Review(Innistrad Review) - Blue

Hi again!

Today I'm looking back at my first impressions of the blue cards from the early Innistrad spoiler. It's interesting to see how much knowledge of the complete set can change card evaluations, and how important it is to think about the context that the cards require to be good.

I looked at white yesterday, and my initial predictions came off pretty well. As before, I'll recap my original review from midway through the spoiler season, how the card has fared since then and give my opinion on the future of the card. There were only three blue cards of interest at that point (no Snapcaster Mage to weigh in on yet); how accurate were my thoughts on them?

Civilized Scholar
	Review:	Unplayable, too fragile despite a quick clock.
	Reality:	It has seen play in niche combo decks, using the transform rules to allow a Necrotic Ooze to mill through several creatures with a Scholar in the graveyard.
	Accuracy:	3
	I missed the combination with Ooze, although the other cards used (Bloodline Keeper and Grimgrin, Corpseborn) had not been spoiled yet.
	Future:	As more creatures enter the format the Ooze deck may become more viable, but barring this specific interaction I don't think it will see play.

Ludevic's Test Subject
Review:	Unexciting, requires a way to cheat the transform.
Reality:	There were no more Moonmist style effects to transform cards. This has seen zero play in competitive decks.
Accuracy:	5
Future:	As per my spoiler review, with a good enough way to cheat the transform this could be the next Tarmogoyf. Without, this is far worse than other options for decks with this much mana to spend.

Stitcher's Apprentice
	Review:	Enabler for Morbid. Potential engine card.
	Reality:	It has seen no play. Morbid has proven more of a limited mechanic so far, excluding Brimstone Volley, and no cards that require such an enabler have emerged yet.
	Accuracy:	4
	Future:	It is not impossible that Stitcher's Apprentice sees some play, in the right circumstances. Certainly there are enough 1/1 and 2/1 creatures in Standard right now that the body is not completely irrelevant, but you would have to really want the ability.

It definitely looks like they saved the sweet blue cards for the final reveals this time. The Test Subject was a fairly obvious hit to make and a clear 5. I think the other two were fairly speculative mentions and subject to other specific cards being printed. As it was, I went the wrong way with the Civilized Scholar by looking at trying to attack with him instead of taking advantage of the looting effect.

Next time I'll recap my black reviews, with a healthier five cards to look at; including my first thoughts on Liliana of the Veil.

Steve