Emeria Shepherd

Emeria Shepherd was introduced in the 2015 Magic: The Gathering set Battle for Zendikar, a release that revisited the plane of Zendikar during its ongoing conflict with the planar-devouring Eldrazi. Mechanically, the card was designed to support the 'Landfall' ability, a hallmark of the Zendikar setting that rewards players for playing land cards. As a rare creature, it serves as a powerful late-game engine for white decks, reflecting the divine and protective nature of the angels inhabiting the sky-enclave of Emeria.

The card's evocative visual identity was crafted by artist Todd Lockwood, who rendered the Shepherd as a formidable, armored entity amidst the floating terrain of the plane. Lockwood’s design emphasizes the aesthetic of Zendikar’s angels, who are characterized by their unique, wing-like blade structures and ethereal, sky-bound presence. Upon release, the card was noted by players for its significant impact in limited play environments, where its ability to recur fallen creatures from the graveyard provided a substantial advantage.