Knight of Old Benalia

Knight of Old Benalia was first introduced in the Modern Horizons expansion, released by Wizards of the Coast in June 2019. This set was designed specifically for Modern-format players, focusing on bringing new cards into the ecosystem that bypassed the standard set rotation. The card itself draws on the deep lore of Magic: The Gathering's Benalia, a prominent nation known for its devout knighthood, and serves as a mechanical tribute to the flavor of armored protectors found in earlier eras of the game.

The card's design is heavily influenced by the aesthetic of high fantasy classicism, featuring art that emphasizes the stoic, resolute nature of the Benalian forces. By including it in The List—a rotating curated selection of cards from throughout the game's history inserted into Set Boosters—Wizards sought to provide players with nostalgic access to previous expansions. It is received by collectors as a functional example of efficient white-mana creature design, grounding the modern game in its long-standing thematic roots.