be four) and the fact that just one should be able to quickly win you the game. (3/3) Balance: Sure, if you have to spend 4UBBR you should get what you pay for.
Creativity - (2/3) Uniqueness: Hard not to feel the influence of The Chain Veil/the planeswalker deck tutor cards/Dark Intimations. (0.5/3) Flavor: Really not connecting for me. I don't think any part of Bolas's plan will involve him... cloning himself?
From The Vault - Spells
The From The Vault series has always vaccinated me. Thematically, it is a cool, interesting design idea. However, they are really expensive to buy. So this month, we will all work together to make our own From The Vault sets. Let's start this round with enchantments.
Now that we are done with enchantment, we are moving to Instants and Sorcery cards.
Main Challenge - Design an Instant or Sorcery card, it has to be Mythic rarity. (This is for a Vault series after all.)
Subchallenge 1 - Your card does not contain the word "destroy" or "exile" in it's oracle text (we already had From The Vault : Annihilation).
Subchallenge 2 - Your card has the Epic keyword.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
From the Comprehensive Rules (Ravnica Allegiance (January 25, 2019))
702.49. Epic
702.49a Epic represents two spell abilities, one of which creates a delayed triggered ability. "Epic" means "For the rest of the game, you can't cast spells," and "At the beginning of each of your upkeeps for the rest of the game, copy this spell except for its epic ability. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for the copy." See rule 706.10.
702.49b A player can't cast spells once a spell with epic they control resolves, but effects (such as the epic ability itself) can still put copies of spells onto the stack.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the MCC discussion thread.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: March 18th, 24h00 GMT +2
Judging deadline: March 21st, 24h00 GMT +2
(X/3) Appeal: Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johnny/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 sync 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) Sub-challenges: One point awarded per satisfied sub-challenge condition.
Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
JUDGES
Freyleyes
void_nothing
Superbajt
PLAYERS
netn10
Subject16
Fajen Thygia
Hemlock
Gateways7
RaikouRider
bravelion83
Jimmy Groove
Apellosine
Flatline
Cantripmancer
StonerOfKruphix
Freyleyes
RaikouRider
Fajen Thygia
Hemlock
StonerOfKruphix
void_nothing
bravelion83
Subject16
Cantripmancer
netn10
Superbajt
Saved from this round
Sorcery {M}
Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card onto the battlefield, then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. That creature gains vigilance and haste until end of turn.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Sorcery (M)
You get an emblem with "Whenever a source deals damage to you or a planeswalker you control, prevent 1 of that damage." Search your library for a planeswalker card with converted mana cost less than or equal to twice the number of emblems you control, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
As the Gatewatch strode towards Bolas, Karn...chuckled. So many years, so many similarities...
Sorcery (M)
Shuffle your graveyard into your library, then put the top eight cards of your library into your graveyard. For each permanent type among cards in your graveyard, return up to one card of that type from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Each season always brings something new to the world.
Kruphix, God of Value and Eldrazi. GU
Gahiji: Wider is better. (Now with 40% more tokens!) RGW
Daxos brought some frienchantments! WB
Kynaios and Tiro: Four strong arms to hug you better. RGWU
Saskia: You better not tell her that pointing is rude. BRGW
Sidisi the Zombeesi, the Unmilled, Breaker of Graves, Mother of Zambambos. (Zombie tribal)BGU
Omnath, The Angriest Elemental Ever & His Spike-Handed Buddies.RG (Retired but forever in my heart)
Sorcery (M)
Draw two cards, then Everlasting Headache deals X damage to each opponent and you gain X life, where X is the number of cards in your hand. You have no maximum hand size for the rest of the game.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
“Feel free to scream. Your pain is my gain.”
—Ashiok
Art — https://www.deviantart.com/kitkat523/art/headache-265766894
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.)
Sorcery (Mythic Rare)
Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. If you do, create X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, where X is that creature's converted mana cost, and put all cards revealed this way into your graveyard. Otherwise, shuffle your graveyard into your library.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can't cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Eldrazi Titan shenanigans may begin.
Legendary Sorcery (Mythic)
(You may cast a legendary sorcery only if you control a legendary creature or planeswalker.)
Search your library for a Bolas card and put it onto the battefield, then shuffle your library. Until end of turn, you may activate his abilities twice.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Sorcery (M)
Create a 3/3 green Beast creature token. It gets +1/+1 for each non-forest land you control, has vigilance if you control a plains, has flying if you control an island, and has hexproof if you control both.
Epic (For the rest of the game, you can’t cast spells. At the beginning of each of your upkeeps, copy this spell except for its epic ability.)
Sorcery (m)
Create X 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying. For each creature created this way, search your library for an equipment card with converted mana cost X or less and attach it to that creature. Shuffle your library afterwards.
Top Three from each round moves on. (So we have 6 for round 3)
Brackets:
Freyleyes
RaikouRider
Fajen Thygia
Hemlock
StonerOfKruphix
void_nothing
bravelion83
Subject16
Cantripmancer
netn10
Superbajt
Saved from this round
Design – 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes this, he can play his big guys for free and it has that wow feeling for him. Johnny can use this to set up something over a turn or two, he likes to build around it. Spike likes the value he can get, but I think he is not sure if such a sacrifice can be made in the late game.
(3/3) Elegance: Yes, yes it does, perfectly.
Development - 6
(3/3) Viability: This fits into the Naya shard, the individual colours also complement the card. Green for the “big creature” part, red for haste and white for vigilance. I can see this effect merit the card to be a mythic.
(3/3) Balance: This card is strong but requires a specific build around for it to work, a good balance. It weakens itself by locking in cards that you intended to pull out with it being in your hand. I would say that can balance out the part that you can pull an Progenitus consistently.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: This is a nice new take on putting cards from your library into play.
(2/3) Flavor: This card is very flavourful. The name ties in with the effect, in some cases, pulling a Birds of Paradise does not really scream GARGANTUAN! Also, I know that the 5 cards with Epic does not have flavour text and the reminder text of Epic takes allot of space, but since it is mythic I think you can omit the reminder text and maybe add a line or two to complete this card.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: I see nothing wrong here.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic Sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: Has Epic and no exile nor destroy.
Total: 23.5/25
Design - 4
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy loves this, he can pull his walkers one after the other. Johnny is not to keen on
this, just pulling walkers. Spike is split on this, it is really strong, but if he builds around it, it will work
for him.
(2/3) Elegance: The pieces fit, but the paragraph is to long and hard to follow. (More in Quality
explained) This is also how a card with Epic should operate, ramp up over turns and mostly act as a
finisher.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: Mythic is fine. 5 colour gold cards also allow for effects outside the colour wheel.
(2/3) Balance: First and foremost, this card is strong, very strong. It might be hard to get out in block
or standard formats, but in older formats that is not always a problem. I like that it has a colourless
mana symbol, essentially making it cost 6 different mana, this does make it a bit harder to play. Still,
getting this out early is almost game-winning in itself, pulling walkers and a stacking emblem can
cause problems.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This feels like a fresh card that we haven’t really seen before.
(3/3) Flavor: This is overflowing with flavour. I really love that this is thematically connected to the
titans, one can say a re-incarnation of it.
Polish - 5
(1/3) Quality: The second effect of the card should be on a new line. The line where Karn speaks in
the flavour text should be in quotes.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: Has the epic keyword and not destroy or exile.
Total: 20/25
Design - 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: I think Timmy can get behind that, a mass of creatures is nice, but getting some
awesome equipment cards are always nice for him. Johnny might find a use for this, in a fringe case,
where he wants to pull out equipment cards that attaches to creatures. Spike sees this card as the
ultimate value card.
(3/3) Elegance: No problem here, it semi fits for me. (I will address this in Viability)
Development - 3.5
(1/3) Viability: Mythic seems fine. I will address this here, I think the angels should be red and white,
not just white. This card seems allot more white, mechanically, creating white angels and searching
for equipment. The red feels like just added flavour to align with the Boros guild.
(2.5/3) Balance: This card is strong, it adds allot of value, it does require a semi build around, but this
can work well even if just a few of the tokens get equipment’s attached. Overall I think the power
level is high, but also fair.
Creativity - 5
(3/3) Uniqueness: Creating a mass of tokens is nothing new, but the way it combines with searching
for the equipment and attaching them is pretty new. Although making X 4/4 angels is represented in
an extremely small number of cards, I think this still strikes as fresh.
(2/3) Flavor: I feel the effect you are trying to bring go for, the War cry calling in the legion of angels.
I think it fits well, but why no flavour text, that would encapsulate the card perfectly.
Polish - 5
(2/3) Quality: It should be “then shuffle your library.” (-1)
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic Sorcery.
(1/2) Sub-challenges: Does not have Epic. (-1)
Total: 19/25
Design – 5.5
(2.5/3) Appeal: Timmy likes this, he sees it as he can get allot of stuff, and big stuff at that. Johnny
might use this if there are some shenanigans he can pull off. Spike loves the idea of the value this
card provides.
(3/3) Elegance: Everything fits here for me.
Development - 5
(3/3) Viability: This is green and mythic, as it was born to be. ‘Nought said.
(2/3) Balance: This card is powerful, very powerful. The Epic does limit the power of it, making
everything basically dead in your hand, not allowing you respond from hand. Mana is steep though,
but not to hard for green to reach. I think in most situations you will pull a creature and a land,
depending on how the deck is build, maybe an artefact or enchantment every now and then, and
maybe a walker. All of this can happen to consistently, since if the pulled cards are destroyed, they
go the graveyard, and the as the card suggests, Perpetual Cycle.
Creativity - 6
(3/3) Uniqueness: This has a nice flare to it, and the way the mechanic works feels pretty new to me.
(3/3) Flavor: I just love it, the name, the flavour text, the effect, it all fits. Well done.
Polish - 7
(3/3) Quality: Something in me says it should be worded in line with Tarmogoyf but I
can find no templating to support it.
(2/2) Main Challenge: Mythic sorcery.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: No destroy nor exile. Has epic.
Total: 23.5/25
RaikouRider - 23.5
Fajen Thygia - 20
Hemlock - 19
StonerOfKruphix - 23.5
(3/3) Appeal: Kind of an all-rounder. Timmy likes the scale, Johnny likes figuring out ways to use all those extra cards in hand, Spike likes a Tendrils-esque finisher.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Does a lot, some of it redundant after epic, but not an inelegant card.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Colors and rarity look alright.
(3/3) Balance: A very restrictive cost for a huge effect. Seems fine.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Definitely some precedent, especially in the original epic cycle, but some unique elements too.
(2/3) Flavor: Flavor text and Ashiok connection are nice. Not so big on the name; "Headache" seems so... mundane and petty.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Fine.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: Done.
Total: 22.5/25
(2.5/3) Appeal: Possible all-rounder. Timmy likes huge token swarms, Johnny likes that AND filling his 'yard, Spike just likes an efficient game win but doesn't like the possibility of whiffing here.
(2.5/3) Elegance: Pretty wordy but I love the save-you-from-decking-out aspect.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Looks good.
(3/3) Balance: Has to be built around; nothing objectionable.
Creativity -
(1.5/3) Uniqueness: Combo of Undying Flames and Endless Swarm?
(1/3) Flavor: That name really bugs me. The original epic cycle had names that implied going on forever, and the name of this card, besides being quite generic for this effect, manages to imply the exact opposite - a specific, delineated period of time, i.e. one night.
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Seems okay.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: And done.
Total: 21.5/25
(2/3) Appeal: Timmy and Spike like huge unsolveables but it's a bit linear for Johnny.
(2/3) Elegance: Creates tokens with a complicated series of ability checks, but most of them at least are on-off.
Development -
(3/3) Viability: Sure, that's a green (Bant?) mythic.
(3/3) Balance: Looks alright - makes ability-heavy fatties as long as you have specific land types but has GGG in the cost, so getting the most out of this card would be difficult.
Creativity -
(2.5/3) Uniqueness: Solidly unique stuff that still of course cribs a little from Endless Swarm and stuff like [card]Tek[/card.
(1/3) Flavor: "Groundskeepers"? Groundskeeper is a profession, not a species. That makes me think of Willie, or maybe a Druid, not an animal of any kind. Also not sure why this card is specifically rewarding GWU from any of the flavor.
Polish -
(1.5/3) Quality: Land types are capitalized, and the wording makes it seem oddly ambiguous whether the tokens have static abilities that check for you controlling land types or whether their characteristics are set based on the lands you control when the spell resolves.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: And done.
Total: 19/25
(1/3) Appeal: Pretty much a pure Timmy card. Too linear and parasitic for Johnny and Spike is looking for cheaper ways to cheat out a Bolas.
(2/3) Elegance: Legendary AND epic AND double loyalty abilities is a lot.
Development -
(2.5/3) Viability: Colors and rarity are fine, I'm just not sure this is printable as an epic spell because of both the paucity of Bolas cards (there are three that can exist as such in a library, soon to be four) and the fact that just one should be able to quickly win you the game.
(3/3) Balance: Sure, if you have to spend 4UBBR you should get what you pay for.
Creativity -
(2/3) Uniqueness: Hard not to feel the influence of The Chain Veil/the planeswalker deck tutor cards/Dark Intimations.
(0.5/3) Flavor: Really not connecting for me. I don't think any part of Bolas's plan will involve him... cloning himself?
Polish -
(3/3) Quality: Looks fine.
(2/2) *Main Challenge: Done.
(2/2) Sub-challenges: And done.
Total: 18/25
Subject16 21.5
Cantripmancer 19
netn10 18
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝