Heavy Ballista

Heavy Ballista was released in 2001 as part of the Magic: The Gathering Seventh Edition core set. This iteration marked the first time the game utilized a white border for its base set, a design choice intended to differentiate the core cards from the ongoing expansion sets. The card itself represents a mechanical staple of the era, functioning as a colorless artifact creature that could be included in any deck regardless of color identity.

The artwork was provided by Brian Snõddy, a prolific fantasy illustrator known for his distinct, expressive style during the game's formative years. Snõddy’s depiction of the siege engine emphasizes the weight and industrial nature of early fantasy weaponry, focusing on the mechanical components of the ballista rather than the operator. While it did not become a competitive powerhouse, the card is remembered by collectors as a classic example of the utilitarian creature design common in the transition period of the early two-thousands.