(Uncommon - Fallen Empires, , 1/1 creature, Special Abilities: Bands, First Strike, and, All creatures that band with Skirmishers to attack gain first strike until end of turn.)

The Fallen Empires expansion has some good cards in it (don't laugh!). OK—so Homarids are not so hot, but a Thallid deck can be a real pain in the hinder to go up against (I'm not just talking about all the futzing around with the counters either).

One of the best cards from the Fallen Empires expansion (aside from Breeding Pit, and I can't decide weather that's overlooked or not) would have to be the Icatian Skirmishers. Many people look at its casting cost and decide that it is too expensive to cast, but really, the casting cost is quite reasonable once the fact that it has no less than three special abilities, one of which is unique in Magic, is taken into account.

Banding and first strike are of course very good and useful abilities, but what really sets the Skirmishers apart is the ability to give first strike to any attacking creature that bands with it. That ability is what is so overlooked. The possibilities are numerous.

For example, I banded a Skirmishers with a Force of Nature in one game. The look on Ulrich's face when I did that was priceless—in fact a similar look of stunned amazement and anguish crossed his face when he read this article and was reminded of that particular moment in our duels. Yes, an 8/8 creature with Trample, banded and given First Strike; that game turned around in a hurry.

If you want to use other Fallen Empires cards (I'm serious, so you can just stop that laughing right now), try the 6/3 regenerator, Feral Thallid, in a band with the Skirmishers. To top it off, Fallen Empires cards are just about guaranteed not to break your budget.
—Helva

Icatian Skirmishers have the same inherent drawback as any other 1/1 creature, but this guy is very difficult to kill in combat. Other common white creatures like War Elephant can benefit from attacking with the Skirmishers, and they can really spice up a white Wall/Rolling Stones deck. A first striking Wall of Swords or Sunweb isn't much fun, either.
—Ulrich