Friday, March 18, 2016

Weekend Art Challenge 031816—aquasixio

Weekend Art Challenge
Hello Artisans! Anastase here with yet another challenge:

Design a card that generates mana in an unusual way!

aquasixio
Bonus points if it generates mana in a way that has not been printed on a card before!

I will try to give feedback on your submissions over the week-end. Each Artisan is allowed one submission, but can update it as many times as needed. Please state the rarity of the card you submit. If you have a creative-commons art that better fits your card, please include a link to it and I will render the card with that art.

Good crafting, Artisans!

87 comments:

  1. Mana Tide
    Sorcery
    1UR
    Tap all creatures target player controls. Add <> to your mana pool for each of those creatures.

    I'm not sure about this, I may change to a different idea later. My thought is, fast mana which is too unreliable for a combo deck, but may find a use in a different deck. I also considered a more expensive version with "return all creatures target player control to their owner's hand" but that's quite stand-out all by itself without the mana rider.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This could be frighteningly strong in constructed. I wonder what development would say about it.

      Rarity?

      Delete
    2. Oops. Errata. "Target opponent". It's supposed to be situationally strong, not comboriffic :)

      And rarity, um, I think uncommon, though it may need to be toned down a bit.

      Delete
  2. Tide-Bender Shaman
    (G/U)
    Creature - Elf Merfolk Shaman
    {q}: Add G or U to your mana pool. ({q} is the untap symbol)
    1/1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Q: add a mana is bonkers! Put any aura with a tap ability and you have a two card infinite mana/ability engine. If I remember right, the cheapest Q ability cost an additional 2.

      It's definitely sweet and elegant, but it's also definitely broken. :)

      Delete
    2. Some Q abilities cost an additional single colored mana. Pili-Pala, on the other hand, definitely did cost 2 to add one mana to your mana pool.

      Delete
    3. Yep... it is broken jaja. i search for untapp symbol and didnt saw the pili-pala didnt pop out... :/. May be if it could be activated only once per turn it could work. I wanted to create a less powerfull elvish mystic and turned out to be more powerfull jaja.

      Delete
    4. What rarity would this be?
      Also will you submit it as is, or should I add "activate this ability only once per turn"?

      Delete
    5. Tide-Bender Shaman
      {G/U}
      Creature - Elf Merfolk Shaman
      {q}: Add G or U to your mana pool. Activate this ability only once per turn. ({q} is the untap symbol)
      1/1

      I think that would do it?

      Delete
  3. Perilous Trance {1}{R}{R}
    Enchantment - Rare
    At the beginning of your upkeep step, put the top ten cards of your library into your graveyard. For each card put into your graveyard this way, add one mana among that card's colors to your mana pool. Until end of turn, this mana doesn't empty from your mana pool as steps and phases end. (Lands are colorless.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoa. 10 is a lot. I like the "danger" here (you have five turns, win or die) but this could easily add 5 or more mana each turn! Not to mention that it seeds the graveyard better than any card ever printed in red, and it would be one the best self-mill enablers ever printed.

      This could easily cost a little less and exile one or two cards without breaking the color pie.

      If you're paying homage to arc slogger, you could still exile 10, but choose one card and get mana equal to its devotion, maybe?

      Delete
    2. It's even worse than you think, Mike -- my intent was for lands to add <>, so you'd get 10 mana each turn in a mix of colors and colorless :)

      Clearly this is crazy. Before I fix by making it less powerful, what would you think if it was more expensive, so it gives you 2-3 turns to finish the game? Maybe 6 mana or something?

      Delete
    3. Also, adding the wording of "a mana of its colors does not work with colorless", but yes, I guess that if you put this at 6 mana it would be ok, since you would normally have 3-4 turns to finish the game.

      However add an eldrazi titan in and you might have another broken modern deck...

      I could see turbo-fog +1 elrdazi titan run this.

      Delete
    4. For a guaranteed 10 mana per turn, I'd expect this to cost 7 or 8 (but that's dev not design) and be green-red or something.

      Delete
    5. Thanks all for the comments! Final edit, attempting to keep the danger of decking yourself without making a totally unprintable card:

      Perilous Trance 5{r}{r}
      Enchantment - Rare
      At the beginning of your upkeep, put the top seven cards of your library into your graveyard. For each card put into your graveyard this way, add <> or one mana among that card's colors to your mana pool. Until end of turn, this mana doesn't empty from your mana pool as steps and phases end.

      I'm not super-comfy with green for this, since while it is sort of like ramp, it feels like a red way of accomplishing this.

      Delete
    6. The review was posted before this comment.

      What I don't get is why red is getting guaranteed mana every turn for the rest of the (immediately much shorter) game?

      Perilous Trance {2}{R}
      Instant (rare)
      Put the top seven cards of your library into your graveyard. For each red card among them, add {R} to your mana pool.

      Delete
  4. Mana Wake {U}
    Instant (rare)
    Add {U} to your mana pool for each {U} in the mana costs among spells you have cast this turn.

    Probably bad in Limited and busted in older formats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, I made High Tide! No way that could end badly.

      Delete
    2. This game me a slight aneurysm imagining it in a friend's deck...

      Delete
    3. Making it cost 1U so it at least isn't free.

      Delete
  5. Rhino-Wave Surfer
    Creature - Human Surfer
    1GU
    Prowess
    Whenever ~ attacks, add X mana of any combination of green and/or blue to your mana pool, where X is the number of untapped creatures defending player controls. Until end of turn, this mana doesn't empty from your mana pool as steps and phases end.
    2/2

    This is a top-down design based on the concept of someone who surfs on waves that are full of magical rhinos, but I made it count any untapped creatures so it can go in sets without strong Elemental Rhino tribal themes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This gets +10/+10 until Eot for each Elemental Rhino you control.

      Delete
    2. Why doesn't the mana drain? I don't think that line is necessary.

      Great internal synergy regardless

      Delete
    3. I agree that the trigger is cool, it could be modified to add the mana to your next main phase and loose the does not empty. This somehow feels more UR than GU to me. I cannot identify why however. Prowess to trample might change that.

      Rarity?

      Delete
    4. The mana remains here so you can summon creatures after combat.

      Delete
    5. My comment was unclear. I understand why the mana does not empty, but the same effect more or less could be achieved with:

      "add X mana of any combination of green and/or blue to your mana pool, at the begining of your next manin phase, where X is the number of untapped creatures defending player controls."

      if you want to cast creatures and not combat tricks.

      However the whole of the card feels UR to me due to it having prowess. I was wondering if changing prowess to trample would solve it.

      Delete
  6. A blue take on Druid's Repository that probably looks more powerful than it actually is.

    Mana Surge U
    Enchantment R
    Whenever a creature attacks you, add U to your mana pool. Until end of turn, this mana doesn't empty from your mana pool as steps and phases end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice! A riff that doesn't fit the art:

      Channel Rage {R}{R}
      Enchantment
      Whenever you are dealt damage, add that much red mana to your mana pool. Until end of turn, this mana doesn't empty from your mana pool as steps and phases end.

      Delete
    2. If its not your turn, why does it matter if the mana carries into the main phase? Counterspells, sure, but that's trivial to play around. End-step shenanigans not necessary given free mana.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. This looks awesome to me. Why muddy the waters with the last line, though? Blue is the king of instants, this card could play to that strength.

      Delete
    5. I was thinking of counterspells when I added the last line, but it doesn't really add much to the card given that they can just play spells pre-combat to get around it. I'll take it off and leave the card like this:

      Mana Surge U
      Enchantment R
      Whenever a creature attacks you, add U to your mana pool.

      Delete
    6. Nice. Makes Hydrolash and the like more playable. Or Blue Sun's Zenith if you want to be greedy, I guess.

      Delete
  7. Bestial Tide (G)
    Sorcery (U)
    Until end of turn, whenever you tap a land for mana, add two mana to your mana pool of any type that land produced instead. Spend this mana only to cast creature spells.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like this Tammy card! Development would probably have to make sure it is balanced (perhaps make it cost GG to make sure it mostly stays in green?)

      Delete
    2. High Tide for green? I like! A dedicated Johnny will still find ways to combo off with this, but mostly it'll be a 'fair' and flavorful ritual effect in green. It nets 1 mana with 3 lands, 2 mana with 4 lands, etc. which seems about right for a ritual.

      Delete
  8. Biomorphose 2UG
    Instant (R)
    Exile a creature you control. Search your library for a creature card with lower converted mana cost and put it onto the battlefield. Add X mana in any combination of colors to your mana pool, where X is the difference. Then shuffle your library.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is indeed quite novel. It will generally be a tutor/put into play for a creature card you need. the extra mana generated will be low but could be relevant because of the "any combination" clause.

      Could this cost less or would it be busted?

      Delete
    2. How does everyone feel about UG, Sorcery?

      Delete
    3. Much more proactive, than reactive… I like it.

      Delete
  9. Wave of Ki @UU
    Sorcery (Common)
    (@ is reverse mana. Paying @ adds {C} to your mana pool. If that mana empties from your pool without being spent, you lose the game.)
    Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, I love this. Great work!

      Delete
    2. This is a really neat idea, although "lose the game" is a bit harsh for a mechanic that's going to have the as-fan of a common keyword. Reminds me of repeatedly activating Mishra's Factory in the old Shandalar days.

      Delete
    3. Thanks! Yeah, I'm not completely happy with "you lose the game" since it lets you get blown out by instant-speed Twiddle effects. But I don't see any good way around that without adding a ton of rules baggage (e.g. having a player 'cast' two spells at once).

      I suppose instead of 'you lose the game' it could be 'you lose 5 life' or something.

      Delete
    4. Is this card just:

      Wave of Ki 1UU
      Sorcery (Common)
      Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Add <> to your mana pool.

      I really don't see why it needs a "lose the game" clause.

      Delete
    5. @Wobbles: First of all, the 'cost' is just UU. Second, you have to have something else that you can pay {C} for that turn.

      Delete
    6. The main question I have is: does this have to be in the mana cost?
      could it not be:
      {U}{U}
      effect, add {C} to your mana pool. For every mana that empties from your mana pool this turn, loose N life.

      Delete
    7. Above but "when this mana empties from your mana pool, lose 2 life."

      Delete
    8. As fascinating as negative mana is, it's just too weird.

      Delete
    9. Points taken. I can see how putting the reverse-mana in the cost might be confusing (what's the CMC? 3? 2? 1?). Improved design:

      Wave of Ki 1U
      Sorcery (Common)
      Sync (When you cast this spell, add {C} to your mana pool. If this mana empties from your pool without being spent, discard a card.)
      Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.

      I decided to use 'discard a card' rather than 'you lose N life'-- feels less arbitrary and more appropriate somehow. It also helps avoid the feel-bad of having these cards stranded in your hand.

      Delete
    10. Isn't it punishment enough that you're paying more for the card up front? I mean, a two mana Void Snare is already already overcosted. If you aren't able to use the mana it gives you back, it's even worse..

      Delete
    11. Yes, but mana costs are often about having options as well. There are plenty of situations where players would be happy to cast a Void Snare for 1U if they drew it, despite the fact that they'd never put it in their deck if that was all it did.

      Delete
  10. Wolfir Elvenheart GG
    Creature - Wolf Elf
    Whenever ~ becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, add R to your mana pool.
    T: Add G to your mana pool

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or
      Deceiving Chameleon GGG
      Creature - Lizard
      T: Add G to your mana pool.
      W, U: Add UB to your mana pool.
      0/1

      Delete
    2. The Wolfir is (presumably) not big enough to warrant removing.

      The Chameleon requires one U to turn any number of W into B? What?

      Delete
    3. Also, rarities. They help evaluate cards.
      The restriction of only triggering from opponent spells and abilities on the wolfir could potentially be lifted and make it a more interesting card?

      Delete
  11. Spout Shaman 1U
    Creature- Metathran Shaman (u)
    At the end of your draw step, turn the top card of your library face-up.
    You may play mana abilities of land cards on the top of your library. If you do, turn them face-down.
    1/3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This may need an additional phrase replacing the tap symbol with turning it face down...

      Delete
    2. 0-1 mana is cool. What if this removed the land you use and reveal the new top to create exciting potential?

      Delete
    3. Something like:

      Water Dancer 2U
      Cre- human monk (r)
      Prowess
      Play with the top card of your library revealed.
      0: if the top card of your library is a face-up land card you may exile it. If you do, add <> to your mana pool.
      1/3

      Delete
    4. Does anything break if we move exiling into the cost?

      Delete
    5. Eureka?

      Exile a land card from the top of your library: add <> to your mana pool.

      Thanks for making me think harder. Haha

      Delete
    6. And credit to Ben Heaton for pairing prowes with a mana ability. I find it really exciting

      Delete
    7. A new take on courser and co! What is your final submission Mike?

      Delete
    8. Final version:

      Waterdancer 1UU
      Creature- Human Monk (R)
      Prowess
      Play with the top card of your library face-up.
      Exile a face-up land card from the top of your library: Add <> to your mana pool.
      2/4

      Delete
    9. Do we need blue to have a creature about as strong as Courser of Kruphix? (not-as-accelerating, but bigger)

      Delete
  12. Transfigured Wave 2U
    Instant (R)
    Until end of turn, all nonland permanents you control are Island lands in addition to their other types.

    The mana cost I've submitted is nearly random, I have no idea how much this should really cost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That I had never seen. I like it. The horror of casting something that targets all non-land permanents with the mana you just generated!

      Delete
    2. Citanul Hierophants is the closest analogy I could find. Being for 1 turn only makes this noticeably weaker. My guess would be it's safe at 1U.

      Delete
  13. This illustration lends itself to blue pretty hard. Blue really doesn't experiment in mana generation very much. After rereading the thread, most of these cards (mine included) really dont feel blue.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wellspring of Nature RG
    Instant (r)
    Tap target creature. Choose one —
    • Add <> to your mana pool equal to its power.
    • Add one mana of any color to your mana pool for each creature on the battlefield that shares a creature type with it.
    Entwine 2 (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)

    Two ideas? Entwine 'em!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Quick reminder: You are NOT obliged to design for that image. If you have a design and a creative commons card whose author we can credit, just design for that art, include the link to it and I will render that card with that art.

    That said, I was hoping to see interactions between mana generation and things we have not yet seen like:

    *cards drawn since the beginning of the turn.
    *cards in hand
    *an element of creature size/type that we have not seen yet

    I urge you to browse through this search for inspiration if you are stuck!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Adding mana? I'm going to do the polar opposite with mana deprivation!

    Hold Back the Tides- 1UU
    Instant- Uncommon
    Tap up too two target lands target opponent controls. Remove all mana from that players mana pool that was produced by those lands. (Mana removed this way can't be used to pay for spells or abilities.)

    The art should be focused on the man and the wave on the right, cutting out wave/water elementals on the left. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only time you'll be able to remove mana from someone's mana pool before they can spend is when an effect lets them keep it between phases.

      Delete
    2. Possible rules hack to make the card work as intended:

      Tap up to two target lands. Players can't spend mana produced by those lands this turn.

      This still lets the opponent pay for instants in response, but you probably don't want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to prevent that (read: split second).

      Delete
    3. Go ahead and use Ipaulsen's wording. It's simple and to the point.

      I still want to push development and ask them if my wording could work at all, or if they would have to rewrite the whole book.

      Delete