Norwood Riders

Norwood Riders was released in 1998 as part of the Portal Second Age expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Designed by Wizards of the Coast as a simplified, beginner-friendly entry point into the game, the set focused on a thematic narrative set on the plane of Rabiah. The card mechanically emphasizes the green mana color's affinity for creature-based combat, reflecting the set's goal of streamlining gameplay for new players by avoiding the complex timing rules found in core sets of the era.

The artwork for Norwood Riders was commissioned from artist Daren Bader, who contributed extensively to the visual identity of Magic: The Gathering during the late 1990s. Bader’s illustration captures a dynamic, rustic aesthetic consistent with the expansion's lore regarding the forest-dwelling clans of the Norwood. Upon its release, the card and the broader Portal Second Age set were received as an accessible alternative for casual hobbyists, though they saw limited competitive play due to the set's restricted legal status in traditional tournament formats.