Hardened Scales

Hardened Scales first appeared in the Khans of Tarkir expansion for Magic: The Gathering in 2014, designed to provide a low-cost, synergistic enchantment for decks utilizing +1/+1 counters. The card became a cornerstone of its own archetype in the Modern format, where its ability to amplify creature growth quickly turned minor threats into formidable finishers. Its inclusion in the 2022 Warhammer 40,000 Commander deck series serves as a thematic reprinting, aligning the mechanical identity of the card with the durable, augmentable nature of units found within the Warhammer universe.

The art for this version was commissioned from Mathias Kollros, who adapted the card’s established mechanics to fit the grim aesthetic of the Warhammer 40,000 setting. Kollros focused on conveying the mechanical augmentation and rugged resiliency synonymous with the lore of the Imperium of Man, moving away from the original Tarkir aesthetic to provide a cohesive visual experience for players of the Commander preconstructed decks. The illustration was received well for maintaining the functional clarity expected of a card-game staple while successfully integrating into the specific visual language of the crossover set.