Cashew
08-31-2008, 07:32 PM
Shards of Alara is on the horizon and it's fixing to change up some of how people fix Magic. Whether it's verifcation that Artifacts can have color or the sheer meaning of the word "overpowered." With the vast majority of it unknown to players, who knows what the rest of the set will unleash on Magic.
The one thing that is known is it will be a return to multi-colored cards. Specifically triple colored. In the past, tri-color cards have faired very poorly. It's only recently that cards such as Doran, have proved they can be truly competitive and not just casual game super threats.
Thus this month will follow suit, simply put make a Tri-Colored card (no hybrids) or Triad Land.
The challenge lies in how you use the color. Do you combine similar elements of colors to make a highly focused powerful creature, or do you bring different elements from each color to create a more versatile card? Think I was strict on color appropriateness before, you ain't seen nothing :paranoid:
Any keywords or new ideas introduced as Shards of Alara is previewed/released are fair game for use in this round.
Now on to the rules:
1) Your card must be in card form.
This means you'll have to do extra work beyond simply designing the card. First, you'll need a way to render the card. I highly recommend the Magic Set Editor (http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net) as it's still highly updated, and is very simple to use. The best looking renders are done by hand in a Photoshop program, but this is not necessary.
You will also need to find a website to host the image for it to be submitted. There are numerous free ones out there if you don't have access to a web host already. One I know to work personally that just requires registration and is very easy to use is Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/). Or you can simply just attach it to your thread.
Which leads to one last thing you have to find for your card - art.
2) All artwork should be credited and non-copyrighted.
While it may be very hard to find out who made a random image you rip straight off an image search. I highly recommend you locate galleries that will let you know who drew it while drawing it. Two massive galleries that you should know are Elfwood (http://www.elfwood.com) and deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com/).
Make sure you check the artist's profile page throughly to see if they are copyrighted are not. You can even go the extra step and ask for permission, which I highly encourage. It is essential that you credit them on the card as well.
3) Your entry must submitted by September 26th (last date for entries 25th)
Simple enough? Submit, edit, change as many times as you want until that date, then there will be no more.
4) Submit your entry in this thread.
This thread is for submission only, there will be a discussion thread created for comments on others cards or talking about the contest itself.
5) Your card must be balanced.
Do not expect to win if you create some off the wall insane creature that has every ability for 10 mana and is a 9/5. The goal is to create a card that could seemingly be printed. From the flavor to the mana cost to the power level of the card - all parts are considered.
6) Do not create a new keyword.
Use existing keywords, be careful when using block based ones such as Affinity, Splice, and Radiance. In the past, we've allowed some leinency with things such as Protection from X or Xcycling. Don't stretch it too far though.
That being said, enjoy, if you have any questions see you in the discussion thread and look forward to your entries. By the way if you're curious, the Writer's Guild will be voting on the winner chosen from the top entries of a couple people's choices. The winning card will be hosted on the main site.
The one thing that is known is it will be a return to multi-colored cards. Specifically triple colored. In the past, tri-color cards have faired very poorly. It's only recently that cards such as Doran, have proved they can be truly competitive and not just casual game super threats.
Thus this month will follow suit, simply put make a Tri-Colored card (no hybrids) or Triad Land.
The challenge lies in how you use the color. Do you combine similar elements of colors to make a highly focused powerful creature, or do you bring different elements from each color to create a more versatile card? Think I was strict on color appropriateness before, you ain't seen nothing :paranoid:
Any keywords or new ideas introduced as Shards of Alara is previewed/released are fair game for use in this round.
Now on to the rules:
1) Your card must be in card form.
This means you'll have to do extra work beyond simply designing the card. First, you'll need a way to render the card. I highly recommend the Magic Set Editor (http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net) as it's still highly updated, and is very simple to use. The best looking renders are done by hand in a Photoshop program, but this is not necessary.
You will also need to find a website to host the image for it to be submitted. There are numerous free ones out there if you don't have access to a web host already. One I know to work personally that just requires registration and is very easy to use is Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/). Or you can simply just attach it to your thread.
Which leads to one last thing you have to find for your card - art.
2) All artwork should be credited and non-copyrighted.
While it may be very hard to find out who made a random image you rip straight off an image search. I highly recommend you locate galleries that will let you know who drew it while drawing it. Two massive galleries that you should know are Elfwood (http://www.elfwood.com) and deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com/).
Make sure you check the artist's profile page throughly to see if they are copyrighted are not. You can even go the extra step and ask for permission, which I highly encourage. It is essential that you credit them on the card as well.
3) Your entry must submitted by September 26th (last date for entries 25th)
Simple enough? Submit, edit, change as many times as you want until that date, then there will be no more.
4) Submit your entry in this thread.
This thread is for submission only, there will be a discussion thread created for comments on others cards or talking about the contest itself.
5) Your card must be balanced.
Do not expect to win if you create some off the wall insane creature that has every ability for 10 mana and is a 9/5. The goal is to create a card that could seemingly be printed. From the flavor to the mana cost to the power level of the card - all parts are considered.
6) Do not create a new keyword.
Use existing keywords, be careful when using block based ones such as Affinity, Splice, and Radiance. In the past, we've allowed some leinency with things such as Protection from X or Xcycling. Don't stretch it too far though.
That being said, enjoy, if you have any questions see you in the discussion thread and look forward to your entries. By the way if you're curious, the Writer's Guild will be voting on the winner chosen from the top entries of a couple people's choices. The winning card will be hosted on the main site.