Star of Extinction

Star of Extinction was first introduced in the 2017 Magic: The Gathering expansion Ixalan. Designed as a high-impact rare sorcery, the card was crafted to capture the thematic intensity of a cataclysmic meteor impact within the game's dinosaur-heavy, Mesoamerican-inspired setting. Its mechanics reflect this destructive lore, allowing players to deal a massive amount of damage to all creatures and planeswalkers on the battlefield while simultaneously destroying a target land.

The card’s striking artwork was illustrated by Tristan Elwell. His composition leans into the visceral scale of the event, emphasizing the fiery descent of the celestial body and the resulting devastation. Upon its release, it became a notable inclusion in red-based control and ramp decks, appreciated for its ability to reset a board state in a single, dramatic turn. Its later inclusion on The List—a curated selection of reprints—has kept the card accessible to players interested in its unique blend of flavor and tactical utility.