* Overview
* Schedule
* Challenge Rounds
* Critique Rounds
* Valid Entry Constitution
* Scoring
* Penalties
* Resources
* Credits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Overview
The CCL is among the more fun games on the MtGSalvation forums due to its inherent aspect of interactivity among the Leaguers (that’s you). We actively critique each other’s card designs at the end of each round, putting a more personal interest into our cards and generally making us all better designers. Typically, we build worlds more complete than many games, as each round builds on the designs and ideas of previous rounds in the month. The CCL allows for Leaguers to plumb the depths of creativity, as the point schedule aspect allows for three full rounds without fear of elimination.
* Schedule
o The CCL will run six rounds, each lasting five days.
+ Rounds 1, 2 & 3 will be free-for-alls with each leaguer fighting for the most points during critiques. At the beginning of each of these rounds, the host will divide the league members evenly into two teams and each team will be assigned their design challenge. At the challenge deadline, the round will elapse into the critique section (see Critiques below). Once the critique section ends, the host will tally points and post the next round. Team rosters are likely to change between rounds; the new rosters will be included in the initial posting for the next round.
o Each round will last five days: 3.5 to finalize designs, 1.5 for critiques.
o The schedule will usually operate according to US Eastern Time Zone (GMT -5). We will stick to this schedule as closely as possible, adjusting as necessary.
* Challenge Rounds
o At the start of each round, the host will post the challenge for the round. This may be, at the host’s discretion, a single challenge for all leaguers, a list for each leaguer to choose from, challenges assigned to each leaguer, or other challenge variation.
o Each Leaguer will post his/her entry by the deadline, 3.5 days after the round is posted.
* Critique Rounds
o At the end of each challenge round, the host, or an individual the host designates, will officially close the round and open the forum for critiques. After this point, modifying the post containing your entry for the round will incur penalties (see Penalties section).
o Each Leaguer will thoroughly critique at least 50% of the entries given by the leaguers on the other team.
o In addition to the critiques, each Leaguer generates his/her list of the Top 3 entries for the round. The Top 3 listings are the chief source of points within the CCL and are therefore required to complete. Even if critiques are not completed, Top 3’s must be listed to avoid penalties (see Penalties for penalty schedule). Regardless of the cards actually critiqued by a given Leaguer, Top 3’s can be drawn from any valid entry of the round. Submitting Top 3’s grants one point.
o A valid critique does not need to be lengthy. A few constructive sentences will do as long as they are meaningful. Neither “Hated it,” “Too expensive,” nor “Bahhrokken!!!” are valid critiques.
Example:
The following card is submitted by Fitzgerald:
A few decent critics:
from Tiberius: Templating issue with “nonpermanent card,” it's confusing and should just read “instant or sorcery card.” And the cost seems steep: I’m giving up a mana, a card, and immediate access to the card I looked for. Creative, but not bad.
from Wilhelmina: I hate the name. Also the shuffle part should be right after removing the tutored card instead of on a separate line. Seems powerful as an instant, play it on the opponents turn and you get basically a free draw, but you get to pick it.
from Beauregard: A bit complicated for uncommon. It doesn’t go to microtext on a render (sans flavor text) but it still isn’t all that intuitive.
* Valid Entry Constitution
o A valid entry in a given round cleanly delivers all required components of the challenge. The CCL is based around card design, so each challenge will direct Leaguers to design one or more cards, but other components may be given according to the judge’s discretion. Historically, these non-card components have included such things as keyword mechanic designs, story pieces, and various ideas for the judge to incorporate into later rounds. Include only what is described by the challenge requirements, as superfluous items may sway judgings unfairly and will incur penalties.
o It is customary to include card renders in entries. This is not required. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and therefore will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render. However, it must be understood that a proper render is easier to judge/critique as it is more pleasing to the eye, more memorable and allows for Leaguers to judge the card by its wordiness, a very important aspect of a card’s design. Common rendering software used include Magic Set Editor (free program, the standard that most amateur designers use), PhotoShop (not free), and GIMP (free PhotoShop knockoff).
* Scoring
(This has been depricated, and pending approval from the powers that be will be deleted. See the next spoiler section for how Scoring works.)
o The bulk of available points will be derived from Top 3 listings, as is League custom. Within each Top 3 listing, the choice for 1st place will be awarded 3 points, the choice for 2nd place will receive 2 points, and the choice for 3rd place will receive 1 point. It is common for Leaguers to post an Honorable Mention or two along with their T3 listings. Honorable Mentions are not awarded points. Posting T3s is required and awards one point for completion of the requirements. There are penalties for failure to post T3s (see Penalties section).
o Critiques are an optional aspect of the CCL, therefore no penalties are given for failure to complete critiques. Any Leaguer completing critiques for at least 50% of the other team's entries will receive 1 bonus point. An additional point will be awarded if a Leaguer critiques all valid entries in the round.
o As noted in the section on Valid Entry Constitution, entries are encouraged to contain proper card renders. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render.
* Penalties
o Failure to post Top 3s as required during the Critique section of any round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an Top 3 in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
o Once a Round elapses into its critique section, any Leaguer modifying their entry after any leaguer has posted a critique, will be disqualified for the round.
o Failure to post an entry within the Challenge round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an entry in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
* Resources
o This is a templating guideline compiled by Kraj. It is quite concise and very useful.
o Making Magic by Mark Rosewater, current head of Magic Design at Wizards of the Coast. Making Magic is a weekly article detailing the trials, tribulations and achievements of Magic R&D in riveting prose.
o Magiccards.info is the database mtgsalvation draws upon when you use the [card] tag. The advanced search functionality is useful for searching all cards officially printed by WotC.
o Gatherer is the database maintained officially by WotC. It has slightly different functionality than magiccards.info, but the differences are too numerable to list here. (Someone should write an article about that)
o Your other Leaguers are fantastic resources. We, more than the players of other games on this forum, are a community, as can be seen by the dialogue of any CCL thread.
+ Question, consult with, challenge and encourage each other at every opportunity.
o Credits
Each round, the players have a chance of getting a total of 100 points toward their score. Each score is determined by the following equation:
The grading of 3 points for first place, 2 points for second and 1 for third still stands. This is also the case for up to 2 points for crits and Top 3.
Total points of player A in round N = 100 * X/Y
Where:
X = Total number of points given by judges + (Bonus points for critiques & Top 3)
Y = Total number of points possible (3*Number of judges + Bonus Points)
This way the grading is more streamlined in the fact that all rounds up to going to top 8 are graded equally, and there is no handicap for any team that has fewer judges.
Each player starts the next round with the score that he previously had, and another possible 100 points is given to him at the end of that round. Therefore, there is a possible 300 points before the CCL goes to top 8.
ROUND 4 CHALLENGES: YOU WILL BE MAKING TWO CARDS THIS ROUND.
Card 1: A Non-Legendary creature that represents your foot-soldier in this war
Card 2: A Legendary Creature that is your civilization's top general, strategist, or war hero.
And so our story begins: Ages have passed on Aerum and civilizations have risen and fallen, leaving only eight civilizations that have maintained greatness. In any other circumstance, these eight nation-states would be pleased with their lot in life. But something is stirring beneath the surface of Aerum and is nettling the nations to war, to take what the other has and leave nothing of them in the wake.
So, the drums of war begin to beat. Swords are forged and spies are dispatched, hoping to find a weakness in your enemy. All over the world, small cracks in the earth open, venting blue ooze and blue smoke upwards. The smoke drive human, elf, and vedalken alike into states of panic and anger, and the ooze tears apart structures and animates statues. And it happens so quickly, that the civilizations believe that their enemies have done this to them.
So now, you strike back.
EXAMPLES:
Card 1: Anansi VenomfangBB
Creature - Spider Warrior (C)
When Anansi Venomfang is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a poison counter on target opponent. (A player who has ten or more poison counter loses the game.)
{1/2}
Card 2: Kwambi, Anansi Hero4BG
Legendary Creature - Spider Warrior (R)
Spider creatures you control get +1/+2 and have Reach and Deathtouch.
Tap five untapped Spiders you control: Put a 3/3 black and green Spider Elemental creature token with onto the battlefield. "I speak and our ancestors listen. I act and my soldiers follow. What have you?" --Kwambi, Anansi Hero
{1/2}
CRITIQUE PAIRS:
You will critique each other pair and choose one person in it to advance.
DRAGOON vs. GERRARD’S MOM
ROCKET POWERED TUBRO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
KOOPA vs. MAOKUN
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
DEADLINES: SUBMISSIONS are due by 2/20 at 11:00 pm EST (GMT -5). CRITIQUES are due by 2/22 at 11:00 pm EST (GMT -5).
Pandemic3BBB
Sorcery [mythic]
You get an emblem with "All creatures get -1/-1." Violence could never destroy as much as this.
Plagued Nurill1BB
Creature - Lizard [uncommon]
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a -1/-1 counter on ~ and another target creature. Only those on their death bed know the true meaning of the word 'inevitable'.
3/4
Nanturi, the Deadcity
Legendary Land [rare]
~ enters the battlefield tapped. T: Add B to your mana pool. T: For each -1/-1 counter on target creature, put a -1/-1 counter on another target creature. Plague ran rampant through the city for years, until a time when none could call it a city anymore.
Cleansing Idol4
Artifact Creature - Golem [rare]
If a -1/-1 counter would be placed on a permanent you control, put that counter on ~ instead.
When ~ is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on each creature for each -1/-1 counter on ~. The sick would pray beneath the idol for a cure, not knowing the cure they received was a curse in disguise.
1/4
Noxious NurillBB
Creature - Lizard Scout [common]
Whenever ~ blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, put a -1/-1 counter on that creature. The infected make the best front-line soldiers.
2/2
Zinligg, Toxinomancer2BB
Legendary Creature - Lizard Wizard [mythic]
Wither
~ gets +2/+2 for each -1/-1 counter on it. 1B, Remove a -1/-1 counter from a creature in play: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. "May you feel our suffering"
2/3
Huntborn is a town in a deep valley on the edge of the Ravenfall Forest. Over the past century, the few hunters huts have turned into permanent homes, halls and even stone buildings. With a population of well over 250 people now, only 10% of them aren't human. The town is run by an appointed lord with the help of a town council comprised of the heads of the 5 local guilds.
The Militia (primarily white) guards the town from outside threats, such as beast attacks from the forest or the uprising of a local demon cult.
The Traders (primarily blue) set prices for goods in town, and are responsible for the upkeep of the town library and guarding its knowledge.
The Church (primarily black) claims social responsibility for the people and their spirituality, but are looked down upon for their underhanded tactics and seemingly disloyal nature to the town's lord.
The Mages (primarly red) develop powerful arcanic spells in the confines of their tower and have been known to asist the Militia in defense and the Traders in knowledge generation and recording.
The Hunters (primarily green) are responsible for controlling the beast packs in the forest, keeping the forest at the town border and to gather food for the town.
The current town lord is reaching old age. Precedence has been that one of the existing council members will be appointed the new lord upon the current lord's death. The guilds are vying for attention form the aging lord, hoping a good word will be passed on to the area's baron. Due to this, the guilds are starting to distrust each other, and the same distrust spreads through the other town members.
Jealousy1B
Instant (U)
Destroy target creature if another creature with the same name is on the battlefield.
Draw a card.
Bladeguard1WW
Creature- Human Soldier (U)
First strike Community- Creatures that share a creature type and converted mana cost with Bladeguard get +1/+0 and have first strike. He may not lead the Militia, but he inspires its strikes.
2/2
Huntborn Hall
Legendary Land (R)
Huntborn Hall enters the battlefield tapped. T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Whenever a Human creature enters the battlefield under your control untapped, you may tap it. If you do, untap Huntborn Hall. The lord's keep sits in the center of town, empowering its citizens while they empower it.
Legged Birdcage4
Artifact Creature-Construct (U)
Defender
Whenever Legged Birdcage is dealt damage, you may put that many 1/1 blue Bird creature tokens with flying into play.
Tap four untapped bird creatures you control: Draw a card. When the Mage Tower's birdcage started walking on its own, it was no wonder that some of the messenger pigeons got out.
0/3
Mirror Knight1WU
Creature- Human Knight Wizard (U)
Whenever Mirror Knight blocks a creature, that creature becomes a copy of Mirror Knight until end of turn.
Whenever Mirror Knight becomes blocked by a creature, it becomes a copy of that creature until end of turn.
1/4
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster1GW
Legendary Creature- Human Scout (R)
Forestwalk Community- Whenever you cast a creature spell that shares a creature type and converted mana cost with Tommer Falson, you may destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.
1/2
HarvestGW
Sorcery C
Search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then if an opponent controls more land than you, search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library.
Mulch TenderBG
Creature - Elf Shaman U T: Return target land card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
2/2
Everlife, the Giving Tree
Legendary Land R T: Add G to your mana pool. Put a charge counter on Everlife, the Giving Tree. T, Remove X charge counters from Everlife, the Giving Tree: Add X mana of any combination of colors to your mana pool.
Flood Garden2GU
Enchantment creature - Elemental MR
Trample
Whenever Flood Garden deals combat damage to a player, put a flood counter on target land that player controls. That land is an Island as long as it has a flood counter on it. G: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
4/4
Raylek-Clan Awakener1RG
Creature - Elf Warrior Druid U
Haste
Whenever Raylek-Clan Awakener attacks, you may untap target land you control. If you do, that land becomes a 2/2 Elemental creature until end of turn and attacks this turn if able. "My soldiers are never alone." - General Ilidar
2/3
General Ilidar
Legendary Land Creature - Forest Treefolk MR (General Ilidar isn't a spell, it's affected by summoning sickness, and it has "T: Add G to your mana pool.")
General Ilidar is green.
Trample
Genreal Ilidar's power and toughness are equal to the number of lands you control.
General Ilidar can't attack or block unless you control four or more Forests. The Elves may tend the land, but it doesn't mean the land can't fend for itself.
*/*
Asking out a girl is like trying to cast a first turn Necropotence. Sometimes the other player will have the Force of Will to say no. You shouldn't let that stop you from trying it.
Simplicity2U
Instant (U)
Return each creature with power greater than it's printed power to it's owner's hand. "Swords, armor, charms - My dear Ser Corland, did you really think these would help you against me?"
-- Toharg the Sorcerer
Stern Purist 2W
Creature - Human Cleric (C)
Whenever a creature blocks or becomes blocked by Stern Purist, unattach all cards from that creature. "You have overburdened yourself with your possessions, and cluttered your life with trinkets. You will now learn how useless those things are."
2/3
Sumandea, Bastion Unblemished
Legendary Land (R) T: Add 1 to your mana pool T, Remove a counter from a creature you control: Add two mana of any color to your mana pool. From all over the world, pilgrims come to clear their mind and body from the troubles of world, and be whole.
Unadorned Statuette1U
Enchantment Creature - Elemental (U)
If a spell or ability will increase a creature’s power to be greater than Unadorned Statuette’s power, or it’s toughness to be greater than Unadorned Statuette’s toughness, return that creature to it’s owner’s hand.
1/2
And now:
Sumandea Deathblade2BB
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
When Sumandea's Deathblade enters the battlefield, Destroy target creature with another card attached to it. "Their generals and commanders adorn themselves with shiny armor and enchanted weaponry. All the easier to mark them as a target."
-- Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished
3/1
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished1BW
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier (R)
When Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished enters the battlefield, remove all counters from all creatures and unattach all cards them (auras that are unattached are destroyed).
Counters cannot be placed on creatures.
Cards cannot be attached to creatures.
2/2
Focus1U
Instant (U)
This spell can't be countered be spells or abilities.
The next spell cast this turn can"t be countered by spells or abilities.
Splice onto Instant or Sorcery 1UU "Focus. Then nothing can stop you."
Keeper of Focus1UU
Creature - Merfolk Shaman (U)
Whenever you splice, draw a card. None have mastered focus as well as the Keepers.
2/2
Trika, House of the Keepers
Legendary Land (MR)
Trika, House of the Keepers enters the battlefield tapped T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T, Sacrifice Trika, House of the Keepers: Instant and sorcery cards in your hand have "Splice onto Instant or Sorcery X, where X is this cards converted mana cost" until end of turn. The mecca of focus
Channeling Orb3
Artifact Creature - Orb (R) T: Add two mana in any combination of colors to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to splice. The orbs given to channel the Keepers' focus always seemed to have minds of their own... but never feet.
1/1
Focused Spy1WU
Creature - Merfolk Rogue (U)
When you splice, Focused Spy becomes unblockable and gains shroud until end of turn. Our spies are undetectable when they focus.
2/2
Rani, Focused General2WU
Legendary Creature - Merfolk Soldier (R)
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1.
Splice onto Creature 2WU (As you cast a Creature spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that creature.) Focus is stronger than any steel.
3/3
Camaraderie1WW
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, each creature you control gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control that shares at least one creature type with it. The strongest bonds are forged in battle.
Switburg Matron3W
Creature - Goblin Advisor (U) W,T: Untap target Goblin creature you control and remove it from combat. 1W: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target Advisor creature you control this turn. In the relative safety of the Five Burgs, goblins have been able to extend their affinities with kin to professional relationships as well. 2/2
Aulasaal, the Hall of Becoming
Legendary Land (R)
When Aulasaal, the Hall of Becoming enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
Each creature you control has the chosen creature type in addition to its other creature types. T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Living Mural 4
Artifact Creature - Illusion (U)
Protection from creatures that share a creature type with Living Mural
If a creature dealt damage by Living Mural this turn would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead.
Living Mural has all creature types of creature cards exiled with it. Some long for the chance to dance forever, but those who have heard the mural's tale know what a horror that could be.
2/3
Beewing Cavalry4W
Creature - Elf Soldier (U)
Flying Support - Creatures you control that share a creature type with Beewing Cavalry gain flying.
3/3
(Support is an ability word that allows creatures to share abilities with other creatures that share their types.)
Leonos, the Uniter3W
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier (R)
Vigilance 1: Choose a creature type of target creature you control. You may not choose a type already chosen this turn. Creatures you control gain that creature type and get +1/+1 until end of turn. "Let us forget our differences and become of one mind and one body. That is the only way we can answer this threat."
3/4
Mockery 1URG
Sorcery
Choose an opponent. During that player's next turn whenever that player draws a card, you draw a card; whenever that player casts a spell, you may cast a spell of the same type without paying its mana cost; whenever a source that player controls deals damage to you, you may have that source deal that much damage to him or her.
Belligerent Mime1R
Creature - Barbarian Shapeshifter (U)
Haste
Belligerent Mime can't attack or block alone.
Whenever another creature you control attacks or blocks, Belligerent Mime attacks or blocks too if able.
4/2
Palace of Mirrors
Legendary Land (R) T: Add to your mana pool one mana of any type that a land you control could produce. 2GU,T: Target permanent becomes a copy of another target nonlegendary permanent of the same type until end of turn.
Soullinking Reflection1UB
Artifact Creature - Illusion Shapeshifter UB: Soullinking reflection becomes a copy of target creature and gains these abilities.
Whenever a creature Soullinking Reflection is copying leaves the battlefield, sacrifice Soullinking Reflection.
Whenever Soullinking Reflection leaves the battlefield, if it was copying a creature its controller sacrifices that creature.
"Born of a polished Etherium mirror, it yearns for both shape and soul."
0/1
And then they went to WAR!
Lurking Copycat1UU
Creature - Shapeshifter Scout (U)
Defender
When Lurking Copycat enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Whenever a creature deals combat damage to Lurking Copycat, you may have Lurking Copycat become a copy of that creature and gain this ability.
"Step one, pose as a statue; step two, pose as the enemy that fell for step one."
0/3
(Please note that when LC copies another creature, it loses defender.)
Gelidion, Dragon Impostor2URG
Legendary Creature - Dragon Shapeshifter (MR)
Flying, haste, trample
Whenever Gelidion, Dragon Impostor deals combat damage to a player, you may have target creature you control become a 4/4 dragon with flying and trample. UR: Copy target spell with a single target that targets Gelidion. You may choose new targets for the copy.
4/4
(Optional flavor text that though would fit in the frame, it would most likely left out for elegance: "Only one shapeshifter ever has found a shape it wanted to stick with forever.")
I'm calling it right now- worst rare in the set. Even good limited players will find better bombs at common and uncommon no sweat. Worst. Episode. Ever.
I really do predict this to be our worst rare in set award winner. I'd be happier opening a jar of eyeballs, so I think anything worse is highly unlikely. This card wont just have zero constructed potential, but not be significantly better than a mass of ghouls in a draft.
Control3UUU
Instant (R)
Choose one: Counter target spell, or gain control of target permanent. (This effect doesn't end at the end of the turn.) "I do not care to listen to your viewpoint, and I have no wish to compromise. All I want is to see the world bowing before me." - Breaker, Lich Lord
Possessed Infiltrator2U
Creature - Human Spirit (U)
When Possessed Infiltrator enters the battlefield, tap target permanent. If that permanent would untap and Possessed Infiltrator is on the battlefield, it doesn't untap instead. "The dead long to return to life, and I see no reason to deny them. My best spies and sabateurs are ghosts wearing the flesh of my enemies." - Breaker, Lich Lord
0/3
Allsight Tower
Legendary Land (M) T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player may pay 1. If he or she doesn't, he or she must tap an untapped creature he or she controls. Entire forests were razed and mountains quarried down to pits to create Breaker's panopticon, and its height is increased every time he conquers new lands, so that he can watch his subjects labor to bring his tribute.
Possession Matrix4UUU
Enchantment Creature - Spirit (R)
Possession Matrix enters the battlefield with 4 -1/-1 counters
You control creatures with -1/-1 counters. They are Spirits in addition to their other types.
Whenever Possession Matrix blocks or becomes blocked, you may move a -1/-1 counter from it onto the blocking or blocked creatures.
8/8
Restored Guardsman2W
Creature - Human Spirit (C)
Sacrifice Restored Guardsman: Prevent all damage to you this turn. "Once he gave his life for me. Now he will give his host's life, too." - Breaker, Lich Lord
1/4
Breaker, Lich LordWWUUBB
Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard (MR)
If you or Breaker, Lich Lord would take damage, you may tap that many untapped permanents instead. (This includes any opponent's permanents.) "Others have tried to enforce their rule on the world from beyond the grave. None of them had my will, which is why my reign will last forever."
5/5
I realize I edited my post a little bit after the deadline, but it was to correct a minor error. I hope this is okay since critiques haven't started yet.
Asking out a girl is like trying to cast a first turn Necropotence. Sometimes the other player will have the Force of Will to say no. You shouldn't let that stop you from trying it.
R_P_T_S
Mirror Knight has an interesting effect. As a defender, he can never be killed in combat, barring some shenanigans. If unblocked, he's only dealing 1 damage, but if blocked, he most likely trades with whatever creature is blocking him. He feels like he wants vigilance. I don't think that would break him. Flavor text would be nice. Your legend is a bit boring, in my opinion. I think it's just because I don't like the Community ability. It's too difficult to trigger consistently to be key worded, imo. However, the flavor of your legend is really cool. As a whole, I think you're getting away from a flavor relation to your theme. Your cards are obviously mechanically related, but not all the cards relate to the idea of jealousy. This is more of an observation than strike against you.
NightArcher
Noxious Nurill is too good for common. Black doesn't get efficient creatures like that at common. You could make him cost 1 more or make him a 2/1, or possibly move him to uncommon. I think any of those changes would be acceptable, but as is, he's too good for a common. As for your legend... ya know I really thought this ability has appeared on a card before, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I've just seen the mechanic before or have thought of it before, I dunno, but it seems kinda familiar. In any case, he's really cool and in an environment of -1/-1 counters, he'd be a bomb. Plays quite nicely with Carnifex Demon. For flavor reasons, I think he should only be able to remove counters from himself, or possibly creatures you control. Removing counters from your opponents' creatures just doesn't seem right.
NightArcher
Koopa
Small wording issues with your footsoldier. Should "whenver" instead of "when," since you can splice multiple times. Also, unblockable is not an ability word like flying or trample. It's a characteristic like Indestructible. So the ability should read "...gains shroud until end of turn and is unblockable this turn." Like I said, just small wording mistakes. Other than that, he's good. As far as your general goes, I foresee major memory issues here. I love the splice mechanic and I hope it returns eventually with a broader use than it saw in Kamigawa. But splicing onto creatures I feel is a bad idea, because it will get very confusing very fast. Unfortunately, your general falls under that category.
Maokun
Lurking Copycat... is really cool. Very slick design, though I kinda think it should be a rare due to its complexity. Pretty much all Clone variants are rare. Your general is also pretty cool, though I don't really get his connection to mockery.
This is quite close. I'd have to say Koopa, because though the concept of his general scares me, I think he stuck closer to his theme. And really, designers have to push the envelope every so often, which splicing onto creatures does.
Asrama
I personally think you've had the most interesting theme to work with this month, and I believe you've done very well with it. The only thing I would change between the two cards would be "...target creature with another card attached to it" to "target enchanted or equipped creature" as that wording is cleaner and I don't believe there is a functional difference (well, okay, maybe Darksteel Garrison on a manland... but c'mon...) Other than that, I believe your cards are great.
Jimmy Groove
I'll be honest, I don't see how your footsoldier relates to your theme at all. Your general grants an interesting Lich-like effect that seems to fit with the "tapping" theme you've got going, but other than that it's kinda unexciting, imo.
Asking out a girl is like trying to cast a first turn Necropotence. Sometimes the other player will have the Force of Will to say no. You shouldn't let that stop you from trying it.
Raylek-Clan Awakener-
The Haste seems fine, making a 2/2 with haste seems fine, but having them on the same card seems a little too good. It may not, since it is multicolor and Awakener Druid does make a 4/5. Overall, meshes well with your theme and it is bursting with flavor on its own.
General Ilidar-
Card is amazing. Land creatures are something I've wanted to see more of since Future Sight and your's seems pretty good. Not to mention that it feels very very mythic. This card seems really strong in a deck like Turboland too, which means it could see some play. Really cool.
Beewing Cavalry-
Great card. I really like the use of the keyword and I love the mesh with the theme. The card seems a little boring, but I imagine flavor text would take away from the cards simplicity.
Leonos, the Uniter-
Another great card. Again the flavor is really good and its well costed and rared. The only gripe I have with the card is that it feels like it could get out of hand fairly quick if you have a lot of different creatures (something that would be easy in something like WW). It may not but it has potential to be a super Anthem.
Very very close. I would have to say Dragoon.
ROCKET POWERED TUBRO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
Noxious Nurill-
The card is insane, or at least it is at common. Fume Spiter is a fantastic card in SOM limited and I can't imagine a 2/2 that basically becomes a 3/3 when it gets blocked or blocks. It feels overpowered, but the card meshes very well with all of your other cards. Use of ~ is going to cost you though. It takes no work to just put the name in there to make the card look good.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer-
Fantastic card for your theme. Being able to save your creatures as you weaken your opponents is very nice. OR you could save your creatures and give this guy a p/t boost! Very very cool. However, I am marking you for use of the ~
Mirror Knight-
The card is pretty cool. It basically can never die if it attacks and it will trade with whatever it blocks. It's well costed and well rared, but it feels like it is lacking something, maybe some flavor test.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster-
While I like the idea, the card seems weak. Triggering its community ability I feel will rarely happen, and even if it did you may not have a target. All-in-all, boring, its just missing something (again like flavor text)
Nightarcher
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
Restored Guardsman-
The cards seems balanced but the flavor seems way off. How is he restored? The flavor text gives it a little bit of understanding, but without it I see no connection to it. Not a bad card, the cards power seems fine and I could see playing it at some point, it just seems a little off.
Breaker, Lich Lord-
While I love Lich cards, I do want them to follow the same trend as the other Lich cards, where you get a major boost but you have a significant draw back. With your card (and now you are able to tap your opponents stuff with it), you basically get a creature that can never take damage and you turn your burn spells into Gigadrowses. Especially with it being a may trigger you would never have to tap your own stuff... ever. The card is way over the curve, and while I impore you on really going for it and trying something new, I think you just made a flop, which happens to everyone trying exciting and new things once and a while.
Sumandea Deathblade-
Wow, the card is fantastic, and it meshes perfectly with your theme. Incredible and I see basically nothing wrong. Flavor, rarity, cost... all spot on.
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished-
The perfect Legend for your theme. Simplistic (pun intended) and meshes so well. Flavor is bursting, rarity is perfect, cost is amazing.
Seems a little over-powered for an uncommon. Haste speeds him up a bit much, you can swing for at least 4 on turn 3. A Signal Pest or 2, with 2 or 3 of these guys and you've got a formidable army.
This, I like. having p/t equals to the number of lands is a greatway to limit a land creature's power early game. Still vulnerable at all stages. Well done.
I like the concept. Seems a little boring, but the overall ability feels elegant. Works very well with your other cards.
I like it. Doens't really feel white, put the p/t boost is. Maybe multicolored blue? On second thought, I understand him as a soldier that inspires his commrades to act a certain way. But its also a super-Ursapine, for colorless mana, and hits all your creatures....
Tough to decide. I think I'm gonna have to go with Dragoon.
Its not too exciting. Gaining both shrond and unblockable isn't too hard to pull knowadays(Protective Bubble), and you only get those when you splice? you could probably drop the 1 in the cost.
Wow. you can splice merfolk lordship onto any creature? Cool! Excellent use of splicing.
I'm not sure I understand it. Why defender? In most situations, he'll probably die before he gets the chance to copy. the +1/+1 counter didn't make sense at first, put he does keep it after shapeshifting...
It feels likes there's a lot going on here, and a lot of it feels kinda random and unrelated. Could't probably be trimmed down a bit. Cut a keyword? Cut a color? (Loose trample and green, for example). Could seem a lot more defined.
Koopa. Splive was underused in Kamigawa. this really explores entire new fields of it. Great job.
Raylek-Clan Awakener: I actually like it. It is a bit over the curve, but no more so I think than Bloodbraid Elf. Possible wording that would work is "Whenever ~ attacks, tap an untapped land you control. If you do, put into battle attacking". Proper aggressiveness for the colors, and solid design.
General Ilidar: I've land creatures like that before, and the design idea is still pretty awesome, but with your card you're still getting a potentially huge creature for free. That is set off by the fact that you have a land that could be rid of with a Doom Blade. The whole picture is that of unreliability, which makes this card a casual card. Compared to your soldier, it's less impressive, even though much more innovative.
Beewing Cavalry: Expanding the sliver mechanic to other tribes looks like a logical next step, but it kinda diminishes from slivers, and support in general doesn't look to me that different than the Lorwyn tribal lords, except for the whole card being slightly over the curve compared them. Leonos, the Uniter: It takes some time to understand fully how powerful this guy can be. I didn't think I'd see anything new with "creatures of type X get +1/+1" but you've managed to do it anyways.
Hard to say, but I think I'll hand it to Dragoon.
ROCKET POWERED TUBRO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
Mirror Knight: This copies this, then copies that... what's the point? All it gets you is a creature that could pretty much chump-block anything and live, and I doubt anyone will ever risk a creature to block it if they can just take one damage. I guess it works well with your theme, but it's need to be morethan just a facilitator for your sign-up card.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster: The community trigger is way to unreliable. Casting cost and creature type, all so you can get a free Reprisal. I'd play both Big Game Hunter and Interpid Hero over this any day. The least you could do is up the p/t a bit.
Noxious Nurill: No for a common black effective 3/3 for BB, and no for using an ability that could might as well be wither, only better? your going to where designers have gone before, only to improve an old mechanic wthout adjusting the cost. I don't like it. It's over the curve, and out of rarity anyways. Plus, a nitpick: There is already a lizardmen race. Viashino. No need for a new one.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer: The whole cards works well with your theme, but I do have to say it lacks a bit of wow-factor. It's just a heap of mechanics, admittedly one with a lot of inner synergy, but a heap nonetheless. Lizard Wizard is fun to say, though.
RPTS' entry was so underwhelming, I have to give this to Nightarcher.
KOOPA vs. MAOKUN
Focused Spy: Should Splicing be a theme, this is pretty much the type of card I'd expect to see. White doesn't belong there, though, and considering other conditional unblockable 2/2s like Neurok Spy, a cost of 2U would be the way to go.
Rani, Focused General: Several problems here. Firstly, why only merfolk? make it mono white and let it be creatures you control. Second, memory issues: not a big deal, but if I had to name the number one problem that comes to mind when I hear the term "splice onto creatures" this is it. And lastly, your card doesn't need to be a legend, since there is no reason to play it (it's a worse deal than Lord of Atlantis, Merrow Reejery and Merfolk Sovereign) so the legend rule will never come into effect. Interesting way to refresh the mechanic, but badly executed.
Lurking Copycat: Oh, the clutter. I get how each piece helps it do what it does, but you seem really bent on eating your cake and keeping too. The counter thing looks out of place, even if it does help it survive the battle (unless it's against a leveler or a spike) and there is no reason why it should keep the ability after shifting. It's an uncommon, shapeshifting once is more than fine.
Gelidion, Dragon Impostor: Again, clutter. Green is out of place here, trample is a bit of an overkill. other than that, it's actually a nice card.
I'm not sure I understand it. Why defender? In most situations, he'll probably die before he gets the chance to copy. the +1/+1 counter didn't make sense at first, put he does keep it after shapeshifting...
It's an 1/4 thanks to the +1/+1 counter. It can block a 3/3, for example and then becomes 4/4 (again, thanks to the counter.) Since most creatures have power equal to toughness he'll only die to creatures with power 5 or more.
DRAGOON vs. GERRARD’S MOM
Raylek-Clan Awakener-
Unfortunately, this doesn't work. When his ability goes to the stack when he attacks, it's too late for it to attack. The idea is cool, though.
General Ilidar-
Neat card. I can't help to feel, though, that the restrictions should be exchanged: his p/t should be equal to the number of forests and he can't do anything until you have 4 or more lands.
Beewing Cavalry-
Very nice and simple uncommon to show off a good ability.
Leonos, the Uniter
This one ain't so great. The wording is very confusing and as far I can recall, messing with creature types is a black and maybe green share of the pie, but not white. I'd have liked better a much simpler anthem effect on a flashier creature.
Close one. GM's foot-soldier is def better, but Dragoon's legend is much more interesting. I'll go with Dragoon.
ROCKET POWERED TURBO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
Noxious Nurill-
You started low in my scale because I absolutely loathe your origin card (Emblems should be the result of abilities of permanents as they're less clunky than, say, "put an enchantment token with..." For spells, you should just make them enchantments.) Anyhow, infectious flanking, I really dig that. What I don't dig that much is that it's a common. Black common creatures are never as efficient as 2/2 for 2, let alone with a very strong ability tacked in. This would be an uncommon and a very sought after one.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer-
This is a very good card, lots of synergistic abilities that reward intelligent playing while not being too confusing or difficult to understand. I have the feeling, though, that development would find the need to make the last ability available only as a sorcery.
Mirror Knight-
This card looks like it belongs in my universe In fact, it looks like what my uncommon card should have been. Good job.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster-
The overall idea is good, however, the amount of requirements, numbers and restrictions make it confusing and hard to build around. A legend should be splashier and its power more evident.
Nightarcher. He made a broken common, but his legend is far better than RPTS's.
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
Restored Guardsman-
Nice little card but I have trouble seeing how it fits in your "universe". A biiit too generic and bland.
Breaker, Lich Lord-
Lich effects trade the instant benefit of crippling your opponent attempts of making you lose the game, at the cost of making it really easy for you to lose it yourself in the long run. This card doesn't even have that drawback, but the added benefit of being able to tap out your opponent (and with very poor wording at that). All that in the body of a hard-to-kill, almost-unblockable 5/5. At least the name is fitting.
Sumandea Deathblade-
Nice card that fits in well with your theme. I feel you could even have given it another point of thoughness.
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished-
A very good effect to top up your well rounded theme. That being said, the card is undercosted (taking in account that this kind of cards would only be printed in environments full of counters, auras and equipments, it's bound to potentially cause a lot of card advantage) and I feel that green should be involved perhaps in the place of black.)
I'm calling it right now- worst rare in the set. Even good limited players will find better bombs at common and uncommon no sweat. Worst. Episode. Ever.
I really do predict this to be our worst rare in set award winner. I'd be happier opening a jar of eyeballs, so I think anything worse is highly unlikely. This card wont just have zero constructed potential, but not be significantly better than a mass of ghouls in a draft.
for one.... your soldier doesn't work as worded. Once it is declared as an attacker, the land no longer has a chance to attack. I'm not entirely sure how you would reword it, but it simply does not work. Your land is also grossly overpowered. It's a free 4/4 at its worst as a creature, and its only drawback is it effectively comes into play tapped and it even then it can still block if it's a 4/4. These do fit into your theme though.
To start, your foot soldier card is worded wrong. See Student of Elements. It should say "...have flying." not "...gain flying". As for your legend, it's like a super-cool version of Mirror Entity with less 'lark' problems. It's fun, and it combos really well with your previous entries. Very Nice.
I really like your soldier because of the possible inherent card advantage, but it's also situational, which is okay for a common. Your legend also provides really unique and potentially powerful ability (It really hoses my civilization, and infect as well). I will say that you screwed up the wording on your legend's ETB ability, and the reminder text you listed is technically wrong so I'm going to doc you for that. (they are not destroyed, but instead placed into a graveyard).
Your soldier is really nice, it's definately something I would play, (I love white control strategies) but I think your legend is over the curve. It seriously outclasses Empyrial Archangel in terms of prevention, which is in colors that should do damage prevention better. I understand that it's not just about prevention, but that card's an absolute house. It should have probably costed about 2 or 3 more and a little less heavy on the color reqs.
I like the design space you're exploring with the splice mechanics, it's really a really cool idea. About your cards, the shroud that your creature grants is almost unneeded (I know there's some corner cases where it would matter) since most players will respond to the trigger with any removal spell or anything else they would want to use to kill it. The card is nice overall though. As for your legend, this is some new and really interesting ground for splice, and it could have some real cool effects, but at the same time presents some real memory issue problems. Splice is okay on instants and sorceries because it's a one-shot effect without a memory problem. For creatures, I can easily understand times when memory issues will be a problem since they stick around. Maybe the creature should have entered the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it or something to fix this.
I honestly think your foot soldier should be a rare. That said, it's a really cool ability. I'm also not entirely sure why your legend is green. Your legend sports a pretty strong but unimaginative ability that can easily win you the game. I like the flavor of him shaping others in his image, I think it portrays some of the vanity that could be seen in characters like Niv-Mizzzet.
Winners:
Gerrard's Mom
Jimmy Groove
Koopa
As an aside, I'm really surprised, Dragoon. This was a really weak round for you and it seems like you didn't put much thought into your cards as opposed to normal. And to everyone, I'm really surprised at the number of wording and working mistakes in cards. I would think that everyone who's good enough to get this far in a card creation contest should know how to word their cards properly and know how the rules work.
As an aside, I'm really surprised, Dragoon. This was a really weak round for you and it seems like you didn't put much thought into your cards as opposed to normal. And to everyone, I'm really surprised at the number of wording and working mistakes in cards. I would think that everyone who's good enough to get this far in a card creation contest should know how to word their cards properly and know how the rules work.
There's really no need to be condescending. The majority of the people in this top 8 are consistently some of the best card designers on this forum. And to imply that since some "mistakes" were made that those designers don't "know how the rules work" is ludicrous. Not every design each person puts forth is golden and mistakes will occur.
As for my designs, I am fully aware that the wording doesn't work. But I liked the concept so much that I thought for two whole days on how to fix it (which is why I posted so close to the deadline.) I tried a beginning-of-combat trigger to turn the land into a creature so it could attack, but that didn't fit the spirit that I wanted for the card. I then tried an attack trigger that exiled the land, then returned it to the battlefield tapped as an attacking creature, but that wording was extremely convoluted and I'm not sure that worked either. I tried several other ideas as well, none of which were simple enough and still workable. So with the deadline approaching, I decided to go with the simple wording that didn't technically work, but still conveyed the idea of the card.
I'm really not a fan of defending my designs because I know not everyone will like them/get them/appreciate them/agree with them/whatever, so really, why bother. Sorry I didn't live up to your expectations. But I kinda feel your comment toward everyone was unnecessary.
Asking out a girl is like trying to cast a first turn Necropotence. Sometimes the other player will have the Force of Will to say no. You shouldn't let that stop you from trying it.
Alright, Just a reminder that the round closes tonight at 11:00 PM, WHETHER I SAY ROUND CLOSE OR NOT. I will post the next round some after that. (My new job is third shift, so I won't be there to close the round.)
I have to say to Koopa; my legend was not "untap" things, it was tap them. The idea is that it taps other things when it or you would take damage, and that includes enemy permanents. So if an enemy attacks you with five permanents untapped, you can prevent five damage to you or it while also screwing them over (and can prevent more by tapping things you didn't use). If you were basing the ability on untaps, then you judged it very, very wrong. At the very least, I can't see it being a "meh" card; you will either think it is overpowered and crazy, or it just doesn't justify the cost of the ability to occasionally tap permanents when the opponent allows it.
RPTS saw what I saw going for, and disagrees with me about the power level, which I won't and can't really really argue with (after all, it is a very out-there ability that hasn't seen print before, and is thus very hard to judge the power level of). I just want my cards to be judged on what they actually do. And from what you said, it sounds like you judged it based on something it doesn't actually do. I wouldn't mind losing to Asrama; he's a very good designer who always makes great cards, and his cards this round were quite elegant and nice, and would likely get my vote in some other matches; I just want any loss that happens to be based on readings of what my card actually does.
I'm sorry Jimmy, I did read the card wrong. That said, I still stand that the card is "meh" in terms of design. While I love Lich cards, I do want them to follow the same trend as the other Lich cards, where you get a major boost but you have a significant draw back. With your card (and now you are able to tap your opponents stuff with it), you basically get a creature that can never take damage and you turn your burn spells into Gigadrowses. Especially with it being a may trigger you would never have to tap your own stuff... ever. The card is way over the curve, and while I impore you on really going for it and trying something new, I think you just made a flop, which happens to everyone trying exciting and new things once and a while.
Sorry I misjudged you card, and the above crit will go into my crit post.
There's really no need to be condescending. The majority of the people in this top 8 are consistently some of the best card designers on this forum. And to imply that since some "mistakes" were made that those designers don't "know how the rules work" is ludicrous. Not every design each person puts forth is golden and mistakes will occur.
As for my designs, I am fully aware that the wording doesn't work. But I liked the concept so much that I thought for two whole days on how to fix it (which is why I posted so close to the deadline.) I tried a beginning-of-combat trigger to turn the land into a creature so it could attack, but that didn't fit the spirit that I wanted for the card. I then tried an attack trigger that exiled the land, then returned it to the battlefield tapped as an attacking creature, but that wording was extremely convoluted and I'm not sure that worked either. I tried several other ideas as well, none of which were simple enough and still workable. So with the deadline approaching, I decided to go with the simple wording that didn't technically work, but still conveyed the idea of the card.
I'm really not a fan of defending my designs because I know not everyone will like them/get them/appreciate them/agree with them/whatever, so really, why bother. Sorry I didn't live up to your expectations. But I kinda feel your comment toward everyone was unnecessary.
You're right, I apologize. My intention wasn't to sound condescending even if it came off that way. It just seemed like there was a disproportionate number of wording mistakes, which is one of the quickest mistakes that should get fixed during polishing. There was a bit of sarcasm in there, but it came off really like a jerk more than as sarcasm.
From what I've seen, you're one of the best designers on this forum which is kinda why I was surprised. I think it would have been better to have slightly more convoluted wording if it made the ability actually work. It probably would have worked if you had something like 'tap target land you control. That land becomes a 2/2 creature until eot. That creature becomes an attacking creature.'
Dragoon - The uncommon creature will only actually have an effect if you have multiple combat steps, since it triggers when the craeture is declared an attacker, and by that point it is too late for a land to choose to attack (If it made the land be attacking, like Hero of Bladehold's ability, then it would work)
The flavor of the legend is great, but it will very often be a huge creature that's only cost is costing you a land drop, which is pretty dang over the curve.
Gerrard's Mom - The support ability has already been seen with slivers and some other creatures, but making it an ability word would make a lot of sense in a block that uses it as a major mechanic, and the uncommon creature uses it well; I can see it be a total limited bomb.
The legend uses a support-type effect well, and also rewards you for playing a lot of creatures that share more than one creature type, which is new. Seems to be priced very well
Winner - Gerrard's Mom
Rocket Powered Turbo Slug vs Nightarcher
Nightarcher - The common creature is very strong, perhaps too strong. The ability is essentially permanent flanking on both offense and defense, and it lets this CMC 2 creature trade with most creatures with a casting cost of CMC 4. That said, it definitely works well with the flavor and is a nice, simple, printable ability.
The legend has a very nice, simple little ability, and having removing -1/-1 counters from any creatures, even your enemies, being a cost is neat.
RPTS - The uncommon creature uses copying in a new, neat way, although the effect of being a wall that can never be overcome in combat is pretty huge for a CMC 3 creature, especially one that is too tough for most burn.
The legend doesn't really work for me. The forestwalk feels a bit tacked on just to justify green, but the destroying power 4 or greater effect is definitely white, as it has appeared on a couple of different white cards (but not terribly recent ones). I think it would probably work better as white or white/black, possibly with a more open-ended triggering condition.
Winner - Nightarcher
Koopa vs Maokun
Koopa - The connection between splice and "focus", as I've said before, doesn't make sense save when the card being spliced is your first card. Beyond that, though, the mechanic is sound, and the spy makes good use of it. It is perhaps a bit below the curve, but not so much that it would be useless.
The Legend requires a big rewrite of the rules and has some memory issues, but if the rules were rewritten it is an effect that I could see being very printable.
Makoun - Both of your cards match the flavor of your initial card well. The fact that it is triggered on damage being dealt as opposed to being declared a blocker is good, since it means that it can only copy medium sized creatures at first, making it fit its CMC well.
The legend is nice, and using all of the colors of your initial card is a good touch. It fits the curve well, and the ability is useful for many types of decks. Being able to use the advantage of Precursor Golem without the disadvantage is nice, but costed about right.
Winner - Makoun
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Custom Card League Rules Compendium
* Overview
* Schedule
* Challenge Rounds
* Critique Rounds
* Valid Entry Constitution
* Scoring
* Penalties
* Resources
* Credits
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* Overview
The CCL is among the more fun games on the MtGSalvation forums due to its inherent aspect of interactivity among the Leaguers (that’s you). We actively critique each other’s card designs at the end of each round, putting a more personal interest into our cards and generally making us all better designers. Typically, we build worlds more complete than many games, as each round builds on the designs and ideas of previous rounds in the month. The CCL allows for Leaguers to plumb the depths of creativity, as the point schedule aspect allows for three full rounds without fear of elimination.
* Schedule
o The CCL will run six rounds, each lasting five days.
+ Rounds 1, 2 & 3 will be free-for-alls with each leaguer fighting for the most points during critiques. At the beginning of each of these rounds, the host will divide the league members evenly into two teams and each team will be assigned their design challenge. At the challenge deadline, the round will elapse into the critique section (see Critiques below). Once the critique section ends, the host will tally points and post the next round. Team rosters are likely to change between rounds; the new rosters will be included in the initial posting for the next round.
o Each round will last five days: 3.5 to finalize designs, 1.5 for critiques.
o The schedule will usually operate according to US Eastern Time Zone (GMT -5). We will stick to this schedule as closely as possible, adjusting as necessary.
* Challenge Rounds
o At the start of each round, the host will post the challenge for the round. This may be, at the host’s discretion, a single challenge for all leaguers, a list for each leaguer to choose from, challenges assigned to each leaguer, or other challenge variation.
o Each Leaguer will post his/her entry by the deadline, 3.5 days after the round is posted.
* Critique Rounds
o At the end of each challenge round, the host, or an individual the host designates, will officially close the round and open the forum for critiques. After this point, modifying the post containing your entry for the round will incur penalties (see Penalties section).
o Each Leaguer will thoroughly critique at least 50% of the entries given by the leaguers on the other team.
o In addition to the critiques, each Leaguer generates his/her list of the Top 3 entries for the round. The Top 3 listings are the chief source of points within the CCL and are therefore required to complete. Even if critiques are not completed, Top 3’s must be listed to avoid penalties (see Penalties for penalty schedule). Regardless of the cards actually critiqued by a given Leaguer, Top 3’s can be drawn from any valid entry of the round. Submitting Top 3’s grants one point.
o A valid critique does not need to be lengthy. A few constructive sentences will do as long as they are meaningful. Neither “Hated it,” “Too expensive,” nor “Bahhrokken!!!” are valid critiques.
Example:
The following card is submitted by Fitzgerald:
A few decent critics:
from Tiberius: Templating issue with “nonpermanent card,” it's confusing and should just read “instant or sorcery card.” And the cost seems steep: I’m giving up a mana, a card, and immediate access to the card I looked for. Creative, but not bad.
from Wilhelmina: I hate the name. Also the shuffle part should be right after removing the tutored card instead of on a separate line. Seems powerful as an instant, play it on the opponents turn and you get basically a free draw, but you get to pick it.
from Beauregard: A bit complicated for uncommon. It doesn’t go to microtext on a render (sans flavor text) but it still isn’t all that intuitive.
* Valid Entry Constitution
o A valid entry in a given round cleanly delivers all required components of the challenge. The CCL is based around card design, so each challenge will direct Leaguers to design one or more cards, but other components may be given according to the judge’s discretion. Historically, these non-card components have included such things as keyword mechanic designs, story pieces, and various ideas for the judge to incorporate into later rounds. Include only what is described by the challenge requirements, as superfluous items may sway judgings unfairly and will incur penalties.
o It is customary to include card renders in entries. This is not required. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and therefore will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render. However, it must be understood that a proper render is easier to judge/critique as it is more pleasing to the eye, more memorable and allows for Leaguers to judge the card by its wordiness, a very important aspect of a card’s design. Common rendering software used include Magic Set Editor (free program, the standard that most amateur designers use), PhotoShop (not free), and GIMP (free PhotoShop knockoff).
* Scoring
(This has been depricated, and pending approval from the powers that be will be deleted. See the next spoiler section for how Scoring works.)
o The bulk of available points will be derived from Top 3 listings, as is League custom. Within each Top 3 listing, the choice for 1st place will be awarded 3 points, the choice for 2nd place will receive 2 points, and the choice for 3rd place will receive 1 point. It is common for Leaguers to post an Honorable Mention or two along with their T3 listings. Honorable Mentions are not awarded points. Posting T3s is required and awards one point for completion of the requirements. There are penalties for failure to post T3s (see Penalties section).
o Critiques are an optional aspect of the CCL, therefore no penalties are given for failure to complete critiques. Any Leaguer completing critiques for at least 50% of the other team's entries will receive 1 bonus point. An additional point will be awarded if a Leaguer critiques all valid entries in the round.
o As noted in the section on Valid Entry Constitution, entries are encouraged to contain proper card renders. Some Leaguers may not have access to render design software and will not be penalized for posting an entry without a render.
* Penalties
o Failure to post Top 3s as required during the Critique section of any round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an Top 3 in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
o Once a Round elapses into its critique section, any Leaguer modifying their entry after any leaguer has posted a critique, will be disqualified for the round.
o Failure to post an entry within the Challenge round will put a Leaguer on probation. While on probation, failure to post an entry in any later round will disqualify that Leaguer for the remainder of the month.
* Resources
o This is a templating guideline compiled by Kraj. It is quite concise and very useful.
o Making Magic by Mark Rosewater, current head of Magic Design at Wizards of the Coast. Making Magic is a weekly article detailing the trials, tribulations and achievements of Magic R&D in riveting prose.
o Magiccards.info is the database mtgsalvation draws upon when you use the [card] tag. The advanced search functionality is useful for searching all cards officially printed by WotC.
o Gatherer is the database maintained officially by WotC. It has slightly different functionality than magiccards.info, but the differences are too numerable to list here. (Someone should write an article about that)
o Your other Leaguers are fantastic resources. We, more than the players of other games on this forum, are a community, as can be seen by the dialogue of any CCL thread.
+ Question, consult with, challenge and encourage each other at every opportunity.
o Credits
Each round, the players have a chance of getting a total of 100 points toward their score. Each score is determined by the following equation:
The grading of 3 points for first place, 2 points for second and 1 for third still stands. This is also the case for up to 2 points for crits and Top 3.
Total points of player A in round N = 100 * X/Y
Where:
X = Total number of points given by judges + (Bonus points for critiques & Top 3)
Y = Total number of points possible (3*Number of judges + Bonus Points)
This way the grading is more streamlined in the fact that all rounds up to going to top 8 are graded equally, and there is no handicap for any team that has fewer judges.
Each player starts the next round with the score that he previously had, and another possible 100 points is given to him at the end of that round. Therefore, there is a possible 300 points before the CCL goes to top 8.
Sanguine
CrazyMatt - 126.1
Dragoon - 242.3
Gerrard's Mom - 180.2
Zzapper - 132.4
Choleric
NightArcher - 179.9
PsiJet - 90.3
Rimeshade - 99.3
Rocket Powered Turbo Slug - 199.1
Ryder052 - 168.3
Melancholic
Brasil Dude 101 - 170.9
Koopa - 218.2
Maokun - 194.5
Marr965 - 139.1
Phlegmatic
Asrama - 235.0
Jimmy Groove - 190.0
Rudyard - 121.4
Shaddock86 - 115.7
TyranidBill - 135.7
Sign-Ups
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
ROUND 4 CHALLENGES: YOU WILL BE MAKING TWO CARDS THIS ROUND.
Card 1: A Non-Legendary creature that represents your foot-soldier in this war
Card 2: A Legendary Creature that is your civilization's top general, strategist, or war hero.
And so our story begins: Ages have passed on Aerum and civilizations have risen and fallen, leaving only eight civilizations that have maintained greatness. In any other circumstance, these eight nation-states would be pleased with their lot in life. But something is stirring beneath the surface of Aerum and is nettling the nations to war, to take what the other has and leave nothing of them in the wake.
So, the drums of war begin to beat. Swords are forged and spies are dispatched, hoping to find a weakness in your enemy. All over the world, small cracks in the earth open, venting blue ooze and blue smoke upwards. The smoke drive human, elf, and vedalken alike into states of panic and anger, and the ooze tears apart structures and animates statues. And it happens so quickly, that the civilizations believe that their enemies have done this to them.
So now, you strike back.
EXAMPLES:
Card 1:
Anansi Venomfang BB
Creature - Spider Warrior (C)
When Anansi Venomfang is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a poison counter on target opponent. (A player who has ten or more poison counter loses the game.)
{1/2}
Card 2:
Kwambi, Anansi Hero 4BG
Legendary Creature - Spider Warrior (R)
Spider creatures you control get +1/+2 and have Reach and Deathtouch.
Tap five untapped Spiders you control: Put a 3/3 black and green Spider Elemental creature token with onto the battlefield.
"I speak and our ancestors listen. I act and my soldiers follow. What have you?" --Kwambi, Anansi Hero
{1/2}
CRITIQUE PAIRS:
You will critique each other pair and choose one person in it to advance.
DRAGOON vs. GERRARD’S MOM
ROCKET POWERED TUBRO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
KOOPA vs. MAOKUN
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
DEADLINES:
SUBMISSIONS are due by 2/20 at 11:00 pm EST (GMT -5).
CRITIQUES are due by 2/22 at 11:00 pm EST (GMT -5).
Sorcery [mythic]
You get an emblem with "All creatures get -1/-1."
Violence could never destroy as much as this.
Creature - Lizard [uncommon]
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a -1/-1 counter on ~ and another target creature.
Only those on their death bed know the true meaning of the word 'inevitable'.
3/4
Legendary Land [rare]
~ enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add B to your mana pool.
T: For each -1/-1 counter on target creature, put a -1/-1 counter on another target creature.
Plague ran rampant through the city for years, until a time when none could call it a city anymore.
Artifact Creature - Golem [rare]
If a -1/-1 counter would be placed on a permanent you control, put that counter on ~ instead.
When ~ is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on each creature for each -1/-1 counter on ~.
The sick would pray beneath the idol for a cure, not knowing the cure they received was a curse in disguise.
1/4
Noxious Nurill BB
Creature - Lizard Scout [common]
Whenever ~ blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, put a -1/-1 counter on that creature.
The infected make the best front-line soldiers.
2/2
Zinligg, Toxinomancer 2BB
Legendary Creature - Lizard Wizard [mythic]
Wither
~ gets +2/+2 for each -1/-1 counter on it.
1B, Remove a -1/-1 counter from a creature in play: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
"May you feel our suffering"
2/3
The Militia (primarily white) guards the town from outside threats, such as beast attacks from the forest or the uprising of a local demon cult.
The Traders (primarily blue) set prices for goods in town, and are responsible for the upkeep of the town library and guarding its knowledge.
The Church (primarily black) claims social responsibility for the people and their spirituality, but are looked down upon for their underhanded tactics and seemingly disloyal nature to the town's lord.
The Mages (primarly red) develop powerful arcanic spells in the confines of their tower and have been known to asist the Militia in defense and the Traders in knowledge generation and recording.
The Hunters (primarily green) are responsible for controlling the beast packs in the forest, keeping the forest at the town border and to gather food for the town.
The current town lord is reaching old age. Precedence has been that one of the existing council members will be appointed the new lord upon the current lord's death. The guilds are vying for attention form the aging lord, hoping a good word will be passed on to the area's baron. Due to this, the guilds are starting to distrust each other, and the same distrust spreads through the other town members.
Instant (U)
Destroy target creature if another creature with the same name is on the battlefield.
Draw a card.
Creature- Human Soldier (U)
First strike
Community- Creatures that share a creature type and converted mana cost with Bladeguard get +1/+0 and have first strike.
He may not lead the Militia, but he inspires its strikes.
2/2
Legendary Land (R)
Huntborn Hall enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Whenever a Human creature enters the battlefield under your control untapped, you may tap it. If you do, untap Huntborn Hall.
The lord's keep sits in the center of town, empowering its citizens while they empower it.
Artifact Creature-Construct (U)
Defender
Whenever Legged Birdcage is dealt damage, you may put that many 1/1 blue Bird creature tokens with flying into play.
Tap four untapped bird creatures you control: Draw a card.
When the Mage Tower's birdcage started walking on its own, it was no wonder that some of the messenger pigeons got out.
0/3
Creature- Human Knight Wizard (U)
Whenever Mirror Knight blocks a creature, that creature becomes a copy of Mirror Knight until end of turn.
Whenever Mirror Knight becomes blocked by a creature, it becomes a copy of that creature until end of turn.
1/4
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster 1GW
Legendary Creature- Human Scout (R)
Forestwalk
Community- Whenever you cast a creature spell that shares a creature type and converted mana cost with Tommer Falson, you may destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.
1/2
Sorcery C
Search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then if an opponent controls more land than you, search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library.
Mulch Tender BG
Creature - Elf Shaman U
T: Return target land card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
2/2
Everlife, the Giving Tree
Legendary Land R
T: Add G to your mana pool. Put a charge counter on Everlife, the Giving Tree.
T, Remove X charge counters from Everlife, the Giving Tree: Add X mana of any combination of colors to your mana pool.
Flood Garden 2GU
Enchantment creature - Elemental MR
Trample
Whenever Flood Garden deals combat damage to a player, put a flood counter on target land that player controls. That land is an Island as long as it has a flood counter on it.
G: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
4/4
Creature - Elf Warrior Druid U
Haste
Whenever Raylek-Clan Awakener attacks, you may untap target land you control. If you do, that land becomes a 2/2 Elemental creature until end of turn and attacks this turn if able.
"My soldiers are never alone." - General Ilidar
2/3
Legendary Land Creature - Forest Treefolk MR
(General Ilidar isn't a spell, it's affected by summoning sickness, and it has "T: Add G to your mana pool.")
General Ilidar is green.
Trample
Genreal Ilidar's power and toughness are equal to the number of lands you control.
General Ilidar can't attack or block unless you control four or more Forests.
The Elves may tend the land, but it doesn't mean the land can't fend for itself.
*/*
Level 1 DCI Judge
Check out my Commons Cube.
Simplicity 2U
Instant (U)
Return each creature with power greater than it's printed power to it's owner's hand.
"Swords, armor, charms - My dear Ser Corland, did you really think these would help you against me?"
-- Toharg the Sorcerer
Stern Purist 2W
Creature - Human Cleric (C)
Whenever a creature blocks or becomes blocked by Stern Purist, unattach all cards from that creature.
"You have overburdened yourself with your possessions, and cluttered your life with trinkets. You will now learn how useless those things are."
2/3
Sumandea, Bastion Unblemished
Legendary Land (R)
T: Add 1 to your mana pool
T, Remove a counter from a creature you control: Add two mana of any color to your mana pool.
From all over the world, pilgrims come to clear their mind and body from the troubles of world, and be whole.
Unadorned Statuette 1U
Enchantment Creature - Elemental (U)
If a spell or ability will increase a creature’s power to be greater than Unadorned Statuette’s power, or it’s toughness to be greater than Unadorned Statuette’s toughness, return that creature to it’s owner’s hand.
1/2
And now:
Sumandea Deathblade 2BB
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
When Sumandea's Deathblade enters the battlefield, Destroy target creature with another card attached to it.
"Their generals and commanders adorn themselves with shiny armor and enchanted weaponry. All the easier to mark them as a target."
-- Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished
3/1
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished 1BW
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier (R)
When Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished enters the battlefield, remove all counters from all creatures and unattach all cards them (auras that are unattached are destroyed).
Counters cannot be placed on creatures.
Cards cannot be attached to creatures.
2/2
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
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Focus 1U
Instant (U)
This spell can't be countered be spells or abilities.
The next spell cast this turn can"t be countered by spells or abilities.
Splice onto Instant or Sorcery 1UU
"Focus. Then nothing can stop you."
Keeper of Focus 1UU
Creature - Merfolk Shaman (U)
Whenever you splice, draw a card.
None have mastered focus as well as the Keepers.
2/2
Trika, House of the Keepers
Legendary Land (MR)
Trika, House of the Keepers enters the battlefield tapped
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T, Sacrifice Trika, House of the Keepers: Instant and sorcery cards in your hand have "Splice onto Instant or Sorcery X, where X is this cards converted mana cost" until end of turn.
The mecca of focus
Channeling Orb 3
Artifact Creature - Orb (R)
T: Add two mana in any combination of colors to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to splice.
The orbs given to channel the Keepers' focus always seemed to have minds of their own... but never feet.
1/1
Focused Spy 1WU
Creature - Merfolk Rogue (U)
When you splice, Focused Spy becomes unblockable and gains shroud until end of turn.
Our spies are undetectable when they focus.
2/2
Rani, Focused General 2WU
Legendary Creature - Merfolk Soldier (R)
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1.
Splice onto Creature 2WU (As you cast a Creature spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that creature.)
Focus is stronger than any steel.
3/3
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, each creature you control gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control that shares at least one creature type with it.
The strongest bonds are forged in battle.
Switburg Matron 3W
Creature - Goblin Advisor (U)
W,T: Untap target Goblin creature you control and remove it from combat.
1W: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target Advisor creature you control this turn.
In the relative safety of the Five Burgs, goblins have been able to extend their affinities with kin to professional relationships as well.
2/2
Aulasaal, the Hall of Becoming
Legendary Land (R)
When Aulasaal, the Hall of Becoming enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
Each creature you control has the chosen creature type in addition to its other creature types.
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Living Mural 4
Artifact Creature - Illusion (U)
Protection from creatures that share a creature type with Living Mural
If a creature dealt damage by Living Mural this turn would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead.
Living Mural has all creature types of creature cards exiled with it.
Some long for the chance to dance forever, but those who have heard the mural's tale know what a horror that could be.
2/3
Creature - Elf Soldier (U)
Flying
Support - Creatures you control that share a creature type with Beewing Cavalry gain flying.
3/3
(Support is an ability word that allows creatures to share abilities with other creatures that share their types.)
Leonos, the Uniter 3W
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier (R)
Vigilance
1: Choose a creature type of target creature you control. You may not choose a type already chosen this turn. Creatures you control gain that creature type and get +1/+1 until end of turn.
"Let us forget our differences and become of one mind and one body. That is the only way we can answer this threat."
3/4
Sorcery
Choose an opponent. During that player's next turn whenever that player draws a card, you draw a card; whenever that player casts a spell, you may cast a spell of the same type without paying its mana cost; whenever a source that player controls deals damage to you, you may have that source deal that much damage to him or her.
Creature - Barbarian Shapeshifter (U)
Haste
Belligerent Mime can't attack or block alone.
Whenever another creature you control attacks or blocks, Belligerent Mime attacks or blocks too if able.
4/2
Legendary Land (R)
T: Add to your mana pool one mana of any type that a land you control could produce.
2GU,T: Target permanent becomes a copy of another target nonlegendary permanent of the same type until end of turn.
Artifact Creature - Illusion Shapeshifter
UB: Soullinking reflection becomes a copy of target creature and gains these abilities.
Whenever a creature Soullinking Reflection is copying leaves the battlefield, sacrifice Soullinking Reflection.
Whenever Soullinking Reflection leaves the battlefield, if it was copying a creature its controller sacrifices that creature.
"Born of a polished Etherium mirror, it yearns for both shape and soul."
0/1
And then they went to WAR!
Lurking Copycat 1UU
Creature - Shapeshifter Scout (U)
Defender
When Lurking Copycat enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Whenever a creature deals combat damage to Lurking Copycat, you may have Lurking Copycat become a copy of that creature and gain this ability.
"Step one, pose as a statue; step two, pose as the enemy that fell for step one."
0/3
(Please note that when LC copies another creature, it loses defender.)
Gelidion, Dragon Impostor 2URG
Legendary Creature - Dragon Shapeshifter (MR)
Flying, haste, trample
Whenever Gelidion, Dragon Impostor deals combat damage to a player, you may have target creature you control become a 4/4 dragon with flying and trample.
UR: Copy target spell with a single target that targets Gelidion. You may choose new targets for the copy.
4/4
(Optional flavor text that though would fit in the frame, it would most likely left out for elegance: "Only one shapeshifter ever has found a shape it wanted to stick with forever.")
Control 3UUU
Instant (R)
Choose one: Counter target spell, or gain control of target permanent. (This effect doesn't end at the end of the turn.)
"I do not care to listen to your viewpoint, and I have no wish to compromise. All I want is to see the world bowing before me." - Breaker, Lich Lord
Possessed Infiltrator 2U
Creature - Human Spirit (U)
When Possessed Infiltrator enters the battlefield, tap target permanent. If that permanent would untap and Possessed Infiltrator is on the battlefield, it doesn't untap instead.
"The dead long to return to life, and I see no reason to deny them. My best spies and sabateurs are ghosts wearing the flesh of my enemies." - Breaker, Lich Lord
0/3
Allsight Tower
Legendary Land (M)
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player may pay 1. If he or she doesn't, he or she must tap an untapped creature he or she controls.
Entire forests were razed and mountains quarried down to pits to create Breaker's panopticon, and its height is increased every time he conquers new lands, so that he can watch his subjects labor to bring his tribute.
Possession Matrix 4UUU
Enchantment Creature - Spirit (R)
Possession Matrix enters the battlefield with 4 -1/-1 counters
You control creatures with -1/-1 counters. They are Spirits in addition to their other types.
Whenever Possession Matrix blocks or becomes blocked, you may move a -1/-1 counter from it onto the blocking or blocked creatures.
8/8
Restored Guardsman 2W
Creature - Human Spirit (C)
Sacrifice Restored Guardsman: Prevent all damage to you this turn.
"Once he gave his life for me. Now he will give his host's life, too." - Breaker, Lich Lord
1/4
Breaker, Lich Lord WWUUBB
Legendary Creature - Zombie Wizard (MR)
If you or Breaker, Lich Lord would take damage, you may tap that many untapped permanents instead. (This includes any opponent's permanents.)
"Others have tried to enforce their rule on the world from beyond the grave. None of them had my will, which is why my reign will last forever."
5/5
Level 1 DCI Judge
Check out my Commons Cube.
Mirror Knight has an interesting effect. As a defender, he can never be killed in combat, barring some shenanigans. If unblocked, he's only dealing 1 damage, but if blocked, he most likely trades with whatever creature is blocking him. He feels like he wants vigilance. I don't think that would break him. Flavor text would be nice. Your legend is a bit boring, in my opinion. I think it's just because I don't like the Community ability. It's too difficult to trigger consistently to be key worded, imo. However, the flavor of your legend is really cool. As a whole, I think you're getting away from a flavor relation to your theme. Your cards are obviously mechanically related, but not all the cards relate to the idea of jealousy. This is more of an observation than strike against you.
NightArcher
Noxious Nurill is too good for common. Black doesn't get efficient creatures like that at common. You could make him cost 1 more or make him a 2/1, or possibly move him to uncommon. I think any of those changes would be acceptable, but as is, he's too good for a common. As for your legend... ya know I really thought this ability has appeared on a card before, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I've just seen the mechanic before or have thought of it before, I dunno, but it seems kinda familiar. In any case, he's really cool and in an environment of -1/-1 counters, he'd be a bomb. Plays quite nicely with Carnifex Demon. For flavor reasons, I think he should only be able to remove counters from himself, or possibly creatures you control. Removing counters from your opponents' creatures just doesn't seem right.
Small wording issues with your footsoldier. Should "whenver" instead of "when," since you can splice multiple times. Also, unblockable is not an ability word like flying or trample. It's a characteristic like Indestructible. So the ability should read "...gains shroud until end of turn and is unblockable this turn." Like I said, just small wording mistakes. Other than that, he's good. As far as your general goes, I foresee major memory issues here. I love the splice mechanic and I hope it returns eventually with a broader use than it saw in Kamigawa. But splicing onto creatures I feel is a bad idea, because it will get very confusing very fast. Unfortunately, your general falls under that category.
Maokun
Lurking Copycat... is really cool. Very slick design, though I kinda think it should be a rare due to its complexity. Pretty much all Clone variants are rare. Your general is also pretty cool, though I don't really get his connection to mockery.
I personally think you've had the most interesting theme to work with this month, and I believe you've done very well with it. The only thing I would change between the two cards would be "...target creature with another card attached to it" to "target enchanted or equipped creature" as that wording is cleaner and I don't believe there is a functional difference (well, okay, maybe Darksteel Garrison on a manland... but c'mon...) Other than that, I believe your cards are great.
Jimmy Groove
I'll be honest, I don't see how your footsoldier relates to your theme at all. Your general grants an interesting Lich-like effect that seems to fit with the "tapping" theme you've got going, but other than that it's kinda unexciting, imo.
Level 1 DCI Judge
Check out my Commons Cube.
Raylek-Clan Awakener-
The Haste seems fine, making a 2/2 with haste seems fine, but having them on the same card seems a little too good. It may not, since it is multicolor and Awakener Druid does make a 4/5. Overall, meshes well with your theme and it is bursting with flavor on its own.
General Ilidar-
Card is amazing. Land creatures are something I've wanted to see more of since Future Sight and your's seems pretty good. Not to mention that it feels very very mythic. This card seems really strong in a deck like Turboland too, which means it could see some play. Really cool.
Beewing Cavalry-
Great card. I really like the use of the keyword and I love the mesh with the theme. The card seems a little boring, but I imagine flavor text would take away from the cards simplicity.
Leonos, the Uniter-
Another great card. Again the flavor is really good and its well costed and rared. The only gripe I have with the card is that it feels like it could get out of hand fairly quick if you have a lot of different creatures (something that would be easy in something like WW). It may not but it has potential to be a super Anthem.
Very very close. I would have to say Dragoon.
ROCKET POWERED TUBRO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
Noxious Nurill-
The card is insane, or at least it is at common. Fume Spiter is a fantastic card in SOM limited and I can't imagine a 2/2 that basically becomes a 3/3 when it gets blocked or blocks. It feels overpowered, but the card meshes very well with all of your other cards. Use of ~ is going to cost you though. It takes no work to just put the name in there to make the card look good.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer-
Fantastic card for your theme. Being able to save your creatures as you weaken your opponents is very nice. OR you could save your creatures and give this guy a p/t boost! Very very cool. However, I am marking you for use of the ~
Mirror Knight-
The card is pretty cool. It basically can never die if it attacks and it will trade with whatever it blocks. It's well costed and well rared, but it feels like it is lacking something, maybe some flavor test.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster-
While I like the idea, the card seems weak. Triggering its community ability I feel will rarely happen, and even if it did you may not have a target. All-in-all, boring, its just missing something (again like flavor text)
Nightarcher
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
Restored Guardsman-
The cards seems balanced but the flavor seems way off. How is he restored? The flavor text gives it a little bit of understanding, but without it I see no connection to it. Not a bad card, the cards power seems fine and I could see playing it at some point, it just seems a little off.
Breaker, Lich Lord-
While I love Lich cards, I do want them to follow the same trend as the other Lich cards, where you get a major boost but you have a significant draw back. With your card (and now you are able to tap your opponents stuff with it), you basically get a creature that can never take damage and you turn your burn spells into Gigadrowses. Especially with it being a may trigger you would never have to tap your own stuff... ever. The card is way over the curve, and while I impore you on really going for it and trying something new, I think you just made a flop, which happens to everyone trying exciting and new things once and a while.
Sumandea Deathblade-
Wow, the card is fantastic, and it meshes perfectly with your theme. Incredible and I see basically nothing wrong. Flavor, rarity, cost... all spot on.
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished-
The perfect Legend for your theme. Simplistic (pun intended) and meshes so well. Flavor is bursting, rarity is perfect, cost is amazing.
Asrama
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Raylek-Clan Awakener: I actually like it. It is a bit over the curve, but no more so I think than Bloodbraid Elf. Possible wording that would work is "Whenever ~ attacks, tap an untapped land you control. If you do, put into battle attacking". Proper aggressiveness for the colors, and solid design.
General Ilidar: I've land creatures like that before, and the design idea is still pretty awesome, but with your card you're still getting a potentially huge creature for free. That is set off by the fact that you have a land that could be rid of with a Doom Blade. The whole picture is that of unreliability, which makes this card a casual card. Compared to your soldier, it's less impressive, even though much more innovative.
Beewing Cavalry: Expanding the sliver mechanic to other tribes looks like a logical next step, but it kinda diminishes from slivers, and support in general doesn't look to me that different than the Lorwyn tribal lords, except for the whole card being slightly over the curve compared them.
Leonos, the Uniter: It takes some time to understand fully how powerful this guy can be. I didn't think I'd see anything new with "creatures of type X get +1/+1" but you've managed to do it anyways.
Hard to say, but I think I'll hand it to Dragoon.
Mirror Knight: This copies this, then copies that... what's the point? All it gets you is a creature that could pretty much chump-block anything and live, and I doubt anyone will ever risk a creature to block it if they can just take one damage. I guess it works well with your theme, but it's need to be morethan just a facilitator for your sign-up card.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster: The community trigger is way to unreliable. Casting cost and creature type, all so you can get a free Reprisal. I'd play both Big Game Hunter and Interpid Hero over this any day. The least you could do is up the p/t a bit.
Noxious Nurill: No for a common black effective 3/3 for BB, and no for using an ability that could might as well be wither, only better? your going to where designers have gone before, only to improve an old mechanic wthout adjusting the cost. I don't like it. It's over the curve, and out of rarity anyways. Plus, a nitpick: There is already a lizardmen race. Viashino. No need for a new one.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer: The whole cards works well with your theme, but I do have to say it lacks a bit of wow-factor. It's just a heap of mechanics, admittedly one with a lot of inner synergy, but a heap nonetheless. Lizard Wizard is fun to say, though.
RPTS' entry was so underwhelming, I have to give this to Nightarcher.
KOOPA vs. MAOKUN
Focused Spy: Should Splicing be a theme, this is pretty much the type of card I'd expect to see. White doesn't belong there, though, and considering other conditional unblockable 2/2s like Neurok Spy, a cost of 2U would be the way to go.
Rani, Focused General: Several problems here. Firstly, why only merfolk? make it mono white and let it be creatures you control. Second, memory issues: not a big deal, but if I had to name the number one problem that comes to mind when I hear the term "splice onto creatures" this is it. And lastly, your card doesn't need to be a legend, since there is no reason to play it (it's a worse deal than Lord of Atlantis, Merrow Reejery and Merfolk Sovereign) so the legend rule will never come into effect. Interesting way to refresh the mechanic, but badly executed.
Lurking Copycat: Oh, the clutter. I get how each piece helps it do what it does, but you seem really bent on eating your cake and keeping too. The counter thing looks out of place, even if it does help it survive the battle (unless it's against a leveler or a spike) and there is no reason why it should keep the ability after shifting. It's an uncommon, shapeshifting once is more than fine.
Gelidion, Dragon Impostor: Again, clutter. Green is out of place here, trample is a bit of an overkill. other than that, it's actually a nice card.
I feel that Maokun did better this round.
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It's an 1/4 thanks to the +1/+1 counter. It can block a 3/3, for example and then becomes 4/4 (again, thanks to the counter.) Since most creatures have power equal to toughness he'll only die to creatures with power 5 or more.
DRAGOON vs. GERRARD’S MOM
Raylek-Clan Awakener-
Unfortunately, this doesn't work. When his ability goes to the stack when he attacks, it's too late for it to attack. The idea is cool, though.
General Ilidar-
Neat card. I can't help to feel, though, that the restrictions should be exchanged: his p/t should be equal to the number of forests and he can't do anything until you have 4 or more lands.
Beewing Cavalry-
Very nice and simple uncommon to show off a good ability.
Leonos, the Uniter
This one ain't so great. The wording is very confusing and as far I can recall, messing with creature types is a black and maybe green share of the pie, but not white. I'd have liked better a much simpler anthem effect on a flashier creature.
Close one. GM's foot-soldier is def better, but Dragoon's legend is much more interesting. I'll go with Dragoon.
ROCKET POWERED TURBO SLUG vs. NIGHTARCHER
Noxious Nurill-
You started low in my scale because I absolutely loathe your origin card (Emblems should be the result of abilities of permanents as they're less clunky than, say, "put an enchantment token with..." For spells, you should just make them enchantments.) Anyhow, infectious flanking, I really dig that. What I don't dig that much is that it's a common. Black common creatures are never as efficient as 2/2 for 2, let alone with a very strong ability tacked in. This would be an uncommon and a very sought after one.
Zinligg, Toxinomancer-
This is a very good card, lots of synergistic abilities that reward intelligent playing while not being too confusing or difficult to understand. I have the feeling, though, that development would find the need to make the last ability available only as a sorcery.
Mirror Knight-
This card looks like it belongs in my universe In fact, it looks like what my uncommon card should have been. Good job.
Tommer Falson, Huntmaster-
The overall idea is good, however, the amount of requirements, numbers and restrictions make it confusing and hard to build around. A legend should be splashier and its power more evident.
Nightarcher. He made a broken common, but his legend is far better than RPTS's.
ASRAMA vs. JIMMY GROOVE
Restored Guardsman-
Nice little card but I have trouble seeing how it fits in your "universe". A biiit too generic and bland.
Breaker, Lich Lord-
Lich effects trade the instant benefit of crippling your opponent attempts of making you lose the game, at the cost of making it really easy for you to lose it yourself in the long run. This card doesn't even have that drawback, but the added benefit of being able to tap out your opponent (and with very poor wording at that). All that in the body of a hard-to-kill, almost-unblockable 5/5. At least the name is fitting.
Sumandea Deathblade-
Nice card that fits in well with your theme. I feel you could even have given it another point of thoughness.
Cahir Dallen, the Untarnished-
A very good effect to top up your well rounded theme. That being said, the card is undercosted (taking in account that this kind of cards would only be printed in environments full of counters, auras and equipments, it's bound to potentially cause a lot of card advantage) and I feel that green should be involved perhaps in the place of black.)
Asrama, easily.
Thanks to koopa whose format I copied!
Asrama vs. Jimmy Groove
Koopa vs. Maokun
Winners:
Gerrard's Mom
Jimmy Groove
Koopa
As an aside, I'm really surprised, Dragoon. This was a really weak round for you and it seems like you didn't put much thought into your cards as opposed to normal. And to everyone, I'm really surprised at the number of wording and working mistakes in cards. I would think that everyone who's good enough to get this far in a card creation contest should know how to word their cards properly and know how the rules work.
There's really no need to be condescending. The majority of the people in this top 8 are consistently some of the best card designers on this forum. And to imply that since some "mistakes" were made that those designers don't "know how the rules work" is ludicrous. Not every design each person puts forth is golden and mistakes will occur.
As for my designs, I am fully aware that the wording doesn't work. But I liked the concept so much that I thought for two whole days on how to fix it (which is why I posted so close to the deadline.) I tried a beginning-of-combat trigger to turn the land into a creature so it could attack, but that didn't fit the spirit that I wanted for the card. I then tried an attack trigger that exiled the land, then returned it to the battlefield tapped as an attacking creature, but that wording was extremely convoluted and I'm not sure that worked either. I tried several other ideas as well, none of which were simple enough and still workable. So with the deadline approaching, I decided to go with the simple wording that didn't technically work, but still conveyed the idea of the card.
I'm really not a fan of defending my designs because I know not everyone will like them/get them/appreciate them/agree with them/whatever, so really, why bother. Sorry I didn't live up to your expectations. But I kinda feel your comment toward everyone was unnecessary.
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RPTS saw what I saw going for, and disagrees with me about the power level, which I won't and can't really really argue with (after all, it is a very out-there ability that hasn't seen print before, and is thus very hard to judge the power level of). I just want my cards to be judged on what they actually do. And from what you said, it sounds like you judged it based on something it doesn't actually do. I wouldn't mind losing to Asrama; he's a very good designer who always makes great cards, and his cards this round were quite elegant and nice, and would likely get my vote in some other matches; I just want any loss that happens to be based on readings of what my card actually does.
Sorry I misjudged you card, and the above crit will go into my crit post.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
You're right, I apologize. My intention wasn't to sound condescending even if it came off that way. It just seemed like there was a disproportionate number of wording mistakes, which is one of the quickest mistakes that should get fixed during polishing. There was a bit of sarcasm in there, but it came off really like a jerk more than as sarcasm.
From what I've seen, you're one of the best designers on this forum which is kinda why I was surprised. I think it would have been better to have slightly more convoluted wording if it made the ability actually work. It probably would have worked if you had something like 'tap target land you control. That land becomes a 2/2 creature until eot. That creature becomes an attacking creature.'
Dragoon - The uncommon creature will only actually have an effect if you have multiple combat steps, since it triggers when the craeture is declared an attacker, and by that point it is too late for a land to choose to attack (If it made the land be attacking, like Hero of Bladehold's ability, then it would work)
The flavor of the legend is great, but it will very often be a huge creature that's only cost is costing you a land drop, which is pretty dang over the curve.
Gerrard's Mom - The support ability has already been seen with slivers and some other creatures, but making it an ability word would make a lot of sense in a block that uses it as a major mechanic, and the uncommon creature uses it well; I can see it be a total limited bomb.
The legend uses a support-type effect well, and also rewards you for playing a lot of creatures that share more than one creature type, which is new. Seems to be priced very well
Winner - Gerrard's Mom
Rocket Powered Turbo Slug vs Nightarcher
Nightarcher - The common creature is very strong, perhaps too strong. The ability is essentially permanent flanking on both offense and defense, and it lets this CMC 2 creature trade with most creatures with a casting cost of CMC 4. That said, it definitely works well with the flavor and is a nice, simple, printable ability.
The legend has a very nice, simple little ability, and having removing -1/-1 counters from any creatures, even your enemies, being a cost is neat.
RPTS - The uncommon creature uses copying in a new, neat way, although the effect of being a wall that can never be overcome in combat is pretty huge for a CMC 3 creature, especially one that is too tough for most burn.
The legend doesn't really work for me. The forestwalk feels a bit tacked on just to justify green, but the destroying power 4 or greater effect is definitely white, as it has appeared on a couple of different white cards (but not terribly recent ones). I think it would probably work better as white or white/black, possibly with a more open-ended triggering condition.
Winner - Nightarcher
Koopa vs Maokun
Koopa - The connection between splice and "focus", as I've said before, doesn't make sense save when the card being spliced is your first card. Beyond that, though, the mechanic is sound, and the spy makes good use of it. It is perhaps a bit below the curve, but not so much that it would be useless.
The Legend requires a big rewrite of the rules and has some memory issues, but if the rules were rewritten it is an effect that I could see being very printable.
Makoun - Both of your cards match the flavor of your initial card well. The fact that it is triggered on damage being dealt as opposed to being declared a blocker is good, since it means that it can only copy medium sized creatures at first, making it fit its CMC well.
The legend is nice, and using all of the colors of your initial card is a good touch. It fits the curve well, and the ability is useful for many types of decks. Being able to use the advantage of Precursor Golem without the disadvantage is nice, but costed about right.
Winner - Makoun