Pride of Conquerors

Pride of Conquerors was released in early 2018 as part of the Rivals of Ixalan expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Set on the plane of Ixalan, a world inspired by the Age of Discovery and Mesoamerican mythology, the card depicts the Legion of Dusk—an expansionist, vampiric faction modeled after the Spanish conquistadors—as they assert their dominance over the untamed continent. The card features a mechanical keyword called 'ascend,' which grants a persistent advantage known as the city's blessing once a player controls ten or more permanents.

The artwork was created by illustrator Svetlin Velinov, a veteran artist for Wizards of the Coast. Velinov chose to focus on the imposing aesthetic of the Legion of Dusk, emphasizing their ornate, metallic armor and religious iconography to evoke a sense of rigid, militant hierarchy. Upon its release, the card was received as a niche but effective tool for go-wide strategy decks, particularly those utilizing creature tokens to quickly trigger the ascend mechanic and overwhelm opponents.