Weekend Art ChallengeClick through to see this weekend's art and the design requirements for your single 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 ~ in your submissions.
Take a stab at lenticular design: Make a card that looks easy to use to new players, but has hidden layers of interest for entrenched players.
I'm guessing this will be a tough one.
Why does the art say "art by Carl Frank" if the art credit on the card is "SeeEffEye?"
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing Carl Frank's Deviant Art name is SeeEffEye which is obviously 'artist' for CFI. Guess he has another last name.
DeleteTranscend Death (uncommon)
ReplyDeleteWB
Instant
Destroy target creature. At the beginning of the end step, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
How do new players use this card?
DeleteHow do entrenched players use it?
New players use it to blink opponents creatures. Experienced players use it to save their own/take advantage of death trigger and etb effects.
DeleteAnd as a counterspell, occasionally.
DeleteWhat Zefferal said, in addition to synergies with particular effects (Leyline of the Void, Grafdigger's Cage, Deathrite Shaman, etc.)
DeleteThis definitely qualifies as lenticular, in that has many layers and more experienced players will see more uses for it.
DeleteI'm not convinced a new player will use it to blink opponent's creatures, or at all. I'm thinking a new player will look at it and see a card that does nothing: "Oh, I get to kill a creature... but then it comes back? WTH?"
(Despite my clarification in the challenge, I find this an entirely acceptable solution. I don't think it appeals simply to new players, but it clearly has multiple levels.)
DeleteI don't think new players are dumb, just not familiar with the intricacies of the game. The creature comes back *at end of turn*. So I think new players will see "oh, this is a way of getting rid of one of their creatures for a turn. I can stop their big creature from attacking for a turn, or I can do this on my turn and attack without them being able to block."
DeleteI've seen Very Smart people completely baffled by relatively simple cards. Never underestimate your audience's ability to not pick up on your hints.
DeleteI don't think it takes much experience to pick up on the time gap here, but not all players push through confusion.
Flurry of Souls 2WW
ReplyDeleteInstant (U)
Put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield for each attacking creature.
So new players will assume this is for defense, while experienced players will know they can also go aggro with it?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIsn't this card called flurry of wings and is a bant card printed in alara?
DeleteDehumanize B
ReplyDeleteInstant (common)
Target creature gets +3/-1 and is black in addition to its other colours until end of turn.
Experienced players will know they can either kill a creature directly or beef up an X/2+, as well as playing with protection/intimidate effects. I agree a new player won't see all of that, but I don't have an intuition which part they would see. Theories?
DeleteShouldn't dehumanizing something make it not a Human? There are humans in all colors.
DeleteJay – I think a new player would see it as a black Giant Growth you use when one of your creatures gets through unblocked since "it might die otherwise".
DeleteEvan – I'd rather change the name than stick in a tribal interaction. I get your point though, and perhaps this is too good a name to use on this kind of card. But since this will never see print, I'm not concerned about that. ;)
Submit to the nethershades WWW
ReplyDeleteEnchantment
Whenever a creature becomes blocked, you may exile a creature card from a graveyard to prevent all damage dealt by and to it this turn.
new:
Delete"Whenever one of your creatures becomes blocked, you can save it from death on the backs of the creatures that died before it. So attack away."
experienced:
"I can block anything..."
Agree?
rare?
DeleteYep :D it is a rare and yes, new players will use it to attack, old players will use it for whatever fits them.
DeleteLycan Spellbreaker {RG}{RG}{RG}
ReplyDeleteCreature-Werewolf (rare)
Discard a card: Gain control of each spell targeting Lycan Spellbreaker that shares a mana cost with the discarded card. You may choose new targets for those spells.
4/3
Obviously it's a big creature for its cost. New players should hopefully realize they can protect it. Experienced players should realize they can bluff in order to protect it when they can't, or to trick an opponent into actually targeting it. They can also do Wild Mongrel tricks.
What do you think?
If this were converted mana cost, I could maybe see it, but requiring the exact mana cost of the spell means that I think you will hardly ever get the ability to work. Certainly as a mana-free discard outlet this is fine (although I wonder what is mono green about it). But I don't think that having such a narrow ability works here.
DeleteI totally meant CMC. Thanks for catching that.
DeleteLots of thoughts on this card. On paper this ability looks more interesting than hexproof because there are more opportunities for interaction. In practice I wonder if it will play almost exactly like hexproof because the downside for trying your luck and guessing wrong is so harsh.
DeleteIs this ability in both green and red? Target-changing is secondary in red (primarily in blue) but never shows up in green.
Also, obviously changing the target of a spell is powerful, but does gaining control of a targeted spell really matter that much?
Experienced players will recognize that a 4/3 for 3 is still a good deal, even with an ability that rarely gets used. I guess it's lenticular in that regard.
Green gets hexproof (and weird forms of protecting creatures from spells), and this is hexproof most of the time, so I feel fine making it {RG}.
DeleteMy aim in making the body sizeable was to give players a reason to consider taking the risk of killing it, but maybe 4/3 isn't big enough. I suppose this could be a 6/4 for {3}{RG}{RG} or something?
Making the redirect relatively restrictive was another effort in making it not just functionally hexproof. Again, I can't be sure it's enough without testing.
Another option is giving the discard a static cost, or a cost to match the redirected spell.
Very nice. But I think it wouldn't appeal to new players at all. I think this is only lenticular in terms of already experienced players. I do like it a lot though.
DeleteI think new players would not like the card that much: too much complexity. The old ones would go wooot: a 4/3 for 3 that can be indeed protected at a 1:1 cost ratio. However this card would depend on its environement and the cost of removal you and your oppoent uses. The card does not feel that red to me. Perhaps something like {G/R}{G/R}{G/R}{G/R} and add, if you do, you may add a +1/+1 counter on it, which will make old players realise that they can target with a trick and discard for an extra counter too? I do not know. It is an interesting card in general but it pushes complexity.
DeleteWraith Summoner
ReplyDelete2{W}{B}
Rare
Whenever Wraith Summoner deald combat damage to a creature it deals {X} damage to target player or creature, where {X} is the number of creatures in all graveyard .
1/1
Creature type(s)?
DeleteThis is a very curious design. Do you want to talk about what you're going for?
Actually
DeleteI see this is more {G}{B} than {W}{B}
Also in the art the mage is kinda an elf...
Wraith Summoner
Delete{2}{G}{B}
Creature - Elf Wizard
Rare
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage to a creature, CARDNAME deals {X} damage to target player or creature, where {X} is the number of creatures in all graveyard .
1/1
A beginner player can see it like a creature who can simply resolve a combat even if a 1/1, killing a creaturer or dealing damage to a player
DeleteAn experienced player can build something interesting on this one (discarding cratures from his deck for example and than attacking with the Wright Summoner)
Unless you're casting Lure or Culling Mark, this actually gets worse the more creatures in graveyards, because the choice whether to block and take the damage once or just take 1 damage each turn becomes easier...
DeleteThat's true. But in defence it can be something
DeleteLycanthropy - R - Common
ReplyDeleteEnchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has "At the end of your turn, tap this creature."
You see, because it is a werewolf during your turn, but then it switches back to its ordinary form and sleeps during your opponent's turn. This is an incredibly aggressive card, and if the number of Furor of the Bittens I've seen is any indication, it is something that will appeal to them.
More experienced players can realize this card can also clear out blockers, and is particularly effective against opposing creatures with Defender. Conveniently, the same deck wants both of these effects, making this a bit like a charm.
Does this wording make it so it taps at the end of the opponent's turn if enchanting their guy? I think that needs to be clearer. I'm also okay with bleeding this tapping into red for this card.
DeleteIn terms of the challenge: well done. :D
Yes, it taps it at the end of their turn if it is their guy. I tried a few wordings of that and they were all awkward. One could go with the wording on Narcolepsy, but that might make the story a little less clear?
DeleteNice!
DeleteMaybe:
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2.
Tap enchanted creature at the beginning of its controller's end step.
Thanks Jay, that is so much more pleasant than anything I came up with!
DeleteAdept of the Mists
ReplyDelete1UU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Whenever Adept of the Mists deals combat damage to a player, you may return target creature to its owner's hand.
1/4
"Silence monster. I return you to the ugly oblivion of your birth."
New players: Sweet! I can bounce their guys!
Experienced players: Sweet! I can bounce my guys!
Re-use etb/ltb effects, counter stuff on the way down, get rid of pesky auras, etc.
Feedback appreciated as always.
I like it, particularly the stats and the cost you chose, but I think it is a rare. This thing makes for some pretty complex board states.
DeleteI like the ability, and I don't disagree with your lenticular argument, though as Evan recently said "spending a card to unsummon your own creature at sorc speed is very rarely worth it" and it's rare you'd rather bounce your own guy more than theirs. But totally possible. Like with Nekrataal.
DeleteI think 1/4 is an odd choice of stats. So easy to block.
If this was hard to block, I think the card would be obnoxious. If it is easy to block, it creates a little puzzle.
DeleteScroll Thief is easy to block, but when it is on the board the whole game often starts to revolve around it. "Is leaving back one blocker enough? What if he removes it?" And when Scroll Thief hits you, you just draw a card. This guy hits you and your whole board position starts to melt away.
Most of the time, the card is just bad, but imagine, just for sake of argument, that it was in Theros. It would work well with things like Aqueous Form, Nimbus Naiad, Baleful Eidolon, and Nylea's Emissary. I imagine there are similar enablers in most blocks.
I prefer it easy to block, for what Tommy said. And I guess I make more decks that abuse ETB triggers than you Jay.
DeleteOfficially making it rare. I agree that this is more devastating than I first thought. I think these stats at rare are fine.
I'll migrate this to it's own thread, despite being inspired by Jules:
ReplyDeleteBeset by Spirits XW
Instant (U)
Put X 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield blocking target creature attacking you.
How is this lenticular?
DeleteBecause you can make X much higher than the attacker's power?
DeleteThat's the idea. X spells also have a lot of shifting value over the course of the game, so the first time it might make "sense" to a new player to play the card might not be the same to a more experienced player. And an even more advanced player will recognize the times when using it as a 2 mana fog is the optimal play as well.
DeleteSavage Rebuttal G
ReplyDeleteInstant
Counter target spell that targets a creature you control. Put X +1/+1 counters on that creature, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
Why not grant the creature hexproof until EOT?
DeleteWhat makes this lenticular?
I want to play this.
I'm glad you asked! It's because you can counter your own spell to give your creature a boost.
DeleteThat doesn't work with hexproof; and it doesn't occur to a new player as a tactic, at first. Presumably, to new players, this is a way to beat your opponent's removal, but to experienced players, there's a very real time and place where you exile your own spells to give your creature a must-needed boost.
What rarity is this card? With how expensive removal has become, I think this is ridiculously punishing. Imagine playing this against Lash of the Whip or Sip of Hemlock.
DeleteAt rare, it might be fine as is, but if this was common (which I think it probably wants to be?) it probably needs to cost something like 3G so it is appropriately telegraphed.
Why would you ever do this to your own spell? The only time it's ever worth anything is if the spell is big and expensive, in which case you're probably better off letting it resolve if it's beneficial (and saving Savage Rebuttal for when they try to remove it) or, if it's some form of removal of your own, getting rid of their actual threats so you can maintain board control?
DeleteConverted mana cost aside, why isn't this card white or blue?
Delete@Tommy:
DeleteYou're right that at CMC 1, this probably works as a rare. This is a card you'd print to help aggro decks have options against an oppressive control strategy/removal suites, not one you'd print in a format like Theros Limited, for sure - the cost is definitely pushed. If removal never comes back down in cost, then this would want a boost in CMC as well; but I doubt it'll be too long before we see powerful cheap removal ubiquitous again.
@Jenesis:
This could work as a design for a WG or UG trick if that was a slot you needed filled, but if it's a mono-colored card, (my opinion is that) green is the right place to put it.
@Evan:
DeleteYou cast a Boar Umbra on your 3-drop. Your opponent Mana Leaks the aura. You Rebuttal the aura, giving you at least the benefit of three +1/+1 counters.
You cast Moldervine Cloak and Rebuttal it, allowing you to start dredging on your next draw while still keeping momentum on board.
You're playing against a creatureless combo deck, and you have a useless Doom Blade sitting in hand. You Doom Blade one of your creatures, and Rebuttal the Doom Blade to potentially speed up your clock by a full turn to beat the goldfish.
You wouldn't play a card just for these uses, but they're cases that can come up, for experienced players who see the line. Countering your own spell for benefit is just like forcing your opponent to draw cards.
Spiritual Rebirth (1)(B/G)(B/G)
ReplyDeleteInstant
Draw a card, then put a card from a graveyard on top of it’s owner’s library.
Very solid design. I assume the lenticular use is to give the opponent a do-nothing card for his or her next draw. My onlyvquestions are: (1) why hybrid G/B, (2) what rarity, and (3) how does it fit the art?
Deleterarity uncommon? the wolfman is being revived by the spirits being cast by the elf. the reason for the hybrid is it is a medium place between to two colors.
DeleteBlack usually only recurs creatures.
DeleteThis is weaker than if the draw happened second; and that's fine for card balancing, but does that improve this design or maybe its lenticularity?
good point, but I felt that black being the color of death, while it doesn't generally get back non-creatures. while this could be seen as a break of the color pie, you could also see it as a reasonable stretch of the pie, like unmake.
Deleteas for the cost, I figured at instant speed two mana would be too low. perhaps it could be a sorcery at (B/G)(B/G)? lets go with that.
I approve the recur-then-draw ordering, since that makes it appreciably different from a Regrowth effect. For costing, what about 2G? I like this being an instant, but I agree with Jay that it doesn't seem very black.
Delete*I approve "of"
DeleteYou /could/ stretch this into black if you had a good reason. Not seeing any reason.
DeleteOn second thought, I think drawing first makes separating the two halves of Regrowth less bizarre.
Turn to Beast G
ReplyDeleteInstant (Uncommon)
Target creature loses all abilities and becomes a 5/5 green Beast creature until end of turn.
The idea is that new players cast it on their own guys as a combat trick, while experienced players also use it to mess with the opponent's team.
I like the idea, but I wonder how good this is at messing with the opponent's team. Vanilla 5/5 isn't so terrible a replacement, even for a Baneslayer Angel or Grave Titan. I guess it doesn't need to be good at both uses.
DeleteGood point. Changing to 4/4, which balances offense and defense better and feels closer to the art.
DeleteI hadn't realized this, but the card has another lenticular use-- making an evasive creature big after blocks are declared.
DeleteNot to forget that it messes up with the layers rules, which new players do not really know.
DeleteAh, but new players don't need to know all the intricacies to the layers rules. However they play it, is how they play it.
DeleteTidesand Crab 1UU
ReplyDeleteCreature - Crab (U)
2/3
T: Put the top 3 cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Then put a card from that player's graveyard on the bottom of his or her library.
Changing ability to:
ReplyDeleteU, T: Put the top 3 cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Put one of those cards on the bottom of his or her library.
art: http://herringbonnes.deviantart.com/art/Crab-s-Eye-350730609
DeleteLenticular use is to avoid decking yourself? Seems kinda narrow, but OK. Will beginning players be OK with giving their opponent a card "back"?
DeleteAlso, this doesn't really fit the given art.
DeleteOops, I forgot this challenge came with art.
DeleteChanging to:
Apprentice Mind Sculptor 1UU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
U, T: Put the top 3 cards of target player's library into his or her graveyard. Put one of those cards on the bottom of his or her library.
2/3
The lenticular use is to mill yourself. You can enrich your graveyard, or improve your deck's quality and then shuffle with fetch lands etc.
Not sure how this rules text explains the Wolfy Brute, but otherwise this is solid.
DeleteGnoll Patrol 1UB
ReplyDeleteCre- Hound Human Wizard
Whenever you cast a blue spell, CARDNAME gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Whenever you cast a black spell, CARDNAME gains intimidate until end of turn.
2/3
Crap, this is almost exactly Gravelgill Duo.
DeleteTake 2:
Gnoll Patrol 2UB
Cre- Hound Human Wizard
Whenever you cast a blue spell, CARDNAME becomes colorless until end of turn.
Whenever you cast a black spell, CARDNAME gains intimidate until end of turn.
2/4
"Vengeful spirits cloak us, that we may slaughter in your name"
"Woof!"
A substantial improvement. The new version is more innovative, more obviously lenticular, and fits the art better.
Delete2UB seems really high for a 2/4-sometimes-unblockable. Would a 2/4 for 1UB work? Or should he just be a 3/3 for 2UB...
DeleteBut how is this lenticular?
DeleteDidn't we just discuss the combination of intimidate and becoming colorless versus just upgrading intimidate to unblockable? Of course, that would ruin this set up because we wouldn't care about black at all. But then, we don't currently care about just blue either.
DeleteI've been out of the loop for a week or two. Was this discussed recently? Could you clarify?
DeleteI wish I had time to contribute a design, especially since it was a tough one. Born of the Gods prereleases took all my attention this weekend. Nice work everyone!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was that it's good art for a reprint of Call to Heel (which is good lenticular design.)
Delete