GDS3 Discussions: Ari Nieh's Challenge 3 Submission

(These posts are being backdated for administrative purposes. They were not disclosed to nor published on this site prior to their publication on the mothership. You can read the judge commentary on Ari's submission on his official GDS page)



CONTESTANT COMMENTS

Revered is a mechanic representing the worship of nature spirits. As a Spirit enters the battlefield, other creatures may tap to "bow" to it, strengthening it via +1/+1 counters.
Its rules text is:

Revered N: As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap up to N other untapped creatures you control. CARDNAME enters the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the number of creatures tapped in this way.

The template "As CARDNAME enters the battlefield" is modeled on Arsenal Thresher and avoids stack shenanigans. "When CARDNAME enters the battlefield" would create unintuitive windows of vulnerability. (Playtester feedback on this choice was mixed.)

Revered is a straightforward kicker mechanic that trades tempo for value. Despite the high word count, it is simple and easily understood. Like convoke, it is best alongside cheap creatures, but flexible enough for any Limited game. Although green is a natural home for it, its design space spans all colors and rarities, with N = 1 at common. It works best at higher mana costs to avoid "feast or famine" gameplay. It requires counters, but little mental bookkeeping.

Notes on Individual Cards:
Sacred Crane – Due to word count, most common Revered creatures are virtual and/or French vanillas.
Corroded Toad – Dropped to -2/-2 from -3/-3, since this Limited environment would have ways to reload the Toad.
Mushroom Kami – Token generation for future reverence.
Awakener of Spring – Creatures tired from worshipping? Not anymore!

Thanks, as always, to my awesome playtesters.

1) Sacred Crane (common)
3W
Creature — Bird Spirit
2/2
Flying
Revered 1 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter.)

2) Ghostly Carp (common)
4UU
Creature — Fish Spirit
5/5
Revered 1 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter.)
CARDNAME can't attack unless it has a +1/+1 counter on it.

3) Boar Kami (common)
2GG
Creature — Boar Spirit
3/3
Revered 1 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter.)
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, if a creature revered it, you gain 4 life.

4) Corroded Toad (uncommon)
2BB Creature — Frog Spirit
2/4
Revered 1 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap another untapped creature you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter.)
B, remove a +1/+1 counter from CARDNAME: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.

5) Mushroom Kami (uncommon)
4G
Creature — Fungus Spirit
3/3
Revered 2 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap up to 2 other untapped creatures you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters.)
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token for each creature that revered it.

6) Rising Sword Divinity (rare)
3WW
Creature — Angel Spirit
2/2
Flying
Revered 2 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap up to 2 other untapped creatures you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters.)
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage to a player, you may move CARDNAME's +1/+1 counters onto target creature. If you do, exile CARDNAME, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.

7) Awakener of Spring (rare)
3GG
Creature — Elemental Spirit
2/2
Revered 2 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap up to 2 other untapped creatures you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters.)
At the beginning of your end step, if CARDNAME has two or more +1/+1 counters on it, untap all creatures and lands you control.
2G: Put a +1/+1 counter on CARDNAME.

8) Three-Face of Eternal Stone (mythic rare)
3WBG
Legendary Creature — God Spirit
5/5
Revered 3 (As CARDNAME enters the battlefield, you may tap up to 3 other untapped creatures you control. If you do, it enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters.)
Vigilance, Reach, Menace
1, remove a +1/+1 counter from CARDNAME: CARDNAME gains indestructible until end of turn.