Callbacks

When the Midnight Hunt set released, I laughed when I saw Champion of the Perished. It was a clear reference to a much older card- Champion of the Parish- from the original Innistrad set. In other words, it was a callback.

In Magic: the Gathering, a 'callback' is when a card references, or is reminiscent of, an older card (either in name or ability). Sometimes, it's a play on the name:

Other times, it's the similarity of the art and ability:

It could 'amplify' an original card:

Or could combine two older cards: Llanowar Elves + Elvish Visionary = Llanowar Visionary.

Callbacks are fun ways to pay homage to the game's history and give 'easter eggs' to long-time fans without isolating new players. They show up more in sets like Modern Horizons (see here) or Modern Horizons 2 (see here), but any set can have them- especially ones that revisit previous planes (here are five from Midnight Hunt, for example). Magic has a history, and makes good use of it. Pay attention, and you mind uncover some fun surprises.