Groundswell

Groundswell was originally printed as a common green instant in the 2010 Worldwake expansion, designed to showcase the landfall mechanic that defined the Zendikar block. The card reflects the set's thematic focus on the unpredictable, shifting terrain of the plane of Zendikar, granting creatures a temporary power and toughness boost that scales significantly when a land enters the battlefield under the player's control. Its mechanics were intended to reward aggressive, land-heavy playstyles, making it a staple for green-based tempo decks during its time in the Standard format.

This specific iteration of Groundswell appeared in the 2015 Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi, a preconstructed product designed to capture the lore-heavy conflict between the world’s inhabitants and the invading interdimensional titans. The card features illustration by Kev Walker, whose gritty, high-contrast style emphasizes the raw natural energy erupting from the ground. While its mechanical function remained identical to the original printing, its inclusion in the Duel Deck provided players with a thematic tool to bolster the Zendikar coalition’s resistance against the encroaching Eldrazi forces.