Time Ebb

Time Ebb was released in 2005 as part of the Magic: The Gathering Ninth Edition core set. Core sets during this era were designed to be accessible entry points for new players, featuring a curated selection of cards that had previously appeared in expansion sets. The card serves as a blue tempo mechanic, allowing a player to disrupt an opponent's strategy by returning a creature to the top of their library, effectively forcing them to re-draw a card they have already played.

The artwork for this version was provided by fantasy illustrator Thomas M. Baxa, whose work is characterized by a dark, visceral aesthetic often seen throughout his long tenure with Wizards of the Coast. His depiction of Time Ebb leans into the blue mana identity of manipulation and time, utilizing a somewhat surreal, ghostly visual style. While the card is a common and therefore widely distributed, it is frequently cited by collectors for the specific atmospheric tone Baxa brought to a relatively simple mechanical effect.