Extortion

Description

Released in 1999 as part of the Mercadian Masques set, this Magic: The Gathering trading card game card represents a pivotal era of strategic depth in the game. Card number 135, titled Extortion, is a black sorcery that commands a mana cost of {3}{B}{B} and holds a mana value of 5. The card’s ability allows players to look at a target player's hand and force them to discard up to two chosen cards, making it a formidable tool for information gathering and disruption in gameplay. Illustrated by Pete Venters, the card captures the dark, industrial atmosphere characteristic of the Mercadian Masques block. The flavor text, "The enforcers make no effort to distinguish gold from flesh," hints at the ruthless economic themes explored in the set's storyline. For those building a comprehensive Mercadian Masques collection, this foil variant is a key component. Its status as a rare card within the set makes it a valuable addition for enthusiasts who appreciate both the mechanical strength and the visual presentation of Magic: The Gathering cards from the late 1990s.