Temple of Malady

Temple of Malady was originally introduced in the Theros block of Magic: The Gathering as part of a cycle of dual-colored lands designed to provide mana flexibility while offering a minor benefit through the scry mechanic. This version, featured in Core Set 2020, represents the return of these 'scry lands' to the standard format, serving as a tactical tool for players who favor black and green color combinations. The design intent behind these lands was to balance the pacing of the game, as their entry onto the battlefield tapped forces a player to weigh the cost of a delayed turn against the advantage of filtering their deck.

The artwork for this specific iteration was created by Christine Choi. Her illustration emphasizes the ominous and grounded nature of the Golgari-aligned temple, using deep, earthy tones to evoke the rotting, mossy aesthetic associated with its color identity. Within the Magic community, the Temple cycle is generally regarded as a functional staple for competitive play, appreciated for its reliability and the utility of the scry trigger, which helps smooth out draws in the mid-to-late game.