Skewer the Critics

Skewer the Critics is an uncommon sorcery card featured in the Magic: The Gathering set titled Ravnica Allegiance, which was released in early 2019. The set returns players to the urban plane of Ravnica, specifically focusing on the five guilds that were not highlighted in the preceding set. The card represents the chaotic, volatile nature of the Cult of Rakdos, a guild defined by its penchant for spectacle, cruelty, and hedonistic performance art.

The card was illustrated by the artist Florey, who utilized a bold, graphic style to capture the visceral energy of a Rakdos performance. The design intent was to provide a functional homage to the classic card Lightning Bolt, incorporating the 'spectacle' mechanic which allows players to cast the spell at a reduced cost if they have already dealt damage to an opponent during the turn. It was received by players as a highly efficient and aggressive staple for red-aligned decks in various competitive formats.