Bladewing the Risen

Bladewing the Risen first debuted in the 2003 Scourge expansion of Magic: The Gathering, serving as a pivotal character in the conclusion of the Onslaught block's narrative. As a resurrected dragon lord, the card was designed to highlight the set's focus on powerful, graveyard-synergistic mechanics, allowing players to pull other dragons from their discard pile to bolster the battlefield. Its return in the 2017 Iconic Masters set kept the original mechanical identity intact while updating the presentation for a modern era of card stock and foiling techniques.

The illustrative work by Anthony S. Waters captures the creature's menacing, undead aesthetic, emphasizing the decaying wings and necrotic energy that define Bladewing. Within the lore of the Dominaria plane, the character represents a dark synthesis of draconic power and necromancy, often cited by players as a quintessential example of the Reanimator archetype. Its inclusion in Iconic Masters served as a nod to long-term fans who appreciated the high-fantasy nostalgia and the functional complexity that dragon tribal decks often require.