Death Ward

Death Ward was released in 1995 as part of the Ice Age expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, the set was designed to explore a frozen, post-apocalyptic world and introduced mechanics centered around snow-covered lands and cold-themed attrition. As a white card, Death Ward functioned as a reactive protective spell, allowing players to regenerate a creature if it was dealt damage during a turn, reflecting the set's focus on survival and resilience.

The card's atmospheric illustration was created by artist Quinton Hoover, who contributed extensively to the early aesthetics of the game. Hoover utilized his signature romantic and emotive style to depict a mystical intervention, aiming to capture the desperate nature of combat in the harsh climate of the Ice Age setting. While not a cornerstone of competitive tournament play, the card is remembered by long-time players for its evocative artwork and its role in the thematic expansion of the game's early years.