Contagion

Contagion was originally released in the 1996 Alliances expansion for Magic: The Gathering, designed as part of a cycle of spells that could be cast without mana by sacrificing specific resources. The card reflects the grim, apocalyptic aesthetic of the set, which focused on a global climate collapse and the resulting desperation of the world's factions. It was engineered as a tactical removal spell, allowing players to manipulate the battlefield by placing -1/-1 counters on creatures to weaken or eliminate them in exchange for pitching a black card from their hand.

For the Mystery Booster 2 release, the card features new artwork by Chris Rallis, who captured the visceral, unsettling nature of the spell’s necrotic theme. Rallis is a veteran illustrator known for his dynamic character work and ability to lean into the high-fantasy horror elements of the game. This updated version retains the mechanical identity of the original while grounding it in the cleaner, more vibrant aesthetic standards of modern Magic card frame designs, serving as a functional piece of cardboard history for players who appreciate the evolution of the game's visual language.