Here's my problem with hydras. I have encyclopedic knowledge and memory of so many thousands of cards printed in the last 20 years, much of that knowledge relies on remembering the art of a card. I think the (arguable) creative problem you had with slivers is an alive and thriving problem with hydras, how much art can be done for hydras? When someone says Protean Hydra or Rock Hydra, I don't remember which one was from revised and which one was from some core set I can't remember.

You don’t have that problem with dragons or angels?

I have to say, I love this game, I love you (mostly platonic I swear), and I love your writing, but it seems like you focus only on one aspect of Timmies. You say they're interested in big, splashy creatures. Yeah, I love equipping Sword of Vengeance to my 23/23 Protean Hydra, but there's more to most Timmies than that. I personally adore the social interaction and stories this game makes, and I feel like that part of the Timmy is ignored. Also, thanks for making creatures AND spells good, now.

Go read the article I just linked to. I broke Timmy down into four distinct different groups. Power gamers are just one of the four. Social gamers, by the way, are one of the four subgroups. The article once again: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr220b