So, my first development pass of the set being complete and for wont of more feedback, I believe it's time to move into some dedicated playtesting.
I've already done a bit of playtesting (10 or so hours of block constructed) with AranMagnus, and a lot of the changes in the first pass are based on this testing. At this point, I'd like to ask anyone out there who's willing to help with the process.
Here's how you can help with playtesting:
Build Decks. Using only the cards from the first 2 sets, and nothing else (ie, no core set cards, etc.), build the best decks you can come up with. This helps give us a more defined outlook on what kinds of archetypes look interesting to people, and help us develop them. It also gives us ideas for playtesting. Post your decklists in this thread in whatever form feels most comfortable to you.
Play with the cards! As mentioned before, the set is intended for both block constructed play and cube draft (cube alongside the first set). Anyone who feels so inclined to print proxies is more than welcome to do so. If printing up proxies isn't your thing (don't blame you), I'll be zipping up an MWS file that can be used in MWS. If you don't have someone to MWS with, message me and we might be able to work out a time to hop on and play some.
Keep the comments coming! Just because we're playtesting doesn't mean I'm not accepting theoretical comments as well. In fact, just because we're in development doesn't mean I'm not listening to design suggestions either... Any and all suggestions and feedback are welcome!
The download links have changed slightly, as I'm transitioning from Dropbox to Google Drive, but the links to the set files have been updated at my blog. The .PDF files and MWS files have not, as of this post, been updated.
Thanks!
EDIT: Google Drive link wasn't working. Think I have it fixed now, but if anyone has any issues with it please let me know.
Despite having helped quite a bit with development and all the playtesting, I'm happy to say that playing with the set is still fun. Aside from playing against white life gain.
White lifegain does seem exceptionally strong in the block. I haven't quite decided whether or not it needs nerfed - in playtestinng it made games go longer than most other matchups, but only won about 40% of the time I'd say.
I didn't want to respond to this because it was in the old thread, but I do want to quote it here because it's that awesome.
This came from user aeoncleanse, I had recently commented on some of his high resolution renders and how good they looked. He came in unbidden and gave the high res treatment to one of the legends in the set.
The only thing unfortunate about it is that I haven't been updating the links in the old thread, so this card has changed slightly since (now says can't be damaged by nonwhite spells), but the renders themselves just look awesome.
So, my first development pass of the set being complete and for wont of more feedback, I believe it's time to move into some dedicated playtesting.
I've already done a bit of playtesting (10 or so hours of block constructed) with AranMagnus, and a lot of the changes in the first pass are based on this testing. At this point, I'd like to ask anyone out there who's willing to help with the process.
Here's how you can help with playtesting:
Build Decks. Using only the cards from the first 2 sets, and nothing else (ie, no core set cards, etc.), build the best decks you can come up with. This helps give us a more defined outlook on what kinds of archetypes look interesting to people, and help us develop them. It also gives us ideas for playtesting. Post your decklists in this thread in whatever form feels most comfortable to you.
Play with the cards! As mentioned before, the set is intended for both block constructed play and cube draft (cube alongside the first set). Anyone who feels so inclined to print proxies is more than welcome to do so. If printing up proxies isn't your thing (don't blame you), I'll be zipping up an MWS file that can be used in MWS. If you don't have someone to MWS with, message me and we might be able to work out a time to hop on and play some.
Keep the comments coming! Just because we're playtesting doesn't mean I'm not accepting theoretical comments as well. In fact, just because we're in development doesn't mean I'm not listening to design suggestions either... Any and all suggestions and feedback are welcome!
The download links have changed slightly, as I'm transitioning from Dropbox to Google Drive, but the links to the set files have been updated at my blog. The .PDF files and MWS files have not, as of this post, been updated.
Thanks!
EDIT: Google Drive link wasn't working. Think I have it fixed now, but if anyone has any issues with it please let me know.
Okay - it's a great playtesting program like MWS, except that it's more user-friendly. If you can get one up there then I would highly appreciate it. I think we did it with Core Flamingo and got a couple games in there.
Still working on that cockatrice file, but I wanted to update with a slight epiphany I had. Using Haunt as a template, I've reworded Garrison slightly, allowing the mechanic to more closely achieve my original intent. Thoughts?
Garrison [COST] ([COST], T: Exile this creature garrisoning target fortified land you control. At the beginning of your next upkeep, return it to the battlefield. It has haste. Garrison only on your turn.
Anyway, Haunt is worded that way because it makes a reference to the haunted creature. Garrison does not. It sounds better this way, but it doesn't have any consequences other than the ability being countered when the targeted land leaves play before resolution.
Finishing up on the set review, which is long overdue:
Erm... stuff:
Toraian Tower: I'd make this an ETB effect. Remembering this the entire time can get annoying. Deepsea Reef: Same here. Deepforest Glade: Same here. Also, this... would be the best land ever printed.. Restless Cemetery: Dude, that's seriously overpowered. Brood Lair: This is nice! Would be fine at CMC 6. Ulamog's Crusher: Why new art? This one doesn't look so great.
Random ROE draft story: So there I was with a sole Ulamog's Crusher on the field. I was dead on board, because it had to attack and couldn't block. I drew for my turn and hoped for a miracle. I got one as I topdecked an Eldrazi Conscription. I threw it onto my crusher and brawled with it. The 16/16 trample, annihilator 4 dude now lethal, he had to chump with his the creatures he just played, putting me out of lethal on his backswing. Oh, and he had to sac all his lands.
Emrakul's Spawnlord: Cost 8? I'd pick Ulamog's Crusher over this guy. Also, I'd drop the nonartifact clause. It's clunky and it doesn't really do harm if it isn't there. Eye of Ugin can search for Wurmcoil.
Skittering Spawnmother: Maybe a number different from Kozilek's Predator? Worse, because it is colorless? 3/2?
Spawning One: Oh, this guy made it into the realm of playable / good. :thumbsup:. Maybe attacks or blocks?
Tyraam, Monument of Sins: Oh my. This guy is bad. Like really bad! If you are playing him on 15 mana, how many eldrazi spawn tokens will you have left? Most likely 0. So you get a 15 mana dude that doesn't do that much and you need other spells after you cast him to make him effective. To clarify how bad he is: This is the Radditz of the Eldrazis! I'd play Ulamog's Crusher over him, even if my entire deck consists of token generators.
Vulshok Missionary: Very strong.
Koth, Master Geomancer: I know you said he was fine in testing, but he shouldn't be: He is almost a strictly better Chandra, the Firebrand for 1 mana less. And I like my Chandra! But you said he will be changed before the final version.
Alesh, Blade of Renna: Hm, there is only one thing this guy does, and that's alpha striking. I'd change some numbers, but the overall concept is good.
Varigoyf: Don't quite get the name, but awesome effect
Betrayal in the Depths: Miscolored in my opinion, but nothing wrong with the power level.
Seaborn Drone: Sounds fine.
Dissolution: Still don't like it.
Clouded Assault: Wait, I had all these already..
Going to green (again :confused2:):
Feral Dominator: Saw the art, the cost and the first ability and I was like: "Awesome" (I think "I was like" is correct and not "and I said", but I could be wrong). But I cringed at the second ability. This is so convoluted.. I'd just make him trigger it.
Intimidate: Meh.
Black: What the.. I already had these too.
Ogre Ballista: Cost seems fair.
Pureblade: Flavorful for the set, but I'd word it: "by a creature that's a color equipped creature isn't" sounds even more xenophobic. Also, you don't have to outsource the ability:
"Whenever equipped creature blocks or becomes blocked by a creature that doesn't share a color with equipped creature, it gains double strike until end of turn."
As far as rewording garrison goes, by now tying the garrisoned creature to target fortified land, it opens up a lot more design space for the mechanic. For instance, the purity nonbasic lands that exist right now (which are far, far, far beyond a power level that would ever see print) can now be changed to interact with garrison.
Purity Nonbasic Land cycle - these will all be changed. Playtesting showed these all to be anywhere from extremely powerful (Red, Blue, White) to immensely overpowered (black, green). I intend to tie this directly to garrison via the new wording. Look for changes in the next update.
Brood Lair - I agree. Dropping the cost.
Ulamog's Crusher - my intention here is to use the original art. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the original art so that it will fit on a clear frame and not just in the normal image box. Unique Eldrazi art is immensely hard to find.
Emrakul's Spawnlord - This guy is a leftover from earlier, bad design where the big Eldrazi created spawn. He needs to be redesigned completely, I just haven't gotten around to it.
Skittering Spawnmother - The intent here is to be almost exactly Kozilek's Predator, which IMO was spot-on when it came to Eldrazi Drones. The colorlessness is a boon for the card, in this case, because of its playability in the 5-color (colorless) archetype that is borderline constructed viable from the first set (and will be much more viable once set 3 is finished)
Spawning One - Yeah, this guy saw the type of changes that Emrakul's Spawnlord is going to. In this case, obvioulsy I took him from being a large Eldrazi with annihilator and turned him into a midrange drone that plays well with Spawn. Dunno if I want to make it 'or blocks', but it's worth considering.
Tyraam - Tyraam is an interesting dilemma. I want a Titan that plays into the spawn token tribal theme (using the spawn for more than just sacrifice fodder), but pricing him so high me3ans that you're likely using the spawn to get him onto the field. Price him too cheap and he's way OP. Dunno what to do here.
Vulshok Missionary - Very strong indeed. I LOVE this card though, it's so fun to play, and makes for some very interesting combos if you think things out carefully.
Koth - I'm still on the fence about Koth. He'll probably definitely see some change before his final form, but especially since I only intend to play this set in itself, and am intentionally not playtesting with any other existing cards, I might be ok with him outclassing Chandra.
Alesch - What numbers would you change?
Varigoyf - I was thinking 'vari' as in variable, since his colors change. Prismagoyf could work too. I see this guy as strong in limited in any color, but also as a constructed finished for blue mill decks. Still can't find appropriate art for him, any help is appreciated.
Betrayal - I still think this fits philosophically squarely into blue as well as red. Misdirection and subterfuge are very blue things to do.
Dissolution - I'm not entirely sold on it myself. It's on my watch list.
Feral Dominator - I love the idea behind this guy still, but he'll probably get the axe and see a major rework, as MaRo has said that emblems are solely to be the realm of planeswalkers (other things that would give 'emblems' just get "for the rest of the game" clauses instead. Even though the two are functionally identical, it gives planeswalkers a unique identity I guess)
I feel like Tyraam needs to be more splashy. Hmm..
Tyraam, Monument of Sins12
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi (M)
When you cast Tyraam, put seven 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Tyraam has annihilator X, where X is the number of Eldrazi Spawn creatures you control.
Whenever an Eldrazi Spawn creature you control dies, you may pay 1. If so, draw a card.
When Tyraam is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library.
10/10
Where is the link to all of the cards in the set? The OP doesn't have all of them.
Changed all the nonbasic lands from purity triggers to garrison triggers. Also changed the effects slightly on many of them.
Changed Koth's +1 ability from '2 damage to target creature' to '1 damage to target creature or player'
Re-designed Tyraam, in part due to Prophylaxis' recommendation.
Changed wording on Feral dominator. Not sold on the card at all now.
Changed Gideon's art. I liked the old art, but couldn't find a high res version.
Various other minor changes.
One last thing... my PDFs look TERRIBLE. I use a program called PDFFactory, because that's the program we use at work for other things, but it's resolution is terrible. Any suggestions on a better program to use?
EDIT: Cockatrice file is still forthcoming. The problem is I haven't found a good explanation of how to export to Cockatrice, and I've never used the program myself so I don't know much about it.
Hmm. I just switched to google drive, and it's a new service, so that's probably the issue. Let me swap them back over to dropbox and see if that helps. Give me about 5 min and try again.
EDIT: Swapped the files back to my Dropbox and updated the links. Let me know if you have any issues.
Yup looks like they are. Dropbox is still syncing, so I'm assuming once it's done the linked files should be the updated ones. Damn this is a letdown, I really though google drive was going to be amazing but so far it's been nothing but a giant pain. I'll update this post once dropbox has synced and the files linked are the updated ones.
Alright, it works now. To answer your previous question, I use Word to create the .pdf files. I'm sure there's a freeware program (OpenOffice?) that can do that too.
Tyraam: The vigilance and annihilator 2 is just 'text'. You can just scrap that and add maybe one more spawn token to the trigger. I'd also make him an 11/11 (much cooler number for an Eldrazi :)) Koth: Still, this guy is too good. So, let's assume a block constructed deck. Turn 1 that Goblin Miner on the play, turn 2 Koth, blow up your opponent's one land, next turn ping him for 1, opponent plays his second land and maybe gets to casts a dude, then blow up his second land. This isn't fun. I'd make the land destruction -3 and the ultimate -6. Baby Chandra maybe wouldn't be too pushed at 4 starting loyalty, but I don't think Koth's ultimate (which is pretty much Chandra's) should come two turns earlier. Alesh: What this guy does: Either attack and die during that attack or attack with your team and kill your opponent in one swing. Vigilance is completely unnecessary ability. Either this guy attacks and your opponent dies or he dies, but he never returns to become a blocker. I'd increase his P/T and reduce the aura effect to +1/+1. Calan: Just glimpsed over the rest, but this guy seems awesome Dragon's Nest: Isn't that too strong?
On to wording again:
Calan: .., then shuffle your library. Capitalize Forest. Verdant Life: You gain 1 life. If a spell you cast this turn was countered by a spell or ability.. (I don't think you want to trigger this by spells being countered by game rules.) Woodform: Capitalize Forest. Primal Ascendance: You may cast the next X creature spells you cast this turn without paying their mana cost. Creature spells you control can't be countered this turn. (Why spells you control, when it was cast every other time: When refering to the mana cost, it applies when you cast the spell (putting it on the stack), the uncounterability applies while the spell is on the stack. You control that spell during that time, but you don't cast it (you did that already). Aldrean Soulcaller: ..you may put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library. Deepforest Behemoth: Reminder text on fight instead of regenerate? Grimecloak Drone: decapitalize hexproof. Flamesire Drone: Outsourcing this ability is not necessary. Whenever an Eldrazi Spawn creature you control dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Eldrazi Brute: I read that you invented the "killed" game term, but dead creature? Bloodlust Vampire: As long as.. Clouded Assault: ..tap a fortified Island you control. (you don't use target on ability costs) Fleetfin Merfolk: Suggestion (yours is not wrong): Purity - U: Return Fleetfin Merfolk to its owner's hand. Activate this ability only if blue is the only color among permanents you control. Nullifier Drone: Same as the red one. Halt Summons: Why owner and not controller? can't instead of cannot. Spectral Displacement: Capitalize all subtypes. Fleshrage: Enchanted creature has. Torturous Assault: This doesn't work. What happens if its toughness drops to 0? You have to reword this. Equipments: As with many other cards, you can just put the ability directly on the card and refer to the creature as equipped creature. Balefire: would die this turn. Pyretic Pox: ..put a blaze counter on enchanted creature, then Pyretic Pox deals damage to that creature equal to the number of blaze counters on it. Jharg: Goblin creatures you control have double strike. Last ability: for each Goblin you control.
Overall:
I like all the individual cards except for those I commented on. The overall feel of the first set is preserved and the colors have their distinct flavors. I liked the colorless cards from the first set to go with the Purity theme. The Eldrazi cards, though all fine, have not enough connection with the rest of the cards. Not very many of the colored cards are really expensive. Without the Eldrazi, this would be a format with an average curve, but then you have guys like Tyraam. I'd try to make the Eldrazi theme and the different colors go more hand in hand.
First of all, huge thanks to both Prophylaxis and Apoquallyp through this process. Without the feedback you guys have been giving, I'd be much less progressed on this project and the cards would be much less refined. If you haven't been able to tell by now, I'm awful awful awful at wording, and I'm a terrible editor. Your feedback has been immensely helpful, thank you!
Just updated the set with multiple changes:
Updated almost all cards with the suggested wording from Apoquallyp, with a few exceptions that will be mentioned a bit later.
Dragon's Nest - raised the cost by 1.
Alesch - Removed Vigilance from his text. Didn't change anything else, as after playtesting I really like where this guy is.
Koth - Redesigned, basically. The -2 now hits all players (including yourself), and the ultimate has changed completely to be more Koth'ish
Tyraam - raised P/T to 11/11. Didn't change anything else... the extra text might be over the top, but I'm ok with that.
Eldrazi Brute - I haven't made any specific mention to dead creatures except on this card, but I think this wording actually falls under the M12 addition of 'dies' and all forms of the word 'die'. I might be wrong there, but it's grokkable enough that I think I'd leave it regardless.
I didn't change Fleetfin merfolk, mostly so it would 'look the same' as the other purity cards.
I should start commenting on some of the cards too.
Going by each page in the PDF.
PAGE 1
Scion of Emrakul: This seems fine. It doesn't seem too splashy, however.
Growth Spasm: Reprint
Forgotten Library: I still don't like how colors other than green can get mana ramp. Also, you have Eldrazi Spawn tokens. This seems weak, but it has to be weak.
Toraian Bishop: This is just a W 1/1 if a player doesn't have fortifications. Other than that, this seems like a cool utility card.
Divine Blade: This feels really narrow to me. I don't like it. I would change the "Gain 2 life" part of the card to a cantrip. The set doesn't even have an equipment theme.
Toraian Benediction: This would never be cast without purity. Seems fine to me.
Erasure of Ulamog: I love the design of this card. Great job.
Handmaid of the Martyred: Whoa, board complexity. I would lower the cost and maybe change the purity trigger. Like, you're already attacking with a flying 5/5 every turn.
Fields of Rememberance: This reads pretty weak, IMO. The flavor is strong, but it really feels weak.
PAGE 2
Outpost Commander: An interesting lord for garrison, which is shaping up to becoming your parasitic mechanic.
Wayward Knight: First strike makes it perfectly playable even without Eldrazi. Hmm. Might be a bit powerful.
Blessing of the Silver Flame: Option 1 would be selected most of the time. What is the duality between those effects?
Sanctification: "Enchant fortification equipping land". This is really weak, but that's fine. It's a bit narrow.
Verdant Refuge: See my comments on the Library. I do like how this can survive against bigger creatures.
Toraian Vanguard: Looks fine to me.
Zealous Survivor: The graveyard trigger seems out of place. You're getting a 4/4 double strike under the right conditions - I would playtest this.
Spawn of Tyraam: A bit weak, but this is fine. I would maybe try 2/3 or 3/2 or 3/3.
Wandering Refugee: What if you don't want to reattach fortifications?
I go on vacation and this completely drops off the map. Any new updates since I've been gone?
Haven't really worked on it with you out of the country actually, I've been out of town quite often on business the past few weeks - we'll pick back up when you get back.
Sounds good. I'll probably be out and about on Monday, though, I'll probably be home fairly early to spend some time with my family. We'll get together later on in the week or that following Sunday.
Sounds good. I'll probably be out and about on Monday, though, I'll probably be home fairly early to spend some time with my family. We'll get together later on in the week or that following Sunday.
Sounds good.
To everyone else who may be following the project, sorry for the delay. Between work and the release of Diablo III, I've not really touched the set for about 2 weeks. The project isn't dead, just giving it a break, and waiting on AranMagnus to get back to the U.S. as he and I do the bulk of the playtesting. Stay tuned!
Back from a long break. Changes have been made to the set file, mostly wording and punctuation. Major changes include:
Tyraam - Fixed wording on anti-reanimator clause. Didn't remove the Vigilance or Annihilator... I like that he's got a lot of abilities, even if it's overkill.
Koth - Several changes here. The +1 was lowered to 1 damage but can now be used on creature or player, the -2 affects all players, and the ultimate has been completely changed.
Alesch - Vigilance removed, Protection clause changed to protection from nonwhite spells. fixed punctuation errors.
Dragon's Nest - raised cost by one.
Zealous Survivor. Reworded slightly, added flavor text to convey the whiteness of the card.
I've already done a bit of playtesting (10 or so hours of block constructed) with AranMagnus, and a lot of the changes in the first pass are based on this testing. At this point, I'd like to ask anyone out there who's willing to help with the process.
Here's how you can help with playtesting:
The download links have changed slightly, as I'm transitioning from Dropbox to Google Drive, but the links to the set files have been updated at my blog. The .PDF files and MWS files have not, as of this post, been updated.
Thanks!
EDIT: Google Drive link wasn't working. Think I have it fixed now, but if anyone has any issues with it please let me know.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
This came from user aeoncleanse, I had recently commented on some of his high resolution renders and how good they looked. He came in unbidden and gave the high res treatment to one of the legends in the set.
The only thing unfortunate about it is that I haven't been updating the links in the old thread, so this card has changed slightly since (now says can't be damaged by nonwhite spells), but the renders themselves just look awesome.
Thanks, aeoncleanse!
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Can you get a cockatrice file working?
I've never used Cockatrice, but I'm sure I can.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Okay - it's a great playtesting program like MWS, except that it's more user-friendly. If you can get one up there then I would highly appreciate it. I think we did it with Core Flamingo and got a couple games in there.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Anyway, Haunt is worded that way because it makes a reference to the haunted creature. Garrison does not. It sounds better this way, but it doesn't have any consequences other than the ability being countered when the targeted land leaves play before resolution.
Finishing up on the set review, which is long overdue:
Erm... stuff:
Toraian Tower: I'd make this an ETB effect. Remembering this the entire time can get annoying.
Deepsea Reef: Same here.
Deepforest Glade: Same here. Also, this... would be the best land ever printed..
Restless Cemetery: Dude, that's seriously overpowered.
Brood Lair: This is nice! Would be fine at CMC 6.
Ulamog's Crusher: Why new art? This one doesn't look so great.
Random ROE draft story: So there I was with a sole Ulamog's Crusher on the field. I was dead on board, because it had to attack and couldn't block. I drew for my turn and hoped for a miracle. I got one as I topdecked an Eldrazi Conscription. I threw it onto my crusher and brawled with it. The 16/16 trample, annihilator 4 dude now lethal, he had to chump with his the creatures he just played, putting me out of lethal on his backswing. Oh, and he had to sac all his lands.
Emrakul's Spawnlord: Cost 8? I'd pick Ulamog's Crusher over this guy. Also, I'd drop the nonartifact clause. It's clunky and it doesn't really do harm if it isn't there. Eye of Ugin can search for Wurmcoil.
Skittering Spawnmother: Maybe a number different from Kozilek's Predator? Worse, because it is colorless? 3/2?
Spawning One: Oh, this guy made it into the realm of playable / good. :thumbsup:. Maybe attacks or blocks?
Tyraam, Monument of Sins: Oh my. This guy is bad. Like really bad! If you are playing him on 15 mana, how many eldrazi spawn tokens will you have left? Most likely 0. So you get a 15 mana dude that doesn't do that much and you need other spells after you cast him to make him effective. To clarify how bad he is: This is the Radditz of the Eldrazis! I'd play Ulamog's Crusher over him, even if my entire deck consists of token generators.
Vulshok Missionary: Very strong.
Koth, Master Geomancer: I know you said he was fine in testing, but he shouldn't be: He is almost a strictly better Chandra, the Firebrand for 1 mana less. And I like my Chandra! But you said he will be changed before the final version.
Alesh, Blade of Renna: Hm, there is only one thing this guy does, and that's alpha striking. I'd change some numbers, but the overall concept is good.
Varigoyf: Don't quite get the name, but awesome effect
Betrayal in the Depths: Miscolored in my opinion, but nothing wrong with the power level.
Seaborn Drone: Sounds fine.
Dissolution: Still don't like it.
Clouded Assault: Wait, I had all these already..
Going to green (again :confused2:):
Feral Dominator: Saw the art, the cost and the first ability and I was like: "Awesome" (I think "I was like" is correct and not "and I said", but I could be wrong). But I cringed at the second ability. This is so convoluted.. I'd just make him trigger it.
Intimidate: Meh.
Black: What the.. I already had these too.
Ogre Ballista: Cost seems fair.
Pureblade: Flavorful for the set, but I'd word it: "by a creature that's a color equipped creature isn't" sounds even more xenophobic. Also, you don't have to outsource the ability:
"Whenever equipped creature blocks or becomes blocked by a creature that doesn't share a color with equipped creature, it gains double strike until end of turn."
To be continued.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Brood Lair - I agree. Dropping the cost.
Ulamog's Crusher - my intention here is to use the original art. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the original art so that it will fit on a clear frame and not just in the normal image box. Unique Eldrazi art is immensely hard to find.
Emrakul's Spawnlord - This guy is a leftover from earlier, bad design where the big Eldrazi created spawn. He needs to be redesigned completely, I just haven't gotten around to it.
Skittering Spawnmother - The intent here is to be almost exactly Kozilek's Predator, which IMO was spot-on when it came to Eldrazi Drones. The colorlessness is a boon for the card, in this case, because of its playability in the 5-color (colorless) archetype that is borderline constructed viable from the first set (and will be much more viable once set 3 is finished)
Spawning One - Yeah, this guy saw the type of changes that Emrakul's Spawnlord is going to. In this case, obvioulsy I took him from being a large Eldrazi with annihilator and turned him into a midrange drone that plays well with Spawn. Dunno if I want to make it 'or blocks', but it's worth considering.
Tyraam - Tyraam is an interesting dilemma. I want a Titan that plays into the spawn token tribal theme (using the spawn for more than just sacrifice fodder), but pricing him so high me3ans that you're likely using the spawn to get him onto the field. Price him too cheap and he's way OP. Dunno what to do here.
Vulshok Missionary - Very strong indeed. I LOVE this card though, it's so fun to play, and makes for some very interesting combos if you think things out carefully.
Koth - I'm still on the fence about Koth. He'll probably definitely see some change before his final form, but especially since I only intend to play this set in itself, and am intentionally not playtesting with any other existing cards, I might be ok with him outclassing Chandra.
Alesch - What numbers would you change?
Varigoyf - I was thinking 'vari' as in variable, since his colors change. Prismagoyf could work too. I see this guy as strong in limited in any color, but also as a constructed finished for blue mill decks. Still can't find appropriate art for him, any help is appreciated.
Betrayal - I still think this fits philosophically squarely into blue as well as red. Misdirection and subterfuge are very blue things to do.
Dissolution - I'm not entirely sold on it myself. It's on my watch list.
Feral Dominator - I love the idea behind this guy still, but he'll probably get the axe and see a major rework, as MaRo has said that emblems are solely to be the realm of planeswalkers (other things that would give 'emblems' just get "for the rest of the game" clauses instead. Even though the two are functionally identical, it gives planeswalkers a unique identity I guess)
Pureblade - I like it. Changed.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Tyraam, Monument of Sins 12
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi (M)
When you cast Tyraam, put seven 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Tyraam has annihilator X, where X is the number of Eldrazi Spawn creatures you control.
Whenever an Eldrazi Spawn creature you control dies, you may pay 1. If so, draw a card.
When Tyraam is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library.
10/10
Where is the link to all of the cards in the set? The OP doesn't have all of them.
You can find the files at this page.
Some highlights:
One last thing... my PDFs look TERRIBLE. I use a program called PDFFactory, because that's the program we use at work for other things, but it's resolution is terrible. Any suggestions on a better program to use?
EDIT: Cockatrice file is still forthcoming. The problem is I haven't found a good explanation of how to export to Cockatrice, and I've never used the program myself so I don't know much about it.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
EDIT: Swapped the files back to my Dropbox and updated the links. Let me know if you have any issues.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Tyraam: The vigilance and annihilator 2 is just 'text'. You can just scrap that and add maybe one more spawn token to the trigger. I'd also make him an 11/11 (much cooler number for an Eldrazi :))
Koth: Still, this guy is too good. So, let's assume a block constructed deck. Turn 1 that Goblin Miner on the play, turn 2 Koth, blow up your opponent's one land, next turn ping him for 1, opponent plays his second land and maybe gets to casts a dude, then blow up his second land. This isn't fun. I'd make the land destruction -3 and the ultimate -6. Baby Chandra maybe wouldn't be too pushed at 4 starting loyalty, but I don't think Koth's ultimate (which is pretty much Chandra's) should come two turns earlier.
Alesh: What this guy does: Either attack and die during that attack or attack with your team and kill your opponent in one swing. Vigilance is completely unnecessary ability. Either this guy attacks and your opponent dies or he dies, but he never returns to become a blocker. I'd increase his P/T and reduce the aura effect to +1/+1.
Calan: Just glimpsed over the rest, but this guy seems awesome
Dragon's Nest: Isn't that too strong?
On to wording again:
Calan: .., then shuffle your library. Capitalize Forest.
Verdant Life: You gain 1 life. If a spell you cast this turn was countered by a spell or ability.. (I don't think you want to trigger this by spells being countered by game rules.)
Woodform: Capitalize Forest.
Primal Ascendance: You may cast the next X creature spells you cast this turn without paying their mana cost. Creature spells you control can't be countered this turn. (Why spells you control, when it was cast every other time: When refering to the mana cost, it applies when you cast the spell (putting it on the stack), the uncounterability applies while the spell is on the stack. You control that spell during that time, but you don't cast it (you did that already).
Aldrean Soulcaller: ..you may put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library.
Deepforest Behemoth: Reminder text on fight instead of regenerate?
Grimecloak Drone: decapitalize hexproof.
Flamesire Drone: Outsourcing this ability is not necessary. Whenever an Eldrazi Spawn creature you control dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Eldrazi Brute: I read that you invented the "killed" game term, but dead creature?
Bloodlust Vampire: As long as..
Clouded Assault: ..tap a fortified Island you control. (you don't use target on ability costs)
Fleetfin Merfolk: Suggestion (yours is not wrong): Purity - U: Return Fleetfin Merfolk to its owner's hand. Activate this ability only if blue is the only color among permanents you control.
Nullifier Drone: Same as the red one.
Halt Summons: Why owner and not controller? can't instead of cannot.
Spectral Displacement: Capitalize all subtypes.
Fleshrage: Enchanted creature has.
Torturous Assault: This doesn't work. What happens if its toughness drops to 0? You have to reword this.
Equipments: As with many other cards, you can just put the ability directly on the card and refer to the creature as equipped creature.
Balefire: would die this turn.
Pyretic Pox: ..put a blaze counter on enchanted creature, then Pyretic Pox deals damage to that creature equal to the number of blaze counters on it.
Jharg: Goblin creatures you control have double strike. Last ability: for each Goblin you control.
Overall:
I like all the individual cards except for those I commented on. The overall feel of the first set is preserved and the colors have their distinct flavors. I liked the colorless cards from the first set to go with the Purity theme. The Eldrazi cards, though all fine, have not enough connection with the rest of the cards. Not very many of the colored cards are really expensive. Without the Eldrazi, this would be a format with an average curve, but then you have guys like Tyraam. I'd try to make the Eldrazi theme and the different colors go more hand in hand.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Just updated the set with multiple changes:
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Going by each page in the PDF.
PAGE 1
Scion of Emrakul: This seems fine. It doesn't seem too splashy, however.
Growth Spasm: Reprint
Forgotten Library: I still don't like how colors other than green can get mana ramp. Also, you have Eldrazi Spawn tokens. This seems weak, but it has to be weak.
Toraian Bishop: This is just a W 1/1 if a player doesn't have fortifications. Other than that, this seems like a cool utility card.
Divine Blade: This feels really narrow to me. I don't like it. I would change the "Gain 2 life" part of the card to a cantrip. The set doesn't even have an equipment theme.
Toraian Benediction: This would never be cast without purity. Seems fine to me.
Erasure of Ulamog: I love the design of this card. Great job.
Handmaid of the Martyred: Whoa, board complexity. I would lower the cost and maybe change the purity trigger. Like, you're already attacking with a flying 5/5 every turn.
Fields of Rememberance: This reads pretty weak, IMO. The flavor is strong, but it really feels weak.
PAGE 2
Outpost Commander: An interesting lord for garrison, which is shaping up to becoming your parasitic mechanic.
Wayward Knight: First strike makes it perfectly playable even without Eldrazi. Hmm. Might be a bit powerful.
Blessing of the Silver Flame: Option 1 would be selected most of the time. What is the duality between those effects?
Sanctification: "Enchant fortification equipping land". This is really weak, but that's fine. It's a bit narrow.
Verdant Refuge: See my comments on the Library. I do like how this can survive against bigger creatures.
Toraian Vanguard: Looks fine to me.
Zealous Survivor: The graveyard trigger seems out of place. You're getting a 4/4 double strike under the right conditions - I would playtest this.
Spawn of Tyraam: A bit weak, but this is fine. I would maybe try 2/3 or 3/2 or 3/3.
Wandering Refugee: What if you don't want to reattach fortifications?
Haven't really worked on it with you out of the country actually, I've been out of town quite often on business the past few weeks - we'll pick back up when you get back.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Sounds good.
To everyone else who may be following the project, sorry for the delay. Between work and the release of Diablo III, I've not really touched the set for about 2 weeks. The project isn't dead, just giving it a break, and waiting on AranMagnus to get back to the U.S. as he and I do the bulk of the playtesting. Stay tuned!
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)