There are no dealbreaker cards for me. No single bad card can ruin a deck for me; it's the overall quality and feel of the deck that either makes it or breaks it. I can happily tolerate a couple of bad cards if the deck is otherwise great.
Like Nisaba, my favorite cards also depend on the deck. I really don't have any universal favorites, except for the Moon. I prefer my Moon to be eerie, mystical, something that both comforts me and scares me at the same time. Something that both calls me to dive in but at the same time, makes me wonder how deep it's safe to go. BUT, again, if the Moon isn't like that, it's ok if the deck is otherwise ok.
I don't even have any preferences about Death or Tower. I can take it both ways - blunt and honest or gentle and hushed down. Hanged Man hanged from his neck would irk me quite a bit (It just alters the card's meaning way too much! I'm already confused whether I should think of the traditional, historical meaning or the newer, esoteric one!) but I don't know if that would be a dealbreaker, either.
Anyway, as I said, my favorite cards depend on the deck:
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Death in Vision Quest is
just plain brilliant. Yes, it's one of those fluffed-down Transformation cards, but it's wonderfully made, the overall feeling in that card is dead on (pun not intended
) and it just perfectly fits the theme and mood of the deck - gentle and comforting, yet honest.
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Hanged Man in Tarot of the Sephiroth. The way he's immersed in water, while hanging from his feet, is simply... well... perfect. And certainly doesn't make me wonder how to interpret it this time.
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Empress in Anna K. She shows the "other side" of the Empress - she's not just a pretty girl, she's the fierce, powerful Mother Nature who both creates and destroys.
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The Fool in Visconti Gold. His face is priceless. Nothing could convey dull madness and insanity better than that card.
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The Star in Quest. The most beautiful Star I've ever seen, even more beautiful than the one in Thoth. So peaceful, so soothing, you can see how she's giving hope and comfort where it's most needed, as she pours the water on dry land.
Um... yea... I guess there are more but I'm rambling and digressing, so I'll apologize and shut up.
It seems my favorite cards are not only ones I think convey the meaning well or are pretty, but ones that give me a different perspective to the card as well.