Assault // Battery

Assault // Battery was released in the 2001 Invasion expansion for Magic: The Gathering, a set centered on a multi-planar war against the artificial plane of Phyrexia. This card introduced the 'split card' mechanic, a design innovation that featured two distinct spells printed on a single physical card, allowing players to choose which half to cast. The card was designed to offer players tactical flexibility, representing the dual nature of an attack in a single resource.

The card features illustration by artist Greg Staples, who captured the raw, kinetic energy suggested by the card's name. As one of the first cards of its kind, the design was well-received for its ingenuity and the strategic depth it added to gameplay. It remains a notable piece of Magic history for establishing the template for future split cards, which became a recurring feature in subsequent sets due to their unique utility and clever use of card real estate.