Chancellor of the Annex

Chancellor of the Annex was originally released in the 2011 Magic: The Gathering expansion New Phyrexia. Designed by the Wizards of the Coast team, the card is part of a cycle of legendary Praetors and their subordinates, serving to embody the brutal, efficiency-focused philosophy of the Phyrexian faction. Its design centers on the 'taxing' mechanic, requiring opponents to pay extra mana to cast their first spell, which forces a slower, more deliberate pace of play in competitive environments.

The card features an illustration by Nils Hamm, whose dark and textural style helped define the aesthetic of the New Phyrexia set. The artwork depicts the Chancellor in the signature porcelain-and-flesh aesthetic of the plane, conveying a sense of imposing, oppressive authority. While initially seen as a niche utility card, its inclusion in 'The List'—a curated selection of cards reprinted in Set Boosters—allowed it to reach a wider audience of players and collectors years after its initial debut.