Custom Card League Rules Compendium * 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.
Please note that the teams will be dynamic. That means if all teams have 8 people, and yours suddenly drops to 3 due to dropouts/losses, then teams WILL BE SHIFTED based on not only the total team players, but also the scores they have. You will be notified via PM if your team has been shifted.
Through your studies and training, you have heard of a place called the AEtherflow and always hear about the massive wars that take place there to take control of it. You often wonder if one day you will end up there to make the deciding blow. Even then, what would you do with it? Many questions race through your mind for something that may not even happen.
Many wars have waged in the name of domination of the various planes. Your parents, who have the planeswalker spark, were part of those great wars.
You have trained and studied hard with a realization that you also have that spark. Even though your parents are not as famous or reputable to the likes of Jace, Liliana, and Garruk, deep down you know that you could easily surpass them.
Your days go past and your spark grows. Eventually you get a letter from an unknown sorce.
"We request that you come to the portals of Rigoth to assist with the AEtherflow Wars. What you choose is up to you; however it's not what side you choose, but what you do with the responsibility. -Mages of Neutrality"
Upon adventuring to the destination, you hear a rustle in the trees. It doesn't sound like normal animal noises, but something more stealthy. Instead of going to investigate yourself, you decide to send cohorts to find out what it is. Unfortunately you don't have any!
As a brief panic sets over you, a flash comes to mind. Were you hit? No, but you notice something else and blocking an arrow aimed right for your head!
As the arrows fly across, narrowly missing you, you find a hiding spot while your minions take them down. It seems like hours before one of them comes to your hiding spot to let you know. As you step out, you notice that the area is now scattered in bodies. You step over several of them, unable to discern who or what they were.
Continuing your trek, you reach a glowing metallic object. The pull of this object makes you think that it could possibly be the portal, but it seems...different. Having never seen the portal before, it makes you wonder why you would feel this way. It then dawns on you that this is a Sorcerer's Strongbox. What could be in it?
After tinkering with the strongox, you find yourself more powerful; as if though it was meant to be found by you. Storing the box away for when you may need this new item, you continue your trek to the portal.
After several more days, you have arrived at the portal, where the faint sounds of both war
and peace can be heard. Many voices can be heard chanting spells, while grunts and what
could very well be goblins chittering come from almost right next to you!
A master mage stands before you. He tells you that the portal will drop you into a place that your heart desires amongst the AEtherflow and to search your heart before stepping in as the AEtherflow is both chaos and order, light and dark, and everything in between.
Current Story
Having found your hearts desire, you feel strange as you touch the portal. Things begin to spin and you feel light-headed and nauseated and soon pass out.
Later you waken to various sounds, different sounds from what your used to. You find yourself lying on your back looking up, staring at what appears to be a multi-colored river. Could this be the AEtherflow? It has to be! Pure mana flows by like water in the sky.
As you stand on your feet, you notice that you are indeed where you thought and many creatures that were once just part of your imagination are now real.
You wander around as the AEther moves and warps around you. You reach out and touch it and it feels alive, as if though it is own being that is giving you a renewed vigor.
But like all great moments in your life, you realize that something is wrong. This was too easy. Suddenly a strange sound can be heard nearby you and then a warped figure stands/floats before you.
Your Challenge:
Design a creature that can rival your planeswalker.
1. It can only have a power/toughness of 2/2 or less.
2. It must have a casting cost of 4 or less.
Clarifications
1. It can have abilities that boost it above a 2/2, but the starting P/T must be 2/2 or lower.
-----------------------------------
Rimeshade v. drewdagreek
ParaSiempre v. Lyzl
ced395 v. Maokun
Monkey Playing MTG v. Oculus
Each person will critique the other three teams and choose a winner from those teams.
-----------------------------------
DEADLINES:
Critiques due by April 26th at 3AM EST
:o:o:oCONGRATS TO LYZL FOR THE PERFECT SCORE LAST ROUND!:D:D:D
Thank you! (Although, without ced's crits, it's not really :P)
Also, what does "rival your planeswalker" mean? Kill it? Can go toe to toe in combat? Rival themes?
Marissa, Wartime Mediator RWU
Planeswalker - Marissa (M)
|-1| - Each player reveals the top card of their library, and if it's a creature card, puts it onto the battlefield under an opponent's control.
|-2| - Creatures cannot be dealt combat damage until the beginning of your next upkeep.
|+4| - Choose a player. Gain control of target permanent they control. They gain control of Marissa, Wartime Mediator.
{4}
Marissa has lived her whole life while under the constant pressure of the war efforts of Valeran, her home world. These were not the normal pressures of war, but rather of a political kind. Born under the tyranny of her warmongering father and more peaceful but deceitful mother, she quickly learned the subtle art of negotiation, and wrote most of the Treaty of Parnenion herself. Wars are now under strict guidelines because of the treaty, and all combat is performed with graceful tact and precision. While never being able to stop the wars on her world, she has vowed to do anything in her power to keep the battles fair and just, if they must be done.
Summoning Spell:
Warp Vessel3
Artifact - Equipment (R) X, Discard a card: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost X and put it onto the battlefield, then attach this to it.
Equipped creature has shroud,
"(U/R): Unattach Warp Vessel" and can't attack or block.
Equip 3
In an effort to keep the wars away from the major cities, but keep the costs of transporting soldiers low, Marissa had a team of artificers create the Warp Vessel. Part steam power and part magic, it is able to travel great distances and summon an entire army to battle in a matter of hours, far away from any cities and towns nearby.
Minion:
Cadet ProdigyWR
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
First Strike
At the beginning of each end step, return Cadet Prodigy to it's owner's hand unless you control another red or white creature. "You are obviously very skilled, and one day will be an outstanding soldier, but until that day, you stick with me." - Cadet Captain Jarvis
3/3
In the military academies strewn throughout Valeran, there are always a select few cadets who excel far beyond their peers. While normally cadets would never be allowed to fight in combat, these prodigies are sometimes selected to fight in special missions under the watchful eye of their superiors, to give them first hand experience.
Grim DecisionUB
Instant (U)
Look at the top three cards of your library, then put them back in any order.
You may shuffle your library. If you do, destroy target nonblack creature. Otherwise, draw a card. "After eliminating all other strategies, whatever remains, however unfortunate, must be done." - Marissa, Wartime Mediator
In her famous speech "Just Justice", Marissa explained throughly how one should decide when harm is necessary. To this day, battles on Valeran are conducted with these principles in mind.
Valerian Sky Fortress
Artifact Land – Structure (R)
Construct (When this enters the battlefield, sacrifice it unless you exile a land you control. When this leaves the battlefield, that card returns to the battlefield.) T: Add R, W, or U to your mana pool. ,T: Exile target creature you control. Then, you may return Valerian Sky Fortress to your hand. If you do, return all creatures exiled by it to the battlefield under your control.
As the Wizards and Warriors of Valeran became ever more elaborate in their battles, so too did their fortifications. Built upon the solid foundation of Valerian land, the Sky Fortresses were seen as the most superior of these, and descended upon battlefields not as weapons, but as the best line of defense a strategian could ask for.
Prisoner of WarWU
Enchantment – Aura (U)
Enchant creature
You control enchanted creature.
Enchanted creature doesn’t deal combat damage, has defender and its activated abilities can’t be activated. While war is often accompanied by slaughter, there can be tactical advantage to use other means.
It is an absolute law of war in Valeran to cease fire the moment the enemy surrenders. While many soldiers may run to escape after a surrender, the vast majority become prisoners of war. Although, some do argue it may be a fate worse than death.
Marissa, Wartime Mediator RWU
Planeswalker - Marissa (M)
|-1| - Each player reveals the top card of their library, and if it's a creature card, puts it onto the battlefield under an opponent's control.
|-2| - Creatures cannot be dealt combat damage until the beginning of your next upkeep.
|+4| - Choose a player. Gain control of target permanent they control. They gain control of Marissa, Wartime Mediator.
{4}
Reverie Coroner1BG
Creature - Elf Shaman (R) BG,T, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal the top X cards of your library where X is that creature’s toughness. Put each creature card revealed this way into your hand and the rest on top of your library in any order. She likes her corpses fresh for examination, still pulsing entrails make great inspiration.
2/2
Qama of the Meek1GW
Planeswalker - Qama {M}
{+2}: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
{-1}: Shuffle any number of creature cards from your graveyard into your library.
{-X}: Search your library for any number of creatures with total converted mana cost X or less and put them onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
{3}
Fetch!
Rise of the Meek1WG
Sorcery {U}
Choose one or both - search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library; and/or return target creature card with converted mana cost 1 from your graveyard to the battlefield. "From the locust in a swarm to the squire in an army, the smallest being is inevitably part of the greatest force."
- Qama Traval
Eeee!
Seed of Eternity(G/W)
Creature - Elemental {R}
: Target creature with converted mana cost 1 or less is indestructible this turn. It gives the greatest of blessings to the mildest of souls.
0/1
The Strongbox:
Plunge into Madness1BB
Enchantment {U}
At the beginning of your end step, discard your hand. Each opponent loses life equal to the amount of cards discarded this way, then you gain life equal to the amount of life lost this way. Tlukat's laughs quickly turned to screams of anguish as he realized the spell was there to stay.
The Artifact Land:
Chimeric Citadel
Artifact Land {R} T:Add 1 to your mana pool. XX:Chimeric Citadel becomes an X/X Construct artifact creature until end of turn. It's still a land.
Using the artifact land:
Beacon ElementalW
Creature - Elemental {R}
Level up 2 {1/1}
<<LVL2-5>>: Creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less get +2/+2. {2/2}
<<LVL6+>>: Creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less get +2/+2 and has double strike. {3/3}
The Rival:
BowelslicerXBB
Creature - Horror {R}
Multikicker 1
When Bowelslicer enters the battlefield, choose target creature with converted mana cost X, then choose another target creature with converted mana cost X for each time Bowelslicer was kicked. Destroy all creatures chosen this way.
2/1
FYI, those aren't two lines of text. It just happens to have turned out that way.
Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord :1mana::symb::symg: {MR}
Planeswalker - Corinthae
Dredge 4
(+1) Target card in your graveyard gains Dredge 3 until the end of your next turn.
(-2) Put a 1/1 green plant token with, "When this creature enters the battlefield, draw a card." onto the battlefield.
(-5) Until end of turn, whenever you dredge, you may draw a card.
[3]
Rise from the Rot :2mana::symg::symb: {R}
Sorcery
Search your library for a creature with converted mana cost equal or less than the number of cards in your graveyard, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
Golgari Loamdwellers :1mana::symb::symg: {R}
Creature - Plant Zombie
Dredge 2
Whenever a card is put into your graveyard from anywhere, Golgari Loamdwellers gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/2
Cycle of Rebirth :3mana::symw::symg: {U}
Instant
Manafuel (You may discard cards from your hand that share a color with this card to reduce its cost by or one mana of a color that the cards share.)
Put X 1/1 green saproling tokens onto the battlefield, where X is the number of cards put into your graveyard this turn. "From the rot rise the seedlings of new life." - Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord
Decomposing Rothollow {R}
Decomposing Rothollow Enters the battlefield tapped.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
Ancestry - As long as this card is in your graveyard, creatures you control have, ":1mana:, Sacrifice this creature: Draw a card." "The death of one is merely another lesson for the living. Study it, and learn well." - Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord
Primal Germination :2mana::symg::symg: {U}
Kicker - Sacrifice an artifact.
Put three green 1/1 saproling tokens onto the battlefield. If Primal Germination was kicked, untap up to four lands you control. "Nature will prevail against this corruption of metal and perversion of minerals as it always has... Through patience and creation." - Ometh Pureseal Druid
Soul Reclaimer :1mana::symw::symg: {R}
Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ Enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it for each card in target opponent's graveyard.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from Soul Reclaimer: Exile target card in a graveyard.
1/2 "My strength will match the forces it fights, and disappear when it has no more use." - Anhila, Soul Reclaimer
I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
Yeh, I forgot to do crits
Somehow I am still in, though.
...
Placeholder
Because you had a high enough score and it was your first miss on crit/t3. Don't let it happen again though 'cuz I would hate for you to get near the finish and end up DQ'd.
Deciding between two entries
El'banir the Artist fears the:
Grim Objectivist2WB
Creature - Human Knight (R)
Protection from tokens
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses life equal to the number of permanents he or she controls but does not also own. Forget your petty toys and tricks, face me with your own power or fall before me. There are no other options.
2/2
Devin Cait2WB
Planeswalker - Devin (MR)
+1: Gain life equal to the life lost by target opponent this turn.
0: Sacrifice a nontoken permanent, then destroy target permanent of the same type.
-6: Choose a permanent type. Target player sacrifices all permanents of that type
[3]
The contender:
Imperturbable Paladin1WW
Creature - Human Knight (R)
First strike, lifelink
Whenever Imperturbable Paladin becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, it becomes indestructible until end of turn. W, return Imperturbable Paladin to your hand: Target permanent you control becomes indestructible until end of turn.
"Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE!?" - Devin Cait
2/2
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.
-----------------------------------
Rimeshade v. drewdagreek
Stoic Inquisitor - Not exactly sure what to say here - the second ability is pure genius, the flavor is great, but the second ability is kinda clunky. The other thing that really annoys me is that it's kinda narrow - if it was just something like Arcbound Fiend, or triggered on spells as well, I would be all over this (also, green/white would fit this guy better mechanically).
Grim Objectivist - Whuh? Protection from tokens is kina odd (Vindictive Mob comes to mind), and the hate-Brooding Saurian also feels out of place. I think the colors should have been either mono-black or black and one of blue's enemies, as controlling is very far in blue's territory. All in all, a bit too random for me - would have liked to see a bit more synergy between its abilities.
Winner:
Rimeshade
ParaSiempre v. Lyzl
Paladin of Justice - To be honest, I was expecting some sort of Spider...oh well, the Paladin was exactly what I would have liked Rimeshade's card to look like. The only thing that bothers me here is that it's a Knight without first strike (or flanking, but hey). Well done.
Reverie Coroner - Difficult, very difficult...I'd say it's almost underpowered though - you're giving up a rather large creature for an unknown amount of card advantage. Also, sacrificing doesn't have to be strictly black - there is no reason for this to have a slightly altered flavor to make it mono-green. Not quite sure how this is meant to combat our 'walker either.
Winner:
ParaSiempre
ced395 v. Maokun
Varnar, Master of Delusion - Woah, neat! Turning your opponent's hand into your personal Muck Drubb[/CARD] is powerful, but not too much so. Apart from not really combating your 'walker (the only "target" I see is for noncreature permanents), an exemplary card.
Imperturbable Paladin - So basically it needs to die in combat...Lifelink is a tiny bit over-the-top here, but nonetheless a good card. Also combats your planeswalker nicely.
@ced: I actually liked Maokun's more from the start, but originally gave the win to you for cleaner execution. Seeing how it doesn't properly hose the first ability, and still taking into consideration the fact that I'm confused how the second sentence's timing works, I revaluted my judgement. I think you both made great cards, it's the tiniest details that it came down to
For people confused on how my card rivals my planeswalker: Maybe I was too subtle? The ability leaves only non-creature cards on top of your library, which means Marissa's +1 isn't gonna grab your stuff. Should the marissa player want to steal any of your creatures, you just sack that critter in response. If, in fact, her plus one gets the creature itself, it is little more than a 2/2 due to the color restrictions on the ability
.
Rimeshade vs. drewdagreek
Rimeshade
Thalek, Vampire Magister - 2UB Planeswalker - Thalek
[+1]: Look at the top three cards of your library. You may reveal a vampire card from among them and put it into your hand. Shuffle the rest into your library.
[+1]: Until the beginning of your next upkeep, vampire cards you own that aren't on the battlefield have flash.
[-2]: Put a sire counter on target non-artifact creature. You control creatures with sire counters on them and they are vampires in addition to their other types.
[3]
Stoic Inquisitor - 1WU
Creature - Human Cleric (R)
Vigilance.
Whenever an opponent shuffles their library or plays a spell or ability during your turn, you may move a counter from target permanent onto another target permanent.
Counters placed on Stoic Inquisitor become +1/+1 counters. "Pain, pleasure, temptation; all are to be endured and in enduring, we grow stronger." - Motto of the Inquisition.
2/2
Alright, this card has an assortment of things I'd like to address. Firstly, I do like the name/flavor, it's cool that an inquisitor is taking counters for himself.
However, moving those counters for library shuffles or casting spells/using abilities seems a bit too obviously like you took you're planeswalkers abilities, and said "Bad, don't do that exact thing!". The flavor/mechanic bridge just isn't all there. Also I think the line should read "Whenever an opponent shuffles his or her library, or whenever an opponent casts a spell or activates an ability during your turn,..." As it is, it reads that the opponent has to shuffle on your turn to make it go off.
Laid out as it is though, it's not a badly balanced card, and could be usable in a few decks. There's some cool innovation in the counters becoming +1/+1 counters on him too. It's also quite nice that the moving counters ability is useful in removing nasty sire counters and loyalty from the planeswalker, plus useful to move the +1/+1 counters from the Inquisitor to other creatures you control. There is a lot of Utility in there.
drewdagreek
El'banir, Reality Artist2WUR
Planeswalker - El'banir (M)
|+2|: Draw cards equal to the number of loyalty counters on El'banir. Then shuffle half that many cards, rounded up, at random from your hand into your library
|-2|: Put a token into play that is a copy of target creature, artifact or enchantment
|-x,4|: Gain control of up to five target non-land permanents with a converted mana cost X or less.
<3>
Grim Objectivist2WB
Creature - Human Knight (R)
Protection from tokens
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses life equal to the number of permanents he or she controls but does not also own. Forget your petty toys and tricks, face me with your own power or fall before me. There are no other options.
2/2
Ok, cool flavor. The Objectivist only sees things for how they "really" are, which means tokens and things controlled by the wrong player are hit. Maybe it's a bit too literal of an interpretation of a counter to your planeswalker though. I do kinda like that since your opponent is somewhat forced to take low cost permanents, but a bunch of them, this really hits them hard for casting the ult (although they might take him haha!).
I do find the card a little unwieldy when you try to think of uses outside of against your planeswalker. Also, he's a little too expensive for his effects, 1WB seems more apt.
The flavor text is great btw, love it. I think you made a card worthy to rival your planeswalker.
Conclusion:
This was an incredibly close match-up. Both of your made great cards with just a few drawbacks on each. I choose based on whose I thought was a more exciting execution of the challenge. Great job to you both though.
Rimeshade
Monkey_Playing_MTG vs. Oculus
Monkey_Playing_MTG
Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord :1mana::symb::symg: {MR}
Planeswalker - Corinthae
Dredge 4
(+1) Target card in your graveyard gains Dredge 3 until the end of your next turn.
(-2) Put a 1/1 green plant token with, "When this creature enters the battlefield, draw a card." onto the battlefield.
(-5) Until end of turn, whenever you dredge, you may draw a card.
[3]
Soul Reclaimer :1mana::symw::symg: {R}
Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ Enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it for each card in target opponent's graveyard.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from Soul Reclaimer: Exile target card in a graveyard.
1/2 "My strength will match the forces it fights, and disappear when it has no more use." - Anhila, Soul Reclaimer
OK, I get it, it fights against the graveyard to beat your dredge. It's a little crazy to drop lategame though, no? could be 10-20 cards in an opponent's graveyard naturally. Maybe that's not so crazy though, just seems to be teetering on Tarmogoyf syndrome. Then the second ability seems a bit weak, giving up that much power just to exile a single card from a graveyard. Granted, it'll mean he can exile exactly half their graveyard.
I think it's a pretty nifty way to fight your planeswalker. It requires some strategy to use, but at the same time is efficient and useful. Not a fan of the flavor text though.
Oculus
Qama of the Meek1GW
Planeswalker - Qama {M}
{+2}: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
{-1}: Shuffle any number of creature cards from your graveyard into your library.
{-X}: Search your library for any number of creatures with total converted mana cost X or less and put them onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
{3}
BowelslicerXBB
Creature - Horror {R}
Multikicker 1
When Bowelslicer enters the battlefield, choose target creature with converted mana cost X, then choose another target creature with converted mana cost X for each time Bowelslicer was kicked. Destroy all creatures chosen this way.
2/1
Yup, this is about an elegant a solution as is possible against your planeswalker. I like that it looks almost like a card that would just be printed without even knowing your planeswalker existed, but when you see it with the planeswalker, it's just like "Wow!".
I like the flavor, perfect Zendikar style, and just overall feel of the card.
Conclusion:
For being my favorite card of the round, I don't see how it can't go to this person this round. Although, yet again, both contestants cards were quite strong!
Oculus
ced395 vs. Maokun
ced395
Brannus FidrRRG
Planeswalker - Brannus (M)
[+1]: Brannus Fidr deals 3 damage to a random creature you don’t control.
[-3]: Destroy target noncreature permanent.
[-5]: You may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield. Until end of turn, that creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste.
[3]
Varnar, Master of Delusion2UU
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (R) 3UU, T: Target opponent reveals his or her hand. You may put a creature card from it onto the battlefield tapped under your control. Then, if Varnar, Master of Delusion is the target of a spell or ability with a single target, you may change the target of that spell or ability to the creature.
2/2
Very cool way to counter your planeswalker. It has great flavor and feels like a real card, not just something made exclusively to fight the walker. I especially like how cleverly it fights both the first and third ability of the planeswalker.
There is the slightest bit of misunderstanding with the reading of the card though, does his ability have to be used in response to being targeted to make it redirected to the creature? Or, after that ability is used does the creature continuously provide protection? I feel like the latter is much better, and the intention, but it's not perfectly worded that way.
Overall, a really great job. I really like the creature. It's fun, flavorful, and a worthy rival.
EDIT: Realized that this creature doesn't actually counter the first ability, my mistake.
Maokun
Devin Cait2WB
Planeswalker - Devin (MR)
+1: Gain life equal to the life lost by target opponent this turn.
0: Sacrifice a nontoken permanent, then destroy target permanent of the same type.
-6: Choose a permanent type. Target player sacrifices all permanents of that type
[3]
Imperturbable Paladin1WW
Creature - Human Knight (R)
First strike, lifelink
Whenever Imperturbable Paladin becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, it becomes indestructible until end of turn. W, return Imperturbable Paladin to your hand: Target permanent you control becomes indestructible until end of turn.
"Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE!?" - Devin Cait
2/2
Ok, this is a cool card. Can really protect your stuff from Devin's second ability, and I can see how lifelink is a pseudo counter to his first ability. The final little "hidden" trick that returning him saves him from the ultimate is quite clever.
Where I run into a bit of trouble, is feeling that his "shroud" ability is, well, too much like shroud. I really think he should only have the other ability, even though the "shroud" one is neat, it's a lot of text that adds very little considering what the second ability does. Also, is it not a little too powerful considering that final ability?
Regardless, it's a cool card that has something for every one of your planeswalker's abilities, and some funny flavor text. Great job!
Conclusion:
Yet again there is a really tough decision to be made. So many great cards this round. Both of these card's just have the smallest of flaws and are oozing with flavor, strong effects, and rivalry! However, for its interesting interaction factor, cool way to beat the walker, and overall playability:
Okay, I am bumping this up just in case the others are either busy or don't realize that critiquing is now open. I do have at least the critique end date for the 26th, which should allow enough time for the holidays.
Drewdagreek's card, besides a kickass name has little else going for it. Sure, it kind of answers the Planeswalker, but narrowly so. i.e. It's not good most of the rest of the time. For such narrow and unsynergistic abilities, I'd surely want to get more punch for my four mana in two colors. 2/2 doesn't cut it.
Rimeshade's Inquisitor looks a bit messy, but it's actually quite clever even if the abilities seem unrelated. It requires some cleaning but I think it's a good approach.
Winner: Rimeshade
Monkey vs Oculus
Monkey's card is simply absurd. Undoubtedly, the second, hottest coming of Tarmogoyf. In the late game it can enter the field as a monster that eats Emrakuls for breakfast. Just no.
Oculus's card is good, but I feel it should be a sorcery, anyhow, pretty good answer to the Planeswalker.
Winner: Oculus
ParaSiempre vs Lyzl
Lyzl's card is quite interesting. However, it's not very clear how it does especifically hose his Planeswalker. ParaSiempre's card is a good answer to Planeswalkers in general, but it's neither well aimed to hose his. Since both players kind of missed that requirement, I'll just choose the more interesting of both.
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.
Monkey's card is simply absurd. Undoubtedly, the second, hottest coming of Tarmogoyf. In the late game it can enter the field as a monster that eats Emrakuls for breakfast. Just no.
Yes it's powerful, but who needs a tarmogoyf in the late game? Being aggressive requires it to be out there turns 3-4, when this won't be all that powerful.
I really like this card. It could certainly be a powerful draw engine, but I don't think that it would be defining for a standard format. Sure, it could be powerful, but these colors tend to be used for Rock decks which pack a lot of non-creature disruption. I think this would see lots of casual play as well as EDH play, and is a fun and creative card. Agreeing with ced here, it counter's your walker in a very discrete manner. Good job, I really like it.
I also like this card, and it makes me sad that I have to choose between them. This is similar to Paladin En-Vec, which is a good, powerful card. The only change is the loss of first strike for the anti-planeswalker ability, which works with the card. I think this is a good but not overpowered card, and in most situations I might actually prefer the Paladin En-Vec. However, it suits the challenge well and is a well-made card. Good job here.
I am going to give it to Lyzl here for creativity and originality, but you both put forth excellent cards.
Varnar is certainly interesting, and would be automatically played by EDH lovers everywhere. He isn't overpowered, and I am glad that the redirection ability only applies if you spend the mana to have them reveal their hand. It still feels strange that it works that way, but it goes a long way to balancing the card.
This seems both incredibly fun to use and incredibly annoying for your opponent to deal with. That being said, I think that it is a bit too good for what it does. It dodges almost all removal, can bounce back to your hand in case someone tries to swords it, and it can protect other creatures from most spot removal as well for the cost of :symw:. It is a very interesting and fun design, but overall is just too powerful.
Despite some awkward phrasing, the winner is ced395. Maokun's card was just too powerful for me to give it the win.
I dislike the fact that it requires shuffle effects to trigger the first ability, although the concept of the first ability is really cool. The second ability is also very elegant, and I enjoy its interraction with the first. However, because the card is dependent on your opponent shuffling and having counters that you don't want, it becomes very narrow and difficult to use. I like the card in concept, but not in reality.
Clever little card, although I wish it cost less and had first strike. The second ability will almost never be useful aside from maybe one damage per turn, though it dose hose your walker's ultimate. The protection from tokens is more relevant, and makes this card worthwhile. I think it could easily have cost less and had the flavorful first strike (it is a knight, after all). Still, it works and can be somewhat useful, though overcosted.
I'm giving this one to drewdagreek for having the more useful card.
Also, good job Oculus. You seem to be getting the votes
I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
Just a note to say that the reason her ability triggers on shuffling libraries is because she's based on the real Inquisition, she's punishing people searching for knowledge. The other trigger represents her punishing people for daring to act outside their boundaries (ie not on their own turn).
Cool flavor, put you gotta admit that putting one ability that works on your turn, and one that works at any time is a bit messy. Elegance on a card works wonders, probably one of the easiest factors to separate a good design from a great design.
I, of course, managed to fail that test in the latest round of the MCC. I made an extremely overdesigned card with little elegance, and paid dearly for it against Moss_elemental's more simplistic but better executed card.
Yes it's powerful, but who needs a tarmogoyf in the late game? Being aggressive requires it to be out there turns 3-4, when this won't be all that powerful.
True, but consider how some decks are happy to pay 15 for a 15/15 in the late game. Imagine how ecstatic they'd be to drop a 20/20 or bigger for just 3 mana. Or get it off from a Bloobraid Elf or tutor it with Green Sun Zenith for 4 mana.
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.
Currently the only two people that are confirmed moving on to Round 5 are:
Rimeshade and Oculus.
If I don't get the other 3 critiques by 3pm today, then I will automatically move one of each from team 2 and 3 to the next round (currently Lyzl and ced395 by vote count).
Oh Early critiques! That makes sense now. Let us know next time. Came back to edit and found critiques already underway. Was debating some changes sunday night and.. boom crits.
Doesn't matter much, I'm too busy this month anyway.
Crits:
1. Parasiempre is general RB PW hateno focus on his PW. Lyzl tried to be more specific but he confused me as to how it relates.. Winner: Parasiempre
2. Ced vs Moakun: Moakun seems like general PW hate. General.. and removal hate. Ced's unique interacts with the opponents PW. so the rounds goes to him. Winner: Ced
3 Oculus vs Monkey: I'm gonna go with Oculus. Both cards are extremely powerful, as Oculus us a token blasting machine. But Monkey's just runs away too quickly. Winner: Oculus
Currently the only two people that are confirmed moving on to Round 5 are:
Rimeshade and Oculus.
If I don't get the other 3 critiques by 3pm today, then I will automatically move one of each from team 2 and 3 to the next round (currently Lyzl and ced395 by vote count).
In fact, at that point I had two votes, while ced had only one. After dewdagreek's crits we're even.
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.
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.
@ParaSiempre: I was really scared people weren't understanding the concept behind my card, and that I was too subtle/heavyhanded with it's design. Your more direct and clean card seemed to really catch people's attention!
Thank you PsiJet for the tiebreak though, hope I won't disappoint next round.
Custom Card League Rules Compendium
* 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.
Please note that the teams will be dynamic. That means if all teams have 8 people, and yours suddenly drops to 3 due to dropouts/losses, then teams WILL BE SHIFTED based on not only the total team players, but also the scores they have. You will be notified via PM if your team has been shifted.
TEAM 1
149 -Rimeshade
178 -drewdagreek
TEAM 2
185 -ParaSiempre
240 -Lyzl
TEAM 3
201 -ced395
212 -Maokun
TEAM 4
171 -Monkey_Playing_MTG
191 -Oculus
TyranidBill (Dropped)
NightArcher (Dropped)
TyranidBill (Dropped)
person3412 (Dropped)
etherealscorpion (Dropped)
BlackBull (Dropped)
Ryder052 (Dropped)
Neon__Lights (DQ'd)
Shaddock86 (DQ'd)
Jimmy Groove (DQ'd)
brasil_dude101 (Dropped)
Koopa (Dropped)
mzc87 (Dropped)
Twilight Kiwi (DQ'd)
Phyrexian Editor (OUT)
blackkithkin20 (OUT)
Arcum (OUT)
Gerrard's Mom (OUT)
RyuumiGaroukuni (OUT)
DeusofCalamity (OUT)
Paradigm Eighty (OUT)
RPTS (OUT)
Signup Round
Round 1 - Trek to the Portal
Round 2 - An Artifact?
Round 3 - Look Before You Leap
Through your studies and training, you have heard of a place called the AEtherflow and always hear about the massive wars that take place there to take control of it. You often wonder if one day you will end up there to make the deciding blow. Even then, what would you do with it? Many questions race through your mind for something that may not even happen.
Many wars have waged in the name of domination of the various planes. Your parents, who have the planeswalker spark, were part of those great wars.
You have trained and studied hard with a realization that you also have that spark. Even though your parents are not as famous or reputable to the likes of Jace, Liliana, and Garruk, deep down you know that you could easily surpass them.
Your days go past and your spark grows. Eventually you get a letter from an unknown sorce.
"We request that you come to the portals of Rigoth to assist with the AEtherflow Wars. What you choose is up to you; however it's not what side you choose, but what you do with the responsibility. -Mages of Neutrality"
Upon adventuring to the destination, you hear a rustle in the trees. It doesn't sound like normal animal noises, but something more stealthy. Instead of going to investigate yourself, you decide to send cohorts to find out what it is. Unfortunately you don't have any!
As a brief panic sets over you, a flash comes to mind. Were you hit? No, but you notice something else and blocking an arrow aimed right for your head!
As the arrows fly across, narrowly missing you, you find a hiding spot while your minions take them down. It seems like hours before one of them comes to your hiding spot to let you know. As you step out, you notice that the area is now scattered in bodies. You step over several of them, unable to discern who or what they were.
Continuing your trek, you reach a glowing metallic object. The pull of this object makes you think that it could possibly be the portal, but it seems...different. Having never seen the portal before, it makes you wonder why you would feel this way. It then dawns on you that this is a Sorcerer's Strongbox. What could be in it?
After tinkering with the strongox, you find yourself more powerful; as if though it was meant to be found by you. Storing the box away for when you may need this new item, you continue your trek to the portal.
After several more days, you have arrived at the portal, where the faint sounds of both war
and peace can be heard. Many voices can be heard chanting spells, while grunts and what
could very well be goblins chittering come from almost right next to you!
A master mage stands before you. He tells you that the portal will drop you into a place that your heart desires amongst the AEtherflow and to search your heart before stepping in as the AEtherflow is both chaos and order, light and dark, and everything in between.
Current Story
Having found your hearts desire, you feel strange as you touch the portal. Things begin to spin and you feel light-headed and nauseated and soon pass out.
Later you waken to various sounds, different sounds from what your used to. You find yourself lying on your back looking up, staring at what appears to be a multi-colored river. Could this be the AEtherflow? It has to be! Pure mana flows by like water in the sky.
As you stand on your feet, you notice that you are indeed where you thought and many creatures that were once just part of your imagination are now real.
You wander around as the AEther moves and warps around you. You reach out and touch it and it feels alive, as if though it is own being that is giving you a renewed vigor.
But like all great moments in your life, you realize that something is wrong. This was too easy. Suddenly a strange sound can be heard nearby you and then a warped figure stands/floats before you.
Your Challenge:
Design a creature that can rival your planeswalker.
1. It can only have a power/toughness of 2/2 or less.
2. It must have a casting cost of 4 or less.
Clarifications
1. It can have abilities that boost it above a 2/2, but the starting P/T must be 2/2 or lower.
-----------------------------------
Rimeshade v. drewdagreek
ParaSiempre v. Lyzl
ced395 v. Maokun
Monkey Playing MTG v. Oculus
Each person will critique the other three teams and choose a winner from those teams.
-----------------------------------
DEADLINES:
Critiques due by April 26th at 3AM EST
:o:o:oCONGRATS TO LYZL FOR THE PERFECT SCORE LAST ROUND!:D:D:D
Thank you! (Although, without ced's crits, it's not really :P)
Also, what does "rival your planeswalker" mean? Kill it? Can go toe to toe in combat? Rival themes?
Planeswalker - Marissa (M)
|-1| - Each player reveals the top card of their library, and if it's a creature card, puts it onto the battlefield under an opponent's control.
|-2| - Creatures cannot be dealt combat damage until the beginning of your next upkeep.
|+4| - Choose a player. Gain control of target permanent they control. They gain control of Marissa, Wartime Mediator.
{4}
Marissa has lived her whole life while under the constant pressure of the war efforts of Valeran, her home world. These were not the normal pressures of war, but rather of a political kind. Born under the tyranny of her warmongering father and more peaceful but deceitful mother, she quickly learned the subtle art of negotiation, and wrote most of the Treaty of Parnenion herself. Wars are now under strict guidelines because of the treaty, and all combat is performed with graceful tact and precision. While never being able to stop the wars on her world, she has vowed to do anything in her power to keep the battles fair and just, if they must be done.
Summoning Spell:
Artifact - Equipment (R)
X, Discard a card: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost X and put it onto the battlefield, then attach this to it.
Equipped creature has shroud,
"(U/R): Unattach Warp Vessel" and can't attack or block.
Equip 3
In an effort to keep the wars away from the major cities, but keep the costs of transporting soldiers low, Marissa had a team of artificers create the Warp Vessel. Part steam power and part magic, it is able to travel great distances and summon an entire army to battle in a matter of hours, far away from any cities and towns nearby.
Minion:
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
First Strike
At the beginning of each end step, return Cadet Prodigy to it's owner's hand unless you control another red or white creature.
"You are obviously very skilled, and one day will be an outstanding soldier, but until that day, you stick with me." - Cadet Captain Jarvis
3/3
In the military academies strewn throughout Valeran, there are always a select few cadets who excel far beyond their peers. While normally cadets would never be allowed to fight in combat, these prodigies are sometimes selected to fight in special missions under the watchful eye of their superiors, to give them first hand experience.
Instant (U)
Look at the top three cards of your library, then put them back in any order.
You may shuffle your library. If you do, destroy target nonblack creature. Otherwise, draw a card.
"After eliminating all other strategies, whatever remains, however unfortunate, must be done." - Marissa, Wartime Mediator
In her famous speech "Just Justice", Marissa explained throughly how one should decide when harm is necessary. To this day, battles on Valeran are conducted with these principles in mind.
Artifact Land – Structure (R)
Construct (When this enters the battlefield, sacrifice it unless you exile a land you control. When this leaves the battlefield, that card returns to the battlefield.)
T: Add R, W, or U to your mana pool.
,T: Exile target creature you control. Then, you may return Valerian Sky Fortress to your hand. If you do, return all creatures exiled by it to the battlefield under your control.
As the Wizards and Warriors of Valeran became ever more elaborate in their battles, so too did their fortifications. Built upon the solid foundation of Valerian land, the Sky Fortresses were seen as the most superior of these, and descended upon battlefields not as weapons, but as the best line of defense a strategian could ask for.
Enchantment – Aura (U)
Enchant creature
You control enchanted creature.
Enchanted creature doesn’t deal combat damage, has defender and its activated abilities can’t be activated.
While war is often accompanied by slaughter, there can be tactical advantage to use other means.
It is an absolute law of war in Valeran to cease fire the moment the enemy surrenders. While many soldiers may run to escape after a surrender, the vast majority become prisoners of war. Although, some do argue it may be a fate worse than death.
Planeswalker - Marissa (M)
|-1| - Each player reveals the top card of their library, and if it's a creature card, puts it onto the battlefield under an opponent's control.
|-2| - Creatures cannot be dealt combat damage until the beginning of your next upkeep.
|+4| - Choose a player. Gain control of target permanent they control. They gain control of Marissa, Wartime Mediator.
{4}
Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
BG,T, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal the top X cards of your library where X is that creature’s toughness. Put each creature card revealed this way into your hand and the rest on top of your library in any order.
She likes her corpses fresh for examination, still pulsing entrails make great inspiration.
2/2
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011
He Who Walks:
Qama of the Meek 1GW
Planeswalker - Qama {M}
{+2}: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
{-1}: Shuffle any number of creature cards from your graveyard into your library.
{-X}: Search your library for any number of creatures with total converted mana cost X or less and put them onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
{3}
Fetch!
Rise of the Meek 1WG
Sorcery {U}
Choose one or both - search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library; and/or return target creature card with converted mana cost 1 from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"From the locust in a swarm to the squire in an army, the smallest being is inevitably part of the greatest force."
- Qama Traval
Eeee!
Seed of Eternity (G/W)
Creature - Elemental {R}
: Target creature with converted mana cost 1 or less is indestructible this turn.
It gives the greatest of blessings to the mildest of souls.
0/1
The Strongbox:
Plunge into Madness 1BB
Enchantment {U}
At the beginning of your end step, discard your hand. Each opponent loses life equal to the amount of cards discarded this way, then you gain life equal to the amount of life lost this way.
Tlukat's laughs quickly turned to screams of anguish as he realized the spell was there to stay.
The Artifact Land:
Chimeric Citadel
Artifact Land {R}
T:Add 1 to your mana pool.
XX:Chimeric Citadel becomes an X/X Construct artifact creature until end of turn. It's still a land.
Using the artifact land:
Beacon Elemental W
Creature - Elemental {R}
Level up 2 {1/1}
<<LVL2-5>>: Creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less get +2/+2. {2/2}
<<LVL6+>>: Creatures you control with converted mana cost 1 or less get +2/+2 and has double strike. {3/3}
The Rival:
Bowelslicer XBB
Creature - Horror {R}
Multikicker 1
When Bowelslicer enters the battlefield, choose target creature with converted mana cost X, then choose another target creature with converted mana cost X for each time Bowelslicer was kicked. Destroy all creatures chosen this way.
2/1
FYI, those aren't two lines of text. It just happens to have turned out that way.
[Clan Flamingo] Tier Archivist
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Planeswalker - Corinthae
Dredge 4
(+1) Target card in your graveyard gains Dredge 3 until the end of your next turn.
(-2) Put a 1/1 green plant token with, "When this creature enters the battlefield, draw a card." onto the battlefield.
(-5) Until end of turn, whenever you dredge, you may draw a card.
[3]
Rise from the Rot :2mana::symg::symb: {R}
Sorcery
Search your library for a creature with converted mana cost equal or less than the number of cards in your graveyard, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
Golgari Loamdwellers :1mana::symb::symg: {R}
Creature - Plant Zombie
Dredge 2
Whenever a card is put into your graveyard from anywhere, Golgari Loamdwellers gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/2
Cycle of Rebirth :3mana::symw::symg: {U}
Instant
Manafuel (You may discard cards from your hand that share a color with this card to reduce its cost by or one mana of a color that the cards share.)
Put X 1/1 green saproling tokens onto the battlefield, where X is the number of cards put into your graveyard this turn.
"From the rot rise the seedlings of new life." - Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord
Decomposing Rothollow {R}
Decomposing Rothollow Enters the battlefield tapped.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
Ancestry - As long as this card is in your graveyard, creatures you control have, ":1mana:, Sacrifice this creature: Draw a card."
"The death of one is merely another lesson for the living. Study it, and learn well." - Rozklad, Golgari Rotlord
Primal Germination :2mana::symg::symg: {U}
Kicker - Sacrifice an artifact.
Put three green 1/1 saproling tokens onto the battlefield. If Primal Germination was kicked, untap up to four lands you control.
"Nature will prevail against this corruption of metal and perversion of minerals as it always has... Through patience and creation." - Ometh Pureseal Druid
Soul Reclaimer :1mana::symw::symg: {R}
Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ Enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it for each card in target opponent's graveyard.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from Soul Reclaimer: Exile target card in a graveyard.
1/2
"My strength will match the forces it fights, and disappear when it has no more use." - Anhila, Soul Reclaimer
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
Lyzl: Yes, something that could be a real thorn in the side, so to speak.
Because you had a high enough score and it was your first miss on crit/t3. Don't let it happen again though 'cuz I would hate for you to get near the finish and end up DQ'd.
Good luck all!
Deciding between two entries
El'banir the Artist fears the:
Grim Objectivist 2WB
Creature - Human Knight (R)
Protection from tokens
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses life equal to the number of permanents he or she controls but does not also own.
Forget your petty toys and tricks, face me with your own power or fall before me. There are no other options.
2/2
Devin Cait 2WB
Planeswalker - Devin (MR)
+1: Gain life equal to the life lost by target opponent this turn.
0: Sacrifice a nontoken permanent, then destroy target permanent of the same type.
-6: Choose a permanent type. Target player sacrifices all permanents of that type
[3]
The contender:
Imperturbable Paladin 1WW
Creature - Human Knight (R)
First strike, lifelink
Whenever Imperturbable Paladin becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, it becomes indestructible until end of turn.
W, return Imperturbable Paladin to your hand: Target permanent you control becomes indestructible until end of turn.
"Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE!?" - Devin Cait
2/2
Feel free to use this time to critique!
Rimeshade v. drewdagreek
Stoic Inquisitor - Not exactly sure what to say here - the second ability is pure genius, the flavor is great, but the second ability is kinda clunky. The other thing that really annoys me is that it's kinda narrow - if it was just something like Arcbound Fiend, or triggered on spells as well, I would be all over this (also, green/white would fit this guy better mechanically).
Grim Objectivist - Whuh? Protection from tokens is kina odd (Vindictive Mob comes to mind), and the hate-Brooding Saurian also feels out of place. I think the colors should have been either mono-black or black and one of blue's enemies, as controlling is very far in blue's territory. All in all, a bit too random for me - would have liked to see a bit more synergy between its abilities.
Winner:
ParaSiempre v. Lyzl
Paladin of Justice - To be honest, I was expecting some sort of Spider...oh well, the Paladin was exactly what I would have liked Rimeshade's card to look like. The only thing that bothers me here is that it's a Knight without first strike (or flanking, but hey). Well done.
Reverie Coroner - Difficult, very difficult...I'd say it's almost underpowered though - you're giving up a rather large creature for an unknown amount of card advantage. Also, sacrificing doesn't have to be strictly black - there is no reason for this to have a slightly altered flavor to make it mono-green. Not quite sure how this is meant to combat our 'walker either.
Winner:
ced395 v. Maokun
Varnar, Master of Delusion - Woah, neat! Turning your opponent's hand into your personal Muck Drubb[/CARD] is powerful, but not too much so. Apart from not really combating your 'walker (the only "target" I see is for noncreature permanents), an exemplary card.
Imperturbable Paladin - So basically it needs to die in combat...Lifelink is a tiny bit over-the-top here, but nonetheless a good card. Also combats your planeswalker nicely.
Winner:
[Clan Flamingo] Tier Archivist
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Responses:
For people confused on how my card rivals my planeswalker: Maybe I was too subtle? The ability leaves only non-creature cards on top of your library, which means Marissa's +1 isn't gonna grab your stuff. Should the marissa player want to steal any of your creatures, you just sack that critter in response. If, in fact, her plus one gets the creature itself, it is little more than a 2/2 due to the color restrictions on the ability
Rimeshade vs. drewdagreek
Rimeshade
Planeswalker - Thalek
[+1]: Look at the top three cards of your library. You may reveal a vampire card from among them and put it into your hand. Shuffle the rest into your library.
[+1]: Until the beginning of your next upkeep, vampire cards you own that aren't on the battlefield have flash.
[-2]: Put a sire counter on target non-artifact creature. You control creatures with sire counters on them and they are vampires in addition to their other types.
[3]
Creature - Human Cleric (R)
Vigilance.
Whenever an opponent shuffles their library or plays a spell or ability during your turn, you may move a counter from target permanent onto another target permanent.
Counters placed on Stoic Inquisitor become +1/+1 counters.
"Pain, pleasure, temptation; all are to be endured and in enduring, we grow stronger." - Motto of the Inquisition.
2/2
Alright, this card has an assortment of things I'd like to address. Firstly, I do like the name/flavor, it's cool that an inquisitor is taking counters for himself.
However, moving those counters for library shuffles or casting spells/using abilities seems a bit too obviously like you took you're planeswalkers abilities, and said "Bad, don't do that exact thing!". The flavor/mechanic bridge just isn't all there. Also I think the line should read "Whenever an opponent shuffles his or her library, or whenever an opponent casts a spell or activates an ability during your turn,..." As it is, it reads that the opponent has to shuffle on your turn to make it go off.
Laid out as it is though, it's not a badly balanced card, and could be usable in a few decks. There's some cool innovation in the counters becoming +1/+1 counters on him too. It's also quite nice that the moving counters ability is useful in removing nasty sire counters and loyalty from the planeswalker, plus useful to move the +1/+1 counters from the Inquisitor to other creatures you control. There is a lot of Utility in there.
drewdagreek
El'banir, Reality Artist 2WUR
Planeswalker - El'banir (M)
|+2|: Draw cards equal to the number of loyalty counters on El'banir. Then shuffle half that many cards, rounded up, at random from your hand into your library
|-2|: Put a token into play that is a copy of target creature, artifact or enchantment
|-x,4|: Gain control of up to five target non-land permanents with a converted mana cost X or less.
<3>
Creature - Human Knight (R)
Protection from tokens
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses life equal to the number of permanents he or she controls but does not also own.
Forget your petty toys and tricks, face me with your own power or fall before me. There are no other options.
2/2
Ok, cool flavor. The Objectivist only sees things for how they "really" are, which means tokens and things controlled by the wrong player are hit. Maybe it's a bit too literal of an interpretation of a counter to your planeswalker though. I do kinda like that since your opponent is somewhat forced to take low cost permanents, but a bunch of them, this really hits them hard for casting the ult (although they might take him haha!).
I do find the card a little unwieldy when you try to think of uses outside of against your planeswalker. Also, he's a little too expensive for his effects, 1WB seems more apt.
The flavor text is great btw, love it. I think you made a card worthy to rival your planeswalker.
Conclusion:
This was an incredibly close match-up. Both of your made great cards with just a few drawbacks on each. I choose based on whose I thought was a more exciting execution of the challenge. Great job to you both though.
Monkey_Playing_MTG vs. Oculus
Monkey_Playing_MTG
Planeswalker - Corinthae
Dredge 4
(+1) Target card in your graveyard gains Dredge 3 until the end of your next turn.
(-2) Put a 1/1 green plant token with, "When this creature enters the battlefield, draw a card." onto the battlefield.
(-5) Until end of turn, whenever you dredge, you may draw a card.
[3]
Soul Reclaimer :1mana::symw::symg: {R}
Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ Enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it for each card in target opponent's graveyard.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from Soul Reclaimer: Exile target card in a graveyard.
1/2
"My strength will match the forces it fights, and disappear when it has no more use." - Anhila, Soul Reclaimer
OK, I get it, it fights against the graveyard to beat your dredge. It's a little crazy to drop lategame though, no? could be 10-20 cards in an opponent's graveyard naturally. Maybe that's not so crazy though, just seems to be teetering on Tarmogoyf syndrome. Then the second ability seems a bit weak, giving up that much power just to exile a single card from a graveyard. Granted, it'll mean he can exile exactly half their graveyard.
I think it's a pretty nifty way to fight your planeswalker. It requires some strategy to use, but at the same time is efficient and useful. Not a fan of the flavor text though.
Oculus
Qama of the Meek 1GW
Planeswalker - Qama {M}
{+2}: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost 1 or less, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
{-1}: Shuffle any number of creature cards from your graveyard into your library.
{-X}: Search your library for any number of creatures with total converted mana cost X or less and put them onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
{3}
Creature - Horror {R}
Multikicker 1
When Bowelslicer enters the battlefield, choose target creature with converted mana cost X, then choose another target creature with converted mana cost X for each time Bowelslicer was kicked. Destroy all creatures chosen this way.
2/1
Yup, this is about an elegant a solution as is possible against your planeswalker. I like that it looks almost like a card that would just be printed without even knowing your planeswalker existed, but when you see it with the planeswalker, it's just like "Wow!".
I like the flavor, perfect Zendikar style, and just overall feel of the card.
Conclusion:
For being my favorite card of the round, I don't see how it can't go to this person this round. Although, yet again, both contestants cards were quite strong!
ced395 vs. Maokun
ced395
Planeswalker - Brannus (M)
[+1]: Brannus Fidr deals 3 damage to a random creature you don’t control.
[-3]: Destroy target noncreature permanent.
[-5]: You may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield. Until end of turn, that creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste.
[3]
Varnar, Master of Delusion 2UU
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (R)
3UU, T: Target opponent reveals his or her hand. You may put a creature card from it onto the battlefield tapped under your control. Then, if Varnar, Master of Delusion is the target of a spell or ability with a single target, you may change the target of that spell or ability to the creature.
2/2
Very cool way to counter your planeswalker. It has great flavor and feels like a real card, not just something made exclusively to fight the walker. I especially like how cleverly it fights both the
firstand third ability of the planeswalker.There is the slightest bit of misunderstanding with the reading of the card though, does his ability have to be used in response to being targeted to make it redirected to the creature? Or, after that ability is used does the creature continuously provide protection? I feel like the latter is much better, and the intention, but it's not perfectly worded that way.
Overall, a really great job. I really like the creature. It's fun, flavorful, and a worthy rival.
EDIT: Realized that this creature doesn't actually counter the first ability, my mistake.
Maokun
Planeswalker - Devin (MR)
+1: Gain life equal to the life lost by target opponent this turn.
0: Sacrifice a nontoken permanent, then destroy target permanent of the same type.
-6: Choose a permanent type. Target player sacrifices all permanents of that type
[3]
Creature - Human Knight (R)
First strike, lifelink
Whenever Imperturbable Paladin becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, it becomes indestructible until end of turn.
W, return Imperturbable Paladin to your hand: Target permanent you control becomes indestructible until end of turn.
"Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE!?" - Devin Cait
2/2
Ok, this is a cool card. Can really protect your stuff from Devin's second ability, and I can see how lifelink is a pseudo counter to his first ability. The final little "hidden" trick that returning him saves him from the ultimate is quite clever.
Where I run into a bit of trouble, is feeling that his "shroud" ability is, well, too much like shroud. I really think he should only have the other ability, even though the "shroud" one is neat, it's a lot of text that adds very little considering what the second ability does. Also, is it not a little too powerful considering that final ability?
Regardless, it's a cool card that has something for every one of your planeswalker's abilities, and some funny flavor text. Great job!
Conclusion:
Yet again there is a really tough decision to be made. So many great cards this round. Both of these card's just have the smallest of flaws and are oozing with flavor, strong effects, and rivalry! However, for its interesting interaction factor, cool way to beat the walker, and overall playability:
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011
And HAPPY EASTER!
Drewdagreek's card, besides a kickass name has little else going for it. Sure, it kind of answers the Planeswalker, but narrowly so. i.e. It's not good most of the rest of the time. For such narrow and unsynergistic abilities, I'd surely want to get more punch for my four mana in two colors. 2/2 doesn't cut it.
Rimeshade's Inquisitor looks a bit messy, but it's actually quite clever even if the abilities seem unrelated. It requires some cleaning but I think it's a good approach.
Winner: Rimeshade
Monkey vs Oculus
Monkey's card is simply absurd. Undoubtedly, the second, hottest coming of Tarmogoyf. In the late game it can enter the field as a monster that eats Emrakuls for breakfast. Just no.
Oculus's card is good, but I feel it should be a sorcery, anyhow, pretty good answer to the Planeswalker.
Winner: Oculus
ParaSiempre vs Lyzl
Lyzl's card is quite interesting. However, it's not very clear how it does especifically hose his Planeswalker. ParaSiempre's card is a good answer to Planeswalkers in general, but it's neither well aimed to hose his. Since both players kind of missed that requirement, I'll just choose the more interesting of both.
Winner: Lyzl
Yes it's powerful, but who needs a tarmogoyf in the late game? Being aggressive requires it to be out there turns 3-4, when this won't be all that powerful.
I really like this card. It could certainly be a powerful draw engine, but I don't think that it would be defining for a standard format. Sure, it could be powerful, but these colors tend to be used for Rock decks which pack a lot of non-creature disruption. I think this would see lots of casual play as well as EDH play, and is a fun and creative card. Agreeing with ced here, it counter's your walker in a very discrete manner. Good job, I really like it.
I also like this card, and it makes me sad that I have to choose between them. This is similar to Paladin En-Vec, which is a good, powerful card. The only change is the loss of first strike for the anti-planeswalker ability, which works with the card. I think this is a good but not overpowered card, and in most situations I might actually prefer the Paladin En-Vec. However, it suits the challenge well and is a well-made card. Good job here.
I am going to give it to Lyzl here for creativity and originality, but you both put forth excellent cards.
Varnar is certainly interesting, and would be automatically played by EDH lovers everywhere. He isn't overpowered, and I am glad that the redirection ability only applies if you spend the mana to have them reveal their hand. It still feels strange that it works that way, but it goes a long way to balancing the card.
This seems both incredibly fun to use and incredibly annoying for your opponent to deal with. That being said, I think that it is a bit too good for what it does. It dodges almost all removal, can bounce back to your hand in case someone tries to swords it, and it can protect other creatures from most spot removal as well for the cost of :symw:. It is a very interesting and fun design, but overall is just too powerful.
Despite some awkward phrasing, the winner is ced395. Maokun's card was just too powerful for me to give it the win.
I dislike the fact that it requires shuffle effects to trigger the first ability, although the concept of the first ability is really cool. The second ability is also very elegant, and I enjoy its interraction with the first. However, because the card is dependent on your opponent shuffling and having counters that you don't want, it becomes very narrow and difficult to use. I like the card in concept, but not in reality.
Clever little card, although I wish it cost less and had first strike. The second ability will almost never be useful aside from maybe one damage per turn, though it dose hose your walker's ultimate. The protection from tokens is more relevant, and makes this card worthwhile. I think it could easily have cost less and had the flavorful first strike (it is a knight, after all). Still, it works and can be somewhat useful, though overcosted.
I'm giving this one to drewdagreek for having the more useful card.
Also, good job Oculus. You seem to be getting the votes
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
Cool flavor, put you gotta admit that putting one ability that works on your turn, and one that works at any time is a bit messy. Elegance on a card works wonders, probably one of the easiest factors to separate a good design from a great design.
I, of course, managed to fail that test in the latest round of the MCC. I made an extremely overdesigned card with little elegance, and paid dearly for it against Moss_elemental's more simplistic but better executed card.
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011
ParaSiempre, Rimeshade, Monkey_Playing_MTG, and drewdagreek.
There is less than 12 hours remaining to get them in, so please get them in!
True, but consider how some decks are happy to pay 15 for a 15/15 in the late game. Imagine how ecstatic they'd be to drop a 20/20 or bigger for just 3 mana. Or get it off from a Bloobraid Elf or tutor it with Green Sun Zenith for 4 mana.
Rimeshade and Oculus.
If I don't get the other 3 critiques by 3pm today, then I will automatically move one of each from team 2 and 3 to the next round (currently Lyzl and ced395 by vote count).
Doesn't matter much, I'm too busy this month anyway.
Crits:
1. Parasiempre is general RB PW hateno focus on his PW. Lyzl tried to be more specific but he confused me as to how it relates.. Winner: Parasiempre
2. Ced vs Moakun: Moakun seems like general PW hate. General.. and removal hate. Ced's unique interacts with the opponents PW. so the rounds goes to him. Winner: Ced
3 Oculus vs Monkey: I'm gonna go with Oculus. Both cards are extremely powerful, as Oculus us a token blasting machine. But Monkey's just runs away too quickly. Winner: Oculus
In fact, at that point I had two votes, while ced had only one. After dewdagreek's crits we're even.
All that's left now is for PsiJet to break the tie between Mr. Siempre and myself and then the next round should be up.
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011
SINCE we do have a tie, I am basing it on # votes (counting as 1st place) + previous score:
From Team 1, with 5 votes: RIMESHADE
From Team 2, with tiebreaker: LYZL
From Team 3, with 5 votes: CED395
From Team 4, with 5 votes: OCULUS
Round 5 will be up shortly. I am still sick, so I will get as much as I can up right now!
Thank you PsiJet for the tiebreak though, hope I won't disappoint next round.
Sets - Arcania
Competitions - CCL: March 2011, April 2011