Cabal Stronghold MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 238
2018-04-27 - Number 238p
2018-04-27 - Number 238s
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add . , : Add for each basic Swamp you control.
The seat of Belzenlok's power, the Stronghold serves as the gathering place for the Cabal as their dark influence spreads from Urborg.
Cards like Cabal Stronghold
Cabal Stronghold stands out as a noteworthy land in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of the famed Cabal Coffers. What defines its uniqueness is the ability to ramp up mana in the late game, which is quite resourceful for any black deck reliant on swamps. Though Cabal Stronghold requires basic Swamps unlike its predecessor which counted any swamp, the strategic advantage it provides can’t be denied.
Looking at Crypt of Agadeem, another similar card which also leverages the power of creatures in your graveyard, it’s clear that Cabal Stronghold focuses on a more resilient resource: land. While both excel in specific deck types, Cabal Stronghold’s sway on swamp-heavy decks makes it a linchpin in standard play. Another card that comes to mind is Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, which thrives in devotion-based decks, converting devotion to a color into substantial mana.
Each of these lands carries its own weight depending on the deck’s build and strategy, but Cabal Stronghold often secures a spot in decks striving for unmatched mana acceleration and overwhelming late-game plays, especially in formats where Cabal Coffers isn’t an option.
Cards similar to Cabal Stronghold by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Cabal Stronghold. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Ramp | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Black Midrange | F2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship) |
 | Mono-Black Control | Explorer | Holiday Night Magic |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cabal Stronghold provides a significant boost in the late game. By tapping it, along with a nominal fee, you can turn each basic Swamp you control into an additional black mana. This ability can translate into drawing more cards and overwhelming your opponents with a flurry of spells.
Resource Acceleration: This land is a powerhouse in mono-black decks, effectively ramping your mana production as the game progresses. A well-timed activation of Cabal Stronghold’s ability can lead to playing high-cost creatures and spells much earlier than usual, giving you a decisive edge.
Instant Speed: While the Stronghold’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, it facilitates instant-speed plays. By accumulating an abundance of black mana, you can deftly surprise your opponent with reactive spells or end-of-turn threats that could swing the tide of battle in your favor. A well-stocked mana reserve means you’re always ready to respond or escalate.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Cabal Stronghold does not directly require discarding cards, maximizing its potential often depends on having numerous basic Swamps in play, which could limit the variety and flexibility of cards in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Cabal Stronghold’s ability produces only black mana, which while potent for mono-black decks, offers no advantage in multicolored decks and restricts deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment to get extra mana from Cabal Stronghold is significant, and in fast-paced games, this cost can lead to a slower start compared to using other lands with lower activation costs.
Reasons to Include Cabal Stronghold in Your Collection
Versatility: Cabal Stronghold offers a dynamic mana boost in decks heavy with basic Swamps, making it a versatile inclusion in mono-black or black-centric builds. Its effortless integration allows for a seamless mana ramp, enhancing your deck’s performance across various game stages.
Combo Potential: This land’s ability to generate substantial amounts of black mana opens up possibilities for explosive combos. It synergizes well with high-cost, impactful spells, or can fuel abilities that require a lot of mana, multiplying the threats your opponents must answer.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go longer, Cabal Stronghold secures a significant advantage. It ensures that you have the resources to cast your game-changing spells and maintain pressure on the battlefield, keeping you one step ahead in grindy, resource-driven match-ups.
How to beat Cabal Stronghold
Cabal Stronghold is an impactful land card in Magic: The Gathering, especially in decks that harness a large number of Basic Swamps. Being part of your land base, it’s difficult to interact with directly, but it’s not invincible. To effectively counter Cabal Stronghold’s advantage, focus on land destruction or denying its activation. Cards like Field of Ruin can dismantle this potent land, eliminating the potential for a mana surplus. Ghost Quarter is another strategic choice, as it replaces their stronghold with a basic land, curtailing their black mana ramp.
Another avenue is to limit the card’s utility by reducing the number of swamps your opponent controls. Applying pressure with aggressive creatures forces your opponent to use mana for other spells rather than investing in the stronghold. Utilize graveyard hate like Bojuka Bog to interrupt strategies that might recycle swamps from the graveyard, indirectly weakening Cabal Stronghold’s effectiveness. Stay mindful of the stronghold’s potential and keep cards that disrupt or destroy lands in your sideboard, ready to weaken strategies that heavily rely on this powerful land.
Suppressing Cabal Stronghold’s advantage may be challenging, but with precise strategy and appropriate sideboard choices, you can keep this land card from overwhelming the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cabal Stronghold MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Dominaria Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cabal Stronghold and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Cabal Stronghold Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Dimitar Marinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dimitar Marinski | |
| 2 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria Promos | PDOM | 238p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dimitar Marinski | |
| 3 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria Promos | PDOM | 238s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dimitar Marinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cabal Stronghold has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |