Reverse Damage

Reverse Damage was originally printed in the Alpha set of Magic: The Gathering in 1993, representing one of the core white-mana spells available at the game's inception. Designed by Richard Garfield, the card was intended to provide players with a reactive defensive tool, allowing them to redirect incoming combat damage back at the source. This ability captured the thematic essence of white as the color of protection, order, and karmic justice.

The Fifth Edition version, released in 1997, retains the classic illustration by Dameon Willich, which depicts a cloaked figure reflecting an attack. As part of the core set transition during this era, the artwork helped maintain visual consistency for a card that was a staple of early white control decks. While the mechanics have remained a foundational part of the game's defensive identity, the card is frequently cited by players for its role in punishing aggressive, high-damage playstyles.