Forsaken Monument

Forsaken Monument was released in the 2020 expansion Zendikar Rising, a set designed to revisit the plane of Zendikar with a focus on exploration, land-based mechanics, and the return of iconic legendary allies. The card functions as a powerful artifact that serves as a cornerstone for colorless decks, providing significant buffs to colorless creatures and enhancing mana production. Its design reflects the narrative theme of the set, representing the lingering, eldritch presence left behind by the Eldrazi after their massive influence on the landscape.

The card was illustrated by Titus Lunter, who utilized a stark and imposing aesthetic to convey the weight and history of the monument. By depicting the structure as a towering, singular monolith against a desolate background, the art emphasizes the isolation and ancient power of the object. Within the player community, the card was immediately recognized for its high utility in Commander formats, where it quickly became a staple for artifact-centric and colorless strategies due to its ability to act as both a lord for creatures and a mana-engine.

This specific iteration is the promotional version marked with the collector number 244s, distinguished by the set stamp typically found on cards distributed through specific promotional channels, such as Wizards Play Network events or collector boosters. Like other entries in the Zendikar Rising set, the card was subject to the typical iterative balancing process of the development team, who aimed to provide players with tools that rewarded deck-building constraints while maintaining the high-fantasy aesthetic that defines the plane of Zendikar.