Ruin Crab

Ruin Crab was released in 2020 as part of the Zendikar Rising expansion for Magic: The Gathering. The card was designed to highlight the 'Landfall' mechanic, a returning feature of the Zendikar plane that rewards players for playing land cards by triggering powerful abilities. As a mill-themed creature, it quickly became a staple in various constructed formats, particularly in Modern and Standard, where its low mana cost and repeatable deck-depletion effect offered a potent strategy for control-oriented players.

The artwork was provided by Matteo Bassini, who depicted the creature as a menacing, land-fused crustacean emerging from the rocky terrain of its home plane. Bassini sought to capture the rugged and hostile nature of Zendikar’s wilderness, emphasizing the crab's camouflage and its integration with the shifting landscape. Upon its release, the card was widely received as one of the most impactful uncommon creatures in the set, earning a reputation among players for its ability to dominate games if left unchecked.