Crusade

Crusade was released as part of the Unlimited Edition set of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game, which debuted in 1993 as the first core expansion to follow the initial Limited Edition Alpha and Beta print runs. Designed by Richard Garfield, the card was intended to provide White-aligned decks with a powerful anthem effect, reflecting the thematic focus of the color on military organization and communal strength. It was illustrated by Anson Maddocks, whose dark, evocative style helped define the gothic fantasy aesthetic of the game's earliest years.

Upon its introduction, Crusade became a staple for aggressive White decks, offering a symmetrical buff that favored strategies built around numerous low-cost creatures. While the card saw extensive play throughout the 1990s, Wizards of the Coast eventually retired the card from future reprints and removed it from tournament legality in 2020. This decision was part of a broader re-evaluation of the game's artistic and thematic history, as the developers determined the imagery and the card's original connotations no longer aligned with their modern commitment to inclusivity.