Ivory Mask

Ivory Mask was originally introduced in the Mercadian Masques expansion in 1999, designed to provide players with a strategic way to grant themselves hexproof, a mechanic that prevents targeted spells or abilities from affecting the player. The card was brought back for the Eighth Edition core set in 2003, which marked a significant milestone as the first core set to feature the modern card frame layout. This update, handled by Wizards of the Coast’s design team, aimed to improve readability and visual consistency across the game's evolving aesthetic.

The illustration for the Eighth Edition printing was created by artist Christopher Rush, a legendary figure in the history of the game. Rush's design leans into the thematic elements of concealment and protection, utilizing a stoic, ethereal mask to represent the card’s function of shielding the player from external influence. Upon its release in the core set, the card was received as a niche but effective tool in sideboards for control-heavy matches, valued by players for its ability to nullify opponent targeting strategies during critical gameplay moments.