Epitaph {cost}(When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay {cost} and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Consign {cost}(Pay {cost} and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “T: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Scry X(To scry X, look at the top X cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
Oases
Oasis is a new land subtype. Some cards care about you controlling an Oasis.
Eternity introduces one new keyword ability:
Eternal {cost}(You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
On Esparand, time has ceased to exist and only memories remain, and these last eternally. Eternal appears only on instants and sorceries and changes their effect to last for the rest of the game. Each spell with eternal only affects one target at the maximum, so for purposes of convenience, you may exile the card underneath the affected permanent if applicable. However, if the card with eternal is removed from exile, its effect does not end.
Niusha ventured into the center of the Storm of Time. In its eye, she found the hourglass that feeds the Storm of Time with energy. Using the artifact Mirza created, she destroyed it, and subsequently the storm collapsed. However, instead of returning to normal, the flow of time on Esparand suddenly stopped. The plane was frozen into one eternal moment and time ceased to exist.
Meanwhile, Auria, the ancient guardian of Esparand, was called back to her home plane, now that the Storm of Time and its dark master, who forced her into exile, ceased to exist. But although she is a planeswalker powerful beyond mortal comprehension, she is but a light of hope for her people trapped in this unnatural state. Too severe was the damage inflicted on the fabric of time. Now, aeons pass and only the stars rapidly move across the sky, and then diminish one by one.
Eternity is the 3rd set in the Esparand block. As of now, only the second set of the block, Beginnings, is still unfinished.
Esparand block is supposed to be drafted in reverse order: ETE BGI ESP
The goal was to make this set feel very similar to Esparand, while still keeping a distinct flavor. Esparand already had a melancholic atmosphere to it, but it is greatly amplified in Eternity. Beginnings will be radically different.
When I saw that this was your third set of this block, I decided to check out your first set, and I was immensely impressed by it, so I am certain that this set shall be equally awesome, as well.
I'm already liking the set. I can't wait to see some more Eternity cards. I want to see one that gives static bonuses forever for instance, granting evergreen keywords forever. That ability reminds me of emblems, in a way. Fun stuff.
Also, I know exile is a zone that Wizards doesn't tamper with, but it would be nice to see a card that can bring back cards from exile. You have plenty of cards that exile in your set; maybe you could have something like Elixir of Immortality for exiled cards? Just something flavorfully interesting.
I can't wait to see the second and third set complete; keep up the good work!
I'm already liking the set. I can't wait to see some more Eternity cards. I want to see one that gives static bonuses forever for instance, granting evergreen keywords forever. That ability reminds me of emblems, in a way. Fun stuff.
Also, I know exile is a zone that Wizards doesn't tamper with, but it would be nice to see a card that can bring back cards from exile. You have plenty of cards that exile in your set; maybe you could have something like Elixir of Immortality for exiled cards? Just something flavorfully interesting.
I imagine a non-planeswalker mythic that makes emblems would be cool. I thought about interactions with the exile zone. Pull from Eternity (convenient name :tongue:) could be reprinted. It hoses Consign and enables Epitaph at the same time. It doesn't work favorably with Eternal, though. Players would think that removing the eternal card from exile would end the effect.
I could change the Eternal wording to "replace "until end of turn" with "for as long as this remains exiled.'" This would be a possibility.
I can't wait to see the second and third set complete; keep up the good work!
Thanks! It's much appreciated.
I've added a few new cards and some other stuff. Enjoy! Information on the last set should be also available shortly.
Ad Infinitum :1mana::symu:
Instant (C)
Draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Consign :2mana::symu: (Pay :2mana::symu: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Earthen Guardian :3mana::symr::symr:
Creature — Elemental (U)
Epitaph :2mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :2mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
When you remember Earthen Guardian, target Mountain you control becomes a 4/4 Elemental creature in addition to its other types for as long as Earthen Guardian remains remembered.
5/4
Sclerotic Firecat :2mana::symr::symr:
Creature — Elemental Cat (U)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Sclerotic Firecat gains double strike until end of turn. Each moment of eternity it struggles against the invisible shackles.
3/2
Lich’s Signet
Artifact — Equipment (U)
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has “Sacrifice a creature: Regenerate this creature.”
Equip (:2mana:: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.) “You will bow to fate.”
—Xural, lich lord
Prophetic Prism
Artifact (C)
When Prophetic Prism enters the battlefield, draw a card.
:1mana:, :symtap:: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Every facet is a mirror into a future out of reach.
I have decided that I only want to work on Eternity for now, as I like that set more each day and the second set less each day. I will go back to it later with a new concept or a different approach to the same concept.
This thread is again only solely for Eternity. But for the good news, I have added a good deal of new cards. And on another note, I have also replaced steer fate with scry, just as in the main set.
Healer of Scars
Creature — Cat Cleric (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Whenever a creature dies, if Healer of Scars is remembered, you may gain 1 life. “We forge our own prisons by refusing to remember.”
1/1
Moongrove Intruder :2mana::symu::symu:
Creature — Merfolk Rogue (U)
Whenever Moongrove Intruder enters the battlefield or deals combat damage to a player, draw a card. He stole the wisdom and knowledge of countless generations, but most importantly, he scared the bathing elves.
2/2
Pearl Augur :1mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (U)
:1mana::symu:, :symtap:: Scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.) “I see... nothing. It is as though the future ceased to exist.”
1/3
Death and Decay :5mana::symb:
Sorcery (C)
Death and Decay costs less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Destroy target creature. Better to hope for an end in agony, then for the agony to never end.
Torment the Dead :1mana::symb:
Instant (U)
Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
Consign :5mana::symb: (Pay :5mana::symb: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Whispers of the Stars :3mana::symb: (New version)
Instant (C)
Scry 2, then draw two cards. You lose 2 life. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.) Suddenly, the eternal constellations appeared to be changing rapidly.
Flourish :2mana::symg: (New version)
Instant (C)
Search your library for a basic land or Oasis card, and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library. Scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Harbinger of the Vale :4mana::symg:
Creature — Antelope (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Harbinger of the Vale is remembered, you may have target creature get +1/+1 until end of turn.
4/4
Undisturbed Rest
Instant (U)
Counter target spell that targets a card in a graveyard.
Draw a card. No thought of envy, no hunger for vengeance, no feeling of despair ever afflicts the dead.
Guardian of Lanuznari
Artifact Creature — Golem (C)
Guardian of Lanuznari gets +1/+0 for each Oasis you control. “Lanuznari must not rejoin with the world until the anchor returns.”
—Adari, druid of paradise
0/4
Lanuznari, Haven Beyond Time
Legendary Land (M)
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
:2mana:, :symtap:: Exile target land you control, then return that card to the battlefield tapped under your control. With the false gods defeated, Princess Mina can finally fulfill her destiny.
Lich's Signet: I do see the argument for that change, but it looks really clunky on the actual card because it would be four paragraphs instead of three, and that's more important to me.
Earthen Guardian: So, there's one argument for making it a 4/4 (symmetry) and one argument for making it a 5/4 (because it's sweet!). If you're concerned about the symmetry, then I'll give that priority and change it to a 4/4.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds: I designed Auria for Grim Tidings, but I was unhappy with how she fit into the set and pulled her out again. She's still in the file, because I haven't been working on that set for a while. She will still be referenced in the set, but won't appear until Eternity (with Esparand being the chronological followup to Iamur). I haven't written out her story completely, but my current idea is that she is originally from Esparand, but ascended and was forced to flee the plane when the storm of time was created. She then became the guardian for many planes, including Iamur, where she fought against the kraken gods before the plane was divided. I plan on expanding the "Planeswalker's Guide to Esparand" where I will try to expand on her story line as well.
Lanuznari, Haven Beyond Time: Indeed. I plan on having Oases similar to those in Esparand in Eternity as well, but I haven't decided on any of the effects yet.
On the subject of slowing the set down, adding another "alternate cost" mechanic should help in that regard. Although, Esparand is already a fairly slow format. The plan for me was to speed up the block with the second set, then slow it down again with Eternity. We'll see if it'll work out.
Thanks for your comment! Please feel free to also comment in the future, if you like something, and even more importantly, if you don't like something.
Here's an uncommon gold cycle I'm very excited about. It's similar to the gold cycle in Theros. Each color pair gets one uncommon that should play well with the strategy you can play in those colors. They give players new to the draft format a direction to go to in the draft. I think they're quite a good idea, so I made my own.
Some of the color pairs don't have a distinct identity, so they're just good cards. I still consider changing most of them, especially the Izzet, and Boros ones.
Butterflight :symw::symu:
Sorcery (U)
Target creature gets +3/+3 and gains flying until end of turn.
Eternal :3mana::symw::symu: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.) “I’m above all that now.”
Oblivion Seer :1mana::symu::symb:
Creature — Human Shaman (U)
Epitaph :symu::symb: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :symu::symb: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Oblivion Seer is remembered, target opponent exiles the top two cards of his or her library.
1/4
Soulfire :symb::symr:
Instant (U)
Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead. “It doesn’t matter if savage, wicked, innocent or pure. I find use for every soul I steal.”
—Xural, lich lord
Outland Sovereign :4mana::symr::symg:
Creature — Wurm (U)
Whenever Outland Sovereign attacks, target creature can’t block this turn and another target creature blocks it this turn if able. “And they should reign supreme until the end of time.”
—The Millennial Story
5/5
Royal Gardener :symg::symw:
Creature — Human Druid (U)
At the beginning of your end step, if you control two or more Oases, put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token onto the battlefield. The prince didn’t waste the royal treasures. These exotic plants he acquired will defend the crown in times of war.
2/2
Warden of the Wastes :2mana::symw::symb:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Deathtouch
When Warden of the Wastes dies, put two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens onto the battlefield. The jailer became a prisoner too in his own way.
2/2
Oasis Intruder :1mana::symu::symr:
Creature — Merfolk Rogue (U)
Whenever Oasis Intruder deals combat damage to a player, draw two cards, then discard a card. He stole the wisdom and knowledge of countless generations, but most importantly, he scared the bathing elves.
2/2
Bane of Aeons :7mana::symb::symg:
Creature — Elemental (U)
When Bane of Aeons enters the battlefield, destroy target nonland permanent, then scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
5/7
Zealotic Legion :2mana::symr::symw:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Vigilance
Zealotic Legion attacks each turn if able.
:symtap:: Other creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn. “The one thing the Qareh aristocrats are good at is brainwashing their subordinates.”
—Prince Adar
3/4
Mayeli Scrying :2mana::symg::symu:
Sorcery (U)
Reveal the top five cards of your library. You may put a land card from among them onto the battlefield and/or a nonland card from among them into your hand. Put the rest into your graveyard. Their oracle foresaw the second exodus of the elves.
There's no interaction though. The eternal effect isn't linked to anything. It remains on the creature until it leaves the battlefield, no matter what.
A lot of new cards, and some changes to the old ones. I completed most of the cycles and started with designing the rares and mythics.
Arakk Nullifier :1mana::symw:
Creature — Bird Cleric (C)
:1mana::symw:, Sacrifice Arakk Nullifier: Counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays :3mana:. “Never question the reason of things. Not because freethinking is forbidden, but because it is pointless to do so.”
—Kaluhl, high priest of ankhal
2/1
//White gets more hate cards. Are the numbers balanced?
Dune Wanderer :4mana::symw:
Creature — Elephant (C)
When Dune Wanderer enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a Plains or Oasis card, reveal it, and put it into your hand.
If you do, shuffle your library. Undeterred, they seek the eternal haven.
2/5
Knight of the Barrens :2mana::symw:
Creature — Human Knight (C)
Vigilance
When Knight of the Barrens enters the battlefield, scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
2/2
Lost Caravan :5mana::symw:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Lost Caravan’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control.
When Lost Caravan dies, put X 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield, where X is Lost Caravan’s power.
*/*
//CMC 5 or 6?
Redemption
Instant (C)
Exile target creature card from a graveyard. You gain life equal to that card’s toughness. “Time heals all wounds. Then without it, how can we heal?”
—Shara Adun, ankhal priestess
Wandering Leonin :1mana::symw:
Creature — Cat Scout (U)
Epitaph :2mana::symw: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :2mana::symw: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
As long as Wandering Leonin is remembered, each creature you control enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
2/2
Azshadi Windsage :2mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (C)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Azshadi Windsage gains flying until end of turn. Some magi study how the elements can serve them. Others study how they can serve the elements.
3/1
Blind Augur :1mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (C)
Whenever Blind Augur becomes tapped, scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.) “I see... nothing. It is as though the future ceased to exist.”
1/3
Walk the Cosmos :6mana::symu::symu:
Sorcery (M)
Choose one — You get an emblem with “At the beginning of your upkeep, draw two cards;” or you get an emblem with “Creatures you control get +2/+0 and have flying.” Countless constellations appeared and vanished on the night sky before daybreak.
//Someone brought up the idea that there should be emblems on nonplaneswalker cards. This is my implementation. I chose a modal effect so it wouldn't just be a pseudo enchantment. Are the effects powerful/splashy enough?
Ghostly Librarian :2mana::symu:
Creature — Spirit (U)
Epitaph :1mana::symu: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symu: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Ghostly Librarian is remembered, scry 1. Knowledge is eternal. Life is not.
2/3
Mirror of Distortion :2mana::symu:
Enchantment (R)
The power and toughness of each creature is switched. It shows not what you are but what you will be.
Palace Dancer :3mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (U)
Untap Palace Dancer during each other player’s untap step. Her audience keeps demanding encores and she keeps dancing.
2/4
//Moved over from the second set.
Subjugate
Instant (C)
Tap target creature.
Consign :1mana::symu: (Pay :1mana::symu: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Fading Apparition :2mana::symb:
Creature — Spirit (C)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put the top card of your library into your graveyard. Those who lose their identities can never free themselves.
2/1
//Esparand had two defensive cards with "upkeep, mill 1." To mix things up a bit, in Eternity these effects are more on aggressive cards.
Memorial Reaper :3mana::symb:
Creature — Spirit (C)
When Memorial Reaper enters the battlefield, you may exile target creature card from a graveyard. “This is not right. What have we done? I must...”
—Niusha of the Spires
2/3
Spiteful Assassin :1mana::symb:
Creature — Human Rogue (C)
Deathtouch
Epitaph :1mana::symb: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symb: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Spiteful Assassin is remembered, you may have target creature gain deathtouch until your next turn.
1/1
//This is part of the common epitaph cycle. I changed all these to "until your next turn," so they can be used defensively.
Star Eater :6mana::symb:
Creature — Elemental (C)
Intimidate
When Star Eater enters the battlefield, scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
4/7
//Moved over from the second set.
Whispers of the Stars :1mana::symb:
Instant (C)
Scry 2, then draw a card. You lose 1 life. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.) Suddenly, the eternal constellations appeared to be changing rapidly.
//New new version.
Wretched Mother
Creature — Zombie (U)
:3mana::symb:, Sacrifice Wretched Mother: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery. From death springs death anew.
1/1
//Reanimate effects will be in the set just as in Esparand.
Zombie Obese :4mana::symb:
Creature — Zombie Giant (U)
Defender
When Zombie Obese dies, put two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield. “Not my best work.”
—Kalen Thal, necromancer
1/4
//To support the black/X sacrifice deck.
Bloodhorn Avenger :2mana::symr:
Creature — Minotaur Warrior (C)
Epitaph :1mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Bloodhorn Avenger is remembered, you may have target creature get +2/+0 until your next turn.
3/2
Call the Firebird :1mana::symr::symr:
Sorcery (U)
If you control no Phoenix creature, put a 2/2 red Phoenix creature token with flying and haste onto the battlefield.
Consign :symr::symr: (Pay :symr::symr: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Celestial FireXR
Sorcery (C)
Celestial Fire deals X damage to target creature. Scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.) The heavens ceased to be a symbol of order.
Disciple of the Living Flame :3mana::symr:
Creature — Human Shaman (C)
When Disciple of the Living Flame enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead. “I learned this spell from the prince of fire himself.”
1/3
Gul-Shad Juggler
Creature — Human Rogue (C)
When Gul-Shad Juggler enters the battlefield, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card. One moment inattentive and your purse is gone for good.
1/1
Infernal Caress
Instant (C)
Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
Eternal :2mana::symr: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
Sandcrawler :6mana::symr:
Creature — Wurm (C)
Sandcrawler costs less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Haste The skins of the wurms are littered with corpses and bones that are uncovered in their wake.
4/5
//See Fading Apparition. This ability was used on two defensive creatures in Esparand. To enable a potential black/red aggressive self-mill strategy, I put this ability on an aggressive creature this time.
Soul of the Volcano
Creature — Elemental (R)
Haste
At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Soul of the Volcano.
Epitaph :1mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Players can’t gain life as long as Soul of the Volcano is remembered.
3/1
Cradle of Eternity :2mana::symg::symg:
Enchantment (M)
Whenever a creature you control dies, return it to the battlefield under your control. It’s an enchantment and can’t be or become a creature. “Did I fail in setting things right? Finally, this plane is at peace.”
—Telar, magus of the aeons
//Could be green or green-white gold.
Dreaming Dryad :1mana::symg::symg:
Creature — Dryad (R)
Defender
Dreaming Dryad blocks each turn if able.
At the beginning of your upkeep, draw a card. Both dream and reality seem to be something from which you never awaken.
0/3
Memorial Enchantress :2mana::symg:
Creature — Elf Druid (C)
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)
When Memorial Enchantress enters the battlefield, target creature you control or creature card in your graveyard can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control this turn.
2/2
Nature’s Swiftness
Instant (U)
The next creature card you cast this turn can be cast as though it had flash. (It can be cast any time you could cast an instant.)
Draw a card. Sometimes, the residues of time crackle and translate a being from one state into another in the blink of an eye.
Peaceful Nap
Instant (U)
Prevent all damage that would be dealt by target creature until end of turn.
Eternal :2mana::symg: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.) “I woke to find myself in another dream.”
Primordial Hunter :1mana::symg:
Creature — Elf Warrior (C) As time lapsed, many became stuck in the very beginnings. The primordial Esparand is a dangerous world, savage and devoid of civilizations, but also beautiful, for it hasn’t been claimed by the desert yet.
2/3
Trap in Vines
Instant (C)
Target creature loses flying until end of turn.
Eternal :1mana::symg: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
Valeborn Ancient :4mana::symg:
Creature — Elephant (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Valeborn Ancient is remembered, you may have target creature get +1/+1 until your next turn.
4/4
Ivory Dagger
Artifact (C)
Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and has deathtouch.
Equip Murder becomes much easier when your victim is frozen in time.
Ancient Valley
Land — Oasis (C)
Ancient Valley enters the battlefield tapped.
When Ancient Valley enters the battlefield, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
//I'm not sure about this one. It's far better than Turntimber Grove, but on the other hand it's just a slightly different Llanowar Reborn, and that didn't see much play.
Bloodmist Pools
Land — Oasis (C)
Bloodmist Pools enters the battlefield tapped.
When Bloodmist Pools enters the battlefield, you may put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library. T: Add to your mana pool.
Secluded Sanctuary
Land — Oasis (C)
Secluded Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped.
When Secluded Sanctuary enters the battlefield, you may tap target creature. T: Add to your mana pool.
Waterside Townlet
Land — Oasis (C)
Waterside Townlet enters the battlefield tapped.
When Waterside Townlet enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life for each creature you control.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
.pdf-file is updated. Text version in the OP will be updated when I feel like it.
As always, I thank you for your kind words. Do you have any critiques on the cards I posted? I'd especially like to hear more opinions on Walk the Cosmos.
It's a fine card. I like what it does, like the cost, like everything about it really.
MaRo wouldn't like it. I personally love the idea of the occasional non-planeswalker card creating an emblem, but he feels very strongly that emblems are planeswalker territory only, and given that most in CCC tend to design within his paradigms, I'd prepare to get some negative feedback on it. I actually designed a mythic sorcery that created an emblem in Annihilation - I ended up scrapping the emblem part of it and took it in another direction because of feedback based on MaRo's philosophy there. But, if you're confident that emblems on non-walkers is what you want, I say go for it.
I think it's an application of "every design law can be broken as long as it's for a good reason." Emblems are eternal - set is called eternity... that's a very good reason.
I'll be updating this as I keep reviewing each card. Please note when it comes to development issues I'm a bit more conservative. Also all comments on commons and uncommons especially are made with sealed and draft in mind, not constructed.
Thanks for all your hard work on fixing the multitude of minor mistakes in my set. Was very helpful. As promised I'll be doing a full card by card review as well as providing some general feedback.
I have only skimmed through your previous set so I apologize if that reflects in the comments.
My comments on each card in BLUE
First I just want to say that you have really hit the theme well. Each card really does a nice job of giving a sense of a dying frozen world shattered by temporal magic.
Each of the mechanics play well, with Eternal being one of my favorites. While I've designed a version that is an aura that you can cast for a temporary effect, that the Eternal card is exiled and therefore difficult to interact with actually conveys the flavour far better while also meaning you don't end up with a random aura sub-theme in your set.
One thing to note (that I'm sure your aware of already) is that both Eternal, Consign and Epitaph both eat up a fair bit of complexity points. I bring this up as it seems that a few of your commons that don't have these mechanics are quite complex as well. Things like X costs and Spiketail Drake effects at common are just going to be too much. Making a few vanilla creatures will leave you tight for space but will really help your "as-Fan" complexity and give you the ability to pump even more flavour into a full 6 of 7 lines of flavour text.
anyway on to the reviews!
CARD BY CARD REVIEW
Ageless Griffin
Strong common that does a good job at showing off your mechanic. I'm not a fan of how Epitaph has lots of different triggers. This one is at start of combat while others are at very different times and it increases complexity. Have you considered trying to consolidate your triggers to upkeep for common Epitaph cards then having the other triggers be at uncommon or rare?
Arakk Nullifier
I'm really no a fan of Spiketail Drake effects at common. They greatly increase board complexity while punishing newer players who overlook it. I would definitely move to uncommon. Also having a bird without flying is a little odd even though the picture shows no wings.
Bestow Honor
Considering Spearpoint Oread you could possibly reduce the Eternal cost by 1 if this feels too weak in playtests. This can be cast at instant speed but it doesn't leave behind a creature so the current cost is may be fine depending on how much you want to push your new mechanic.
Dune Wanderer
Solid Oasis enabler. love the flavour text.
Healer of Scars
Like I was saying having all the different triggers at common be different is really bumping up your complexity. What about "At the beginning of your upkeep, if ~ is remembered, gain 1 life?
Knights of the Barrens
Seems very powerful common. Consider removing vigilance or adding 1 to the cost.
Redemption
Fine. works well in your set. Is that picture supposed to be Elspeth?
Cathedral Protector Sphinx of the Steel Wind is the only other card with this array of abilities which is cool. This is definitely pushed which is fine if thats the intention as a build around uncommon. The flavour text feels a bit "meh" compared to some of your other cards.
Lost Caravan
Considering Crusader of Odric this could possibly have its cost reduced by 1 as its second ability is a "win more" mechanic that is far less effective if you have no other creatures. I do like however that this can be built around either tokens swarms OR P/T boosting effects. However currently it feels a tad overcosted for a build around uncommon. The picture also really doesn't fit. I know how goddam hard it is to find good caravan art when I've been making Coins of Mercalis.
Journey Across the Stars
Solid Uncommon removal that makes good use of the Eternal Mechanic to add a crazy amount of flexibility. The exile works well to stop Epitaph and I like how the 2WW eternal cost means that the white drafts have more of a chance of picking this up compared to more splashable removal.
Hand of the Archangel
Considering Seraph of the Sword this is overcosted but still makes a nice finisher for white in draft. have you tried this at 5WW?
Wandering Leonin
I'm fine with this kind of trigger at uncommon. Powerful and dangerous. makes me think WB is gonna be a brutal colour combination with Epitaph and sac outlets?
Immortal Blessing
The eternal cost is undercosted by 1 because this is instant speed and unable to be interacted with easily, compare to Indestructibility. This also have additional flexibility as it is doubling as a combat trick.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds
Now unless I'm mistaken with how planeswalker creatures work, because this doesn't have prevent all damage. She is going to lose loyalty counters despite indestructible? If so then she is powerful but not crazy like I initially thought. The ability I'm most worried about is her -3 but considering Indestructibility it is probably fine. One minor vorthos thing, I'm pretty sure angels and demons are supposed to be unable to gain a spark as they are constructs of mana. Ob Nixilis as the only current exception.
Ad Infinitum
Wow, consign takes 6 lines of reminder text....That really limits design space.
Are you aware that the reminder text is missing the word "of"?
Should be "You may cast a copy of the exiled card...
The card itself is a solid common that a lot of blue decks would like to have.
Anxiety
Perfect Art choice.
Another good application of the Eternal mechanic.
Azshadi Windsage
Really like the synergy with Consign here. A solid blue common that can lead to more aggressive strategies to combat people trying to stall the game to amass Epitaph triggers.
Blind Augur
Another really nicely designed Consign supporter. This seems like a really strong common. Actually a lot of the blue commons seems fairly strong.
Rooftop Stalker
Seems very similar to Ageless Griffin obviously. This is better stats/evasion type but also most costly which makes me think this is worse, which seems a little off colour pie wise. What about giving this a tiny buff like P/T = 3/3 or maybe make Ageless Griffing have a WW Epitaph cost? Just seems strange having white have the better/cheaper evasion enabler.
Sever from Memory
This is crazy considering it is a decent counterspell that doubles as a Epitaph enabler. You can just sit back with full mana, counter their spell and then instantly pay to remember anything you milled. It is a bit funny and hard to judge though as it gets stronger later as you have more mana to pay and Epitaph triggers as well as more creatures in graveyard. But this is also weaker later as the opponent has more mana spare to pay. This really needs playtesting as it is one of those cards that is difficult to judge effectively. I'd say the current cost or is fine but trying it at UU is also a possibility.
Subjugate
A fine card but I'm not a fan of the random Loki art. I assume it is placeholder art?
Ghostly Librarian
Powerful effect on a decent body as well. A nice uncommon but I've noticed a lot of your creatures have 3 toughness which may start to be a problem. Consider changing to a 2/2 as the Epitaph ability is already really strong as we have seen on Thassa recently.
Palace Dancer
Why is she a wizard?
A nice build around Consign card.
Mirror of Distortion
Definitely works with all the high toughness creature suddenly becoming super aggressive. I like that this turns Anxiety into a kill spell. Please note that the gold on the set rarity is very hard to tell apart from the uncommons due to the thin nature of the set symbol. I wrote a bunch of stuff then only lat minute did I see that this was a rare the whole time!
Cosmic Revelation
Emblems feel mythic and both the effects feel powerful, if a little disconnected.
Death and Decay
In your set with all your epitaph creatures this is going to be pretty solid removal, I would consider making this cost 4BB to make it a little less splashable like Murder and other common removal. This also helps differentiate it from Millennium of Suffering
Fading Apparition
Nice aggressive epitaph enabler. A possibility if you want to cut down a little on your complexity at common is to make this an ETB effect but that does make it less effective.
Grave Dominion
An overpriced double zombify at common! Zombify effects can be extremely powerful and have historically been at uncommon. See Unburial Rites, Defy Death, Zombify etc...
At common black gets graveyard to hand effects such as March of the Returned. These are still quite powerful if your looking for an overpriced effect. However I would move this to uncommon or change it as graveyard to battlefield effects no matter how overpriced are going to really warp your limited enviroment at common. Especially with so much good milling effects.
Memorial Reaper
Decent body with a powerful (in this environment) graveyard hosing effect. Solid.
Millennia of Suffering
Love it. Perfect example of a well designed Eternal card.
Whispers of the Stars
A cheaper but slightly weaker Read the Bones, is also powerful but the difference between a cantrip and draw two in draft is a lot so this is fine at the current cost. Hope you realize that the name is fairly similar to Night's Whisper which has a similar effect.
Star Eater
That art is amazing, maybe I'll see If I can fit it in my set somewhere. Otherwise this is a fat intimidate beater for the top end of black's curve. I like how the scry is super relevant by the time you can play this as you are likely in top deck mode. Well designed.
Torrent of Bones
Nice solid consign card, but consider swapping with Grave Dominion as this could be a common considering how fragile the consign is.
Wretched Mother
I like this. Works really nicely with Torrent of Bones which makes me want torrent at common even more. Be aware that you can add a tap cost if you are finding her a little powerful when paired with recursion. At the moment she seems fine though.
Zombie Obese
Ewwwww...that butcheek in the background has scarred me for life.
Doesn't seem as obviously build around as your other uncommons. Could possibly be cheaper considering how much less aggressive this is compared to Maalfield Twins. Could use some playtesting.
Null Wanderer
Wow that is a brutal dark confidant variant. On one hand you could play it very aggressively trying to get them to kill it. Or you can play more midrange using a sac engine or a self mill. The BB epitaph keeps it fair by making it hard to splash. Very nice rare that I would often first pick in a draft.
Skeletal Tutor
Consign tutor. Simple. Powerful. Well costed.
Bloodhorn Avenger
Like I said previously why not just make this an upkeep rather than a start of combat trigger? Sure you lose the ability to use it if you sac it in your first main phase but otherwise it keeps your Epitaph all at the same time so they are nice and easy to remember.
Celestial Fire
I know X costs may seem simple to us but to younger player who haven't done much algerbra they are rather complex. This is why WOTC doesn't have X spells at common. How many newer players do you think will realize you can play this for X = 0 to simply scry 2? I like the design but it belongs at uncommon.
Demolishing Blow
Seems fine. However a minor thing is why a picture of humanoid cats people when all the other cats seem non humanoid. Feels like have Sanctuary Cat and Leonin Snarecaster in the same set. I'm aware that art is hard to find so treat all art based comments as low priority.
Disciple of the living Flame
Odd stats for a red card but otherwise fine.
Dune Lynx
Fine. Nice simple common
Gul-Shad Juggler
Looting on a body for R sounds good to me and works well in your set.
Infernal Caress
The name seems a little odd but otherwise is really nice.
Sandcrawler
Not such a fan of this effect in red when it is usually such a green or black effect. I do understand it is a mechanical bleed for your set. But it needs another way to make it feel more red?
Call of the Firebird
One of my favourite uncommons I've seen. Great mix of flavour and mechanics.
Cinderthorn
Solid and surprisingly versatile. Reminds me a lot of the Inspired cards from BNG for obvious reasons.
Earthen Guardian
Another solid uncommon. Seems however that red's uncommons are not quite as build around as some of the other colours. Is this intentional or am I just missing something because I'm reviewing at 4am?
Sclerotic Firecat
Brutal and fun build around card that can allow you to bluff an opponent if they don't know if you have an instant or sorcery ready. Also works well with consign but it is unfortunate the effect doesn't have any stacking. What about "Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, ~ gets +1/+0 and gains double strike until end of turn." Then change its stats to a 2/2. This means you are further rewarded for have multiple triggers such as from Consign.
Ankhal Phoenix
Really nice use of Epitaph.
Demonic Dominion
Why is a red card featuring a demon? Be aware thats like a Green card being all about Sphinxes. I'm not sure I'm such a fan of this use of eternal as the temporary nature of the control is a core part of what makes the threaten mechanics red. I know this probably doesn't fit in your set skeleton, but what about making the Eternal cost either Blue or Blue/Red. This allows it to still have the lovely flexible design but not punish the color pie so much in the process.
Soul of the Volcano
Nice powerful Spark Elemental variant. I like it.
Chandra Reignited
Definitely one of the saner planeswalkers on these forums. Definitely feels like chandra, is aggressively costed without being broken. My only niggle is that the payoff for her Ultimate feels a little weak but is understandable considering how hard it is too balance -X abilities.
COMING SOON Buried Might
Good name. Well costed giant growth effect considering how much more flexible it is than Feral Invocation.
Flourish
Fine
Keeper of the Garden
Seems very complex and wordy for a common but I don't see a better way of doing this.
Memorial Warden
Effective anti hoser that can save cards from removal as well. I really like this even if I wish the wording could just say hexproof.
Primordial Hunter
Green really seems like it needs some damage and while I see you want to slow down your format, the lack of 3 power commons in red and green if gonna hurt. What about making this a Swordwise Centaur?
Trapped in Vines
Love it just like most of your other eternal cards.
Peaceful Nap
While at first this feels like a fog eternal effect that fits nicely into green it actually is actually closer to DefangMuzzle & Temporal Isolation because they don't stop your own creatures. Fogs can't be used as a combat trick which is important and makes the current card mono white.
I would recommend changing this.
Scavenging Tusker
Meat eating Elephants!
A little odd flavour wise.
Otherwise is good to finally see some beefy creatures.
Solitary Remembrance
Really like this design but the lack of decent creatures in most colours is gonna make this not as effective as it seems.
Dreaming Dryad
Really strong against control decks. What about giving it hexproof to make it even more evil?
I'm really liking your use of creature based card draw in green. Just be careful that blue is still number 1 in card draw.
Immortal Legacy
I'm a big fan of this card. The madness you could do is really evil. Wouldn't be surprised if it broke a few cards currently printed. I would recommend making a thread about this to ask how people could break this.
Please note that the text versions are currently not up-to-date. The .pdf is the only file that's currently updated. Alternatively, my subsequent posts contain most updates. I'll edit this post once you're through everything. Thanks for the feedback!
Great feedback so far! Don't make me F5 too much waiting for the rest . Before you go over the last colors, be sure to get the yet again updated .pdf file. I've added some cards and gave each color one more rare slot as I no longer intend to do multicolor rares. I've removed all but the white and the red cards of the "at the beginning of combat, stuff" epitaph cycle as they didn't feel well. The blue unblockable one for example was weird, as unblockable creatures rarely die. I like the white and red ones, but I changed the "until your next turn" to "until end of turn" to reduce complexity, which you already pointed out as an issue. Finding the perfect epitaph cards at common is not easy and more changes will most likely follow.
Complexity: The complexity I'm more worried about is that game states get too confusing. This was very severe for example during Scars of Mirrodin block where every creature had some weird activated ability (for example Gore Vassal). The way to get around it is to have creatures with ETB triggers that are vanilla or french vanilla afterwards. Those are all white common creatures for example. Board states get more complex when you have to factor in epitaph, but those abilities are all triggered or static. "My opponent can give a guy flying" is easy to remember and process, but remembering which creature got +1/+1 on its controller's last turn is probably too much. This is the type of complexity I want to keep an eye on. I'm ok with the set being more complex than others when opening a booster, though I still try to avoid unnecessary complexity. You mentioned X-costs, but I don't think those factor into that.
Ageless Griffin: As discussed above.
Arakk Nullifier: The goal was to have a way for white to interact with instants and sorceries at common. Given how much this set focuses on those, I deem that very important. One option would be an "Instant or sorcery-leak" at common, but white tends to get counterspells rather on permanents and this might make the card more playable. That being said, I'm happy to make changes to the card that still bear this goal in mind.
Bestow Honor: Something to keep in mind for sure, but I think the flexibility makes this card still very good.
Healer of Scars: This card will probably see some change. I agree that this trigger is easy to forget. "At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 1 life" already exists in Esparand.
Knight of the Barrens: White was very underpowered in Esparand, so I'm ok with pushing the white cards a bit more this time.
Redemption: I don't remember if the artist intended it to be Elspeth (probably now that I think about it), but I don't. I can change the art if it's too irritating.
Cathedral Protector: The goal was to have a power-uncommon such as Vampire Nighthawk. Flavor texts are always difficult, but I'll try to come up with a new one.
Lost Caravan: Should probably cost 5.5. I'll get more opinions on it. I like the art very much. What is bad about it?
Hand of the Archangel: I made this overcosted on purpose so that reanimator decks can pick this card up late.
Wandering Leonin: WB was never drafted in 3x Esparand, so I hope it will be.
Immortal Blessing: I agree and I changed it (back) to 5.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds: She works differently than Gideon. As she doesn't have the "Prevent all damage" clause, she'll lose loyalty due to taking damage (she must, otherwise she would be unkillable). I didn't just want to copy Gideon. This interaction is very confusing for players not 100% confident in the rules, but I think it's ok. Here's my (bad) argument: If you innately think it can't be killed, you'll assume you're wrong, because that can't be correct, right? So, you'll ask another player and he'll explain it to you. This isn't the case for Ajani, Caller of the Pride. I've seen people still not use his +1 ability if the opponent is the only player with a creature out.
Ad Infinitum: I can't believe no one ever noticed that. Proofs that my playgroup is too lazy to read my cards. Well, thanks for noticing!
Rooftop Stalker: As discused above, I removed this card.
Sever from Memory: I'd like to keep this card at 1U, as self-mill decks tend to be 3-colored, so I reduced the self-mill to 3 for now.
Subjugate: I like the art because it has the right atmosphere, colors etc. Many artworks are fanarts of something others will recognize, so I don't see this as too big of a problem.
Ghostly Librarian: When I look at P/T distributions, I'll keep it in mind. I don't think the card is too powerful for an uncommon, though.
Palace Dancer: I think there's a precedent of a similar themed card being a Wizard, but I can't remember what I had in mind. Just "Human" seems weird. What's your suggestion?
Mirror of Distortion: Uncommon and Rare symbols are indeed difficult to distinguish. Kinda sucks.
Death and Decay: I'll get more opinions on this.
Fading Apparition: Self-mill has to trigger on upkeep, otherwise it's useless in the context of this set.
Grave Dominion: Of course I'm aware that Zombify effects are usually at uncommon, but this block breaks this rule - Esparand has actual Zombify at common! Reanimation strategies should be viable in this block, so there have to be these effects at common. What can be discussed though is if double Zombify should be at common (given that single Zombify is).
Updated a little more, will finish the rest tomorrow morning. when I get time.
Also the blog link in you signature seems to be broken by the new forums.
Links
Other sets of the block:
You can read about the design of the set on our blog:
You can download a .pdf-document with card images:
Other files:
For text versions see post #2.
Overview
Eternity retains four mechanics from Esparand:
Epitaph {cost} (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay {cost} and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Consign {cost} (Pay {cost} and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “T: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Scry X (To scry X, look at the top X cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
Oases
Oasis is a new land subtype. Some cards care about you controlling an Oasis.
Eternity introduces one new keyword ability:
Eternal {cost} (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
On Esparand, time has ceased to exist and only memories remain, and these last eternally. Eternal appears only on instants and sorceries and changes their effect to last for the rest of the game. Each spell with eternal only affects one target at the maximum, so for purposes of convenience, you may exile the card underneath the affected permanent if applicable. However, if the card with eternal is removed from exile, its effect does not end.
Niusha ventured into the center of the Storm of Time. In its eye, she found the hourglass that feeds the Storm of Time with energy. Using the artifact Mirza created, she destroyed it, and subsequently the storm collapsed. However, instead of returning to normal, the flow of time on Esparand suddenly stopped. The plane was frozen into one eternal moment and time ceased to exist.
Meanwhile, Auria, the ancient guardian of Esparand, was called back to her home plane, now that the Storm of Time and its dark master, who forced her into exile, ceased to exist. But although she is a planeswalker powerful beyond mortal comprehension, she is but a light of hope for her people trapped in this unnatural state. Too severe was the damage inflicted on the fabric of time. Now, aeons pass and only the stars rapidly move across the sky, and then diminish one by one.
Eternity is the 3rd set in the Esparand block. As of now, only the second set of the block, Beginnings, is still unfinished.
Esparand block is supposed to be drafted in reverse order:
ETE BGI ESP
The goal was to make this set feel very similar to Esparand, while still keeping a distinct flavor. Esparand already had a melancholic atmosphere to it, but it is greatly amplified in Eternity. Beginnings will be radically different.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Removed due to the forum being bugged.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Also, I know exile is a zone that Wizards doesn't tamper with, but it would be nice to see a card that can bring back cards from exile. You have plenty of cards that exile in your set; maybe you could have something like Elixir of Immortality for exiled cards? Just something flavorfully interesting.
I can't wait to see the second and third set complete; keep up the good work!
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
I imagine a non-planeswalker mythic that makes emblems would be cool. I thought about interactions with the exile zone. Pull from Eternity (convenient name :tongue:) could be reprinted. It hoses Consign and enables Epitaph at the same time. It doesn't work favorably with Eternal, though. Players would think that removing the eternal card from exile would end the effect.
I could change the Eternal wording to "replace "until end of turn" with "for as long as this remains exiled.'" This would be a possibility.
Thanks! It's much appreciated.
I've added a few new cards and some other stuff. Enjoy! Information on the last set should be also available shortly.
Ad Infinitum :1mana::symu:
Instant (C)
Draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Consign :2mana::symu: (Pay :2mana::symu: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Earthen Guardian :3mana::symr::symr:
Creature — Elemental (U)
Epitaph :2mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :2mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
When you remember Earthen Guardian, target Mountain you control becomes a 4/4 Elemental creature in addition to its other types for as long as Earthen Guardian remains remembered.
5/4
Sclerotic Firecat :2mana::symr::symr:
Creature — Elemental Cat (U)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Sclerotic Firecat gains double strike until end of turn.
Each moment of eternity it struggles against the invisible shackles.
3/2
Lich’s Signet
Artifact — Equipment (U)
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has “Sacrifice a creature: Regenerate this creature.”
Equip (:2mana:: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
“You will bow to fate.”
—Xural, lich lord
Prophetic Prism
Artifact (C)
When Prophetic Prism enters the battlefield, draw a card.
:1mana:, :symtap:: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
Every facet is a mirror into a future out of reach.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
I reckon this set will get much more mixed reactions than Eternity. So yeah, rip it apart and enjoy!
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
This thread is again only solely for Eternity. But for the good news, I have added a good deal of new cards. And on another note, I have also replaced steer fate with scry, just as in the main set.
Healer of Scars
Creature — Cat Cleric (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Whenever a creature dies, if Healer of Scars is remembered, you may gain 1 life.
“We forge our own prisons by refusing to remember.”
1/1
Moongrove Intruder :2mana::symu::symu:
Creature — Merfolk Rogue (U)
Whenever Moongrove Intruder enters the battlefield or deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
He stole the wisdom and knowledge of countless generations, but most importantly, he scared the bathing elves.
2/2
Pearl Augur :1mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (U)
:1mana::symu:, :symtap:: Scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
“I see... nothing. It is as though the future ceased to exist.”
1/3
Death and Decay :5mana::symb:
Sorcery (C)
Death and Decay costs less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Destroy target creature.
Better to hope for an end in agony, then for the agony to never end.
Torment the Dead :1mana::symb:
Instant (U)
Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
Consign :5mana::symb: (Pay :5mana::symb: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Whispers of the Stars :3mana::symb: (New version)
Instant (C)
Scry 2, then draw two cards. You lose 2 life. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
Suddenly, the eternal constellations appeared to be changing rapidly.
Flourish :2mana::symg: (New version)
Instant (C)
Search your library for a basic land or Oasis card, and put that card onto the battlefield tapped. Then shuffle your library. Scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Harbinger of the Vale :4mana::symg:
Creature — Antelope (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Harbinger of the Vale is remembered, you may have target creature get +1/+1 until end of turn.
4/4
Undisturbed Rest
Instant (U)
Counter target spell that targets a card in a graveyard.
Draw a card.
No thought of envy, no hunger for vengeance, no feeling of despair ever afflicts the dead.
Guardian of Lanuznari
Artifact Creature — Golem (C)
Guardian of Lanuznari gets +1/+0 for each Oasis you control.
“Lanuznari must not rejoin with the world until the anchor returns.”
—Adari, druid of paradise
0/4
Lanuznari, Haven Beyond Time
Legendary Land (M)
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
:2mana:, :symtap:: Exile target land you control, then return that card to the battlefield tapped under your control.
With the false gods defeated, Princess Mina can finally fulfill her destiny.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Lich's Signet: I do see the argument for that change, but it looks really clunky on the actual card because it would be four paragraphs instead of three, and that's more important to me.
Earthen Guardian: So, there's one argument for making it a 4/4 (symmetry) and one argument for making it a 5/4 (because it's sweet!). If you're concerned about the symmetry, then I'll give that priority and change it to a 4/4.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds: I designed Auria for Grim Tidings, but I was unhappy with how she fit into the set and pulled her out again. She's still in the file, because I haven't been working on that set for a while. She will still be referenced in the set, but won't appear until Eternity (with Esparand being the chronological followup to Iamur). I haven't written out her story completely, but my current idea is that she is originally from Esparand, but ascended and was forced to flee the plane when the storm of time was created. She then became the guardian for many planes, including Iamur, where she fought against the kraken gods before the plane was divided. I plan on expanding the "Planeswalker's Guide to Esparand" where I will try to expand on her story line as well.
Lanuznari, Haven Beyond Time: Indeed. I plan on having Oases similar to those in Esparand in Eternity as well, but I haven't decided on any of the effects yet.
On the subject of slowing the set down, adding another "alternate cost" mechanic should help in that regard. Although, Esparand is already a fairly slow format. The plan for me was to speed up the block with the second set, then slow it down again with Eternity. We'll see if it'll work out.
Thanks for your comment! Please feel free to also comment in the future, if you like something, and even more importantly, if you don't like something.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Some of the color pairs don't have a distinct identity, so they're just good cards. I still consider changing most of them, especially the Izzet, and Boros ones.
Card Images
Butterflight :symw::symu:
Sorcery (U)
Target creature gets +3/+3 and gains flying until end of turn.
Eternal :3mana::symw::symu: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
“I’m above all that now.”
Oblivion Seer :1mana::symu::symb:
Creature — Human Shaman (U)
Epitaph :symu::symb: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :symu::symb: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Oblivion Seer is remembered, target opponent exiles the top two cards of his or her library.
1/4
Soulfire :symb::symr:
Instant (U)
Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead.
“It doesn’t matter if savage, wicked, innocent or pure. I find use for every soul I steal.”
—Xural, lich lord
Outland Sovereign :4mana::symr::symg:
Creature — Wurm (U)
Whenever Outland Sovereign attacks, target creature can’t block this turn and another target creature blocks it this turn if able.
“And they should reign supreme until the end of time.”
—The Millennial Story
5/5
Royal Gardener :symg::symw:
Creature — Human Druid (U)
At the beginning of your end step, if you control two or more Oases, put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token onto the battlefield.
The prince didn’t waste the royal treasures. These exotic plants he acquired will defend the crown in times of war.
2/2
Warden of the Wastes :2mana::symw::symb:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Deathtouch
When Warden of the Wastes dies, put two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens onto the battlefield.
The jailer became a prisoner too in his own way.
2/2
Oasis Intruder :1mana::symu::symr:
Creature — Merfolk Rogue (U)
Whenever Oasis Intruder deals combat damage to a player, draw two cards, then discard a card.
He stole the wisdom and knowledge of countless generations, but most importantly, he scared the bathing elves.
2/2
Bane of Aeons :7mana::symb::symg:
Creature — Elemental (U)
When Bane of Aeons enters the battlefield, destroy target nonland permanent, then scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
5/7
Zealotic Legion :2mana::symr::symw:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Vigilance
Zealotic Legion attacks each turn if able.
:symtap:: Other creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn.
“The one thing the Qareh aristocrats are good at is brainwashing their subordinates.”
—Prince Adar
3/4
Mayeli Scrying :2mana::symg::symu:
Sorcery (U)
Reveal the top five cards of your library. You may put a land card from among them onto the battlefield and/or a nonland card from among them into your hand. Put the rest into your graveyard.
Their oracle foresaw the second exodus of the elves.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Arakk Nullifier :1mana::symw:
Creature — Bird Cleric (C)
:1mana::symw:, Sacrifice Arakk Nullifier: Counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays :3mana:.
“Never question the reason of things. Not because freethinking is forbidden, but because it is pointless to do so.”
—Kaluhl, high priest of ankhal
2/1
//White gets more hate cards. Are the numbers balanced?
Dune Wanderer :4mana::symw:
Creature — Elephant (C)
When Dune Wanderer enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a Plains or Oasis card, reveal it, and put it into your hand.
If you do, shuffle your library.
Undeterred, they seek the eternal haven.
2/5
Knight of the Barrens :2mana::symw:
Creature — Human Knight (C)
Vigilance
When Knight of the Barrens enters the battlefield, scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
2/2
Lost Caravan :5mana::symw:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Lost Caravan’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control.
When Lost Caravan dies, put X 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield, where X is Lost Caravan’s power.
*/*
//CMC 5 or 6?
Redemption
Instant (C)
Exile target creature card from a graveyard. You gain life equal to that card’s toughness.
“Time heals all wounds. Then without it, how can we heal?”
—Shara Adun, ankhal priestess
Wandering Leonin :1mana::symw:
Creature — Cat Scout (U)
Epitaph :2mana::symw: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :2mana::symw: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
As long as Wandering Leonin is remembered, each creature you control enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
2/2
Azshadi Windsage :2mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (C)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Azshadi Windsage gains flying until end of turn.
Some magi study how the elements can serve them. Others study how they can serve the elements.
3/1
Blind Augur :1mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (C)
Whenever Blind Augur becomes tapped, scry 1. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
“I see... nothing. It is as though the future ceased to exist.”
1/3
Walk the Cosmos :6mana::symu::symu:
Sorcery (M)
Choose one — You get an emblem with “At the beginning of your upkeep, draw two cards;” or you get an emblem with “Creatures you control get +2/+0 and have flying.”
Countless constellations appeared and vanished on the night sky before daybreak.
//Someone brought up the idea that there should be emblems on nonplaneswalker cards. This is my implementation. I chose a modal effect so it wouldn't just be a pseudo enchantment. Are the effects powerful/splashy enough?
Ghostly Librarian :2mana::symu:
Creature — Spirit (U)
Epitaph :1mana::symu: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symu: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Ghostly Librarian is remembered, scry 1.
Knowledge is eternal. Life is not.
2/3
Mirror of Distortion :2mana::symu:
Enchantment (R)
The power and toughness of each creature is switched.
It shows not what you are but what you will be.
Palace Dancer :3mana::symu:
Creature — Human Wizard (U)
Untap Palace Dancer during each other player’s untap step.
Her audience keeps demanding encores and she keeps dancing.
2/4
//Moved over from the second set.
Subjugate
Instant (C)
Tap target creature.
Consign :1mana::symu: (Pay :1mana::symu: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Fading Apparition :2mana::symb:
Creature — Spirit (C)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put the top card of your library into your graveyard.
Those who lose their identities can never free themselves.
2/1
//Esparand had two defensive cards with "upkeep, mill 1." To mix things up a bit, in Eternity these effects are more on aggressive cards.
Memorial Reaper :3mana::symb:
Creature — Spirit (C)
When Memorial Reaper enters the battlefield, you may exile target creature card from a graveyard.
“This is not right. What have we done? I must...”
—Niusha of the Spires
2/3
Spiteful Assassin :1mana::symb:
Creature — Human Rogue (C)
Deathtouch
Epitaph :1mana::symb: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symb: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Spiteful Assassin is remembered, you may have target creature gain deathtouch until your next turn.
1/1
//This is part of the common epitaph cycle. I changed all these to "until your next turn," so they can be used defensively.
Star Eater :6mana::symb:
Creature — Elemental (C)
Intimidate
When Star Eater enters the battlefield, scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
4/7
//Moved over from the second set.
Whispers of the Stars :1mana::symb:
Instant (C)
Scry 2, then draw a card. You lose 1 life. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
Suddenly, the eternal constellations appeared to be changing rapidly.
//New new version.
Wretched Mother
Creature — Zombie (U)
:3mana::symb:, Sacrifice Wretched Mother: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
From death springs death anew.
1/1
//Reanimate effects will be in the set just as in Esparand.
Zombie Obese :4mana::symb:
Creature — Zombie Giant (U)
Defender
When Zombie Obese dies, put two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield.
“Not my best work.”
—Kalen Thal, necromancer
1/4
//To support the black/X sacrifice deck.
Bloodhorn Avenger :2mana::symr:
Creature — Minotaur Warrior (C)
Epitaph :1mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Bloodhorn Avenger is remembered, you may have target creature get +2/+0 until your next turn.
3/2
Call the Firebird :1mana::symr::symr:
Sorcery (U)
If you control no Phoenix creature, put a 2/2 red Phoenix creature token with flying and haste onto the battlefield.
Consign :symr::symr: (Pay :symr::symr: and exile this card from your hand consigned to target creature you control. That creature gains “:symtap:: You may cast a copy the exiled card without paying its mana cost.” Consign only as a sorcery.)
Celestial Fire XR
Sorcery (C)
Celestial Fire deals X damage to target creature. Scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order and the rest on top in any order.)
The heavens ceased to be a symbol of order.
Disciple of the Living Flame :3mana::symr:
Creature — Human Shaman (C)
When Disciple of the Living Flame enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.
“I learned this spell from the prince of fire himself.”
1/3
Gul-Shad Juggler
Creature — Human Rogue (C)
When Gul-Shad Juggler enters the battlefield, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
One moment inattentive and your purse is gone for good.
1/1
Infernal Caress
Instant (C)
Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
Eternal :2mana::symr: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
Sandcrawler :6mana::symr:
Creature — Wurm (C)
Sandcrawler costs less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.
Haste
The skins of the wurms are littered with corpses and bones that are uncovered in their wake.
4/5
//See Fading Apparition. This ability was used on two defensive creatures in Esparand. To enable a potential black/red aggressive self-mill strategy, I put this ability on an aggressive creature this time.
Soul of the Volcano
Creature — Elemental (R)
Haste
At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Soul of the Volcano.
Epitaph :1mana::symr: (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay :1mana::symr: and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
Players can’t gain life as long as Soul of the Volcano is remembered.
3/1
Cradle of Eternity :2mana::symg::symg:
Enchantment (M)
Whenever a creature you control dies, return it to the battlefield under your control. It’s an enchantment and can’t be or become a creature.
“Did I fail in setting things right? Finally, this plane is at peace.”
—Telar, magus of the aeons
//Could be green or green-white gold.
Dreaming Dryad :1mana::symg::symg:
Creature — Dryad (R)
Defender
Dreaming Dryad blocks each turn if able.
At the beginning of your upkeep, draw a card.
Both dream and reality seem to be something from which you never awaken.
0/3
Memorial Enchantress :2mana::symg:
Creature — Elf Druid (C)
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)
When Memorial Enchantress enters the battlefield, target creature you control or creature card in your graveyard can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control this turn.
2/2
Nature’s Swiftness
Instant (U)
The next creature card you cast this turn can be cast as though it had flash. (It can be cast any time you could cast an instant.)
Draw a card.
Sometimes, the residues of time crackle and translate a being from one state into another in the blink of an eye.
Peaceful Nap
Instant (U)
Prevent all damage that would be dealt by target creature until end of turn.
Eternal :2mana::symg: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
“I woke to find myself in another dream.”
Primordial Hunter :1mana::symg:
Creature — Elf Warrior (C)
As time lapsed, many became stuck in the very beginnings. The primordial Esparand is a dangerous world, savage and devoid of civilizations, but also beautiful, for it hasn’t been claimed by the desert yet.
2/3
Trap in Vines
Instant (C)
Target creature loses flying until end of turn.
Eternal :1mana::symg: (You may cast this spell for its eternal cost. If you do, change its text by removing all instances of “until end of turn” and exile it as it resolves.)
Valeborn Ancient :4mana::symg:
Creature — Elephant (C)
Epitaph (When this is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you may pay and remember it. Otherwise, exile it.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if Valeborn Ancient is remembered, you may have target creature get +1/+1 until your next turn.
4/4
Ivory Dagger
Artifact (C)
Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and has deathtouch.
Equip
Murder becomes much easier when your victim is frozen in time.
Ancient Valley
Land — Oasis (C)
Ancient Valley enters the battlefield tapped.
When Ancient Valley enters the battlefield, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
//I'm not sure about this one. It's far better than Turntimber Grove, but on the other hand it's just a slightly different Llanowar Reborn, and that didn't see much play.
Bloodmist Pools
Land — Oasis (C)
Bloodmist Pools enters the battlefield tapped.
When Bloodmist Pools enters the battlefield, you may put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library.
T: Add to your mana pool.
Secluded Sanctuary
Land — Oasis (C)
Secluded Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped.
When Secluded Sanctuary enters the battlefield, you may tap target creature.
T: Add to your mana pool.
Waterside Townlet
Land — Oasis (C)
Waterside Townlet enters the battlefield tapped.
When Waterside Townlet enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life for each creature you control.
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
.pdf-file is updated. Text version in the OP will be updated when I feel like it.
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
It's a fine card. I like what it does, like the cost, like everything about it really.
MaRo wouldn't like it. I personally love the idea of the occasional non-planeswalker card creating an emblem, but he feels very strongly that emblems are planeswalker territory only, and given that most in CCC tend to design within his paradigms, I'd prepare to get some negative feedback on it. I actually designed a mythic sorcery that created an emblem in Annihilation - I ended up scrapping the emblem part of it and took it in another direction because of feedback based on MaRo's philosophy there. But, if you're confident that emblems on non-walkers is what you want, I say go for it.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
Please note when it comes to development issues I'm a bit more conservative. Also all comments on commons and uncommons especially are made with sealed and draft in mind, not constructed.
Thanks for all your hard work on fixing the multitude of minor mistakes in my set. Was very helpful. As promised I'll be doing a full card by card review as well as providing some general feedback.
I have only skimmed through your previous set so I apologize if that reflects in the comments.
My comments on each card in BLUE
First I just want to say that you have really hit the theme well. Each card really does a nice job of giving a sense of a dying frozen world shattered by temporal magic.
Each of the mechanics play well, with Eternal being one of my favorites. While I've designed a version that is an aura that you can cast for a temporary effect, that the Eternal card is exiled and therefore difficult to interact with actually conveys the flavour far better while also meaning you don't end up with a random aura sub-theme in your set.
One thing to note (that I'm sure your aware of already) is that both Eternal, Consign and Epitaph both eat up a fair bit of complexity points. I bring this up as it seems that a few of your commons that don't have these mechanics are quite complex as well. Things like X costs and Spiketail Drake effects at common are just going to be too much. Making a few vanilla creatures will leave you tight for space but will really help your "as-Fan" complexity and give you the ability to pump even more flavour into a full 6 of 7 lines of flavour text.
anyway on to the reviews!
CARD BY CARD REVIEW
Ageless Griffin
Strong common that does a good job at showing off your mechanic. I'm not a fan of how Epitaph has lots of different triggers. This one is at start of combat while others are at very different times and it increases complexity. Have you considered trying to consolidate your triggers to upkeep for common Epitaph cards then having the other triggers be at uncommon or rare?
Arakk Nullifier
I'm really no a fan of Spiketail Drake effects at common. They greatly increase board complexity while punishing newer players who overlook it. I would definitely move to uncommon. Also having a bird without flying is a little odd even though the picture shows no wings.
Bestow Honor
Considering Spearpoint Oread you could possibly reduce the Eternal cost by 1 if this feels too weak in playtests. This can be cast at instant speed but it doesn't leave behind a creature so the current cost is may be fine depending on how much you want to push your new mechanic.
Dune Wanderer
Solid Oasis enabler. love the flavour text.
Healer of Scars
Like I was saying having all the different triggers at common be different is really bumping up your complexity. What about "At the beginning of your upkeep, if ~ is remembered, gain 1 life?
Knights of the Barrens
Seems very powerful common. Consider removing vigilance or adding 1 to the cost.
Redemption
Fine. works well in your set. Is that picture supposed to be Elspeth?
Cathedral Protector
Sphinx of the Steel Wind is the only other card with this array of abilities which is cool. This is definitely pushed which is fine if thats the intention as a build around uncommon. The flavour text feels a bit "meh" compared to some of your other cards.
Lost Caravan
Considering Crusader of Odric this could possibly have its cost reduced by 1 as its second ability is a "win more" mechanic that is far less effective if you have no other creatures. I do like however that this can be built around either tokens swarms OR P/T boosting effects. However currently it feels a tad overcosted for a build around uncommon. The picture also really doesn't fit. I know how goddam hard it is to find good caravan art when I've been making Coins of Mercalis.
Journey Across the Stars
Solid Uncommon removal that makes good use of the Eternal Mechanic to add a crazy amount of flexibility. The exile works well to stop Epitaph and I like how the 2WW eternal cost means that the white drafts have more of a chance of picking this up compared to more splashable removal.
Hand of the Archangel
Considering Seraph of the Sword this is overcosted but still makes a nice finisher for white in draft. have you tried this at 5WW?
Wandering Leonin
I'm fine with this kind of trigger at uncommon. Powerful and dangerous. makes me think WB is gonna be a brutal colour combination with Epitaph and sac outlets?
Immortal Blessing
The eternal cost is undercosted by 1 because this is instant speed and unable to be interacted with easily, compare to Indestructibility. This also have additional flexibility as it is doubling as a combat trick.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds
Now unless I'm mistaken with how planeswalker creatures work, because this doesn't have prevent all damage. She is going to lose loyalty counters despite indestructible? If so then she is powerful but not crazy like I initially thought. The ability I'm most worried about is her -3 but considering Indestructibility it is probably fine. One minor vorthos thing, I'm pretty sure angels and demons are supposed to be unable to gain a spark as they are constructs of mana. Ob Nixilis as the only current exception.
Wow, consign takes 6 lines of reminder text....That really limits design space.
Are you aware that the reminder text is missing the word "of"?
Should be "You may cast a copy of the exiled card...
The card itself is a solid common that a lot of blue decks would like to have.
Anxiety
Perfect Art choice.
Another good application of the Eternal mechanic.
Azshadi Windsage
Really like the synergy with Consign here. A solid blue common that can lead to more aggressive strategies to combat people trying to stall the game to amass Epitaph triggers.
Blind Augur
Another really nicely designed Consign supporter. This seems like a really strong common. Actually a lot of the blue commons seems fairly strong.
Rooftop Stalker
Seems very similar to Ageless Griffin obviously. This is better stats/evasion type but also most costly which makes me think this is worse, which seems a little off colour pie wise. What about giving this a tiny buff like P/T = 3/3 or maybe make Ageless Griffing have a WW Epitaph cost? Just seems strange having white have the better/cheaper evasion enabler.
Sever from Memory
This is crazy considering it is a decent counterspell that doubles as a Epitaph enabler. You can just sit back with full mana, counter their spell and then instantly pay to remember anything you milled. It is a bit funny and hard to judge though as it gets stronger later as you have more mana to pay and Epitaph triggers as well as more creatures in graveyard. But this is also weaker later as the opponent has more mana spare to pay. This really needs playtesting as it is one of those cards that is difficult to judge effectively. I'd say the current cost or is fine but trying it at UU is also a possibility.
Subjugate
A fine card but I'm not a fan of the random Loki art. I assume it is placeholder art?
Ghostly Librarian
Powerful effect on a decent body as well. A nice uncommon but I've noticed a lot of your creatures have 3 toughness which may start to be a problem. Consider changing to a 2/2 as the Epitaph ability is already really strong as we have seen on Thassa recently.
Palace Dancer
Why is she a wizard?
A nice build around Consign card.
Mirror of Distortion
Definitely works with all the high toughness creature suddenly becoming super aggressive. I like that this turns Anxiety into a kill spell. Please note that the gold on the set rarity is very hard to tell apart from the uncommons due to the thin nature of the set symbol. I wrote a bunch of stuff then only lat minute did I see that this was a rare the whole time!
Cosmic Revelation
Emblems feel mythic and both the effects feel powerful, if a little disconnected.
In your set with all your epitaph creatures this is going to be pretty solid removal, I would consider making this cost 4BB to make it a little less splashable like Murder and other common removal. This also helps differentiate it from Millennium of Suffering
Fading Apparition
Nice aggressive epitaph enabler. A possibility if you want to cut down a little on your complexity at common is to make this an ETB effect but that does make it less effective.
Grave Dominion
An overpriced double zombify at common!
Zombify effects can be extremely powerful and have historically been at uncommon. See Unburial Rites, Defy Death, Zombify etc...
At common black gets graveyard to hand effects such as March of the Returned. These are still quite powerful if your looking for an overpriced effect. However I would move this to uncommon or change it as graveyard to battlefield effects no matter how overpriced are going to really warp your limited enviroment at common. Especially with so much good milling effects.
Memorial Reaper
Decent body with a powerful (in this environment) graveyard hosing effect. Solid.
Millennia of Suffering
Love it. Perfect example of a well designed Eternal card.
Whispers of the Stars
A cheaper but slightly weaker Read the Bones, is also powerful but the difference between a cantrip and draw two in draft is a lot so this is fine at the current cost. Hope you realize that the name is fairly similar to Night's Whisper which has a similar effect.
Star Eater
That art is amazing, maybe I'll see If I can fit it in my set somewhere. Otherwise this is a fat intimidate beater for the top end of black's curve. I like how the scry is super relevant by the time you can play this as you are likely in top deck mode. Well designed.
Torrent of Bones
Nice solid consign card, but consider swapping with Grave Dominion as this could be a common considering how fragile the consign is.
Wretched Mother
I like this. Works really nicely with Torrent of Bones which makes me want torrent at common even more. Be aware that you can add a tap cost if you are finding her a little powerful when paired with recursion. At the moment she seems fine though.
Zombie Obese
Ewwwww...that butcheek in the background has scarred me for life.
Doesn't seem as obviously build around as your other uncommons. Could possibly be cheaper considering how much less aggressive this is compared to Maalfield Twins. Could use some playtesting.
Null Wanderer
Wow that is a brutal dark confidant variant. On one hand you could play it very aggressively trying to get them to kill it. Or you can play more midrange using a sac engine or a self mill. The BB epitaph keeps it fair by making it hard to splash. Very nice rare that I would often first pick in a draft.
Skeletal Tutor
Consign tutor. Simple. Powerful. Well costed.
Like I said previously why not just make this an upkeep rather than a start of combat trigger? Sure you lose the ability to use it if you sac it in your first main phase but otherwise it keeps your Epitaph all at the same time so they are nice and easy to remember.
Celestial Fire
I know X costs may seem simple to us but to younger player who haven't done much algerbra they are rather complex. This is why WOTC doesn't have X spells at common. How many newer players do you think will realize you can play this for X = 0 to simply scry 2? I like the design but it belongs at uncommon.
Demolishing Blow
Seems fine. However a minor thing is why a picture of humanoid cats people when all the other cats seem non humanoid. Feels like have Sanctuary Cat and Leonin Snarecaster in the same set. I'm aware that art is hard to find so treat all art based comments as low priority.
Disciple of the living Flame
Odd stats for a red card but otherwise fine.
Dune Lynx
Fine. Nice simple common
Gul-Shad Juggler
Looting on a body for R sounds good to me and works well in your set.
Infernal Caress
The name seems a little odd but otherwise is really nice.
Sandcrawler
Not such a fan of this effect in red when it is usually such a green or black effect. I do understand it is a mechanical bleed for your set. But it needs another way to make it feel more red?
Call of the Firebird
One of my favourite uncommons I've seen. Great mix of flavour and mechanics.
Cinderthorn
Solid and surprisingly versatile. Reminds me a lot of the Inspired cards from BNG for obvious reasons.
Earthen Guardian
Another solid uncommon. Seems however that red's uncommons are not quite as build around as some of the other colours. Is this intentional or am I just missing something because I'm reviewing at 4am?
Sclerotic Firecat
Brutal and fun build around card that can allow you to bluff an opponent if they don't know if you have an instant or sorcery ready. Also works well with consign but it is unfortunate the effect doesn't have any stacking. What about "Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, ~ gets +1/+0 and gains double strike until end of turn." Then change its stats to a 2/2. This means you are further rewarded for have multiple triggers such as from Consign.
Ankhal Phoenix
Really nice use of Epitaph.
Demonic Dominion
Why is a red card featuring a demon? Be aware thats like a Green card being all about Sphinxes. I'm not sure I'm such a fan of this use of eternal as the temporary nature of the control is a core part of what makes the threaten mechanics red. I know this probably doesn't fit in your set skeleton, but what about making the Eternal cost either Blue or Blue/Red. This allows it to still have the lovely flexible design but not punish the color pie so much in the process.
Soul of the Volcano
Nice powerful Spark Elemental variant. I like it.
Chandra Reignited
Definitely one of the saner planeswalkers on these forums. Definitely feels like chandra, is aggressively costed without being broken. My only niggle is that the payoff for her Ultimate feels a little weak but is understandable considering how hard it is too balance -X abilities.
Buried Might
Good name. Well costed giant growth effect considering how much more flexible it is than Feral Invocation.
Flourish
Fine
Keeper of the Garden
Seems very complex and wordy for a common but I don't see a better way of doing this.
Memorial Warden
Effective anti hoser that can save cards from removal as well. I really like this even if I wish the wording could just say hexproof.
Primordial Hunter
Green really seems like it needs some damage and while I see you want to slow down your format, the lack of 3 power commons in red and green if gonna hurt. What about making this a Swordwise Centaur?
Trapped in Vines
Love it just like most of your other eternal cards.
Nature's Swiftness
Scout's Warning in green is fine considering Savage Summoning.
Name is a bit meh...
Peaceful Nap
While at first this feels like a fog eternal effect that fits nicely into green it actually is actually closer to Defang Muzzle & Temporal Isolation because they don't stop your own creatures. Fogs can't be used as a combat trick which is important and makes the current card mono white.
I would recommend changing this.
Scavenging Tusker
Meat eating Elephants!
A little odd flavour wise.
Otherwise is good to finally see some beefy creatures.
Solitary Remembrance
Really like this design but the lack of decent creatures in most colours is gonna make this not as effective as it seems.
Dreaming Dryad
Really strong against control decks. What about giving it hexproof to make it even more evil?
I'm really liking your use of creature based card draw in green. Just be careful that blue is still number 1 in card draw.
Immortal Legacy
I'm a big fan of this card. The madness you could do is really evil. Wouldn't be surprised if it broke a few cards currently printed. I would recommend making a thread about this to ask how people could break this.
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
In that case I'll swap over to reviewing based on the PDF Thanks for letting me know.
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Complexity: The complexity I'm more worried about is that game states get too confusing. This was very severe for example during Scars of Mirrodin block where every creature had some weird activated ability (for example Gore Vassal). The way to get around it is to have creatures with ETB triggers that are vanilla or french vanilla afterwards. Those are all white common creatures for example. Board states get more complex when you have to factor in epitaph, but those abilities are all triggered or static. "My opponent can give a guy flying" is easy to remember and process, but remembering which creature got +1/+1 on its controller's last turn is probably too much. This is the type of complexity I want to keep an eye on. I'm ok with the set being more complex than others when opening a booster, though I still try to avoid unnecessary complexity. You mentioned X-costs, but I don't think those factor into that.
Ageless Griffin: As discussed above.
Arakk Nullifier: The goal was to have a way for white to interact with instants and sorceries at common. Given how much this set focuses on those, I deem that very important. One option would be an "Instant or sorcery-leak" at common, but white tends to get counterspells rather on permanents and this might make the card more playable. That being said, I'm happy to make changes to the card that still bear this goal in mind.
Bestow Honor: Something to keep in mind for sure, but I think the flexibility makes this card still very good.
Healer of Scars: This card will probably see some change. I agree that this trigger is easy to forget. "At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 1 life" already exists in Esparand.
Knight of the Barrens: White was very underpowered in Esparand, so I'm ok with pushing the white cards a bit more this time.
Redemption: I don't remember if the artist intended it to be Elspeth (probably now that I think about it), but I don't. I can change the art if it's too irritating.
Cathedral Protector: The goal was to have a power-uncommon such as Vampire Nighthawk. Flavor texts are always difficult, but I'll try to come up with a new one.
Lost Caravan: Should probably cost 5.5. I'll get more opinions on it. I like the art very much. What is bad about it?
Hand of the Archangel: I made this overcosted on purpose so that reanimator decks can pick this card up late.
Wandering Leonin: WB was never drafted in 3x Esparand, so I hope it will be.
Immortal Blessing: I agree and I changed it (back) to 5.
Auria, Guardian of Worlds: She works differently than Gideon. As she doesn't have the "Prevent all damage" clause, she'll lose loyalty due to taking damage (she must, otherwise she would be unkillable). I didn't just want to copy Gideon. This interaction is very confusing for players not 100% confident in the rules, but I think it's ok. Here's my (bad) argument: If you innately think it can't be killed, you'll assume you're wrong, because that can't be correct, right? So, you'll ask another player and he'll explain it to you. This isn't the case for Ajani, Caller of the Pride. I've seen people still not use his +1 ability if the opponent is the only player with a creature out.
Ad Infinitum: I can't believe no one ever noticed that. Proofs that my playgroup is too lazy to read my cards. Well, thanks for noticing!
Rooftop Stalker: As discused above, I removed this card.
Sever from Memory: I'd like to keep this card at 1U, as self-mill decks tend to be 3-colored, so I reduced the self-mill to 3 for now.
Subjugate: I like the art because it has the right atmosphere, colors etc. Many artworks are fanarts of something others will recognize, so I don't see this as too big of a problem.
Ghostly Librarian: When I look at P/T distributions, I'll keep it in mind. I don't think the card is too powerful for an uncommon, though.
Palace Dancer: I think there's a precedent of a similar themed card being a Wizard, but I can't remember what I had in mind. Just "Human" seems weird. What's your suggestion?
Mirror of Distortion: Uncommon and Rare symbols are indeed difficult to distinguish. Kinda sucks.
Death and Decay: I'll get more opinions on this.
Fading Apparition: Self-mill has to trigger on upkeep, otherwise it's useless in the context of this set.
Grave Dominion: Of course I'm aware that Zombify effects are usually at uncommon, but this block breaks this rule - Esparand has actual Zombify at common! Reanimation strategies should be viable in this block, so there have to be these effects at common. What can be discussed though is if double Zombify should be at common (given that single Zombify is).
Completed sets:
Iamur — The Underwater Set
Overworld — Pirates vs. Octopuses
Esparand — The Sands of Time
Unfinished Sets:
Siege of Ravnica — Eldrazi in Ravnica
Shandalar — The Mana Set
Iamur Reimagined — Iamur v2
You can find more creative projects on my page Antaresdesigns!
tomorrow morning.when I get time.Also the blog link in you signature seems to be broken by the new forums.
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD