I invite you to partake in a new design competition. One that not only rewards your ingenuity and ability to implement challenges but rewards timing and cleverness. Welcome to Elements of Creation.
This will be a month long contest with a minimum of 4 rounds. Each round, you will be given a selection of options to pick from. You must pick exactly one option, one "element", from each list in a given round. You then design your card, and submit it as you would in any other thread.
But there's a catch.
As soon as an entry is submitted, the "Elements" that player used are then off limits and will be crossed of the list. Futhermore, if all the elements are used up in the round, no more entries can be submitted.
At the end of the entry period (about 3-4 days or when all the elements are used) peer judging will be used, where you will judge 5 other participants based on order of submission. You must judge the card as submitted, without credence or care that they may have had less options then other players. Only the end result matters. You make a top 3 list, with the the winner receiving 3 points, 2nd 2, and 3rd 1. Over the month the points are tailed with the winner announced each month. You will be given 2 days. If you are delinquent in judging, you will be disqualified from the round. You may participate in as many or few rounds as you wish each month.
I'll manage hosting this first month, see how it goes, and continue from there in addressing rules and rotations.
So, without further ado:
Round 1: Elements of Power
As there are elements in design, so are there elements in creation. Many a strange being brings them about.
Create an element themed creature with the following "elements."
Element 1: It's name must include:
Water
Air
Earth
Fire
Metal
Wood
Lightning
Ice
Sonic
Poison
Rock
Light
Dark
Storm
Magma
Element 2: It's type must include
Elemental
Shaman
Druid
Wizard
Warrior
Human
Leviathan
Dragon
Giant
Spider
Merfolk
Bird
Incarnation
Elf
Demon
Element 3: It P/T must be exactly
2/2
3/3
5/5
7/7
8/8
6/1
2/4
4/2
2/8
6/3
3/6
2/1
4/7
7/4
10/10
This round is open until Midnight Sunday (November 9th) EST or until all the elements have been used. Have fun.
*Remember: You must pick 1 element from each list, and ONLY one. For example, if you choose to make an elemental, you cannot have it be an elemental shaman because shaman is also an option on the list. You could however make an elemental rogue as rogue does not conflict with the lists. Or just leave it as an elemental
Magma Fiend2RRR
Creature - Elemental Horror (R)
Haste
Whenever Magma Fiend attacks or blocks, sacrifice it at end of turn unless you sacrifice two mountains.
7/4
Storm Titan6UR
Creature - Giant (MR)
When Storm Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, reveal the top card of your library until you reveal a non-land card. Storm Titan deals damage to target creature or player equal to that card's converted mana cost. Put the revealed cards into your hand. Its head may be in the clouds, but it is anything but absent-minded.
8/8
When Metal Forger enters the battlefield, you may destroy target artifact. If an artifact with converted mana cost three or less is destroyed this way, put a +1/+1 counter on Metal Forger. If an artifact with converted mana cost four or more is destroyed this way, put two +1/+1 counters on Metal Forger.
Depthlight Leviathan8UU
Creature — Leviathan (R)
Islandwalk
Creatures your opponents control attack you each combat if able. It’s light pierces through the abyss, luring hapless krakens like moths to a flame.
10/10
Herald of LightningRR
Creature - Efreet Shaman (R)
Whenever Herald of Lightning deals combat damage to a player, put a charge counter on Herald of Lightning.
If a red instant or sorcery spell you control would deal damage to a permanent or player, it deals that much damage plus X to that permanent or player instead, where X is the number of charge counters on Herald of Lightning.
2/1
Woodoath Hermit2GG
Creature- Troll Druid (M)
When Woodoath Hermit comes into play, put two 1/1 green Squirrel tokens into play.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control fewer creatures than an opponent you may sacrifice Woodoath Hermit, If you do, search your library for a creature card and put that card into play. It is easiest to contribute to the circle of life when you have helpers.
2/2
Eternal Firebird1RRR
Creature - Phoenix Bird(M)
Flying, haste
When Eternal Firebird dies, put a 0/1 red Egg creature token onto the battlefield with "At the beginning of your upkeep, you may sacrifice this creature. If you do, return a card named Eternal Firebird from your graveyard to the battlefield."
3/3
Scion of Eternal Ice4UR
Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying
If Scion of the Eternal Ice would deal damage to a creature, instead exile it with that many time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. 2R: Scion of Eternal Ice deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
3/6
Eternal Firebird1RRR
Creature - Phoenix (M)
Flying, haste
When Eternal Firebird dies, put a 0/1 red Egg creature token onto the battlefield with "At the beginning of your upkeep, you may sacrifice this creature. If you do, return a card named Eternal Firebird from your graveyard to the battlefield."
3/3
IIW: Colored artifacts
Phoenix is not a choice on the list. (I assume you used bird) Please adjust your card.
Scion of Eternal Winter4UR
Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying
If Scion of the Eternal Winter would deal damage to a creature, instead exile it with that many time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. UR: Scion of Eternal Winter deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
3/6
Earthen-Stance Paragon4W
Creature - Nymph Warrior {U} 3R: Until end of turn, Earthen-Stance Paragon assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power. A mountain would be easier to move. A landslide would be easier to stop.
2/8
Sonic Wavecaller2UUU
Creature - Merfolk (R)
Flash
When Sonic Wavecaller enters the battlefield you may tap any number of creatures equal to the number of islands you control, those creatures don't untap during their controller's next untap step. His call reaches deep beneath the water's surface and brings the fury of the depths to those above.
2/4
Earthen-Stance Paragon4W
Creature - Human Warrior {U} 3R: Until end of turn, Earthen-Stance Paragon assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power. A mountain would be easier to move. A landslide would be easier to stop.
2/8
Human is already on the list, so your card cannot be both a Human and a Warrior. Please adjust your card.
To all of you participating, there are still some illegal entry's. If all the elements are used and there are still illegal entries, I will PM those who still need to make adjustments. If there is no response in 24 hours, we will move to judging without those entries.
Done, but that seems a bit restrictive on good names for little benefit; can we just post what element we're using and make sure the card obviously reflects it?
Done, but that seems a bit restrictive on good names for little benefit; can we just post what element we're using and make sure the card obviously reflects it?
I think in this particular challenge, you're right, it's not a huge deal. However in some of the future challenges I've designed used the exact word/phrase in a card name is an important restriction. In the future I'll leave more room for "theme" names to give leeway.
We now enter the peer judging phase. Please judge the 5 players that come after you in this list, and give a top 3 ranking. If you reach the end of the list, wrap around to the beginning. Please note that illegal entries have been omitted and should not be judged.
Judgings are due Wednesday the 12th, by midnight US EST.
-------------------------
Also as an aside, as this is the first time running this contest I'm curious about how people feel about the rules. There was some confusion on the lists when it came to creature type (since some were races and others were classes) as well as picking something from all three lists. Could I have worded things better/differently or presented things better? Any thoughts going forward? I have planned several more challenges in advanced but they are subject to change/adjustments. Feel free to post your thoughts here or PM me.
Going forward you can expect the challenges to be a bit harder/more inventive.
-------------------------
Also Also, ALL your IIWs are VOID and NULL, Flamingos!
SelesnyaNewLife
GG Crono
Jimmy Groove
Ninja Caterpie
NVRBLND
Also as an aside, as this is the first time running this contest I'm curious about how people feel about the rules. There was some confusion on the lists when it came to creature type (since some were races and others were classes) as well as picking something from all three lists. Could I have worded things better/differently or presented things better? Any thoughts going forward? I have planned several more challenges in advanced but they are subject to change/adjustments. Feel free to post your thoughts here or PM me.
I like the idea of the restrictions, but there's a bit too much overlap on the creature types. Having both races and classes on the list is unnecessarily restrictive.
Judging Criteria:
Concept (X/5) - Is it interesting? Elegance (X/5) - Is it aesthetic? Development (X/5) - Is it balanced? Flavor (X/5) - Is it delicious?
SelesnyaNewLife (13/20)
Concept (4/5) - Adorable, even if it's not a new effect.
Elegance (4/5) - White getting a 6/1 is wierd. Otherwise no problems.
Development (2/5) - This is so much worse than Puresteel Paladin it's ridiculous. Either the body needs to be more worthwhile (such as a 2/4 for 1WW or something), or we need a second effect. Kor Outfitter would be a good starting point.
Flavor (3/5) - It's not a home run but it's easy to see what you were going for.
GGCrono (15/20)
Concept (5/5) - Beautiful.
Elegance (4/5) - There's no particular reason for this to be a Horror.
Development (2/5) - In a world where Thunderblust exists, we can (at the very least) get away with not giving this body a drawback. Realistically, the lack of trample means you'll eat a small creature before trading with 4 power turn six. And if you uptrade on the block, you're not going to be sacrificing the lands anyway. The numbers need a serious rethink, and you also have you ask yourself how much two lands are worth.
Flavor (4/5) - A bit of flavor text wouldn't have gone amiss, but the mechanics carry a lot of flavor on their own, which is important.
Jimmy Groove (19/20)
Concept (5/5) - Explosive Revelation/Treasure Dive on a body. For a big fat mythic, it's not too excit-OR ATTACKS. You have my attention.
Elegance (4/5) - It should use Explosive Revelation's wording. Otherwise fine.
Development (5/5) - Anyone who lets this resolve is in for a bad time. Then again, that's true for most of the mythics that cost 8. The lack of haste, evasion, and protection makes up for the big impact it has on the game.
Flavor (5/5) - Puns are an automatic 5/5. Anyone who tells you otherwise has a bad sense of humor.
Ninja Caterpie (13/20)
Concept (3/5) - Bad Midnight Banshee effect on a powerful body. It's not exciting, but the concept is workable.
Elegance (4/5) - Having a big fat body sit back and tap is feel-bad town. This guy should be free to swing while clearing out tokens. This is as much as design flaw as it is balancing.
Development (4/5) - The body is the saving grace for an otherwise bad card. The problem is that you can't use teh ability without keeping the body back. Dropping the body to 6/6, and replacing the activation cost with "2B, Sacrifice a creature" would make it more usable.
Flavor (2/5) - Bland and generic, but fitting.
NVRBLIND (17/20)
Concept (5/5) - Pretty awesome.
Elegance (3/5) - Merfolk should have a class (Wizard seems appropriate here). The wording is also off ("When Sonic Wavecaller enters the battlefield, tap up to X target creatures, where X is the number of Islands you control. Those creatures don't untap during their controllers' next untap step.")
Development (5/5) - The effect is slightly better than Sleep, and the body, while respectable, can't make great use of the two turn grace period. Coupled with needing a hefty blue commitment, I'd say this is fine.
Flavor (4/5) - Good, but the name and flavor text still use some tweaking.
J.Do - The Squirrel clause feels kind of like a tacked on homage, but it creates some tension with the second ability. I don't get the specific connection to Wood aside from the card being green. Atogaholic - "Phoenix Bird" is a little bit of a kludge to meet the challenge. I like your iteration of the Phoenix mechanic, though. It gives an opportunity for your opponent to answer it while also making it free as long as the egg makes it to your next upkeep. Egg isn't a supported creature type. ManyCookies - This feels pretty cheap for repeatable delaying removal that also gives you the opportunity to counter their stuff. It's pretty easy to imagine a scenario where this just locks an opponent out. Oculus - A straightforward but extremely strong uncommon. The "toughness instead of power" as a red ability feels a little weird in red, but as an extension of "swap power & toughness", it's probably fine. NVRBLND - Merfolk should have a class as they are sentient creatures, and the wording isn't quite right (see Oculus's feedback). From a power-level perspective, this is probably fine.
Cythare:
Cool burn support creature. Chances are it's way too risky to run without haste, but it's a pretty cool idea. Definitely inspires the Red Johnny within us.
Earthen-Stance Paragon4W
Creature - Nymph Warrior {U} 3R: Until end of turn, Earthen-Stance Paragon assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power. A mountain would be easier to move. A landslide would be easier to stop.
2/8
As an effective 8/8 on the offense (since you'll most likely hold mana until second main, pumping if you must), this makes me a tad wary being at uncommon. I'd prefer this with 5-6 toughness and a lower activation cost. I really like the space this plays in though.
Sonic Wavecaller2UUU
Creature - Merfolk (R)
Flash
When Sonic Wavecaller enters the battlefield you may tap any number of creatures equal to the number of islands you control, those creatures don't untap during their controller's next untap step. His call reaches deep beneath the water's surface and brings the fury of the depths to those above.
2/4
Neat little bomb. Would have been pretty absurd in mono-blue devotion, but it's probably alright now.
Magma Fiend2RRR
Creature - Elemental Horror (R)
Haste
Whenever Magma Fiend attacks or blocks, sacrifice it at end of turn unless you sacrifice two mountains.
7/4
This compares rather unfavorably with Zurgo Helmsmasher and Thunderblust; the drawback is far too large for seven nontrample creature damage at five mana.
Storm Titan6UR
Creature - Giant (MR)
When Storm Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, reveal the top card of your library until you reveal a non-land card. Storm Titan deals damage to target creature or player equal to that card's converted mana cost. Put the revealed cards into your hand. Its head may be in the clouds, but it is anything but absent-minded.
8/8
A fun Timmy effect, exactly the sort of thing that you should get for eight mana. Would play in EDH.
Atogaholic
This is so evocative that it's lack of original flavor is irrelevant. I was perplexed as to why this card has not been made yet but that could be due to the fact that the resurrection is entirely out of the controllers control. Compare fun phoenixes like Chandra's Pheonix to terrible ones like Flame-Wreathed Pheonix and one begins to see how much more important having some control of the resurrection is to the player. I like the card's design, but I think it suffers by leaving the control of the resurrection to others. ManyCookies
I get the flavor of using time counters to represent being frozen but Magic has a much more evocative "frozen" mechanic (tap target creature, it does not untap during it's controllers next untap step) so the use of suspend here just feels out of place. The damage ability just feels odd from a card that is supposed to be representing Ice. Honestly, I just don't see Ice represented on this card in any cohesive manner. Oculus
I really like this card but I think it needs a color change either in it's casting or ability cost. I think a blue creature with the red ability makes a lot of sense, in the vein of Frostburn Weird but I also feel that the ability is something we've only seen on a WBG creature so I'm not quite sure where the red is coming from. The flavor helps to address some of these concerns. Overall, a good design that seems like it would be interesting in limited. NVRBLND
This continues in the vein of Tidebinder Mage quite nicely. I think it operates in a really nice space for a blue creature where it is powerful without being oppressively so, and will create awesome moments whenever it is used effectively. Flavor is clean and well thought out. Nice job. Selsnya New Life
A 6/1 is weird in white and especially when there were other stat options available I'm perplexed as to why you chose those stats. That being said, the ability is interesting but might be better on a cheaper creature. I think the concept behind the card is really cool, but all of the things that don't contribute to that concept (stats, casting cost) really hurt this card.
Chemtrails:
Interesting twist on "light". Card is really cool, flavourful, mechanically sound. Everything about this card is really nice.
Cythare:
Cool burn support creature. Chances are it's way too risky to run without haste, but it's a pretty cool idea. Definitely inspires the Red Johnny within us.
J.Do:
An interesting card - free effects are always fun (although this one doesn't look too abuseable). The flavour seems to be a little disjoint, though. The flavour text straight up contradicts the ability, which is made more difficult by having other creatures. It feels a little bad to have bad synergy with itself, too.
Atogaholic:
Seems like this exists somewhere... but it doesn't. There isn't an egg-form Phoenix card. Surprising. Regardless, this one is cleanly executed - doesn't have any weird knobs or unnecessary parts.
ManyCookies:
An ice dragon - not something you see every day. 3/6 feels really weird for a bomby flyer - especially a red one. Balanced dictates, but it's just a thing. The mechanical flavour takes a second to get, but it works quite well (although tap-locking would be just as flavourful AND easier to 'grok'). I'm a little worried about the power on that repeatable ping because it's basically permanent removal for two creatures at a time.
Top 3:
1. Chemtrails
2. Atogaholic
3. Cythare
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're having creature problems I feel bad for you son
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Very cool concept for a card but it seems pretty weak. Its expensive and relies on a fair amount of set up before it can really have a big effect. The P/T I know are used to fit the challenge but don't fit the card very well. That said the flavor and concept are both solid.
Very cool and powerful card. Its a great curve topper for burn decks, it is extremely strong but expensive for the decks that want it so I think its ok. Horror seems kind of out of place but everything else is well done.
I love the idea of multi colored titans and the flavor here is spot on. That said its ability seems broken as its potentially tons of cards + tons of damage that is easily repeatable.
This feels like a very generic core set rare to me. It is decently strong but nothing to get excited about and not particularly innovative. Its costed appropriately but I just don't see any flavor.
I really like the flavor here, the text, name and abilities all tie together very well. That being said I don't think the effect matches this things massive cost. sure it can pick off some creatures that attack into its huge body and islandwalk is nice, on flavor evasion but neither of those screams 10 mana. I think I would try and add one more ability.
I invite you to partake in a new design competition. One that not only rewards your ingenuity and ability to implement challenges but rewards timing and cleverness. Welcome to Elements of Creation.
This will be a month long contest with a minimum of 4 rounds. Each round, you will be given a selection of options to pick from. You must pick exactly one option, one "element", from each list in a given round. You then design your card, and submit it as you would in any other thread.
But there's a catch.
As soon as an entry is submitted, the "Elements" that player used are then off limits and will be crossed of the list. Futhermore, if all the elements are used up in the round, no more entries can be submitted.
At the end of the entry period (about 3-4 days or when all the elements are used) peer judging will be used, where you will judge 5 other participants based on order of submission. You must judge the card as submitted, without credence or care that they may have had less options then other players. Only the end result matters. You make a top 3 list, with the the winner receiving 3 points, 2nd 2, and 3rd 1. Over the month the points are tailed with the winner announced each month. You will be given 2 days. If you are delinquent in judging, you will be disqualified from the round. You may participate in as many or few rounds as you wish each month.
I'll manage hosting this first month, see how it goes, and continue from there in addressing rules and rotations.
So, without further ado:
As there are elements in design, so are there elements in creation. Many a strange being brings them about.
Create an element themed creature with the following "elements."
Element 1: It's name must include:
EarthFireMetalWoodLightningIceSonicPoisonLightDarkStormMagmaElement 2: It's type must include
ElementalShamanDruidWarriorHumanLeviathanDragonGiantSpiderMerfolkBirdIncarnationDemonElement 3: It P/T must be exactly
2/23/35/57/78/86/12/44/22/83/62/17/410/10This round is open until Midnight Sunday (November 9th) EST or until all the elements have been used. Have fun.
*Remember: You must pick 1 element from each list, and ONLY one. For example, if you choose to make an elemental, you cannot have it be an elemental shaman because shaman is also an option on the list. You could however make an elemental rogue as rogue does not conflict with the lists. Or just leave it as an elemental
--------------------------------------------------------
The 1st Round is officially over! The results are in:
1st - NVRBLND: 11/15 = 73
2nd - Oculus: 10/15 = 67
3rd - Atogaholic: 7/12 = 58
4th - Chemtrails: 5/9 = 56
5th - Cythare: 4/9 = 44
6th - SelesnyaNewLife: 3/15 = 20
7th - Ninja Caterpie: 1/9 = 11
7th - J.Do: 1/9 =11
9th - ManyCookies: 0/15 = 0
Creature- Human Shaman
Infect
t: Put a poison counter on target opponent
2/2
Thanks for the post, but your card cannot be both a Spider and a Shaman as both are options on the list. Please pick just one.
Magma Fiend 2RRR
Creature - Elemental Horror (R)
Haste
Whenever Magma Fiend attacks or blocks, sacrifice it at end of turn unless you sacrifice two mountains.
7/4
Creature - Giant (MR)
When Storm Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, reveal the top card of your library until you reveal a non-land card. Storm Titan deals damage to target creature or player equal to that card's converted mana cost. Put the revealed cards into your hand.
Its head may be in the clouds, but it is anything but absent-minded.
8/8
Sire of the Dark 4BBB
Creature - Demon (R)
Flying
B, T, sacrifice a creature: Put a -1/-1 counter on each nonblack creature.
7/7
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
There is no 1/1 option. Please adjust your card.
Magma was used by a player before you. Please adjust your card.
Creature — Leviathan (R)
Islandwalk
Creatures your opponents control attack you each combat if able.
It’s light pierces through the abyss, luring hapless krakens like moths to a flame.
10/10
IIW: I don't need one of those!
Creature - Efreet Shaman (R)
Whenever Herald of Lightning deals combat damage to a player, put a charge counter on Herald of Lightning.
If a red instant or sorcery spell you control would deal damage to a permanent or player, it deals that much damage plus X to that permanent or player instead, where X is the number of charge counters on Herald of Lightning.
2/1
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Woodoath Hermit 2GG
Creature- Troll Druid (M)
When Woodoath Hermit comes into play, put two 1/1 green Squirrel tokens into play.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control fewer creatures than an opponent you may sacrifice Woodoath Hermit, If you do, search your library for a creature card and put that card into play.
It is easiest to contribute to the circle of life when you have helpers.
2/2
Creature - Phoenix Bird(M)
Flying, haste
When Eternal Firebird dies, put a 0/1 red Egg creature token onto the battlefield with "At the beginning of your upkeep, you may sacrifice this creature. If you do, return a card named Eternal Firebird from your graveyard to the battlefield."
3/3
IIW: Colored artifacts
Scion of Eternal Ice 4UR
Creature - Dragon (R)
Flying
If Scion of the Eternal Ice would deal damage to a creature, instead exile it with that many time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend.
2R: Scion of Eternal Ice deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
3/6
Phoenix is not a choice on the list. (I assume you used bird) Please adjust your card.
Please use ice in the name of your card.
Earth, Warrior, 2/8
EDIT: No human...Oread?
Earthen-Stance Paragon 4W
Creature - Nymph Warrior {U}
3R: Until end of turn, Earthen-Stance Paragon assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power.
A mountain would be easier to move. A landslide would be easier to stop.
2/8
[Clan Flamingo] Tier Archivist
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Creature - Merfolk (R)
Flash
When Sonic Wavecaller enters the battlefield you may tap any number of creatures equal to the number of islands you control, those creatures don't untap during their controller's next untap step.
His call reaches deep beneath the water's surface and brings the fury of the depths to those above.
2/4
Signature by DarkNightCavalier at Heroes of the Plane Studios
Human is already on the list, so your card cannot be both a Human and a Warrior. Please adjust your card.
To all of you participating, there are still some illegal entry's. If all the elements are used and there are still illegal entries, I will PM those who still need to make adjustments. If there is no response in 24 hours, we will move to judging without those entries.
Done, but that seems a bit restrictive on good names for little benefit; can we just post what element we're using and make sure the card obviously reflects it?
I think in this particular challenge, you're right, it's not a huge deal. However in some of the future challenges I've designed used the exact word/phrase in a card name is an important restriction. In the future I'll leave more room for "theme" names to give leeway.
SelesnyaNewLife
GG Crono
Jimmy Groove
Ninja Caterpie
Chemtrails
Cythare
J.Do
Atogaholic
ManyCookies
Oculus
NVRBLND
We now enter the peer judging phase. Please judge the 5 players that come after you in this list, and give a top 3 ranking. If you reach the end of the list, wrap around to the beginning. Please note that illegal entries have been omitted and should not be judged.
Judgings are due Wednesday the 12th, by midnight US EST.
-------------------------
Also as an aside, as this is the first time running this contest I'm curious about how people feel about the rules. There was some confusion on the lists when it came to creature type (since some were races and others were classes) as well as picking something from all three lists. Could I have worded things better/differently or presented things better? Any thoughts going forward? I have planned several more challenges in advanced but they are subject to change/adjustments. Feel free to post your thoughts here or PM me.
Going forward you can expect the challenges to be a bit harder/more inventive.
-------------------------
Also Also, ALL your IIWs are VOID and NULL, Flamingos!
I like the idea of the restrictions, but there's a bit too much overlap on the creature types. Having both races and classes on the list is unnecessarily restrictive.
Judging Criteria:
Concept (X/5) - Is it interesting?
Elegance (X/5) - Is it aesthetic?
Development (X/5) - Is it balanced?
Flavor (X/5) - Is it delicious?
SelesnyaNewLife (13/20)
GGCrono (15/20)
Jimmy Groove (19/20)
Ninja Caterpie (13/20)
NVRBLIND (17/20)
1 - Jimmy Groove
2 - NVRBLIND
3 - GGCrono
[Clan Flamingo] Tier Archivist
[15:21] <@CC> Remember, if you argue, you are an idiot.
Untrophied Wins:
Perfect MCC Scores: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
J.Do - The Squirrel clause feels kind of like a tacked on homage, but it creates some tension with the second ability. I don't get the specific connection to Wood aside from the card being green.
Atogaholic - "Phoenix Bird" is a little bit of a kludge to meet the challenge. I like your iteration of the Phoenix mechanic, though. It gives an opportunity for your opponent to answer it while also making it free as long as the egg makes it to your next upkeep. Egg isn't a supported creature type.
ManyCookies - This feels pretty cheap for repeatable delaying removal that also gives you the opportunity to counter their stuff. It's pretty easy to imagine a scenario where this just locks an opponent out.
Oculus - A straightforward but extremely strong uncommon. The "toughness instead of power" as a red ability feels a little weird in red, but as an extension of "swap power & toughness", it's probably fine.
NVRBLND - Merfolk should have a class as they are sentient creatures, and the wording isn't quite right (see Oculus's feedback). From a power-level perspective, this is probably fine.
Top 3:
1. Oculus
2. NVRBLND
3. Atogaholic
It felt too strong with haste.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Oculus
NVRBLND
SelesnyaNewLife
GG Crono
Jimmy Groove
As an effective 8/8 on the offense (since you'll most likely hold mana until second main, pumping if you must), this makes me a tad wary being at uncommon. I'd prefer this with 5-6 toughness and a lower activation cost. I really like the space this plays in though.
Neat little bomb. Would have been pretty absurd in mono-blue devotion, but it's probably alright now.
I do like my equipment matters,but this could be a looooooooot stronger as a five drop rare with a poor body.
This compares rather unfavorably with Zurgo Helmsmasher and Thunderblust; the drawback is far too large for seven nontrample creature damage at five mana.
A fun Timmy effect, exactly the sort of thing that you should get for eight mana. Would play in EDH.
Top 3-
1. Oculus
2. Jimmy Groove
3. NVRBLND
This is so evocative that it's lack of original flavor is irrelevant. I was perplexed as to why this card has not been made yet but that could be due to the fact that the resurrection is entirely out of the controllers control. Compare fun phoenixes like Chandra's Pheonix to terrible ones like Flame-Wreathed Pheonix and one begins to see how much more important having some control of the resurrection is to the player. I like the card's design, but I think it suffers by leaving the control of the resurrection to others.
ManyCookies
I get the flavor of using time counters to represent being frozen but Magic has a much more evocative "frozen" mechanic (tap target creature, it does not untap during it's controllers next untap step) so the use of suspend here just feels out of place. The damage ability just feels odd from a card that is supposed to be representing Ice. Honestly, I just don't see Ice represented on this card in any cohesive manner.
Oculus
I really like this card but I think it needs a color change either in it's casting or ability cost. I think a blue creature with the red ability makes a lot of sense, in the vein of Frostburn Weird but I also feel that the ability is something we've only seen on a WBG creature so I'm not quite sure where the red is coming from. The flavor helps to address some of these concerns. Overall, a good design that seems like it would be interesting in limited.
NVRBLND
This continues in the vein of Tidebinder Mage quite nicely. I think it operates in a really nice space for a blue creature where it is powerful without being oppressively so, and will create awesome moments whenever it is used effectively. Flavor is clean and well thought out. Nice job.
Selsnya New Life
A 6/1 is weird in white and especially when there were other stat options available I'm perplexed as to why you chose those stats. That being said, the ability is interesting but might be better on a cheaper creature. I think the concept behind the card is really cool, but all of the things that don't contribute to that concept (stats, casting cost) really hurt this card.
Top Three:
1. NVRBLND
2. Oculus
3. Atogaholic
Interesting twist on "light". Card is really cool, flavourful, mechanically sound. Everything about this card is really nice.
Cythare:
Cool burn support creature. Chances are it's way too risky to run without haste, but it's a pretty cool idea. Definitely inspires the Red Johnny within us.
J.Do:
An interesting card - free effects are always fun (although this one doesn't look too abuseable). The flavour seems to be a little disjoint, though. The flavour text straight up contradicts the ability, which is made more difficult by having other creatures. It feels a little bad to have bad synergy with itself, too.
Atogaholic:
Seems like this exists somewhere... but it doesn't. There isn't an egg-form Phoenix card. Surprising. Regardless, this one is cleanly executed - doesn't have any weird knobs or unnecessary parts.
ManyCookies:
An ice dragon - not something you see every day. 3/6 feels really weird for a bomby flyer - especially a red one. Balanced dictates, but it's just a thing. The mechanical flavour takes a second to get, but it works quite well (although tap-locking would be just as flavourful AND easier to 'grok'). I'm a little worried about the power on that repeatable ping because it's basically permanent removal for two creatures at a time.
Top 3:
1. Chemtrails
2. Atogaholic
3. Cythare
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Very cool concept for a card but it seems pretty weak. Its expensive and relies on a fair amount of set up before it can really have a big effect. The P/T I know are used to fit the challenge but don't fit the card very well. That said the flavor and concept are both solid.
Very cool and powerful card. Its a great curve topper for burn decks, it is extremely strong but expensive for the decks that want it so I think its ok. Horror seems kind of out of place but everything else is well done.
I love the idea of multi colored titans and the flavor here is spot on. That said its ability seems broken as its potentially tons of cards + tons of damage that is easily repeatable.
This feels like a very generic core set rare to me. It is decently strong but nothing to get excited about and not particularly innovative. Its costed appropriately but I just don't see any flavor.
I really like the flavor here, the text, name and abilities all tie together very well. That being said I don't think the effect matches this things massive cost. sure it can pick off some creatures that attack into its huge body and islandwalk is nice, on flavor evasion but neither of those screams 10 mana. I think I would try and add one more ability.
1. GG Crono
2. SNL
3. Chemtrails
Signature by DarkNightCavalier at Heroes of the Plane Studios