Soul Bleed

Soul Bleed was released as part of the Magic 2010 core set, which marked a significant turning point in the design philosophy of Magic: The Gathering. Published by Wizards of the Coast in July 2009, this set introduced the concept of adding new, unique cards to the core set rotation, moving away from the previous practice of reprinting only established cards. Soul Bleed was designed as a black enchantment, functioning within the game as a recurring source of damage tied to a player's interaction with the board, reflecting the set's focus on defining the quintessential elements of the game's five color identities.

The artwork for Soul Bleed was created by artist Dave Kendall, whose distinct, dark, and textured style contributed to the aesthetic of the late-2000s Magic expansions. His design for this card emphasizes the visceral and sacrificial themes often associated with black mana in the game's lore. Upon its release, the card was generally viewed as a niche limited-format tool, valued more for its thematic contribution to the set's flavor than for competitive dominance in high-level tournament play.