Some creature types want your love :)
Custom Cards forum
Posted on June 7, 2015, 7:20 p.m. by MagicalHacker
Everyone knows that there are buttloads of Elves, Shamans, Dragons, Soldiers, Spirits, Warriors, Wizards, and especially Humans that get the privilege of being the commander of your favorite commander deck, but there are lots of creature types that are not on a legendary creature:
- Ally
- Antelope
- Ape
- Assembly-Worker
- Aurochs
- Badger
- Basilisk
- Bat
- Bear
- Beeble
- Blinkmoth
- Boar
- Bringer
- Brushwagg
- Camarid
- Camel
- Caribou
- Carrier
- Chimera
- Citizen
- Cockatrice
- Construct
- Coward
- Crab
- Crocodile
- Dauthi
- Deserter
- Devil
- Djinn
- Drake
- Dreadnought
- Drone
- Efreet
- Elephant
- Elk
- Eye
- Ferret
- Fish
- Flagbearer
- Frog
- Gargoyle
- Germ
- Gnome
- Goat
- Graveborn
- Gremlin
- Hag
- Harpy
- Hippo
- Hippogriff
- Homarid
- Homunculus
- Horse
- Hyena
- Imp
- Incarnation
- Jellyfish
- Juggernaut
- Kavu
- Kor
- Lamia
- Lammasu
- Leech
- Leviathan
- Lhurgoyf
- Licid
- Lizard
- Manticore
- Masticore
- Mercenary
- Metathran
- Monger
- Mongoose
- Myr
- Mystic
- Nautilus
- Nephilim
- Nightmare
- Nightstalker
- Noggle
- Nymph
- Orb
- Orgg
- Ouphe
- Ox
- Oyster
- Pegasus
- Pentavite
- Pest
- Phelddagrif
- Phoenix
- Pincher
- Plant
- Prism
- Rabbit
- Reflection
- Rigger
- Sable
- Salamander
- Sand
- Saproling
- Satyr
- Scorpion
- Serf
- Sheep
- Siren
- Slith
- Slug
- Soltari
- Spawn
- Specter
- Spider
- Spike
- Splinter
- Sponge
- Squid
- Squirrel
- Starfish
- Surrakar
- Survivor
- Tetravite
- Thalakos
- Thopter
- Thrull
- Triskelavite
- Turtle
- Unicorn
- Volver
- Wall
- Werewolf
- Whale
- Wolf
- Wolverine
- Wombat
- Worm
- Wraith
- Wurm
- Yeti
- Zubera
(Sorry, I tried everything I knew to put the list inside a spoiler, but the spoiler got rid of the list layout...)
That's a lot of creature types that just don't get to be a commander! Sad times. However, maybe we can show them some love with a challenge. The challenge is to build a commander with one of those types, but follow these rules:
- If the creature type you pick has something that is special to every creature that has it (for example, every Thalakos creature has Shadow), you must follow that precedent. The same applies to colors, although to a lesser extent.
- To avoid the easy design of tribal commanders, design a commander that doesn't mention any creature types in its rules text. The only exception is if it violates rule one (Ally creatures and Zubera creatures both have to mention their own type, for example).
- This is a given, but make the creature type fit the flavor of the card, since anyone can just slap on a random creature type to a card. It's more impressive to weave the creature type into the flavor of the card.
- Lastly, anyone can design a big powerful creature that's balanced by making it very expensive, so design a balanced commander (neither OP nor UP) with a CMC of five or less, unless you feel that this would violate rule one.
Good luck and I'm excited to see what you create! :D (Brownie points for you if you also don't make it one of the overused creature types mentioned at the beginning of the post!)
pumpkinwavy says... #3
Nightwing, lord of the roost 
Legendary creature - bat
Flying
At the beggining of each upkeep, put a 1/1 black bat token on to the battlefield for each creature with flying you control.
2/2
Colors allow you to play blue and green flyers in your deck. Should I have put nontoken creature for the ability instead? Or made it on your upkeep only?
June 7, 2015 7:51 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #4
VampireArmy, I think that's a neat design, what's the flavor behind it? :)
pumpkinwavy, your design is against rule two :(
June 7, 2015 7:54 p.m.
CharlesMandore says... #5
That mana cost isn't realistic. The card doesn't make any sense at all actually. Why do you have it black at all, much less green? Green isn't a "flying" color.
June 7, 2015 7:56 p.m. Edited.
Assaya, the Squirrel King. 1GG
Legendary Creature - Squirrel
2G: Put a 1/1 squirrel token onto the battlefield for every squirrel card in play.
1/1
June 7, 2015 7:57 p.m.
Lol I just saw squirrel and didn't even read all the rules. My bad
June 7, 2015 7:58 p.m.
Programmer_112 says... #8
Aradan, King Befallen 2BB
Legendary Creature - Wraith
Swampwalk
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may tap all creatures you control. If you do, destroy target creature.
4/4
June 7, 2015 8:10 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #9
Ooh, this looks fun! Subbing, I'll make some cards later.
June 7, 2015 8:12 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #10
I think Aradan is my favorite design yet! It's got the swampwalk of all wraiths AND it fits perfectly into flavor! I think for balance, it might need to be "If you tap three or more creatures this way," instead though. Do you think it's fine as is?
June 7, 2015 8:19 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #11
I like unicorns. They aren't represented as the brutal death machines that they are. Trample because it's a horse. The other ability because as hr charges into battle he inspires blood rage in his allies while using his chaotic red green magic to boost his armys speed and strength.
June 7, 2015 9:03 p.m.
Defender of Zendikar- 3GG
Legendary Creature- Human Druid
Defender
Spells or abilities your opponents control cannot force you to sacrifice permanents.
Tap: Put 15 1/1 Squirrel tokens with flying onto the battlefield. Exile them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate this ability only if an Eldrazi creature an opponent controls has attacked you this turn.
1/5
June 7, 2015 9:12 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #13
LOL at Mr. Kill Emrakul.
Jojo Goat Master 1RW
Legendary Creature - Goat Shaman
Mountainwalk
If a creature token with 0 power attacks, it gains +1/+0 and Mountainwalk.
1/1
June 7, 2015 9:38 p.m. Edited.
Vongus, Solemn Sentinel
CMC - 2W
Legendary Artifact Creature - Gargoyle
Flying
Creatures you control with defender lose defender and gain vigilance.
2/2
Not to shamelessly advertise, but I happen to be a fan of gargoyles. Modern Gargoyle Tribal
June 7, 2015 10:31 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #15
Tuktuk the Explorer, Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer, Wort, the Raidmother and Wort, Boggart Auntie disagree with your list.
Also,
Azariel, Master Cartographer 
Legendary Creature - Angel Ally
When ~ enters the battlefield, search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Domain - Whenever an ally creature enters the battlefield under your control, put X +1/+1 counters on each ally you control where X is the number of basic land types you control.
3/3
June 7, 2015 10:35 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #16
It should probably have flying since there's only one angel ever printed that doesn't fly...but I was wary of too much card text and why make maps if you can fly?
June 7, 2015 10:40 p.m.
JaceArveduin says... #17
Wind-Charger
Legendary Creature - Pegasus
Flying, Hexproof
Any effect that would have you sacrifice a creature instead puts a +1/+1 counter on target creature instead.
2/2
Am I doing it right?
June 7, 2015 11:35 p.m.
KalvinHobbez says... #18
Oh man this is my jam right here. Love making commanders but also enjoy oddities of creature types that aren't used enough, I made a few renders in theme. Yeah the Phoenix one is Phoenix tribal but I couldn't resist the theme because it was just so nice...also don't know how to make spoilers...
June 8, 2015 12:01 a.m.
How's about this one for more squirrel love?
Daedath, Rodent Speaker- 2GW
Legendary Creature- Human Squirrel Shaman
Hexproof
Creatures with base power and toughness 1 you control get +2/+1.
4GW, Tap: Each creature you control with base power and toughness 1 gains +2/+1, trample and lifelink until end of turn.
2/3
June 8, 2015 12:28 a.m.
MysssticSnake says... #20
Bear Force One - 1G
Legendary Creature - Bear
All creatures are 2/2.
2GG, T: Search your library for a creature with CMC 2 and put it on the battlefield.
2/2
June 8, 2015 6:14 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #21
The Hornbearer -
Legendary Creature - Ox Incarnation
Chroma - Each creature you control get +0/+1 for each white mana symbol in its mana cost.
If a creature you control has a toughness of 10 or greater, that creature gains defender, indestructible, and becomes legendary.
There is no greater pride then to defend the herd.
0/1
I love chroma and white devotion doesn't seem to be a big think :( Pity, because standard has some pretty nice cards to accomplish it. Is this too overpowered or anything?
June 8, 2015 6:39 p.m. Edited.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #23
Yes, it's part of the flavor. The strongest creature of the herd gains the honor to protect it, becoming indestructible and legendary. But he has to defend it XD
June 8, 2015 7:16 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #24
Oooooh, I misread it. I thought it said your creatures gain defender. I like it.
June 8, 2015 7:21 p.m.
Popalofiti says... #25
The Lord of Agony (2)BRU Legendary Creature - Specter
Flying, Shroud
When The Lord of Agony attacks, choose one -
Destroy target creature with toughness less than cards in your hand
Destroy target artifact if its converted Mana cost is less than cards in your hand
Destroy target enchantment if its converted Mana cost is less than cards in your hand. 3/4
June 8, 2015 7:36 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #26
You missed the specter ability - some form of discard when it hits.
June 8, 2015 7:45 p.m.
Popalofiti says... #30
Az, Master of Webs GB Legendary Creature - Spider Shaman
Reach, Deathtouch
Spiders you control have Hexproof
Other Spiders you control get +0/+1
2/2
June 8, 2015 11:10 p.m.
Formmothy, The Omnivolver
Legendary Creature-Volver
Kicker and/or 
and/or 
and/or and/or
If was paid Omnivolver has lifelink and vigilance.If was paid Omnivolver has flying and you draw a card.If was paid Omnivolver has menace and intimidate.If was paid Omnivolver has haste and protection from artifacts.If was paid Omnivolver enters with 2 +1/+1 counters
3/2
June 9, 2015 8:59 a.m.
Popalofiti says... #32
Baron Bloodmoon (1)BB Legendary Creature - Bat Shaman
Flying, Lifelink
Other bats you control get +X/+X and lifelink, where X is the amount of life you have above your starting life total. (The amount of life below the starting total does not have a -X/-X effect)
1/4
June 9, 2015 10:11 a.m.
MysssticSnake says... #33
Chip, the Acorns Torn - 1GG
Legendary Creature - Squirrel
Creature tokens you control get +1/+1.
2G: Untap target land.
June 9, 2015 2:22 p.m.
Popalofiti says... #34
It - BBUU
Legendary Creature - Nightmare
Shroud, Unblockable
The power and toughness of It is equal to the amount of different cards in all graveyards.
If It would be dealt damage from an instant or sorcery, prevent that damage to It.
X/X (I know it should be a "star/star" P/T, but it won't show up.)
June 9, 2015 3:46 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #35
Sorry about Berserker, Goblin and Golem, those obviously have commanders for them, but I must've messed up the excel at some point... Sorry!
Here are a couple of my designs :D
Javad Nasrin the Explorer
Legendary Creature - Human Scout Ally
Whenever ~ or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, copy X target abilities, where X is the number of Ally creatures you control. You may choose new targets for the abilities.
The Unfrozen Aurochs
Legendary Snow Creature - Aurochs
Trample
Whenever The Unfrozen Aurochs attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking Aurochs.
: Search your library and/or graveyard for an Aurochs permanent card with converted mana cost X and put it onto the battlefield.
3/3
Vision of Death, Sel'Hiz
Legendary Creature - Basilisk
Deathtouch
As long as ~ is untapped, whenever a creature attacks, you may tap ~. If you do, ~ deals 1 damage to that creature.
3/2
Kyeen, High Bat of Sengir
Legendary Creature - Bat
Flying
: Each player gains X life.
Whenever an opponent loses life, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
2/2
Graulan, Alpha Male of Qal Sisma
Legendary Creature - Bear
Trample
Whenever ~ blocks or is blocked by a creature, it gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is that creature's converted mana cost.
2/2
The Bringer of the Five Dawns 
Legendary Artifact Creature - Bringer
You may pay rather than pay Bringer of the Black Dawn's mana cost.
Trample
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may cast a nonland card from your hand without paying its mana cost.
5/5
Shalkair, Carrier Supreme
Legendary Creature - Carrier
, Sacrifice a creature: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the sacrificed creature's toughness.
5/5
Cockatrice of the Apocalypse Clock 
Legendary Creature - Cockatrice
Flying, deathtouch
Whenever a nontoken artifact is put into your graveyard from the battlefield, you may exile it. If you do, return ~ from your graveyard to the battlefield.
3/3
The Last Automaton 
Legendary Creature - Construct
Artifact creatures have ": This creature becomes a copy of target creature you don't control until end of turn, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types."
1/4
Quasha, Dauthi Guide
Legendary Creature - Dauthi Advisor
Shadow
: Target creature with power X or less gains shadow. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
2/2
Esteemed Commander Lysander
While choosing targets as part of casting a spell or activating an ability, your opponents must choose at least one Flagbearer on the battlefield if able.
: Exile ~, then return it to the battlefield.
3/3
Ferogo the Chosen
Legendary Creature - Pegasus
Flying
Whenever ~ attacks alone, you may tap an untapped creature you control. If you do, ~ gains all abilities of that creature and gets +X/+Y until end of turn, where X is that creature's power and Y is that creature's toughness.
2/3
Khianal, Mother of New Life
Legendary Creature - Phoenix Elemental
Flying
Whenever ~ dies, you may pay . If you do, return target creature card with converted mana cost X from your graveyard to the battlefield.
At the beginning of your upkeep, return ~ from your graveyard to the battlefield. If you do, skip your next draw.
3/3
Xandria, Singer of Misfortune
Legendary Creature - Siren Rogue
Flying
: Target creature attacks target player this turn if able.
Whenever a creature attacks you, put a -1/-1 counter on it.
2/2
Chesia, Web-Spinner of Kessig
Legendary Creature - Spider
Reach
All creatures you control have reach.
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to another creature, exile that creature until ~ leaves the battlefield.
2/7
Zuberala, Upmost Zubera
Legendary Creature - Zubera
Whenever another Zubera dies, choose one:
Return that Zubera to the battlefield at the beginning of your next upkeep.
Search your library for a Zubera permanent card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
3/3
June 16, 2015 9:24 p.m.
MagicalHacker those are insane.
The aurochs makes me want to see snow lands again.
June 16, 2015 9:37 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #37
I tend to err on the side of OP, so what needs toning down?
June 16, 2015 9:51 p.m.
Popalofiti says... #39
I feel they are very balanced MagicalHacker, Good creating!!!
June 16, 2015 10:56 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #40
Here are some design updates:
Javad Nasrin the Explorer
Legendary Creature - Human Scout Ally
Whenever ~ or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, copy up to X target abilities, where X is the number of Ally creatures you control. You may choose new targets for the abilities.
3/3
The Bringer of the Five Dawns
Legendary Artifact Creature - Bringer
You may pay rather than pay ~'s mana cost.
Trample
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may cast a nonland card from your hand without paying its mana cost.
5/5
Esteemed Commander Lysander
Legendary Creature - Human Flagbearer
While choosing targets as part of casting a spell or activating an ability, your opponents must choose at least one Flagbearer on the battlefield if able.
: Exile ~, then return it to the battlefield.
3/3
June 17, 2015 6 p.m.
Popalofiti says... #41
Zulala, Hag of Zendikar (2)GB
Legendary Creature - Hag
Landwalk
1/5
June 17, 2015 7:34 p.m.
AGunWithLegs says... #42
Stanley
Legendary creature - Badger
Trample, mountainwalk
When a creature you control attacks or blocks, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
3/3
VampireArmy says... #2
Lord Murdercorn. 2RRG
Legendary creature - unicorn warrior
Trample
Whenever lord murdercorn attacks, attacking creatures you control cannot be blocked except by two or more creatures.
5/4
June 7, 2015 7:31 p.m.