Blackmail

Blackmail was originally printed in the Urza's Saga expansion in 1998, with the Ninth Edition printing in 2005 marking its inclusion in the core set rotation. Designed as a black discard spell, the card was intended to provide players with a strategic way to strip specific threats from an opponent's hand early in the game. The Ninth Edition version features updated card borders and rules text consistent with the modern frame introduced during the transition to the eighth core set.

The artwork for this printing was created by artist Greg Staples, known for his atmospheric and often dark illustrations within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Staples sought to capture the psychological weight of the spell, depicting a shadowed, ominous figure representative of the coercion and leverage implied by the card's title. Upon its release in the core set, the card was well-received by players looking for efficient utility in black-aligned control decks.