Ezuri, Claw of Progress

Ezuri, Claw of Progress was released in 2015 as the face card of the 'Call the Spirits' deck in the Commander 2015 set. This expansion focused on the color identity of Simic—green and blue—and introduced the experience counter mechanic, a design choice intended to reward players for building and maintaining a board presence throughout a game. The character Ezuri, previously a leader of the Mirran resistance in earlier sets, was reimagined here as a Phyrexianized version, reflecting the darker narrative shifts within the Magic: The Gathering multiverse.

The card was illustrated by James Ryman, who emphasized Ezuri’s metallic, biomechanical aesthetic consistent with the Phyrexian faction. Ryman’s design captures the creature’s role as an engine for growth, using dynamic linework and industrial color palettes to contrast with the organic nature of his ability to buff smaller creatures. Upon its debut, the card was well-received by the Commander community for its accessible, high-synergy strategy, quickly becoming a staple for players interested in +1/+1 counter-based deck archetypes.