Submerge

Submerge was originally introduced in the Nemesis expansion for Magic: The Gathering in 2000, serving as a blue instant that punishes opponents for playing green creatures. Within the context of the game's competitive landscape at the time, it became a staple tool for blue-aligned decks seeking to gain a tempo advantage by effectively undoing an opponent's recent deployment of a threat, fitting into the control-oriented design philosophy prevalent during that era.

The artwork for the original printing was illustrated by Greg Staples, who rendered the card with a dark, atmospheric aesthetic that leaned into the oceanic theme of the Nemesis set. Staples' design utilized moody lighting and deep blues to convey the overwhelming nature of the sea, a visual style that was well-received by players for its thematic consistency. Its inclusion in The List, a curated selection of reprints integrated into modern booster packs, reflects its enduring utility and status as a classic piece of blue interaction.