Ashnod's Transmogrant

Ashnod's Transmogrant was released in 1994 as part of Antiquities, the second expansion set for Magic: The Gathering. The set centers on the Brothers' War, an ancient conflict between siblings Urza and Mishra, and introduces a heavy emphasis on artifact cards. The Transmogrant reflects the darker side of this lore, representing the mechanical enhancements and brutal experiments performed by Ashnod, Mishra's chief artificer, who sought to augment biological creatures with artifact technology.

The card's illustration was created by artist Dan Frazier, whose distinctive, gritty style defined much of the early artifact aesthetic in the game. Frazier focused on conveying the unsettling, industrial nature of Ashnod's workshops, using a stark visual approach that emphasized the functional, often grotesque, nature of her inventions. Upon release, the card was notable for its unique rules interaction, allowing players to turn creatures into artifacts—a mechanic that resonated with the set's broader theme of transcending natural limitations through artifice.