Custodi Lich

Custodi Lich was released in 2016 as part of the Magic: The Gathering set Conspiracy: Take the Crown. This set was designed specifically for draft-based multiplayer gameplay, introducing mechanics that emphasize political maneuvering, voting, and monarch-themed gameplay within a fictional setting centered on the intrigue of the city-state Paliano. As a rare card within this expansion, the Lich was created to serve as a high-impact threat that rewards players for navigating the unique monarch mechanic.

The card’s striking visual identity was crafted by artist Bastien L. Deharme, who utilized a dark, atmospheric style to capture the unsettling nature of an undead guardian. Deharme focused on translating the creature's lore as a fallen, cursed sentinel into a visual composition that feels both regal and decaying. Upon its debut, the card was well-received by the player community for its thematic depth and its ability to act as a pivot point for the game state in social multiplayer formats like Commander.