I’d like to participate with too. I won’t be able to do one for this week (I’m currently sitting at work and it’s kinda frowned upon to do that kind of stuff on a military computer, if I could get access anyway) and I’m working on a card right now anyway. But if I could get one for next week I’ll do it when I get the chance and I’ve finished the one I’m working on right now.
The song is really short, but that's not an issue. There are two main points I have about it: 1) it sounds like a lullaby - thus the "sleep" mechanic" 2) it sounds very ominous like there's something coming but you don't know what it is. That's represented in the tutor. Your opponents know something is coming and they can only dread what awaits them. Just like in the song, it's like really sinister foreshadowing.
The song also gives of an otherworldly vibe, which I've tried to capture in the name and the artwork. Also also searching through your library can be a lot like traversing endless space looking for answers, which is a feeling that the song also evokes in me.
I'd say I would take a nudge but I don't have time to finish it tonight and I'll be busy most of tomorrow as well. I'll still try to make a card for it though at some point.
Song: (Piano version of Elan by Nightwish) This card is great! It's probably the best card that was entered this round. Well organized thought and I appreciate the use of Level Ups.. I miss those very much. The level up cost is quite expensive, so I feel like it would be difficult to eventually reach level 4 plus. Now, in relation to the artwork... I'm a little confused by what you chose... Finality of Desperation... but she doesn't look desperate... and who is she??? In relation to the song... I wish I had some sort of explanation as to why you chose to make a predominantly black card... I almost hear no black in the song. Also, in terms of the song structure, I'm not sure Level Ups was the way to go. The song wasn't really an escalating song and the ending was quite quiet in comparison to the rest...I'm going to give this card a 3.75 out of 5, but the entry a 3 out of 5... I think next time the whole package needs to flow in unison with the song. Here you've got a great card idea, with IMO not a great selection of artwork... To conclude, I do believe the artwork works well with the song... but neither the song or the artwork blend smoothly with the card. Decent job, but I'm starting to expect more from my master Mystery Boxer.
Song: (Piano version of Soldiers of the Wasteland by Dragonforce) I have to start by thanking you for even submitting an entry for the epic 9 minute song I gave you. I need to let you know, you've failed me on this one though. I think you came super close to nailing it, but there are some issues with your entry. 50% of the card is off to me while the other 50% is darn close to perfect... I think we did the right thing choosing a Saga, but perhaps an enchantment, sorcery, or creature would have worked as well. I do see why you called it 8-bit adventure, but it just didn't work with the art or the card in my opinion. Your best decision was the soulbond part of this saga (III). I think that was an excellent choice and timing matched the song very well with the extended solo in the middle-end. Searching for an equipment card makes sense with the song as well... but then again I feel it was out of order and should have been number I. Where your card went wrong to me was lore I and lore IV... these to me feel green.. i'm not seeing green in the card or anywhere.... and this all the more is where you failed me, because I really felt after listening to the song all the way through that there was a major green side of the song... I felt an exploration and "soul" searching aspect to the song... pictured a dude who kept searching for something and reflecting on old memories that were holding him back from finding what he wanted. However, you failing me is not the reason this card won't win this week. I promised myself I wouldn't let what I thought the card should be impact my judging. Your card structure and how it matches the song this week just seemed a bit off... I felt color identity deducted a few points here, and the name didn't mesh with the art and card as well as it could have. I'll rate this 2 out of 5 as a card, but 3.5 or 4 out of 5 as an entry for a difficult challenge.
Song: The Whispers Main Theme I guess this leaves only 1 more entry this week as I seem to have unfortunately stumped quite a few cardsmiths. This entry is the clear winner this week to me because it did exactly what last week's winner did... put the right words and pictures into my mind for the song. I've been trying to think of the right words to describe this song and "LULLABY" is the perfect word. The adjective ASTRAL is just a perfect touch because it matches the tone of the song so well. A feeling of unknown forces lurking or incoming... some sort of indescribable force is almost the source of the lullaby. So what is a lullaby in terms of a card? Exactly what you did. I do think you could have done some things differently with your card structure... for instance, the second ability should all be part of the first ability... it isn't its own ability. Secondly, i feel like you could have included some flavor text and spiced up what you're searching for. The end goal of searching for blue is not usually "search for anything you want," but "search for the right pieces for what you need next." I truly feel like you came close to a great card. I give this card a 3 out of 5, but the entry a 4.5 out of 5. Your prize for week 2 is a follow!
Please pardon any typos
This wraps up a very, very challenging week 2 and gives me plenty of ideas to make things more entertaining and agreeable for Week 3.
@jpastor Thanks for the summary as well as the feedback. You have some really good points, you're right on that it should be all one paragraph. But on the tutor part - I didn't want to give any restrictions to the search, because that would mean revealing the card and I wanted it to retain that sense of mystery for your opponent. Looking bach at it, I maybe could have made the card U/B and maybe add a bit more, but whatever, it is what it is now.
And while I'm here, I will also request a new song just so I have the whole week to think about it.
What do you not like about it? I'm not so sure I'm judging this correctly. I feel like I should let everyone have the freedom to create the card how they please based on how the song makes them feel and then all I do is judge the best card... regardless how it pertains to the song.
@jpastor Sorry if that seemed a bit rude, just that I'm very picky on music, plus I will probably find this very hard as I cannot make cards around music often. Defo a good idea for music-lovers. Again, I'm sorry.
Comments
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/astral-lullaby
And is inspired by this song:
The song is really short, but that's not an issue. There are two main points I have about it:
1) it sounds like a lullaby - thus the "sleep" mechanic"
2) it sounds very ominous like there's something coming but you don't know what it is. That's represented in the tutor. Your opponents know something is coming and they can only dread what awaits them. Just like in the song, it's like really sinister foreshadowing.
The song also gives of an otherworldly vibe, which I've tried to capture in the name and the artwork. Also also searching through your library can be a lot like traversing endless space looking for answers, which is a feeling that the song also evokes in me.
Hope you like it!
Bravo bud!! Well done
Last night for any submissions!
Song: (Piano version of Elan by Nightwish)
This card is great! It's probably the best card that was entered this round. Well organized thought and I appreciate the use of Level Ups.. I miss those very much. The level up cost is quite expensive, so I feel like it would be difficult to eventually reach level 4 plus. Now, in relation to the artwork... I'm a little confused by what you chose... Finality of Desperation... but she doesn't look desperate... and who is she??? In relation to the song... I wish I had some sort of explanation as to why you chose to make a predominantly black card... I almost hear no black in the song. Also, in terms of the song structure, I'm not sure Level Ups was the way to go. The song wasn't really an escalating song and the ending was quite quiet in comparison to the rest...I'm going to give this card a 3.75 out of 5, but the entry a 3 out of 5... I think next time the whole package needs to flow in unison with the song. Here you've got a great card idea, with IMO not a great selection of artwork... To conclude, I do believe the artwork works well with the song... but neither the song or the artwork blend smoothly with the card. Decent job, but I'm starting to expect more from my master Mystery Boxer.
@TheRacingTurtle's 8-Bit Adventure
Song: (Piano version of Soldiers of the Wasteland by Dragonforce)
I have to start by thanking you for even submitting an entry for the epic 9 minute song I gave you. I need to let you know, you've failed me on this one though. I think you came super close to nailing it, but there are some issues with your entry. 50% of the card is off to me while the other 50% is darn close to perfect... I think we did the right thing choosing a Saga, but perhaps an enchantment, sorcery, or creature would have worked as well. I do see why you called it 8-bit adventure, but it just didn't work with the art or the card in my opinion. Your best decision was the soulbond part of this saga (III). I think that was an excellent choice and timing matched the song very well with the extended solo in the middle-end. Searching for an equipment card makes sense with the song as well... but then again I feel it was out of order and should have been number I. Where your card went wrong to me was lore I and lore IV... these to me feel green.. i'm not seeing green in the card or anywhere.... and this all the more is where you failed me, because I really felt after listening to the song all the way through that there was a major green side of the song... I felt an exploration and "soul" searching aspect to the song... pictured a dude who kept searching for something and reflecting on old memories that were holding him back from finding what he wanted. However, you failing me is not the reason this card won't win this week. I promised myself I wouldn't let what I thought the card should be impact my judging. Your card structure and how it matches the song this week just seemed a bit off... I felt color identity deducted a few points here, and the name didn't mesh with the art and card as well as it could have. I'll rate this 2 out of 5 as a card, but 3.5 or 4 out of 5 as an entry for a difficult challenge.
Winner of Week 2
Astral Lullaby by @ThePhantomJokerSong: The Whispers Main Theme
I guess this leaves only 1 more entry this week as I seem to have unfortunately stumped quite a few cardsmiths. This entry is the clear winner this week to me because it did exactly what last week's winner did... put the right words and pictures into my mind for the song. I've been trying to think of the right words to describe this song and "LULLABY" is the perfect word. The adjective ASTRAL is just a perfect touch because it matches the tone of the song so well. A feeling of unknown forces lurking or incoming... some sort of indescribable force is almost the source of the lullaby. So what is a lullaby in terms of a card? Exactly what you did. I do think you could have done some things differently with your card structure... for instance, the second ability should all be part of the first ability... it isn't its own ability. Secondly, i feel like you could have included some flavor text and spiced up what you're searching for. The end goal of searching for blue is not usually "search for anything you want," but "search for the right pieces for what you need next." I truly feel like you came close to a great card. I give this card a 3 out of 5, but the entry a 4.5 out of 5. Your prize for week 2 is a follow!
Please pardon any typos
This wraps up a very, very challenging week 2 and gives me plenty of ideas to make things more entertaining and agreeable for Week 3.
Week 3 commences NOW!!!
And while I'm here, I will also request a new song just so I have the whole week to think about it.
What do you not like about it? I'm not so sure I'm judging this correctly. I feel like I should let everyone have the freedom to create the card how they please based on how the song makes them feel and then all I do is judge the best card... regardless how it pertains to the song.
Simple Quaver
Common
https://i.imgur.com/QFR9ac9.png
Common Alt
https://i.imgur.com/6WCdn9p.png
Uncommon
https://i.imgur.com/3ez87Lg.png
Rare
https://i.imgur.com/0DjeUlF.png
Mythic
https://i.imgur.com/ykSKYrJ.png