Rabid Rats

Rabid Rats was released in 1998 as part of the Stronghold expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, this set was designed to emphasize the mechanics of the game's creature combat, building upon the foundations established in the preceding Tempest block. As a black-aligned common card, Rabid Rats was created to provide a low-cost, aggressive threat that utilized the game's 'swampwalk' ability, allowing it to bypass defenders if the opponent controlled a swamp.

The card features artwork by the illustrator D. Alexander Gregory, who contributed to several sets during Magic's early era. Gregory’s visual style for this piece leans into the gritty, horror-inspired aesthetic that defined the black mana color identity at the time. Upon its release, the card was received as a functional tool for limited-format play, valued for its ability to apply pressure in the early stages of a game, though it did not see significant use in high-level constructed tournament formats.