Call the Gatewatch

Call the Gatewatch was released in early 2016 as part of the Oath of the Gatewatch expansion set for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set served as the second half of the Battle for Zendikar block, designed by Wizards of the Coast to emphasize the cooperative nature of the game’s core protagonists as they formed a formal alliance against the planar threat of the Eldrazi. The card’s function as a tutor—a spell that searches the deck for a specific card type—was strategically intended to support the block’s heavy focus on the Planeswalker card subtype, providing players a reliable way to bring their powerful allies into play.

The card’s artwork was illustrated by the artist Magali Villeneuve, whose distinct style focuses on high-fantasy realism and character-driven composition. Villeneuve sought to depict the act of summoning a powerful hero with gravity and scale, aligning the visual narrative with the set’s themes of unity and impending conflict. Upon release, the card was well-received by the player base, particularly in the Commander format, where its ability to fetch a Planeswalker has made it a reliable, albeit niche, utility piece for decks reliant on specific legendary allies.