Kongming's Contraptions

Kongming's Contraptions was released in 1999 as part of the Portal Three Kingdoms expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set was uniquely designed to introduce the game to the Asian market, drawing heavy inspiration from the 14th-century Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The cards featured artwork and mechanics tailored to mirror the strategies and lore of this epic narrative, focusing on accessibility for new players while maintaining thematic depth.

The card was illustrated by Japanese artist Naoaki Saito, whose work during this era helped define the distinct aesthetic of the set. The design concept sought to capture the ingenuity of Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist often referred to by his courtesy name, Kongming. While the Portal series was initially received with mixed interest due to its simplified ruleset compared to standard Magic sets, the card has since gained a dedicated following among players who appreciate its historical flavor and unique mechanical function in Commander-style formats.