Weekend Art ChallengeGreetings, artisans! Click through to see this weekend's art and the design requirements for your single card submission, due Monday morning. Every submission warrants feedback, and everyone is encouraged to give feedback. You may use that feedback to revise your submission any number of times, though only the version rendered will be included in the review, if someone volunteers to render the cards.
Design a card for this art that's common or uncommon, and appeals to Johnny with 4 lines of rules text or less.
Isthar One-Winged RWBB
ReplyDeleteLegendary Creature - Angel
Defender
Whenever a source you control deals damage to you or a permanent you control it deals twice that much damage to target creature you don't control or to target opponent.
2/5
"I cut my Angelwing to gain to cut down all of theirs"
Johnny is not going to like a mana cost of RWBB.
DeleteThe text is a little too complex, and it's also supposed to be a common or uncommon
DeleteThe doubling of damage seems ridiculous at uncommon. A redirection effect might simplify this mechanic (and save on word space)
DeleteTurning all your painlands into Shocks seems highly dangerous, even with the awkward mana cost.
DeleteSpiteful Deception UW
ReplyDeleteEnchantment- Uncommon
Whenever an opponent discards a card, you may draw a card.
Whenever an opponent draws a card, you may discard a card from your hand.
"Ask yourself what hurts more; the betrayal or the inability to understand why?"
Did you mean for this to be Black Blue? This doesn't feel White to me.
DeleteYes, black blue. Lack of sleep is getting the better of me.
DeleteIn the madness, dredge, flashback block, I'd buy it. Otherwise the second ability reads like trinket text
DeleteI like it, because of the parallel to the first ability. Card is for Johnny after all. One with Nothing was in the "having 7 cards in hand matters" set, and even it found a use.
DeleteOne-Winged Aria 1U
ReplyDeleteEnchantment - Aura
Enchant Creature
Whenever enchanted creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card.
Discard a card: Enchanted creature gains flying until the end of the turn.
------------
I'm gonna go ahead and declare "Enchant Creature" doesn't count as a line, because back in my day... *grumble grumble*. Anyway, this is, to my eye, the perfect Johnny card because it makes cohesive sense by itself, but it also secretly gives you something very exploitable: A free discard outlet. How will Johnny use that? Well that is really up to him/her!
By the way, Uncommon.
DeleteCuriosity with built in evasion. Cuts out the middle man. I like it.
DeleteVery clean! This isn't already a card?!?
DeletePilgrim of Shadows WB
ReplyDeleteCreature - Human Cleric
Auras that target CARDNAME have delve and flash.
1/3
Someone reassure me that this doesn't need "may be cast as though".
I'm pretty sure it is "as though"; see Hungering Yeti, Dragon Drip, or Yeva for reference.
DeleteI'm unsure how delve is relevant to the card.
DeleteThe issue is that you need the card to have flash while it's in the hand so you can put it on the stack in the first place, but you don't want it to have flash anywhere else (which is why the "as though" wording is used; Mystical Teachings makes things weird).
Seems like what you want is Rootwater Shaman spliced onto Ghitu Fire et al:
You may cast Aura cards as though they had flash if you target CARDNAME with them.
Aura spells targeting CARDNAME have delve.
This is five lines with no name substituted.
Good point jenesis. Would this template help with the size restriction:
DeleteAura cards that target CARDNAME may be cast as though they had flash.
Do you want this to count opponents' Auras as well?
DeleteI like the possibility of it turning on an (expensive, removal) aura your opponent controls as a minor but possible drawback. Thanks for the help with the wording, everybody.
DeleteWould this be more fun without the flash component?
Wisdom of the Ancients U
ReplyDeleteSorcery (U)
Look at the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of creature cards in your graveyard. Put one of those cards in your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Nice! Didn't expect a spell but it fits the art well, and had a simple spell which might be really useful in the right deck.
DeleteI'm very cautious of too good search effects but this has a fair hoop to get through so it's probably fine.
Mechanically clean and printable. Cost would need to be higher I presume.
DeleteI think cost would greatly depend on when/where this sees print. I can make an argument for 1U, which wouldn't be a huge deal for this considering its late game appeal.
DeleteMad with Power
ReplyDelete2RR
Enchantment - Uncommon
R, Discard a card: Exile the top card of your library. You may cast it this turn.
I fully expect this to be broken beyond belief.
This is brilliant. And no, I don't think it's broken. In fact I really want to try it with no mana cost, and with "play" instead of "cast".
Delete"you can't cast spells from your hand" is an option to balance the zero mana activation
DeleteOutpost Siege, Chandra et al are rare because they generate card advantage over time. This card is more like a highly restricted version of rummaging, so I think it's fine to drop it a rarity for the same CMC.
DeleteHere's a good way to evaluate this design: if it just said "Discard a card: draw a card" it would clearly be broken because you would just rummage through your whole deck looking for whatever you wanted. Making it exile-draw limits you to one rummage per draw step, plus however many cards you have in hand when you cast it-- and that's assuming that you're willing and able to play every card you exile. At that point we're basically describing Chandra or Outpost Siege without the card advantage, as Jenesis said. So this is nowhere near broken, even without the activation cost.
DeleteThis reminds me of Compulsion from Torment, an Uncommon. It was good but not broken, so I think this is fine.
DeleteWhoops, I meant "play." Thanks for the catch lpaulsen.
DeleteMad with Power
2RR
Enchantment - Uncommon
R, Discard a card: Exile the top card of your library. You may play it this turn.
I was worried that the "R: discard a card" half was going to be the busted half - Mind over Matter, for example, was utterly degenerate.
I am still skeptical that there's no Legacy combo deck that abuses this to hell and back but I'm glad you guys are so confident!
Divine Envoy 1{W}
ReplyDeleteCreature - Angel (U)
Flying
Angel Spells you control cost {X} less to cast, where X is Divine Envoy's power.
1/3
Angels are kind of a Timmy type, as is cost reduction, but tribal seems very Johnny, and the power-based effect provides something for Johnny to build on.
Simic Angel
ReplyDelete3GU
Creature — Human Bird Mutant
Flying, flying, vigilance
This is how they're made, right?
4/4
Render: http://i.imgur.com/OOeOZz6.jpg
I know that the lighting on the art isn't quite right, but I think all the pieces together make a very nice card for Johnny.
What's the double flying supposed to do?
DeleteWow, bravo! It's been quite a long time since I've seen an amateur design that really struck me the way your Simic Angel does.
DeleteI agree the colors/lighting aren't WotC-stereotypical for a blue-green card, but other than that, you've found the perfect blend of intelligence, fluency, and humor -- and all within a splashy, sure-to-be-loved-by-Johnny uncommon.
I'm with Evan Jones on this one. Does any card exist in Magic right now, and not in a hypothetical future set containing this card, where double flying is relevant? And why double flying but not double vigilance? (Double vigilance actually makes sense in GU because it's secondary in green and IIRC tertiary in blue.)
DeleteAlso with Evan. I don't know of any evergreen keyword that stacks or any card that would care about multiple instances of it. You could go with "Reach, flying" which is at least conceivably relevant.
DeleteNot a commentary on the card, but an earnest question: In a world with printed redundant keywords, do you suppose there would need to be templating changes to accommodate beginners (similar to the templates used when referencing a goblin CREATURE gaining +1/+1)?
Deleteie: target creature loses all instances of flying
I ask because "creatures with two or more instances of first strike have double strike." seems really fun. This could be cycled out to include flying.
Delete"Creatures with two or more instances of flying can't be blocke by creatures with reach" or some such.
I don't personally have any interest in exploring space that narrow. This strikes me as design space that is intellectually interesting and not fun to play, which is the most tempting and worst design space.
DeleteI'd be all for printing this particular design in Future Sight 2 though. It invokes the "What the...?" reaction without actually breaking anything. In that set, though, I'd probably make it a common 2/2 Flier Flier for 1UU though.
I share the above sentiments - the card doesn't really make sense to me - although I do want to add that I think the type line is hilarious and A+.
DeleteThis reminded me of a time I was teaching some younger players about Magic beyond their Portal set. One of them asked me "If I give my flying creature flying again, does he get to fly over flying creatures too?"
DeleteThe problem I can see with stacking abilities is where to draw the line. Can you have double trample? Haste Haste? Super Deathtouch?
The flavour is delightful, but I don't see anything for Johnny here apart from the flavour.
DeleteKeeper of the Sun-3BW
ReplyDeleteCreature-harpy(uncommon)
Whenever you search your library, if you control four white permanents, each player loses two life.
3/3
The white requirement feels entirely out of place. White doesn't have harpies, search libraries (as well as black, anyway), or cause mutual life loss; why isn't this a monoblack card?
DeleteIt was white for thematic and flavor purposes. It also was supposed to say "each opponent." That being said I don't mind making the changes.
DeleteStealer of the sun-3BB
DeleteCreature-Harpy(uncommon)
Whenever you search your library each opponent loses two life.
3/3
Caller of Crows 3BB
ReplyDeleteCreature - Human Wizard (U)
Flying
Whenever you sacrifice a nontoken creature, put a 1/1 black Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/3
She offers her victims to the flock, their screams delicious in her ears.
The flavortext shrinks the text enough to make this 4 lines in my MSE, although I don't have the M15 frames yet. Let me know if it doesn't fit and I'll change it.
Feedback appreciated as always.
There have been other cards like this that trigger off of straight-up death (e.g. Field of the Souls and Golgari Germination), but triggering on sacrifice is a cool twist. Given the narrower condition and higher mana cost, it's possible we'd want a little more payoff (*two* Birds maybe?). This is wonderfully Johnny.
DeleteNot sold on how this fits the art-- I'd expect to see more evidence of things dying and birds flocking.
Triggering on sacrifice has been done a few times: Dragon Appeasement, Furnace Celebration, and Savra.
DeleteIt is really disappointing to trigger on sacrifice and have the reward be a creature you can't sacrifice!
Ipaulsen - I was also considering two Birds, but I felt like it'd be oppressive, even at 5. Certainly could be. Or I could just make it cheaper. Honestly, I'm fine either way. Let's make it
Delete4BB
two Birds
Tommy - I'm worried if you can sac the creature you got, there would be too many dangerous combos. I might be wrong but I prefer this way.
I'm not saying you should be able to sac them, I'm saying a creature you can't sac is the wrong reward for saccing a creature.
DeleteYou can sac creatures you get-- you just won't get the bonus for them.
DeleteAt 4BB and two birds this seems pretty fun. Definitely appeals to Johnny.
DeleteUnfettered Mythseeker 1WB
ReplyDeleteCreature - Human Cleric (U)
Flying
Unfettered Mythseeker gets +1/-1 for each Aura attached to it.
2/2
Flavor text:
“It is better to fall than to never fly.”
Why not mono-white?
DeleteI'm with Jenesis here-- +1/-1 isn't mono-white. WU, WB, and WR are all plausible.
DeleteOh! I missed the -1 part. Interesting.
DeleteWondering if this has more "Johnnytastic" punch at +2/-2?
DeleteI kind of like this as +2/-2. Its strong, but open to the 2-for-1 blowouts (not to mention negative auras).
DeleteHalf-Souled Seeker (uncommon)
ReplyDeleteCreature - Angel
2WB
Other creatures you control named CARDNAME have +3/+3, flying, first strike, deathtouch, and lifelink.
3/3
Doesn't this want to be in the color with Clones?
DeleteBrilliant. Getting 2+ of these is living the dream in Limited.
DeleteGood call making it white (which has a history of caring about multiples). And I'm sold on it being WB on the flavor alone.
Templating nitpick: "get +3/+3 and have...". Also, deathtouch is basically trinket text here-- I'd remove it.
"Half-Souled" is a sweet concept, but the base stats/abilities versus the upgraded version feel unrelated. Maybe a 0/4 that grants +4/+0 and flying or start with defender and lose it.
DeleteReally digging this BFF mechanic!
Also you probably know this, but this is the same schtick as Brothers Yamazaki.
DeleteSweet! This fits the art and the "one winged" part very well. I agree with Mike about the +4/+0 and I think the first strike/deathtouch thing is too much. a 6/6 flyer will kill pretty much everything anyway.
DeleteWanton Desire R
ReplyDeleteEnchantment- Aura (unc)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has haste.
3R: Untap and gain control of enchanted creature until end of turn.
Nice! Worth nothing that if you have 6RR to continually sink into this you can control the creature pretty much forever. If you crop it really close to the figure's torso it looks nice in the red frame too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI really wish Blogspot would let us just edit comments.
DeleteSee Threaten for established templating, adds a word but doesn't add a line. Act of Treason is more recent, does what you want it to do with inspired creatures, but unfortunately does add a line.
Ha! It looks like they cheated with Catch//Release!
Deletestanding firm on my initial wording because I'll never turn my back on goatnapper or assquatch
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCorrupted Eleon 3B
ReplyDeleteCreature - Eleon (Uncommon)
Wither, flying
Permanents your opponents control with counters have "At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life."
1/4
Interesting that it counts all permanents. Much more potential than Kulrath Knight for shenanigans.
DeleteWhat's an Eleon?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis would be in a return to Theros, assuming Devotion is a returning mechanic.
ReplyDeleteTemple Singer 1U (UNC)
Creature - Siren
1/2
Flying
Each U and B in the mana costs of permanents you control is U/B instead.
Phenax was first to be worshiped in Meletis after Nyxfall, because everyone values secrets.
Lost Forever 2B
ReplyDeleteSorcery (R)
Target player exiles all cards in his or her graveyard, then loses 1 life for each card exiled this way.
Not sure about the templating.
Templating is fine. And the design is indeed interesting. There's some tension between "mill you in order to kill you" and "mill you out" proper, but I'd happily try this out alongside Jace's Phantasm.
DeleteI have a hard time imagining this isn't totally broken.
DeleteYeah, you're right-- this is a straight-up Lava Axe or better in most situations, possibly a lot better if you're building around it. Probably needs to cost another mana or two.
DeleteThis is a massive upgrade on Suffer the Past. Also, challenge specified common or uncommon.
DeleteActually this was supposed to be an Uncommon, but for some reason I wrote Rare. The mana cost might indeed be a little low, maybe 3BB?
DeleteReprint:
ReplyDeleteFallen Angel 3BB
Creature- Angel (Uncommon)
3/3
Flying
Sacrifice a creature: CARDNAME gets +2/+1 until end of turn.
Actual design:
Sunsnatcher 2BR
Creature- Harpy (Uncommon)
3/3
Flying
Pay 1 life: Add B or R to your mana pool.
Edit: Treasonous Ogre was getting a little too jealous of Sunsnatcher, so I'll up the cost to 3BR. Nothing else about the card changes.
DeleteArcinus Wings 1U
ReplyDeleteEnchantment- Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has flying.
2U: Exchange this Aura with an Aura card in your hand.
I think design-wise this is a terrible card to exist, in just the same way as Stoneforge Mystic, because it bars future designers from printing exciting expensive auras.
Delete(Granted it already exists, because this is a functional reprint, but they should know better.)
DeleteLesser Half 1W
ReplyDeleteCreature - Angel (U)
Flying
W, Sacrifice CARDNAME: Return target creature with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
1/2
Return "another" creature?
DeleteThe above is my main suggestion (and can work on its own), but here's an answer to: where's the other half?
DeleteGreater Half 2W
Creature - Angel (C)
Flyinge, vigilance
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield from a graveyard, you may sacrifice it. If you do, search your library for a card named Crystalline Angel and put it onto the battlefield.
2/1
Crystalline Angel 2WW
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying, vigilance, lifelink
When CARDNAME dies, return target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
3/3
When making a cycle like this, do you think it's better to explicitly call out the card names or leave it open to work with other cards?
Having to kill the same evasive lifelinking creature four times in a row does not sound like fun gameplay.
DeleteWhy is "Greater Half" the smaller and weaker card?
Mike - I think it technically works the first way, but that is better templating.
DeleteJenesis - Hmm... do you think just removing lifelink and adding an activation cost makes this better?
The Greater Half being about the same size and wordier (at common) is probably a larger issue, but I think Lesser Half is too complex (the Gravedigger infinite blockers thing) for common.
Here's take 2:
Lesser Half 1W
Creature - Angel (C)
Flying
W, Sacrifice CARDNAME: Return another target creature with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
1/1
Greater Half 2W
Creature - Angel (U)
Flyinge, vigilance
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield from a graveyard, you may pay 2W and sacrifice it. If you do, search your library for a card named Crystalline Angel and put it onto the battlefield.
2/2
Crystalline Angel 3WW
Creature - Angel (R)
Flying, vigilance
When CARDNAME dies, you may pay 3WW. If you do, return another target Angel creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
3/3
I'll take care of the renders this week. If you want the art cropped with most of the wing hidden, just mention in your comments.
ReplyDelete2W
ReplyDeleteDaughter of Angels (Uncommon)
Creature - Human Angel
Flying
You may have Daughter of Angels enter the battlefield as a copy of target angel, except it’s still 2/2.
2/2
I had to take slight liberties with the templating :( Really it should be "any angel creature on the battlefield you control") But I think "copy of target angel" works in the rules and has the same effect 99.5% of the time.
Generally "cloning" doesn't target. Saves you a word, right?
ReplyDeleteFlying is probably unnecessary since the Angel it's copying will have flying as well.
DeleteAgreed. The template should probably be "as a copy of any Angel creature".
DeleteI don't think specifying "Angel" is the way to make Johnny happy. I think I'd suggest making it an 0/1 but not restrict the creature type quite so strongly.
DeleteSince there won't always be another angel, but this always wants to start as an angel, I would keep flying there.
DeleteInspired by Jules' Tesla post.
ReplyDeletePursuit of the Sun 1W
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant creature
As you cast Pursuit of the Sun, study enchantments. (You may exile an enchantment card from your graveyard as part of your research.)
Enchanted creature gains flying and lifelink and gets +1/+1 for each enchantment card in your research.
My last card wasn't really a Johnny card, not sure this attempt is either:
DeleteScholar of Life 2U
Creature - Human Wizard (Uncommon)
Whenever Scholar of Life attacks, study creatures. (You may exile a creature card from your graveyard as part of your research.)
Scholar of Life has protection from creatures with power less than the number of creatures you’ve studied.
3/1
Oh no it has to be 4 lines or less!
DeleteJust the first ability on its own could be some sort of common? We might not print it in a real set, but it's definitely in Johnny territory when the payoff needs to be on other cards.
Delete