Peel from Reality

Peel from Reality was released in 2005 as part of the Ravnica: City of Guilds set, the inaugural entry in the Ravnica block for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Designed by Wizards of the Coast, the set introduced a thematic focus on the ten two-color guilds of the plane of Ravnica, with this specific card representing the Ugin-aligned Simic Combine, known for their focus on biological experimentation and adaptation. The card was created to provide a versatile, low-cost utility spell for blue-green decks, allowing players to protect their own creatures from removal while simultaneously disrupting an opponent’s board presence.

The artwork for the card was provided by illustrator Darrell Riche. In his depiction, Riche captured the surreal and transformative aesthetic characteristic of the Simic aesthetic, portraying the act of phasing or 'peeling' a creature away from the physical reality of the battlefield. Upon its debut, the card was received as a solid, functional common that exemplified the 'bounce' mechanics essential to blue color identity, and it remains a recognizable artifact of the mid-2000s design era for its simple yet effective synergy within its intended guild structure.