Venser, Shaper Savant
 
Venser is a member of a very select group of cards: along with Karn, Teferi, Nicol Bolas, and Xenagos, he has appeared in Magic sets as both a creature and a planeswalker. And much like most of the rest of that group, he is very powerful in both forms, which kind of makes sense if you think about it. In Time Spiral Standard, he was often seen as an answer to a hellbent Demonfire, but he is an incredibly powerful tempo play which can do almost anything from pre-emptively counter an opposing planeswalker ultimate to do a demoralizingly effective mono-blue Ponza impression when combined with Riftwing Cloudskate. When combined with cards like Remand that effectively steal turns, or with cards like Birds of Paradise that effectively give you extra ones, he earns his deck wins with frightening ease.
 
Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 4/5
EDH/Commander: 4/5

Venser, Shaper Savant (3/31)

Before he got his spark, Venser was a pretty good creature. The effect was unique at the time: return a spell to its owner’s hand is not a common effect, and it buys a turn against uncounterable spells and other large problems. It also can bounce a permanent if you've no need for bouncing a spell (or need to get something off the board immediately), and it leaves a 2/2 behind.

Venser is a flexible answer who can slot into any blue deck that doesn't want to give up tempo to stop a spell or an attack. He's not perfect, of course, but he's strong in all the ways that matter.

Constructed: 4.5

Casual: 4.5

Limited: 4.5

Multiplayer: 3.5

Commander: 3.75