Liturgy of Blood

Liturgy of Blood was released in the Magic 2014 core set, which debuted in July 2013 as part of the long-running Magic: The Gathering trading card game published by Wizards of the Coast. As a sorcery at the common rarity level, it was designed primarily to serve as a functional piece of removal for Limited play environments, allowing players to destroy a creature and simultaneously generate a source of colored mana, albeit at a relatively high mana cost.

The artwork was commissioned from illustrator Zack Stella, who utilized a dramatic, dark aesthetic to convey the card's theme of ritualistic sacrifice. Stella’s depiction emphasizes the visceral nature of the spell, fitting the established visual language of the game’s black-aligned cards. Upon its release, the card was received as a standard utility piece, appreciated by players for its ability to stabilize a board state while providing a modest tempo advantage in casual and draft formats.