Ghitu Encampment

Ghitu Encampment was introduced in the 1999 Urza's Legacy expansion, representing the second set in the influential Urza's block. The card features the Ghitu, a nomadic tribe of pyromancers residing on the continent of Shiv, and was designed to provide utility to red decks by functioning as both a source of red mana and a temporary creature. This type of 'man-land' was a staple of late-nineties Magic design, intended to grant players a way to maintain board presence in the late game after exhausting their hand of spells.

The artwork was commissioned from Don Hazeltine, whose painterly style captures the harsh, arid environment of the Shivan desert. His depiction focuses on the rugged tents and smoldering atmosphere of the encampment, grounding the card in the established aesthetic of the Urza’s cycle. Upon release, the card was well-received by players for its tactical flexibility, becoming a frequent inclusion in aggressive and midrange red strategies that sought to capitalize on its ability to bypass board wipes.