Part of a cycle of common creatures that each 'nod' back to a progress mechanic from Magic's past. This one is Threshold, which is doable on a single card as Deep-Sea Terror indicates. :)

Had to get a cobra in the set at common somewhere.

this doesn't seem very large....

could it be a 6cmc 4/5 or something?

It could, though that's a bit of a high cost. Might be more acceptable in this format though.

We do want some common canister targets...

True, but we already have quite a few canister targets (though not all are intended for ramp), if memory serves me right. And it makes more sense for a canister target to be in the colors with canisters, yeah?

That's why I thought it still might be a bit high for black, since the only way black gets Canisters is from Delivery Automaton.

But, for example, if we look at BFZ, only blue and green (the main Scion colors) got spells with greater than 5 CMC. Besides the three spells in colorless, of course. I followed a similar pattern for my skeleton.

I guess my main concern is how the hell does black get past a 2/4?

Like I'd also be happy this being a large Menace card or other board stall breaker.

yeah this card makes for really slow boring wins

Yeah, a large board stall breaker would be fine. This kinda Caustic Tar effect is probably best reserved for uncommon. I just was working flavorfully from a Cobra, here, and thought of this. :)

I like it!

May need to change the stats of this or (((Slum Keeper)))

This is a damn impressive common for black.

I mean, we've had Shatterskull Recruit. It'll probably be okay.

Red is supposed to have better mid range than black at common. I agree this is probably fine but I do think we keep making cards a little stronger than average, and I don't know if we are going to have some weaker than average to balance it out. Even our red bear with "downside" has reach.

We're designing at a flat power level right now. Adjusting power levels comes much later in the process.

Shatterskull Recruit was awfully good for red common too. Neither are unprintably strong.

...I think we're remembering two very different BFZ limited formats. He barely made most of my red lists. Most red decks don't even want five drops.

It's different in black, but recruit and the various five mana menace guys have always been 20th-23rd additions to decks, if at all. I don't see how this is different.

Yeh Shatterskull Recruit was like the definition of a C to C- card. Not unhappy playing him but definitly not a staple.

+1 toughness