Leveler

Leveler was originally released as a rare card in the 2003 Mirrodin expansion, marking a pivotal moment in Magic: The Gathering history as the set introduced the artifact-focused plane of Mirrodin. Designed by Magic legend Mark Rosewater, the card was conceptualized as a high-risk, high-reward powerhouse that reflected the metallic, often ruthless nature of the new setting. Its unique ability to exile one's entire library upon entering the battlefield served as a stark design choice, forcing players to confront the inevitability of their own defeat if the game was not won immediately.

Upon its debut, Leveler was met with curiosity from the community due to its extreme mechanical drawback, which rendered it largely unplayable in standard formats. However, as the game's card pool expanded, it found a niche place in combo-oriented strategies that could bypass its drawback using cards like Laboratory Maniac or Torpor Orb. When Wizards of the Coast introduced The List—a curated selection of reprints available in Set Boosters—Leveler was included to offer long-time players a nostalgic nod to the mechanical oddities of the early 2000s.