The Accidental Player 40: The Topdeck Awards, "Outstanding Human"

By: Kumagoro42, Gianluca Aicardi
Sep 05 2014 12:00pm

I love this game. I love writing about it. Compiling lists about it. Evaluating it. Sometimes, I even play it. I'm an Accidental Player.

The Tolarian Academy of Arcane Arts and Pictures presents: THE TOPDECK AWARDS!
The best way to celebrate 20 long years of this silly game, by rewarding all those beloved cards that, at one point or another, starred in our personal tragicomedies and psychodramas.

Today's category: Outstanding Human. With currently 1568 different members (Un-Sets not included, and give or take a few double results from Kamigawa flip cards and Innistrad transformers), the Human type is the most populated of all sub-types, and the 4th largest type overall after Creature (7395), Enchantment (1910) and Instant (1757), and beating Sorcery (1516), Artifact (1493), Legendary (648), and Land (488). Alone, it amounts to more than one fifth (21.2%) of all the existing creatures. Used as a default identity for humanoids that aren't supposed to belong to any particular race, the Humans comprise some of the most recognizable creatures in the game. The nominations are divided by color and accompanied by a brief profile of the nominees, which are listed alphabetically. Winners will be published with the announcement of the next category. Last month's winners are here.

And the voting duty, ladies and gentlemen, is all yours.

But first, here's the Human Hall of Fame. All the All of Famers aren't eligible for awards.

> GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALLOTS <

> PREVIOUS CATEGORIES <

Category A: Outstanding Mono-White Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 574

The nominees are:

Name: Academy Rector
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: June 1999
Birthplace: Urza's Destiny
Reason for Nomination: Because that's the coolest fetching that there is.

Name: Auriok Champion
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: June 2004
Birthplace: Fifth Dawn
Reason for Nomination: Because she stops so many things from harming you.

Name: Fiend Hunter
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: September 2011
Birthplace: Innistrad
Reason for Nomination: Because it's removal on a stick, and more solid than Banisher Priest.

Name: Hero of Bladehold
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2011
Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
Reason for Nomination: Because few things pack such a punch.

Name: Loyal Retainers
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: May 1999
Birthplace: Portal Three Kingdoms
Reason for Nomination: Because they bring back Emrakul... but almost nobody owns them in paper.

Name: Mirran Crusader
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2011
Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
Reason for Nomination: Because he hits hard on his enemies.

Name: Mother of Runes
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 1999
Birthplace: Urza's Legacy
Reason for Nomination: Because Mom knows better.

Name: Serra Ascendant
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2010
Birthplace: Magic 2011
Reason for Nomination: Because if your starting life is already enough to please her, your opponents are in a very bad place.

Name: Soul Warden
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: June 1998
Birthplace: Exodus
Reason for Nomination: Because she rules her own domain along with her younger sister.

10.

Name: Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2012
Birthplace: Dark Ascension
Reason for Nomination: Because she's the Queen of the Hatebears.

Honorable Mentions: Aegis of the Gods/True Believer, Blade Splicer, Champion of the Parish, Ethersworn Canonist, False Prophet, Frontline Medic, Grand Abolisher, Mangara of Corondor, Mentor of the Meek, Peacekeeper, Ranger of Eos.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category B: Outstanding Mono-Blue Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 252

The nominees are:

Name: Blighted Agent
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: May 2011
Birthplace: New Phyrexia
Reason for Nomination: Because with him, it might be just a matter of a few swings.

Name: Laboratory Maniac
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: September 2011
Birthplace: Innistrad
Reason for Nomination: Because it's so often the last man standing.

Name: Master Transmuter
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2009
Birthplace: Conflux
Reason for Nomination: Because Triskelion really wants to be recharged for 1 mana.

Name: Ninja of the Deep Hours
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: February 2005
Birthplace: Betrayers of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the sleekest of all ninjas.

Name: Prodigal Sorcerer
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: August 1993
Birthplace: Limited Edition Alpha
Reason for Nomination: Because he's made of the stuff of legend, and dressed in the stuff of nightmares.

Name: Sakashima the Impostor
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: June 2005
Birthplace: Saviors of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the uber-clone.

Name: Sakashima's Student
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: June 2012
Birthplace: Planechase 2012
Reason for Nomination: Because he can turn into a ninja wurm!

Name: Sea Gate Oracle
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: April 2010
Birthplace: Rise of the Eldrazi
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a useful effect without fancy requirements.

Name: Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because Teferi didn't need to go planeswalker to be powerful.

10.

Name: Venser, Shaper Savant
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2007
Birthplace: Future Sight
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the ultimate blue guy.

Honorable Mentions: Aether Adept, Archaeomancer, Arcum Dagsson, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Beguiler of Wills, Invisible Stalker, Lighthouse Chronologist, Lord of the Unreal, Temporal Adept, Treasure Mage/Trinket Mage, Willbender.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category C: Outstanding Mono-Black Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 192

The nominees are:

Name: Big Game Hunter
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 2007
Birthplace: Planar Chaos
Reason for Nomination: Because he can kill Emrakul. At instant speed!

Name: Disciple of the Vault
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: October 2003
Birthplace: Mirrodin
Reason for Nomination: Because it's like playing "find the combo".

Name: Doomed Necromancer
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2002
Birthplace: Onslaught
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the Reanimator's reanimator.

Name: Garza's Assassin
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2006
Birthplace: Coldsnap
Reason for Nomination: Because kills for free, comes back with a price.

Name: King Macar, the Gold-Cursed
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2014
Birthplace: Journey into Nyx
Reason for Nomination: Because King Midas never thought about killing his enemies this way.

Name: Magus of the Coffers
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2007
Birthplace: Planar Chaos
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a key element to any black ramp in Commander.

Name: Nekrataal
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 1997
Birthplace: Visions
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a timeless classic.

Name: Ophiomancer
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: November 2013
Birthplace: Commander 2013
Reason for Nomination: Because you can do a lot of things with her little snakes.

Name: Royal Assassin
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: August 1993
Birthplace: Limited Edition Alpha
Reason for Nomination: Because he's still "one tap, one kill", after all these years.

10.

Name: Sadistic Hypnotist
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: October 2001
Birthplace: Odyssey
Reason for Nomination: Because if you exploit him properly, he's lethal.

Honorable Mentions: Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, Kiku, Night's Flower, Overeager Apprentice, Shadowborn Apostle, Skirsdag High Priest, Xathrid Necromancer.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category D: Outstanding Mono-Red Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 222

The nominees are:

Name: Ash Zealot
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2012
Birthplace: Return to Ravnica
Reason for Nomination: Because she's a 2-drop with a twist.

Name: Avalanche Riders
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 1999
Birthplace: Urza's Legacy
Reason for Nomination: Because they solve several problems, and then swing, too.

Name: Cunning Sparkmage
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 2010
Birthplace: Worldwake
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the best pinger.

Name: Godo, Bandit Warlord
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because he can find you the right tool for the job.

Name: Hero of Oxid Ridge
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2011
Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
Reason for Nomination: Because his alpha strikes are really hard to stop.

Name: Magus of the Moon
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2007
Birthplace: Future Sight
Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes Blood Moon is not enough hate.

Name: Norin the Wary
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the most preposterous centerpiece you'll ever build a deck around.

Name: Prophetic Flamespeaker
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: May 2014
Birthplace: Journey into Nyx
Reason for Nomination: Because he both beats and draws you cards.

Name: Young Pyromancer
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: July 2013
Birthplace: Magic 2014
Reason for Nomination: Because when he'll become mature, he'll probably create dragons.

10.

Name: Zealous Conscripts
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because they mostly end up gaining control of YOUR stuff, weirdly enough.

Honorable Mentions: Anarchist, Blood Knight, Brimstone Mage, Dragonmaster Outcast, Ghitu Slinger, Jeska, Warrior Adept, Kamahl, Pit Fighter, Kargan Dragonlord, Keldon Champion, Keldon Marauders, Kumano, Master Yamabushi, Priest of Urabrask, Rakka Mar, Stormblood Berserker.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category E: Outstanding Mono-Green Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 159

The nominees are:

Name: Argothian Enchantress
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 1998
Birthplace: Urza's Saga
Reason for Nomination: Because she's still very much the untouchable Enchantment Queen.

Name: Azusa, Lost But Seeking
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because the moment she finds when she was seeking for, that's big trouble for your opponent.

Name: Experiment One
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 2013
Birthplace: Gatecrash
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a human ooze!

Name: Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2002
Birthplace: Onslaught
Reason for Nomination: Because he's a veritable one-man-army.

Name: Magus of the Candelabra
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because someone has to untap all those Cloudposts.

Name: Master of the Wild Hunt
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: July 2009
Birthplace: Magic 2010
Reason for Nomination: Because his wolves can hunt anything down.

Name: Mayor of Avabruck
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: September 2011
Birthplace: Innistrad
Reason for Nomination: Because he IS a wolf! Eventually.

Name: Melira, Sylvok Outcast
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2011
Birthplace: New Phyrexia
Reason for Nomination: Because she's the sworn enemy of infect and best friend of Pod.

Name: Ulvenwald Tracker
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because he gives green a way out of bad situations.

10.

Name: Yavimaya Elder
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: June 1999
Birthplace: Urza's Destiny
Reason for Nomination: Because he's multiple card advantage.

Honorable Mentions: Avacyn's Pilgrim, Baru, Fist of Krosa, Daybreak Ranger, Dosan the Falling Leaf, Gatherer of Graces, Hua Tuo, Honored Physician, Karametra's Acolyte, Kazandu Tuskcaller, Magus of the Vineyard, Skarrgan Pit-Skulk, Verduran Enchantress, Veteran Explorer, Whirling Dervish.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category F: Outstanding Multicolored Human

Candidates (Un-Sets not included): 166

The nominees are:

Name: Burning-Tree Shaman
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: February 2013
Birthplace: Gatecrash
Reason for Nomination: Because she lives and breathes tempo.

Name: Captain Sisay
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2000
Birthplace: Invasion
Reason for Nomination: Because there's almost nothing she can't fetch.

Name: Fathom Mage
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2013
Birthplace: Gatecrash
Reason for Nomination: Because Archangel of Thune and Horizon Chimera made this redhead into a star.

Name: High Priest of Penance
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2013
Birthplace: Gatecrash
Reason for Nomination: Because he just asks for a little punishment.

Name: Huntmaster of the Fells
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2012
Birthplace: Dark Ascension
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the gift that keeps on giving.

Name: Jhoira of the Ghitu
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2007
Birthplace: Future Sight
Reason for Nomination: Because when you see her on a Commander table, run.

Name: Orzhov Pontiff
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2006
Birthplace: Guildpact
Reason for Nomination: Because despite the convoluted mechanic, he's very good at what he does.

Name: Saffi Eriksdotter
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because she always makes sacrifices for her friends.

Name: Teysa, Orzhov Scion
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2006
Birthplace: Guildpact
Reason for Nomination: Because she appreciates her friends' sacrifices.

10.

Name: Zur the Enchanter
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2006
Birthplace: Coldsnap
Reason for Nomination: Because over the years, his little trick became scarier and scarier.

Honorable Mentions: Azor's Elocutors, Cartel Aristocrat, Daxos of Meletis, Duskmantle Guildmage, Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, Hazezon Tamar, Izzet Staticaster, Juniper Order Ranger, Kaervek the Merciless, Knight of New Alara, Merieke Ri Berit, Sen Triplets, Shardless Agent, Sky Hussar, Steward of Valeron, Stun Sniper, Tajic, Blade of the Legion, Vela the Night-Clad, Vorel of the Hull Clade.