Independent Troops

Independent Troops was released in 1999 as part of the Portal Three Kingdoms set, an expansion for the Magic: The Gathering card game. This set was specifically designed to introduce players to the game through a simplified ruleset, drawing its thematic inspiration from the historical events and literary traditions of the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. By focusing on streamlined mechanics and fixed-card-list starter decks, Wizards of the Coast intended to broaden the game's appeal in the Asian market, particularly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

The card features artwork that reflects the period-specific aesthetic of the set, emphasizing the military focus of the source material. Like other cards in the Portal Three Kingdoms series, the design prioritized accessibility for new players, eschewing the complex keyword layering found in core sets of the time. While the set was initially criticized by veteran players for its simplified gameplay, it has since become highly sought after by collectors due to its limited print run and the unique historical flavor provided by the illustrators tasked with depicting figures and forces from the era.