Plagiarize

Plagiarize was originally printed in the Urza's Destiny set in 1999 before being included in the Ninth Edition core set as a rare card. As an instant that allows a player to swap hands with an opponent, it reflects the high-complexity, trick-oriented design philosophy common in early Magic: The Gathering sets, where mechanics often focused on punishing an opponent's resource management. The card serves as a thematic nod to the concept of magical theft or mimicry, consistent with the blue color identity's focus on manipulation.

The Ninth Edition illustration was provided by Jeremy Jarvis, who was a prominent artist and eventually the creative director for the game. His approach for this piece emphasized the intellectual and arcane nature of the effect, utilizing a visual style that blended into the established aesthetic of the mid-2000s core sets. Upon release, the card was received as a niche, high-mana-cost utility spell, recognized more for its chaotic gameplay potential in casual formats than as a staple in competitive tournament play.