Chained to the Rocks

Chained to the Rocks was released in 2013 as part of the Theros expansion, a Magic: The Gathering set heavily inspired by classical Greek mythology. Designed to reflect the themes of the set, the card portrays the punishment of Prometheus, who was bound to a mountainside by Zeus as retribution for stealing fire from the gods. This top-down design choice effectively translates the mythological narrative into game mechanics by using an enchantment to lock a creature onto a specific land.

The card features artwork by Eric Deschamps, who sought to capture the visceral weight of the myth through a cinematic and dramatic composition. The art focuses on the rugged landscape and the restrictive nature of the chains, creating a sense of inevitability and entrapment. Upon its release, it was well-received by players and critics for its thematic cohesion and its efficient role in aggressive red decks, where it served as a powerful, low-cost removal tool that utilized the set's focus on mountains.