Weekend Art ChallengeClick through to see this weekend's art and the design requirements for your card submission, due Monday morning. Every submission warrants feedback, which I will try to provide, and which everyone is welcome to provide as well.
If you choose, you may use that feedback to revise your submission any number of times. I will post and review the most recent submission from each designer some time on Monday, life permitting. To help ensure I recreate your design accurately, please use CARDNAME instead of ~ and don't use the {} symbol images in your submissions.
This weekend's art is by IgorKieryluk and we're designing for Theros. Your card must be a legendary minotaur or planeswalker (and mythic rare). It's abilities should feel like they belong to a wise/clever minotaur. Bonus points if they seem like they might combo with Theros, and/or if the card wants to be reprinted outside of Theros.
I guess the promo art for Lord of Shatterskull Pass was good enough to reuse?
ReplyDeleteExactly
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteProbably late, but I was gone all day yesterday, here we go:
DeleteAshroth, Maze Warden 2RW
Planeswalker - Ashroth (Mythic)
+1: Until your next turn, whenever target creature attacks, untap it and remove it from combat.
-1: Ashroth deals 1 damage to target creature. That creature gains haste and first strike until end of turn.
-7: You gain an emblem with “You choose which creatures block each turn and how those creatures block.”
(Starting loyalty: 4)
The first ability is a reference to Maze of Ith, of course, and shaped my concept that this would be a wily 'walker with a mechanical focus on combat. I hate the "up to one" clause but by current design standards it's necessary. The second ability references the fireball in his hand, and let me bring in first strike/haste as the most common keyword abilities on Minotaur cards. Finally, the last ability is Odric on crack. I drew heavy inspiration from Ravnica cards depicting minotaurs like Boros Battleshaper and Master Warcraft.
Despite the Ithy wording, the +1 really just wants to be "Until your next turn, target creature can't attack."
DeleteWhipping is always fun, but I'm not clear how the spark gives the creature first strike (and that damage becomes irrelevant because of the first strike). Ultimate is bad-ass.
The +1 was also designed to combo with on-attack triggers like Geist of St Traft.
DeleteMuuri, Minolord R
ReplyDeletePlaneswalker - Muuri
+1: During your next combat step, creatures you control have haste and first strike.
+0: Whenever target creature deals combat damage to an opponent this turn, put that many loyalty counters on Muuri.
-3: Put a red 3/3 Minotuar creature token onto the battlefield.
Starting Loyalty: 2
Crazy powerful. I'd imagine it would never be one mana.
DeleteIs making a 3/3 exciting enough for an ultimate? I guess Muuri doesn't have an ultimate, but two +s and the medium -.
DeleteCertainly this is quite strong, though I'm not sure it's too strong. It doesn't defend itself until the third turn it's out.
Turn 1, you +1 postcombat.
DeleteTurn 2, you attack with 3/3 hasty first striker and have all your mana untapped, and any creature(s) you cast this turn have haste too.
It's like a Wild Nacatl for R that comes into play tapped, only it can also sit and +1 or +X and grind out tokens. It's not unanswerable, but... it's too strong.
What if its starting loyalty was 1?
DeleteCragar, Will of the Mountain 2RW
ReplyDeletePlaneswalker - Cragar
+1: Until your next turn, whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, put a loyalty counter on each planeswalker you control.
-1: Cragar deals 2 damage divided as you choose among one or two target creatures.
-1: Put a legendary 1/1 white Minotaur creature token named Whitehorn onto the battlefield with "Whitehorn gets +1/+1 for each loyalty counter on Cragar."
Loyalty: 3
I know this design is a bit of a swerve. It's very possible that the planeswalker Anthem +1 and the Soulbonded Creature Ultimate don't need to be on the same card (plus the art should have Whitehorn in it if I was being very strict) but I think this build has style to spare and I want to hear what you folks think.
I can imagine a Minotaur 'Walker who enjoys the thrill of combat and grows more loyal as you're attacked, but wouldn't he also be excited about attacking? I'm actually much more confused by the way he pumps all your planeswalkers' loyalties; What's happening there?
DeleteWhy is Whitehorn bigger than Cragar? Can't he just be X/X equal to Cragar's loyalty? Why can Cragar summon Whitehorn over and over again so cheaply?
General Spor (Mythic Rare)
ReplyDelete2BR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur Soldier
1/4
Deathtouch, haste
3: You gain life equal to the number of attacking creatures, and target opponent loses life equal to the number of blocking creatures.
War is a labyrinth few civilizations escape.
I found some non-Soldier generals in Gatherer. Can you make him a Minotaur Warrior?
DeleteHaste and 1/4 is a mighty odd combination, though I do see how it combos slightly with the last ability. I think it's well done that Spor punishes your opponent for blocking instead of merely being attacked. Does that ability definitely want to be a repeatable activated ability rather than an attack trigger?
DeleteIt seems like the only thing worse than there being no dragons in the Dragon's Maze is wasting a maze theme on the set BEFORE there is a minotaur theme.
ReplyDeleteI'm also disappointed that Jace means making a play for "Architect" in a name is out of bounds. #minotaurproblems
Here are my first ideas:
ReplyDeleteReaus, Mentor of Heroes 2RR
Legendary Creature-Minotaur Shaman (M)
Heroic—Whenever Reaus, Mentor of Heroes becomes the target of a spell you control, you may copy that spell. Choose new targets for the copy, it cannot target Reaus.
4/3
Hephat, the Pathlayer 3RR
Planeswalker-Hephat (M)
+2 Put a 1/1 red Elemental creature token onto the battlefield.
-X Target creature gets +X/+0 and gains trample until end of turn.
-8 You get an emblem with “If a source would deal damage to an opponent, it deals double that damage instead.”
(5)
...and I guess the first one would need reminder text like (A copy of an aura spell puts a token copy of that aura onto the battlefield.)
DeleteShould the copy target only Reaus instead of anything but him? Which is more heroic?
DeleteHephat's numbers make me think he'd fine to play, but it reads poorly. I want more Elementals, not more loyalty.
Kerato the Ember-Mystic (mythic)
ReplyDelete3RRR
Planeswalker - Kerato
+2: Put a 6/1 red Elemental creature token with trample and haste onto the battlefield. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice it.
0: Destroy target land. CARDNAME deals 2 damage to that land's controller.
-8: You get an emblem with "If a source you control would deal damage to a creature or player, it deals four times that damage instead."
5
Wow, I just saw Jules's design above. Incredibly similar!
DeleteCrazy good. Loyalty is way too high for something that Molten Rain's every turn. This is about the same as Jace, Memory Adept in Limited and miles ahead of any current planeswalker in Constructed...might even give Jace TMS a run for his money too.
DeleteSorry bout being so blunt. :/
Yes, it's very good. It also costs 6 and it has a heavy color requirement. Mythic 6-drops *should be* "you have a couple turns to respond to this or you lose the game"-quality bombs.
DeleteMolten Rain's surely a -1 at least, right? Do you really want people ritualing this out on turn 3 or 4 and eating all your land without any help?
DeleteLove the Ball Lightning (+2 might be too good, but who knows)
Fiddling with the numbers on this one a bit.
DeleteKerato, the Ember-Mystic (mythic)
3RRR
Planeswalker - Kerato
+2: Put a 6/1 red Elemental creature token with trample and haste onto the battlefield. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice it.
-1: Destroy target land. CARDNAME deals 2 damage to that land's controller.
-7: You get an emblem with "If a source you control would deal damage to a creature or player, it deals four times that damage instead."
4
Machaon of the Mountains 2RR
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur Shaman (MR)
Haste
Whenever Machaon of the Mountains deals combat damage to a player, you may search your library for an instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost less than or equal to the damage dealt, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
3/3
this is super cool, it feels very red but it also brings some cool deckbuilding to play.
DeleteThis is cool. I feel like you should be casting the spell immediately too.
DeleteThat's certainly possible, but I kinda like the way this can grab you counterspells and such and isn't limited by the (kinda shortsighted IMO) pigeonhole of "red can never get any card advantage for more than a turn".
DeleteAurost, Khan of the Emberspire 2RR
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur Shaman (MR)
Whenever a mountain enters the battlefield under your control, put a red 3/3 minotaur creature token onto the battlefield.
Sacrifice a mountain: Draw a card.
Sacrifice another minotaur: Add RRR to your mana pool.
4/4
I like all three abilities on their own (but mostly the first), but together they just feel like "here's everything you'd ever want, stop thinking about your deck" card that just steals the fun from the player.
DeleteKalruum, Shaman of the Peak - 4RR
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur Shaman (MR)
Mountains you control have "Whenever this land becomes tapped, it deals 1 damage to each creature, player, and planeswalker."
4/4
Scary. Could be 6/6 or something.
DeleteI don't know how good Thrashing Wumpus was back in the day, but Kalruum is definitely a lot better than that guy. You still get to use your mana and it has one more toughness. It could be a 6/4 or something but it needs a lower toughness to not just sweep everything all the time.
Deletegood point
DeleteLabyr, Guardian of Knowledge
ReplyDelete1RW
Legendary Creature - Minotaur
Whenever ~ blocks or is blocked by a a creature, you may draw a card, then discard a card. If you discard an aura card this way you may return it to the battlefield enchanting that creature.
3/3
Very tricksy. I think this design fits the challenge the best. :3
DeleteWait, you enchant the creature that blocks? Shouldn't you enchant Labyr?
DeleteThe "that creature" at the end should be a ~ or simply Labyr. Jack's wording is sort of correct as "that creature" references Labyr and not the blocked/blocking creature, but it is confusing and you can simply use the first name since you used the full name already.
DeleteI assumed you would be playing it with a bunch of Pacifisms. Or, uh... dead weights? If it can enchant the blocked creature OR itself, it might be interestingly placed amongst (presumably a higher number of) auras in Theros.
DeleteNeat.
DeleteCan we discard first, to keep consistent with other red looting?
Can we discard any aura, including the Eldrazi one?
As worded, this is definitely enchanting the other creature. Should this trigger once per combat, instead of per blocker?
Why is this white? Red has enchantments...
Rekabos, Bloodboiler
ReplyDelete3RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur Shaman
Whenever an attacking creature you control dies, Rekabos, Bloodboiler deals damage equal to that creature’s power to target player.
5/3
Every suicidal charge intentional, his warrior’s corpses are more than enough to punish those who seek his territory.
Feedback appreciated (especially on the flavor text).
DeleteTerrifying.
DeleteShould Rekabos deal the damage or the creature? Should it hit any player instead of the defending player?
Are there unintentional suicide charges? How does the charge relate to the weaponization of his warriors' corpses?
DeleteI like Rekabos dealing the damage in terms of flavor. He doesn't spur his warriors to flare out after death, he's the one to harness their body and turn it into fuel for his fire. That's the shaman part. Plus, how hilarious to Defang him then.
DeleteThere is an argument for defending player, but I like the ability to throw damage around a multiplayer table. Of course, worded like this, if they have hexproof, you take the damage... Feature or bug?
Updated flavor text:
Scrounging the remnants of suicidal charges, his warrior's corpses fuel his fury at those who seek his territory.
Updated updated flavor text:
Delete“His warrior’s corpses fuel his fire and his fury, and those who seek his territory often don’t return. Good luck.”
—Papelacous, Warden of Akros
"Target opponent?"
DeleteIf you took out 'attacking' I wouldn't expect the damage to belong to the defender at all.
DeleteI guess my main problem is that Rage Thrower isn't mythic and I want Rekabos to really feel mythic.
DeleteFinal:
Rekabos, Bloodboiler
3RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur Shaman
Whenever Rekabos, Bloodboiler or another creature dies, Rekabos deals damage equal to that creature’s power to target opponent.
5/3
“The corpses from his battles fuel his fire and his fury, and those who seek his territory often don’t return. Good luck.”
—Papelacous, Warden of Akros
Now triggers off of any creature. Cheaper, beefier, upside-ier, legendarier Rage Thrower feels like it fits the bill.
I hope you are ready to judge planeswalkers... I've always found them really hard to critique and usually go about it with a collaborative effort. but today I have made this easier neither of my designs are planeswalkers. yay!
ReplyDeletetheros is an enchantment block. this means that that red needs to stretch its color a little to interact with enchantments. however red is completely unable to destroy enchantment this makes red so mad that it make it want to punch the opponent in the face.
Rulrik, Peaksinger 3R
Legendary Creature - Minotaur shaman [R]
R, T: Rulrik, Peaksinger deals 1 damage to target creature or player. If that creature’s controller or that player controls at least one enchantment, Rulrik deals 3 damage to that creature or player instead.
3/3
"travelers in the mountains can hear rulrik and his forlorn singing cursing the therosian gods. A sad song, but full of bitter resentment."
(the flavor text does not fit on the card but it could be in a different part of the set)
also using the mechanic that was or wasn't spoiled through an early copy of hero's verse monsters.
Rulrik, Maze Dweller 1RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur
RR: Monstrosity 2. (If this creature isn’t monstrous, put 2 +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
When Rulrik, Maze Dweller becomes monstrous, for each enchantment Rulrik deals 2 damage to that enchantment’s controller and 2 to the the creature that enchantment enchants.
3/2
Fortunately, critiquing planeswalkers is a lot easier than designing them.
DeleteI like the motivation behind Peaksinger, but the ability is a little clunky. Consider having it target just creatures or just players. Maybe:
T: ~ deals 3 damage to target enchanted creature or target player that controls an enchantment?
Similar for Maze Dweller. The aura connection isn't worth the extra phrase.
Rulrik, Peaksinger 1RR
DeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur
RR: Monstrosity 3. (If this creature isn’t monstrous, put 3 +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
When Rulrik, Peaksinger becomes monstrous, for each enchantment Rulrik deals 2 damage to that enchantment’s controller.
3/2
I had an interesting essay here about the nature of red in an enchantment themed block. but it was wiped because of bad internet. oh well.
the above will be my submission. an aggressive creature which curves well but also does an additionally thing ageist the block theme. it would be an interesting card for spikes to play with.
Dikerucos, Fiery Oracle 1RR
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur shaman (R)
Haste
Whenever a source {...a creature, a spell or an ability...} you control deals damage to a player, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
3/3
I have a doubt about templating, what do you think?
Feedback appreciated, on the design specifically.
Templating looks fine. Might be a mess on MTGO with all the triggers, but the design itself is good, a little on the powerful side. I could foresee this being ridiculously good at scuplting your hand which may make the aggro deck this goes in a little too good. Adding 1 to the mana cost is a good start and he almost doesn't need haste since other attacking creatures that turn can trigger him.
DeleteI like this, though I think it's way too powerful as a 3 mana 3/3 with haste.
DeleteProbably both of you are right. I wanted to make a powerful Spike card meant to be played in constructed. I don't want to add mana to its cost, so I'll just remove haste.
DeleteNot unlike Nich's General Spor, Dikerucos doesn't actually need haste to be relevant on the turn it enters play.
DeleteWhile 'source' lets his ability trigger the most often, is it more fun than 'creature' 'spell' or 'red card?'
DeleteGreek minotaurs have to have something to do with mazes, right?
ReplyDeleteAlettiner of the Lost Ways 2RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur Warrior (Mythic)
During your combat steps, CARDNAME gets +1/+0 for each untapped creature your opponents control that is not blocking.
1R: Target creature opponent controls cannot block this turn.
4/4
Feedback appreciated.
this looks cool but I'm not sure how much it should be a 2RR 4/4 which is something which is really uncommon for red to get. (every 4 mana 4/4 without a bad disadvantage that red has gotten has been a 1RRR (there are 2 of them))
Deleteadditionally because he doesn't buff anything but himself and only his power. he could easily be a rare as he doesn't have a large amount of deckbuilding to match him.
Definitely aggressive at 4. The cost is ultimately more of a development issue, but we can knock him up to 3RR.
DeleteThe second ability 'solves' the first. It's like handing the player a puzzle with a step-by-step guide to complete it. I'd rather see one or the other.
DeleteIf you keep the first, I want it to be bigger. +2/+2, +1/+1 or +2/+0 or maybe +1/+0 for all your creatures.
I see why you went with a power-only boost, though that could be solved by making this a triggered ability rather than static.
DeleteI like the effective firebreathing of it, but I see what you're saying. If one had to go, it would definitely be the latter.
DeleteIn terms of static/triggered, I don't like the aesthetics of having a trigger at the end of declare blockers step, which is effectively the only time it could check what was blocking and what wasn't. I figured that, while it can fluctuate violently from the beginning of combat to the end, it was better to have it as a static that constantly checks during combat (although, barring flinging, it's only realistically going to be checked once).
Alettiner of the Lost Ways 3RR
Legendary Creature - Minotaur Warrior (Mythic)
First strike
During your combat step, CARDNAME gets +1/+0 for each untapped creature the defending player controls that is not blocking.
4/3
Asterion the Kept 2RR
ReplyDeletePlaneswalker - Asterion
+3 - Tap target creature. It deals damage equal to its power to its controller.
+0 - Destroy target nonbasic land unless its controller has Asterion the Kept deal 6 damage to him or her.
-8 - For each creature, put a token that’s a copy of that creature onto the battlefield. Those tokens have haste. At the beginning of the end step, exile them.
(3)
That is a huge jump in loyalty for an ability that I'm not sure is mono red. Love the ult. The 0 feels both underwhelming and overwhelming at the same time. I don't know how I feel about it.
Delete+3 is an awful big boost for an ability that murders 80% of creatures immediately (and 98% when you use it after combat).
Delete6 damage is a lot. Granted, it won't matter much in Limited, but that's not an argument for this ability.
Shimmer-Insurrection is neat. Awkward that Tibalt already has regular Insurrection.
Just to be clear, the +3 is Backlash/Traitor's Roar, not Kiku's Shadow. It could be +2, or not tap, but it feels like an interesting decision as is (while also being a little bit flavorful).
DeleteIt could also be "target player taps a creature he or she controls. It deals damage equal to its power to its controller"; this means you can trigger it even if your opponent has no creatures, but it plays differently, and is less clean.
Yeah, Tibalt cut off a lot of options for red Walkers without a lot of payoff (though I like the character.) I do think that Mass-Shimmer plays sufficiently differently from Insurrection, though, since it does encourage you to play your own creatures.
I did misread that first ability. Backlash isn't nearly as ridiculous, though it's still quite good; often better than Threaten. +2 seems closer.
DeleteFinal:
DeleteAsterion the Kept 2RR
Planeswalker - Asterion
+2 - Tap target creature. It deals damage equal to its power to its controller.
+0 - Destroy target nonbasic land unless its controller has Asterion the Kept deal 6 damage to him or her.
-7 - For each creature, put a token that’s a copy of that creature onto the battlefield. Those tokens have haste. At the beginning of the end step, exile them.
(3)
Minokoros, the escaped. 3RU
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur Wizard
Creatures must attack each turn if able.
Creatures without flying do not untap during their controller's untap phase.
1U: target creature gains flying until end of turn.
3/4
"Mastering the maze requires thinking of it in another direction: UP"
it's a brutal suppressor of every creature for only 5 mana. however, this self nombos... you cannot activate his flying ability before the static "no untap" ability takes it's toll on everything.
DeleteThat is indeed a nonbo.
DeleteI think "must attack" and "doesn't untap" are more interesting without the other.
Maybe "Whenever a creature attacks, it doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step?"
I'm not sure what the flavor behind "must attack" is here.
Indeed there should be no must attack close there, that was of an earlier itteration and I forgot to remove it. The card should be as it is without that line.
DeleteOr actually I would up the flying cost a bit to 1UU.
DeleteSince there were fewer submissions this week, I'll share another, designed mostly to extend the cycle of Jace Beleren/Liliana of the Veil.
ReplyDeleteAsterion, Mazesworn 1RR
Planeswalker - Asterion
+1 - Each player sacrifices a land.
-2 - CARDNAME does 3 damage to target player.
-6 - For each creature, put a token that’s a copy of that creature onto the battlefield. Those tokens have haste. At the beginning of the end step, exile them.
(3)
Even as a symmetrical ability, it's not hard to abuse Stone Rain every turn starting on turn 3. Especially in a red deck.
DeleteRealistically, it's probably something to print in a Planechase or similar set, so Legacy can have fun with it without encroaching on Standard.
DeleteThis isn't tricksy at all, but it feels like a minotaur:
ReplyDeleteHurrtrey, Cajouler 3RR
When CARDNAME deals combat damage to a creature, CARDNAME deals that much damage to that creature's controller.
2R: CARDNAME deals 2 damage to target creature. That creature attacks this turn if able
5/5
~Who's seeing red now?
Realized 2 damage is probably too good. Replace the 2R: 2 damage with 1 and get rid of the word "combat" from the first line. Also, he should probably be a Legendary Creature - Minotaur Warrior
DeleteCool. Two twists (rippling damage, and forcing attack) is unnecessary in giving the card purpose/identity, but they do both support the flavor.
DeleteTor, Mazecrafter 3R
ReplyDelete3/3 legend
Tap X lands: Exile target attacking or blocking creature with converted mana cost X for as long as those lands remained tapped. You may choose not to untap them during your untap step.
As long as memory issues aren't a problem, this guys seems pretty cool. He's a strong check for overpowering token strategies, since he can answer any number of them for free, even through anthem effects (unlike Shrivel/Curse of Death's Hold/etc), which is pretty cool. Very flavorful, probably the perfect hit.
DeletePillarfield Minotaur W/R
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Minotaur (M)
2/4
This is hybrid {RW}?
DeleteSure does make Pillarfield Ox look even worse.
This is so much better than Storm Crow.
DeleteAre you kidding, this doesn't even have flying!
DeleteDies to Deathmark AND Celestial Purge. Clearly unplayable.
DeleteTor the Seeker 2RR
ReplyDelete3 loyalty
+1 Up to two target creatures can’t block this turn.
-1 Search your library for a card, put into your hand, then discard a card at random. Shuffle your library.
-6 Each player sacrifices four lands. Tor the Seeker deals 4 damage to each creature.
B...b...but there is already a planeswalker that is "The Seeker"...
DeleteDang.
DeleteFor an ultimate that you can't pop until turn 7, does it really have to be symmetrical?
DeleteNo, but "Wildfire!"
DeleteIt could be cheaper...