Stab Wound

Stab Wound was released in October 2012 as part of the Return to Ravnica expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As a common enchantment in the black mana color identity, it was designed to support the set's Rakdos guild mechanics, which centered on aggressive playstyles and inflicting persistent damage. Its mechanical function—draining life from a creature's controller each turn—perfectly encapsulates the chaotic, punishing nature of the Rakdos cult within the Ravnica plane.

The card’s illustration was created by artist Mathias Kollros, who sought to evoke a visceral, immediate sense of injury through a dark, high-contrast visual style. The art highlights the card's function as a lingering source of misery rather than a clean removal spell. Upon its release, the card was well-received by limited-format players for its utility in wearing down opponents, remaining a notable example of effective common-rarity design that balances flavor with gameplay impact.