Scatter Ray

Scatter Ray was released in 2022 as part of the Magic: The Gathering expansion set The Brothers' War. The set serves as a narrative retelling of the iconic conflict between the brothers Urza and Mishra, a foundational storyline in the game's lore that originated in the 1994 set Antiquities. As a common card within this set, Scatter Ray was designed to provide functional utility for players in Limited formats, representing the high-tech, artifact-focused weaponry utilized during the brutal industrial warfare depicted in the game's history.

The card's visual identity was crafted by artist Jason Rainville, who captured the sterile, dangerous aesthetic of the Phyrexian-influenced technology that permeated the set's era. The design focuses on the visual manifestation of a concentrated energy beam, balancing the functional requirements of a rules-text-heavy card with the thematic necessity of showcasing the devastating, advanced machinery that defines the lore of the Brothers' War. Upon its release, it was well-received by players for its efficient interaction capabilities within the set's specific mechanical environment.