Implement of Malice

The Implement of Malice was released in 2017 as part of the Aether Revolt expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Set on the plane of Kaladesh, the card reflects the industrial and revolutionary themes of the block, where Aether-fueled inventions were central to both daily life and the political conflict brewing between the Consulate and local inventors. As an artifact with a sacrifice trigger, it was designed as a common utility piece to support synergy-heavy decks, providing players with both a resource for artifact-matters mechanics and a way to generate card advantage upon activation.

The illustration was crafted by artist Titus Lunter, who utilized the set's signature aesthetic of brass, swirling energy, and ornate, clockwork design. Lunter focused on the ominous, utilitarian nature of the object, capturing the aesthetic of a dangerous tool being prepared for use within the context of the Kaladesh rebellion. The design was received by the community as a functional and thematic bridge between the game's artifact-centric mechanics and the darker, more conspiratorial narrative threads of the Aether Revolt storyline.