Flood of Tears

Flood of Tears was originally released as a rare sorcery in the Core Set 2020 expansion, which launched in July 2019. The set served as a bridge for players, balancing accessible designs for newcomers with enough complexity to satisfy established fans of Magic: The Gathering. As a 'buy-a-box' promo, this specific version features unique alternate art, a common practice used by Wizards of the Coast to encourage pre-orders at local hobby shops by offering cards that are aesthetically distinct from their standard pack-inserted counterparts.

The card’s illustration was handled by artist Johannes Voss, who is well-regarded in the community for his atmospheric and evocative style. Voss opted for a sweeping, ethereal depiction that emphasizes the spell's mechanical effect: returning all nonland permanents to their owners' hands. The design aims to capture a sense of overwhelming, tidal melancholia, aligning with the card's blue color identity, which often focuses on control and disruption. Upon release, the card was received as a powerful board-reset tool, particularly popular in the Commander format for its ability to clear the battlefield while potentially cheating a massive creature into play.