Sarkhan the Mad

Sarkhan the Mad was originally printed in the 2010 expansion set Rise of the Eldrazi as a mythic rare planeswalker card. It depicts the character Sarkhan Vol during a period of descent into insanity caused by the influence of the Eldrazi titans, specifically Nicol Bolas's machinations. The card is mechanically distinct for being one of the few planeswalker cards in the game's history that lacks an ability to increase its own loyalty counters, forcing players to manage a dwindling resource pool.

The card’s illustration was created by artist Igor Kieryluk, who focused on capturing a frantic, unstable aesthetic to match the character's mental state. Its inclusion in 'The List'—a curated selection of reprints inserted into modern-era booster packs—serves to keep older, iconic designs accessible to contemporary players. While its specific role in competitive formats has fluctuated, the card is frequently cited by collectors for its unique mechanical limitations and its significant contribution to the early narrative arc of the Magic: The Gathering multiverse.