Resurrection Orb: Classic Fantasy Art Homages in MTG

Resurrection Orb: Classic Fantasy Art Homages in MTG

In TCG ·

Resurrection Orb artwork—a classic fantasy art homage in MTG

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Resurrection Orb: A nod to fantasy art’s golden age in MTG

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about Resurrection Orb—a modest two-mana Artifact — Equipment that plays with life, revival, and the kind of art that makes you squint at the image and whisper, “I’ve seen that spellbook before.” In this incarnation from the Warhammer 40,000 Commander universe, the orb’s glow and its ornate frame feel like a throwback to vintage swords-and-sorcery illustrations, while its rules text sits squarely in contemporary MTG design 🧙‍♂️. The card’s rarity—rare in set 40k—signals that Wizards wanted a distinctive centerpiece for this crossover: a functional artifact that also invites appreciation for the painterly craft behind it. And yes, its presence in a Commander deck can spark a whole night of story-rich plays and crunchy, late-game decisions—because who doesn’t love a little undead revival drama on the battlefield? 🔥💎

Artistic homage meets mechanical heartbeat

The artwork, crafted by Hector Ortiz, channels that classic fantasy vibe—the glow of a potent artifact, sigils etched into metal, and a sense of arcane power pulsing from within. It’s the sort of image that begs for a dramatic narration during table talk: the lifeblood of an artifact that promises to keep threats alive long enough to swing the next turn. In the Warhammer 40,000 Commander crossover, the artwork also wears a taut, grimdark edge that resonates with fans who relish dystopian wonder and epic weaponry. The orb’s design, with its clean lines and a clear center of power, mirrors the way great fantasy art distills a sprawling world into a single, unforgettable emblem 🎨⚔️.

Gameplay ideas: lifelink, revival, and tempo

At its heart, Resurrection Orb is a tempo-savvy piece that asks you to invest in a lifelink threat and then weather the cost of rearming it after it dies. Equipped creature gains lifelink, turning combat into a tool for healing your life total while your creature punches above its weight. The second wind—returning the equipped creature to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step—gives you a repeatable, turn-based revival engine that rewards patience and protection. Because the equipped ability attaches only as a sorcery (Equip {4}), you’ll want to plan your turns and leverage instant-speed interaction to keep your lifelink beater alive until you’re ready to push the advantage. In multiplayer commander, that means you can swing with a robust threat, weather a removal spell, and still have a threat returning later, often swinging the game's momentum back in your favor 🧙‍♂️🎲.

Strategically, Resurrection Orb shines in decks that can leverage recurring threats or that prize value from a single creature repeatedly. Deck builders might lean into build-arounds that give you repeatable recursion, or partner the orb with creatures that reward you for dying or for returning to play. Though the equip cost is steep, the payoff is a persistent engine: your lifelink creature comes back to threaten again, while your life total stays in the driver’s seat as you navigate board state with careful timing ⚔️. It’s a design that feels both retro in spirit and sharp in execution—a reminder that clever equipment can feel as iconic as any legendary creature on the battlefield 🔥.

Design, legality, and value in the modern MTG landscape

Resurrection Orb sits in a unique space: an artifact equipment that’s legal in Commander and Legacy, with standard purchase price hovering in the mid-teens in USD on the collector routes. Its nonfoil printings and Universes Beyond branding hint at a collectible niche that appeals to both art lovers and mechanics-minded players. The card’s dual identity—as a nod to classic fantasy illustration and as a functional engine—helps it stand out among the crowd of equipment options. For players who enjoy the tactile thrill of revivals and the storytelling potential of lifelink, Resurrection Orb is a welcome heirloom on the table 🧙‍♂️💎.

From a collector’s perspective, the Hector Ortiz artwork paired with the Warhammer 40k universe provides a twofold appeal: nostalgia for the fantasy art era you grew up with, and a modern, playable artifact with a distinct identity. The card’s wild ride through the end step revival makes it a memorable centerpiece in long games—especially when you twist a few protective spells to keep your beater alive and laughing at fate 🎨🎲.

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Resurrection Orb

Resurrection Orb

{2}
Artifact — Equipment

Equipped creature has lifelink.

Whenever equipped creature dies, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

Equip {4} ({4}: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)

ID: 2d6209c8-9fa1-4f0a-ab65-ac2fedfcd09b

Oracle ID: b410f294-cbb6-4016-981f-808fd9b7bbae

Multiverse IDs: 580987

TCGPlayer ID: 286348

Cardmarket ID: 675378

Colors:

Color Identity:

Keywords: Equip

Rarity: Rare

Released: 2022-10-07

Artist: Hector Ortiz

Frame: 2015

Border: black

EDHRec Rank: 3847

Set: Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40k)

Collector #: 165

Legalities

  • Standard — not_legal
  • Future — not_legal
  • Historic — not_legal
  • Timeless — not_legal
  • Gladiator — not_legal
  • Pioneer — not_legal
  • Modern — not_legal
  • Legacy — legal
  • Pauper — not_legal
  • Vintage — legal
  • Penny — not_legal
  • Commander — legal
  • Oathbreaker — legal
  • Standardbrawl — not_legal
  • Brawl — not_legal
  • Alchemy — not_legal
  • Paupercommander — not_legal
  • Duel — legal
  • Oldschool — not_legal
  • Premodern — not_legal
  • Predh — not_legal

Prices

  • USD: 13.93
  • EUR: 12.74
  • TIX: 2.10
Last updated: 2025-11-18