Fishliver Oil

Fishliver Oil was released in 1995 as part of the Chronicles expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Chronicles served as a reprint set, designed to make iconic or useful cards from earlier, out-of-print sets like Legends and The Dark more accessible to a growing player base. While intended to bridge the gap between early expansions and current gameplay, the set’s massive print run and the inclusion of previously rare cards sparked significant controversy among long-term collectors regarding the stability of card values.

The card features an illustration by artist Quinton Hoover, whose distinct, lyrical style defined much of the aesthetic of early Magic sets. Hoover’s work for Fishliver Oil leans into the whimsical and somewhat bizarre tone of early expansions, presenting a stark departure from the more standardized, fantasy-focused art direction seen in later years. Reception of the card has historically been lighthearted, as its functional effect—which provides a marginal benefit in deep-water combat—is generally considered quite weak, leading it to become a well-known example of the eccentric design choices found in the game’s first few years.