Spite // Malice

Spite // Malice was printed in the 2011 release Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas, a product designed to feature two of Magic: The Gathering's most iconic Planeswalkers in a pre-constructed, head-to-head format. The split card mechanic allowed players to choose between the life-loss effect of Spite or the creature-destruction utility of Malice, reflecting the dark, tactical nature of Nicol Bolas's influence. This specific printing features artwork by Greg Staples, who contributed to the set's thematic clash between the white-aligned heroism of Ajani and the cruel, controlling strategies of the elder dragon.

The card was originally introduced in the Invasion expansion, where split cards debuted as a way to increase modularity and strategic depth in deck construction. By the time this version arrived in the 2011 Duel Decks, the mechanic was well-established as a staple for tactical flexibility. Greg Staples' illustration emphasizes the ominous, shadowy aesthetic associated with Grixis-aligned magic, reinforcing the set's narrative that positions the players not just as dueling mages, but as opposing ideologies within the Multiverse.