Standing Troops

Description

Collectors of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game often seek out specific cards from the 1998 Exodus expansion to complete their sets or build thematic decks. Standing Troops, designated as card number 22, represents a foundational piece of the white mana strategy within this classic set. As a Common rarity card, it is accessible to a wide range of players while maintaining its significance in the game's early history. This card features a mana cost of {2}{W}, requiring two generic mana and one white mana to cast. It enters the battlefield as a Creature — Human Soldier with a power and toughness of 1/4. The primary mechanical value of Standing Troops comes from its printed rules text, which grants it the Vigilance keyword. This ability allows the creature to attack without tapping, making it an efficient blocker that can still contribute to the board state immediately after combat. For players focusing on white-aligned strategies, this creature provides a reliable defensive presence that helps maintain board control. The artwork for this card was created by Daren Bader, whose illustrations helped define the visual identity of the Exodus era. The card's flavor text, "The less you have, the harder you fight for it," adds narrative depth to the soldier's determination. Whether you are hunting for this card to finish your Exodus collection or looking to add a versatile white creature to your library, Standing Troops remains a staple of early Magic design.