Phase 1 - Proving Your Worthiness
This phase is different in each Trial. It usually has something to do with helping out the community, but it can also be something where you show your skills as an Elements player. For Trials 10, the decisions you make in this phase affect your deck building rules in Phase 2 battles
Phase 1 will end in:
Phase 1 has ended!
In recognition of our journey so far, and to mark the very first forum-wide event to reach its 10th iteration, the 10th Trials will have a very special Phase 1. Each of the nine tasks has been chosen from one of the nine previous trials, and used with slight modifications. We hope we can inspire all trialists with our nod to what has come before. Here's to another 10 amazing Trials!
In preparation to be Master and lead your Element into War, there are 9 tasks. Each trialist (both Masters and challengers) MUST choose 3 tasks (the same task cannot be chosen multiple times). If you choose more than 3 tasks, we will randomly pick 3 tasks which earned the most points (so a task with a bonus point will always be picked), however you might end up with Phase 2 unlocks which you dislike.
From Trials #1:Mastering the Cards- Pick three cards for your element. Write strategy tips for each of the three cards. These should include the following:
- What kind of decks the card can be used in
- Tips on the most effective way to use the card
- Three other cards that can be used effectively with the card
- Strategy tips for each card should be at least 150 words long. You can count the words using this tool.
Submission details: - Simply post the names of the cards followed by your strategy tips in your Challengers Entrance post.
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and 
for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded spells plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #2:Waging War against the False Gods- Design an anti-False God deck.
- At least one third of the cards in your deck should be from your Trials element.
- Please do not copy an existing anti-False God deck.
- Take at least 4 screenshots of you winning against different False Gods with the deck you designed.
- This can be done in the trainer, but not against the custom AI.
- If you're not sure how to take screenshots, we recommend using the Print Screen button on your keyboard and pasting the result into Snaggy
Submission details: - Simply post your deck, your explanation, and your screenshots in your Challenger's Entrance post.
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and 
for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded non-Pillar/Pendulum permanents plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #3:Improving the Future- Give constructive criticism to 3 card ideas of the element you are trialing for. Card ideas can be found in the Card Ideas & Art board.
- You cannot choose your own card ideas
- Cards from the Forge (Level 2), the Armory (Level 3) and the Reliquary (Level 4) cannot be chosen.
- Your post should be at least 150 words long, and must provide reasonable, non-disrespectful content for the card designer to benefit from. You can count the words using this tool.
Submission details: - Your post should be made in the thread for the card idea you are reviewing. You should include a link to your post in that thread in your Challenger's Entrance post.
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and 
for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded creatures plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #4:Shard Revolution- Pretend that your element has no Shard. Design a new Shard for your element.
- Explain how this card is a good addition to your Element.
- Explain how you have balanced the new Shard
- Build a deck you think will be effective which includes your new Shard
Submission details: - For your Trials submission simply post the card image, deck idea, and explanations in your Challenger's Entrance post
- You will likely find this thread very helpful
- You may complete all the steps in that thread to submit the card to the Crucible, but that is not required
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 4 upgraded Pillar/Pendulums plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #5:Aiding your Allies- Provide constructive criticism to two decks in the deck help section of the forum. These section can be found here.
- Try to avoid attempting to improve an already optimized deck.
- Try to avoid improving a deck that is very, very old.
- Replies must be at least 150 words.
- You many not provide constructive criticism for a deck you created.
Submission details: - Your post should be made in the thread for the deck you are reviewing. You should include a link to your post in that thread inyour Challenger's Entrance post.
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 4 upgraded Pillar/Pendulums plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #6:Building the Game- Write the balance notes for Elements 1.4.
- Your submission should be in a bullet point format. For example:
- The Ash of a Phoenix has health decreased from 5 to 1.
- Dimensional Shield has duration decreased from 3 turns to 2 turns.
Submission details: - Simply post the patch notes in your Challenger's Entrance post
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements and for deckbuilding
- Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded spells plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #7:Waging War against your EnemiesTrials #7 did not have Phase 1 tasks. As it was a more PVP oriented Trials, it seems fitting that it is remembered by a PVP task.
- You will play 2 extra Bo5 Matches in Phase 2.
- These extra matches will only be played against other players who chose this task, or STANDINs if necessary.
- Matches will follow the standard Phase 2 Rules
Submission details: - Simply post that you have chosen this task in your Challenger's Entrance post
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and 
for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded non-Pillar/Pendulum permanents plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #8:Starting Your Own Little War- Develop an idea for a weekly tournament. The idea does not have to be entirely original, but should include some original aspects
- Provide (in spoiler tags of course!) one deck that is primarily of the element you are challenging which you could use in that tournament
Submission details: - For your Trials submission simply post the name and rules of your tournament along with your "hidden" deck in your Challenger's Entrance post.
- You may post it to Weekly Tournament Ideas Thread as well, but this is not required
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements
and 
for deckbuilding - Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded creatures plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
From Trials #9:Being a War Reporter - Write an article for the Elements Community Newsletter
- Your article may be either:
- An interview with a war veteran. Interview a veteran from the Element you are challenging, if possible
- You may not interview yourself.
- A deck spotlight on a deck used in prior wars
- The deck spotlight should be of a deck used by the element you are challenging
- The deck spotlight should be of a deck used multiple times in a war, or multiple times across two or more wars. (please try to provide links to multiple uses of the deck)
- Please do not let your skill of English deter you from this task
Submission details: - For your Trials submission simply post the title and content of your article in your Challenger's Entrance post
- You may submit it via PM to the Newsletter Editor Discord as well, but this is not required
Phase 2 Component- Unlocks Elements and for deckbuilding
- Allows the use of up to 2 upgraded creatures plus 2 of any upgraded cards in each of your Round 2 decks.
SCORING- You may complete your tasks awfully, but that will be considered. You will be granted 1 or 2 points for each task, depending on how well the submission fulfills the requirements.
- Blatantly disregarding the requirements will result in receiving 0 for that task.
- After Phase 1 ends, all the submissions will be voted on by community members. This will determine the bonus points for Phase 1.
- There will be four categories: Deckbuilding ('Waging War against the False Gods' and 'Aiding your Allies'), Writing ('Mastering the Cards' and 'Being a War Reporter '), Card Design ('Improving the Future' and 'Shard Revolution') and Miscellaneous ('Building the Game' and 'Starting Your Own Little War'). Each will have a separate vote.
- The best submission in each category will receive 2 bonus points. The 2nd and 3rd best will receive 1 bonus point.
- Voting will be done by an alternative voting system.
- 'Waging War against your Enemies' will not be entered into the submissions poll. Instead, points will be awarded based on match record. A 0-2 record will reward 1 point, A 1-1 record will reward 2 points and A 2-0 record will reward 3 points. If players concede or forfeit games (unless the outcome is already assured e.g. vs a stall you have no damage left and will lose by deckout in 5 turns), they will be disqualified from receiving any points.
IMPORTANT NOTES- Put all of your completed tasks in your post in the "Challenger's Entrance" thread for the Element you are competing in (per the General Rules). Be sure to follow the submission details!
- There is no limit for the text for any of the tasks, but try to be neither too short or too long.
- The Trials Overseers will try to review submissions as they're added, note where and why credit was not given, and update the Trials Standings thread with completed tasks. Players can expedite this by submitting well before the deadline notifying a Trials Overseer in chat if one is present. But ultimately it's up to each player to make certain they've followed the directions.
- Remember that how well you do during Phase 1 and the nature of your submissions will most likely affect your score during Phase 3 (the vote). And also that the tasks you choose in Phase 1 affect your deck building options in Phase 2.
If you have any questions, please post them here.
Addendum 1: Extra TimeAfter the Phase 1 timer has ended, there will be a 24hr period of "Extra Time" where players may join any Element with less than 2 competitors (that is either 1 challenger and no defending master or no challengers and a defending master). Players who join during this extra time will be considered to have declared for three random tasks. Because they completed no challenges before Phase 1 ended, they WILL NOT have access to the upgrades from one of these 3.
Addendum 2: Empty or Incomplete ApplicationsIncomplete: Players who enter the Trials before the initial deadline and declare tasks but do not complete them will be given 0 points for each incomplete task, but will have access to the unlocks those tasks provide for Phase 2. This player must confirm they want to continue with the Trial during the Extra Time by PMing the Trials Overseers or posting in the respective Phase 1 thread.
Empty: Players who enter the Trials before the initial deadline but do not declare any tasks will have the Extra Time period to confirm they want to continue competing in Trials. If they confirm they want to continue by PMing the Trials Overseers or posting the the respective Phase 1 thread, they will be considered to have declared for three random tasks. Because they completed no challenges before Phase 1 ended, they WILL NOT have access to the upgrades from one of these 3.
Addendum 3: Edits after the deadlineAny play who updates their Phase 1 post after the Phase 1 deadline but within 24 hours of that deadline will be treated as though their post is INCOMPLETE per Addendum 2 and all their tasks were left undone. We will honor their task choices for unlocks, and they will be allowed to use upgrades per the tasks they chose. They will receive 0 points for Phase 1. Any edits after Phase 2 starts will result in disqualification from the Trials or other significantly harsh punishment.
Click on the respective icon to be taken to the 'Challenger's Entrance' Thread:
