Windrider Eel

Windrider Eel was released in 2009 as part of the Zendikar set for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, the set was themed around exploration and high-adventure expeditions into a wild, perilous world. The card was designed to highlight the 'Landfall' mechanic, a signature gameplay feature of the set that rewards players for putting lands onto the battlefield, reflecting the setting's emphasis on discovering and harnessing the power of the plane's terrain.

The artwork was created by illustrator Austin Hsu, who captured the creature in a dynamic, fluid motion that emphasizes its bioluminescent, aquatic nature. As a common rarity card, it was crafted to function as a reliable, mid-game threat in the Limited format. Players and reviewers at the time noted the card's effectiveness when combined with fetch lands, which allowed for multiple Landfall triggers in a single turn to boost the eel's power, cementing its place as a staple of the Zendikar environment.