MTG Cardsmith Community Forums
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork [Contest]
Concept
The goal of this contest is to make a card or multiple cards depicting a team of characters working together! This could be done several different ways. If you choose the single card route, you could have art that shows multiple characters, and either a) has all the characters' subtypes (that they would have if they were separate cards) and has different abilities for each character, or b) the card itself is the lead character, and spawns token that interact with the main card (like in my example below). Alternatively, you could make two or three separate cards depicting several characters of the same team, and work together mechanically! Note that if you do this, each card will take up an entry slot, even though I will be judging the team as one entry. These are just a few ideas, though, and they more or less have to do with creatures. I'm sure you guys could come up with even more creative ways to depict a team!
Rules
1. Entries must depict a team/group of characters (at least two). This can mean one card featuring multiple characters or multiple cards that work together. It is also highly suggested that you try to reflect this in the abilities, but it technically isn't a part of the rule.
2. Entries must be 'realistic' magic cards. So no 'un' cards.
3. Entries must be balanced. If you're unsure about your card, feel free to ask your fellow cardsmiths for input and support!
4. Each user is allowed three (3)* entries. These entries may be changed any time before the contest's end date. If you change your card(s), please make a new post saying so.
5. Each entry must be an originally designed card for this contest, no old cards or previous creations.
6. Each entry must have the artwork with a proper credit. There may be exceptions made but using art sources that allow you to credit the creator (such as deviantart or artist websites/tumblrs) is highly suggested.
*In the case of transforming cards and meld cards, the former will be treated as one (1) entry for both sides, and the latter may or may not count as one entry, depending on the number of cards melded together (if two cards meld, it counts as one (1) entry. If three or more meld, they count as three (3) entries).
Criteria
These are the criteria that your entries will be judged on, from most important to least:
1. Creativity: I will be looking at both at creative card design and creative flavor!
2. Balance: Try to make your cards with the appropriate power level for their rarity. Of course, that's easier said than done. Like I mentioned above, don't be afraid to look to others for input and advice!
3. Grammar/Terminology: While I understand some cardsmiths are new to designing cards and some don't speak English as a first language, I will be more inclined to favor cards with proper grammar and Magic the Gathering terminology. However, as long as you don't mind, I'll let you know if I spot something so it can be fixed!
4. Aesthetic/Formatting: This is the least important section. Basically, make your cards look good! Cards that are succinct, neat, have the correct borders, and have good art will get the most points out of this section, while cards that are overcrowded, messy (such as words bleeding into the border), have incorrect borders, and have simple/unrealistic art will get the least.
Bonus Points: Write a short explanation of your card's flavor, detailing how the abilities of your card translate into flavor, and/or how the characters work together.
Example
Here's an example entry, Havella, Spectral Captain, just to give you a good idea of what I'm looking for!
Explanation: For my example, I decided to make a single card, depicting a captain who refused to die, and continues to lead her knightly cohorts to victory! Havella inspires her comrades (the tokens she creates) to fight more courageously in battle (last ability), and in turn they give her a reason to fight (second ability). If she dies, then the knights aren't as inspired, and if the knights die and she has no one to lead, then she has no reason to fight! That is how they work together.
Prizes
The top 3 winners will win a trophy, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and I'll follow them if I haven't already.
1st Place will win 3 favorites of their choice and a card representing them in my Victors of Cardsmithia cycle!
2nd Place will win 2 favorites of their choice!
3rd Place will win 1 favorite of their choice!
Honorable Mentions win the elation of being noticed! Oh, and they'll be given constructive criticism on their entries.
Deadline
This contest will be closed for judging at 10:30 on November 5th. Winners will be announced within the following couple of weeks.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
They're fine except for the fact that they're not new! As stated in the rules, "Each entry must be an originally designed card for this contest, no old cards or previous creations."
Also, this isn't required, but it would be cool if you could also use art that shows the team/group.
Yeah, that works!
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/timely-rescue-1
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/against-all-odds-20
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/overcome-the-monstrous
http://mtgcardsmith.com/view/poison-team
Flavor Text (Couldn't fit it on the card): "This was a terrible idea." Sorin muttered. "Shut up, you pale little insect." Garruk shot back fiercely. "Would both of you calm down!" Jace cried indignantly. "I'm trying to think!" "Guys?" Chandra looked nervously over her shoulder. "I think Bolas heard us." "Listen, my friends," Gideon said, loud enough to make the other four turn to listen. "If we are going to defeat the greatest evil this multiverse has yet seen, we must work together. Now are you with me? Or will you run from the honorable path and cower in your swamps, your forests, your mountain and island cities?" All five Planeswalkers nodded to each other resolutely. "I give you my strength." Garruk growled. "And my skill." Sorin added. "Ooh! Ooh! And my power!" Chandra grinned. "And my intelligence." Jace ended the chain with a tight smile. "Then I give you my companionship." Gideon turned. "Now, follow me!"
Sorry if the text was overindulgent... I just love that team of Planeswalkers, yo...
Better, but don't forget to give credit for the artist if you can! If you can't, please let me know where you found it so I can help look.
@FatCat23476
Not at all! For me, there's no such thing as too much when it comes to story/flavor. In fact, I encourage it! Story is one of the biggest reasons I love to both play with and create MTG content!
Yeah, that should be fine, and thanks! I hope I don't seem too harsh or anything, I just know, being an artist myself, that I'd want my art to be credited.
Question: Do you think the deadline for the contest is too far away? I wanted to give more time for more entries, since I only gave a week for my last contest, but I don't want to give too much time and make you guys wait longer than you have to!
I'd say it be wiser to end the contest October 31st to November 5th myself.
You do whatever feels good to you buddy!
Announcement
Okay, so I've decided to change the deadline to November 5th, and if this contest gets 3 pages of entries by then, I might extend it a few more days. Thanks for your answers everyone!