Dust to Dust

Dust to Dust was released in 1997 as part of Magic: The Gathering's Fifth Edition, a core set designed to consolidate and reprint popular cards from the game's earliest years. This white-mana sorcery was originally introduced in the Fallen Empires expansion of 1994, reflecting that set's thematic focus on the decaying state of the world of Dominaria. Its inclusion in Fifth Edition provided a wider audience with access to its specific utility: the ability to exile two artifacts, which was a powerful tactical tool during the game's formative era.

The card’s illustration was created by artist Dan Frazier, a foundational contributor to the game’s visual identity whose work appeared on the original 'Power Nine' artifacts. Frazier’s approach for Dust to Dust aimed to capture the theme of entropy and divine judgment, utilizing a stark, somber aesthetic that aligned with the grim tone of the Fallen Empires expansion. The card has since become a staple in vintage-format gameplay, valued by players for its efficient answer to dominant artifact-based strategies.