I don't know about the rest of you, but finding out how the development of your favorite video games went is fascinating to me. What was planned, what was there, what could've been, what was designed in one way but then changed later. Today, we're going to look at what many people will consider to be one of the strongest points of the game. The artwork. More specifically, we're going to be looking at some concept art pieces of a few cards to see exactly how the art for these cards evolved as the expansion was developed.

Every image in this article is courtesy of ArtStation, and links to every artist's ArtStation page is provided.

Evasive Drakonid by Vladimir Kafanov

Here are a few concept designs of Evasive Drakonid from Vladimir Kafanov. In addition to trying to find the right pose, it also appeared to have gotten angrier in the process.

It's not "Elusive Drakonid", but it's close.

Learn Draconic by Ivan Fomin

Concept art for Learn Draconic by Ivan Fomin. Reno finds himself looking shocked in this earlier designs, but in the final design he seems much more into it.

I thought you were supposed to find draconic words on ancient walls to learn draconic.

Molten Breath by Mike Mishkin

Mike Mishkin had designed the perspective of Molten Breath at many different angles before situating himself on the final design.

Dread Raven by Patrik Björkström

Here are some composition sketches of Dread Raven from Patrik Björkström, with a very polygonal look.

No joke, this type of design wouldn't look out of place on a PS1 game.

Transmogrifier by Mike Mishkin

Mike was also responsible for the art behind the memey-ist card in the set, Transmogrifier.

Secure the Deck by Mike Mishkin

Mike had also designed concept art for Secure the Deck According to him, "It was an interesting task to draw scared and cornered kobolds".

Sand Breath by Mike Mishkin

Mike had also designed another breath. This time, one of the sandy variety. It's Sand Breath.

Sure, a sand shield is cool, but it'd probably get in your eyes really badly.

Umbral Skulker by Maria Trepalina

Umbral Skulker had went through the most iterations of any card so far, all complete with the oval shaped frame for the artwork on the actual card.

Other cards with artwork from Maria Trepalina include Jr. Tomb Diver, Sr. Tomb Diver, Questing Explorer, Exotic Mountseller, Heroic Innkeeper, are you by any chance noticing a pattern?

Then there's Immortal Prelate and Surrender to Madness to break the pattern.

Blowtorch Saboteur by Ekaterina Shapovalova

That name may be a mouthful, but Ekaterina Shapovalova created the concept art for our modern day "underpowered Hero Power hate" card known as Blowtorch Saboteur.

Scion of Ruin by Nicola Saviori

Nicola Saviori provided the concept art for Fluffy Kibler... er, I mean, Scion of Ruin. Most notably, she's also the concept artist for SN1P-SN4P.

Wait. That's not a car.

Troll Batrider and Dwarven Sharpshooter by Jim Nelson

Here is a preliminary sketch of Troll Batrider, and Steamwheedle Sniper Dwarven Sharpshooter by Jim Nelson.

Lightforged Crusader by Adam Byrne

Adam Byrne pulled out all the stops here, with both a concept sketch, and art process video on his YouTube channel.

Sky Raider by Ivan Fomin

Ivan's here again, this time with his original concept sketches for Sky Raider, or as I like to call it, "Babbling Pirate".

Storm Egg by Dmitry Bolotov

You know those Eggs you get from Nithogg? Well, Dmitry Bolotov's got a HUGE array of concept sketches for it. In the end, number 3 would be chosen as the basis for the art.

Bloodsail Flybooter by Jim Nelson

They're the guys who are pretty fly, it's Bloodsail Flybooter provided by Jim Nelson.

Whispers of EVIL by Ivan Fomin

I guess Madame Lazul was trying to find the best whispering angle. She'll need that for her new ASMR service. In the mean time though, enjoy these early concept art pieces of Whispers of EVIL, provided by Ivan Fomin.

Every Villain Is Lemons