Acidic Dagger

Acidic Dagger was released in October 1996 as part of the Mirage expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, the Mirage set was significant for being the first to be designed as a standalone draft environment, shifting the game's strategy toward a more structured and balanced play experience. The card itself reflects the set's thematic focus on the lush, dangerous continent of Jamuraa, utilizing a desert and oasis motif that defined the visual language of the expansion.

The card was illustrated by artist Dameon Willich, who contributed several pieces to the early years of the game. His design for Acidic Dagger captures the aesthetic of the era, emphasizing a visceral, hand-drawn fantasy style that prioritized clear thematic representation over the digital precision common in later sets. While the card is not considered a competitive staple in historical formats, it remains a noted piece of the Mirage cycle, reflecting the experimental equipment-like mechanics that preceded the formal 'Equipment' card type introduced years later.