How to Create and Operate a Successful Custom Set Discussion

jpastorjpastor
edited April 5 in Tutorials

Custom Set discussions are a fantastic way to engage the community in storytelling, worldbuilding, and card design. Whether your idea is a set, a custom plane, or a serialized lore project, this tutorial will guide you through launching and maintaining a thriving custom set thread on the MTG Cardsmith forums.

✨ What Is a Custom Set Discussion?

A Custom Set on MTG Cardsmith refers to a recurring or ongoing narrative project that often includes:

  • A custom MTG set or block

  • A worldbuilding thread tied to mechanics, characters, and flavor

  • Serialized chapters or releases of lore

  • Community participation in designing cards, characters, or plotlines

Custom Set discussions are more than just a set – they tell a story.

🧱 Step 1: Planning Your Discussion

Before posting, consider the following:

  • What is your central theme? (e.g., Cyberpunk Revolution, Mythic Atlantis, Post-Apocalyptic Eldraine)

  • Will you post episodic updates or one big dump?

  • Will you allow community interaction? (Collaborative sets? Design challenges?)

Prepare:

  • A basic lore introduction

  • A few example cards (include images or direct card links)

  • Mechanics (describe them clearly)

  • Any worldbuilding resources (map, pantheon, key characters)

🧵 Step 2: Creating the Forum Thread

Navigate to the Cardsmith Forums and:

  1. Go to the “Custom Sets & Cards” category

  2. Click “New Discussion”

  3. Title it something catchy but informative.
    Example: The Shattered Realms – A Dimensional War Custom Set

First Post Layout Template:

## 🌌 Welcome to *The Shattered Realms*

In a world where dimensions collide, ancient beings battle for control over reality itself.

---

### 🔥 Set Mechanics

- **Riftwalk** – Whenever this creature phases in, it gains [effect].
- **Dimensionbond** – As long as you control two or more legendary permanents, [bonus effect].

---

### 🃏 Sample Cards

![Sample Card 1](card link or image)
![Sample Card 2](card link or image)

---

### 🗺️ Worldbuilding

The Shattered Realms is a broken multiverse made up of splinters of various planes...

---

### 💬 How You Can Participate

Want to design a riftwalker? Have ideas for a shattered plane? Comment below with your cards, flavor text, or suggestions!

🗓️ Step 3: Keep It Alive – Posting Episodic Updates

Consistency keeps discussions alive. Suggestions:

  • Post weekly updates with 3-5 new cards and lore blurbs

  • Use headings, bold text, and dividers to organize posts

  • Reply to everyone who comments – engagement breeds longevity

Update Template Example:

## ✨ Update 3: The Rise of the Crystal Tyrant

The forgotten city of Vel'Mar awakens beneath the sands.

### Featured Cards

- **Vel’Mar Ascendant** – Legendary Creature
- **Buried Knowledge** – Enchantment Saga
- **Crystal Tyrant’s Will** – Sorcery

---

### Lore Drop: Vel'Mar

Hidden for millennia, Vel'Mar's rulers now seek to reshape the fractured realms...

---

🔮 Want to help expand Vel’Mar’s culture or design their war machines? Drop your ideas below!

👥 Step 4: Engage the Community

  • Ask questions: “Which of these mechanics feels most fun?”

  • Run polls

  • Start mini-challenges within your thread (e.g., “Design a creature for the Flame Sea”)

  • Invite collaboration (“Looking for co-creators!”)

Pro Tips:

  • Tag active users or invite them via PM

  • React to comments with likes or emotes

  • Occasionally summarize what’s been contributed so far

🧹 Step 5: Organize and Archive

If your discussion becomes long-running, consider:

  • Creating a table of contents post at the top (edit your first post to add this)

  • Linking to important lore posts or user submissions

  • Starting a spin-off thread for contests or card design games

🏆 Bonus Tips for Success

✅ Use visuals – Card images, art, and formatting make posts engaging
✅ Be consistent – Weekly or bi-weekly updates are ideal
✅ Stay open – Be welcoming to all skill levels
✅ Celebrate contributions – Shout-out fans and featured cards
✅ Adapt – Let the discussion evolve with community ideas

🌟 You’re Ready to Launch!

Creating a custom set thread is a powerful way to share your creativity and connect with the MTG Cardsmith community. Whether you're crafting a mythic epic or a weird modern story, your custom set deserves to be seen. Now go make some magic!

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