Oath of Ghouls

Oath of Ghouls was released in 1998 as part of the Exodus expansion, the final set in the Rath Cycle for the Magic: The Gathering card game. Designed by Wizards of the Coast, the card belongs to a cycle of enchantments themed around mystical pacts or vows, each requiring the player to perform a specific action to reap a benefit. This particular enchantment was crafted to provide a recurring resurrection effect, forcing players to manage their graveyards strategically against their opponents.

The atmospheric illustration was created by artist Christopher Rush, a legendary figure in the early development of the game. Rush utilized his signature dark, painterly style to capture the eerie nature of the card, depicting undead figures emerging from the earth. The design reflects the mid-90s aesthetic of the game, characterized by evocative, gothic fantasy themes that focused on high-stakes resource management rather than the streamlined mechanics seen in later expansions.