| Squirrel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creature Type | |
| (Subtype for creature/kindred cards) | |
| Beeble Scale | 6[1] |
| Statistics |
35 cards
 5.7%  25.7%  48.6%  17.1%  2.9% 36 Squirrel creation cards
as of Bloomburrow 2.8%  8.3% 75% 5.6%  2.8% 5.6% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| type:"Squirrel" | |
Squirrel is a green creature type used for arboreal, bushy-tailed rodents (though in the unset Unstable they have a significant presence in black, and they've been gradually introduced to it and white in canon sets).[2]
History[ | ]
The type was introduced in Weatherlight on the tokens made by Liege of the Hollows. The first non-token creatures to bear the type were Krosan Beast and Squirrel Mob in Odyssey. Most often, squirrel-related cards are created by Mark Rosewater.[3][4]
Because they weren't thought to be serious enough by the Creative R&D, squirrels were relegated to supplemental products.[5] One such supplemental set was Modern Horizons. Squirrels made a return to a Standard-legal set in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths with Helica Glider. Toski, Bearer of Secrets from Kaldheim is the first legendary squirrel to appear outside of a silver-bordered product. Modern Horizons 2 had a strong squirrel theme and was, at the time of its release, the set that contained the largest number of cards (13) that are or create squirrels, including the tribe's first mythic rare, Chatterfang, Squirrel General. However, it would eventually be usurped by Bloomburrow, the first set to feature Squirrel-typal, with 21 cards that are Squirrels or create squirrels between it and its accompanying Commander decks.[6]
Storyline[ | ]
Bloomburrow[ | ]
Squirrels are one of the animalfolk of Bloomburrow, notorious as necromancers and graverobbers.[7] At their best, squirrelfolk are practical and conscientious stewards of the land.[8] At their worst, squirrelfolk are standoffish, rude, and dismissive. They are morbid stewards of the land and the life-death cycle, and worship the cycle at the Calamity Graveyard.[9][10]
Squirrelfolk believe that the Calamity Beasts have trapped the energy that should flow through nature, and as such this energy should be returned from whence it came.[8] This is done through collecting and ritually burying remains of the Calamity Beasts throughout Valley. Many squirrelfolk villages are built around Calamity Beast bones that serve as the base for thin branches to wrap around. A small number of squirrelfolk practice a more direct form of necromancy, with the ability to wield the power of Calamity Beast, remains to manipulate and animate the bones. Practicing this magic on other animalfolk is taboo, but insects and Calamity Beasts are common targets.
Squirrelfolk consider it their responsibility to the other animalfolk of Valley to preserve food for the harsh and sudden seasonal changes brought on by Calamity Beasts.[8] They keep stashes of foods traded with other animalfolk, often preserving them by pickling, drying, or salting.[9] Common foods include salted fish, pickled vegetables, dried fruits, jams, winter squashes, nuts, and seeds. Squirrels will sometimes even store their food next to the bones of Calamity Beasts, hoping to imbue the food with the power of these terrible forces of nature.
Squirrelfolk possess stealthy martial skills that let them excel as silent, unseen attackers.[8] They are respected as formidable combatants and valued members of adventuring parties and patrols. Some squirrelfolk joined the Direshade Company of mercenaries under the weaselfolk Cruelclaw.[7]
Notable Squirrels[ | ]
Tokens[ | ]
Acorn cards that generate an eternal-legal token are marked with 
.
| Token Name | Color | Type Line | P/T | Text Box | Source | Printings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel | Green | Creature — Squirrel | 1/1 |
|
||
| Bushy Bodyguard | Green | Creature — Squirrel Warrior | 1/1 | When this creature enters, you may forage. If you do, put two +1/+1 counters on it. (To forage, exile three cards from your graveyard or sacrifice a Food.) (This token's mana cost is  .)
|
Trivia[ | ]
- Krosan Beast is the only Squirrel Beast.
- Swarmyard is a land that regenerates squirrels.
References[ | ]
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 23, 2021). "Where are squirrels now on the Beeble Scale now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Bonnie Bruenderman (May 09, 2014). "Squirrel!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 22, 2002). "Squirrel of My Dreams". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 1, 2020). "My Favorite Things". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 03, 2014). "Are there any creature types considered "dead", so to speak?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 9, 2024). "The Bloom of Burrow, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Valerie Valdes (July 3, 2024). "Bloomburrow Episode 3: The Lost and the Found". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c d Neale LaPlante Johnson (July 17, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Bloomburrow, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Tiny and Mighty - Bloomburrow Debut (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (July 9, 2024).
- ↑ Neale LaPlante Johnson (July 11, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Bloomburrow, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
