Crusade

The Crusade card from the International Collectors' Edition was released in 1993 as part of a specialized boxed set. This edition was produced by Wizards of the Coast as a way to provide players with a complete set of cards from the original 'Alpha' and 'Beta' printings, though these versions were intentionally distinguished by a gold-bordered back to prevent them from being used in official tournament play. The set was created to address the extreme scarcity and soaring secondary market prices of the initial hobby printings, allowing a broader audience to experience the foundational mechanics of the game.

The card features the iconic illustration by Christopher Rush, an artist whose work was instrumental in defining the visual language of the game's early years. Crusade itself is a white enchantment that buffs all white creatures, reflecting the high-fantasy aesthetic and tactical design philosophy of early Magic: The Gathering. While the International Collectors' Edition was initially met with mixed sentiment due to its non-tournament-legal status, these cards have since been reappraised by collectors for their historical significance and the distinct charm of the gold-bordered design.