Obosh, the Preypiercer

Obosh, the Preypiercer was released in 2020 as part of the Magic: The Gathering expansion Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths. Designed as one of the cycle of 'Companion' creatures, this card was intended to introduce a unique deck-building mechanic that allowed players to access a specific creature from outside their deck throughout the game, provided their deck met strict construction requirements. The card features art by Daarken, who leaned into the set's themes of monstrous mutations and crystalline growths to create a striking, insectoid appearance that fits the plane of Ikoria.

Upon its release, the card design drew significant attention within the competitive community due to its powerful ability to double the damage dealt by permanents with odd mana costs. While the mechanic proved so potent that it necessitated a functional change to the rules governing how companions enter a player's hand, Obosh remained a distinct example of the set's emphasis on high-risk, high-reward synergies. Its aesthetic and mechanical identity firmly establish it as a centerpiece of the Ikoria release, reflecting the game's shift toward more aggressive board-state manipulation.