Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight was introduced in the 2023 Magic: The Gathering set Wilds of Eldraine. The card serves as a thematic continuation of the plane's folklore-inspired aesthetic, drawing heavily on the classic Cinderella motif where a magical spell expires at the stroke of midnight. Mechanically, it functions as a versatile removal spell, allowing players to destroy a permanent in exchange for creating a 1/1 white Human Role token, reflecting the transformation of a character back into their original form.

The artwork was commissioned from illustrator Julia Metzger, who was tasked with capturing the precise moment of magical transition. Metzger utilized a color palette characterized by deep indigo and stark whites to emphasize the abrupt change in state. The design was well-received by the player base for its balanced utility in various competitive formats and its successful integration of top-down flavor design, which aligns the card's mechanical function directly with its narrative inspiration.