I am a big Batman fan so I created some top down Batman themed cards. Arnold Wesker, Master Ventriloquist is the one I spent the most time on out of the bunch, so I'd especially appreciate any thoughts on that design.
Gotham Dark Alley
Land [U] T: Add C to your mana pool. 1B, T: Create a colorless artifact token named Gold. It has "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool." Activate this ability only if a creature died this turn.
Selena's Whip2
Artifact - Equipment [R]
Equipped creature gets first strike and +2/+0.
When equipped creature deals combat damage to a Human, create two colorless artifact tokens named Gold. They has "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."
Equip 1
Riddler's Game1UB
Sorcery [R]
Look at the top three cards of your library. Exile one of them face down and the rest face up. Target opponent chooses a number. Then reveal the face down card. If the total converted mana cost of the revealed cards is not equal to the chosen number, put the exile cards into your hand. Otherwise, you lose 3 life.
Arnold Wesker, Master Ventriloquist1WB
Legendary Creature - Human [MR]
When Arnold Wesker, Master Ventriloquist enters the battlefield, create a legendary 2/2 black artifact Construct creature token named Scarface with indestructible and menace.
Whenever Scarface deals combat damage to a player, put a charisma counter on Arnold Wesker.
Scarface gets +1/+0 for each charisma counter on Arnold Wesker.
When Arnold Wesker leaves the battlefield, sacrifice Scarface.
0/4
Man these are some really great designs. Gotham Dark Alley feels like something we could eventually see in a real mtg set. It's a simple but very flavorful design. I'm actually interested in seeing any other Batman themed designs you have.
As for the Ventriloquist, it's a very good design. My only complaint is that it's a little wordy... But I don't know how to help cut it down.
Selena's Whip - Handy in the right set, though it's a narrow hoser. I think it might be better if it just gave you one Gold but triggered off hitting any enemy. The card still holds flavour that way.
Riddler's Game - This is worse than 1UB draw 3. I'd prefer if it didn't backfire and instead put those cards into your graveyard, so in the right deck it would still work for you. That fits the Riddler's style in that the opponent never fully wins.
Arnold Wesker - I agree with Creedmoor in that it's a great design, but feels wordy. How about something simplified, like:
Arnold Wesker 1WB
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Mythic Rare
When Arnold Wesker enters the battlefield, create a legendary 2/2 Construct artifact creature named Scarface. T: Target creature you control named Scarface gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible and menace until end of turn.
2/2
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gaymer
Custom Card / Set Reviewer
When reviewing custom cards / sets, I look for (a) flavour, (b) function, and (c) cohesiveness, generally through a risk focus.
@viridiancircle, thanks for the detailed feedback.
Selena's Whip seems narrow be outside of limited or an environment driven by humans, but even getting +2/+0 and first strike on an equipment for a combined total of 3 mana is incredibly efficient and above curve for most equipment.
I feel it's worse than 1UB to draw 3, but that would be very powerful (probably too good). I love the idea of changing the card so it's Riddler's style in that the opponent never fully wins, but it'd be too powerful. Maybe if they guess the correct number, you still lose 3 life but the cards go to your graveyard.
I totally agree that the phrasing for Arnold Wesker is too verbose. I spent a lot of time trying to phrase the wording while still keeping the spirit of the design. It really isn't that complicated of a design, the main problem is you have to establish that Scarface if a legendary creature token and not a living thing which requires a lot of text.
I feel your version of Arnold Wesker is very good and certainly less wordy but I don't like the idea of Scarface being able to survive, yet alone attack and block without Arnold Wesker. I do like what you did in that Arnold Wesker supports Scarface.
I love Batman, so I'll think of some more designs and try to share some more! Glad these came out well.
Land [U]
T: Add C to your mana pool.
1B, T: Create a colorless artifact token named Gold. It has "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool." Activate this ability only if a creature died this turn.
Artifact - Equipment [R]
Equipped creature gets first strike and +2/+0.
When equipped creature deals combat damage to a Human, create two colorless artifact tokens named Gold. They has "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."
Equip 1
Sorcery [R]
Look at the top three cards of your library. Exile one of them face down and the rest face up. Target opponent chooses a number. Then reveal the face down card. If the total converted mana cost of the revealed cards is not equal to the chosen number, put the exile cards into your hand. Otherwise, you lose 3 life.
Legendary Creature - Human [MR]
When Arnold Wesker, Master Ventriloquist enters the battlefield, create a legendary 2/2 black artifact Construct creature token named Scarface with indestructible and menace.
Whenever Scarface deals combat damage to a player, put a charisma counter on Arnold Wesker.
Scarface gets +1/+0 for each charisma counter on Arnold Wesker.
When Arnold Wesker leaves the battlefield, sacrifice Scarface.
0/4
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
As for the Ventriloquist, it's a very good design. My only complaint is that it's a little wordy... But I don't know how to help cut it down.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Selena's Whip - Handy in the right set, though it's a narrow hoser. I think it might be better if it just gave you one Gold but triggered off hitting any enemy. The card still holds flavour that way.
Riddler's Game - This is worse than 1UB draw 3. I'd prefer if it didn't backfire and instead put those cards into your graveyard, so in the right deck it would still work for you. That fits the Riddler's style in that the opponent never fully wins.
Arnold Wesker - I agree with Creedmoor in that it's a great design, but feels wordy. How about something simplified, like:
Arnold Wesker
1WB
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Mythic Rare
When Arnold Wesker enters the battlefield, create a legendary 2/2 Construct artifact creature named Scarface.
T: Target creature you control named Scarface gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible and menace until end of turn.
2/2
Custom Card / Set Reviewer
When reviewing custom cards / sets, I look for (a) flavour, (b) function, and (c) cohesiveness, generally through a risk focus.
Selena's Whip seems narrow be outside of limited or an environment driven by humans, but even getting +2/+0 and first strike on an equipment for a combined total of 3 mana is incredibly efficient and above curve for most equipment.
I feel it's worse than 1UB to draw 3, but that would be very powerful (probably too good). I love the idea of changing the card so it's Riddler's style in that the opponent never fully wins, but it'd be too powerful. Maybe if they guess the correct number, you still lose 3 life but the cards go to your graveyard.
I totally agree that the phrasing for Arnold Wesker is too verbose. I spent a lot of time trying to phrase the wording while still keeping the spirit of the design. It really isn't that complicated of a design, the main problem is you have to establish that Scarface if a legendary creature token and not a living thing which requires a lot of text.
I feel your version of Arnold Wesker is very good and certainly less wordy but I don't like the idea of Scarface being able to survive, yet alone attack and block without Arnold Wesker. I do like what you did in that Arnold Wesker supports Scarface.
I love Batman, so I'll think of some more designs and try to share some more! Glad these came out well.
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate