Arcades, the Strategist

Arcades, the Strategist was released in the Core Set 2019 expansion for Magic: The Gathering, serving as a reimagining of an Elder Dragon character originally introduced in the 1994 Legends set. The design intent behind this iteration was to provide a commander-focused card that incentivized players to build decks around high-toughness creatures, shifting the focus from typical offensive aggression toward a unique defensive synergy. This thematic direction was centered on his signature ability to allow creatures with defender to attack as though they did not have it, effectively turning low-cost defensive walls into formidable threats.

The card’s artwork was crafted by concept artist and illustrator Even Amundsen, who focused on capturing the majestic and imposing presence of an Elder Dragon while incorporating the color identity of Bant. Amundsen utilized a vibrant, detailed style to emphasize the creature's status as a master strategist, setting him apart from the more primal depictions of dragons found elsewhere in the set. Upon its release, the card was well-received by the Commander community for its ability to enable an entirely new, distinct archetype that revitalized older, overlooked creature cards.