The Cheat Evolution

The Cheat has not changed much in appearance after his first Flash design. After several revisions to his coloring and shading, he has looked largely the same since late 2001.

Image	Remarks	Created	Appearances	What's Changed?
First design	Although referred to as a "cheat", that is not specified as his name.	1996	Original Book flashback; Main Page 20, The Homestar Runner Gets Something Stuck In His Craw; Homestar Runner Goes for the Gold	N/A
Second design	Named "The Cheat"	January 2000	Old Characters Page lady...ing	The Cheat is wider and stockier, positioned in a more upright stance with a shorter right "foot", and stands slightly shorter. His fur has a warmer shade, with a gradient color, while he has fewer dark spots. The front of his head is less pointed, and he has only three tufts of fur on his head instead of four. His eyes are closer together and shaped like ovals.
Third design		April 2000 (or earlier)	Dancin' Bubs; Character Cards; The Reddest Radish; Yearbook Character Page (in photo) virus	His overall appearance has been cleaned up, with smoother, thinner lines and rounder spots. His eyes now shine. His fur is more of a golden tone. In some appearances, his outer lines have a "shaggy" furred look to them.
Fourth design		April 2000 (or earlier)	A Jumping Jack Contest Hremail 7	The Cheat's fur is now goldenrod rather than gradient bright yellow. The spiral on his chin is tighter. His "hands" are more rounded. His shading has gone. His spot pattern has been revised to more circular spots that occasionally overlap; the pattern is exactly the same in all subsequent designs.
Fifth design		May 2000 (or earlier)	Theme Song Video; Homestarloween Party; Strong Bad Sings 2022 Costume Pack Now Available	His outlines are now colored.
Sixth design		December 2000	A Holiday Greeting; The Luau; A Jorb Well Done; The Interview; A Mother's Day Message; The House That Gave Sucky Treats; Tis True, Pom Pom, Tis True; Some Stupid Turkey; Yearbook Character Page; lunch special; privileges; Toikey TV; Compy Catalog	He has a little bit of shading. This design is sometimes used in conjunction with the current design, typically when he is lying on his back or for a rear view.
Seventh design		December 2001	Toons from The Best Decemberween Ever to Kick-A-Ball; Main Pages 15 and 23; various Strong Bad Emails from i rule to dictionary; Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 8.0; Teen Girl Squad Issue 10; Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 13.2	His shading has been redone, with highlights added as well. His eyes are glossier, with a second highlight spot. He is drawn with a darker outline that varies in width to add depth.
Eighth design	This is the current design.	April 2009	Toons from Where U Goin' 2? to current; parenting	His shading is more orange and curves more gradually. His eyes are angled slightly. His arms rest higher on his body. His spots are more neatly circular, and he has an extra one under his tuft. The outlines of his "feet" are also neater. His walking animation is bouncier.