Monthly Card Contest

Design (/10): What goes into the initialization of the card. Suggested areas to judge:
Elegance - Does it say a lot in a few words? Does the design just 'click' with the flavor?
Creativity - Does it present an old mechanic with a wonderful new twist? Does it make you slam the table and shout "Damn! Why didn't I think of that?" Does it conform with the current color pie (not necessarily an uncreative thing)?
Potential - Would this card be well-received by Spikes? Would you want to see this card in the [insert rarity] slot of a booster pack? Does the name and flavor text bring the whole setting in front of you?

Development (/10): The connecting process between the concept and the final product. Suggested areas to judge:
Viability - Does it work at all? Would it bend any current rules? Would it make baby Gottlieb cry?
Balance - Would it break any format? Or a limited format of an imaginary block with that theme? Basically the Balance score from before, except decreased in importance.
Creative Writing - I'm lumping Creative development here as well. Flavor text and name go under here.

Polish (/5): Bonus points, render points, deductions for spelling/grammar mistakes.

DARKING
MagicProfessor28
ParaSiempre

AxuxA


Design : This is one of the most solid designs I've ever seen in custom cards. She's blue and green, and does two blue things and two green things that work together magnificently. Also, thanks to the new rules about blocker ordering and whatnot (that crushed my heart long ago, leaving me the husk you see before you), her stealing ability will only ever steal one dude. Barring outright weirdness. I wouldn't be surprised if "Thefttouch" of this kind started showing up elsewhere.
Now for something I rarely say. Full marks.

Development : This is the best costed creature I've seen in a long time. Further, with the new combat rules, Thefttouch is in no danger of being broken. Sometimes she will die to give you a dude, and sometimes you will like that. Huge rattlesnake as a blocker, too.
The part I like best is how she can land to avoid a Hurricane. Clean, versatile, precise. This is a legend, folks.

Polish : The word "target" shouldn't be there. -1



BlackBull


Design : I especially like the interaction of haste and tap abilities. In this case, you've given Missy a body that makes either aspect of haste useful. Theft of that nature has traditionally been in, oh, every other color, and that style hasn't seen the light of day since Merieke. Neither of these are bad points, as the way it works here feels very natural, and a good fit in the colors. Red gets more theft nowadays. Green has always been strong on mastery of nature and this sortof feels like that. Blow me down. Second time today. Must be getting soft. Full marks.

Development : There are two things I would have done differently about this card. That is, one thing I would have done differently in either of two ways. One: have Missy steal "beasts," which show up primarily in green anyway. Two: have Missy steal "red or green" creatures, because all that red or green looming in Missy's costs more or less demands equal treatment. I hated Woodwraith Corrupter for this reason. Cost, power, balance. All spot on. -0.5

Polish : All good.



falknir


Design : Glorified Izzet Guildmage. Not a terrible thing to glorify, mind (izzy was the best of a good cycle). The front end leaves something to be desired, like exactly what the back end gives! He (er...she?) loves his twos and makes efficient use of your resources. Marks against for something so complex that ultimately operates so simply, and for making the flash feel tacked on to get a bonus point. -2

Development : I worry that he searches, for no mana, for any of the game's most powerful fetch cards (demonic tutor, merchant scroll, any other tutor or wish), and so in effect let's you search for anything you like, possibly in multiples while upping your storm count or whatever.
That said, as a five mana 2/2, what this guygirl is good for is forking forks, and twinning twincasts. Copy targets original. I am a fiend.
Oh, what? Four toughness? That's certainly two too many for a wizard so in love with the number 2. -2

Polish : Barely under the microtext slap. Moreover, should say 2 not (2). -1



Surge


Design : I could see this as a revenge lord, highlighting the three colors that revenge feels best suited to. White: tertiary or secondary, justice means tit for tat. Black: secondary, any excuse for me to punish you is a good one. Red: primary, what you did makes me angry and let me show you how! But is this just revenge for a giant?
A legendary giant? I feel for revenge he should grow himself in proportion to the damage. That makes him more of a splashy iconoclast and less of a janky revenge-fueled fighter/cleric type ally. Nowadays a legendary six mana trampling giant feels pretty minuscule at 4/4, +1 every turn or no. -2

Development : Considering the nature of revenge (a pasttime of mine, incidentally), I fancy this ability word has been kicking around in your head or inner circle for a long time. You have used that time well, as I marked upon the snug fit this ability word has in the colors that this giant is. On the whole, though, he's a little weak, and because of how damage usually works (and because he lacks flash), he's cut off from any tricks of "surprise, revenge sucker" that could enhance his power without tooling any of the numbers around. -1.5

Polish : All good.



Totals

24.5 BlackBull - Advancing
24.0 AxuxA - Advancing
22.0 Megiddo - Advancing
22.0 ohmusama - Advancing
22.0 zunemi - Advancing
21.5 surge
20.0 falknir
18.0 elathel trom
17.0 Yuzuki

None one in this bracket should feel bad or ashamed about his card. This is the single best first round I've ever seen, showing a good range of abilities and ideas, each with its own merits and each highlighting the better part of this spirit of this contest. To those advancing, my encouraging pat on the back: well done. To those departing, my muted conciliatory applause: you were beaten by the best.

nevhir


Design (10/10):
Elegance - Great. It's simple, versatile, and the whole card has beautiful internal synergy.
Creativity - The first strike mechanic has a large amount of design space for damage-based mechanics which hasn't really been visited beyond a couple of forays with deathtouch and wither. This card showcases such a development at its most cunning, with the modal ability giving it the chance to deal with most things that come its way.
Potential - I'm fairly sure that this will appear to all three player profiles (Timmy, Johnny and Spike). I can only imagine that it plays well. As soon as it comes down, your opponent will have to make some difficult decisions regarding combat with it, all of which stems from a simple ability. One problem is a loophole (what happens if it is multiblocked?), but it's fine regardless.

Development (9/10):
Viability - All good.
Balance - I can easily see this being good enough to be played, and is the sort of card that can get built around to grow (maybe not in top competitive decks, but likely to be FNM level at the least). It's hard to evaluate the mana cost, but it might just be fine bumped down to wu, it might not. Probably fine as is.
Creative Writing - The art is fairly evocative, but are you sure that there's no space for flavor text?

Polish (5/5):
Bonus - Yes.
Deductions - None.

Total: 24/25



RogueNewb


Design (8.5/10):
Elegance - Nice take on a Lord, though, since Lords tend to not pump themselves, making it a 0/1 and having it give itself +2/+2 makes it feel clunky to me.
Creativity - I really like the tension that there is between the flicker ability and the Illusion (sac if targeted) ability, and what it does to affect your opponent's decisions. That said, why is this black?
Potential - Lords have always been popular cards, mainly because of their linear nature making what to do with them obvious. This is no different. Indeed, I think that many people would be inspired to build around this guy, because of how much of a beating he (or she?) is in the right deck.

Development (7/10):
Viability - Nothing out of place or weird.
Balance - It may only affect Illusions, but, wow, the bonuses it gives, even taking into account the drawback, are huge. This is even if you just consider the +2/+2, which is very rarely a global bonus applied at this mana cost, or in these colors, let alone both, which is a huge step. Playing one of these in a well-built UB illusion aggro deck on turn 5 should either win now, or, worse scenario not win now and probably keep the gas going for much of the game.
Creative Writing - I'm confused. Exas Oneri is just a name, and the art sheds no more light on this issue. There could be some more pointers to some backstory somewhere.

Polish (3/5):
Bonus - It has the creature types, but it doesn't technically have any keyword abilities. Sure, it grants itself a keyword ability most of the time, but I don't think that it is what is required for that bonus point.
Deductions - Minus one for templating. The first ability should read "Illusions you control get +2/+2, have flying and have “ub: Exile this...". I'm not certain exactly what it should be, but it shouldn't be what you currently have. Check Eldrazi Monument and the Torment Possessed cycle.

Total: 18.5/25



Twilight Kiwi


Design (10/10):
Elegance - Plenty of that. No confusing parts, and lifelink plays double duty very well.
Creativity - I'm finding this very creative. It combines ideas such as Hissing Miasma and Caltrops into one card which makes sense in its colors ("don't overstep the line, or i'll use plenty of fire", that sort of thing). The card as a whole is well executed and somehow obvious only after seeing it.
Potential - I'd love to be playing with this card, because it punishes your opponent for doing something that you don't want them to do.

Development (10/10):
Viability - No problems.
Balance - No problems here either. In Limited, it's going to immediately put your opponent in a tough position that they can only get out of with a kill spell, hence a bomb, but, equally, it doesn't get degenerate too quickly (unlike Ant Queen), hence a well-designed bomb (not to say that Ant Queen is a bad design, just clearly not designed with smooth limited play in mind).
Creative Writing - I'm getting a feeling for the flavor as a sort of Inquisition-type character.

Polish (5/5):
Bonus - Easy.
Deductions - None.

Total: 25/25

Well done on the full score.



25 Twilight Kiwi - Advancing
24 nevhir - Advancing
19.5 Gerrard's Mom - Advancing
19 Jimmy Groove - Advancing
18.5 Diceshooter
18.5 RogueNewb
15 .handslikeguns
14 purplesnap

Clairval


Design (9/10)
Elegance - A rather large idea is expressed here using just too many words for a haiku. I am a fan, sir.
Creativity - We start with Multani's Presence and Lullmage Mentor, the former gives you a consolation prize every time your spells are countered and the later an exercise in schadenfreude, both of which I approve of. Now combining both of these triggers into one is fantastic. I'm a little disappointed with what followed after the comma, but it works. This definitely deserves to be legendary because I wouldn't want to see more than one at a time.
Potential - When people think of blue they think of counterspells and card drawing, so basically any blue deck should consider this.

Development (10/10)
Viability - No errors here.
Balance - It's exactly the sort of thing blue needs right now in standard, what with already usable cards beginning to be peppered with uncounterability. Even though blue has two cost counterspells, the existance of Banefire and Great Sable Stag are an unnecessary check on a blue denial. At least that deck has Mindbreak Trap, but you wouldn't get cards from Mr. Misanthrope here for exiling spells. This would surely rock the boat, but not in an unbalancing way. In fact, I would go on to say it rocks the boat in a balancing manner.
Creative Writing - Great flavor text.

Polish (5/5): Both bonuses, no outstanding issues.

Total: 24



Harbinger_


Design (7/10):
Elegance - Hybrid costs on a nonhybrid card is inelegant as you already know the player has paid white, blue, and black mana. I'm also not sure it's a good idea to have two different kinds of Homunculus tokensr in use. He also seems like he should work with Puppet Conjurer but since he is himself a homunculus that can cause problems by way of forced homunculus sacrifice.
Creativity - No issues.
Potential - The art and name creep me out a little. I'd like to know that order he's a servant of, and more importantly why despite being nonflamable (protection from red) he is named Candles.

Development (8/10)
Viability - No issues.
Balance - His best use seems to spend four mana to make a chump blocker token and sacrifice it for a card. He doesn't work with Puppet Conjurer well enough since he is a homunculus himself. All in all, I don't see many people wanting to use this.
Creative Writing - Flavor text is a little bit off. To me the problem is the immediacy of the snuffing following the breathing. I have this mental image of Candles breathing into a paper bag, except that when he breathes out the paper bag is alive and when he breathes back in the paper bag homunculus dies. Maybe this is just me, but I think the sentiment that he is a giver and taker of the breath of life could stand revision.

Polish (3.5/5): You have two evergreen keywords, but you do get the race/class bonus. Type line is stretched by "Legendary Artifact Crature - Homunculus Artificer. As a side note, for the extended art renders, you have to reload the pic in MSE or else it just stretches it. It saves the data of what four corners you use, so when the dimensions of the display change it can get ugly.

Total: 18.5



KoolKoal


Design (8/10)
Elegance - Pretty straightforward. One wonders the point of both shroud and indestructibility, as usually one of the other is enough.
Creativity - The untap ability is a strange complication off of simple vigilance. I'm not sure the flavor of why he untaps when he hits a wall. I say strange, but it does create an interesting dynamic when both players are at low life because you might regret attacking and being unblocked.
Potential - Good for spike. Bad for Jonny because of shroud, but that's probably a good thing.

Development (9/10)
Viability - No rules issues.
Balance - Okay, this is strong. I mean, I think Great Sable Stag is insane and this is arguably better. But it is only arguably better than an existing card, and since part of GSS's popularity comes from Bloodbraid Elf it should be noted that you wouldn't want to run too many copies of Belderum despite his inherent awesome. He's dangerous because green is so strong right now, but if you throw this into Worldwake next to Leatherback Baloth (see Worldwake spoiler) there's valid reason to not even include this in a deck. Basically that should be a sign that green is at an insane point right now, but I digress. The untap clause is an interesting variant on vigilance, meaning if they have a 4 toughness creature and block (remember you can't pump because of shroud) you get to go home untapped like you didn't bother in the first place.
Creative Writing - I would have like something that gives away more about him as a character, but the flavor text is still remarkably better than empty space.

Polish (5/5): Both bonuses, no other issues. Technically speaking when you use CARDNAME the second or later time you can just say Belderum, but you aren't hard up for text space so I don't see a point to deduct. By the way, I wish you all the luck and hope you make it to the final round, as I'm anxious to see where you take this.

Total: 22



Mobiusman


Design (6/10)
Elegance - I've never been a fan of modular ETB effects. If you wanted her to do those three things I feel three activated abilities would be much more elegant. It doesn't help that there isn't a strong common thread between the ETB effect either. I don't see why this is supposed to be legendary to be honest, because legends generally do something interesting while on the battlefield.
Creativity - I have creative issues with the middle ability, as AB colored cards generally don't hose color C but D. The card is white/green but it hoses only blue with that effect.
Potential - There's a definite combo with Day of Judgment that could tempt Jonny, and Spike can use it as a Sigil Blessing that also defends against Day of Judgment.

Development (6/10)
Viability - No issues.
Balance - The primary purpose seems to be the pump, but I don't feel this is better than Sigil Blessing, especially since if you play multiples you double legend bomb. The mass regeneration ability is nice though, but on the offense Sigil Blessing will save as many creatures and may also do more breakthrough damage.
Creative Writing - It would have been nice to learn something about Zabeth, like what crop she tends (in the middle of a forest, as cropt notoriously grow in fields) or similar supporting information.

Polish (5/5): Both bonus points, no outstanding issues.

Total: 17



Mr.Quidam


Design (9/10)
Elegance - Very strong word economy and synergy.
Creativity - I have creative issues with "protection from bears." I see the combo but by itself you are making the weakest tribe in magic's history even weaker. I am reluctant to admitt that this effect is green because I know about Lignify, and there are many things I want to say here that are really balance issues.
Potential - You would get death threats daily from the Timmies of the world. Spike and Jonny would use it if for no other reason than to stop their opponents from using it, like Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir in his day.

Development (5/10)
Viability - No rules issues.
Balance - This is insane. The ursification ability needs to end when he leaves the field, and it needs to cost more than two mana. I get the 1g bear thing and all, but turning an existing creature into one ought cost more. Every creature printed without shroud or an ETB effect is useless as long as you have the mana to push into this, which being green shouldn't be a problem. This would warp standard and do still nasty things to older environments. I mean, four mana to kill Darksteel Colossus and take no trample damage is rude as hell. As Zaphod Beeblebrox once said, "Okay. So, ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, huh?"
Creative Writing - I like the flavor text, and it compliments the name nicely.

Polish (5/5): Both bonuses, not outstanding issues.

Total: 19



Totals

24 Clairval - Advancing
22 KoolKoal - Advancing
19 Mr.Quidam - Advancing
19 Shineko - Advancing
18.5 Harbinger_
18 Alabran
17,5 Gasol
17 Mobiusman
15 Hate

Charm_Master3125


Design:
Elegance – I have nothing to complain about.
Creativity – It’s new, that’s for sure.
Potential – Spike might not play it just to add charm spells.
9/10.

Development:
Viability – Sure, modal spells have been defined, but I don’t think we’ll see a card like this.
Balance – As a legendary character who has a limited ability her mana cost could be lower. Still, I would love to choose all four powers in Primal Command.
Creative Writing – So why does she have reach? Also, why can a druid do this? She should have been a shaman.
5/10

Polish: No problems here.
5/5

Total: 19/25



Marauder21


Design:
Elegance – I don’t see why this is green. Also, random is more of a red thing.
Creativity – See Elegance.
Potential – Spike might not play this unless the mana fixing is easily doable. Forget about limited.
7/10.

Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – The need for three different colours keep this from being broken.
Creative Writing – I like the flavour of this card.
9/10

Polish: No problems here.
5/5

Total: 21/25



Venser FR


Design:
Elegance – Its bounce ability doesn’t fit the flavour, I’m afraid.
Creativity – I see no new twists, but at least it’s new.
Potential – Spike is very likely to play this.
8/10.

Development:
Viability – No problems here.
Balance – I have no issues here.
Creative Writing – I’m sorry, but for someone who is Vengeance Incarnate, she should have a better name than “Scoldy.” I’m still laughing at that. Also, I feel Vengeance Incarnate should do more than just pump up your creatures. There should be some form of removal. Finally, Scoldy would not fly away and come back again. That’s not what Vengeance Incarnate would do.
7/10

Polish: It should be “enters the battlefield.” Also, flash is considered evergreen, which means you have one too many evergreen keywords. Look here.
3/5

Total: 18/25


21 Marauder21 - Advancing
21 Saagn - Advancing
20 Monkey Playing MTG - Advancing
19 cardamne - Advancing
19 Charm Master3125 - Advancing
18 hyral
18 Venser FR
16 Azhur

blacker_lotus


Design (7/10):
Elegance - The wording seems okay when comparing it with other similar effects. I'm not a fan of the length, but it does accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Drinking blood to gain a minion is very vampire like.
Creativity - I was not awed by the creature. It's a different twist on a very vampire ability. Stealing the creature is a definite plus, but not jaw dropping.
Potential - The quality of this card comes down to the block in which it belongs. If we are looking at a mono-colored block with strong black support cards, this card is very good pull. The mana cost for it's ability fits the Mythic Rare slot very well. Otherwise, it would not be worth the possible effect on your mana base and I would not be pleased to see it in my MR slot.

Development (8/10):
Viability - The card works. It isn't elegant in my opinion, but that was addressed above.
Balance - This is not a format breaking card. It's potentially very powerful depending upon the block (as mentioned above), but not too powerful. It's still within working removal range (barely), but can be difficult to deal with when combined with other potential threats. With the points taken away above, this are is okay.
Creative Writing - The flavor text is basic and describes the ability directly. Flavor is one of my favorite aspects of magic, and normally I am on the stricter side with it. Your ability doesn't need to be described because of how well you drew of the cultural perception of vampires. I would have preferred a quote to show it's personality, or a menacing deed of some sort. Quote might have made the type smaller, but there are other options.
Name is great as is the art. Awesome combination, and with some better flavor text, you'd have been solid here.

Polish (4/5):
Nine lines of text hits the micro-text line with me. Also complete creature name should be included, I even went through a large amount of legends on gatherer just in case. If you find something to the contrary, please let me know.

18/25



Ikeda


Design (7/10):
Elegance - I like it. The fact that it costs one r makes it even better. Not only is it a form of damage prevention, it can end the game. I do not get the tie-in with cards, but that's about it.
Creativity - Playing with damage amounts is nothing new with red, neither is awarding bonuses on odd/even amounts. I love the combination here. Now with the type of drawback included, I do think this has a bit of a white feel to it, but not enough to warrant a deduction
Potential - I would NOT want to pull this in a pack. This is the type of card I would go out and find if I wanted it. It would require too much dedication for draft in my opinion, but could does seem to have potential in standard. What makes this card difficult to judge is what happens when it hits the board and you haven't won. You lose access to important burn like Bolt and Incinerate as well as any decent creature with odd power. That's a hulluva draw back. I would have preferred the odd/even be reversed to at least make cards like Spark Elemental relevent later. Even with game ending and game saving potential, it seems to fall short because it leaves you with a relatively inefficient deck (even if you built around it).

Development (9/10):
Viability - Oh, this works very well. Whether it be in your favor or not, it works.
Balance - This is not format breaking because I find the card too narrow. It has a rare ability, but is not a utility card by any means, nor is it dominating. It is awesome in the most specific of circumstances. *Edit: This deduction was made under Potential*
Creative Writing - Simply, Flavor = Awesome. I took off above because I could not see how cards has anything to do with other creatures dealing damage. That said, I do see the tie in with gambling. Add in the quote, render, and the card name and you have a very flavorful card.

Polish (5/5):
Human Rogue with flash. No grammatical errors that I noticed.

21/25



Marco


Design (9/10):
Elegance - I find the card very elegant. I can see an angel lessen the blow of an attack and actually send it back at the attacker. The ability seems well worded and I can't think of a way to really make it any shorter.
Creativity - Lessening damage is very white, and we've seen redirection with Harm's Way just recently. That' said, the combination on a 4/4 angel is pretty cool. Although not brilliant, the concept seems refreshing.
Potential - Normally, 7 mana for a 4/4 is very overcosted. However, with such an effective ability, flying, and vigilance, I find it will costed. With the ability to deal damage directly on the attack, then chip away on defense, this is certainly a creature to be reckoned with. You just have to hope a terror or PtE equivlent doesn't head your way.
Additionally, this card feels like a mythic rare, not a rare.

Development (8/10):
Viability - The ability works well. Damage in, damage out. Very simple.
Balance - Very well balanced. It is certainly not broken due to it's mana cost and possible answers, and it does it's job well. This card should win games.
Creative Writing - So, I'm not getting the full flavor here. I get that this angel is powerful, but I see no other tie ins here. Flavor text would have really helped.

Polish (4/5):
Angel Warrior. You have 2 evergreen keywords, the bonus says EXACTLY one evergreen. Since you have more than exactly one, only 1 point is given. It works out though because, w/o vigilance, your card would have scored much lower in potential.
Everything else looks okay here.

21/25



markino


Design (7/10):
Elegance - As far as execution is concerned, the card seems to be worded as well as possible. Everything flows well except the class. I'm not sure why this is an assassin. This ability is much more mage-like.
Creativity - I find this card pretty creative. Creatures that come into play and kill/steal other creatures have been done. However, the opponent having the option to lose cards to create a specific outcome is pretty cool.
Potential - Quite simply, I don't think this would see play. As a result, I would not be happy to see this as a mythic rare in my pack. It looks like a mythic rare, mainly due to that art and name, but it doesn't feel mythic. Giving your opponent control over the effect, even with the discard, greatly weakens this card.

Development (7/10):
Viability - It works without breaking any rules.
Balance - This card would not see play, and there are a few reasons for this. The first is it's efficiency. Nobody will pay 6 mana for creature removal/abduction when he or she cannot choose which one they want. If I'm staring down a Broodmate or better, I'm paying 6 mana to take it, not to kill it w/ discard. Yes, you do get a 4/4 body with fear, but it is still a steep price to pay. Second, it is black/blue. As sad as that is, that is the second reason as to why it won't be played. Black and blue decks normally play on tempo, this is not a tempo card, it's a late game control card. As a result, I feel this card is very underwhelming.
Creative Writing - As rough as the balance section was, your flavor was superb. Everything flows so well, and the flavor text is awesome. My brother is a Marine and the first part struck a chord with me, then the addition was a great kick. The render then topped it off nicely. This is one badass dude.

Polish (5/5):
Demon Assassin with fear. No grammatical errors that I could find.

19/25



Refelos


Design (8/10):
Elegance - This card is very simplistic in nature. It doesn't try to do too much, and accomplishes a lot with the amount of card space taken. I'm not entirely sure why a dying creature is pumping the King when the king is a human. Either there is a deduction because it should be a different race, or a deduction because there is no reason for me to assume it is a cannibal.
Creativity - I can see some flashes of creativity here. Although not a brand new concept, the way you worked it was very cool. Well done.
Potential - Okay, this card has some definite potential. It does not have to be an active participant in anything, yet will reap a benefit. Wether it is milling (ichorid), discarding, or just removed from play, this guy will grow. Add in any zombie accompaniment and you are looking at counters galore. 1bb to start out as a 1/1 was a great attempt to keep this balanced. I'd feel a little better about the King if he didnt have fear.

Development (8/10):
Viability - This works within the rules. I can see some newer players having some questions concerning milled creatures and when to pay b.
Balance - This guy would probably be powerful, but would not break any format. In fact, I'd love to see his impact on tribal. Zombies is always lacking when compared to other races, this would take them one step closer.
Creative Writing - The flavor text is lacking a bit. I get the point, it just doesn't flow. I'm not sure what program you used, but other than the card border, the render looked great.

Polish (4.5/5): Human Shaman with fear. Under grammar, you do need some sort of noun out front. Just in case, I copy/pasted it into word, grammar error.

20.5/25



Sir Auron25


Design (7/10):
Elegance - This says a lot in a lot of words. Fear and mill go together very well. Mill and activated ability go together very well. However, combine all three and it seems like there is too much on one card. The flavor of each lines up well, but it would need to be simplified a bit.
Creativity - This immediately reminded me of Shadowmage Infiltrator, except with discard. To then abuse your opponent for not stopping it is pretty cool. This seems like an interesting meshing of ideas.
Potential - This card has a ton of potential, mainly because you made it hybrid. Either color can play him mono-colored, and it wouldn't take long for him to get online. 3 mana for intimidate and 2 card mill on a 1/3 is pretty good. Add in that final ability to abuse your opponent's cards and he hits another level. He feels very mythic with this combination.

Development (6/10):
Viability - He works, and he shouldn't cause any rules problems.
Balance - All in all, I feel he is on the weak side. There is a lot of power there, but only if you are playing a mill deck. I think I'd rather pay 5 mana to nuke an opponents deck with Haunting Echoes than cast this guy for 3, then pay 4 and discard a card. There is the potential for abuse, but I'm not sure if it's worth the cost.
Creative Writing - Let me just say this first: The card looks awesome. The colors in combination with the art is just very well done. Kudos on that.
That said, I'm not sure how the ability ties in with him being a renegade. He's your creature, and he is abusing the opponent. To be a renegade, he would have to be hurting you at the same time.

Polish (4/5):
Human Spellshaper with Intimidate. "...of his or her library into his or her graveyard." via cards like millstone. As I tell everyone else, if you find an exception I missed, I'll give the points back.

17/25



Stubborn Boy


Design (8/10):
Elegance - The card can have a big impact on the game, without taking up a lot of text space. Very efficient. The ability works well with the "feel" of the card.
Creativity - Recycling instants or sorceries is nothing new with red and blue. We have cards like Anarchist and Scrivener with a CITP (or EtBf?) effect. This guy is much cheaper to use and has flash, and as a trade off, you lose him "forever." Old ideas, nice twist.
Potential - I would not mind pulling this guy in a pack. He's cheap, he doesn't need a complete deck built around him, and you get a 2/1 in the process. The number of quality cards you could recycle is pretty impressive as well. At the rare slot, this seems perfectly placed.

Development (10/10):
Viability - This guy works just fine and shouldn't cause anybody any problems (new and old alike).
Balance - As far as breaking a format, probably not. As far as impacting a format, there is a strong possibility. He's just so efficient with his cost and effect, then you toss in flash. Depending on the format, I can see him causing a lot of problems for your opponent. Even at U/R, he's splashable enough with all of the lands we have now. Yet, in older formats he has answers (such as stifle) and in newer formats his options are more limited and you still have removal and Pithing Needle. This guy's very well balanced.
Creative Writing - Flavor is great! Everything meshes seamlessly. He's a powerful wizard, he makes rash decisions, and could blow himself up in an instant. The name is neutral, but everything else sends a clear message of what this guy is about.

Polish (5/5):
Elemental Wizard with Flash. All the small things are accounted for.

23/25


23 Stubborn Boy - Advancing
21 Ikeda - Advancing
21 Marco - Advancing
20.5 refelos - Advancing
19 Krey
19 markino
18 blacker lotus
17 Sir Auron25