Multani, Maro-Sorcerer

Multani, Maro-Sorcerer was released in 1999 as part of the Urza's Legacy expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The set was designed to explore the lore surrounding the artificer Urza and his conflict with the Phyrexians, with Multani serving as a central figure representing the elemental power of the forest of Yavimaya. The card was created during a period when Wizards of the Coast was aggressively expanding the game's mechanical depth, introducing complex triggered abilities that interacted with both players' hands.

The card’s artwork was illustrated by Daren Bader, who utilized his signature painterly style to depict Multani as an expansive, ethereal embodiment of nature rather than a traditional humanoid creature. Bader aimed to capture the character's immense scale and symbiotic relationship with the land, focusing on organic forms and a vibrant, earthy palette. Upon its release, the card was well-received by players for its unique win condition and flavor, becoming a staple in casual Commander formats due to its power scaling relative to the game state.