Contagion Clasp

Contagion Clasp was first released in the 2010 expansion Scars of Mirrodin, a set centered on the Phyrexian invasion of the metallic plane of Mirrodin. The card was designed to embody the set's central mechanics of proliferate and poison counters, providing players with a utility artifact that could manipulate the growth of counters on both permanents and players. Mechanically, it reflects the slow, inevitable corruption of the plane by the Phyrexians, serving as a thematic engine for decks built around toxic or keyword-heavy strategies.

The artwork for the card was created by Steven Belledin, who leaned into the biomechanical horror aesthetic characteristic of the New Phyrexian faction. His illustration emphasizes the jagged, unsettling fusion of flesh and metal that defines the set's visual language. Upon its release, the card was noted by players for its efficiency as a repeatable engine, finding a place in various competitive and casual formats that leveraged its ability to advance multiple game states simultaneously without requiring significant mana investment.