Kheru Spellsnatcher

Kheru Spellsnatcher was released as part of the Mystic Intellect deck within the Commander 2019 set. The card draws its thematic inspiration from the Khans of Tarkir block, specifically the Sultai Brood, a faction defined by its ruthless obsession with necromancy and the manipulation of time and magic. Designed to embody the fluid and reactive nature of blue-aligned spellcasting, the card functions as a morph creature, allowing players to play it face-down to conceal its identity until it can be turned face-up to counteract an opponent's spell.

The illustration, created by artist Magali Villeneuve, captures the essence of a Sultai operative ensnaring magical essence. Villeneuve utilized the aesthetics of the Sultai—characterized by their dark, ornate, and insectoid motifs—to depict a figure that feels both stealthy and formidable. Upon its introduction, the card was received as a versatile tool for Commander players, particularly favored for its ability to steal powerful spells and repurpose them, reflecting the core Sultai philosophy of exploiting an adversary's strength for one's own gain.