Dark Banishing

Dark Banishing was originally introduced during the Mirage set in 1996 as a foundational black removal spell, providing players with a straightforward method to destroy non-black, non-artifact creatures. As the game evolved, the card became a staple of limited and casual play, praised for its clear utility and the way it reinforced the color identity of black mana as a destructive, opportunistic force within the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem.

The Ninth Edition printing, released in 2005, updated the card’s aesthetics to reflect the modern card frame introduced during the Eighth Edition core set. This iteration features art by Matthew D. Wilson, who sought to capture the visceral, shadowy essence of the spell. While the card is a standard inclusion in many core sets, its presence in Ninth Edition is noted by collectors for its clean, contemporary presentation and the distinct star symbol marking it as a premium or specific version of the print run.