Astor, Bearer of Blades // Astor, Bearer of Blades

Astor, Bearer of Blades was released in the 2022 Magic: The Gathering set Dominaria United. This particular piece is part of the Art Series, a collection of cards featuring the full-art illustrations found on regular set cards, designed to showcase the work of the game's illustrators without the obstruction of game text or borders. These cards are distributed as promotional items in set boosters and serve as a celebration of the visual storytelling integral to the game’s long-standing world-building efforts.

The illustration was created by artist Ivan Shavrin, a frequent contributor to the Magic: The Gathering franchise. Shavrin's design focuses on the character Astor, a tactician associated with the Coalition forces, capturing him in a moment of readiness amidst the backdrop of the Phyrexians' return to the plane of Dominaria. The artwork is noted for its dramatic lighting and focus on the character's signature armament, effectively distilling the high-fantasy aesthetic that defines the set's broader artistic direction.