I read your series today and I really liked them. Your opinions are well supported, and your analysis covers each keyword from many different aspects in a broad view.
I have one correction to make though. Suspend wasn't the first ability to use the exile zone in a way that no other card could, imprint in Mirrodin block did it first (albeit in an unexciting and not very memorable way). This mechanic still has quite a lot of untapped design space.
I don't have an idea what the first keyword would be. Trample is one of the most beloved mechanics of all time, that plays well and has history. However, it's not very innovative - many attacking/blocking mechanic have been made alongside it from the very beginning, and it's not as resonant as flying.
OTOH I definitely know what will make the worst ten keywords of all time: Shroud!
Taigan elf's original design was close to:
Taigan elf :2mana::symg:
Snow Creature — Elf Druid (C)
When ~ comes into play, if was spent to play it, ~ gains haste until end of turn.
:symtap:: Add :symr::symg: to your mana pool.
1/2
Taiga is a snowy landscape, after all. Is it better?
I predicted that some of you will try to find ways to break him. It is a proof that he is thought provoking. And I like combos. You truly need to build a deck around him to use that trick. That's what cards should do: help you win the game.
Land (R)
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool.
:1mana::symr::symu:,:symtap:: Flip a coin. If you win the flip, draw a card.
Next: An izzet vedalken
Creature — Human Druid (C)
:symtap:: Add to your mana pool. You may spend that mana as though it was produced by a basic land.
1/1
Next: Inside an iceberg
Creature — Elf Druid (C)
:symtap:: Add one mana of any color that a land card in your graveyard can produce to your mana pool.
1/1
Nokoshi, the First Akuba :symb::symb::symb:
Legendary Creature — Spirit (R)
Discard a card at random: ~ deals 1 damage to each opponent.
:symb:: Each opponent which was dealt damage by ~ this turn loses 1 life.
2/2
Enlightened Chieftain :1mana::symw::symw:
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
When ~ attacks, all attacking creatures gain lifelink until end of turn.
2/2
Rakdos's Skein
Sorcery — Necromancy Chaos (C)
Each player discards a card at random.
Taigan Elf :1mana::symg:
Creature — Elf Druid (U)
When ~ comes into play, if was spent to play it, ~ gains haste until end of turn.
:symtap:: Add :symr::symg: to your mana pool.
1/1
Last Thought :2mana::symu::symb:
Enchantment — Necromancy
If you have played a necromancy spell this turn, ~ has flash.
Sacrifice a creature: Target player put cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard equal to the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost.
I think I would limit the weakling's ability to two times per turn. I want him to be weak, not with a big power or CMC.
What is the meaning of the word rhystic?
I plan to do so. All the subtypes has a flavor meaning and mechanical meaning. I think I posted it here somewhere....
Neon-chan — Your wording is correct. The unblockability is on purpose. Since all of you referred to it, I assume its interesting.
I don't want to cost Abrogate with triple because many white cards are abjurations too. I want abjurations to be played in two colored decks, not mono decks.
Instant — Arcane
Arcane nexus (This spell cost less for each arcane spell played before it this turn.)
Counter target spell.
Untap up to four target lands.
Each kami, even those that dwelt in the shattered glasses, had a critical role in maintaining the nexus needed for using the arcane. For each object broken, each branch snapped, the arcane magic weakened.
Creature — Elf Shaman
:symtap:: Add one mana of any color that a land in your graveyard can produce.
Sorcery — Evocation Fire
~ deals 5 damage to target creature unless its controller pays X.
Abrogate :2mana::symu::symu:
Instant — Abjuration
If an abjuration spell has been played this turn, ~ has split second.
Counter target spell.
Scry 2.
Shattering ray :symr::symr:
Instant — Evocation Force
Destroy target artifact. Shattering ray deals 3 damage to its controller.
Weakling
Artifact Creature
~ can't be blocked by creatures with power greater than his.
When ~ deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
:2mana:: ~ gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
-1/1
Comparison
Instant — Abjuration
~ is blue.
Counter target spell you control and target spell you don't control.
Creature — Human Wizard
Whenever you play a blue spell, ~ gains shroud until end of turn.
Whenever you play a red spell, target creature can't block ~ this turn.
2/2
Next: Norin, the Wary
Creature — Zombie Rogue
Zombie creature cards you own that aren't in play have flash.
If was spent to play ~, it has bushido 3.
If you control a forest ~ has protection from green.
Next: Equip, Fortify, Enchant _____
Sorcery
Add to your mana pool for each Kobold you control.
Flashback — Sacrifice a kobold.
next — Recreation
Sorcery