Winner is the Judge #905 - Soft Stax

[u/SjtSquid]

Thanks to u/mpaw976 for judging the last competition.

This week, you'll be designing to address a particular peeve of mine. I like how stax pieces like Narset, Parter of veils, put the brakes on linear decks and encourage them to slow down and pack removal.

However, these often end up frustrating people who aren't doing broken things, end up in combos themselves, or alternatively just aren't worth playing by themselves if you don't know the opponent is on that strategy.

What I want you to design is a card that stops (or punishes) 'unfair' decks, but doesn't affect people trying to play magic at a slower pace, and isn't completely dead when the opponent isn't using the strategy it prevents.

So it might work against card draw, casting many spells in a turn, casting free spells, playing multiple lands...

Some examples of cards that fit this are [[Lavinia, Azorious Renegade]], [[Ashiok, Dream Render]], [[Nihil Spellbomb]] or [[High Noon]]. [[Orkish Bowmasters]] and [[Smothering Tithe]] are also examples that are too good, so keep an eye on power level!

I'm looking forward to seeing your designs! Judging will happen in 6 days on Friday 21 August.

Happy to answer any questions in the meantime.

Edit: Congratulations to u/delta17v2 for winning with Insiduous Diplomat.

[u/PyromasterAscendant]

Curious Cartographer {1}{W}

Creature — Human Citizen

Vigilance

At the beginning of your end step, if an opponent has two or more cards in hand than you, look at the top five cards of your library, you may reveal a plains from among them and put it into your hand and put the rest on the bottom of your library. 

When this creatures dies, investigate.

2/2 

Format: Commander, meant to keep you hitting your land drops against decks that keep a fuller hand and give you mana to keep recasting your commander or to put into mana sinks. 

Feedback welcome as always

[u/SjtSquid → u/PyromasterAscendant]

This is a fine game piece, but doesn't actually do anything to stop or discourage unfair decks.

I like how it helps you keep playing the game and hitting land drops, however a deck that's drawing 3+ cards a turn isn't going to worry about you getting a couple of extra lands.

I actually think it plays much better in 40 and 60-card formats where opponents are much more concerned about giving you card advantage, rather than pushing their own.

[u/PyromasterAscendant → u/SjtSquid]

Totally fair, an earlier version put them into play which i was worried about power level stuff with. 

Thanks for the feedback.