# 2008 Magic: The Gathering Eventide #166

> The mechanics and design of the Altar Golem foil card (Eventide #166) from Magic: The Gathering, a formidable artifact creature known for its scaling power and trample ability.

Canonical URL: https://supercatch.com/product/magic-the-gathering-eventide-altar-golem-166-foil

## Identity

- **Year**: 2008
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Eventide
- **Card number**: #166
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

The Altar Golem, designated as card number 166 in Magic: The Gathering's 2008 Eventide expansion, represents a distinct strategic threat for players who thrive on board presence. As a rare artifact creature with a mana cost of seven, this card demands careful resource management but rewards patience with exponential growth potential. The foil treatment adds a layer of visual appeal, catching the light as the creature scales in power and toughness alongside the number of creatures on the battlefield. This dynamic ability makes every instance of Altar Golem unique in play, as its effectiveness is directly tied to the evolving state of the game rather than static stats. Designed by Rob Alexander, the card introduces a complex mechanic that requires tapping five untapped creatures you control to untap itself. This restriction forces players to build a wide board of units before the Golem can repeatedly attack, creating a compelling narrative of slow preparation followed by devastating strikes. The trample keyword ensures that excess damage is not wasted, allowing the Golem to penetrate defensive walls and target opposing players directly. For collectors, the Eventide set offers a fascinating glimpse into Magic's exploration of artifact synergies and creature types during the late 2000s. Whether you are building a themed deck centered around golems or simply expanding your collection of rare artifacts, this card stands out for its high mana value and impactful end-game potential. The interplay between the Golem's power and the battlefield count creates memorable moments of victory, making it a memorable inclusion for any serious Magic: The Gathering library.

## FAQ

### What is the mana cost and type of Altar Golem?

Altar Golem is a rare artifact creature — golem with a mana cost of seven. It has power and toughness equal to the number of creatures on the battlefield and possesses the trample keyword ability.

### How does Altar Golem's untap ability work?

You can tap five untapped creatures you control to untap Altar Golem. This allows the creature to attack multiple times per turn, provided you have built a sufficient board presence to pay the activation cost.

### In which Magic: The Gathering set is Altar Golem found?

Altar Golem appears in the Eventide expansion, released in 2008. It is card number 166 in the set and is available in both regular and foil finishes, with the foil version being the one listed here.

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## Companion files

- [llms.txt](https://supercatch.com/llms.txt) — site-level concise index.
- [llms-full.txt](https://supercatch.com/llms-full.txt) — site-level expanded corpus.
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Last verified: 2025-11-29.