Deflection Screen1UU
Enchantment — Aura (U)
Flash
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, you may change the target. Not all problems need to be solved by one person. Sometimes it’s just easier to share them with others.
Fallen Exemplar4(U/B)(U/B)(U/B)(U/B)
Creature - Elemental Horror (M)
Flying
Whenever a player cast a creature spell, counter that spell. Then put a number of -1/-1 counters equal to that spell's converted mana cost on Fallen Exemplar. Too savage to remember what the aurora had taken, it feasted on enemies and kin alike desperate for what it was missing.
10/10
I can’t like this card. It slows the game down considerably, discouraging players from casting creatures (which is central to playing Magic). Yes, it’s a way to kill of a 10/10, but at the expense of likely discarding three or four creature cards. Unless you’re playing a graveyard deck, that won’t sit particularly well.
Ghastlord’s Insight(U/B)
Sorcery (U)
Draw a card if U was spent to cast Ghastlord’s Insight. Each opponent discard cards equal the number of card you draw this turn if B was spent to cast Ghastlord’s Insight. (Do both if UB was spent.)
One blue mana to draw a card isn’t terribly exiting, unless you’re running a prowess deck, which is not a mechanic in these sets. It feels quite strong for one mana. I think the black ability is stronger than the blue (the blue effect is a little underwhelming), but what I don’t understand is why you could do both when it’s a one mana spell? When could you ever be doing both? All of the “do both” cards cost more than one mana or have X in them. Bump this up 1 and it would at least satisfy the rules text.
Sootscar Mentor
Creature — Elemental Shaman (R)
Wither
Red creatures you control and black creatures you control have wither.
3/2
This kind of card works, wither is both black and red. However, it’s underwhelming for a rare in my opinion. We already have a card, Everlasting Torment, that does this kind of effect, which feels much more exciting in comparison. But, I do feel like if someone slipped it in to a Shadowmoor or Eventide booster pack, I’d have no idea.
Wilt-Leaf Scout
Creature — Elf Scout (U)
Nonbasic landwalk , : Untap each other creature you control.
1/4
The untap mechanic was very specific to Eventide. We had a few cycles of untap cards, and oddly, no green-white ones. This kind of feels like a missing card to me. Could this be a little too powerful as an uncommon? I would say the landwalk here might feel slightly out of place for a 1/4, but then again, green never had large landwalking creatures anyway. Still, the second ability feels spot on. Bravo!
Blessed Selkie(G/U)(G/U)
Creature - Merfolk (Rare) t: Another target creature you control gains hexproof until end of turn. "The blessings of mother-nature and father-sea are for everyone to share."
2/2
In a way, it’s a bit underwhelming. On the other hand, it’s never been done before. Really it’s a Mother of Runes card, but it certainly fits and feels Green-Blue. I could see this having been printed in this block. Good job.
Twilight Charm (Common) 1(W/B)
Instant
Choose one —
Exile target card from a graveyard.
Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
Target creature you control gains protection from multicolored until end of turn.
Here is where I’m torn. I think it would be fun to have charms in either set. But there weren’t any charms in the set. And although the block did care about colors, it didn’t distinguish colored versus multicolored (yes, Enemy of the Guildpact uses the ability, from the set Dissension). Hybrid cards technically should work in either color, but Wizards did cheat a little on a few cards. I feel like maybe there could be a few effects in here that go both ways so as to distinguish this from a WB card.
Noggle Hoarder2(U/R)(U/R)
Creature — Noggle Rogue (R)
When Noggle Hoarder dies, target opponent gains control of target permanent you control. Noggles will take anything they can get their hands on. But be wary — often it’s absolute junk. 3/3
Dessius, Oracle of Keranos1UR
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard {M} Heroic - Whenever you cast a spell that targets Dessius, Oracle of Keranos, if it's an instant or sorcery spell, copy that spell and you may choose new targets for the copy. Otherwise, put a token that's a copy of the permanent it becomes onto the battlefield.
2/4
I’m excited by this ability. Copying spells when targeted, essentially doubling the effects. I think the second part is overkill. Putting copies of permanents onto the battlefield feels a little weird with things like auras. I also fear this might really break things with the right cards, and this is probably undercosted at 3 mana.
Weaver of Blessings3R
Creature - Human Cleric (R) Heroic - Whenever you cast a spell that targets Weaver of Blessings, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. "Iroas has blessed me, ans I shall bless others in his name."
3/3
Very similar to the previous card. However, this is a bit simpler, and doesn’t have the second ability. I definitely think this kind of creature could have existed in Theros block.
Hound of Mogis2RR
Creature- Hound (U) 4RR: Monstrosity 3 (If this creature isn't monstrous, put 3 +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
Monstrous creatures you control have menace.
3/3
Feels like this could be a cycle
The card doesn’t break anything and doesn’t do anything crazy. However, it is very similar to several red monstrous cards, like Wildfire Cerebus. Part of me would love to see direct damage, seeing that it’s Mogis, but you do have Menace which is his thing too, except really it should be intimidate (since Menace wasn’t defined back then).
Hope-Flame Phoenix3RR
Creature - Phoenix (R)
Flying 4RR: Return Hope-Flame Phoenix from your graveyard to the battlefield. 4WW: Monstrosity 2 (If this creature isn't monstrous, put two +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
When Hope-Flame Phoenix becomes monstrous, you may return target creature card from any graveyard to the battlefield.
3/3
This is interesting. A Phoenix that rises that can also rise other creatures. I like the idea of the off-color costed ability, but White usually doesn’t get to take any creature from a graveyard — White only gets smaller creatures, and usually only from your own graveyard.
Animistic DryadGG
Creature - Dryad (R) Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Animistic Dryad, put two +1/+1 counters on target land you control. That land becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste. It's still a land.
2/2
I don’t think this is the last time we will see this Awaken ability, but it was iconic for Battle for Zendikar block, not Theros block. I like the card, but I don’t think it’s Theros themed.
Inchoate Chimera2U
Creature - Shapeshifter Chimera {R} 2U: Monstrosity 1. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes monstrous.)
When Inchoate Chimera becomes monstrous, you may have it become a copy of target creature.
2/2 "The beast flickered through a thousand forms in a heartbeat, but my own heart stopped when finally it settled on mine."
— Proseus, Akroan Hero
It’s reasonable, it fits blue, and it doesn’t go crazy. It might be a bit aggressive at 2U, but it is a rare. This is very close to Artisan of Forms, but I like that you’ve tried it with monstrous.
Blink(W/U)
Instant (C)
Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner’s control. Not needing to fight can be a victory in itself.
Oakheart Songstress1G
Creature — Human Druid (R) Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Oakheart Songstress, add one mana of any color to your mana pool. The lush forests call out to those who know its song. 1/2
Welcome to the Card Creation League! This final poll is open to everyone.
Everyone who votes will receive 2 Bonus Points for CCL December!
Challenge
Design the following:
a card with Fabricate
a Mythic Rare Gearhulk construct artifact creature card
a Jace, Liliana or Ajani planeswalker card fitting with Kaladesh
Legend
Gyromite3
Artifact Creature — Servo (C)
Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.) 1/1
Ancient Gearhulk7
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
You may pay EEEEE rather than pay Ancient Gearhulk's mana cost.
Indestructible 7/7
Ajani, Sworn Advocate3WW
Planeswalker — Ajani (M)
[+1]: Target creature gains defender until your next turn.
[–1]: Until your next turn, creatures can't attack you unless their controller pays 2 for each creature he or she controls that's attacking you.
[–X]: Exile Ajani, Sworn Advocate. Put another target planeswalker card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control with X additional loyalty counters on it. [3]
Flatline
Aether Weaver2WW
Creature — Human Artificer (U)
Vigilance
Fabricate 2 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put two +1/+1 counters on it or create two 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature tokens.)
Aether Weaver has lifelink as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it. Otherwise, it has "Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield, you may gain 1 life." 1/2
Electrified Gearhulk4RW
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
Lifelink
When Electrified Gearhulk enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to each other creature. A source of power for some, a source of pain for many. 5/5
Liliana, Devious Mind2BB
Planeswalker — Liliana (M)
[+1]: Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
[–1]: Each player sacrifices a creature.
[–8]: You get an emblem with "Each opponent's maximum hand size is reduced by seven." [3]
willows
Upgrade Artist3G
Creature — Elf Artificer (R)
Fabricate 1
Servos you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters on Upgrade Artist. 2/2
Fecund Gearhulk3GG
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
Hexproof
When Fecund Gearhulk enters the battlefield, sacrifice a creature. If you do, search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature’s converted mana cost, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library. 4/4
Ajani, Renegade Healer2GW
Planeswalker — Ajani (M)
[+1]: Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature you control. You may destroy up to one Aura attached to that creature.
[-2]: Target creature gains flying and vigilance until end of turn.
[-7]: You get an emblem with “At the beginning of your end step, return each creature card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.” [4]
Who is the winner of CCL November?
Cast your vote by Sunday, December 11th 23:59 CST!
Welcome to the Card Creation League! This round is only for those who finished in the Finals.
Congratulations, Finalists!
We had a tie, so we get three finalists this month!
Legend
Flatline
willows
Theme
As we wrap up Kaladesh month, we re-visit some of the cool cycles of cards, touch on the planeswalkers, and gloss over inventive artifacts. Kaladesh certainly proved we can have a set without dozens of new mechanics. For the finals, you’ll be creating cards that could have been, if the set were larger.
Challenge
Design the following:
a card with Fabricate
a Mythic Rare Gearhulk construct artifact creature card (with Gearhulk in its name) on roughly the same power level as the existing Gearhulk cycle
a Jace, Liliana or Ajani planeswalker card that somewhat fits with that person being on Kaladesh
Tournament legal cards only
You must have three cards (if one card satisfies multiple criteria, make another card that also does)
The Gearhulk may be of any color, be colorless, or even multiple colors — it just must have “Artifact Creature — Construct” in its typeline
Your submissions are due Sunday, December 4th, 23:59 CST.
As usual, the final winner will be determined by a public poll.
Enchantment — Aura (U)
Flash
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, you may change the target.
Not all problems need to be solved by one person. Sometimes it’s just easier to share them with others.
This kind of card works, wither is both black and red. However, it’s underwhelming for a rare in my opinion. We already have a card, Everlasting Torment, that does this kind of effect, which feels much more exciting in comparison. But, I do feel like if someone slipped it in to a Shadowmoor or Eventide booster pack, I’d have no idea.
The untap mechanic was very specific to Eventide. We had a few cycles of untap cards, and oddly, no green-white ones. This kind of feels like a missing card to me. Could this be a little too powerful as an uncommon? I would say the landwalk here might feel slightly out of place for a 1/4, but then again, green never had large landwalking creatures anyway. Still, the second ability feels spot on. Bravo!
In a way, it’s a bit underwhelming. On the other hand, it’s never been done before. Really it’s a Mother of Runes card, but it certainly fits and feels Green-Blue. I could see this having been printed in this block. Good job.
Here is where I’m torn. I think it would be fun to have charms in either set. But there weren’t any charms in the set. And although the block did care about colors, it didn’t distinguish colored versus multicolored (yes, Enemy of the Guildpact uses the ability, from the set Dissension). Hybrid cards technically should work in either color, but Wizards did cheat a little on a few cards. I feel like maybe there could be a few effects in here that go both ways so as to distinguish this from a WB card.
Creature — Noggle Rogue (R)
When Noggle Hoarder dies, target opponent gains control of target permanent you control.
Noggles will take anything they can get their hands on. But be wary — often it’s absolute junk.
3/3
Very similar to the previous card. However, this is a bit simpler, and doesn’t have the second ability. I definitely think this kind of creature could have existed in Theros block.The card doesn’t break anything and doesn’t do anything crazy. However, it is very similar to several red monstrous cards, like Wildfire Cerebus. Part of me would love to see direct damage, seeing that it’s Mogis, but you do have Menace which is his thing too, except really it should be intimidate (since Menace wasn’t defined back then).
This is interesting. A Phoenix that rises that can also rise other creatures. I like the idea of the off-color costed ability, but White usually doesn’t get to take any creature from a graveyard — White only gets smaller creatures, and usually only from your own graveyard.
I don’t think this is the last time we will see this Awaken ability, but it was iconic for Battle for Zendikar block, not Theros block. I like the card, but I don’t think it’s Theros themed.
It’s reasonable, it fits blue, and it doesn’t go crazy. It might be a bit aggressive at 2U, but it is a rare. This is very close to Artisan of Forms, but I like that you’ve tried it with monstrous.
Instant (C)
Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner’s control.
Not needing to fight can be a victory in itself.
Creature — Human Druid (R)
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Oakheart Songstress, add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
The lush forests call out to those who know its song.
1/2
“Gearshift Ace”
This is the final poll for CCL November.
Cataclysmic Gearhulk, taken from MTG Art, by Victor Adame Minguez and Wizards of the Coast.
Everyone who votes will receive 2 Bonus Points for CCL December!
Challenge
Legend
Gyromite 3
Artifact Creature — Servo (C)
Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.)
1/1
Ancient Gearhulk 7
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
You may pay EEEEE rather than pay Ancient Gearhulk's mana cost.
Indestructible
7/7
Ajani, Sworn Advocate 3WW
Planeswalker — Ajani (M)
[+1]: Target creature gains defender until your next turn.
[–1]: Until your next turn, creatures can't attack you unless their controller pays 2 for each creature he or she controls that's attacking you.
[–X]: Exile Ajani, Sworn Advocate. Put another target planeswalker card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control with X additional loyalty counters on it.
[3]
Flatline
Aether Weaver 2WW
Creature — Human Artificer (U)
Vigilance
Fabricate 2 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put two +1/+1 counters on it or create two 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature tokens.)
Aether Weaver has lifelink as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it. Otherwise, it has "Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield, you may gain 1 life."
1/2
Electrified Gearhulk 4RW
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
Lifelink
When Electrified Gearhulk enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to each other creature.
A source of power for some, a source of pain for many.
5/5
Liliana, Devious Mind 2BB
Planeswalker — Liliana (M)
[+1]: Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
[–1]: Each player sacrifices a creature.
[–8]: You get an emblem with "Each opponent's maximum hand size is reduced by seven."
[3]
willows
Upgrade Artist 3G
Creature — Elf Artificer (R)
Fabricate 1
Servos you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters on Upgrade Artist.
2/2
Fecund Gearhulk 3GG
Artifact Creature — Construct (M)
Hexproof
When Fecund Gearhulk enters the battlefield, sacrifice a creature. If you do, search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature’s converted mana cost, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
4/4
Ajani, Renegade Healer 2GW
Planeswalker — Ajani (M)
[+1]: Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature you control. You may destroy up to one Aura attached to that creature.
[-2]: Target creature gains flying and vigilance until end of turn.
[-7]: You get an emblem with “At the beginning of your end step, return each creature card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.”
[4]
Cast your vote by Sunday, December 11th 23:59 CST!
Update, post and submit to your heart’s desire. Then you are at the public’s mercy!
“Gearshift Ace”
Cataclysmic Gearhulk, taken from MTG Art, by Victor Adame Minguez and Wizards of the Coast.
Theme
As we wrap up Kaladesh month, we re-visit some of the cool cycles of cards, touch on the planeswalkers, and gloss over inventive artifacts. Kaladesh certainly proved we can have a set without dozens of new mechanics. For the finals, you’ll be creating cards that could have been, if the set were larger.
Challenge
As usual, the final winner will be determined by a public poll.
Since s/he has done well this round, all we need is a top three.
And yeah, this will be a tough round. But… all of you guys are seasoned veterans, so I had to up the ante a little!
You know the drill!
Can we get them done by the end of Tuesday, November 29?