Tigersol's Tuesday Tourney #1 - Designing Evolution [closed]
Hello, I am Tigersol. As of now, I and a few other users are working on a prehistory themed expansion set for Magic the Gathering. I have decided that, in tandem to the main set discussion, I shall host a bi-monthly contest where I will pitch a challenge concerning the design of the set. This will range from anywhere between card designs, to world building, to mechanic designs, and generally anything that I think would make an interesting contest. I hope that this will provide the set a fresh set of eyes and ideas every two weeks, as well as provide all of you with a fun challenge to partake in. You do not need to know anything about the set to take part. In fact, having people who have not yet taken part in the set discussion enter the contest would be fantastic, for it provides the set with a vein of ideas not yet tapped into.
- Make a mechanic that goes on creatures that allows those creatures to change over time.
- Make a mechanic that doesn't need to go on a creatures that changes another creature.
There are many ways you can submit something for this competition. You can submit cards, just mechanics, or even half-baked ideas for mechanics. What I care most about is that this is a commons to share ideas and inspirations, and, if you can't find a way to word an idea of yours, that is okay. Submit a general sketch of it, and I'll still judge that based upon how interesting I think the idea is. Additionally, while I would appreciate that you stick to the theme, if you end up somewhere interesting and crazy while trying to make a mechanic for this contest, send it in anyway! Let your creativity be unbound. My favorite ideas will almost certainly be play tested, and, if I end up including any ideas in the set, you will certainly be credited.
In terms of judging, I will mostly be judging upon my gut reaction. Generally, anything that excites me as a player or a designer will end up getting a pretty good score. I know that is a little infuriating, and I'm sorry about that, but I believe this loose definition gives me the most freedom when I judge.
Now for the good part. Prizes shall be distributed as follows:
1 - 4 entries:
The first place winner will receive a total of three favorites on cards of their pleasing and a follow.
5-7 entries:
The first place winner will receive four favorites and a follow.
The second place winner will receive three favorites.
8+ entries:
The first place winner will receive five favorites and a follow.
The second place winner will receive three favorites and a follow.
The third place winner will receive three favorites.
Additionally, I reserve the right to hand out honorable mentions of one favorite.
The Challenge
Design a mechanic that represents evolution in one way or another. That's a little vague, so here are a few ideas:- Make a mechanic that goes on creatures that allows those creatures to change over time.
- Make a mechanic that doesn't need to go on a creatures that changes another creature.
There are many ways you can submit something for this competition. You can submit cards, just mechanics, or even half-baked ideas for mechanics. What I care most about is that this is a commons to share ideas and inspirations, and, if you can't find a way to word an idea of yours, that is okay. Submit a general sketch of it, and I'll still judge that based upon how interesting I think the idea is. Additionally, while I would appreciate that you stick to the theme, if you end up somewhere interesting and crazy while trying to make a mechanic for this contest, send it in anyway! Let your creativity be unbound. My favorite ideas will almost certainly be play tested, and, if I end up including any ideas in the set, you will certainly be credited.
Judging, Prizes, and Deadline
You have until 5:00 pm EST on Monday, June 29th to submit any entry you would like to make.In terms of judging, I will mostly be judging upon my gut reaction. Generally, anything that excites me as a player or a designer will end up getting a pretty good score. I know that is a little infuriating, and I'm sorry about that, but I believe this loose definition gives me the most freedom when I judge.
Now for the good part. Prizes shall be distributed as follows:
1 - 4 entries:
The first place winner will receive a total of three favorites on cards of their pleasing and a follow.
5-7 entries:
The first place winner will receive four favorites and a follow.
The second place winner will receive three favorites.
8+ entries:
The first place winner will receive five favorites and a follow.
The second place winner will receive three favorites and a follow.
The third place winner will receive three favorites.
Additionally, I reserve the right to hand out honorable mentions of one favorite.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Introducing Progress N: (Put N +1/+1 counters on this creature if a creature died this turn).
Here's an example.
I know that it's not a very original keyword, but progression is the key to evolution: what better way to progress in a world full of primitive behemoths, if not to learn how to kill them? This is what Sabertooth Warriors did. Learn how to make spears, then kill the tigers, then learn how to camouflage like the tiger, and so on.
No, I don't think Progress should give keywords to the creature in question, it would be a messier Soulflayer (https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=391928)
https://mtgcardsmith.com/user/CassZero/sets/53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/raptor-stalker?list=set&set=53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/natives-and-carnivorous-beasts?list=set&set=53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/bauru-the-first-legendary?list=set&set=53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/intimidating-bat?list=set&set=53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/predator-light-tracker-1?list=set&set=53553
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/drrex-the-first-terror-1?list=set&set=53553
Evolve - This is the most straightforward approach and it's a clean mechanic with a clear goal. It can be really flexible with execution (caring about +1/+1 counters, caring about when a creature evolves, etc.) and it gives you really accessible design slots.
Level up - I don't think you have to be limited to the simple 'sorcery activation' as in days of old, but creating a set of trigger conditions or alternate activation conditions could be an interesting way to demonstrate creatures (or noncreatures) becoming more potent.
Mutate - This was just done in Ikoria, but a clear representation of a creature changing into something stronger than before. It requires the whole set (i.e. many many creatures) be warped around it though.
Transform / Flip - I don't necessarily recommend these from a practical standpoint but they're also tangible, visible representations of a permanent changing.
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/evolutionary-infiltrator?list=user
No worries whatsoever.
Strange huh? Ignore the rarity, I just set it at mythic and went from there.
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature.
Enchanted creature gains vigilance as long as you control another card with the same same.
3U, T: Create a creature token that is a copy of enchanted creature, except its power and toughness are 1 until the end of your next turn.
Survival - Whenever a creature you control dies, [effect].
The cards are overall quite similar one another, but the main difference is what the Survival ability word does, despite the trigger being the same.
And yes, it is very similar to my first entry (Progression), but progression is a keyword which only gives +1/+1 counters when a creature dies, while Survival has a common trigger but can have multiple effects.
Our first play winner is @SteampunkDragon!
I like the idea of a mechanic which allows something to evolve into something of a similar type, and I think this execution of it is certainly very interesting.
Coming in at second place is @Scaccogaming
I think death triggers is a very interesting way to demonstrate the theme of evolution, and I believe there is a lot of design space left to explore that theme.
Tell me what you want me to favorite, and you both get a follow.
I extend a great "thank you" to all who partook in this challenge. Thank you for sharing your excellent ideas!
EDIT: It appears I already follow you, @SteampunkDragon. As a result, I think it's fair that you may request an additional favorite from me.