Keep Watch

Keep Watch was released in 2009 as part of the initial Planechase product line, a multiplayer-focused expansion for Magic: The Gathering that introduced the planar deck mechanic. The card was designed as a blue instant intended to reward players for engaging in the broader battlefield state typical of multi-opponent games, allowing the caster to draw cards based on the number of creatures attacking during a combat phase.

The artwork was commissioned from illustrator Fred Rahmqvist, who captured the card's theme of tactical observation and foresight. While the card is a common rarity and part of a niche supplemental set, it has remained a staple in certain Commander deck archetypes due to its efficiency in rewarding players for observing opponents' movements, reflecting the intended mechanical goal of the Planechase design team to incentivize interactive, high-stakes combat.