Incite War

Incite War was released in 2003 as part of the Mirrodin expansion, the first set in the block of the same name. Designed as a common red instant, the card reflects the mechanical focus of the set, which introduced the artifact-heavy plane of Mirrodin to the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. It was conceived during a period where Wizards of the Coast was emphasizing the interaction between traditional spellcasting and the unique metallic environment of the new plane, with red spells often focusing on disruptive combat tricks.

The artwork was provided by Alex Horley-Orlandelli, a prolific illustrator known for his dynamic and highly stylized approach to fantasy art. His depiction of the card aims to convey the chaotic, aggressive nature of the effect, which forces creatures into unfavorable combat scenarios. Upon its release, the card was received as a standard functional piece within the limited environment of Mirrodin, valued by players for its ability to manipulate combat math in the fast-paced, artifact-centric draft format of the time.