Welcome to the May MCC! It's Graphic Design Month here at the MCC. We'll be celebrating this underappreciated team in R&D and maybe even trying our hand at some aspects of their job.
Main Challenge: Design a card with a new watermark.
Subchallenge 1: Your card has at most one color in its color identity.
Subchallenge 2: Your card's flavor text includes the name of the watermark.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Tuesday, May 7, 23:59 EDT
Judging deadline: Saturday, May 11, 23:59 EDT
If time extensions are required, they WILL eat time from the next round to realign with the calendar, so please ask them only if you really need them. This is for both players and judges.
Clarifications
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Main Challenge:
You must include the name of the watermark your card has, e.g.:
Watermark: Boros
You may include a brief description of the visual appearance of your watermark, e.g.:
A raised fist inside a sunburst
Alternatively, you may mock up and include an illustration of your watermark if that appeals to you more.
You may not include any flavor details about what the watermark represents outside your card submission:
The Boros Legion are the Ravnican guild that serve as the plane's standing army. (Don't do this!)
Scryfall lets you search for cards with specific watermarks using "wm:", but I'd actually recommend gatherer because it has a drop-down menu labeled "Mark" that allows you to see all the existing watermarks in case you want to make sure you're designing a new one.
Subchallenge 1:
I imagine most people get this instantly, but here's a rundown of color identity for anyone who needs it.
Subchallenge 2:
This is fairly straightforward if you're using a faction name for your watermark, but can also be accomplished if you're using a set name or a mechanic name.
You must include the name of the watermark your card has, e.g.:
Watermark: Boros
You may include a brief description of the visual appearance of your watermark, e.g.:
A raised fist inside a sunburst
Alternatively, you may mock up and include an illustration of your watermark if that appeals to you more.
You may not include any flavor details about what the watermark represents outside your card submission:
The Boros Legion are the Ravnican guild that serve as the plane's standing army. (Don't do this!)
Scryfall lets you search for cards with specific watermarks using "wm:", but I'd actually recommend gatherer because it has a drop-down menu labeled "Mark" that allows you to see all the existing watermarks in case you want to make sure you're designing a new one.
Subchallenge 1:
I imagine most people get this instantly, but here's a rundown of color identity for anyone who needs it.
Subchallenge 2:
This is fairly straightforward if you're using a faction name for your watermark, but can also be accomplished if you're using a set name or a mechanic name.
Anyone is free to enter in the first round! Your signup for the contest consists of posting a card design that fits the main challenge and any number of the subchallenges (none, some, or all of them).
RUBRIC
MCC Rubric
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The MCC Rubric is given below, in an easily "copy and pasted" form. (Courtesy of Rithaniel.)
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[b]Design[/b]
[b](X/3) Appeal[/b] - Do the different player psychographics (Timmy/Johhny/Spike) have a use for the card?
[b](X/3) Elegance[/b] - Is the card easily understandable at a glance? Do all the flavor and mechanics combined as a whole make sense?
[b]Development[/b]
[b](X/3) Viability[/b] - 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?
[b](X/3) Balance[/b] - 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?
[b]Creativity[/b]
[b](X/3) Uniqueness[/b] - 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"?
[b](X/3) Flavor[/b] - 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?
[b]Polish[/b]
[b](X/3) Quality[/b] - Points deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and templating.
[b](X/2) Main Challenge (*)[/b] - Was the main challenge satisfied? Was it approached in a unique or interesting way? Does the card fit the intent of the challenge?
[b](X/2) Subchallenges[/b] - One point awarded per satisfied subchallenge condition.
[b]Total: X/25[/b]
*An entry with 0 points here is subject to disqualification.slimytrout
We have a few reserve judges, but if anyone wants to officially volunteer now that they've seen the first challenge, please do so here.
