Wickerbough Elder

Wickerbough Elder was originally introduced in the Shadowmoor set in 2008, designed as a staple green creature within the 'persist' mechanic's ecosystem. The card represents the strange, twisted nature of the Shadowmoor plane, a realm trapped in a perpetual twilight where the environment itself feels predatory and magical. By the time it was reprinted in Ultimate Masters in 2018, it had cemented its status as a reliable utility card in Commander and various limited formats, valued for its repeatable ability to destroy artifacts and enchantments.

The artwork for the Ultimate Masters printing features the signature style associated with the set's premium aesthetic, emphasizing the character's imposing, wood-wrought form. Illustrators for the Magic: The Gathering series often aim to balance the mechanical function of a card with the flavor of its respective plane, and the Elder reflects this through its weathered, organic texture. Upon its inclusion in Ultimate Masters, the card was well-received by players who appreciated its consistent utility and the refined visual update, which honored the card's history while fitting the high-end design language of the supplemental set.