Mono-Black Symbiote Revitalizes 27-Year Old Stronghold Rare

Last updated on October 8, 2025

Opposition Agent | Illustration by Tyler Kirkham

Gwenom, Remorseless is essentially a Bolas's Citadel in the Command Zone. A combo player's paradise. Deathtouch and Lifelink are a nice little added bonus here, but every person who has ever jammed Sensei's Divining Top cried a special tear of joy when this one was leaked in early August.

There's an enchantment that's caught the eye of over half of early Gwenom, Remorseless brewers. It's a potent combo piece, it's a million years old, and it's only been printed a single time. We're talking about Mortuary from Stronghold.

Infinites Abound

Bolas's Citadel | Illus. Jonas De Ro

Mortuary works similarly to something like Sensei's Divining Top. It's fairly simple: As long as you can attack with Gwenom while you have Mortuary on the field, you can sacrifice any 1 or 0 cost creature and easily recast it from the top of your library. Now throw in Blood Artist, or Blood Artist, or maybe even Blood Artist.

All jokes aside, people are digging having Gwenom, Remorseless in the Command Zone. She's the 9th most popular commander from Spider-Man, and she's clearly a motivator in Mortuary‘s recent price spike.

A Single Print Rare From 30 Years Ago?!

The words that every hardcore MTG market enjoyer loves to hear. Stronghold released in 1998, and I honestly don't know if they were playing with the kinds of obtuse infinite combos we've seen in more recent years. Perhaps WotC thought players would just use Mortuary to recast 5-drop 3/4 Zombies or whatever kind of cards they played in those ancient (pure?) times.

Unlike some of Stronghold's other biggest bangers, like freakin' Burgeoning, Mortuary has not been reprinted since it was first released.

Seems like something that could fit in a future Mystery Booster product? Maybe? Fellow combo piece Thornbite Staff got that treatment in MB2, and its price has gone way down. Speaking of which, if you equip Thornbite Staff to any creature on your board and start doing Gwenom, Remorseless and Mortuary topdeck infinite sacrifice shenanigans, you'll now have infinite untaps.

There's ridiculous potential here, and very few other cards do what Mortuary does. That, combined with a minuscule supply of 31 copies currently listed on TCGplayer, make for prime price movement.

Is it Spiking, or is it Spiking?

Life Insurance | illus. Brian Valeza

As of October 1st, market price on Mortuary was around $5 for a near mint copy. That pricetag has since tripled to around $15, and it's all thanks to Bolas' Spider-Woman. Despite Gwenom, Remorseless‘s standing as the 9th most popular commander from Spider-Man, she's the most expensive legendary creature in the whole set.

It's too early to properly say, but perhaps Gwenom could be getting some cEDH hype? Green Goblin is the forerunner, both in cEDH viability and in casual commander popularity.

Mortuary‘s supply is genuinely so low that I really don't know if we'll be seeing many copies at casual tables.

Wrap Up

[/card]Rules Lawyer[/card] | Illus. Sean Murray

Folks, as always, none of this is financial advice. Always do your own research.

That being said, Mortuary is a rare, vintage combo piece with sick art, in very low supply. My gut tells me we'll get a Mystery Booster reprint someday, but that's probably just wishful thinking.