Volition Reins

Volition Reins was released in 2010 as part of the Scars of Mirrodin expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set marked the long-awaited return to the plane of Mirrodin, a world forged entirely of metal, and the card was designed to highlight the set's central conflict between organic life and the corrupting metallic influence of the Phyrexians. As a blue enchantment that allows a player to gain control of a permanent, it fits the classic mechanical identity of blue magic, which frequently explores themes of theft, manipulation, and the subversion of an opponent's resources.

The card’s artwork was illustrated by Aleksi Briclot, a prolific fantasy artist known for his distinct style that often emphasizes dramatic lighting and atmospheric world-building. For this piece, Briclot captured the ethereal, almost surgical nature of the Phyrexians' influence, visualizing the 'reins' as a collection of shimmering, spindly tendrils tethering a subject. Upon its release, the card was received as a functional and flavorful piece of blue control magic, valued by players for its ability to turn an opponent's most powerful threats against them in the mid-to-late stages of a game.