Magic: The Gathering

Black Ward

Limited Edition Alpha 5 • uncommon

Set: Limited Edition Alpha
Collector number: 5
Rarity: Uncommon
Mana cost: white mana
Type: Enchantment
Colors: White
Artist: Dan Frazier
Market price: $60.00

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$60.00est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

9other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$60.00market price via TCGplayer · Oct 7, 2026

Estimate for a typical copy of Black Ward; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

This card stands as a piece of the earliest foundation of the game, originating from the initial print run that established its identity. As an uncommon card within that limited debut set, it represents a foundational rarity that collectors prize for its historical role in shaping the game's earliest strategies.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Card face

What it does

Enchant creature

Enchanted creature has protection from black. This effect doesn't remove this Aura.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Black Ward was released in 1993 as part of the Limited Edition Alpha set, the inaugural print run of Magic: The Gathering. Designed by Richard Garfield, the game was conceived as a portable, collectible trading card experience that drew inspiration from fantasy gaming tropes and mathematical strategy. The card reflects the early aesthetic of the set, which relied on commissioning various artists to provide distinct, often surreal illustrations for the card pool.

The artwork for Black Ward was provided by Christopher Rush, one of the most prolific and recognizable illustrators in the game's early history. His work on this card contributed to the foundational visual identity of the White mana color palette. Upon its release, the card was received as a niche utility piece, intended to provide strategic protection against black spells and creatures within the complex, evolving meta-environment of early playtesting and amateur tournament scenes.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Black Ward

Black Ward is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Limited Edition Alpha 5 • uncommon. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

How many collectors track Black Ward on collecto.rs?

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Can I track my own copy of Black Ward?

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Where does the Black Ward catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Black Ward is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.