Kozilek, the Great Distortion

Kozilek, the Great Distortion was released in early 2016 as a centerpiece mythic rare in the Magic: The Gathering set Oath of the Gatewatch. It represents the second iteration of the Eldrazi titan Kozilek, designed as part of the broader narrative arc where the inhabitants of the plane of Zendikar unite to repel the interplanar entities threatening their world. Mechanically, the card was crafted to embody the unsettling, reality-warping nature of the Eldrazi through an ability that allows players to counter spells by discarding cards of specific converted mana costs.

The artwork for this card was rendered by Chase Stone, who sought to capture the titan’s inscrutable and terrifying presence. Stone focused on the creature's strange, shifting anatomy and its jagged, crystalline crown, moving away from traditional monster tropes to emphasize an alien, otherworldly horror. The design was well-received by players for its thematic consistency and its impact on the Commander format, where it became a signature card for colorless deck archetypes.