Ragged Veins

Ragged Veins was released in 2004 as part of the Champions of Kamigawa expansion, the first set in a block heavily inspired by Japanese mythology and folklore. The card belongs to the black color alignment, which in the Kamigawa setting often focused on the themes of spirit-related corruption and sacrifice. It functions as an enchantment that punishes opponents for combat damage, reflecting the set's mechanical interest in interaction during the combat phase.

The card features illustration by Darrell Riche, whose work during this era helped define the moody, atmospheric aesthetic of the Kamigawa plane. Riche employed a visceral, textured style to depict the physical toll of the card's effect, focusing on the dark, ethereal nature of the spirits inhabiting the world. Upon its release, the card was viewed primarily as a niche limited-format utility, valued for its ability to turn an opponent's aggression against them, though it did not see widespread competitive play in eternal constructed formats.