Call of the Herd

Call of the Herd was released in 2001 as part of the Odyssey expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Set in the plane of Otaria, the expansion focused heavily on the graveyard as a resource, introducing mechanics like flashback that allowed players to cast spells from their graveyard. This card was designed as a staple green creature spell, providing utility by allowing the player to summon a 3/3 Elephant token, then repeating the process later by exiling the card from the graveyard.

The card features original artwork by Carl Critchlow, a prolific illustrator known for his distinct, expressive style during the game's early to mid-era. Critchlow’s illustration depicts a herd of elephants charging through a lush, wild landscape, capturing the card's theme of nature-based summoning. Upon its release, Call of the Herd was widely regarded by the competitive community for its efficiency, becoming a cornerstone of green-based midrange and aggressive decks in the Standard format.