Disciple of Bolas

Disciple of Bolas first appeared in the Magic: The Gathering set Magic 2013, designed as a powerful utility creature that rewards players for sacrificing their own assets. Its inclusion in the Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander deck served to reinforce the 'sacrifice' theme common to black-aligned decks, providing both card advantage and life gain in a single, efficient package. The card quickly became a staple in Commander formats due to its ability to turn a creature that is about to be removed or destroyed into a significant influx of resources.

The card features artwork by Igor Kieryluk, whose dramatic style captures the sinister, cult-like devotion of the creature to the elder dragon Nicol Bolas. The visual design emphasizes the dark, ritualistic nature of the sacrifice, mirroring the game mechanics where the Disciple draws power from the death of its peers. Since its debut, the card has seen multiple printings, with the Dragonstorm Commander iteration maintaining the established aesthetic of the Tarkir-themed expansions while integrating seamlessly into the high-power, multiplayer-focused environment of the Commander format.