Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Welcome, fellow planeswalkers and lore lovers. Today we dive into a data-driven look at art reprint frequencies, anchored by a striking crossover card: Haytham Kenway from the Assassin’s Creed crossover set. This legendary knight isn’t just a dialed-in combatant on the battlefield; he’s also a vivid case study in how MTG handles art across printings, licensing, and market appeal. 🧙🔥💎⚔️ Whether you collect, play, or curate display shelves, understanding how frequently a given piece of art resurfaces helps us forecast future reprints, value shifts, and even the vibe of a set’s visual language. Let’s unpack the numbers, the aesthetics, and the strategic ripples that radiate from a single card’s illustration. 🎨🎲
Card snapshot: Haytham Kenway at a glance
- Name: Haytham Kenway
- Set: Assassin's Creed (acr) — a draft_innovation style release that ties MTG visuals to the iconic video game franchise
- Rarity: Rare
- Colors: Blue and White (U/W)
- Mana cost: {2}{W}{U} (4 CMC)
- Type: Legendary Creature — Human Knight
- Power/Toughness: 3 / 3
- Artist: Vilhelmas Banys
- Print characteristics: Foil and non-foil; border color black; standard frame with a legendary treatment
- Key abilities: Protection from Assassins; Other Knights you control get +2/+2 and have protection from Assassins; When Haytham Kenway enters the battlefield, for each opponent exile up to one target creature that player controls until Haytham leaves the battlefield.
Oracle text: Protection from Assassins. Other Knights you control get +2/+2 and have protection from Assassins. When Haytham Kenway enters, for each opponent, exile up to one target creature that player controls until Haytham Kenway leaves the battlefield.
Notice how the card’s abilities mirror its lore role: a tactician who buffs the brotherhood of Knights while striking at the heart of rival forces. The blue and white identity, the protective aura, and the exile-on-entrance trigger all align with a strategic, control-forward playstyle common to the factioned Knights motif. It’s a design that rewards tempo and board presence, while the art—crafted for a universes beyond collaboration—pulls players into a cinematic moment as Haytham surveys the battlefield. 🎨
Why art reprint frequency matters in MTG data storytelling
Art is more than pretty wallpaper on a card. It anchors the card’s identity, influences collector desire, and even affects how a card is perceived in play. When we talk about reprint frequency, we’re tracking how often a given artwork reappears on subsequent printings or related products. For crossover sets like Assassin’s Creed, the art often carries the licensure weight of the collaboration, which can suppress rapid reprints of the exact same illustration. On the other hand, the card’s iconic composition, the knightly aesthetic, and its synergy with other Knights can amplify interest and justify occasional reprints in special editions or alternate frames. 🧭
From a data perspective, several signals matter: - Printing cadence: Universes Beyond crossovers tend to debut art in a single card within a crossover set; reprints of the exact artwork in future standard MTG sets are relatively uncommon unless there’s a special edition or a reimagined print run. - Licensing and permissions: Reprint opportunities hinge on licensing agreements with the source IP holder. Longer-term licensing windows can limit or delay same-art reuses, even if the card remains mechanically relevant. 🔒 - Market demand: If a card’s art resonates with a community—Commander players, art collectors, or crossover fans—it can justify reprints in foil variants, alternate frame treatments, or premium products rather than a full reprint. 💎 - Gameplay longevity: A card’s mechanics (protection, exile-on-entry) tend to keep it on players’ radar, nudging reprint discussions when the strategic meta shifts. ⚔️
Art, lore, and thematic cohesion
The Assassin’s Creed crossover showcases a deliberate attempt to weave game mechanics with narrative texture. Haytham Kenway’s protection from Assassins and his aura of knightly leadership reflect the lore’s tension between guardianship and intrigue. The art direction—bold, cinematic, and anchored in a blue-white palette—echoes the classic MTG motifs of order and defense, while still feeling distinctly modern within a crossover frame. Some collectors gravitate to the card not just for playability but for the storytelling aura the art carries. In a world of reprints and remasters, that storytelling layer can become a durable asset, occasionally sustaining premium pricing for collectors who want a striking piece for display. 🧙🔥
Market signal: value, rarity, and future reprints
As of the data snapshot, Haytham Kenway sits as a rare from a crossover set with both foil and non-foil finishes. The price indicators show it’s accessible to budget-minded players: roughly $0.21 in USD for the non-foil and around $0.46 for the foil version, with euro equivalents modest as well. While not a flagship staple in Modern or Eternal formats, its EDH/Commander presence (as indicated by its EDHREC rank) signals steady demand in formats that celebrate powerful knights and protective auras. Collector dynamics for Universes Beyond cards often tilt toward the foil, the chase for complete sets, and the allure of cross-promotional art; these cues can influence reprint decisions in future product cycles. 🧙♀️💎
Cross-promotional product synergy
To fans who like a tactile way to celebrate the hobby, crossover sets and art-integrated cards offer a bridge to lifestyle gear and display items. If you’re building a desk lineup or a gift rotation, consider the Neon Card Holder MagSafe — a practical, stylish companion for MTG cards on the go. It’s a small reminder that the multiverse isn’t just something you play; it’s something you carry with you, as you travel from drafting table to tabletop. For those who want to keep their Haytham Kenway collection neat and secure, this kind of product pairing makes sense, especially when a card’s art becomes a talking point in the room. 🎲✨
As we scan the data, the frequencies around reprinting specific art pieces remain a careful balancing act between licensing realities and community desire. Haytham Kenway’s artwork sits at an interesting junction: a vivid, collectible image that enhances a card’s aura, with a gameplay package that remains relevant across multiple formats. If you’re cataloging your collection or planning future buys, tracking not just the card’s rarity but the cadence of its art’s appearances can offer a nuanced lens on value and display potential. 💡