Stronghold is the second expansion of the Tempest block. It was released in March 1998 after Tempest and before Exodus. The official set code is STH. The set contains 143 black-bordered cards.
The expansion symbol represents the closed gate of Volrath’s Stronghold. Unlike later Magic sets, the symbol has the same colour on common, uncommon, and rare cards. Stronghold was one of the final sets printed before coloured rarity symbols were introduced in Exodus.
The set continues the story of the Weatherlight crew on the artificial plane of Rath. The crew enters Volrath’s fortress to rescue Captain Sisay.
– Stronghold
| Set code | STH |
| Release date | March 1998 |
| Border | Black |
Chinese printing details
| Traditional Chinese set size | 167 |
| Simplified Chinese set size | – |
| Product types | Booster pack box (36 packs) – Booster pack (15 cards) |
| Language-exclusive artworks | – |
| Known misprints | – |
| Printing differences | – |
The Chinese version of Stronghold
Stronghold was officially printed in Traditional Chinese. It was not released as a complete regular set in Simplified Chinese.
Traditional Chinese Magic cards were mainly distributed in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Traditional Chinese version was released during the first important period of Chinese Magic. Other early expansions printed in Traditional Chinese included Visions, Weatherlight, Tempest Set, and Exodus.
Traditional Chinese Stronghold cards have:
- black borders;
- Traditional Chinese names and rules text;
- the original 1997 Magic card frame;
- the same illustrations as the other international versions;
- the portcullis expansion symbol;
- no foil cards.
What is special about the Chinese version?
The Traditional Chinese edition does not have exclusive illustrations. Its main attraction comes from its language, age, and limited availability.
The cards use early Traditional Chinese Magic vocabulary. Some words and translations are different from those used on modern Chinese cards. These differences make the set interesting for collectors who study the history of Magic translations.
Traditional Chinese cards were produced for a much smaller market than English cards. Exact print numbers have never been officially published. It is therefore impossible to give a precise production figure. However, old Traditional Chinese cards are much less common on the international market than English cards.
Another important feature is the size of the set. With only 143 cards, Stronghold is smaller than Tempest Set. However, it contains several famous and expensive cards. A few difficult rares can represent most of the cost of the complete set.
The translations are also part of the history of early Chinese Magic. Some terms used on older Traditional Chinese cards are different from the vocabulary used on modern cards. This makes the set useful for collectors who study the evolution of Chinese Magic translations.
Top 5 cards to look for
1. Mox Diamond
Mox Diamond is the most important and most valuable card in Stronghold.
It is a zero-mana artifact. When it enters the battlefield, its controller must discard a land card. It can then produce one mana of any colour. Mox Diamond is powerful because it provides mana immediately. It has been used in many competitive decks, especially in Legacy, Vintage, Commander, and Premodern. It is also on the Reserved List. This means that Wizards of the Coast will not reprint it as a normal tournament-legal card.
For a collection of old Chinese Magic cards, Mox Diamond is one of the most prestigious cards to own.
Copies in near-mint condition are especially difficult to find. Many original copies were played in competitive decks. The dark artifact border also makes edge wear easy to see.
The most valuable and important Chinese Mox in history
The Traditional Chinese Mox Diamond has a very special place in the history of Chinese Magic.
The original five Mox cards : Mox Pearl, Mox Sapphire, Mox Jet, Mox Ruby, and Mox Emerald—were printed before Magic existed in Chinese. They never received a normal old-frame Chinese printing. Mox Diamond was printed later, when Traditional Chinese Magic cards were available. It is therefore the first Mox printed in Chinese.
It is also the only traditional Mox-style card from the original old-frame period that received an official Chinese version. This makes the Traditional Chinese Mox Diamond an exceptional card for collectors.
It combines several important qualities:
- it is a Mox;
- it has the original old card frame;
- it is the first printing of the card;
- it is printed in Traditional Chinese;
- it is on the Reserved List;
- it was illustrated by Dan Frazier, the artist of the original five Mox cards.
2. Sliver Queen
Sliver Queen is one of the most famous Sliver cards ever printed. It is a five-colour legendary creature with power and toughness 7/7. It can create additional Sliver creature tokens. Sliver Queen is historically important because it was the first legendary Sliver and one of the main cards connected to the early Sliver story. It is also on the Reserved List. The card is popular with collectors, Commander players, and fans of Sliver decks.
The Traditional Chinese version is one of the major cards needed for a complete Chinese Stronghold set. It is normally the second most important card after Mox Diamond.
3. Volrath’s Stronghold
Volrath’s Stronghold is a legendary land.
It can place a creature card from the graveyard on top of its owner’s library. This ability is useful in decks that want to reuse powerful creatures.
The card is important for three reasons:
- it represents the main location of the expansion;
- it is a powerful utility land;
- it is on the Reserved List.
The original artwork and the old frame are popular with collectors. Traditional Chinese copies can be difficult to locate because the card remains useful in Commander and other older formats.
4. Ensnaring Bridge
Ensnaring Bridge is a famous artifact that can prevent creatures from attacking.
The number of cards in its controller’s hand determines which creatures can attack. It has been used in control, prison, and artifact decks for many years. Unlike Mox Diamond and Sliver Queen, Ensnaring Bridge has received later reprints. However, the Stronghold version is its original printing.
5. Dream Halls
Dream Halls is a powerful blue enchantment.
It allows players to discard a card instead of paying the normal mana cost of another spell that shares a colour with it.
Dream Halls is not always as expensive as the other major cards in the set, but it remains important for a complete collection. Its unusual effect and Reserved List status make the original Traditional Chinese version attractive.
Rarity level
Chinese Traditional – Stronghold
The Traditional Chinese Mox Diamond is especially important and makes a near-mint set more difficult to complete. It is the first Mox printed in Chinese. It is also the only classic old-frame Mox from this period with an official Chinese edition. Completing the full set of 143 cards is possible, but it requires patience. The commons and uncommons can usually be collected gradually, but finding them takes time. The main challenge is finding the important rares in good condition.