Carapace

Carapace was released in October 1995 as part of the Homelands expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, the set was designed to lean into a gothic, top-down flavor, drawing heavily from the mythology and lore of the fictional plane of Ulgrotha. The set is often remembered by players for its distinctive aesthetic and its attempt to provide a narrative-heavy experience, although it is historically regarded as having a lower power level compared to preceding expansions.

The card features artwork by Susan Van Camp, a prolific illustrator known for her work on many early Magic sets. Her contribution to Carapace reflects the dark, fantasy-horror visual language prevalent in the Homelands expansion. The design of the card, which functions as an enchantment that grants a creature a power and toughness boost based on the number of enchantments attached to it, was intended to encourage synergistic playstyles centered around aura spells, a mechanic that has remained a staple of green-aligned decks throughout the game's history.