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, choose any one piece of art from the Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3 and design a card that could reasonably be printed in Theros based on what we know so far. Identify your choice by the artist's name and the bold subject heading above it. Bonus points for resonance.
Basilisks by Wayne Reynolds
ReplyDeleteStonegaze Basilisk 2G
Creature-Basilisk (unc)
2BB: Monstrosity 2.
Deathtouch
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, it gains first strike until end of turn.
2/2
I'm not sure we'll be seeing off color monstrous in Theros, but I like the concept.
DeleteAgreed, but it felt so perfect.
DeleteI'm not sure (I am absolutely sure) that a black "kicker cost" should not be granting first strike and nothing else.
DeleteHow about doubling the creature's size?
DeleteSo, black is tertiary in first strike, but what's really happening here is that the Basilisk is threatening to kill you before you can even hit it, via its gaze. Once.
I claim that red or white would be less appropriate colors for this ability.
Giving first strike is clever, but I think it's cleaner as 5BB Montrosity 2, when it becomes monstrous you may destroy target creature.
DeleteOr maybe keep it in green and have it fight target creature?
DeleteSold.
DeleteStonegaze Basilisk 2G
Creature-Basilisk (unc)
3GG: Monstrosity 2.
Deathtouch
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, you may have it fight target creature.
2/2
Sphinx by Steve Prescott
ReplyDeleteTemple Sphinx 4UU
Creature - Sphinx (R)
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, draw X cards then discard two cards, where X is your devotion to blue. (Each U in the mana costs of permanents you control counts towards your devotion to blue.)
4/5
discard X cards might be cleaner but less exciting, thoughts?
DeleteX-2 feels so awkward. Draw X and discard X is still pretty good, though he could be a little cheaper or bigger then.
DeleteTemple Sphinx 4UU
DeleteCreature - Sphinx (R)
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, draw X cards then discard X cards, where X is your devotion to blue. (Each U in the mana costs of permanents you control counts towards your devotion to blue.)
4/6
Sirens by Daarken
ReplyDeleteThrenodia, Stormsinger 1UB
Legendary Creature - Siren (R)
Flying
T: Target creature attacks this turn if able. When that creature dies this turn, draw a card if it attacked this turn.
1/3
Flavor text:
Waves crashed and timbers splintered, but her melody drowned them all.
I debated "an opponent controls" like Alluring Siren, but if you want to suicide your own creatures for value, that's cool too.
I love how it's good to use on your own creatures too.
DeleteIt's weird: My instinct is that the tap ability ruins her creatureness because she never gets to attack or block, but that's obviously not what she's about and I can't rationally find any problems with her.
Oreskos art by Raymond Swanland
ReplyDeleteTriumph of Faith 2W
Enchantment (u)
At the beginning of your upkeep, the player with the greatest devotion gains 3 life.
The greatest devotion... to anything, eh? Interesting choice, and likely correct since you'd just auto-win the contest in 4 out of 5 matches if it were just devotion to white. Is 3 life enough of a reward? Too much? I guess it depends on the game state. Probably 3 is best.
DeleteI know it probably doesn't work with this wording, but I'm curious whether the trigger is worthwhile for the long-wording, regardless of the effect. Does it seem flavorful? Is it a mechanically interesting exploration of devotion-space?
DeleteDemigod Guy
Creature (r)
At the beginning of the end step, the player with the greatest devotion gains control of ~.
"other really cool ability"
P/T
I think the best way to get this to work, even though it changes it somewhat is "At the beginning of the end step, the player with the greatest devotion to a color gains control of ~."
Deletethis is in line with how devotion is worded on cards so far.
My only concern is what happens when there's a tie for greatest devotion?
Deletehttp://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=48180
Delete"If two or more players are tied for highest devotion to a color, you choose one of them, and that player gains control of CARDNAME."
alternately, http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=159127
Deletewhere its simply does not activate when there is a tie.
Sirens by Daarken
ReplyDeleteChanter of Charms (rare)
1UB
Creature - Siren
Flying
UB, T: Gain control of target tapped creature an opponent controls. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.
1/1
Do we need an upgraded Royal Assassin? It's pretty frustrating to play against as-is. Chanter just ups it from Never Attack to No Really Never Ever. Honestly, the ability to Threaten every turn seems interesting and powerful enough without the sacrifice clause.
DeleteBetter? More interactive?
DeleteChanter of Charms (rare)
1UB
Creature - Siren
Flying, deathtouch
T: Gain control of target tapped creature.
Creatures your opponents control attack each turn if able.
At the beginning of each opponent's combat, that player may give target creature vigilance until end of turn. If he or she does, other creatures he or she controls can't attack this turn.
1/1
Definitely more interactive, but very weird.
DeleteEssentially, "You must attack with all your creatures and I'll permanently steal one, or you must attack with exactly one creature and then you get to block with it too, unless I kill it with deathtouch."
There's a LOT going on here, and not much of it really goes together.
new version is very overdesigned. try to simplify is all the advice I can give.
DeleteUgh, I'm striking out with my top-down designs. I was trying to capture the idea of the Odysseus myth (one person can hear the song and survive.) I think I'm giving up with this art for now. Instead let's do the Satyr by Tyler Jacobsen underneath "Worldview."
DeleteCapricious Explorer (common)
1G
Creature - Satyr Scout
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, put the bottom card of your library into your hand.
1/1
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTerrestrial colossus 5R
Deletelegendary enchantment creature - Giant [r]
Haste
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield you may search your library for up to one card named celestial Colossus and up to one equipment card, reveal them and put them into your hand. Then shuffle you library.
6/4
(Lars Grant-West)
Celestial colossus 5W
legendary enchantment creature - Giant [r]
vigilance
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield you may search your library for up to one card named Terrestrial Colossus and up to one aura card, reveal them and put them into your hand. Then shuffle you library.
4/6
(Min Yum)
I had alternate art for these in my file but I like how these turned out.
It's like Stoneforge Mystic and Squadron Hawk have returned for way more card advantage but without the efficiency. That's awesome. Tournament Spikes might hate it (though maybe not, 6/4 haste plus two cards isn't exactly bad for 5R) but Timmy Spikes and maybe Johnny Spikes should love it. I mean, cast /one/ of these, and it sets up a chain to get /15/ more cards (y'know, given 42 more mana).
DeleteI'm obliged to say that the Min Yum art is described as a form of undead spirit and not a giant, but if we ignore that, it's not totally unfit for Celestial Colossus.
Sirens by Daarken
ReplyDeleteDeathsong Siren
Creature - Siren (U)
Flying, Deathtouch
3B: Untap target creature an opponent controls, its activated abilities can’t be activated. That creature attacks this turn if able.
1/3
A siren that gets utility guys. Not entirely sure on the wording.
And the mana cost is 2B
DeleteIt's awkward that it turns off firebreathing and the like in the process of keeping it from tapping again, but at least those abilities could be activated in response to this one.
DeleteThis is strictly better than Giant Scorpion /before/ the massively-synergistic activation ability...
Maybe: "Until end of turn, opponents can't tap creatures to activate abilities" from Angel of Jubilation.
DeleteDeathsong Siren 1BB
DeleteCreature - Siren (U)
Flying, Deathtouch
3B: Untap target creature an opponent controls, until end of turn it can't tap to activate abilities. That creature attacks this turn if able.
1/3
Yeah that works better. I think it's ok at 1BB, having a strictly worse body than Vampire Nighthawk. (Though maybe that shouldn't be a card to compare others to.)
Yeah, everything's worse than Nighthawk.
DeleteThis is improved though.
Eidolons art by Min Yum
ReplyDeleteForgotten Eidolon
Flash
Bestow 3U
Enchanted creature is a 0/1 Spirit (It doesn’t lose its abilities).
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may return Forgotten Eidolon to its owner’s hand.
Very weird, originally it also canceled enchanted creature's abilities, but I'm not sure rule would have worked; it also, which is more important, lost design symmetry between the creature and the aura granting (ehm not granting) abilities. So I cut bull's head and added reminder text.
Should be fine as rare. It can surprise an opponent creature a-la Ovinize, or remove a bigger threat a-la Lignify. I don't know if the "return to hand" clause is necessary, but is meant to give a sense to its "creatureness", also note the optionality of the clause, which is necessary to the design as is (pardon the pun).
Feedback very appreciated
Forgotted the normal price, wich is U
DeleteI tried this before. it has problems with lurgyofs
DeleteAbility-losing is tied to P/T-setting because of creatures with abilities that set their P/T, like Llurgoyf.
DeleteForgotten Eidolon is clever, but most likely too clever. It takes quite a bit of processing to see how you'd use it offensively, and I'm still not sure why you'd cast it as a creature, except to trigger Soul Warden every turn.
The last ability makes it creature removal you can use every turn. It also breaks the Bestow mold because it's an ability the creature has but doesn't grant to what it enchants.
This version is much simpler and fits the mold more closely:
Forgotten Eidolon U
Enchantment Creature—Spirit (unc)
Bestow 3U
Enchanted creature loses all abilities and is a 1/1 Spirit.
1/1
Damn, I forgot CDAs...
DeleteYour version is pretty similar to my initial thought, but I came to a different problem: this aura behaves differently than all other Bestow aura, from a creature - bestowed aura rapport; that is, all other bestow auras add abilities and toughness of the creature, and this overwrites. Leaving that as 0/1 should somewhat point out the difference, and so the flash.
For these reasons, I prefer this as a rare:
Forgotten Eidolon 0
[ci: U] Enchantment Creature - Spirit
Flash
Bestow 3U
Enchanted creature is a 0/1 Spirit with no abilities.
0/1
Nothing forbids to change this to a 1cmc 1/1, BUT I put the cost of 0 because is terribly unsexy to have a 1cmc 1/1 vanilla at rare; the strangeness of the 0cmc 0/1 probably doesn't sexify this anyway.
Finally probably this is the sign that this design isn't meant to be as is in this form with bestow, who knows. Anyway this presented above will be my final design.
Mmm I forgot to change the bestow cost to 1U.
DeleteForgotten Eidolon 0
[ci: U] Enchantment Creature - Spirit
Flash
Bestow 1U
Enchanted creature is a 0/1 Spirit with no abilities.
0/1
This is certainly a Johnny card: what deck would want an overcosted Ovinize that leaves a 0/1 behind?
(sacrifice-themed with U?
spirit-tribal or spiritcraft?)
I'd add "CARDNAME is blue" to that, so we don't have a colorless non-artifact creature running around outside of eldrazi.
Deletethe [ci:U] was to indicate the colour indicator technology :)
DeleteOvercosted ovinize? This is a at cost ovinize that is permanent. the bestow could probably cost 1 more due to the fact that all the other bestow cards are above cost not under cost
DeleteYep, for some reason I tought Ovinize and its ilk costed only U, then the Bestow cost has to be upped at least to 2U.
DeleteHere it is:
Forgotten Eidolon 0
[ci: U] Enchantment Creature - Spirit
Flash
Bestow 2U
Enchanted creature is a 0/1 Spirit with no abilities.
0/1
Eidolon art
ReplyDeleteBenevolent Eidolon
2GW
Enchantment Creature - Spirit (R)
Bestow WWGG (Reminder text.)
Benevolent Eidolon’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of enchantments you control.
Enchanted creature gets +X/+X, where X is the number of enchantments you control.
*/*
Feedback appreciated.
Apart from being similar to Nighthowler (whose templating we can use), this seems pretty reasonable. Note that every other bestow cost so far is higher than the card's cost, and with good reason.
DeleteI forgot about Nighthowler. Blech.
DeleteAnd yeah. I though the color intensity would help offset it (like the evoke creatures with the same CMC for hardcasting and evoking), but I keep forgetting just how good Bestow is. Geez.
Benevolent Eidolon
2GW
Enchantment Creature - Spirit (R)
Bestow WWWGGG (Reminder text.)
Benevolent Eidolon and enchanted creature each get +X/+X, where X is the number of enchantments you control.
0/0
And now it seems boring.
Leonin throwing a net by Kev Walker
ReplyDeleteLeonin Bola 1 (C)
Artifact - Equipment
Equipped creature has "T, Unattach Leonin Bola: Tap target creature."
Equip 1
Flavor text - "Bereft of the god's help, Leonin turned to more practical methods of survival."
Alternately, the Satyr by Christopher Moeller
Lure of the Suicidal Satyr G
Instant (C)
Target creature must be blocked this turn if able.
Scry 1
The first seems like a good bet, but not terribly interesting.
DeleteThe second one seems about printable. Sorcery?
Wasn't feeling too creative this weekend - the first is a reprint. The new art is way better than the old though - I can actually get the flavor of a net tripping up opponents with this one.
DeleteSorcery is probably good to help with noob timing mistakes, but Instant gives cool Instant speed Heroic activations.
I like the reprint but i would like to remind that a bola is a real thing that is not a net.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeletePhoenix - 2RR
ReplyDeleteCreature - Phoenix (Mythic Rare)
Flying
RRR: Monstrosity 2
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, it gains double strike and "at the end of turn, sacrifice CARDNAME" until end of turn.
You may cast CARDNAME from your graveyard if your devotion to R is 9 or greater.
3/2
---
Feedback welcome.
Art is [Phoenixes] by [Richard Whitters]
DeleteThis is a beautiful design - except for that last line. Unfortunately, reanimation is kinda necessary for a Phoenix, but it's just so perfect without that unnecessary last line. ):
DeleteDrop one of the keywords, and you're good.
"'At EOT, sack ~' until EOT" almost reads like the Phoenix comes back from being sacrificed. Given that you'll be sacrificing it, I don't think making the double strike temporary is necessary.
DeleteThis is mighty texty
I played around with the idea of using an egg token instead of devotion for the reanimation trigger, but that ended up being even more texty. I also apparently forgot to name it.
DeleteLet's try this:
Theran Phoenix - 2RR
Creature - Phoenix (Mythic Rare)
Flying
RRR: Monstrosity 3
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, it gains trample until end of turn.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if CARDNAME is monstrous, sacrifice it. If you do, you may put a card named CARDNAME onto the battlefield from your hand.
3/1
---
Eight lines now. Not the worst offender I've ever designed. I'm not sure if I want it to be able to pull other copies from zones other than your hand - it feels significantly less red if I do, and we'll probably hit 9 lines...
More tweaks
DeleteTheran Phoenix - 2R
Creature - Phoenix (Rare)
Flying
RRR: Monstrosity 4
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, it gains trample until end of turn.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if CARDNAME is monstrous, sacrifice it. If you do, you may put a card named CARDNAME onto the battlefield from your hand.
2/1
How about?
DeleteWhen Theran Phoenix becomes monstrous, it gains trample. Sacrifice it at end of turn. If you do, you may put a card named Theran Phoenix onto the battlefield from your hand.
Much better. Do that one.
DeleteArt by Richard Whitters, under "Phoenixes"
ReplyDeletePhoenix of Olym 1RR
Legendary Creature - Phoenix (R)
Flying, haste
1RR, T: Put a legendary 0/1 red Phoenix creature token with defender named Egg of Olym onto the battlefield.
When Phoenix of Olym dies, you may sacrifice a creature named Egg of Olym. If you do, return Phoenix of Olym to the battlefield.
2/2
So, unless your opponent is at 2 life, you're basically always tapping it the turn you cast it to make your contingency egg. Any other way to trigger the egg-making?
DeleteHow about this then?
DeleteCaldera Phoenix 2RR
Creature - Phoenix (R)
Flying, haste
4RR: Monstrous 3.
When Caldera Phoenix becomes monstrous, put a 0/1 red Phoenix Egg creature token with defender onto the battlefield. It has "Sacrifice this creature: Return target Phoenix card from your graveyard to the battlefield."
3/3
Come to think of it, maybe the token should be 0/3.
DeleteYour egg token worked way better than what I was able to come up with.
DeleteRight under "Cyclopses"
ReplyDeleteStormbringer Cyclops 2RR
Creature-Cyclops (R)
3RR: Monstrosity 3.
When CARDNAME becomes monstrous, it deals 3 damage to each creature your opponents control.
3/3
Nixify 2W
ReplyDeleteSATYR ART BY WESLEY BURT
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature loses all abilities and is an Enchantment in addition to its other types.
Enchanted creature has "This creature cannot attack or block."
art by Seb McKinnon, "The Returned"
ReplyDeleteNoston Legion 2B
Creature - Zombie (u)
Defender
When a creature with +1/+1 counters on it is blocked by CARDNAME, put that many +1/+1 counters on CARDNAME.
0/4
I can't template to save my life this week, but I think this might actually be as close to intuitive as it gets.
Replacing Triumph of Faith?
Delete