Megrim

Megrim was first introduced in the Stronghold expansion of Magic: The Gathering in 1998, designed as a black enchantment that punishes opponents whenever they discard cards. It emerged during a period where Wizards of the Coast was exploring cards that punished specific game actions, turning an opponent's necessary resource management into a source of direct damage. The card quickly became a staple for discard-themed decks, known as discard-burn or rack-style decks, which sought to deplete an opponent's hand while simultaneously draining their life total.

This specific version originates from the Ninth Edition core set, released in 2005. The artwork by Nick Percival features a dark, visceral aesthetic that aligns with the grim, gothic undertones characteristic of many black-aligned cards in the set. Percival, a British artist known for his work in horror illustration and comic books, utilized a gritty, textured style that reflects the card's function of causing psychological and physical pain. Ninth Edition marked a transitional period for the game's frame design, and Percival's contribution remains a memorable entry in the set's collection of enchantment art.