About two years ago Streetz ran a class-based contest designed to use a limited pool of Tribal based around the D&D style classes. I speak of this only because Morningtide brings us to an interesting crossroad; while it focuses heavily on the tribal lines created by Lorwyn, it also is the first set to really ever focus on the class aspect of creatures. As a result you're seeing numerous Faerie Rogues, Goblin Warriors, and others all designed along the tribal lines created by Lorwyn and the class lines being defined in Morningtide.

Which brings me to the contest. I was challenged to create a contest of any shape or form to support the release of Morningtide and the related articles on MDV. I initially said no, because the only thing that came to mind over and over again was Streetz’s “Class”-ified Tribal contest. However, after long thoughts I simply saw no recourse but to reincarnate it - with a twist. The pinch this time is the Tribal limitations are not on one creature type, but on two types - the tribe and class. That's right, this time you can't simply choose Goblins - you have to go for Goblin Warriors. No Elves allowed, but Elf Shamen are just fine! Merfolk should stay home unless they are Merfolk Rogues, and no one really cares about Birds unless they are Bird Soliders. There is a lot of challenge from building this way because you can easily pick Goblin Warrior and find yourself missing all the staple Goblins that normally make the tribe popular. You will probably find yourself using cards you've never thought to play with before.

Before we get to the rules, there is one “tribe” that must be discussed, and that is the Changeling tribe. Even though Changelings and their grandfather cards Proteus Machine and Mistform Ultimus represent every type in the game, they take the challenge out of this contest. However, I won't ban them, they just won't count towards your tribe. In order to make a full tribe, you must have 16 creatures that share two types. After that initial 16 you can include more creatures from that tribe as well as any Changelings and their grandfather Mistform Ultimus.

• All entries must include: a 60 card deck, a deck name, and a short description.
• 16 cards must be of the same tribe and class.
• All creatures beyond that 16 must match that tribe and class as well.
• Non-creature Tribal spells must match at least the tribe or class.
• If a creature has three or more types, it can be used in any combination of a class and tribe it possess. For example, Elite Archers can count as a Human Solider or Human Archer.
• Mistform Ultimus, Changelings, and Proteus Machine may be used for support only after the 16 creatures fitting the specified tribe and class are established.
• Your deck can use other cards to support the theme, including planeswalkers.
• You can use cards from any set, including Morningtide!
• If a card is specifically banned or restricted in any major format, it applies here. If in doubt, ask. (The ban also includes the Power Nine cards: The five original Moxen, Black Lotus, Time Walk, Ancestral Recall, and Time Twister.)
• Do not copy any existing deck that is on MDV or considered a popular net deck. The contest judge holds the right to reject any deck.
• All submissions must be emailed to cashew_the_psycho_nut@yahoo.com or private messaged over the forum to Cashew by 2/8/2007.

• Feel free to use the combo pages to give you ideas for your deck.
• Be creative and original, but note that many tribe combinations simply will not exist under the dual constraint.
• Check Magic the Gathering: Gatherer for offiicial up to date creature types. Do not base tribes on what their paper card type - unless it's recent it's probably wrong.

Just in case you want clarification, here's a sample deck based off Fox Clerics.
It's a fun stall and ball type deck that will raise your life total while taking away an opponent's will to live. The goal is simple - use your Fox Clerics to gain life or prevent damage and keep you alive until you can unleash a horde of them or swap life with your opponent.

Now if you're an observant fellow you'll notice there are four cards missing to give an example of how the rules work. Here are four examples of cards you might want to put in this deck:

1) Militia's Pride - Verdict: Can't. It's a Tribal enchantment that's a Kithkin, so we can't play it with our Fox Clerics.

2) Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant - Verdict: Can't. Even though it's a Fox, it's a Fox Monk - a shame because it'd fit perfectly in this deck!

3) Mirror Entity - Verdict: Can! Even though it's a Shapeshifter, its changeling ability lets us use it to support our deck. As long as we have 16 actual Fox Clerics first, we can begin using Changelings.

4) Kitsune Bonesetter - Verdict: Can! It matches our tribe perfectly; there’s no reason we can't have more than 16 of a tribe and class.

All submissions must be emailed to cashew_the_psycho_nut@yahoo.com or private messaged over the forum to Cashew by 2/8/2007. Judging will be based off a sole judge's impression of the deck and how it plays out. Creative and impressive decks as always might gather a little extra attention, while bland and commonly seen power decks may just illicit a "Well, this works; shame I've seen it 100 times," response.

If you want to discuss this or ask questions, by all means refer to the forum in this thread: CLICK HERE.

You can discuss this article in the MDV forums here.
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Articles Spotlights from 2008:
A Fresh Perspective: Stasis - Part One.
The Apprentice Magician - Part Six.
Design on a Dime: The Lunch Meat Edition!
Fit the Flavor 2008 - FINALE!
The Games People Play - Market & EDH.
Sarpadian Empires, Vol VII: Foreword.
More Evil Than Evil.
Pauper Chronicles: Top O' the Morningtide to You!
Words from the Streetz: Uncommon and Common Magical Treasures.
The Writers Guild: The Inside Scoop.