Flight

Flight was released in 1993 as part of the Limited Edition Beta set, which served as the second print run of the original Magic: The Gathering base game. Produced by Wizards of the Coast, the set was designed to address the immense, unexpected demand for the game following the initial Alpha release, correcting various printing errors while maintaining the iconic art styles that defined the game's early aesthetic. The card reflects the foundational design philosophy of Richard Garfield, emphasizing simple, functional mechanics meant to introduce fundamental concepts like evasion to new players.

The artwork for Flight was created by Quinton Hoover, one of the most recognizable illustrators from the game’s formative years. Hoover’s style was characterized by a distinct, ethereal use of line and color that often contrasted with the darker fantasy themes prevalent in other early sets. His depiction of flight aimed to capture a sense of whimsical grace rather than mere aerial dominance, and his contributions remain highly regarded by collectors today for their quintessential representation of the game's vintage visual identity.