Magic: The Gathering designer seeks to resurrect Vengeful Pharaoh, a card with a rich horror lore that has been overlooked since its debut.
In simple terms, Magic: The Gathering designer Aaron Forsythe, along with senior creative designer Doug Beyer, have expressed a desire to resurrect the Vengeful Pharaoh card, a once-celebrated creation from the 2012 core set. This announcement was made during an interview with Polygon, where both designers reflected on the card's intriguing design and underappreciated legacy. Since its release, Vengeful Pharaoh has been largely forgotten, despite its ability to encapsulate a miniature horror story through its unique mechanics.
The Vengeful Pharaoh card tells a compelling narrative of a mummy's curse unfolding within the game mechanics themselves. For a cost of five mana, it offers a 5/4 zombie creature with deathtouch. The card’s ability states that if combat damage is dealt to its owner or a planeswalker they control, it can destroy target attacking creature while placing Vengeful Pharaoh back at the top of the owner’s library. This loop represents the core horror trope of an awakened mummy claiming victims, making it a flavorful yet complex addition to any deck.
Beyer noted, "It was such a flavorful top-down design—a creepy mummy who was cursed to leap back to life whenever someone dared to disturb your hallowed tomb." Despite its flavor, Vengeful Pharaoh hasn’t made a significant impact on the game, appearing in only 0.14% of the Commander decks logged on EDHREC, primarily within zombie-themed setups.
Magic 2012, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, stood out for introducing unique card designs that didn't fit within the existing thematic worlds. Forsythe reflected on a time when Magic was shifting its design philosophy, stating that Vengeful Pharaoh emerged from an internal contest to create the most resonant designs. Forsythe remarked, "Vengeful Pharaoh should be able to exist without waiting for Magic to visit an Egyptian-themed world," indicating a fundamental change in how cards were conceptualized.
This card's narrative depth exemplifies what has been less common in more recent card design, as the move to a more standardized format with sets like Foundations in 2024 has marginalized the quirky individual designs that once thrived.
Audience reactions to Forsythe's and Beyer's comments on Vengeful Pharaoh could range from nostalgia to curiosity. Those who have played Magic: The Gathering since the early 2010s may remember the card's allure but might have written it off as too cumbersome for competitive play. The designers’ renewed interest might lead to calls from fans to include it in future sets or revision prints, enhancing its visibility.
While Forsythe acknowledges the value of the newer Foundations model, he expressed a certain loss with the phasing out of annual core sets that housed self-contained designs like Vengeful Pharaoh. This shift highlights an ongoing tension within the Magic community regarding the balance between competitive playability and creative storytelling. Forsythe elaborated, “I’m much happier with the Foundations model we have now—but these sets were great places to put setting-agnostic cool individual Magic cards.”
By voicing their hope for a revival, Forsythe and Beyer are not just advocating for one card; they're championing the return of unique storytelling through gameplay mechanics.
The designers' aspirations for the Vengeful Pharaoh may signal a broader intent within Magic: The Gathering to explore rich storytelling mechanics in future expansions. As fans rally for creative formats that allow such cards to emerge once more, it could reshape how the community engages with the game’s lore. Given its minimal usage in the Commander format, a revival could transform Vengeful Pharaoh into a beloved choice for players seeking depth and narrative in their gameplay.
For those interested in more on Magic: The Gathering and the creative forces behind it, check out our articles on other unique strategies like Exploring Themes in the Forgotten '80s Slasher Novel Joyride and more.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: Polygon Entertainment. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.
