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Black's CC2: LINK to the Past


Blake

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I have been a big fan of the Links given to old archetypes, as a rule of thumb. Even when they're not directly connected gamepaly wise, such as Heavymetalfoes Electrumite or Crystron Needlefiber, they still add something to the game, and... Personally, I believe a Link format isn't compelte until every theme, bar Monarchs, has a Link. They've been made to be that integral.

 

So, your task is simple: Create a Link for a pre-VRAINS theme that does not currently have a Link.

[spoiler=Rules]http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/321498-ycm-general-card-contest-rules-updated-452016/
 
In addition to the above:

  • Entry is free.
  • Maximum of 20 participants.
  • I will be the one and only judge.
  • You will be judged out of 100, and your score shall be presented as a single percentage.
  • Do NOT post design notes. A true test of design is speaking through the work itself. Doing such will be grounds for an automatic maximum of 50 points, instead of 100.
  • Your card must be new. You may not repost a previously created card.
  • All entries are due by 12 AM EST on July 18th, 2018.
  • You may edit all you want, so long as it's done by the date.

 

[spoiler=Requirements]

  • The Link you make must work with the deck. Simply slapping a name on a card is not acceptable
  • A picture is not required, but is encouraged. Written is absolutely fine.

 

[spoiler=Judging Rubric]

50 points for Utility/Mechanic/Balance

 
Does your card actually do anything? How well does it do it? Is it too convoluted, or just way too simple? While not the soul of a design, this is a very important part, because it decides if your card is playable, unplayable, or far too playable. Or, possibly, if it's something that's prone to aging well.
 
Does it do the things it does too well? Too poorly? Not at all? You get the gist.
 
35 points for Flavor
Now, your card doesn't have to be in an archetype, though it means you have to put effort in to establish some flavor. Any card can have flavor, it just has to flow between name, stats, effect, art (if any, no penalty for not having it), etc.
 
Points for failure in the theme will be taken off from this part.
 
10 points for Creativity 
More or less, is the core idea appreciable? Can I tell that some effort was put into the design, and that it was toyed with? Simplicity, as opposed to a minimalist approach, is something that would be punished here.
 
5 points for Grammar
Can I understand your text? If so, you'll do fairly well here. I'm not the biggest hardass in terms of technical grammar, though I will give points off if I can tell there's a flaw. Capitalization isn't something I'd harp on for the most part, though.

[spoiler=Prizes]Unlike last time (read: 2 years ago), the prizes will be a bit more grand!

 
First Place: 

  • 10000 Points
  • 5 Reps

Second Place:

  • 5000 Points
  • 3 Reps

Third Place:

  • 2500 Points
  • 1 Rep

Now, these aren't too special in-and-of themselves, but... If you score a 95% or higher, you will also gain access to a special membergroup, though it will only be for three months, so enjoy it while it lasts!

 

[spoiler=Participants]Bolded have their entries in.

  1. n/a

 


 
So, good luck to all who join! I'm excited to see any riveting attempts or growth since the last two contests I participated in, so... It's show time!

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I'm going to make a shitpost Fabled that finishes last so nobody who actually tries has to feel the pain of ultimate failure.

 

[spoiler=here you go papa blacc]

1a22b8e5d31b5bdb4fab8f0dcf5bc132.png
1 Fiend monster + 1 Beast monster
Once per turn, you can discard 1 card: Special Summon 1 "Fabled" Synchro monster from your Extra Deck to a zone this card points to. (This Special Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon) Once per turn, you can target 1 monster this card points to: reduce its Level by up to 4, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Fabled" monster from your Deck whose Level is equal to the difference between that target's original and current Levels.

 
It is perfectly fair and balanced.
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Here's my submission:

 

[spoiler=Did you forget Geargia existed? I did]

 

V5Pmeau.png

 

3 Machine Effect Monsters with different names
Machine monsters you control gain ATK/DEF equal to the number of Machine monsters you control x300. You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 EARTH Machine monster from your hand or GY in face-down Defense Position. (Quick Effect): You can target 1 face-up monster on the field, then 1 face-down monster you control; change the first target to face-down Defense Position, and if you do, change the second target to either face-up Attack or Defense Position. You can only use 1 "Geargiauthority Gigant Z" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

 

 

 

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Definitely entering. Nice to see another competition!

 

[spoiler=Mah Ritual Bois]

YxwgCwP.png

2+ WATER monsters

If this card is Link Summoned: Each player discards 1 card, also you draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of this card's name once per turn. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can send the top card of your Deck to the GY, then target 1 "Gishki" monster in your GY; place it on top of your Deck. Once per turn, if you Ritual Summon a monster: Gain LP equal to its Level x200. 

 

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[spoiler=Entry]

7niiWNr.png

 

2 LIGHT monsters

Reduce the Level of all Dragon monsters in your hand by 1. Reveal 1 LIGHT Machine Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck: You can shuffle into your Deck or Extra Deck Fusion Materials you control with different names whose names are specifically listed on the card you revealed, and if you do, Fusion Summon that monster, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only use this effect of “Ojamarker” once per turn.

 

 

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I'm in!

[spoiler=Fallen of Zera]

zfVeTIH.png

2+ Effect monsters
If you have 2 or more DARK monsters in your GY, you can also Link Summon this card using 1 "Darklord" monster in your hand and 1+ DARK monsters in your hand and/or field as materials. Once per turn, if a card(s) is shuffled from the GY into the Deck: You can target 1 face-up card on the field; destroy that target, and if you do, send 1 "Darklord" card from your Deck to your GY. If this card is the only monster you control (Quick Effect): You can pay 1000 LP; Special Summon 1 "Darklord" monster from your GY. You can only use this effect of "Fallen of Zera" once per turn.

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Only five entires and Enguin, huh? Well, that'll make this a bit quicker.
 

I'm going to make a shitpost Fabled that finishes last so nobody who actually tries has to feel the pain of ultimate failure.
 
[spoiler=here you go papa blacc]
 

1a22b8e5d31b5bdb4fab8f0dcf5bc132.png

1 Fiend monster + 1 Beast monster
Once per turn, you can discard 1 card: Special Summon 1 "Fabled" Synchro monster from your Extra Deck to a zone this card points to. (This Special Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon) Once per turn, you can target 1 monster this card points to: reduce its Level by up to 4, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Fabled" monster from your Deck whose Level is equal to the difference between that target's original and current Levels.
 


 
It is perfectly fair and balanced.

 

well it is certainly a shitpost
 

lXvW6Df.png

I feel like this card is a bit... shortsighted. While I won't hold the fact it can technically search Skyscraper cards in the TCG, it doesn't feel like you thought about what the effect really entails. Most of the cards it searches aren't very good after you -1 yourself to get them, leaving Scrapyard as the only target you'll consistently grab, which... could still be better? Obviously Factory, as well, but it feels like you want this to proc that.
 
It also gets Scrap-Iron Statue, for whatever that's worth.
 
Now, the revival effect is good enough, but it still comes with the issue that this card requires a lot of general devotion before you can explode your dudes, who are still not especially strong, as a rule of thumb. The Scrap S/T just aren't outstanding.
 
The single down arrows also kinda confuses me, as does the inflated ATK. It feels like you tried to go for a Cyber Dragon Sieger, but it would have been better to just make a conventional DL/DR card, even if you felt you had to tighten the materials up a bit. Like you're cheating the deck out of having better because of fear that it'll have generic uses.
 
But... This card isn't good generically. Hell, ways to devote 2 EARTH to board without doing memeshit isn't the easiest, much less without using your NS.
 
Now, I'll admit, this card would have a lot of potential in regards to future support... But that can be said with most things. This isn't a real card, so assessing it with that logic doesn't really hold up.
 
I think you almost nailed it in regards to flavor, though the lack of reward for when it is popped feels wrong, considering how many Links do that + this beign a Scrap... I see no issue with the flavor, and it's... so-so in terms of inventiveness, feels like one of the Link VRAINS pack links but with worse arrows for inflated ATK. It's not a bad card, but it doesn't do the deck many favors, and scraps aren't really generically useful, so I can't judge it on that.
 
And don't get me wrong, I get the meme where you quickplay nuke their board, but that just doesn't feel good enough.
 
Balance/Etc.: 30 out of 50
Flavor: 25 out of 35
Creativity: 5 out of 10
Grammar: 5 out of 5
Total: 65 out of 100
 

Here's my submission:
 
[spoiler=Did you forget Geargia existed? I did]
 
V5Pmeau.png
 
3 Machine Effect Monsters with different names
Machine monsters you control gain ATK/DEF equal to the number of Machine monsters you control x300. You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 EARTH Machine monster from your hand or GY in face-down Defense Position. (Quick Effect): You can target 1 face-up monster on the field, then 1 face-down monster you control; change the first target to face-down Defense Position, and if you do, change the second target to either face-up Attack or Defense Position. You can only use 1 "Geargiauthority Gigant Z" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
 

 

Let's see... Decode arrows, summoning conditions locked to machines with different names... Hoo boy, that's hefty.
 
Now, in terms of Geargia, this is interesting. It starts up your Armor advantage train, while giving you a Subterror-esque ability to funk with their board. This is well and good, but it still seems... expensive to summon, since only 1 of your Geargiaccel count towards it, and that means you're depending on Armor/Arsenal + 2 Accel in order for this to work, which first requires going into Gigant just to switch names around. It's really awkward. I suppose it works with the other flips, which i appreciate, but that still feels... meh?
 
Geargianos also work, which is a point in this card's favor, especially with Gigant floating into them... But it still just seems like it's asking a bit much for a theme this old with so few ways to devote reliably, especially when Mk III locks you into Geargia only for the rest of the turn... Guess what Gear Gigant isn't.
 
Now, generically (and in Geargia, actually), I understand why it's so strict. Fear of Needlefiber and Tomahawk. But... At the same time, this just makes it awkward to summon. It's powerful, but it's harder to take advantage of (Lv. 4 EARTH Machine) than most cards of similar effort.
 
The ATK boost feels like it leads to strong games, so it's probably closer to a gamewinner than not, but it still just feels... I dunno, awkward, overall. 
 
It also feels strange to just have the line of text "You can SS..." with nothing before or after it. Just... awkward, kinda?
 
I keep coming back to that word, because this just feels very awkward. Little too scared of being good, despite the fact that it barely benefits most decks. It allows some more control elements to Geargia, but they're also awkward because they come in little 2-at-once packages, similar to Snow + Spiritmaster in Shiranui. It's strong, but it's also somewhat predictable, meaning it can be easy to play around, especially Geargiattacker, though Geargianchor suffers a bit, as well.
 
Now, I will say that you can 2-card this with Geargiarmor + Sky Striker cards as well, considering that gives you the ability to field 2 machines... But that's 3 ED Slots + this, which is kinda expensive. It's kinda what we talked about with the FA Link, though this is leagues better than that card. It's an awkward amount of devotion, though seems like it would absolutely be desired.
 
You can also do the classic Sky Striker card + Tuner, but that means you're depending on the other cards in your hand to enable this card at a -1. Doable, decent, but nothing that really writes home, to me.
 
It's a solid card, but it comes from a place of desinging around existing cards too hard (bar Sky Striker engine), to the point it only exists for the deck that needs it... And it's amazing in that deck, but it's also super resource intensive outside of Sky Striker plays, which aren't going to be around forever, most likely, which means this card is actually designed too hard around what we're used to right now. Like, imagine designing a card around Gofu a year ago. It's understandable, but it's a very short-sighted sort of design. It's fine to design with cards like that in mind, but it's awkward when that card getting hit (which is reasonably expected in the cases of SS or Needlefiber) changes how the card needed to be designed in the first place. You should acknowledge it (next card in particular stands with this), but you shouldn't stunt a card for fear of interaction with powerful generic cards.
 
The best comparison for this card is actually Folgo, but Folgo is easier to make through similar means, while getting a more generic payout. This also feels like it kinda just takes from existing ideas (Curious, Folgo) and tries to make something in that vein, but it just feels awks.
 
Balance/Etc.: 35 out of 50
Flavor: 25 out of 35
Creativity: 5 out of 10
Grammar: 5 out of 5
Total: 70 out of 100
 

Definitely entering. Nice to see another competition!
 
[spoiler=Mah Ritual Bois]

YxwgCwP.png
2+ WATER monsters
If this card is Link Summoned: Each player discards 1 card, also you draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of this card's name once per turn. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can send the top card of your Deck to the GY, then target 1 "Gishki" monster in your GY; place it on top of your Deck. Once per turn, if you Ritual Summon a monster: Gain LP equal to its Level x200. 

 

More Decode arrows whooo
 
2+ waters is pretty easy to do, even without Needlefiber, so let's see where this goes...
 
Okay, so... Here's my problem.
 
The card does things, kinda. The double discard into draw is decent. If anything, that's really mean if you ladder this into Gumblar and you're not against, like, Danger! when you do it. It stacks for Zielgigas. It gains LP for, I assume, Photomirror purposes.
 
While I appreciate the attempt to kind of tie the entire deck together here... it's just all over the place. The first effect and second effect do synergize, but is that worth giving up 2-3 WATER monsters for? Doing that generically isn't the hardest, but doing it in terms of either the assorted FTK decks or Zielgigas turbo can be a bit tough.
 
I... can't fault trying to help Photomirror, though. I forgot that card existed until I scratched my head in an attempt to figure out why the hell this had random LP gain. Zielgigas, too, but doing it for just one card like that feels really hammy, and I hope that's not what you did. I don't think it's enough for poor Photomirror, though.
 
Honestly, though, it is very clear that this was meant to nod to other variants while mainly supporting Zielgigas, because all of its effects work together to support Zielgigas best. But that makes me question the flavor... Zielgigas was a revived demon that ended up mind controlling the Gishki, namely Noellia. A remnant, who would have been freed from the control, if he had ever been under it, wouldn't make sense to support Zielgigas of all cards. The flavor feels like it takes a bit of a hit here, even with the Photomirror thing.
 
So this is kinda in the balance of "not really good enough" and "why do you feed into Topologic Gumblar Dragon so well", which makes me really sad. But, I must say... The Gumblar synergy is definitely reminiscent of Gishki, even if unintended...?
 
You take it home in creativity, though.

Balance/Etc.: 25 out of 50
Flavor: 15 out of 35
Creativity: 10 out of 10
Grammar: 5 out of 5
Total: 55 out of 100 
 

I'm in!
[spoiler=Fallen of Zera]
zfVeTIH.png
 

 

While I'm not going to give into hysteria... why is this so easy to summon when it points down 3 times and has 2800 ATK? If the rest of the card doesn't do something about this, I'm going to be pretty concerned.
 
Yeah, no, this is just... bad.
 
This card is nothing but upsides. It's generic for 2800 that points down three times that can be made easily, which isn't a sin in and of itself... But then it has acceleration conditions that it didn't need. Which then lets you cheat a Darklord onto the board. And only the revival has a hard OPT on it, so there's probably something dumb with the mill going on.
 
I'm also confused as to why this isn't even a Darklord. When I read the name and saw the art, despite being Darklord Zerato, I expected Zera support, but I got bamboozled by a blatantly overpowered card.
 
I get this was meant to be both a DARK Counterpart support and a Darklord, but it doesn't merge them well. It just does, and does, and does, without sacrificing anything in the effort to do so. Just a mishmash of stuff that will do stuff.

Balance/Etc.: 0 out of 50
Flavor: 5 out of 35
Creativity: 0 out of 10
Grammar: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 100
 
 

[spoiler=Entry]

7niiWNr.png

 
2 LIGHT monsters
Reduce the Level of all Dragon monsters in your hand by 1. Reveal 1 LIGHT Machine Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck: You can shuffle into your Deck or Extra Deck Fusion Materials you control with different names whose names are specifically listed on the card you revealed, and if you do, Fusion Summon that monster, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only use this effect of “Ojamarker” once per turn.

 

I saved this for last because just seeing CHAZZ cards made me kinda giddy.
 
Alright, DL/DR for 2 LIGHTs with 2000 ATK... that's a little iffy. Not the iffiest, but a little bit, considering other cards that would fill a niche like this would either be a bit less swole or a little harder to summon. Not the biggest issue.
 
Supports Armed Dragon just a bit, check...
Memes out LIGHT Machine fusions, check...
 
I appreciate that this allows you to keep your materials from being banished, but banishing them is half the point, isn't it? So to shuffle them back in just feels a bit strange. More like Jaden than Chazz.
 
That said, this card is still legitimately hilarious, if only because it continues the trend set forward recently. I just wish it felt a bit more... impactful. Despite the stat and arrow situation, this card feels pretty weak, because it doesn't do too much of anything to really speed you up. Just kinda... makes the summonings slightly less harsh in the case of the biggest bosses, AtoZ or Armed Dragon Catapult Cannon. It just doesn't do enough.

For flavor, my only complaint is that this card doesn't really fit Ojamas, just Chazz. Which makes me a little sad. You could have put another effect on it easily. Ojamas also are generally weak attackers, and I know it can't have DEF, but... Feels like it should have been as big as it is for this reason, more than anything.
 
I also think this is the only card with real wording issues? Most of the wording feels a bit off, like it should say "You can reveal...", but also that it wouldn't say Fusion Summon here, if you're ignoring conditions. The point of a summon like that is that it's improper, so just a little bit off there.
 
Balance/Etc.: 15 out of 50
Flavor: 30 out of 35
Creativity: 7 out of 10
Grammar: 3 out of 5
Total: 55 out of 100
 
-----
 
This means the results are as follows:

 

First Place:

  • @@VCR_CAT, with a score of 70. wins 10000 Points and 5 Reps

Second Place: 

  • @(⌭), with a score of 65, wins 5000 Points and 3 Reps

Third Place:

  • @@Dova, with a score of 55, wins 2500 Points and 1 Rep
  • @@Phantom Roxas, with a score of 55, wins 2500 Points and 1 Rep

Congratulations to you four, and thanks for entering! I will hopefully be doing something similar in the future, though a bit more... nuanced, so look for that!

 

Your points and reps will be awarded or edited onto you shortly.

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I'm pretty concerned about your "hysterical" judgement. While I do agree that a Link 3 with "2+ Effects" as materials and 3 markers down was a design flaw from my part, the rest of it doesn't deserve this hursh judgment.

1- The SS "cheat" can be easily achievable with ArmaDestrudo BUT it needs a Darklord in your hand, and if I'm not mistaken I don't believe that Darklords had a consistent-1-card-engine to abuse it with this card? If you're using DLs, it's only old pal DLs (Preda/DW/Vanity variats were good but they'll never stand a chance in competitive plays)

2- The 2nd effect might seem abusable (but oh god forbid that inconsistent FTK with this card ft Geartown smtg smtg), but it's not. It requires both a shuffle (the only good ones at this are DL and madolche ... oh yes madolche) and another card on the field, means unless you're already have smtg else in your board (a Token perhaps?) this effect won't help you do much in your 1st turn. In mid-play, that's another talk: It's what DLs need and deserve

3- the 3rd effect is self-explanatory.

Also flavour-wise, this card is supposed to be a counterpart of "Angel of Zera", and both are counterparts of Darklord and Archlord Zerato respectively.

 

I'm not expecting a response or anything, I just liked to clear things up.

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I said I wasn't going to be hysterical over an almost completely generic 2800 that points down 3 times. Not sure what you read...?

 

synchros are counterparts of xyz, generally, and angel of zera isn't directly related to the Archlord cards. That's a flavor failure.

 

Not having a consistent engine doesn't mean making this cheatable is fair.

 

A deck doesn't "need or deserve" anything like this. That's just pandering at that point.

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The shuffling into the deck was mostly because, while it's admittedly a situational concern, I see Imperial Iron Wall as highly dangerous to the kind of deck it's designed for, so I wanted a "cheat" around that. Still, fair critique otherwise, so I'll try to keep all that in mind, because this is a design I want to work with.

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