Perish

Perish was originally released as a rare card in the 1997 Tempest expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, the Tempest set introduced mechanics focused on graveyard interaction and aggressive play, reflecting the dark, atmospheric themes of the Rath block narrative. The card was designed to be a powerful black sorcery capable of destroying all white creatures, serving as a distinct color-pie countermeasure during a period when color-based destruction effects were a foundational part of the game's competitive balance.

The artwork for Perish was created by illustrator DiTerlizzi, whose distinctive gothic style defined much of the visual identity for late-nineties Magic sets. The illustration depicts a withered, skeletal figure, capturing the grim essence of the spell's effect. Upon its release, the card became a staple in tournament sideboards, specifically utilized to combat dominant white-based creature decks. It has since appeared on The List, a curated selection of cards that Wizards of the Coast occasionally includes in randomized booster packs to increase availability and highlight significant cards from the game's extensive history.