Obscuring Aether

Obscuring Aether was released in 2015 as part of the Dragons of Tarkir set, the final installment in the Khans of Tarkir block for Magic: The Gathering. This set shifted the established timeline of the game's lore, introducing a reality where ancient dragons had regained dominance over the world of Tarkir. The card was designed to support the set's Megamorph mechanic, a variation on the classic Morph ability that allowed players to play creatures face-down for a reduced cost and turn them face-up later for additional benefits.

The illustration for the card was provided by artist Nils Hamm, whose work often features an ethereal, moody aesthetic that fits well with the card's function of manipulating the battlefield. By reducing the cost of creatures played face-down, the design leans into the tactical, hidden-information playstyle that characterized the set. It was received by the player community as a niche utility card primarily utilized in Limited formats, where the ability to accelerate the deployment of face-down threats provided a distinct tempo advantage.