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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

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As much as I don't want to DQ or dock main challenge points for a subjective flavor-based challenge, I don't think "defense" has to mean "put up a shield and use W," the clarification just says "not offense."
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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

Well, it says both "Not offensive" and "Could the effect be considered an attack?" That's why I was asking about something that's a retaliation -- it's clearly "not offensive," after all, the retaliator is the one who's been attacked, but it also is an attack -- a synonym for retaliation is "counterattack."

Anyway, I'm trying another design so we'll see if that passes. @Ryder, please let me know if this counts as defensive. And yes, I know that I'm being a bit of a gadfly, but I hope you'll understand since my experience from last month is still fresh in my mind...

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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

Still not good enough, slimy. -2/-2 is an offensive effect. Reflavoring Disfigure into "Warning Disfigure" does not really work.
Take a look at this article. I can only say there's plenty of effects that would fit Tibalt here.
Subject16 wrote:
4 years ago
So to be clear: A burn spell wouldn't be considered a defensive spell no matter what? Or should there be a flavorful reason for it to be in defense?
I can't think of any burn spell that could qualify. This does not mean your card can't deal damage, though. Refraction Trap would be fine.
Subject16 wrote:
4 years ago
Secondly, does the spec need to name our character? Would Lunar Force or Price of Betrayal count?
It does not, but then you need a strong reference in the flavor text.

void_nothing is right in his last post.

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

Well, will it get me DQ'ed? If not, then I might just leave it, because I've already thought about this challenge a lot and haven't made a great deal of progress.

I understand if you don't want to do it before the challenge is over, but at some point I would like to hear which effects you think would fit Tibalt that are both defensive and suitable for a common. Basically the only one I can think of is token making, which I've tried and so far come up with nothing good.

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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

I can think of several.
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

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Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

Ok, final try. I know first strike isn't the most defensive, but it does help keep your creature alive, so hopefully that's enough.

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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

For now I can only say it's okay. For more you need to wait for full judgement. I'll list you the options I have in mind then.

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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

The March MCC falls to me; I'll be posting round 1 and judge signups in the morning (Eastern US time).
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)

Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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Post by bravelion83 » 4 years ago

I've seen in February that it's hard for me to judge right now with all the things I've got going on in real life. March is looking maybe even worse, so I don't think I'll judge in March unless one judge is missing at the time of the design deadline. I might take the chance to (gasp!) even play! It takes much less time... Also, if I manage to sort some of those real life things out, I might be interested in hosting the Ikoria month in April or May. We'll see.
Author of the MCC Guidelines and FAQ. | For my projects, including Jeff Lionheart, my murder mystery story "One pierced heart, two mindful horns", and republished articles from my series "The Lion's Lair", see Leo's content index (Last updated on March 24th 2024 - Added OPHTMH Episode 4).
After I'm done republishing my articles I want to reprise the series focusing it more on editing, wording, and templating. Suggest potential future article topics here.
My CCCG Resume (Updated on February 27th 2024)
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Blue = MTGSalvation Green = MTGNexus
MCC - Winner (9): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019, Jan Mar 2022, Apr 2023 || Host (30): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) Oct 2019, Jan Jun 2020 Apr Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2023, Mar 2024 || Judge (58): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), every month from Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) to Feb 2020, May Jun 2020, Mar Apr Sep Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar May Jun Sep Dec 2023, Jan Mar 2024
CCL - Winner (4): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Jun 2021 (tied with slimytrout) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (3): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar), Feb Apr 2022 || Host (12): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016, Jun Sep Dec 2021, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun 2023

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Ryder
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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

While February MCC is almost over, I'd like to get some feedback from you guys. Did you like it? What was good and what was bad this month?

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

@Ryder: You probably already know some of my thoughts, but I will get back to you in a more detailed way if you'd like.

For now though, I thought I'd point anyone who hadn't seen it to MaRo's article on the mothership today -- happens to be talking about almost exactly the March Rd. 1 challenge! https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/a ... 2020-03-02

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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

March currently needs two more judges. Even if you've never judged before, please give it a try?
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)

Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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Post by bravelion83 » 4 years ago

My judgments for the final round of February are up.

@void_nothing I'd really prefer to play on March for once for multiple reasons, but in case of emergency I'm always there.
Author of the MCC Guidelines and FAQ. | For my projects, including Jeff Lionheart, my murder mystery story "One pierced heart, two mindful horns", and republished articles from my series "The Lion's Lair", see Leo's content index (Last updated on March 24th 2024 - Added OPHTMH Episode 4).
After I'm done republishing my articles I want to reprise the series focusing it more on editing, wording, and templating. Suggest potential future article topics here.
My CCCG Resume (Updated on February 27th 2024)
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Blue = MTGSalvation Green = MTGNexus
MCC - Winner (9): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019, Jan Mar 2022, Apr 2023 || Host (30): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) Oct 2019, Jan Jun 2020 Apr Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2023, Mar 2024 || Judge (58): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), every month from Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) to Feb 2020, May Jun 2020, Mar Apr Sep Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar May Jun Sep Dec 2023, Jan Mar 2024
CCL - Winner (4): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Jun 2021 (tied with slimytrout) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (3): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar), Feb Apr 2022 || Host (12): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016, Jun Sep Dec 2021, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun 2023

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Post by Stankweed Imp » 4 years ago

Hi I haven't played since I was eskimo on mtgsalvation about 6 years or more.
Can anyone point me to an article about formatting custom cards? I seem to be losing points on that.

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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

Hi @Stankweed Imp, please look at the link in @bravelion83's signature ;)

Unfortunately I can't finish the crits today, one more day for Finals' judgements.

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Post by bravelion83 » 4 years ago

Stankweed Imp wrote:
4 years ago
Hi I haven't played since I was eskimo on mtgsalvation about 6 years or more.
Can anyone point me to an article about formatting custom cards? I seem to be losing points on that.
First, welcome back! I do remember your Salvation username. Please check out this link (same as the one in my signature). Specifically, section 4 at page 6 is all about the advised formatting, with examples.
Author of the MCC Guidelines and FAQ. | For my projects, including Jeff Lionheart, my murder mystery story "One pierced heart, two mindful horns", and republished articles from my series "The Lion's Lair", see Leo's content index (Last updated on March 24th 2024 - Added OPHTMH Episode 4).
After I'm done republishing my articles I want to reprise the series focusing it more on editing, wording, and templating. Suggest potential future article topics here.
My CCCG Resume (Updated on February 27th 2024)
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Blue = MTGSalvation Green = MTGNexus
MCC - Winner (9): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019, Jan Mar 2022, Apr 2023 || Host (30): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) Oct 2019, Jan Jun 2020 Apr Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2023, Mar 2024 || Judge (58): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), every month from Aug 2019 (first on MTGN) to Feb 2020, May Jun 2020, Mar Apr Sep Oct 2021, Feb May Sep Dec 2022, Mar May Jun Sep Dec 2023, Jan Mar 2024
CCL - Winner (4): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last on MTGS), Jun 2021 (tied with slimytrout) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (3): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar), Feb Apr 2022 || Host (12): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016, Jun Sep Dec 2021, Mar Jun Sep Dec 2022, Mar Jun 2023

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Post by Stankweed Imp » 4 years ago

bravelion83 wrote:
4 years ago
Stankweed Imp wrote:
4 years ago
Hi I haven't played since I was eskimo on mtgsalvation about 6 years or more.
Can anyone point me to an article about formatting custom cards? I seem to be losing points on that.
First, welcome back! I do remember your Salvation username. Please check out this link (same as the one in my signature). Specifically, section 4 at page 6 is all about the advised formatting, with examples.
Nice one! i've had a look and i'll use it when to check over my designs. Thanks guys.

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

@Ryder -- I think two of the Quality mistakes you cite are not actually mistakes. (Well, really I think all three aren't, but I'm not going to dispute the flavor text one.)

1) Reminder text doesn't have any rules meaning, so it's not held to the same standard as rules text. In reality, my sense is that R&D does testing to see which version of reminder text gets the point across most clearly, but since that's not really possible for us I feel that there is a good amount of wiggle room in figuring out the best reminder text. If you really feel like players would be confused by "when you cast it," then I guess that's up to you, but I do think that that should be the standard.

2) See Flash Conscription for a card that doesn't have an "also" in almost the exact same scenario as Tibalt's Gambit, so I'm not sure on what basis you're saying that an "also" is necessary.

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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

1) "When you cast" is a triggered ability, Desperation is like Kicker - can't be responded to.
2) "Also" is the modern way of doing this kind of effect.

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

Still not sure about 1) because it's reminder text, but I do see now that you're right about 2) -- hadn't noticed the switch-over around Tarkir era.

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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

I have to support docking Quality points for using "when" in the reminder text of a static ability; kicker and kicker-alikes use "as" or "if".
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)

Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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Post by Kypster » 4 years ago

@Ryder
(1/3) Quality - Action words should not state "you may" in the beginning. Should be worded "You may salvage a creature". (-0.5)
This is templated the same way Champion is. Wren's Run Packmaster. Is there some difference between the two keywords that keeps it from working the same way?

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void_nothing
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Post by void_nothing » 4 years ago

Yeah, it seems pretty clear to me that salvage isn't a keyword action at all. It's a regular old keyword; a static ability. Just because the word is a verb doesn't make it automatically a keyword action. And the challenge called for a new named mechanic of any kind.
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.

The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)

Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type

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Post by slimytrout » 4 years ago

I also said that I'd give some feedback about the month overall, so here goes:
Rd. 1
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Really liked the choice of planeswalkers as a design challenge, because I feel like people often shy away from them in more open-ended challenges due to their difficulty. I do think that it might have been a mistake to have the double-sided requirement, although more logistically than anything -- Round 1 is the round where the most grading has to happen, and it adds *so* much work to have to grade basically two full cards. Also, I think that the hybrid subchallenge might have been a bit more difficult than necessary for a Rd. 1 subchallenge.
Rd. 2
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Worked great - both of the subchallenges added tension, since they each tried to trick you into losing points (on elegance and on appeal/balance). No criticisms.
Rd. 3
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Also great, but as I said I wasn't a fan of the way the color subchallenge conflicted with the hybrid subchallenge from Rd. 1. Otherwise really liked it.
Rd. 4
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This is the one that I had the biggest quibble with, although part of that is also from my own personal experience. I felt like it immediately gave a big advantage to people whose characters included W and U, which have far more defensive effects at lower rarities, plus led to us having to play a guessing game about what's defensive. Especially in the final round, where you have to have *the best* design, that's a pretty big drawback. Here's the list of possible effects you suggested after the round:
Ryder wrote:
4 years ago
And now here you have some ideas that can work for Red/Black defense:
- Can't block: Causing confusion to flee
- Wild Ricochet effect
- Abnormal Endurance flavored like Tbalt is playing dead
- "Punisher" effect, flavored as Tibalt threatening the attackers
- Instant speed Threaten to make the attackers fight themselves
- Land destruction - staving off the chasing enemies

All of the above would've worked miles better than a first strike trick.
Two of those have never been done at common before (ricochet and instant speed threaten), two are not particularly flavored to my character (land destruction and abnormal endurance), and I don't understand why "can't block" is considered defensive or why it would go on an instant. Punisher is actually a good idea that would have been superior to what I chose, but it is frustrating to be trying to find the one or two effects in the entire game that would work as a card concept when the other contestants have plenty of options to choose from.
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Overall: Really liked the declining rarities - commons are much harder to design in a unique way, and so are the right choice for a final round. Also liked the tracking of characters, although I personally feel like it would have been nice to have some warning that they were going to carry over (but don't think it's necessary).
As you can see, other than a couple minor critiques and one fairly significant one, I did actually like the month's concept and most of the rounds.

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Post by Ryder » 4 years ago

Kypster wrote:
4 years ago
Ryder
(1/3) Quality - Action words should not state "you may" in the beginning. Should be worded "You may salvage a creature". (-0.5)
This is templated the same way Champion is. Wren's Run Packmaster. Is there some difference between the two keywords that keeps it from working the same way?
Actually @void_nothing is right, it is a keyword ability. That 0.5 is yours.
For keyword action, the wording would be "You may salvage a creature as you cast this spell."

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