February MCC, Round 1: Imaginary Friend

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Ryder
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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

round1.png
Banner based on Imaginary Friends test card artwork by Noah Bradley and Wizards of the Coast.

February MCC
Round 1: Imaginary Friend

Hello and welcome to this month's MCC! This time, we'll be designing characters - powerful planeswalkers. They are wonderful heroes (or villains), each with a deep backstory filled with glory, horror, love, hatred, excitement and despair. We are going to go through an in-depth creation process. What's the better place to start than the drawing board? Think big, think epic, or, should I say... Mythic.

Main Challenge: Design a Mythic dual-faced Legendary Creature card that transforms into a Planeswalker.
Subchallenge 1: Your card is exactly two colors and the only colored mana symbols in the card's cost are hybrid.
Subchallenge 2: Your card's Planeswalker side does not have any "+" abilities.
Clarifications
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Main Challenge: See Magic Origins Planeswalkers for reference. Example: Liliana, Heretical Healer.
Subchallenge 1: Self-explanatory
Subchallenge 2: Gaining loyalty through other means than the ability cost is allowed. Chandra, Acolyte of Flame would pass.
DEADLINES
Design deadline: Friday, February 7th 23:59 EDT
Judging deadline: Monday February 10th 23:59 EDT
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:
Ryder
bravelion83
void_nothing (reserve)

If you are not interested in playing, please sign up to judge the contest!

Players:
Anyone is welcome to enter this first round!
Last edited by Ryder 4 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

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RaikouRider
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Post by RaikouRider » 4 years ago

Time to delve into a Theros OC's backstory!

Mithalo, Paw of Oreskos 1WW
Legendary Creature - Cat Soldier {M}
Vigilance
Whenever Mithalo, Paw of Oreskos deals combat damage to a player, if he's equipped, exile him at end of combat, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
3/3

////////////////////

Mithalo, Roar of the Sun
{W} Legendary Planeswalker - Mithalo {M}
+1: Put a number of loyalty counters on Mithalo equal to the number of Equipment you control.
0: Until end of turn, Mithalo becomes a 3/3 Cat Soldier creature with indestructible. Until end of turn, equipment you control gain equip legendary creature 1.
-X: Search your library for an Equipment card with converted mana cost X or less and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
4
Last edited by RaikouRider 4 years ago, edited 2 times in total.

netn10
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Post by netn10 » 4 years ago

Gurai, Project Lightning Bug's Nemesis
Creature - Mutant (Mythic)
Whenever you cast a planeswalker spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Gurai.
: If Gurai has three or more counters on it, you may transform it.
The Simic Combine, now aware of Ral's Project Lightning Bug, perfected the best tool to show their superiority.
1/1
//////
Gurai, Planeswalker Tracker
Planeswalker - Gurai (Mythic)
+1/+1 counters on Gurai act as loyalty counters.
-1: Planeswalker spells you cast this turn cost less to cast.
-3: Create a token of another planeswalker you control except it's not legendary.
<0>
Last edited by netn10 4 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

slimytrout
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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

Tibalt, Acolyte of Agony {b/r}{b/r}
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (M)
First strike
Whenever a creature dealt damage by Tibalt, Acolyte of Agony this turn dies, exile Tibalt, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
3/1
//////
Tibalt, Prince of Pain
{b/r} Legendary Planeswalker - Tibalt (M)
Whenever an opponent is dealt damage during your turn, put a loyalty counter on Tibalt, Prince of Pain.
0: Create a 1/1 red Devil creature token with haste.
-1: Target player discards a card at random, then draws a card.
-9: Sacrifice any number of creatures you control. For each creature sacrificed this way, Tibalt deals 3 damage to target opponent unless they sacrifice two creatures.
3
Last edited by slimytrout 4 years ago, edited 2 times in total.

haywire
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Post by haywire » 4 years ago

Enrick Kend, Outcast from Life
Legendary Creature- Kithkin Spirit {M}
Enrick can't block or be blocked.
When Enrick enters the battlefield, if he entered or was cast from a graveyard or from exile, you may pay . If you do, exile Enrick, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
The end of the Great Aurora trapped an unlucky few between day and night, life and death, sanity and desperation.
3/1
//
Enrick, Banished from Death
Legendary Planeswalker- Enrick {M}
Whenever a Spirit you control deals combat damage to a player, put a loyalty counter on Enrick.
-2: You gain 2 life and create 2 1/1 white and black Spirit creature tokens.
-3: Destroy target creature, then return it to the battlefield tapped under your control. It's a Spirit in addition to its other types.
-9: You get an emblem with "Whenever a creature or planeswalker you control dies, you may return it to the battlefield under your control at the beginning of the next end step."
{5}

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Sojourner Dusk
Dominarian Hitchhiker
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Post by Sojourner Dusk » 4 years ago

Dack, Psychometrist
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (M)
Whenever Dack, Psychometrist attacks, you may draw two cards. If you do, discard two cards.
Whenever you draw your fifth card in a turn, exile Dack, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
2/2
/////
Dack Fayden, Moonlighter
(Blue/Red) Legendary Planeswalker — Dack (M)
Whenever a player discards a card, put a loyalty counter on Dack Fayden, Moonlighter.
-2: Draw a card, then search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, discard a card at random, then shuffle your library.
-X: Gain control of a nonland permanent of your choice you don't own with converted mana cost X.
4
Last edited by Sojourner Dusk 4 years ago, edited 3 times in total.
May your games be chaotic and your decks be rogue.



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

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Jimmy Groove
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Post by Jimmy Groove » 4 years ago

Edimir Cowardly Protector (w/b)(w/b)(w/b)
Creature - Human Knight (MR)
If a source would deal damage to another creature you control the first time this turn, you may have it deal up to 2 of that damage to Edimir, Cowardly Protector instead.
At the beginning of your end step, if you controlled three or more creatures this turn and now control no creatures other than Edimir, exile Edimir and return him to the battlefield transformed.
"Please, no more pain and death. Whatever it takes, no more."
3/3

Edimir, Cursed to Survive ((w/b) border)
Planeswalker Edimir (MR)
Damage that would reduce Edimir, Cursed to Survive's loyalty to less than one reduces it to one instead.
Whenever another creature or planeswalker dies, put a loyalty counter on Edimir.
[-0]: Prevent the next 2 damage that would be dealt to another creature or planeswalker you control before your next turn.
[-3]: Exile all nonland permanents.
"Finally, no more pain. No more death. Never again for anyone."
{1}
Last edited by Jimmy Groove 4 years ago, edited 6 times in total.

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Ryder
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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

Since we could use more entries, the design deadline is hereby postponed until Friday!

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Subject16
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Post by Subject16 » 4 years ago

Milena, Izzet Physicist 2
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (Mythic)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Milena gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.
Whenever Milena deals combat damage to a player, exile her, then return her to the battlefield transformed with X loyalty counters on her under her owner's control, where X is the amount of damage dealt this way.
3/2

//

Milena, Planar Theorist
Legendary Planeswalker — Milena
{0}: Exile the top card of your library. You may cast that card. If you don't, put a loyalty counter on Milena, Planar Theorist.
{-3}: When you cast your next instant or sorcery spell this turn, create an X/X red Elemental creature token with haste, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
{-6}: Cast an instant or sorcery card in exile or from outside the game without paying its mana cost.
{0}

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Icarii
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Post by Icarii » 4 years ago

Sragos & Krinton, Destiny Bound 5{R/G}
Legendary Creature - Centaur Minotaur Shaman (M)
When Sragos & Krinton, Destiny Bound enters the battlefield, create a X/X red Elemental creature token, where X is your devotion to red. Then create a X/X green Elemental creature token, where X is your devotion to green.
Whenever an elemental you control deals damage to a player, exile Sragos & Krinton, then return them to the battlefield transformed under their owner's control.
4/5
---------------------------------------------------
Sragos & Krinton, Destiny Fulfilled
()Legendary Planeswalker - Sragos Krinton (M)
As long as you control more creatures than an opponent, creatures you control have haste.
-1: If you tap a permanent for mana this turn, it produces twice as much of that mana instead.
-3: Double the power of each creature you control.
(5)
Last edited by Icarii 4 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

jamblock
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Post by jamblock » 4 years ago

Kaya, Untrained 2{w/b}{w/b}
Legendary Creature - Human (M)
Lifelink
Whenever a creature or planeswalker an opponent controls dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Kaya, Untrained. Then, if there are three or more +1/+1 counters on Kaya, Untrained, you may exile it, then return it to the battlefield with that many loyalty counters on it.
1/4
/////
Kaya, Soul Seeker
({w/B})Legendary Planeswalker (M)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if your life total is greater than your starting life total, put a loyalty counter on Kaya, Soul Seeker.
[-2] You gain 5 life.
[-4] Exile up to one target creature and up to one target card in a graveyard.
Last edited by jamblock 4 years ago, edited 2 times in total.

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Freyleyes
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Post by Freyleyes » 4 years ago

Freyalise the Successor 1{r/g}
Legendary Creature - Human Mage {M}
When Freyalise the Successor dies, if it was dealt combat damage this turn, exile Freyalise, then return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner's control.
1R: Freyalise the Successor deals 1 damage to any target.
"Is that all you have?"
//

Freyalise Awakend
{G} Legendary Planeswalker - Freyalise
When this card transforms into Freyalise Awakend, it deals 4 damage to any target. Add GGG.
-1: You may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.
-4: You may put a green creature card from your hand onto the battlefield with converted mana cost 4 or less.
{6}
Last edited by Freyleyes 4 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

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Kypster
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Post by Kypster » 4 years ago

Kraj, Rot Scavenger {b/g}{b/g}
Legendary Creature - Zombie Ooze Mutant {M}
Whenever Kraj, Rot Scavenger leaves your graveyard, you may exile target creature card from a graveyard. If you do, put a cytoplasm counter on it.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if there are four or more exiled creatures with cytoplasm counters on them, exile Kraj and return it to the battlefield transformed.
Dredge 2
1/1
//
Kraj, Omnimorph
({b/g})Legendary Planeswalker - Kraj {M}
-2: Create a token that's a copy of any exiled creature with a cytoplasm counter on it, except its an Ooze in addition to its other creature types.
-3: Exile target creature. Put a cytoplasm counter on it.
0: Sacrifice any number of Ooze creatures. Put that many loyalty counters on Kraj, Omnimorph.
6
Last edited by Kypster 4 years ago, edited 6 times in total.

ForestsCarl
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Post by ForestsCarl » 4 years ago

Kiora, Sea Scoundrel 2(g/u)(g/u)(G/U)(G/U)
Legendary Creature - Merfolk Rogue [MR]
Flash
When Kiora, Sea Scoundrel enters the battlefield, create a 4/4 blue and green Serpent creature token.
Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, exile Kiora, Sea Scoundrel, then return her to the battlefield transformed.
2/2
//
Kiora, Sea Sovereign ((G/U))
Legendary Planeswalker - Kiora (MR)
-1] Return Kiora, Sea Sovereign to her owner's hand.
-2] Draw a card. Until your next turn, you may cast creature spells as though they had flash.
-2] Create a token copy of target creature you control, except it has base power and toughness 4/4.
(6)
Last edited by ForestsCarl 4 years ago, edited 5 times in total.

kwanyeegor-ii
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Post by kwanyeegor-ii » 4 years ago

Idlas, the Impure 1{W/B}{W/B}
Legendary Creature--Zombie Cleric (Mythic)
Flash
When Idlas, the Impure enters the battlefield, target opponent exiles a legendary creature of their choice they control.
3, Exile two other legendary creatures you control: Exile Idlas, then return him to the battlefield transformed.
He pretended his ritual was for the greater good, but it still needed the two other high priests to give up their souls.
1/5
//
Idlas, the Pure
Legendary Planeswalker--Idlas
-X: Exile target creature with converted mana cost X or less. Create X 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying.
-2: Exile target player's graveyard. Create a 3/3 black Zombie Giant creature token.
-6: For each opponent, exile up to one target nonlegendary creature, up to one target legendary creature, up to one target enchantment, and up to one target planeswalker that player controls.
6
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I'm a simple Magic player since several years ago from China. Now I live in New Jersey.

rtk1357
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Post by rtk1357 » 4 years ago

Krsska, Ant Leader
Legendary Creature - Insect Soldier {M}
Haste
Krsska must be blocked if able.
Whenever Krsska is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on her. Then, if she has two or more +1/+1 counters, exile her, then return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner's control. (She must survive the damage to get the counter.)
3/4
//
Krsska, Evolved
Legendary Planeswalker - Krsska {M}
Insect creatures you control must be blocked if able.
{0}: You gain an emblem with "Whenever an Insect creature you control is dealt damage, add or . You don't lose this mana as steps and phases end."
{-1}: Create two 1/1 green Insect creature tokens.
{4}
Last edited by rtk1357 4 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

Ink-Treader
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Post by Ink-Treader » 4 years ago

Mireed, Brazen Forger 1{U/R}{U/R}
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (M)
X{U/R}{U/R}: Create a token copy of target nontoken, nonland permanent with converted mana cost X or less, except it has haste. Exile that token at the beginning of the next end step. If this is the second time this ability has resolved this turn, Exile Mireed, Brazen Forger, then return her to the battlefield under her owner's control.
1/3
/////
Mireed, Muse Seeker
({U/R}) Legendary Planeswalker — Mireed (M)
Whenever an ability of Mireed, Muse Seeker creates a copy of a card an opponent owns, put a loyalty counter on her.
[0]: Create a token copy of target permanent, except it has haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
[-5]: Each player draws three cards, then reveals their hand. Choose up to three permanent cards revealed this way and exile them, then create a token copy of each card exiled this way.
<3>
Last edited by Ink-Treader 4 years ago, edited 2 times in total.

marioguy3
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Post by marioguy3 » 4 years ago

Onoka, Creative Artist
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Flying
Whenever Onoka, Creative Artist attacks, you may pay . If you do, you get (two energy counters).
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have six or more energy counters, exile Onoka, Creative Artist, then return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner's control.
2/3
//
Onoka, the Famous
Legendary Planeswalker - Onoka
0: You get (an energy counter). If Onoka, the Famous has four or less loyalty counters, put a loyalty counter on Onoka, the Famous.
-4: Create Onoka's Livelihood, a legendary X/X green and blue elemental creature token. X is the amount of energy counters you have.
4
The summer is hot. The sum of sun and hot equals summer.

Stankweed Imp
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Post by Stankweed Imp » 4 years ago

Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain 3
Legendary Creature - Human Knight {M}
vigilance
Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain can block any number of creature tokens each combat.
When Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain enters the battlefield, you become the monarch.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if an opponent is the monarch transform Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain.
4/4
"The diplomats have failed. The Benevolent will step down to avoid violence and we are forbidden to intervene."
////
() Arjen, Master Diplomat
Legendary Planeswalker - Arjen {M}
0: Each player reveals the top card of his or her library. For each nonland card revealed this way, put a loyalty counter on Arjen. Then each player draws a card.
-2: Create three 2/2 green and white Knight creature tokens with vigilance. Each opponent may create a 2/2 green and white Knight creature token with vigilance.
-5: You get an emblem with "at the beginning of your end step, draw a card. Each player may put a land card from their hand onto the battlefield, then each opponent who didn't draws a card."
4

Henlock
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Post by Henlock » 4 years ago

Vayne, Idyllic Mentor 1wg
Legendary Creature - Human Druid (m)
Enchantment spells you cast cost 1 less to cast.
Whenever you cast an enchantment spell, draw a card.
When you control five or more enchantments, exile Vayne, Idyllic Mentor and return it to the battlefield transformed.
2/4
///
Vayne, Called to Stand
Legendary Planeswalker - Vayne ()
+2: Search your library for an Aura card and put it on the battlefield. Shuffle your library.
-3: Create a green 2/2 Human Druid creature token named Yavimaya Enchantress with "This creature gets +1/+1 for each enchantment on the battlefield."
-7: Draw a card for each enchantment you control, then gain 2 life for each card in your hand.
//4

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Ryder
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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

The round is closed! Judging brackets:

Ryder:
jamblock
ForestsCarl
slimytrout
Subject16
haywire
Jimmy Groove

bravelion83:
Kypster
Sojourner Dusk
netn10
Ink-Treader
Stankweed Imp
rtk1357

void_nothing:
kwanyeegor-ii
Freyleyes
Henlock
Icarii
marioguy3
RaikouRider

Top 4 from each bracket advance!



Judgments completed
jamblock
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jamblock wrote: Kaya, Untrained 2{w/b}{w/b}
Legendary Creature - Human (M)
Lifelink
Whenever a creature or planeswalker an opponent controls dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Kaya, Untrained. Then, if there are three or more +1/+1 counters on Kaya, Untrained, you may exile it, then return it to the battlefield with that many loyalty counters on it.
1/4
/////
Kaya, Soul Seeker
({w/B})Legendary Planeswalker (M)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if your life total is greater than your starting life total, put a loyalty counter on Kaya, Soul Seeker.
[-2] You gain 5 life.
[-4] Exile up to one target creature and up to one target card in a graveyard.
Design
Appeal 1.5/3 - Timmy is mildly interested in a growing lifelinker even though it's very unimpressive at first, Johnny could see her in a lifegain deck, way too inefficient for Spike.
Elegance 2.5/3 - Everything clicks just fine, except creature subtype should include Assassin.

Development
Viability 2/3 - One could argue that creature side isn't very White, but overall the bend is not that significant. I must also say this does not feel very Mythic.
Balance 2.5/3 - I can see the potential in a lifegain deck, where the flipped Kaya could be useful both as a life engine and removal. But that is the only application I could see for her except Limited, where she's very balanced. I'm not sure if it's the right thing for a Mythic Legend to look balanced in Limited though... Compared to Elenda, the Dusk Rose this is... ok? My guts don't match my logic, so I'll give it the benefit of doubt.

Creativity
Uniqueness 2.5/3 - Eternal Thirst looks good on Kaya. Not many growing lifelinkers out there. The static ability on PW side is neat, Converting +1/+1 counters to loyalty is unique. Nice.
Flavor 2.5/3 - Yes, the names fit the rules texts. Kaya is an Assassin, she thrives on death of her enemies, even if the untrained version is not capable of killing anyone yet. Soul Seeker feels right for the life gain and kill effects.

Polish
Quality 0.5/3 - Exile her, then return her to the battlefield under her owner's control; Planeswalker side is missing subtype;
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 18.5/25
ForestsCarl
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ForestsCarl wrote: Kiora, Sea Scoundrel 2(g/u)(g/u)(G/U)(G/U)
Legendary Creature - Merfolk Rogue [MR]
Flash
When Kiora, Sea Scoundrel enters the battlefield, create a 4/4 blue and green Serpent creature token.
Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, exile Kiora, Sea Scoundrel, then return her to the battlefield transformed.
2/2
//
Kiora, Sea Sovereign ((G/U))
Legendary Planeswalker - Kiora (MR)
-1] Return Kiora, Sea Sovereign to her owner's hand.
-2] Draw a card. Until your next turn, you may cast creature spells as though they had flash.
-2] Create a token copy of target creature you control, except it has base power and toughness 4/4.
(6)
Design
Appeal 3/3 - 4/4 and copies are cool enough for Tammy, Jenny can also work with repeatable copy effects, Spike enjoys sheer effectiveness.
Elegance 3/3 - No problems here, all clear!

Development
Viability 3/3 - Very well meshed together Blue and Green mechanics. Card fits at Mythic.
Balance 2.5/3 - Best case scenario, you play her when you know one of your creatures is getting through. Then you get two 4/4 Serpents right away and you still have a PW to work with. Very strong, luckily Kiora is quite vulnerable, so it might be fair after all. That's the kind of swingy I like.

Creativity
Uniqueness 1/3 - Nothing really new here, except for the [-1] on the PW side. Cheeky.
Flavor 2/3 - Sea Scoundrel is good, comes out of nowhere and sends her pet Serpent to eat you, cool. Sea Sovereign is okay, but I don't quite get the idea behind copying creatures. She turns them into what? Serpents? Something's off here.

Polish
Quality 1/3 - Weird formatting for the PW ability costs. Either write "-1" or "[-1]"; "Create a token that's a copy of target creature..."; return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner's control.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 19.5/25
slimytrout
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slimytrout wrote: Tibalt, Acolyte of Agony {b/r}{b/r}
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (M)
First strike
Whenever a creature dealt damage by Tibalt, Agony's Apprentice this turn dies, exile Tibalt, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
3/1
//////
Tibalt, Prince of Pain
{b/r} Legendary Planeswalker - Tibalt (M)
Whenever an opponent is dealt damage during your turn, put a loyalty counter on Tibalt, Pain's Prophet.
0: Create a 1/1 red Devil creature token with haste.
-1: Target player discards a card at random, then draws a card.
-9: Sacrifice any number of creatures you control. For each creature sacrificed this way, Tibalt deals 3 damage to target opponent unless they sacrifice two creatures.
3
Design
Appeal 1/3 - Effects are too small for Timmy, too many hoops to jump over for Johnny, Spike loves it.
Elegance 3/3 - All clear and understandable.

Development
Viability 1.5/3 - First strike and kill trigger are fine for Black/Red. The PW side looks almost all Red to be though. And it does not feel very Mythic to me.
Balance 1.5/3 - 3/1 FS for 2? Like a transformed Village Ironsmith aka Ironfang? Legends shouldn't push raw power level like this. It's quite easy to transform Tibalt, he can deal with most things up to 3cmc and later you can just play a removal spell after first strike damage. What's unusual, in this case you rarely want Tibalt to transform, he's just too good in his base form. Which might be a weird balancing factor... By the way, I like how Tibalt can transform and gain loyalty counters in the same combat phase.

Creativity
Uniqueness 2/3 - Forced discard at random - then draw is something new. The effect is quite neat.
Flavor 3/3 - Definitely captures Tibalt's essence. Good work here.

Polish
Quality 2.5/3 - Tibalt, Pain's Prophet? ;)
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 18.5/25
Subject16
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Subject16 wrote: Milena, Izzet Physicist 2
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (Mythic)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Milena gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.
Whenever Milena deals combat damage to a player, exile her, then return her to the battlefield transformed with X loyalty counters on her under her owner's control, where X is the amount of damage dealt this way.
3/2

//

Milena, Planar Theorist
Legendary Planeswalker — Milena
{0}: Exile the top card of your library. You may cast that card. If you don't, put a loyalty counter on Milena, Planar Theorist.
{-3}: When you cast your next instant or sorcery spell this turn, create an X/X red Elemental creature token with haste, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
{-6}: Cast an instant or sorcery card in exile or from outside the game without paying its mana cost.
{0}
Design
Appeal 3/3 - Big Elementals and big spells for Tammy are yummy! Jenny is also excited to bring anything if she can only connect with a pumped Milena. Spike definitely values card advantage.
Elegance 3/3 - Despite being wordy on the PW side, all is clear!

Development
Viability 2.5/3 - Definitely Izzet, definitely Mythic, not entirely hybrid on the PW side. -3 is purely Red.
Balance 2/3 - Super swingy. If you could send Milena on a Stealth Mission, her -6 is likely going to be "you win the game" with the abundance of extremely powerful instants and sorceries. Is it broken? Probably not, but not perfectly balanced either.

Creativity
Uniqueness 3/3 - Casting instants and sorceries from outside the game is a novelty. Transforming with loyalty depending on the damage dealt is an excellent novelty.
Flavor 3/3 - It's hard to go wrong with the Izzet, right? It clicks so easily!

Polish
Quality 2/3 - Cast a card you own from outside the game. Or did you want to allow casting cards from the opponents' sideboards? :)
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 22.5/25
haywire
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haywire wrote: Enrick Kend, Outcast from Life
Legendary Creature- Kithkin Spirit {M}
Enrick can't block or be blocked.
When Enrick enters the battlefield, if he entered or was cast from a graveyard or from exile, you may pay . If you do, exile Enrick, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
The end of the Great Aurora trapped an unlucky few between day and night, life and death, sanity and desperation.
3/1
//
Enrick, Banished from Death
Legendary Planeswalker- Enrick {M}
Whenever a Spirit you control deals combat damage to a player, put a loyalty counter on Enrick.
-2: You gain 2 life and create 2 1/1 white and black Spirit creature tokens.
-3: Destroy target creature, then return it to the battlefield tapped under your control. It's a Spirit in addition to its other types.
-9: You get an emblem with "Whenever a creature or planeswalker you control dies, you may return it to the battlefield under your control at the beginning of the next end step."
{5}
Design
Appeal 2/3 - Timmy doesn't like extra hoops to make it work. Johnny loves them and this card. Spike sees 3/1 unblockable for 2 in hybrid and immediately grabs it.
Elegance 2/3 - Exiling Enrick right after he's entered the battlefield is not very elegant. This should have been a replacement effect.

Development
Viability 1/3 - While both White and Black occasionally get "can't be blocked", it's always conditional. Pure unblockability is Blue. Apart from this, the card could be mono-B. Only traces of White here and tons of Black.
Balance 1.5/3 - 3/1 unblockable is exceptionally strong on its own. Too strong. Inkfathom Infiltrator costs 2 colored mana and has 2 power. Everything else is pure Johnnyland. Definitely rewarding (looking at that -3, basically a Mind Control), and assuming this would be printed in a set with cast / return from graveyard effects... a sure bomb.

Creativity
Uniqueness 1.5/3 - Transforming when entering from graveyard is a nice touch. Everything else is known or forced by the challenge,
Flavor 2.5/3 - Creature side definitely captures the "outcast" nature of Enrick. No screams of joy, but well done.

Polish
Quality 1.5/3 - Missing spaces before - in type lines; The "or was cast from graveyard" part is redundant, since he's already entered; two 1/1 tokens;
Main Challenge 2/2 - Met.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.

TOTAL 16/25
Jimmy Groove (DQ)
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Jimmy Groove wrote:
4 years ago
Edimir Cowardly Protector (w/b)(w/b)(w/b)
Creature - Human Knight (MR)
If a source would deal damage to another creature you control the first time this turn, you may have it deal up to 2 of that damage to Edimir, Cowardly Protector instead.
At the beginning of your end step, if you controlled three or more creatures this turn and now control no creatures other than Edimir, exile Edimir and return him to the battlefield transformed.
"Please, no more pain and death. Whatever it takes, no more."
3/3

Edimir, Cursed to Survive ((w/b) border)
Planeswalker Edimir (MR)
Damage that would reduce Edimir, Cursed to Survive's loyalty to less than one reduces it to one instead.
Whenever another creature or planeswalker dies, put a loyalty counter on Edimir.
[-0]: Prevent the next 2 damage that would be dealt to another creature or planeswalker you control before your next turn.
[-3]: Exile all nonland permanents.
"Finally, no more pain. No more death. Never again for anyone."
{1}
Design
Appeal X/3 -
Elegance X/3 -

Development
Viability X/3 -
Balance X/3 -

Creativity
Uniqueness X/3 -
Flavor X/3 -

Polish
Quality X/3 -
Main Challenge 0/2 - Edimir is not Legendary and thus does not meet this round's challenge requirements. I will post full judgement during Round 2's design time.
Subchallenges X/2 -

TOTAL X/25
Results
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Subject16: 22.5
ForestsCarl: 19.5
jamblock: 18.5
slimytrout: 18.5

haywire: 16
Jimmy Groove: DQ
Last edited by Ryder 4 years ago, edited 5 times in total.

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bravelion83
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Post by bravelion83 » 4 years ago

Judgments complete.

A lot of non-standard templates here. I will mention all of them, in some cases giving Quality deductions, in others not, depending on the gravity of the mistake and how far the template is from the standard template. An example of standard template: Jace, Vryn's Prodigy / Jace, Telepath Unbound.
Example
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Jace, Vryn's Prodigy 1U
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (M)
T: Draw a card, then discard a card. If there are five or more cards in your graveyard, exile Jace, Vryn's Prodigy, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
"People's thoughts just come to me. Sometimes I don't know if it's them or me thinking."
0/2

//

Jace, Telepath Unbound
(U) Legendary Planeswalker — Jace (M)
+1: Up to one target creature gets -2/-0 until your next turn.
−3: You may cast target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard this turn. If that card would be put into your graveyard this turn, exile it instead.
−9: You get an emblem with "Whenever you cast a spell, target opponent puts the top five cards of their library into their graveyard."
5
Please note the lack of brackets in the loyalty costs. Everybody who put brackets there will receive a Quality deduction for non-standard template, and I'm writing this before starting judging. As for the color indicator, a mana symbol in parenthesis is the best way to do it, but I won't penalize people who used other methods, as long as it's clear enough. What is important is that there must be a space between the color indicator and the card types.

Also, remember that for an Origins-style planeswalker to work, it must leave the battlefield somehow and then reenter transformed to get the starting loyalty counters. If you just say "transform CARDNAME", the object is not entering the battlefield, just transforming and transforming is not entering the battlefield, so loyalty counters aren't put on the planeswalker and it will head straight to the graveyard the next time SBA are checked. That will cause big Viability deductions at least.

EDIT after finishing judgments: the scores are low, and Quality is to blame. I can't remember giving out three zeros in Quality in a bracket of six before, ever. Plus a DQ only due to a detail missing (the legendary supertype), that you could also consider a Quality mistake. I don't know if I've been unlucky this time, or if people really need to pay more attention to wording and formatting when designing their custom cards. Or, you know, maybe both? Anyway, please people, pay attention to Quality. It's not there by chance in the rubric.

Also, I see a lot of new names in my bracket. I'm very happy about that! Welcome to all of them, I hope you all have a lot of fun playing with us!

That said, let's begin!
Kypster
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Kypster wrote:
4 years ago
Kraj, Rot Scavenger {b/g}{b/g}
Legendary Creature - Zombie Ooze Mutant {M}
Whenever Kraj, Rot Scavenger leaves your graveyard, you may exile target creature card from a graveyard. If you do, put a cytoplasm counter on it.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if there are four or more exiled creatures with cytoplasm counters on them, exile Kraj and return it to the battlefield transformed.
Dredge 2
1/1
//
Kraj, Omnimorph
({b/g})Legendary Planeswalker - Kraj {M}
-2: Create a token that's a copy of any exiled creature with a cytoplasm counter on it, except its an Ooze in addition to its other creature types.
-3: Exile target creature. Put a cytoplasm counter on it.
0: Sacrifice any number of Ooze creatures. Put that many loyalty counters on Kraj, Omnimorph.
6
Design
Appeal 2/3 - Timmy doesn't care. Johnny can do so many things with this card. Spike likes recursion and virtual card advantage.
Elegance 1.5/3 - Very wordy, as most cards this round. Dredge seems put there without reason unless I'm missing some interactions other than filling up your graveyard.
Development
Viability 2/3 - No problems with rules and rarity. One problem with the color pie: the -2. Green isn't supposed to copy other creatures, only itself. To create tokens that are copies of other creatures, like here, blue is needed, and Kraj as a character is conveniently Simic-colored. This should have probably been a Sultai card.
Balance 2.5/3 - Autoplay in limited, like most of this kind of cards. Dredge is very relevant in constructed... maybe too relevant, and not in a good way? The removal on the planeswalker side is also very relevant. I see no problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
Uniqueness 3/3 - This card is very original and definitely has its own identity.
Flavor 2/3 - Is this Experiment Kraj after it goes mad in original Ravnica? I think so, also because he would be Simic and not Golgari. The black might represent him going mad, like with Sarkhan. Or, seeing how this is a Zombie, it could be him reanimated, which makes sense with him being black here. Still, Kraj is a Simic character, and as I've already said, the -2 is blue. Maybe make it Sultai? I love cytoplasm counters. (I've just been hired as an Earth Science and Biology teacher for this year, we're talking about the real cytoplasm in real cells with my students, so this is also personal. I am still a chemist though, don't worry. It's a little deviation for a few months.) Still, if you're referring to those from original Ravnica, they're "cytoplasts" with a "t" in the place of the "m".
Polish
Quality 0/3 - The aforementioned Jace, Vryn's Prodigy and other cards say that this should be "If there are four or more creatures in exile with cytoplasm counters..." (-0.5) This is a mythic without room, so no problem with leaving out the reminder text for dredge. Non-standard template: missing line breaks before and after the double forward slash, no deduction. No space between the color indicator and the supertype (-0.5). "...that's a copy of a creature in exile with a cytoplasm counter..." (-0.5). The eternal struggle of "its" vs. "it's". Here it's the former but its correct form was the latter. It should be "...except it's an Ooze in addition to its other...". The problem is that the first instance is missing the apostrophe (very serious grammar mistake, -1). The 0 loyalty ability should have been before the -2 and -3 (-0.5). On a mythic with no room, you can leave out the reminder text for a block keyword (dredge in this case), so that's not a problem. In rereading I caught another one: under whose control does it return to the battlefield when it transforms? "Under your control" or "under its owner's control"? No deduction needed for the ambiguity because we're already at zero. I would have applied an additional -0.5.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Good.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.
TOTAL 17/25
Sojourner Dusk
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Sojourner Dusk wrote:
4 years ago
Dack, Psychometrist
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (M)
Whenever Dack, Psychometrist attacks, you may draw two cards. If you do, discard two cards.
Whenever you draw your fifth card in a turn, exile Dack, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
2/2
/////
Dack Fayden, Moonlighter
(Blue/Red) Legendary Planeswalker — Dack (M)
Whenever a player discards a card, put a loyalty counter on Dack Fayden, Moonlighter.
-2: Draw a card, then search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, discard a card at random, then shuffle your library.
-X: Gain control of a nonland permanent of your choice you don't own with converted mana cost X.
4
Design
Appeal 2.5/3 - Timmy doesn't care that much, even if the words "fifth card in a turn" do appeal to him, as well as to Johnny. Spike wants to get to the planeswalker, especially the tutor ability, she sees the creature side mainly as hoops to jump through to get where she wants to get, even though they are nice hoops. She likes looting.
Elegance 2/3 - Very wordy, as most cards this round, even if here it's mostly just the planeswalker side. The creature side is not too long and very easy to understand. The planeswalker side is more complicated, especially the -2.
Development
Viability 1.5/3 - No problems with the creature side. I do have problems with the planeswalker side. Some black should definitely be there in the costs somewhere. Maybe this should have been Grixis-colored and thus not Dack. Or a dark Dack (pun intended, one of the tricks you learn when writing a 1200 pages long story). The triggered ability is black. The tutoring part in the -2 is black. Rarity is obviously right.
Balance 3/3 - Highly playable in both limited and Standard. A double looter is already playable without anything else, and here there is a lot more than just that. For a control deck, I don't think it's too difficult to get five cards in a single turn. Yes, not trivial but also doable. No problems in casual or multiplayer. Actually, triggering from any player makes the triggered ability on the planeswalker side even more relevant in multiplayer.
Creativity
Uniqueness 2/3 - The creature side is essentially a mega-looter, but "fifth card in a turn" is new. The planeswalker side is all old elements put together in a technically new way.
Flavor 1.5/3 - If this is a Grixis-colored character it can't be Dack, and if this is Dack it can't be a Grixis-colored character, as this needs to be mechanically. Maybe some necromancer has resurrected him? Anyway, I do like how good of a representation of his powers the mechanics of the creature side are. As for the planeswalker side, I don't understand the tie between Dack and the moon, which anyway would require him to come from Innistrad or some other plane where the moon is relevant.
Polish
Quality 2.5/3 - Non-standard template: five slashes instead of two, no line breaks before and after it, color indicator spelled out instead of a hybrid mana symbol in parenthesis. Let's include everything in a single -0.5 as none of those justifies a deduction by itself.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Good.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.
TOTAL 19/25
netn10 (DQ)
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netn10 wrote:
4 years ago
Gurai, Project Lightning Bug's Nemesis
Creature - Mutant (Mythic)
Whenever you cast a planeswalker spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Gurai.
: If Gurai has three or more counters on it, you may transform it.
The Simic Combine, now aware of Ral's Project Lightning Bug, perfected the best tool to show their superiority.
1/1
//////
Gurai, Planeswalker Tracker
Planeswalker - Gurai (Mythic)
+1/+1 counters on Gurai act as loyalty counters.
-1: Planeswalker spells you cast this turn cost less to cast.
-3: Create a token of another planeswalker you control except it's not legendary.
<0>
The creature side is not legendary as requested by the Main Challenge. I might or might not judge this card after I'm done with the rest of my bracket. EDIT: I won't judge this card today, I will do it during the design phase of Round 2, like Ryder said he's going to do for Jimmy Groove.
Ink-Treader
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Ink-Treader wrote:
4 years ago
Mireed, Brazen Forger 1{U/R}{U/R}
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard (M)
X{U/R}{U/R}: Create a token copy of target nontoken, nonland permanent with converted mana cost X or less, except it has haste. Exile that token at the beginning of the next end step. If this is the second time this ability has resolved this turn, Exile Mireed, Brazen Forger, then return her to the battlefield under her owner's control.
1/3
/////
Mireed, Muse Seeker
({U/R}) Legendary Planeswalker — Mireed (M)
Whenever a permanent an opponent controls is targeted by an ability of Mireed, Muse Seeker, put a loyalty counter on Mireed.
[0]: Create a token copy of target permanent, except it has haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
[-6]: Each player draws three cards, then reveals their hand. Choose up to three permanent cards revealed this way and exile them, then create a token copy of each card exiled this way.
Design
Appeal 2/3 - One more card that Timmy doesn't care about and that Johnny loves. Spike will play whatever deck Johnny comes up with, provided it's good enough.
Elegance 2/3 - Very wordy, as most cards this round.
Development
Viability 2/3 - Rarity and rules are ok, let's get them out of the way. Let's talk color pie. There are two pairs that copy things: UR and GU, see Riku of two Reflections. UR copies only spells, and GU copies only permanents. Given this, most abilities on this card require green. This card should be Temur-colored.
Balance 2.5/3 - Playable both in limited and constructed (Standard), but it doesn't look like the most fun card to play against, which impacts casual. No problems in multiplayer.
Creativity
Uniqueness 2.5/3 - The transforming condition immediately reminded me of the cards from Lorwyn that care about being the third time that an ability resolves: Ashling the Pilgrim, Inner-Flame Igniter, Soulbright Flamekin. As for the rest, playing with copies of spells and permanents is nothing new. What is new is the way this planeswalker gains loyalty. That's very original and helps a lot here.
Flavor 3/3 - No big problems here. The names fit and are realistic enough. No room for flavor text, so not a problem.
Polish
Quality 0/3 - Non-standard template: five slashes instead of two, no line breaks before and after it. Let's include everything in a single -0.5 as none of those justifies a deduction by itself. Needless parenthesis in the loyalty costs (-0.5). Creature side: it should be "Create a token that's a copy..., -0.5). Planeswalker side: "is targeted by" should be "becomes a target of" (-0.5). It should be "...then create a token that's a copy of each..." (-0.5). Actually, I would have written "then, for each card exiled this way, create a token that's a copy of it." Finally: MISSING STARTING LOYALTY!!! That would have cause this score to be a zero by itself, but let's say it eats the last half point you were left with. Yes, it's that serious of a mistake, and clearly functional. As is, even with an Origin-style transformation, the planeswalker side enters the battlefield with no loyalty counters, so it goes straight to the graveyard.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Good.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.
TOTAL 18/25
Stankweed Imp
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Stankweed Imp wrote:
4 years ago
Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain 3
Legendary Creature - Human Knight {M}
vigilance
Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain can block any number of creature tokens each combat.
When Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain enters the battlefield, you become the monarch.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if an opponent is the monarch transform Arjen, Benevolent's Knight Captain.
4/4
"The diplomats have failed. The Benevolent will step down to avoid violence and we are forbidden to intervene."
////
() Arjen, Master Diplomat
Legendary Planeswalker - Arjen {M}
0: Each player reveals the top card of his or her library. For each nonland card revealed this way, put a loyalty counter on Arjen. Then each player draws a card.
-2: Create three 2/2 green and white Knight creature tokens with vigilance. Each opponent may create a 2/2 green and white Knight creature token with vigilance.
-5: You get an emblem with "at the beginning of your end step, draw a card. Each player may put a land card from their hand onto the battlefield, then each opponent who didn't draws a card."
4
Design
Appeal 2.5/3 - Finally a card that Timmy does care about! The creature side being relevant enough is a big part of that, another one is the monarch mechanic that he likes too. Johnny can probably do something with this, but he probably prefers the other cards. Spike likes this cards but she's not overly excited by it.
Elegance 2/3 - Very wordy, as most cards this round.
Development
Viability 0/3 - No problems with the color pie or rarity, but huge problems with the rules that make this card unprintable. You can't transform a creature into a planeswalker like this. Or better, you can, provided that you want the planeswalker to immediately die as soon as state-based actions are checked the next time a player would receive priority. A planeswalker's starting loyalty is defined as the number of loyalty counter it enters the battlefield with. When this transforms, it doesn't enter the battlefield, so no loyalty counters are put onto it, and it immediately dies for having zero loyalty. This is the reason why the Origins planeswalkers and most entries this round work the way they do: exile them then reenter from exile, that's entering the battlefield, so the loyalty counters are put there normally. This is a big functional mistake that makes the card literally unprintable as is.
Balance 3/3 - I like that the creature side is already playable by itself, in limited for sure, but maybe even in constructed. After all, it's a 4/4 vigilance with upside for a fair price. The planeswalker is like icing on the cake. Also interesting the way you balanced the -2: instead of giving you two tokens, this gives you three and one to "each opponent" (obviously relevant in multiplayer). No problems in casual.
Creativity
Uniqueness 3/3 - Tying the transforming condition to the monarch and blocking any number of tokens are new things on the creature side. The planeswalker side also has loyalty abilities that feel fresh, even though the single pieces are things we know well.
Flavor 1/3 - MSE tells me the creature name doesn't fit in the name line. It's too long. It only fits without mana cost, but you can't remove the mana cost to make the name fit. The flavor text also doesn't fit, we go beyond the limits of microtext. These are problems. Nothing to say on the flavor itself, but those issues do impact here.
Polish
Quality 0/3 - Non-standard template: four slashes instead of two, no line breaks before and after it. Let's include everything in a single -0.5 as none of those justifies a deduction by itself. Creature side: in the mana cost, the 3 should be a generic mana symbol (very well-known fact, so -1). "vigilance" should be capitalized, as it's at the beginning of a line (serious grammar mistake, -1). A comma is missing between "if an opponent is the monarch" and "transform Arjen" (which should be worded in a different way for the card to work properly, but let's ignore that here, -0.5). Planeswalker side: today, magic uses "their", not "his or her" anymore for inclusivity, since Dominaria if I recall correctly (-0.5), and in the last ability you even did it correctly! In the emblem, the starting "at" should be capitalized (-0.5).
Main Challenge 1/2 - The letter of the challenge is met, but not the spirit. This does technically transform into a planeswalker, but one with no loyalty counters (the starting loyalty doesn't matter because it's not entering the battlefield) and that will immediately head to the graveyard.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.
TOTAL 14.5/25
rtk1357
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rtk1357 wrote:
4 years ago
Krsska, Ant Leader
Legendary Creature - Insect Soldier {M}
Haste
Krsska must be blocked if able.
Whenever Krsska is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on her. Then, if she has two or more +1/+1 counters, exile her, then return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner's control. (She must survive the damage to get the counter.)
3/4
//
Krsska, Evolved
Legendary Planeswalker - Krsska {M}
Insect creatures you control must be blocked if able.
{0}: You gain an emblem with "Whenever an Insect creature you control is dealt damage, add or . You don't lose this mana as steps and phases end."
{-1}: Create two 1/1 green Insect creature tokens.
{4}
Design
Appeal 2.5/3 - Timmy approves! I don't see much for Johnny here. Spike also approves.
Elegance 3/3 - You managed to be wordy, but not too much, and I want to prize that compared to most other cards this round. Also, the abilities are many but all very easy to understand.
Development
Viability 3/3 - No problems with the color pie, the rules, or rarity.
Balance 3/3 - I'm in love with this planeswalker, especially the way the three abilities synergize with each other. What I wish is for some insect tribal abilities on the creature side too, even if it's still way more than good enough. Obviously playable in limited. I can see this card in Standard, for two big reasons: it does something (attacking thanks to haste) the turn it enters the battlefield, and the planeswalker part making its own insects, both populating the battlefield and protecting Krsska. Notable the fact that there are no ways to increase the planeswalker's loyalty under ordinary circumstances (yes, I know things like proliferate exist, that's why I've said "ordinary circumstances"). No problems in casual or multiplayer.
Creativity
Uniqueness 2/3 - Insect tribal is the new thing here. The rest, not so much.
Flavor 2.5/3 - I wish I knew some slavic languages, in particular Croatian and Polish (I'm not joking). I know a few things about those languages, especially Croatian. One thing I know is that in Croatian the "r" sound/letter can act as a vowel. You did this here in the name and I love it. I had to check whether the word meant "insect" in Croatian. It turns out "krska" in Croatian means "karst" in English ("carso" in Italian if you care). It has nothing to do with the card but I wanted to mention it. "Insect" in Croatian is "insekt" or "buba" if anyone is wondering. Flavorfully, more than an ant leader turning planeswalker, I see a metamorphosis, like that of a butterfly, especially with the "Evolved" in the planeswalker's name. But this also works as is. I have a few doubts about monored insects (hybrid must make sense in both monocolors), but monogreen ones are abundant. No room for flavor text on the creature side.
Polish
Quality 1.5/3 - Non-standard template: no line breaks before and after the double slash and no parenthesis in the color indicator (but these are so minor that they don't justify a deduction by themselves), unneeded parenthesis in the loyalty costs and the starting loyalty (-0.5). Creature side: "then if (no comma, -0.5) she has two or more +1/+1 counters on her..." (-0.5). Planeswalker side: all good except what already noted as non-standard template.
Main Challenge 2/2 - Good.
Subchallenges 2/2 - Both met.
TOTAL 21.5/25
Results (bold advance)
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rtk1357: 21.5
Sojourner Dusk: 19
Ink-Treader: 18
Kypster: 17

Stankweed Imp: 14.5
netn10: DQ
Author of the MCC Guidelines and FAQ. | Thanks to all that have provided feedback about the March MCC. You can find the results in this post.


For my projects (Jeff Lionheart, "One pierced heart, two mindful horns", republished articles from my series "The Lion's Lair", and custom sets), see Leo's content index (Last updated on April 9th 2024 - Added TLL #8).
After I'm done republishing my articles I want to reprise the series focusing it more on editing, wording, and templating. Suggest potential future article topics here.
My CCCG Resume (Updated on February 27th 2024)
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Blue = MTGSalvation Green = MTGNexus
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
CCL - Winner (4): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Jun 2021 (tied with slimytrout) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (3): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar), Feb Apr 2022 || Host (12): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016, Jun Sep Dec 2021, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun 2023

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void_nothing
Look On My Sash...
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Answers: 125
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Location: Tal Terig, Zendikar

Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

kwanyeegor-ii
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Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - Mostly a Txmmy/Spike card but with a card this complicated there's bound to be some interactions for Jxnny.
(2/3) Elegance - Both halves of the card are pretty wordy.

Development
(2.5/3) Viability - Obviously works as a mythic and I can see it at hybrid. The only questionable bit is the enchantment removal in the ultimate, which has never been targeted in black before (the only examples we've seen/the only version that Rosewater will cop to allowing is sacrifice).
(2.5/3) Balance - The instant-speed legend removal on the creature side is a bit much. However, it's a really steep cost to transform this card into an admittedly good all-minus planeswalker.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - Any all-minus planeswalker will draw comparisons to Sarkhan the Mad but otherwise lots of unique ideas here.
(3/3) Flavor - Works for me. Flavor text ties it together.

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - No color indicators for the back face (I assume it's the same as the front though).
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 21.5/25
Freyleyes
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Design
(3/3) Appeal - This is an all-rounder just because it does so much for so little cost.
(2.5/3) Elegance - Both halves are slightly wordy.

Development
(0/3) Viability - Some severe issues here. Despite the hybrid mana in the cost, this comes close to being a monored card - it does add green mana (although as a ritual-type ability, which is more red), has two abilities that deal direct damage, and an activated ability that can only be activated for red mana. There is a specific color reference to green in the planeswalker side, but even so green shouldn't get the deal 4 damage part of the transform trigger and red should arguably not get either of the loyalty abilities (although the land dropping one could be argued as red fast mana). There is no such creature type as Mage and given that "mage" in M:tG covers Wizards, Shamans, Spellshapers, and more, it would never be used. Finally, and worst of all, there is no power and toughness on the creature side.
(1.5/3) Balance - No matter the intended p/t this is an extremely strong card that would be played for its creature side activated ability alone. 1R to ping 1 as many times as you like is basically a machine gun. The fact that the planeswalker side has a transform trigger and you can then immediately also activate a loyalty ability is icing on the cake.

Creativity
(1.5/3) Uniqueness - Some unique things about the planeswalker part; the creature face, however, is just a super Flamekin Spitfire.
(3/3) Flavor - I know my Freyalise and this basically all fits her flavor.

Polish
(0/3) Quality - The biggest and most glaring quality problem here is no flavor text on the creature side. Besides that, the pronoun changes in the middle of the sentence in the transform ability, "Awakened" is spelled wrong, and the -4 has its clauses written out of order (should be "with converted mana cost 4 or less from...")
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 15.5/25
Henlock
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Design
(3/3) Appeal - Txmmy likes Auras and Jxnny-Spikes are into enchantress decks.
(2.5/3) Elegance - All slightly wordy but drives at a single theme, and no one ability is too hard to understand. The tokens have a little tracking complexity though.

Development
(3/3) Viability - Colors spot-on and yeah this card would have to be mythic.
(1/3) Balance - The creature half is pretty strong to begin with, but the planeswalker you have here has a +2 ability that's absolutely crazy.

Creativity
(2.5/3) Uniqueness - While it takes old enchantress cards and just remixes them into a super enchantress, this card also has a totally unique feel.
(3/3) Flavor - I love the use of Yavimaya Enchantress tokens. Really makes the character feel grounded in a time and place.

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - Mana symbols in the wrong order in the cost.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(0/2) Subchallenges - Neither.

Total: 19.5/25
Icarii
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Design
(3/3) Appeal - Primarily a Txmmy card but probably an all-rounder. Even Spike likes this despite the relatively high mana cost.
(1/3) Elegance - Quite wordy and quite a few things to track with this card.

Development
(2.5/3) Viability - Definitely feels like a mythic and all of the abilities feel justifiable in hybrid. The -1 ability is the only one that feels borderline in red but if it's until end of turn it has some fast mana qualities. (Maybe if it were just "if you would add mana this turn, add twice that type and amount of mana instead" to interact with actual rituals?)
(3/3) Balance - Powerful stuff, but the card is six mana and requires you to do something quite "active" to transform it.

Creativity
(3/3) Uniqueness - Really like this. A lot of unique ideas.
(3/3) Flavor - Centaurs and Minotaurs make a natural pairing and all the doubling really hammers home the two planeswalker teamup theme.

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - Just a missed capitalization of "Elemental", it seems.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 22/25
marioguy3
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Design
(2/3) Appeal - Txmmy and Jxnny might find something to do with this but it doesn't do a heck of a lot as far as Spike is concerned.
(2/3) Elegance - Some tracking complexity with the E and an X/X token, and besides there's some odd and unintuitive math with how the loyalty abilities are used.

Development
(1/3) Viability - Most of this card is focused on the color-agnostic energy mechanic. However, a small flyer is questionable in green and the huge token is questionable in blue. Plus, no rarity listed.
(1.5/3) Balance - In an energy deck, I think most of the time you'd rather just have Empyreal Voyager. Outside of one, this is a card that even under ideal circumstances takes a long time and a lot of mana to make one vanilla 7/7. In just about any set it'd be rated as one of the most disappointing mythics.

Creativity
(1/3) Uniqueness - There were cards that generated energy by attacking in Kaladesh block as well as ones that made tokens with energy. The conditional loyalty gaining is unique, however.
(1/3) Flavor - "Creative Artist" seems both redundant and not informative; this card doesn't really tell me anything about how or why the character is using aether to sculpt(?). Also, it seems like a "Famous" artist wouldn't have to constantly have to remake their life's work and only be able to produce one work of art.

Polish
(1/3) Quality - Some big problems here. No rarity listed. It's "or fewer" and not "or less" counters (there are reasons in English grammar I won't go through here but suffice to look at Garruk Relentless). Creature types like "Elemental" always must be capitalized.
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(2/2) Subchallenges - And done.

Total: 13.5/25
RaikouRider
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Design
(2.5/3) Appeal - A definite Txmmy/Jxnny favorite - seems too dependent on an outside card type for Spike, but there have been competitive Equipment-based decks so you never know.
(2.5/3) Elegance - Something of a wordy back half.

Development
(3/3) Viability - All looks good.
(3/3) Balance - Strong stuff but only if you have lots of Equipment to prop it up.

Creativity
(2/3) Uniqueness - Feels like various Nahiris and Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale, but has its unique features too.
(3/3) Flavor - The card names are good, especially on the planeswalker side, and there's a long established link between leonin and Equipment. I'll take it!

Polish
(2.5/3) Quality - Missed a capitalization of "Equipment."
(2/2) Main Challenge (*) - Done.
(0/2) Subchallenges - Neither.

Total: 20.5/25
Results (Bold Advance)
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Icarii 22
kwanyeegor-ii 21.5
RaikouRider 20.5
Henlock 19.5

Freyleyes 15.5
marioguy3 13.5
I have a couple of harsh scores for the bottom two, but those cards had SEVERE quality mistakes that were bad enough to bleed into affecting viability. Cleaned up and proofread, they could have stood a better chance. Let's all remember to check our cards over properly!
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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