Soltari Guerrillas

Soltari Guerrillas was released in 1997 as part of the Tempest expansion for Magic: The Gathering. This set introduced the plane of Rath and focused on a conflict between the inhabitants of the plane and the invading Phyrexians. The card depicts a member of the Soltari, a race of shadow-dwellers who are phased out of existence, reflecting the set's innovative use of the shadow mechanic, which restricted combat to interactions between creatures that both possessed the ability.

The artwork was commissioned from illustrator Val Mayerik, who drew upon the character's nomadic and guerilla nature. Mayerik, known for his work in both comics and fantasy illustration, employed a gritty style to convey the Soltari's status as resistance fighters in a hostile, layered environment. The card was received by the player base as a versatile rare, noted for its ability to deal damage directly to opponents while maintaining a defensive utility through its shadow-based evasion.