Green Ward

Green Ward was released in 1993 as part of Limited Edition Alpha, the inaugural print run of Magic: The Gathering. Designed by Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast, the set was intended to introduce a new style of trading card game that blended collectible acquisition with strategic gameplay. The aesthetics of early Magic cards were defined by a diverse group of freelance fantasy artists, chosen to give the game a high-fantasy, eclectic feel that departed from the uniform branding common in contemporary card games.

The artwork for Green Ward was produced by Quinton Hoover, one of the game's most iconic early contributors. Hoover's signature watercolor style often favored flowing lines and emotive, human-centric compositions, which provided a distinct contrast to the more rigid fantasy tropes of the era. The card itself, functioning as a protective enchantment, reflects the game's original focus on elemental color alignment, where Green was established as a color deeply tied to nature, growth, and reactive defensive magic.