Monthly Card Contest FAQ

[Cashew]

This forum is subject to all the rules of the main site.

What is the Monthly Card Contest?

Pretty self-explanatory, it's a contest run on a monthly basis to create a card under specific designs. Generally it will be left very open, but contained enough that entries are easily matchable.

Who chooses the winner?

The site contest admin and sometimes one or two second parties pick what they believe are the top entries. The writer's guild then votes on those picked entries until there is a clear winner.

What are the Rules?

1. Your card must be in card form.
   This means you'll have to do extra work beyond simply designing the card. First, you'll need a way to render the card. I highly recommend the Magic Set Editor (http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net) as it's still highly updated, and is very simple to use. The best looking renders are done by hand in a Photoshop program, but this is not necessary.
   
   You will also need to find a website to host the image for it to be submitted. There are numerous free ones out there if you don't have access to a web host already. One I know to work personally that just requires registration and is very easy to use is Photobucket (http://photobucket.com).
   
   Which leads to one last thing you have to find for your card - art.
   
2. All artwork should be creditted and non-copyrighted.
   While it may be very hard to find out who made a random image you rip straight off an image search. I highly recommend you locate galleries that will let you know who drew it while drawing it. Two massive galleries that you should know are Elfwood (http://www.elfwood.com) and deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com).
   
   Make sure you check the artist's profile page throughly to see if they are copyrighted are not. You can even go the extra step and ask for permission, which I highly encourage. It is essential that you credit them on the card as well.
   
3. Your entry must submitted by the deadline.
   Simple enough? Submit, edit, change as many times as you want until that date, then there will be no more. Usually it will be around the 20th - 23rd of the month, depending on the number of days.
   
4. Submit your entry in the appropriate thread.
   This thread is for submission only, there will be a discussion thread created for comments on others cards or talking about the contest itself. Don't submit it privately either, put it in the thread.
   
5. Your card must be balanced.
   Do not expect to win if you create some off the wall insane creature that has every ability for 10 mana and is a 9/5. The goal is to create a card that could seemingly be printed. From the flavor to the mana cost to the power level fo the card - all parts are considered.

Can I use custom-made Keywords?

No, only use them if that month distinctly asks for a custom-made keyword. You can, however, use both Evergreen Keywords (trample, haste, first strike, etc) and Block Keywords (Radiance, Dredge, Suspend) if you wish to.

Also do not mess with existing keywords. Some are obviously touchable such as Protection from <X> or <X>cycling. However do not muck around with reminder texts changing fundamentally how a keyword works. It's called a reminder text for a reason.

Can you list some sites where I can find usable artwork?

• Elfwood (http://www.elfwood.com)
• deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com)

Can you list some good card rendering programs?

• Magic Set Editor (http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net)

Can you list some good image hosting sites?

• Photobucket (http://photobucket.com)
• deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com)

How do I attach images to threads?
Step 1. Edit your post and make sure you're in Advanced Mode.
Step 2. Under "Additional Options" (at the bottom). Press the button "Manage Attachments".
Step 3. Upload from your computer or from a direct URL. You can do up to five images per thread. You should need only one.
Step 4. Make sure you save your edit so the attachments stick!

Wallah. You're now using MDV's forum to host your image!