Liliana of the Veil (Innistrad)
Among all black Planeswalkers ever printed, Liliana of the Veil stands above the rest.
Debuting in Innistrad (2011), she became the face of Modern midrange strategy, combining disruption, inevitability, and flavor into one of the most complete designs in Magic’s history.
In today’s Rare Card Spotlight, we’ll explore Liliana of the Veil’s role in competitive play, her market evolution, and why she remains a centerpiece of both Modern gameplay and long-term collecting.
What Is Liliana of the Veil?
- Card Name: Liliana of the Veil
- Set: Innistrad (2011)
- Rarity: Mythic Rare
- Card Type: Planeswalker – Liliana
- Artist: Steve Argyle
- Effect:
+1: Each player discards a card.
−2: Target player sacrifices a creature.
−6: Separate all permanents target player controls into two piles. That player sacrifices all permanents in the pile of their choice.
Starting Loyalty: 3
As one of the earliest Modern-era Planeswalkers, Liliana of the Veil combined clean design with exceptional competitive balance.
Her discard ability punished control and combo decks, while her sacrifice effect dismantled creature strategies – a perfect fit for attrition-based decks.
Why It Defined Modern Midrange
At release, Liliana of the Veil was an immediate staple in Jund, Rock, and Grixis shells.
The ability to pressure hands, remove creatures, and threaten a game-ending ultimate gave her unparalleled flexibility.
In Modern’s formative years, entire metagames were shaped around whether players could answer a turn-three Liliana.
Beyond competitive utility, the card’s flavor and art elevated her status as one of Magic’s most recognizable characters.
She became a symbol for the darker, more character-driven storytelling that defined Innistrad and its era.
Competitive and Market History
| Year | Event | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Innistrad release | Strong debut; initial prices around $30–$35. |
| 2013 | Modern Jund dominance | Spikes to $90+ amid format-wide adoption. |
| 2017 | Reprinted in Modern Masters 2017 | Short-term drop to $60; stabilized quickly. |
| 2022 | Double Masters 2022 reprint | Wider accessibility; price floor around $40. |
| 2025 | Collector resurgence | Original foils exceed $150; serialized promos emerge as top-tier collectibles. |
Even after multiple reprints, Liliana of the Veil remains one of the most valuable and liquid Planeswalkers ever printed.
Collector demand remains particularly strong for the 2011 original and early Modern Masters foils.
Collector and Grading Insights
- Print Run: Estimated ~18,000 Innistrad mythics.
- Condition Notes: Black borders show edge wear easily; surface scratches reduce grading frequency above PSA 9.
- Population Data: Under 250 total PSA/BGS 9+ foil copies reported.
- Premium Editions: Double Masters 2022 textured foils and original set foils lead current market demand.
Collectors increasingly view Liliana of the Veil as the definitive Modern-era Planeswalker powerful, iconic, and narratively resonant.
Her card design continues to be referenced in future black Planeswalkers, cementing her place in Magic’s long-term identity.
Legacy and Market Behavior
Unlike many Planeswalkers that fade after rotation, Liliana of the Veil maintained enduring playability across formats.
She still sees action in Modern midrange decks and occasional Legacy builds, keeping her profile active in both gameplay and collecting circles.
Prices have stabilized since her 2022 reprint, but early editions remain prized.
Collectors increasingly gravitate toward high-grade foils and early runs for long-term appreciation potential.
Why It Endures
- Defines the modern black Planeswalker archetype.
- Central piece in Jund and Modern midrange strategies for over a decade.
- Combines gameplay strength with top-tier character recognition.
- Early foils and special treatments remain highly collectible.
- Continues to shape design philosophy for future black cards.
Over a decade after her debut, Liliana of the Veil remains as iconic as ever – a symbol of elegance, balance, and power in Magic’s modern design language.
Related Reading
- Rare Card Spotlight – Tarmogoyf (Future Sight, 2007)
- Rare Card Spotlight – Dark Confidant (Ravnica, 2005)
- Price Trends – Fetch Lands (Q4 2025)
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