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.
I was looking for something to explore on Tesla that we haven't already. We've done robots, apocalyptic survivors, factories, giant monsters, and a guy looking at some artifact in the woods. While wondering what else to explore, the word 'neon' popped into my head, followed shortly by 'knight.'
Sweet.
We're going to try something a little different this weekend. Instead of all designing for the same art, let's all design for different art. I have 32 pieces of art for you to choose from below. You must design a new, uncommon creature for Tesla using one of those pieces of art. Penalty points if you use the art that was previously claimed (but it's allowed). (You can't claim multiple pieces of art, though you could brainstorm for a few). Bonus points if you can give this character a distinctly Magic spin and not be too derivative of Star Wars and the like.
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15 
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32. 
I claim: #9.
ReplyDeleteAmbidextrous Flameknight 1RR
Creature- Human Knight(Uncommon)
1/1
Double strike
R, T: CARDNAME deals 1 damage to each of two target creatures.
Feedback welcome and appreciated. My main worry is that it's not knight-ish enough.
Yeah, the tap ability is neat (do you want "up to" in there?), but it's very un-Knight-ish because it means he never actually has to enter combat. Something closer to Ashfiend Hound?
DeleteGood idea. How about this:
DeleteAmbidextrous Flameknight 1RR
Creature- Human Knight (Uncommon)
1/1
Double strike
As long as CARDNAME is attacking a player, you may have it assign its combat damage to any creature that player controls.
It's not an incredibly intuitive ability, but I was trying to carry over the flavor of "go after and attack a particular creature" from the original design. This might want to be at rare (and be 2/2 for 2RR or something) because of the complexity that it creates.
It's probably more likely as a rare for RR, but 1RR feels about right for this at uncommon.
DeleteWhenever it attacks, you could have a triggered ability that forces a creature to block it if that creature blocks this turn. It's a very light form of provoke that gives your opponent some choices, but still lets the flameknight go after a specific creature in an intuitive way, either by fighting it or keeping it out of combat.
Deleteor... Butcher Orgg
Delete"You may assign Butcher Orgg's combat damage divided as you choose among defending player and/or any number of creatures he or she controls."
(note, this is the correct way to word this ability)
Except that the damage is being dealt in whole quantities, rather than dividing it like Butcher Orgg. Ipaulsen's wording seems about right.
DeleteI'd probably put this version with #8 rather than #9, though - it comes up to stab you, then stabs one of your creatures in the back.
Is there any specific reason his ability doesn't work if you're attacking a planeswalker?
Deleteactually I was confused because the word is actually totally wrong. as soon as you declare a creature attacking, it almost always will be attacking a player, even when it gets blocked. this should be worded as
Delete"When ~ would deal combat damage to a player, you may have it deal that much damage to target creature that player controls instead."
al-la commando raid (or you could awkwardly remove the targeting because shroud OP)
They're all so bright and colorful!
ReplyDeletePrismatic Howler (Art 28) 2R
Creature - Knight (U)
CARDNAME is all colors of mana in your mana pool.
Creatures you control that share a color with CARDNAME get +1/+0
2/2
Um... what does this do?
DeleteYou tap different colors of mana to pump your team and then either spend the mana to cast spells or you change phases and lose the mana, thus losing the pump.
Is there some extra-Johnny use, or are the abilities not intended to interact?
If you put the mana into your pool some time during combat, it'll... oh wait, mana drains between steps and phases, doesn't it? Do players even still get priority during the phase in which combat damage is dealt? Hmm
Deletewell it was *supposed* to work, but mana emptying between steps is a real killer. Maybe, "1: CARDNAME becomes the color of mana spent to activate this ability in addition to its other colors until end of turn." It's probably getting too fiddly for too little payoff...
Deletewhat about:
DeletePrismatic Howler (3)
Creature - Knight (U)
CARDNAME is all colors of mana spent to cast CARDNAME.
Creatures you control that share a color with CARDNAME get +1/+0
2/2
little less finicky, but poses less of a "samite healer" issue, and poses a memory issue, but gives a little room for a mechanic!
that was supposed to be an artifact creature (damn it walking atlas!)
DeleteWhenever you add mana to your mana pool during combat, ~ gains the mana's color and creatures you control of that color get +1/+0 until EOT?
DeleteMaybe something like:
Delete2R
Whenever you cast a spell, CARDNAME becomes that spell's colors in addition to its other colors.
Creatures you control that share a color with CARDNAME get +1/+0.
2/2
or:
2R
Mana doesn't empty from your mana pool until end of turn.
Creatures you control that share a color with mana in your mana pool get +1/+0.
2/2
It's innately red, it gives a bonus to creatures that share a color with it, and you want to add more colors to it to enhance it, right? Why not make it the first part of a cycle?
DeleteColor Captain C has color C. It gives a bonus to creatures of its color. TRIGGER/COST makes creatures of color D color C as well.
It's not an end-all-be-all creature, but used in conjunction you can have five color captains that make all of your creatures five-colored beaters.
A lot of good implementations here. The core of the card was to encourage voltron-ing abilities together, as a related theme to mech assembly. That should come through better here. It has the potential for over-complicated boardstates, though.
DeletePrismatic Howler (Art 28) 2/R 2/R
Creature - Knight (U)
White, blue, black, and green creatures you control can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.
2/2
I really want 12, but I have to think about the actual design.
ReplyDeleteGot it.
DeleteArt #12
Surgeblade Radical
2R
Creature - Human Berserker (U)
First strike
Whenever a player casts an artifact spell, Surgeblade Radical deals 2 damage to that player.
Once noble defenders, the Surgeblades rebelled after the war, hoarding Tesla’s treasured technology for themselves.
2/2
That works. Dingus Egg for artifact-land.
DeleteWhat would it look like without first strike?
The same, but without first strike? I think first strike isn't pushing it too hard. Again, not a developer.
DeleteNot worried about the power level.
DeleteI don't follow what you're saying then.
DeleteIs this card better for the game with first strike?
DeleteCould we omit that and make it RR?
I think the first strike isn't superfluous. Although I think 1RR makes more sense, rewarding the drafter who pushes red hard and ignores the super prevalent artifact theme. So let's make it 1RR and keep first strike.
DeleteOkay, this is weird. Really, really weird. Is this too complex for uncommon?
ReplyDeleteArt #3
Wiresoul Knight (uncommon)
1U
Artifact Creature - Human Knight
CARDNAME can't be blocked.
Soulblade - 2U: Until end of turn, CARDNAME becomes an Equipment and stops being a creature. It has "Equip 0" and "Equipped creature has +3/+0 and can't be blocked." (Equipment that becomes a creature becomes unattached from the creature it's equipping.)
1/1
Licids!
DeleteNot sure if it's too complex. It's definitely complex. 8 lines.
Can the bonus match the P/T?
To keep it distinct from "2U, T: Target creature gains..." I don't think it should end at end of turn. Here's my crazy wording attempt (though now that I've written it, it looks rather similar to Living Weapon)
Delete1U
Artifact Creature - Knight Equipment
CARDNAME and creatures it equips get +1/+0 and can't be blocked.
Soulblade - 2U: Attach CARDNAME to target creature. This stops being a creature until equipped creature dies. Activate this ability as a sorcery.
0/1
Wiresoul Knight (uncommon)
Delete1U
Artifact Creature - Human Knight
CARDNAME and equipped creature get +2/+0 and can't be blocked.
Soulblade 2U (2U: CARDNAME stops being a creature and becomes an Equipment with "Equip 0." At the beginning of the end step, if it isn't attached to a creature, this effect ends.)
0/1
Is this more concise? By making it a keyword instead of an ability word (which is probably correct for this mechanic if it can be supported), we gain the ability to leave the reminder text off rare and mythic creatures.
DeleteThe bonus got dropped to +2/+1 so she wouldn't be as strong as a regular, non-equipment creature.
4/5 experts agree, its just easier to have an equipment become a creature for a duration.
Deletealso the original boost is crazy unfair for the cost.
alternately this sounds a lot like some broke form of living weapon
Delete2/1 unblockable for 1U huh?
Latch Seeker is a 3/1 unblockable for 1UU.
DeleteI tried a couple other templates. This is very nearly Living Weapon.
DeleteI was pretty surprised when they printed latch seeker. but still the fact that latch seeker's power is a cut above the curve for unblockable creatures and nothing else is what makes it ok. a better comparison would be inkfathom infiltrator. note the double color requirement and the can't block clause on it. this costs a very low color comitment (1) and comes with the advantage that it can equip, making another creature unbloackable. would I pay 2 and 3 for an equipment that gave +2/+0 and unblockable? yes everyday. what? it comes with a creature too, wow!
Deletewhat I'm trying to say is that creatures with innovative and potentially powerful low downside abilities generally stay closer to the base line for power and toughness. in this case Neurok Invisimancer?
I think the 0/1 is what really makes this feel like living weapon. Let's try another approach: where the abilities get transferred but the body doesn't.
DeleteWiresoul Knight (uncommon)
3U
Artifact Creature - Human Knight
CARDNAME and equipped creature can't be blocked.
Soulblade 1U (1U: CARDNAME stops being a creature and becomes an Equipment with "Equip 0." At the beginning of the end step, if it isn't attached to a creature, this effect ends.)
2/2
Looks good, I would restrict to sorcery speed so you can't dodge doom blades all day.
Delete16
ReplyDeleteKodachrome Cavalier - 2W
Creature - Chameleon Knight
First Strike
Whenever Kodachrome Cavalier deals combat damage to a creature, it is that creature's color(s) in addition to its other colors.
If Kodachrome Cavalier is five or more colors, it gains +3/+3, flying and lifelink.
2/2
you word color change with "becomes"
Deleteas in:
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage to a creature, it becomes that creature's colors in addition to its other colors.
"or more?"
DeleteIt's strange that I can't find any cards that specifically mention five colors. When counting colors, it's usually a linear expression of "each color." When mentioning all the colors, they usually say "all colors." I don't see an explicit "five colors."
DeleteI'd suggest "If Kodachrome Cavalier is all colors..." or "If Kodachrome Cavalier is four or more colors..." The latter if you're optimistic about the addition of a sixth color and want the Cavalier to hold up better than Coalition Victory. ;)
They are gonna print Purple mana any day. And when they do, weeeee'll be ready.
Deleteclaim #32
ReplyDeletewasn't gonna submit but then I got a cool idea
Sanguine Knight 1BB
Creature- Vampire Knight [R]
First strike, protection from white
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage, you may but a +1/+1 counter on it.
1/1
“My blade lusts for blood just as I do.”
I know wizards is trying to phase out protection, but I feel it's traditional. sort of a play on old an new vampires.
Neat. Rare?
DeleteI think 'may' is back out of fashion.
I missed the uncommon requirement...
DeleteSanguine Knight 1BB
Creature- Vampire Knight [U]
First strike
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage to a creature, put a +1/+1 counter on CARDNAME.
1/1
I know it doesn't fit tesla directly but I feel the art does that plenty well.
As black's iconic race, we have to try to fit them in, and we want a unique identity for them on this plane if possible. Why not this?
Deletewell I actually have a good Idea for that. on a post Apocalypse factory plane blacks iconic race could be vampires. but... the vampires of tesla don't bite people instead they carry elaborate weapons that they use to extract the blood from their victims. their niche in the society is that they are cruel overseers of factories run by enslaved humans. fits pretty well. just an idea.
DeleteStaking a claim to #29...
ReplyDeletePsytech Nullifier 3U
Creature - Human Wizard Scout
Flash
When Psytech Nullifier enters the battlefield, counter target activated ability from an artifact source. If that artifact is on the battlefield, its activated abilities can’t be activated as long as Psytech Nullifier is on the battlefield.
3/1
Flavor text: “Initiating shutdown sequence.”
It's really wordy...but is it grokkable at least?
I understand it, but I'm not sure many casual players would. Can he just tap down or banish the artifact?
DeleteTapping down could work and gives the added "if creature, can't attack/block" bonus ala Stasis Cocoon, but I'd be worried about logistical issues with Equipment. Outright exiling would be way too strong in a format with Mechas.
DeleteI understand what you are doing here but I would probably just skip the countering and just require the player to be proactive. matter of taste I guess.
Delete#25:
ReplyDeleteLustrous Defender 1W
Creature - Human Knight
Vigilance
T: Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature by artifact creatures until end of turn.
2/2
Just curious: Why only creatures?
DeleteI imagined her as a sort of anti-mech swordswoman, able to defend (herself or) other creatures from even overly-powerful assembled contraptions. Mechanically this ended up as a sort of Mother-of-runes-y feel. It could be "target creature gets protection from artifacts until end of turn", but that feels more magical and less martial (and I try and avoid protection if possible at this point). This way you're not afraid of equipment (since equipment is fun!), but you have something of a slowing effect against a heavy mech opponent.
DeleteShe's a knight in shining armor!
As for not protecting you from artifact creatures, I just didn't think of that in the story. She could have "prevent all damage that target artifact creature would deal this turn", but that is probably a better concepted as a lockdown/EMP-mage.
"Prevent all damage to target creature or player by artifacts this turn?"
Deleteor try "Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature or player by artifacts this turn"
DeleteIt's kind of like the question of whether "must attack if able" makes a creature simpler (you know what to do with it) or more complex (extra text).
DeleteIs it simpler to say "artifact creatures", so you know what to use it against, or "artifacts", which is shorter and a more general case? Do newer players forget that artifact creatures are artifacts? Are players that new something we should have any concern for at uncommon in an expert set?
The next question is whether to upgrade this to a constructed-potential bear by making it simply "Target creature or player gains protection from artifacts until end of turn." Divorces jittes midcombat, kills batterskull Germs, potentially stymies aggressive affinity, while also stalling Mindslaver and Thopter kills? But even though this does allow you to play equipment/tops of your own, it's probably less effective than Kataki, and potentially third behind Leonin Relic-Warder, which would make me want to shift it down to W to be a stronger Mother of Runes echo (and be more broadly sideboarded in Modern), but at that point it is both rare and potentially quite a bit less Knightly.
Delete"Prevent all damage an artifact source of your choice would deal this turn" is also an option.
DeleteLast but not least, the body could be moved around some. A 2/3 feels like a classic white body, and has appeared with-upside as a common two drop in white before; it makes it feel a little more stalwart and helps sell its place on a curve. On the flipside, R&D has been vocal about making black more backsided, and clearly is pushing 3/1s in the 1W slot. You'll use the T: ability more targeting itself this way, basically reading as First Strike against */3 artifacts.
DeleteI'm frankly not sure which is more exciting. I think it might be more fun if you use her to defend others more often than herself, so:
Lustrous Defender 1W
Creature - Human Knight
Vigilance
T: Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature or player by artifact creatures this turn.
2/3
"Against the mechs, she's your knight in shining armor."
2/3's for two have rarely existed in white. there are a few but all of them either cost WW or have a distinct disadvantage.
Deletehttp://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&color=+[W]&cmc=+=[2]&power=+=[2]&tough=+=[3]
I feel like 2/2 for 2 is really pushing the gauntlet at uncommon with vigilance and a relevant mechanic. what about a 1/3? 3/1 mostly exist in white for two mana without much other complication.
Right! I recognize that this is pushing the bubble. It's true that this might be best as a WW, especially if colored costs are easier due to more mono-color-y decks due to more colorless playables (as opposed to if we, say, have a large number of colorless mana producers in Tesla)
DeleteBut if Veteran Armorsmith can be a 2/3-with-upside at common, and Sentinel Sliver can be a 2/2-vigilance-with-upside at common, I imagined a 2/3-vigilance-with-upside could be managed at uncommon. It's clearly pushed, though I'm not convinced it's too far.
Given that cards like Loyal Cathar and Kazandu Blademaster (which I expect is quite a bit stronger than this in the abstract) are WW, yeah, maybe WW is safer. #letdevfiddlewithit #pushedforconstructed
The are two other ways to explore this (if I haven't spilled enough ink on this single design). The first would be as a 0/3 for W - that's a body you might pay for, and has a precedent without having been tread too frequently. You'd have to have either power-boosting equipment or real threatening mechas to stop to probably play it, though.
DeleteThe second is if it prevented damage from *colorless* sources rather than *artifact* ones. Whether or not we have any/a surplus of colored artifacts in this set would make a difference on that front; or if "color matters" became a subtheme (which seems to pop up in the discussion). It's equally useful against a certain breed of giant mecha/Blightsteel Colossus/Eldrazi, though it's sadly still worse at stalling against Emrakul than it is against Arcbound Ravager.
Veteran Armorsmith was WW and Slivers are regularly above the curve (perhaps to offset the linearity of the strategy)...
Deletelast minute switch back to a 2/2 (and cleaning up the lines):
DeleteLustrous Defender 1W
Creature - Human Knight
Vigilance
T: Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature or player by artifact creatures this turn.
2/2
"She's your knight in shining armor."
I'm claiming 31. That art is awesome! Too bad it's utterly wrong aspect ratio. Can I get the full art version for my card?
ReplyDeleteAre you making a planeswalker or a full-art promo?
Deletehttp://angeliq.deviantart.com/art/Seijin-55100485
DeleteActually full art wouldn't work because the glowing giant sword would obscure the white text of the card.
DeleteAnyway, my flavor concept is Neon Knights as super-cops who protect the populous from mechs, constructs, and law breaking cyber punks. Think Boros, with a focus on artificers. Also, they are extremely vain and self important. My art has neon actually in the armor. So, I imagined each knight trick out his or her gear like street car racers do.
Neon Dragoon (Uncommon)
Delete3RR
Creature - Human Knight
3/4
CARDNAME must be blocked if able.
Whenever CARDNAME engages an artifact creature in combat, it deals 3 damage to that artifact creature’s controller.
Neon Knights get noticed wherever they go.
I think the parlance for "engaging in combat" would fall out more like "whenever Neon Dragoon blocks or becomes blocked by an artifact creature..." I do like that it works towards a single goal of getting into a fight and doing damage there.
DeleteVanVelding: Yes that's the wording. I'm using new wording I talked about in the 7-17-13 CCDD Psi-Stalker comments. I like it better. The whole card's fake anyway, so why not?
Delete'Engage in combat' isn't a huge upgrade in word count, but the flavor's pretty sweet. It could be tweaked to count fights too, perhaps.
DeleteThe words saved is small, (except with Bushido, where it actually increases word count a smidge.) But, by creating a game term for "blocking or blocked," wordiness is greatly reduced. The trigger becomes less labyrinthine and much more grokable.
DeleteI think all Neon Knights could trigger off of engaging an artifact creature in combat. And the effect would be a verdict the knight has decreed. This one is punitive, a white one could reduce damage, gain life, destroy an attacking creature, etc.
Art #30
ReplyDeleteLaserbow Elite 2RR
Artifact Creature - Archer
2RR, T: Choose a colour. Laserbow Elite deals 1 damage to each creature your opponents control of the chosen colour.
2/2
After being inspired many designs by already taken arts, I've settled with this one, which I did top-down. The laser thing on his(?) arm is - clearly! - an automated crossbow device with laser darts! So he shoots all those darts to the foes. The ability should play well with the hypothetical colour theme and the Battlecruiser theme (it punishes small guys obviously). The "artifactness" is dictated mainly by the art, but it doesn'y add anything, and it could be removed with no problems if need be.
What do you think about it? Thanks for your thoughts
I've made several of my ideas here into artifact creatures. Sometimes because they're robots, and sometimes because they're cyborgs.
DeleteWhat I don't get about the laserbow is how it spreads out to hit more than one creature (and yet it discriminates which group it seeks).
I wanted to tie it with the colour-matters theme, but yes you're right, it doesn't need the colour clause, and probably is more elegant without it.
DeleteI hate to say it because this is a pretty cool design but "Wojek Embermage"
DeleteGrey Knight (Art #24) 1 W/B W/B
ReplyDeleteArtifact Creature - Knight (U)
No more than one color of mana may be spent to cast Grey Knight.
First Strike
Protection from nonartifact creatures
2/2
The generic cost should still be payable in colorless mana, which I assume will be around in an artifact set. Otherwise, it might as well cost W/B W/B W/B. Thought about 1 2/W 2/B, but that's the same as 3 W/B.
I'm not sure I like the beloved chaplain effect here. this is pretty much etched champion but with first strike instead of shroud... and you know, no way to turn it off. sure it seems fair enough but I feel like it's out of color for what is essentially pretty much whites territory entirely. (if 7 cards are anything to go by [Teysa is probably not black from the protection])
DeleteWhat does it mean that we can pay 1/B B B or 1/W W W but not WWB or WBB or any third color? Are there going to be other cards with that clause? Are nonartifact creatures what the Grey Knight should be worried about in Tesla?
Delete1BB, BBB, 1WW, or WWW yeah.
DeleteI added the cost clause because the White and Black Knights I based it on had demanding color restrictions in their costs. Would such a clause have a use on other cards or is that part of Grey Knight special for the sake of being special? Mostly the latter, though I could ramble on about it.
I'm not 100% on the last question, honestly. Grey Knight says, "play artifacts" in an artifact set. It dies to the featured mecha very easily. Versus some decks, it's worth a removal spell that would hit a mecha. It plays defense well without halting evasive creatures (though it seems a bit strong on offense for a slow set).
Tesla doesn't need a one-stop nonartifact creature answer, but I think Grey Knight ups the value of artifacts and drives home the themes of the set.
Grey Knight (Art #24) 1 W/B W/B
DeleteArtifact Creature - Knight (U)
First Strike
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Grey Knight by nonartifact creatures.
2/2
Losing the cost restriction for simplicity. Losing protection so she's better for defense.
I would love to make it "Grey Knight can't be targeted or dealt damage by nonartifact creatures," but I think you need to specifically say "prevent" when you're preventing damage. An alternative might be "Grey Knight can't be targeted by or destroyed by lethal damage from nonartifact creatures," but it's a bit muddled and wonky.
#19.
ReplyDeleteSoulblade Warrior 2G
Creature - Human Warrior
2/2
Recharge 2 (T, exile a card from your graveyard: Put two charge counters on this creature.)
G, Remove a charge counter from ~: ~ gets +3/+0 or +0/+3 until end of turn.
This is probably what the gunfight mechanic for the Western set wants to be. With a ranged damage effect instead of pumping.
Would we see recharge 1 or recharge 3 on other cards? Why do some creatures find more bullets on a single carcass than others?
DeleteDo all creatures with recharge spend charge counters for +N/+0 or +0/+N or is that just a green thing?
I'm claiming #6 before it gets taken. Design will be a reply later.
ReplyDeleteFor #18:
ReplyDeleteNetwork Protector 1WU
Creature - Human Knight Wizard
1WU: Copy target instant or sorcery that targets ~, you may choose new targets for that copy.
"L'aaras Legion they're called."
"But there's only four of 'em?"
"You go first then."
2/2
I really like this design but I'm not sure how white either this card or the art is. both seem pretty mono blue.
DeleteI could see it in Mono-Blue. I started working from the angle of a Knight that doesn't have a traditional protection ability.
DeleteFrom a flavor perspective, though you can use this ability proactively, it was originally conceived as a way of deterring removal, and that is why it's white. I think that the 'copy a spell that targets this creature' is pretty undefined colorwise, and I would put it in W/U.
suit yourself, but you wouldn't put it in some red hybrid with blue? red is the only other color that copies things... on a regular basis. (don't tell me about nemesis trap or wake the reflections.)
DeleteSkillful Lasersaberman - 1WW
ReplyDeleteCreature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever CARDNAME is blocked by an artifact creature, destroy that creature.
2/2
"Metal cuts as easy as flesh to us." - Roxio, Commander Regent of the Lasersabermen
Bonus design:
#19 art
Illusionary Weaponsmith - 2WW
Creature - Human Artificer (rare, hence the bonus since it happened while brainstorming but is too complex for uncommon)
Whenever an equipment enters the battlefield under your control, you may put a token that is a copy of that equipment on the battlefield attatched to ~ except it has "If you activate this equipment's equip ability, sacrifice this."
2/2
Whoops, #6 is the first design's art.
DeleteI'm not sure Skillful Lasersaberman needs to do a whooping 4 damage to your opponent at 3 mana at uncommon (not to mention double the bonuses from equipment). I'm sure first strike or some other evergreen white keyword ability would due to make a strong uncommon in an artifact set.
DeleteOkay, just add 1 to its cost then? I was going for a strong limited uncommon that was sort-of anti-mech. I'm not sure how much equipment there will be, but I could see this getting scaled back if there is a bunch.
DeleteKnight of Light and Steel - 2WW
Creature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever CARDNAME becomes blocked by an artifact creature, destroy that creature.
2/2
Art #28
ReplyDeleteDeranged Manablader
RB
Zombie Beserker Knight
2/1
First Strike
Deranged Powerblader must attack each turn if able
Whenever Deranged Manablader attacks it deals 1 damage to target creature or player
Whenever a creature dealt damage by Deranged Manablader dies, put a +1+1 counter on Deranged Manablader
A manablader must continually practice self-discipline, lest they become one of "them"
---------------------------------------------------------If its too powerful (or complicated) for uncommon upping cost to 1RB or removing First Strike might help rectify this situation
Forgive the bad flavor text, this is a first try
This has four abilities and 8 lines of text without the flavor text. The first strike and 1 damage feel redundant. Of the two, first strike seems to fit the art better. "Must attack" is cute with the +1/+1 counters for the 'deranged' aspect, but doesn't combo with the 'fast' abilities, design-wise. Simplify, man.
DeleteA possible revision:
DeleteDeranged Manablader
RB
2/1
First Strike
Whenever Deranged Manablader deals damage to a opponent put a +1+1 counter on Deranged Manablader
Whenever a creature dealt damage by Deranged Manablader dies, put a +1+1 counter on Deranged Manablader.
Removed the can't block as a way to simplify it a little and its at 5 lines of ability text. Alternatively
Deranged Manablader
2/1
Haste, First Strike
Deranged Manablader can't block
Whenever Deranged Manablader deals damage to a opponent, place a +1+1 counter on it.
A slightly easier version using only mechanics with precedent
You could combine ...
DeleteDeranged Manablader
RB
2/1
First Strike
Whenever Deranged Manablader deals combat damage, put a +1+1 counter on it.
hey!
DeleteOops. TehWERR already claimed that for #32.
DeleteI didn't really... I did however shrink that ability because I thought it was pushing it too much at uncommon, and would be a sweet, not super complex but still good rare.
DeleteHopefully I'm not too late but maybe
DeleteDeranged Manablader
1RB
2/1
Haste
Whenever a opponent loses life, place a +1+1 counter on Deranged Manablader
Your blood serves a new purpose, to whet my blade!
#8
ReplyDeleteShardmind Dominator 2RR
Artifact Creature - Warrior (U)
When Shardmind Dominator enters the battlefield, gain control of target creature with power equal to or less than Shardmind Dominator's power until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn.
3/3
Mini-Manticore works for me.
Delete#17
ReplyDeleteBlur Knight UU
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Blur Knight can’t be blocked except by artifact creatures.
Blur Knight can’t be the target of red spells your opponents control.
2/2
The added protection ability was originally just protection from red as a nod to the black/white etc. knight cycle, however, it felt more blue this way.
Also whilst this would be verging on being too good for a normal limited environment it acts like Go for the Throat or Ultimate price (Being weaker in context) reinforcing the set theme.
feels like it should probably be a rare, not just for power reasons. but because it has two powerful spelled out abilities on a 2 mana 2/2
DeleteNot getting the red/artifact connection...
DeleteYour quite right, scrap the second ability.
DeleteArt #7
ReplyDeletePlazblade Retributor 2RW
Creature - Human Soldier (U)
First strike
All damage that a noncreature source would deal to Plazblade Retributor is dealt to that source's controller instead.
4/1
In trying to think of what distinguishes futuristic melee combatants from traditional fantasy ones, the only major difference I could come up with are that the former can usually deflect projectiles with their weapons. After all, it's otherwise very hard to justify using swords when a blaster is just as deadly and can be employed at any range. Combined with the defensive posture in Art #7, I had the idea of a warrior that uses its magically charged weapon to repel other magic attacks back at their caster. (I figure a magical form of electromagnetism is fair game in a setting like Tesla.)
(27)
ReplyDeleteSparksoul Duelist 1WW
Artifact Creature - Knight (Unc)
Phantom weapon (Whenever CARDNAME becomes equipped, you may put a token that is a copy of that equipment onto the battlefield attached to CARDNAME. If either the original or token equipment becomes unattached from CARDNAME, sacrifice the token.)
2/2
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It's really a rare ability in a vacuum, but if it's keyworded, poof! you can be uncommon, and possibly even common.
Is this meant to be another main mechanic of Tesla? I feel that it isn't very grokkable. It's good for an isolated rare (like my bonus design above), but simply keywording it to get the rarity down doesn't work when the ability doesn't have much room to grow designs from.
DeleteDefinitely not a good keyword for Tesla, possibly an OK keyword elsewhere, if someone edits the reminder text to something a little more understandable. I cheated a little since I was crunched for time. I think the design itself is solid once we dekeyword it and turn it into a rare,but the design called for uncommons.
Delete(11)
ReplyDeleteLifeblood Perverter 2GB
Creature - Human Knight
Sacrifice an artifact or land: Lifeblood Perverter gets +2/+2 and trample until end of turn.
2/3
"Traitors of our order use the scarce remains of lifeblood to empower their blades instead of reclaiming the land"