Swamp

The Swamp card from the Magic 2013 core set, marked with collector number 239, was released in July 2012. As a basic land, it serves as a foundational resource in Magic: The Gathering, providing the black mana necessary for players to cast spells. This specific iteration was designed to align with the M13 expansion's aesthetic, which sought to balance functional clarity for new players with the evocative, dark atmosphere typical of the game's swamp-themed environments.

The illustration for this card was provided by the artist Nils Hamm. Known for his painterly and atmospheric approach, Hamm focused on creating a sense of damp, creeping decay. His design emphasizes the interplay of shadow and stagnant water, aiming to ground the player in the gloomy, immersive world of Magic. Upon its release, the card was well-received by the player base for its subtle environmental storytelling and the high quality of its digital artistry, which fit seamlessly into the broader visual identity of the 2013 core set.