If the memory issues are a concern, you could make it a counter. Next upkeep, you remove the counter, pay the cost and do the effect?
A bit more going on, but certainly easier on the brain.
Here is my cycle for the anti-dragon faction in Dromoka.
Ronan, Dragonsbane3WG
Legendary Creature - Hound Shaman (M)
Hexproof
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.) : Target creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains reach until end of turn.
2/5 I say... Enough!
Pack Healer2WG
Creature - Hound Shaman(C) : Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn. : Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to each creature you control this turn. Activate this ability only if an opponent controls a dragon.
1/4 When life under the beasts grows hard, a soothing touch is often the only respite.
Bound to the Earth1WG
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can't attack or block.
If a creature with flying enters the battlefield, you may attach Bound to the Earth to that creature. "You DARE, mutt?!" bellowed the thrashing dragon.
Ronan smiled grimly. "I endure."
Watch the SkiesWG
Enchantment (R)
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.)
Whenever a creature with flying attacks you, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card. Dragons love the element of surprise. Too bad for them.
Subject16 (Alara) (CMC 3) (Bant) - This is certainly a perfect thematic callback and feels so much like Mayael that it would be odd if it was named something else. I feel like adding Cream of the Crop might be a bit much.
netn10 (Lorwyn) (CMC 5) (Goblins) - I do love some deathtouch pingers, but some things here feel a bit funky. The 'triplets' aspect of this feels extraneous (almost Un-card), and having it still be a Goblin feels like a violation of the requirements.
willows (Tarkir) (CMC 5) (Jeskai) - Overall, this doesn't stand out to me. And wealth seems rough compared to just straight drawing.
picnic_bomber (Kamigawa) (CMC 1) (N/A) - A tutoring general? Shudder.. Despite my general aversion to such things, this feels well-structured and aggressively pushed. But a barbarian with bushido? Definitely jarring..
mirrodin71 (Kamigawa) (CMC 3) (Rats) - At first this felt off as a Demon Spirit, but my Kamigawa knowledge is not extensive. After research, it looks like Demon Spirits all seem to have different standard black abilities which made this seem better. Now add wither to your Kamigawa, and we're in business.
void_nothing (Tarkir) (CMC 4) (Jeskai) - Neat usage on that first ability. But the wording and structure of that second ability is mega-awkward. It feels like one of those early cards with the tiny font that no one knew how to play correctly.
Cardz5000 (Shadowmoor) (CMC 4) (Elves) - The variability here seems pretty wild. I pity the tokens deck that runs into this buzzsaw, whereas a big green monsters deck probably has no problems with this.
Ronan, Dragonsbane3WG
Legendary Creature - Hound Shaman (M)
Hexproof
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.) : Target creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains reach until end of turn.
2/5 I say... Enough!
picnic_bomber (Kamigawa) - I am a fan of this. The inherent modality adds a lot of depth.
Legend (Rath) - The connection feels very tenuous. It should have more in common besides just sacrificing. The card itself feels fine, but I have the feeling there is some brokenness lurking that I'm not seeing.
mirrodin71 (Kamigawa) - This feels very narrow, even in a set exploring fortifications. I'm not sure why the fortified land has to be tapped.
Jimmy Groove (Theros) - I like the idea (played with it myself in an inferior way), but I feel like this needs more seperation in its costs. In a normal set the 1 additional mana would be okay, but with enchantments everywhere like Theros, it needs more.
netn10 (Lorwyn) - This does not feel rare, despite the Legendary status and flavor win. Having to have a goblin and a goat?
Cardz5000 (Lorwyn) - Love it. Throw in some damage prevention, and you really start humming along.
Top 3:
1. Cardz5000
2. picnic_bomber
3. Jimmy Groove
Shanking Knife2
Artifact - Equipment (R)
Equipped creature has first-strike and deathtouch.
Equip 2 Dented and bent. Pitted and stained. Grimy and neglected. But holding it made you feel as if you could kill anything.
Flamebound Orc1BR
Creature - Orc Shaman (U)
Menace Flare - When Flamebound Orc attacks, you may pay BR. If you do, target creature can't block this turn.
2/3 A rush of wind, a blinding glare, and the feeling of a sword in your guts.
Cardz5000 - This feels pretty solid, but the halves are so close in cost that it feels off somehow.
RaikouRider - The token ability should match the others better. Maybe just regular clone effect so that you could start that line with 'Copy' as well?
willows - Confused. So, you make a copy of an enchantment, and then make it not an enchantment?
JamBlock - This seems explosive in the right deck, but I would hate to have this go off in a real-world game. It would be crazy to keep track of everything. I am totally picturing it getting out of hand and then my creature getting Arrested. I'd end up with infinite auras on a creature that can't attack!
picnic_bomber - This seems really good. Does it seem like it should have white in it for the effect?
Gateways7 - Oof. This feels odd without some kind of 'X' in there to mitigate it. 4 mana for a copy of the best creature in play and 3 additional permanents seems way over the top.
Hemlock - Feels production ready. And like a card that I would flash in at end of turn because I wasn't paying attention.. lol
Utter Dominance4RG
Enchantment (MR)
Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, if that creature was dealt damage by a source you control, create a token that's a copy of that creature. 2RG: Target creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls. I will take victory. You can have that other thing.
Weregild1BB
World Enchantment (R)
Whenever a nontoken creature dies, its controller creates a colorless Treasure artifact token with “ , Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.” 2: Sacrifice a creature. Any player may activate this ability. Every soul has value. A set amount.
Not sure about this. Shows set in fantasy environments are a tough sell because they tend to underperform (Game of Thrones being the exception).
It would be more likely that it would be a fish-out-of-water story where a modern kid/teen has their spark ignite, which I'm not sure would go over well.
willows: I like the concept, but I feel like it conflicts with all the Golgari graveyard matters cards. I don't think it would be too OP to be '3 cards from any graveyards', and that might work better for me.
picnic_bomber: At 6 (or 10+), this seems just dandy. Where I'm not liking it is at 2, which is supposed to be the primary mana cost.
Cardz5000: I was not feeling this one until I saw that it was a common just now. The 'correctness' of that makes the card shine quite a bit.
mirrodin71: This feels overly complicated, and far too abusable. I could totally build this to give me 20+ power for 4 mana almost every time.
netn10: I like this, but it feels like it would be feast or famine with this one. Post Hornet Queen is just silly.
Hemlock: Way too much going on, and your two drop eating a kill spell will pretty much end the game right there.
A bit more going on, but certainly easier on the brain.
Excellent idea for sure, though.
Ronan, Dragonsbane 3WG
Legendary Creature - Hound Shaman (M)
Hexproof
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.)
2/5
I say... Enough!
Pack Healer 2WG
Creature - Hound Shaman(C)
1/4
When life under the beasts grows hard, a soothing touch is often the only respite.
Bound to the Earth 1WG
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can't attack or block.
If a creature with flying enters the battlefield, you may attach Bound to the Earth to that creature.
"You DARE, mutt?!" bellowed the thrashing dragon.
Ronan smiled grimly. "I endure."
Watch the Skies WG
Enchantment (R)
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.)
Whenever a creature with flying attacks you, you may pay 2. If you do, draw a card.
Dragons love the element of surprise. Too bad for them.
netn10 (Lorwyn) (CMC 5) (Goblins) - I do love some deathtouch pingers, but some things here feel a bit funky. The 'triplets' aspect of this feels extraneous (almost Un-card), and having it still be a Goblin feels like a violation of the requirements.
willows (Tarkir) (CMC 5) (Jeskai) - Overall, this doesn't stand out to me. And wealth seems rough compared to just straight drawing.
picnic_bomber (Kamigawa) (CMC 1) (N/A) - A tutoring general? Shudder.. Despite my general aversion to such things, this feels well-structured and aggressively pushed. But a barbarian with bushido? Definitely jarring..
mirrodin71 (Kamigawa) (CMC 3) (Rats) - At first this felt off as a Demon Spirit, but my Kamigawa knowledge is not extensive. After research, it looks like Demon Spirits all seem to have different standard black abilities which made this seem better. Now add wither to your Kamigawa, and we're in business.
void_nothing (Tarkir) (CMC 4) (Jeskai) - Neat usage on that first ability. But the wording and structure of that second ability is mega-awkward. It feels like one of those early cards with the tiny font that no one knew how to play correctly.
Cardz5000 (Shadowmoor) (CMC 4) (Elves) - The variability here seems pretty wild. I pity the tokens deck that runs into this buzzsaw, whereas a big green monsters deck probably has no problems with this.
Top 3:
1. mirrodin71
2. Cardz5000
3. Subject16
Legendary Creature - Hound Shaman (M)
Hexproof
Alert (Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, untap up to one creature you control.)
2/5
I say... Enough!
Legend (Rath) - The connection feels very tenuous. It should have more in common besides just sacrificing. The card itself feels fine, but I have the feeling there is some brokenness lurking that I'm not seeing.
mirrodin71 (Kamigawa) - This feels very narrow, even in a set exploring fortifications. I'm not sure why the fortified land has to be tapped.
Jimmy Groove (Theros) - I like the idea (played with it myself in an inferior way), but I feel like this needs more seperation in its costs. In a normal set the 1 additional mana would be okay, but with enchantments everywhere like Theros, it needs more.
netn10 (Lorwyn) - This does not feel rare, despite the Legendary status and flavor win. Having to have a goblin and a goat?
Cardz5000 (Lorwyn) - Love it. Throw in some damage prevention, and you really start humming along.
Top 3:
1. Cardz5000
2. picnic_bomber
3. Jimmy Groove
BrainPo (Theros) - Well-built. Not sure I'd be targeting this for that bonus unless there was nothing else.
Gateways7 (Tarkir) - Not feeling this one. 6 mana seems like a ton here, especially given the limited Sift.
zdtsd (Tarkir) - This seems rough if you played Zurgo pre-combat. You'd have a a completely irrelevant combat step there.
void_nothing (Tarkir) - Solid, but the mechanic feels SO narrow. Not sure it would be enough for a whole set.
Hemlock (Kaladesh) - I feel like there's too much going on here, especially for an uncommon.
Top 3
1. BrainPo
2. void_nothing
3. AtlasNova
Shanking Knife 2
Artifact - Equipment (R)
Equipped creature has first-strike and deathtouch.
Equip 2
Dented and bent. Pitted and stained. Grimy and neglected. But holding it made you feel as if you could kill anything.
Flamebound Orc 1BR
Creature - Orc Shaman (U)
Menace
Flare - When Flamebound Orc attacks, you may pay BR. If you do, target creature can't block this turn.
2/3
A rush of wind, a blinding glare, and the feeling of a sword in your guts.
Instant {U}
Choose one -
- Target creature gains defender.
- Return target tapped permanent to its owner's hand.
- Shuffle a card from your hand into your library. Draw two cards.
Addendum - If you cast this spell during your main phase, choose two instead.RaikouRider - The token ability should match the others better. Maybe just regular clone effect so that you could start that line with 'Copy' as well?
willows - Confused. So, you make a copy of an enchantment, and then make it not an enchantment?
JamBlock - This seems explosive in the right deck, but I would hate to have this go off in a real-world game. It would be crazy to keep track of everything. I am totally picturing it getting out of hand and then my creature getting Arrested. I'd end up with infinite auras on a creature that can't attack!
picnic_bomber - This seems really good. Does it seem like it should have white in it for the effect?
Gateways7 - Oof. This feels odd without some kind of 'X' in there to mitigate it. 4 mana for a copy of the best creature in play and 3 additional permanents seems way over the top.
Hemlock - Feels production ready. And like a card that I would flash in at end of turn because I wasn't paying attention.. lol
Top 3
1. Hemlock
2. Cardz5000
3. picnic_bomber
Enchantment (MR)
Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, if that creature was dealt damage by a source you control, create a token that's a copy of that creature.
2RG: Target creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls.
I will take victory. You can have that other thing.
RaikouRider - Pretty nifty. There is a lot going on here for a two drop rare, but complexity fans would dig it.
Gateways7 - Interesting, and feels good rarity-wise. Not sure I get the flavor.
Subject16 - Seems pretty asymmetrical given the likelihood of opponents having equipment is not high.
JamBlock - Busted card. The nightmare that is 'Blink EDH' (a la Roon and Brago) just got a ton worse.
kwanyeegor - Pretty cool. Feels a bit more UR given the details.
Top 3
1. RaikouRider
2. kwanyeegor
3. Gateways7
World Enchantment (R)
Whenever a nontoken creature dies, its controller creates a colorless Treasure artifact token with “
2: Sacrifice a creature. Any player may activate this ability.
Every soul has value. A set amount.
It would be more likely that it would be a fish-out-of-water story where a modern kid/teen has their spark ignite, which I'm not sure would go over well.
picnic_bomber: At 6 (or 10+), this seems just dandy. Where I'm not liking it is at 2, which is supposed to be the primary mana cost.
Cardz5000: I was not feeling this one until I saw that it was a common just now. The 'correctness' of that makes the card shine quite a bit.
mirrodin71: This feels overly complicated, and far too abusable. I could totally build this to give me 20+ power for 4 mana almost every time.
netn10: I like this, but it feels like it would be feast or famine with this one. Post Hornet Queen is just silly.
Hemlock: Way too much going on, and your two drop eating a kill spell will pretty much end the game right there.
Top 3:
1. Cardz5000
2. willows
3. netn10