Thieving Magpie

Thieving Magpie was originally introduced in the Urza's Destiny expansion in 1999, designed as a classic blue creature that rewarded players for successfully attacking an opponent. Its inclusion in the Ninth Edition core set, which spanned from 2005 to 2006, served to bridge the gap between early game mechanics and the modern era of Magic: The Gathering. During this period, Wizards of the Coast focused on curating a core set that provided a stable, evergreen foundation for new players while maintaining the strategic depth favored by veterans.

The artwork for the Ninth Edition version features the work of illustrator Donato Giancola. Known for his evocative and painterly style, Giancola depicted the bird with an emphasis on its scavenger nature, capturing the essence of the card's ability to 'draw' resources. The design was received as a staple utility creature, valued for its straightforward card-advantage engine and its status as a reliable blue flyer in both limited and casual constructed formats of the mid-2000s.