July MCC, Round 3: The Taste of Sophistication

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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 3 years ago

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July MCC, Round 3 - The Taste of Sophistication

Welcome to the July MCC! It's Orderliness Month here at the MCC. Cards designed this month will have something clean, simple, or just well-put-together about their aesthetic.

Main Challenge: Design a French vanilla creature card. (It must have one or more keyword abilities, and no abilities other than keyworded ones.)
Subchallenge 1: Your card is multicolored.
Subchallenge 2: Your card has a new custom keyword.

DEADLINES

Design deadline: Sunday, July 26th 23:59 EDT

Judging deadline: Wednesday, July 29th 23:59 EDT

Clarifications
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Main Challenge: French vanilla creatures can have either evergreen or non-evergreen keyword abilities or a mix of both. Akrasan Squire, Silverstorm Samurai, and Serra Angel are all equally valid.

Ability words are not keyword abilities. Airdrop Aeronauts is not valid.
MCC Rubric
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Design
(X/3) Appeal - Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(X/3) Elegance - Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?

Development
(X/3) Viability - How well does the card fit into the color wheel? Does it break or bend the rules of the game? Is it the appropriate rarity?
(X/3) Balance - Does the card have a power level appropriate for contemporary constructed/limited environments without breaking them? Does it play well in casual and multiplayer formats? Does it create or fit into a deck/archetype? Does it create an oppressive environment?

Creativity
(X/3) Uniqueness - Has a card like this ever been printed before? Does it use new mechanics, ideas, or design space? Does it combine old ideas in a new way? Overall, does it feel "fresh"?
(X/3) Flavor - Does the name seem realistic for a card? Does the flavor text sound professional? Do all the flavor elements synch together to please Vorthos players?

Polish
(X/3) Quality - Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
(X/2) Main Challenge (*) - Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
(X/2) Subchallenges - One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.

Total: X/25
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.
Judges:
void_nothing
Ryder
Subject16

Players:
@Lorn Asbord Schutta
@Sojourner Dusk
@bravelion83
@slimytrout
@Phyrexian Editor
@Henlock
@Ink-Treader
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Sojourner Dusk
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Post by Sojourner Dusk » 3 years ago

Cloud Dancer
Creature — Faerie (U)
Flying, protection from red
Sidestep (Whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked, exile it. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at end of combat.)
In their native tongue, they're known as 'dragonragers'.
1/1
May your games be chaotic and your decks be rogue.



UBR Nekusar (EDH)
RGW Mayael, Naturally (EDH)

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Post by Phyrexian Editor » 3 years ago

Courier Cyberbeast 2gu
Artifact Creature - Beast Golem {U}
Trample
Wetware 2 (When this enters the battlefield, exile the top two cards of your library face down. This creature gets +1/+1 for each card exiled with it and has "2: Put a card exiled with this into your hand.")
3/3
"No place is safer for your secrets than beneath plates of armor and behind deadly horns, propelled by a thousand pounds of muscle and a beastly temper." -Data Express advertisement

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Lorn Asbord Schutta
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Post by Lorn Asbord Schutta » 3 years ago

Equilor's Stoic
Creature — Monk (R)
Vigilance
Protection from active player (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, enchanted, or equipped by anything controlled by the player whose turn is now.)
Equilor's monks offer the visiting planeswalkers hospitality and counsel, yet they are not servants. They follow no law but their own and they wish to not partake in squabbles of otherplanar mages.
2/3
Last edited by Lorn Asbord Schutta 3 years ago, edited 4 times in total.

slimytrout
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Post by slimytrout » 3 years ago

Galewing Drake 2UR
Creature — Drake (U)
Flying, haste
Torrent (This spell costs 1 less to cast for each spell you've cast before it this turn.)
"It plunged from the sky like a bolt of lightning, and in its wake was rain so heavy it would drown the gods."
-Vin Asturson, goatherd

3/3
Last edited by slimytrout 3 years ago, edited 2 times in total.

Ink-Treader
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Post by Ink-Treader » 3 years ago

Clutching Hand Sniper 1GW
Creature — Archer (U)
Reach, first strike
Legacy GW (1GW, Exile this card from your graveyard: Target creature you control gains this card's abilities. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.)
"A hand to seize, and a hand to covet. For the empire, we conquer and protect."
—excerpt the Order of the Clutching Hand oath

3/2
Last edited by Ink-Treader 3 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

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bravelion83
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Post by bravelion83 » 3 years ago

Rakdos Juggler RRBB
Creature — Human Rogue (R)
Haste, menace, deathtouch
"Here's a number from Rakdos shows: the presenter calls a member of the audience on stage and gives them three blades, fast and poisoned, telling them to juggle them. It usually ends up in tragedy, as most Rakdos numbers do."
2/4
Author of the MCC Guidelines and FAQ. | For my projects, including Jeff Lionheart, my murder mystery story "One pierced heart, two mindful horns", and republished articles from my series "The Lion's Lair", see Leo's content index (Last updated on March 24th 2024 - Added OPHTMH Episode 4).
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MCC - Winner (9): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019, Jan Mar 2022, Apr 2023 || Host (30): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) Oct 2019, Jan Jun 2020 Apr Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2023, Mar 2024 || Judge (58): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), every month from Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) to Feb 2020, May Jun 2020, Mar Apr Sep Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar May Jun Sep Dec 2023, Jan Mar 2024
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Henlock
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Post by Henlock » 3 years ago

Tactical Augmenter rw
Creature - Human Soldier Artificer (r)
Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.)
Mentor (Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Maneuver (This creature cannot be blocked unless every other attacking creature without maneuver is also blocked)
2/1

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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 3 years ago

Round is closed. This is the versus round. The contestants have been organized into three brackets, each of which will be scored by two judges. Only the highest total scorer in each bracket will move on to the finals. Here are the judging assignments.

void_nothing:
Sojourner Dusk vs. bravelion83
Phyrexian Editor vs. Lorn Asbord Schutta vs. Henlock

Ryder:
Phyrexian Editor vs. Lorn Asbord Schutta vs. Henlock
slimytrout vs. Ink-Treader

Subject16:
slimytrout vs. Ink-Treader
Sojourner Dusk vs. bravelion83
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Ryder
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Post by Ryder » 3 years ago

Done!
Phyrexian Editor
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Phyrexian Editor wrote:
3 years ago
Courier Cyberbeast 2gu
Artifact Creature - Beast Golem {U}
Trample
Wetware 2 (When this enters the battlefield, exile the top two cards of your library face down. This creature gets +1/+1 for each card exiled with it and has "2: Put a card exiled with this into your hand.")
3/3
"No place is safer for your secrets than beneath plates of armor and behind deadly horns, propelled by a thousand pounds of muscle and a beastly temper." -Data Express advertisement
Design
Appeal 2/3 - Timmy likes a big trampler, Spike likes the card advatage.
Elegance 2.5/3 - I bet there'd be players who'd try to grab the face-down cards even when the creature is already gone.

Development
Viability 3/3 - Good colors and good rarity.
Balance 1.5/3 - It's a 5/5 trample for 4 at worst. This already makes it better than all comparable creatures.

Creativity
Uniqueness 2/3 - Simic version of Inverstigate, I like it.
Flavor 2/3 - Flavor text help a good deal here, but I still find it hard to understand how it gets weaker with the loss of its cargo.

Polish
Quality 2.75/3 - Incorrect dash in the type line
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 19.75/25
Lord Asbord Shutta
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Lorn Asbord Schutta wrote:
3 years ago
Equilor's Stoic
Creature — Monk (R)
Vigilance
Protection from active player (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, enchanted, or equipped by anything controlled by the player whose turn is now.)
Equilor's monks offer the visiting planeswalkers hospitality and counsel, yet they are not servants. They follow no law but their own and they wish to not partake in squabbles of otherplanar mages.
2/3
Design
Appeal 1/3 - Nothing cool enough for Tammy, Jenny sees no interactions, Spike loves it.
Elegance 2/3 - Using two different hybrid mana symbols makes the whole cost a pain to look at.

Development
Viability 3/3 - Technically, this combination works very well No problems with the rarity either.
Balance 2.5/3 - 2/2 would be slightly more sane. On the opponent's turn, it's the best wall ever, so the opponent should be able to Shock it on your turn.

Creativity
Uniqueness 3/3 - That protection ability is an excellent twist to a known mechanic, exactly what Wizards could do one day.
Flavor 2.5/3 - Easily understandable.

Polish
Quality 2.5/3 - "Protection from the active player".
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 1/2 - Is multicolored, but no new keyword.

TOTAL 19.5/25
Henlock
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Henlock wrote:
3 years ago
Tactical Augmenter rw
Creature - Human Soldier Artificer (r)
Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.)
Mentor (Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Maneuver (This creature cannot be blocked unless every other attacking creature without maneuver is also blocked)
2/1
Design
Appeal 1.5/3 - Timmy is mildly pleased with the free token option. Johnny is not interested - too straightforward despite plethora of effects. Spike appreciates the tactical depth.
Elegance 2/3 - Man, that is cluttered. Three keywords, each requiring reminder text...

Development
Viability 2.5/3 - Could well be mono-White or even Azorius. Rarity is good.
Balance 1.5/3 - 3/2 mentor with evasion; or 2/1 mentor with evasion and 1/1 - definitely too good. See Kari Zev, Skyship Raider Dwynen's Elite Boros Challenger

Creativity
Uniqueness 2/3 - Maneuver is a neat mechanic.
Flavor 2.5/3 - Well grokkable, no complaints.

Polish
Quality 1.75/3 - "Can't be blocked", "each other attacking creature", incorrect dash in the type line
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 17.75/25
slimytrout
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slimytrout wrote:
3 years ago
Galewing Drake 2UR
Creature — Drake (U)
Flying, haste
Torrent (This spell costs 1 less to cast for each spell you've cast before it this turn.)
"It plunged from the sky like a bolt of lightning, and in its wake was rain so heavy it would drown the gods."
-Vin Asturson, goatherd

3/3
Design
Appeal 2/3 - Tammy likes a cool flyer. Jenny and Spike could see this working in some eccentric U/R tempo deck?
Elegance 3/3 - All clear.

Development
Viability 3/3 - No problems here.
Balance 2.5/3 - Snare Thopter was already a pushed card for Limited. A 3/2 flyer is actually much worse than a 3/3 flyer. Other than this, I'm sold.

Creativity
Uniqueness 3/3 - I was sure this mechanic already existed, but it doesn't! Perfect.
Flavor 3/3 - Storm-fueled Izzet Drake. Oh yeah.

Polish
Quality 3/3 - All good.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 23.5/25
Ink-Treader
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Ink-Treader wrote:
3 years ago
Clutching Hand Sniper 1GW
Creature — Archer (U)
Reach, first strike
Legacy GW (1GW, Exile this card from your graveyard: Target creature you control gains this card's abilities. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.)
"A hand to seize, and a hand to covet. For the empire, we conquer and protect."
—excerpt the Order of the Clutching Hand oath

3/2
Design
Appeal 1/3 - Not big enough for Timmy, Legacy is irrelevant for Johnny even though he tried; Spike likes its utility.
Elegance 2/3 - Tracking Legacy could be a problem.

Development
Viability 2/3 - This list clearly says the card should be a Rare. Colors are fine.
Balance 2/3 - Strong in Limited, a bit too strong. Potentially annoying in Standard, no big waves anywhere else.

Creativity
Uniqueness 2.5/3 - Legacy is a solid design.
Flavor 2.5/3 - Solid flavor text sells this card for me.

Polish
Quality 2.5/3 - Legacy's cost in the reminder text doesn't match the rules text.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 18.5/25
Results
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Phyrexian Editor: 19.75
Lord Asbord Shutta: 19.5
Henlock: 17.75
---
slimytrout: 23.5
Ink-Treader: 18.5

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Subject16
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Post by Subject16 » 3 years ago

slimytrout
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Design
(2/3) Appeal – It's a little on the small side for Timmy. Johnny likes Torrent but doesn't see much of a payoff. Spike likes hasty beaters and cost reduction.
Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
(3/3) Elegance – No issues here, it all reads easily.

Development
(3/3) Viability – Hasty flyers are a trademark of UR, and spell slinging is too. It's a high value card, but not too high value or complicated to merit it being a rare. Uncommon is fine.
(3/3) BalanceSkyknight Legionnaire is a similar card and has seen play in decks on all levels. It's pushed for formats with easy access to free spells such as legacy, and a 3/3 flying haste for 2 mana likely has applications there.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness – It's not easy to say any french vanilla is unique. Torrent feels like it's been done before, yet it hasn't! UR hasty flyer isn't particularly innovative.
(3/3) Flavor – The mechanic's name reminds us of storm and its neat that they're thematically linked like that. Very nice!

Polish
(3/3) Quality – I see no faults.
(2/2) Main Challenge – All good.
(2/2) Subchallenges – It's multicolor, and Torrent is a new keyword.

Total: 23.5/25
Ink-Treader
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Design
(2/3) Appeal – It's a bit small for Timmy to be wowed. Johnny is interested in the mechanic but wishes there were better abilities to give. Spike likes reusing resources.
(2/3) Elegance – Legacy is bound to cause memory issues without some kind of tracking element.

Development
(2/3) Viability – 3 power first strike is very strong for a three mana uncommon. Reach and first strike are also a bit of an odd combination, with one being purely defensive and the other being better offensively.
(3/3) Balance – I think this could be very potent in limited formats but would feel weak for constructed environments. Granting first strike and reach at sorcery speed reduces your field of play for this which I think is fine.

Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness – Legacy is an interesting mechanic, like combining Mutate and Flashback in a sense. First Strike paired with Reach has only been seen on two cards in the past so it's exploring an interesting space.
(2/3) Flavor – The name seems very fitting, and the flavor text helps cement the flavor of the abilities. However, this card has no race, it's just "archer". And whilst we have seen a couple "class only" creatures before like Arcanis the Omnipotent, I would argue those are outliers and creatures should have a race as well as a class unless it's specifically explained why not.

Polish
(1.5/3) Quality – The correct order of abilities should be "First strike, reach". The activation cost for Legacy is different in the reminder text than it is in the rules text.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) – All good.
(2/2) Subchallenges – It's multicolor, and Legacy is a new keyword.

Total: 19.5/25
Sojourner Dusk
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Design
(1.5/3) Appeal – Timmy doesn't care for small creatures. Johnny would love to explore the blinking aspect, spike sees an interesting sideboard option.
(3/3) Elegance – It all reads fine, not much to say here.

Development
(3/3) Viability – Blinking is solidly in white and blue's wheelhouse, as are utility flyers which this is a part of. Faeries aren't traditionally white but with Eldraine we've seen enough of them for it to be fine. This is fine at uncommon.
(1.5/3) Balance – As a two mana 1/1 flyer with protection I think this is a fine uncommon. I do have some balance issues with sidestep however, specifically pertaining to a limited environment. Combat is arguably the traditional way for creatures to get removed, particularly in limited, but this card gets to ignore this altogether, especially as a blocker. Sidestep as a mechanic allows you to safely block with absolutely no setbacks (unless it blocks a creature with trample). It also means if this attacks and gets blocked it can't die at all (and also brings them back untapped to boot so they can block). This I believe can lead to an oppressive board state for limited where targeted removal is premium. Sidestep creatures need to be killed with spells/abilities, and with Cloud Dancer having protection from red it can be doubly hard for opponents.

Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness – It's hard to call any french vanilla unique. Flying and protection have been seen a lot, and protection from red more than from any other color. Sidestep is a mechanic unlike any seen before, though it reminds me of the gustcloak ability (Gustcloak Harrier).
(3/3) Flavor – Considering this hates on flying red creatures the most, I think this fits well, and it adds in a dash of humor too.

Polish
(3/3) Quality – No issues here.
(2/2) Main Challenge – All good.
(2/2) Subchallenges – It's multicolor, and Sidestep is a new keyword.

Total: 21/25
bravelion83
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Design
(2/3) Appeal – Timmy likes keyword soup. Johnny doesn't particularly care normally but since Ikoria's keyword counter shenanigans has more interest. Spike sees unblockable 2 power, or a deathtouch blocker which can be found for cheaper mana.
(3/3) Elegance – Nothing much to say here.

Development
(2.5/3) Viability – Haste, menace and deathtouch are all either primary and/or secondary in red and black. In terms of rarity this falls into the same category as Swiftblade Vindicator: keyword soup that is only just too powerful for uncommon, and whose placement as a rare largely depends on the rest of the set and synergies within.
(3/3) Balance – This isn't a particularly powerful rare, and that'll be true for many french vanilla rares, but the combination of keywords make this fair. In this case it's mostly going to be a 2 power unblockable creature. It does synergize nicely with spectacle, and is fine for casual formats.

Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness – It's hard to call any french vanilla "unique", but these keywords have never been used together before, though deathtouch has been used with each of the other two. The custom new keyword would have been a great opportunity to make something more unique.
(1/3) Flavor – The flavor of this card seems heavily disjointed to me. The quotation marks on the text imply the character of "Rakdos Juggler" is the one speaking, and yet the text itself suggests that the juggler is chosen from the audience by the ringmaster. Is an audience member picked out, then decided to tell the story of how jugglers are picked out? This seems off to me. I don't know whether the 'three blades' each refer to the three keywords on the card (since they're fast and poisoned), but to me if I see three blades I ask "why is this a 2 power creature?" The tragedy itself of course is the juggler dropping the knives/getting cut and dying, and it definitely fits in with the Rakdos, but with nothing on the card's effects relating to the juggler dying I consider this a flavor fail (again, something a custom keyword could have helped with).

Polish
(2/3) Quality – The order of keywords should be "menace, deathtouch, haste".
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) – All good.
(1/2) Subchallenges – It's multicolor, but no new keyword.

Total: 18.5/25

Results
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slimytrout: 23.5/25
Ink-Treader: 19.5/25

Sojourner Dusk: 21/25
bravelion83: 18.5/25

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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 3 years ago

Sojourner Dusk
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Design
(2/3) Appeal - Txmmy likes something unkillable in combat, Jxnny likes blink in general, Spike has better red hosers.
(2.5/3) Elegance - Mostly elegant, but sidestep is a little wordy.

Development
(3/3) Viability - Colors and rarity just what you'd expect.
(3/3) Balance - No problems here. Mostly a Limited and sideboard card.

Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness - Sidestep is a new keyword that mostly serves as a revision of the Gustcloak ability.
(3/3) Flavor - Looks perfect.

Polish
(3/3) Quality - Good by me.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 22.5/25
bravelion83
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Design
(1/3) Appeal - Txmmy likes multiple combat keywords in general, but this card is a bit straightforward and not powerful enough for anyone else.
(3/3) Elegance - Three evergreens is pretty elegant.

Development
(2/3) Viability - This card seems completely inappropriate for rare. It would be an uncommon in any set, especially a Ravnica one. And I'd much rather see this at 2BR than that color-heavy cost.
(1.5/3) Balance - Seriously underpowered. For Limited or for Constructed, this is an incredibly disappointing rare. In the most recent Ravnica block there was a megacycle of MMNN-cost guild uncommon creatures that were, to be fair, pushed, but still primarily cards for Limited; I think the only one that saw heavy Constructed play at all was Crackling Drake, and that's because it synergized so well with Arclight Phoenix and other aggressive spellslinger creatures. The direct comparison is Rakdos Firewheeler, which lacks evasion but has 2 more power and an ETB ability that seems much more guaranteed to remove a creature (or planeswalker!) than this card's deathtouch ability. But maybe the more apposite comparision is Nightveil Predator. It also has three keywords that also include deathtouch and an evasion keyword, but not all of them are of equal value. Let's leave deathtouch totally off the table since it's present in both. Flying and menace are the evasion keywords, but I'd argue that flying is generally better than menace pound-for-pound because it also has the defensive function of blocking other flyers. Haste has the potential to be strong but more so than many other keywords it goes exponentially up in value with the power of the creature it's on since a surprise attack with "shields down" (no untapped blockers, e.g.) is better the more damage to the opponent's life total it deals. Unfortunately, this creature has 2 power. And hexproof is known to be one of the most powerful evergreen keywords that can be placed on a creature, period. So I'd say the Predator is clearly the better card. Even taking into account the synergy between menace and deathtouch, because not blocking is almost always an option with only 2 power. And BR is theoretically better at creatures than UB, and your card is a rare, not an uncommon!

Creativity
(1.5/3) Uniqueness - It is true that there has never been a card with these exact three keywords before but even in this challenge a card with evergreen keywords and nothing else won't score you many uniqueness points.
(1.5/3) Flavor - The name comes off as quite generic - we know Rakdos has jugglers, he runs a circus - and the flavor text is VERY long and VERY stilted.

Polish
(2/3) Quality - That mana cost should be BBRR. Also, haste typically goes last (or at least late) in lists of evergreen keywords.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(1/2) Subchallenges - No new keyword.

Total: 15.5/25
Phyrexian Editor
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Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - A definite Txmmy/Spike card for the size and raw power that's a bit too straightforward for Jxnny, although they'd reconsider depending on what kind of interactions wetware had.
(2/3) Elegance - Mostly elegant, but has more tracking than typical "+1/+1 counter mechanics" have.

Development
(2/3) Viability - Colors look right. For many reasons, this seems more like a rare than an uncommon.
(1/3) Balance - I have a feeling this card would at least be strong in Constructed at any rarity. At uncommon for Limited it's beyond the pale - when a 5/5 trampler for four mana is the worst you can do, and there might be card advantage in it as well, and (I assume) favorable synergies for wetware in the set? Total dominance. This card would probably be a first pick every time and would make GU too favored in Draft.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - Wetware feels like a riff on investigate for sure but it definitely has a unique feel.
(2.5/3) Flavor - I like how unique this flavor is, but the implications of using software and programming on artifact creatures is more cyberpunk than Magic has been willing to go so far.

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - Flavor text is below the p/t line and doesn't have a space between the dash and the text after.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 19/25
Lorn Asbord Schutta
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Design
(2/3) Appeal - Txmmy and Jxnny both get a kick out of that protection ability. Spike thinks they can ignore it.
(2.5/3) Elegance - Almost surprisingly elegant for something with an esoteric protection ability.

Development
(3/3) Viability - Colors seem right for this - works as either monowhite or GU imo. Definitely a rare!
(2.5/3) Balance - Maybe a little underpowered for rare if anything? This is an odd protection ability in that it'll never be evasion. "Protection from non-active players" does more but might be too much at that cost particularly in a multiplayer context. Mostly this is an odd little vigilant guy that trades immunity to sorcery speed removal for not being able to wield Auras and Equipment.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - This would be the first card to ever use the phrase "active player" that was not a much-later Oracle rewording of an ancient card (all of which were forced attack cards that used really archaic templating).
(3/3) Flavor - I really like this and it feels appropriate to Equilor from what we know of it.

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - That might use the phrasing "protection from the active player" but there's no precedent there.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Looks good.
(1/2) Subchallenges - Protection is an old keyword even if you make a whole new spin on it.

Total: 21/25
Henlock
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Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - A primarily Txmmy/Spike card - both can probably sense the ol' Boros Deck Wins ready to come back - but Jxnny is less interested. They do find some token and counter shenanigans interesting though.
(2/3) Elegance - This card quite frankly has a lot going on - which is to be expected when all the keywords are non-evergreen.

Development
(3/3) Viability - Colors definitely look right and this card is clearly a rare.
(2.5/3) Balance - Maybe not overpowered per se, but this card is clearly quite pushed, especially with the versatility of fabricate.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - The interaction between mentor and fabricate works really well and while maneuver is "just an evasion keyword" it's also a unique take on one. Well done.
(2/3) Flavor - My complaint is that I can't tell what setting this card is supposed to be for. I guess I'm supposed to imagine it in a Modern Horizons set?

Polish
(3/3) Quality - Looks good.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 21.5/25
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

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Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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void_nothing
Look On My Sash...
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Location: Tal Terig, Zendikar

Post by void_nothing » 3 years ago

And your finalists are:

Sojourner Dusk
slimytrout
Lorn Asbord Schutta

Congrats to all three! Final round coming soon.
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)

Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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