Flaying Tendrils

Flaying Tendrils was originally introduced in the Oath of the Gatewatch expansion in early 2016. As a sorcery designed with the devoid mechanic, it reflects the Eldrazi influence on the plane of Zendikar, physically manifesting as colorless tendrils that punish smaller creatures on the battlefield. The Friday Night Magic promotional version, released later that year, utilized the game's long-standing tradition of rewarding local tournament participants with alternate-art or premium-frame versions of popular spells.

The art for this specific printing was rendered by Cliff Childs, who has contributed extensively to the visual language of the Eldrazi across multiple sets. Childs aimed to capture the unsettling, ethereal quality of the Eldrazi threat, using a muted, desaturated palette to emphasize the corruption the spell represents. Upon its release, the card saw competitive play for its ability to clear low-toughness threats, solidifying its place as a functional and stylistic highlight of the 2016 promotional cycle.