NEXUS FLAMINGO ☆ Exclusively For Custom Card Connoisseurs and Gnomes

[Sporegorger_Dragon]

Ingenious Aetherborn
3u
Creature -Aetherborn Artificer (U)
Fabricate 2
When Ingenious Aetherborn dies, you get equal to its power.
1/1


Alchemist's Assistant
2u
Creature - Thrull (C)
Sacrifice Alchemist's Assistant: Mill three cards, then draw a card.
2/2


IIW: Nepenthes Pitcher-Plant

[Cythare]

Wildstorm Sphinx 3GG
Creature - Sphinx (R)
Haste, reach
Whenever Wildstorm Sphinx attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise, put it into your hand.
5/5

IIW: Noncreature permanents with morph

[Megiddo]

Commander-General of Mu RR
Creature — Merfolk Noble {R}
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1 and have menace.
"I've never met a tactician whose so-called 'plans' didn't crumple in the face of overwhelming force."
2/2

IIW: green storm

[chetoos]

Class tribal!

Viola of the Celestial Pact 3W
Legendary Creature - Human Warlock
Lifelink
Whenever Viola attacks, it gets +1/+1 for each creature card in your graveyard.
"I will give you power to avenge each fallen soul" - Text of the celestial pact
1/1


Kelp Tender 1U
Creature - Merfolk Druid
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, scry 1.
The kelp tenders study each vine as it grows to the surface, learning truths about the universe within the fruits.
1/2


IIW: Slice of Life scenes of the gatewatch spending time together. (Bonus points if they're not just white and/or green cards)

[Mergatroid_Jones]

A nice 24 hour turnover.

Judgements

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sorry to contribute to the slow feeling guys. I hate designing planeswalkers so I abstained.
this weeks card is ripped from my Lord of the rings set:

Frodo, Nine-Fingered Bearer BG
Legendary Creature - Halfling Rogue (hobbit)
When Frodo enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact.
1G: Regenerate Frodo
1B: Frodo can't be blocked until end of turn.
2/2

IIW: Common Cards from a Lord of the Rings Set

Well Kithkin have certainly never been black or green, but halfling is a new tribe (and one we're sure to see with D&D and Lord of the Rings coming up). The Shire itself is as GW as it gets-- a rural, isolated, countryside group of communities ringed in by an ancient forest. But black is out of place for a hobbit (as is Bilbo's red streak).

As to the card's mechanics, it's an odd choice of where to place the character, as it's literally Frodo from the dramatic climax in the moment of the quest's completion. Frodo instantly destroying the ring feels odd, even if the name tells us exactly where in the story we are. Can't be blocked is good for the flavor, but seems out of place in black.

Eliana, Erudite Scholar 2UU
Legendary Creature - Elf Wizard (R)
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays 1.
Partner
1/3

IIW: Welcome to the largest zoo in the multiverse.

Rhystic Study in the command zone is a recipe for a lot of very annoyed people. Honestly, I think the card is just fine, but definitely not with partner. If the deck is forced to be mono-blue, it can't ever be that oppressive. And since it's got partner, commander is clearly the home for this. That said, I would actually prefer this as a nonlegendary creature.

Eraser Agent (Uncommon)
1B
Creature - Vedalken Assassin
1/3
Deathtouch
B, Q: Exile target token

IIW: trinket text

Simple, powerful, and elegant. A 1/3 deathtouch for 2 is already a strong card, and sweet trinket text makes the card way better and more flavorful.

Ingenious Aetherborn
3u
Creature -Aetherborn Artificer (U)
Fabricate 2
When Ingenious Aetherborn dies, you get equal to its power.
1/1

Alchemist's Assistant
2u
Creature - Thrull (C)
Sacrifice Alchemist's Assistant: Mill three cards, then draw a card.
2/2


IIW: Nepenthes Pitcher-Plant

These are both sweet. The aetherborn is an army in a can, as fabricate tends to be, and it's awesome in limited. Likewise, the thrull is a sweet common in limited, and teaches new players how to sacrifice in response to an opponent's action. I have no nitpicks on either card.

Wildstorm Sphinx 3GG
Creature - Sphinx (R)
Haste, reach
Whenever Wildstorm Sphinx attacks, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise, put it into your hand.
5/5

IIW: Noncreature permanents with morph

Huh, that's a neat idea. I see it as a jungle sphinx, whose wings may be vestigial, or may only glide. It's a super powerful card to be sure-- a 5/5 haste that draws a card+ when it attacks. I could yell about creature creep, but it's a fair rate for a rare nowadays, and I do like the idea of green sphinxes with reach.

Commander-General of Mu RR
Creature — Merfolk Noble {R}
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1 and have menace.
"I've never met a tactician whose so-called 'plans' didn't crumple in the face of overwhelming force."
2/2

IIW: green storm

The only Mu I know is Mu Yanling, and this doesn't look like one of hers. But I suppose Mu is a merfolk kingdom, clearly tinged red, and with a strong military theme. I have no problem with red merfolk, and I think giving a lord of this type is perfectly reasonable, though costing RR for it makes it hard to fit in with existing merfolk.

Class tribal!

Viola of the Celestial Pact 3W
Legendary Creature - Human Warlock
Lifelink
Whenever Viola attacks, it gets +1/+1 for each creature card in your graveyard.
"I will give you power to avenge each fallen soul" - Text of the celestial pact
1/1


Kelp Tender 1U
Creature - Merfolk Druid
Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, scry 1.
The kelp tenders study each vine as it grows to the surface, learning truths about the universe within the fruits.
1/2


IIW: Slice of Life scenes of the gatewatch spending time together. (Bonus points if they're not just white and/or green cards)

Viola is very conservatively designed, and has the feel of an uncommon legend. There's nothing wrong with that. I think it's a fine card.
I was about to say "There have been loads of merfolk druids" but it turns out the only one is Tatyova, Benthic Druid. My first thought was this should be common, but it's probably too much deck manipulation at common.

Winner and next

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HM: Sporegorger Dragon

Winner: Legend

Next: Trinket Text

As a public service: trinket text is a small additional ability usually adding flavor more than anything, as "protection from demons and from dragons" in Baneslayer Angel.

[Krishnath]

Good, my plan worked. I didn't win. :laugh:

Anyway,

Stalking Mongoose 2G
Creature - Mongoose (R)
Protection from snakes
Stalking Mongoose can only be blocked by one creature.
1G: Target creature blocks Stalking Mongoose if able, activate this ability only if Stalking Mongoose is attacking, and only once each turn.
3/2

IIW: Welcome to the largest Zoo in the multiverse.

[Mergatroid_Jones]

I'll go for the rare Mtenda Lion style trinket text as downside.

Magnetic Vedalken 2U
Artifact Creature- Vedalken Wizard (C)
T: Add U. Magnetic Vedalken doesn't untap during your next untap step if an opponent controls 3 or more artifacts.
2/1

IIW: One-word card names

[Cythare]

Kithkin were secondary green in Lorwyn and Morningtide (albeit very secondary) - Gaddock Teeg, Kithkin Daggerdare, Kithkin Mourncaller are the only three.

[spacemonaut]

Able Seamaster 2R
Creature — Human Pirate (U)
Protection from Whales
Whenever Able Seamaster deals combat damage to an opponent, create a Treasure token.
Able Seamaster has first strike as long as you control three or more treasures.
3/2


IIW: The black market

[scarbo]

Burst Apart 1rr
Sorcery (U)
Exile target artifact. Burst apart deals 2 damage to each creature and each player.
Eyes can't block this turn.
A million pieces in a billion places.

IIW: you may choose the same mode more than once

[Sporegorger_Dragon]

Typical Elephant
3g
Creature - Elephant (C)
Typical Elephant can't attack if defending player controls a Mouse.
Typical Elephant can't block Mice.
4/4


Fat Hippo
2g
Creature - Hippo (C)
Fat Hippo can't have or gain flying
3/3


IIW: Nepenthes Pitcher-Plant

[Legend]

Judging today.

[Megiddo]

Mu is basically Atlantis 2

Tibalt's Last Resort RR
Legendary Sorcery {R}
(You may cast a legendary sorcery only if you control a legendary creature or planeswalker.)
Take an extra turn after this one. At the beginning of that turn's end step, you lose the game.
Storm

IIW: over-the-top card names (like the legendary sorceries or some Kamigawa cards)

[Cythare]

High Fashionista WW
Creature - Human Noble (U)
First strike
High Fashionista can't be blocked by unequipped Dinosaurs.
3/1

IIW: Noncreature permanents with morph

[Legend]

Krishnath: "protection from snakes" on a mongoose that provokes. Would be more interesting/appealing as a red uncommon. I'd have been stoked to open this as a rare any time prior to 2003.

Mergatroid_Jones: "drawback trinket text". Cool design. Realistic common. I think it could cost 1 less than Manalith. I hope you don't mind if I riff it for my set.

spacemonaut: "protection from whales" A very interesting, strong design. Seems like a card that would be at home in a Horizon type set where the trinket text could actually be relevant in limited vs changeling.

scarbo: "eyes can't block this turn" The primary effect is damn powerful. The overall flavor is fantastic. I'm an admirer of nods to old iconic cards.

Sporegorger_Dragon: "can't have or gain flying" Feels good. The name is probably a little too silly for print. Would prefer it in blue, but I guess then it's more likely to be viewed as a drawback instead of just trinket text.

Megiddo: "storm" A super-Johnny challenge card. If only it had buyback.

Cythare: "can't be blocked by unequipped dinosaurs" Never before have I so badly wanted to equip a dinosaur.

You know, I never realized how much trinket text is akin to flavor text, that is, it says so much about a set.

It was a tough choice.
All were excellent!

WINNER: spacemonaut

NEXT CHALLENGE: the black market

[scarbo]

Clandestine Auctioneer rr
Creature - Human Rogue (R)
Haste
t: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn.
Whenever you play a card from exile, untap Clandestine Auctioneer.
"Going thrice...?"
2/2

iiw: commons (viz-a-viz rarity)

[Sporegorger_Dragon]

Sporegorger_Dragon: "can't have or gain flying" Feels good. The name is probably a little too silly for print. Would prefer it in blue, but I guess then it's more likely to be viewed as a drawback instead of just trinket text.

But what about Typical Elephant?

Organ Trafficker
3b
Creature - Human Monger (U)
2, Sacrifice a creature: Target player draws a card and loses 1 life. Any player may activate this ability.
3/2
"Lungs! Lungs for sale! Buy one get one free!"


IIW: Nepenthes Pitcher-Plant

[Krishnath]

Wartime Smuggler 2B
Creature - Human Rogue Pirate (R)
Skulk
Whenever Wartime Smuggler attacks and isn't blocked, chose one -
• Create a clue token.
• Create a food token.
• Create a treasure token.
1/3

IIW: Welcome to the greatest Zoo in the multiverse.

[Legend]

But what about Typical Elephant?

Typical Elephant: "can't attack if defending player controls a mouse, typical elephant can't block mice".

The GOOD: It has a strong body that's splashable. The trinket text alludes clearly to some mice being somewhere in the set, which would make it a great early teaser. If it's truly trinket text and not merely a trap/drawback, there's surely a mouse or two at uncommon-rare.

The BAD: It feels contrived to me, but probably due to the lack of a proper name to bring it all together. NOTE: WotC prints plenty of cards that feel forced to me, so it's nonetheless within the realm of possibility.

The UGLY: Placeholder names are a peeve of mine, except when under the gun, but if you had enough time to make a second card, you had enough time to come up with a better name. (Probably not true, but I had to think of something "UGLY".)

[spacemonaut]

orrite you slags, I'll be judging in a few hours, so you better get yer entries in or we'll be having some disagreements vis a vis your kneecaps

[lookingupanddown]

Slavedriver Lich 4BB
Creature - Zombie Wizard Rogue (R)
3UU, : Target player gains control of target creature they don't own. It gains hexproof until end of turn. Activate this ability only once per turn.
Whenever a creature controlled by a player other than its owner dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. If you don't control the creature that died this way, untap Slavedriver Lich and you lose 1 life.
"You only rent these bodies while they still have a soul. Once that leaves, they return to me."
3/5

Obligatory Magus

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Magus of the Market 5BB
Creature - Human Wizard
Whenever a creature dies, put a charge counter on Magus of the Market.
At the beginning of your precombat main phase, add B for each charge counter on Magus of the Market.
4/4

IIW: Wake up the hero

[Megiddo]

Contraband Idol 4
Artifact {R}
At the beginning of your upkeep, you draw a card.
5: Gain control of Contraband Idol. Any player may activate this ability, but only during their turn.

IIW: Sagas

[Cythare]

Organ Trafficker
3b
Creature - Human Monger (U)
2, Sacrifice a creature: Target player draws a card and loses 1 life. Any player may activate this ability.
3/2
"Lungs! Lungs for sale! Buy one get one free!"


IIW: Nepenthes Pitcher-Plant

Organ Trafficker 2R
Creature — Goblin Citizen (R)
When Organ Trafficker enters the battlefield, each player creates a colorless artifact token named Organ with "At the beginning of your precombat main phase, add R."
R, T: Exchange control of two target artifacts. You can't activate this ability during combat.
2/2

IIW: Noncreature permanents with morph

[Mergatroid_Jones]

Doe-Eyed Smuggler U
Creature- Human Rogue (C)
When Doe-Eyed Smuggler enters the battlefield, exile the top card of your library face down. When Doe-Eyed Smuggler leaves the battleield, put the exiled card into your hand.
2: Look at all cards exiled with Doe-Eyed Smuggler.
1/1

IIW: Fantasy in space (but somehow not sci-fi)

[Ulka]

Organ Extractor 1UB
Creature - Human Wizard
UB, T: Tap target creature you don't control and put a -1/-1 counter on it. The put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control.
1/1

IIW: Ooze Tribal