Stronghold Rats

Description

Released in 2007, this foil variant of the black rat creature offers collectors a tangible piece of the era's experimental design philosophy. The card features artwork by Brandon Kitkouski, whose style helped define the look of this release. From a gameplay perspective, Stronghold Rats is a three-mana creature with a power and toughness of 2/1. Its primary mechanical identity revolves around the Shadow keyword, which restricts how it interacts with other creatures on the battlefield. This limitation is balanced by its triggered ability: whenever it deals combat damage to a player, each opponent must discard a card. This makes it a notable threat in formats where Shadow is relevant, appealing to collectors who value cards with unique mechanical constraints. For collectors, the foil finish adds a layer of desirability that distinguishes it from the non-foil versions found in boosters. As part of the Future Sight set, which was originally printed as a prank set before receiving official status, this card holds a special place in Magic history. It is often sought after by those completing the FUT set code collection or those interested in the evolution of black creature cards. The combination of its specific mana cost, its shadow mechanic, and its foil treatment makes it a memorable entry for any Magic: The Gathering enthusiast building their library.