Fling

Fling was originally introduced in the Stronghold expansion of 1998 and has since appeared in multiple core sets, including Magic 2012 as a common instant. The card’s design reflects a direct, visceral mechanic: sacrificing a creature to deal damage equal to its power to any target. This design aligns with the aggressive, impulsive nature of red-aligned magic, prioritizing high-risk, high-reward playstyles that defined the era of creature-centric combat.

The Magic 2012 iteration features artwork by Paolo Parente, a renowned artist known for his gritty, action-oriented style in the world of tabletop gaming. Parente was tasked with depicting the chaotic energy of the spell, illustrating a figure hurling another individual toward a target. The reception of the card has remained steady over the decades, as it continues to be a staple utility spell for players seeking to convert late-game creature strength into a final burst of direct damage.