Karplusan Forest

Karplusan Forest is a dual land card that debuted in the Ice Age expansion in 1995, designed to provide players with flexible mana options by allowing them to tap for either red or green mana. The card reflects the lore of the Magic: The Gathering multiverse, representing a rugged, mountainous woodland region in the world of Dominaria. Its inclusion in Commander 2016 was intended to support the multi-colored strategies central to the Commander format, providing an efficient land base for decks utilizing the red and green color identity.

The artwork for this specific version of the card was illustrated by Anthony S. Waters, a prolific artist who contributed significantly to the game's aesthetic during the late 1990s and 2000s. Waters focused on capturing the harsh, primordial nature of the forest, using a landscape-heavy composition that emphasizes the duality of the terrain. The design was well-received by players for its balance of utility and flavor, remaining a staple land for players seeking to optimize their mana curves without the prohibitive costs associated with rarer dual lands.