MTG Cardsmith Community Forums
Weapon of Choice/revisited
So this is the second thread on the subject, the first being worded seductively and getting me excited for an equipment challenge. That said, as I am new to the forums and a little shy about hosting a prized contest, this one will be for funsies as I would rather not commit myself to something I'm not even sure if be able to reliably finish. The reward however, besides the cranial exercise is that I may favorite some of the top designed cards. Perhaps after I see how this one goes, I will more actively post contests that have prize support.
Choose your Weapon- this is an equipment challenge. I was received by another thread of the same title and decided I'd post my own, with the above disclaimer of course. And here are the rules.
Rules (I hate em, you need em)
1. This is an equipment challenge. A narrow category, I agree, and I was going to allow cards that interacted with ewuipment, but I really just want to see instruments of war (and other equipment) not the people that carry them.
2. Please, please PLEASE! realistic cards only. The specifics of what I'm looking for fall below, but I'm looking for cards that uphold my suspension of disbelief. I have to look at the cards and think: Hey, that could be a thing.
3. Artwork. I know how hard it can be to find acceptable art on Google, having spent hours there finding pieces for my own custom cards. That said, the following exceptions:
-Anime art- see above mention of suspension of disbelief.
-Preexisting Mtg card art. There shouldn't be a reason that I look at your card and think: Hmm. This reminds me of umezawa's jitte. Oh yeah, the artwork. Also, see above mention of suspension of disbelief.
4. Text/Templating - This. While I am relaxed on most kinds of artwork, this is where I will be heavy handed. Nothing kills my suspension of disbelief more than an improperly templated card. Seeing as this is my first challenge, and not everyone is a diehard Melvin, such as myself, I will give pointers to certain cards, and offer corrected/templates ability text where applicable. We are pushing new boundaries with these cards, so we may have to work on these abilities a little to achieve a desired end state.
5. NEW CARDS PLEASE! For this challenge, I'm asking that you make a little effort with these cards. As much as I want to see the sword you created years ago, I'd rather see something created for this contest.
6. HAVE FUN! I know I've got a fair bit of rules here, but this is the most important one. Enjoy what you are here to do. By all means, follow the rubric, but have fun while doing it.
7. Minor things:
-Expansion symbols don't matter, feel free to use what you will, but try to match the theme if you can, and use a neutral (commander, m15) set symbol if necessary.
-Color doesn't matter, but don't overdo it. There are only a handful of colored equipment in Mtg, please don't make me suspend this rule.
-Try your best to make a neat card. It's acceptable to have a little edge riding (look at a few of my cards) but words should not be on the border.
-Be willing to accept constructive criticism. This is how I seek to lessen my heavy handedness with templating. This is as much an exercise in personal growth as it is an equipment contest.
-Be mindful in your submissions. There is no limit, but allow others the chance to create some cards as well.
-Deadline is soft: Feb 13th. That is when I expect to conclude this, but I may extend it a week if submissions are low.
7. I reserve the right to change these rules, to add or subtract to these rules in a manner that I see fit and within reason.
This contest will go live before I have a chance to post my example entry, so be a little patient as I whip up another amazing custom card!
Edit: Sorry had to start work before I could find the art for my examples and seal the deal on them, but here they are.
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/innocent-tableware
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/menacing-scrap
Your cards don't have to be linked or have anything to do with each other, this was just the first thing that came to mind. As such, the art is video stock since I couldn't find any other artwork that would do it justice.
Choose your Weapon- this is an equipment challenge. I was received by another thread of the same title and decided I'd post my own, with the above disclaimer of course. And here are the rules.
Rules (I hate em, you need em)
1. This is an equipment challenge. A narrow category, I agree, and I was going to allow cards that interacted with ewuipment, but I really just want to see instruments of war (and other equipment) not the people that carry them.
2. Please, please PLEASE! realistic cards only. The specifics of what I'm looking for fall below, but I'm looking for cards that uphold my suspension of disbelief. I have to look at the cards and think: Hey, that could be a thing.
3. Artwork. I know how hard it can be to find acceptable art on Google, having spent hours there finding pieces for my own custom cards. That said, the following exceptions:
-Anime art- see above mention of suspension of disbelief.
-Preexisting Mtg card art. There shouldn't be a reason that I look at your card and think: Hmm. This reminds me of umezawa's jitte. Oh yeah, the artwork. Also, see above mention of suspension of disbelief.
4. Text/Templating - This. While I am relaxed on most kinds of artwork, this is where I will be heavy handed. Nothing kills my suspension of disbelief more than an improperly templated card. Seeing as this is my first challenge, and not everyone is a diehard Melvin, such as myself, I will give pointers to certain cards, and offer corrected/templates ability text where applicable. We are pushing new boundaries with these cards, so we may have to work on these abilities a little to achieve a desired end state.
5. NEW CARDS PLEASE! For this challenge, I'm asking that you make a little effort with these cards. As much as I want to see the sword you created years ago, I'd rather see something created for this contest.
6. HAVE FUN! I know I've got a fair bit of rules here, but this is the most important one. Enjoy what you are here to do. By all means, follow the rubric, but have fun while doing it.
7. Minor things:
-Expansion symbols don't matter, feel free to use what you will, but try to match the theme if you can, and use a neutral (commander, m15) set symbol if necessary.
-Color doesn't matter, but don't overdo it. There are only a handful of colored equipment in Mtg, please don't make me suspend this rule.
-Try your best to make a neat card. It's acceptable to have a little edge riding (look at a few of my cards) but words should not be on the border.
-Be willing to accept constructive criticism. This is how I seek to lessen my heavy handedness with templating. This is as much an exercise in personal growth as it is an equipment contest.
-Be mindful in your submissions. There is no limit, but allow others the chance to create some cards as well.
-Deadline is soft: Feb 13th. That is when I expect to conclude this, but I may extend it a week if submissions are low.
7. I reserve the right to change these rules, to add or subtract to these rules in a manner that I see fit and within reason.
This contest will go live before I have a chance to post my example entry, so be a little patient as I whip up another amazing custom card!
Edit: Sorry had to start work before I could find the art for my examples and seal the deal on them, but here they are.
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/innocent-tableware
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/menacing-scrap
Your cards don't have to be linked or have anything to do with each other, this was just the first thing that came to mind. As such, the art is video stock since I couldn't find any other artwork that would do it justice.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
good?
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/chitin-crown
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/slayer-of-the-meek
Kresh: http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=174876
Mage Slayer, Kresh's other weapon: http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205319
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/slayer-of-the-meek-1
I MADE... HMMM.......
Okay, so the end of this contest is as follows:
This was an informal contest, and I was shocked by the lack of turnout. Perhaps I could shorten the rules next time to make it more enticing.
Even still, I did say that I would like the winners cards and I will add a little below to comment on the (rather short) list of entries (that means all of them)
@dudedaniel I wish that I could have seen the revised version with the cleanups. I was curious to see if your Weapon had an equipment ability or "static cling" like the cycle of weapons in fifth dawn. Rereading the comments (for some reason I didn't get notifications regarding your responses) I should have liked to work on the ability as I now have a better understanding of how the card works.
@Beeswax I liked the use of lore in the creation of your card, as I could see where its top down design came from. It's just that word "lethal" I guess it is a new design direction that we could go in, but it seems out of place on a Magic card. Nevertheless, I do concede your inclusion of the flavor text as being the reason for the current templating, but I probably would've gone with the effect over the flavor.
@AlphaOmega I did not do my research on this so I don't know if this sword was in fact his actual sword in the canon, but I liked it nonetheless. It felt right enough to go beneath my notice. I don't believe, except for the templating issue, that I had any issues with this card. It was even costed efficiently for its ability. Nice all around.
HONORABLE MENTION
@Superman101 I'm so glad that you were receptive to my templating and even art suggestion. When I saw the revised card, art included I actually got goosebumps, and that's not an exaggeration. It looks like a card that wizards could have commissioned and the ability is not too shabby either. It even costs correctly its not too broken but its not bad either. Keep up the good work and I'm always free to template or offer art ideas if need be.
That last sentence applies to anybody. I am open to offering templating advice on cards and art suggestions where applicable. Just message me or @Syrix me if you please. Til next time and perhaps I'll run a prized contest then.
-CLOSED-