Lash of Malice

Lash of Malice was released in 2021 as part of the Strixhaven: School of Mages expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Set within the multiversal university of Strixhaven, the card represents a black-aligned spell associated with the Witherbloom college, which focuses on the intersection of biology and essence. The design seeks to convey the grim, visceral nature of Witherbloom magic, utilizing a mechanical effect that grants a creature a power and toughness boost while imposing a death-related penalty to reflect the college's life-draining aesthetic.

The artwork for this card was created by artist Igor Kieryluk, who has contributed extensively to the Magic: The Gathering visual identity. Kieryluk’s illustration emphasizes the dark, swamp-like atmosphere of the Witherbloom campus, employing high-contrast shadows and organic, twisted motifs to capture the essence of lethal botanical alchemy. Upon its release, the card was received as a functional, low-cost removal spell and combat trick, frequently utilized in the Limited format for its versatility in both offensive and defensive scenarios.