Stone Catapult

Stone Catapult was released in 1999 as part of the Portal Three Kingdoms set, a specialized expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set was designed primarily for the Asian market, drawing thematic inspiration from the historical Chinese epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Unlike standard sets of the time, Portal Three Kingdoms was engineered with simplified mechanics to serve as an introductory experience for new players, eschewing complex timing rules for a more accessible gameplay loop.

The art and design direction were intended to evoke the military aesthetic of ancient Chinese warfare, focusing on period-appropriate siege engines and weaponry. Illustrators for the set were tasked with translating historical concepts into the established high-fantasy visual language of the game. While the set saw limited distribution in Western markets during its initial run, it has since become a sought-after rarity among collectors due to its unique historical flavor and the distinct, simplified card frame that defined the Portal era.