Magic: The Gathering is all about creativity. But sometimes, after so many games, players choose to go niche and build unique-styled decks that only have a specific type of creature. In this case, we will focus on building an equine creature deck.
Whether you are doing it just for fun or want to see your opponent’s face when you take out your fourth horse in a row, this is a concept that is quite popular among MTG players.
Plus it gives you a bit of personalization and makes MTG games more fun, especially if you love horses or betting on them. But betting on horses or creating an equine deck in MTG isn’t really difficult. Just like in MTG, where you need to know all the characters with equine aesthetics, you also need to know all the best types in horse racing just to increase your winning chances.
You can read more on the link below:
https://www.twinspires.com/edge/racing/betting-info/horse-racing
But let’s get back to designing an equine deck in MTG. What are the things you should consider first? Let’s find out.
Step One: Picking Your Rider, The Commander or Core Card
If you choose to play Commander, the obvious poster child for an Equine deck is Crested Sunmare. Gain life on each turn. You get an indestructible 5/5 horse at the end step. That’s like having a free cavalry factory. Pair it with lifegain staples like Ajani’s Welcome or Authority of the Consuls, and you’ll have a stable full of angry, untouchable stallions before your opponents can even build their board.
If you’re building for Standard, Modern, or even a casual kitchen table, you’ll want a strong core card that can anchor your strategy, perhaps Silverblade Paladin for double strike synergy, or Knight of Autumn for utility while keeping the mounted theme.
Step Two: Finding the Herd
Here’s where things get interesting: MTG doesn’t have hundreds of horses, so you’ll need to get creative. You’ve got classics like:
- Timbermare: a one-shot “tap down” effect with haste.
- Ravenous Slimehoof (if you’re dabbling in Un-sets or offbeat expansions).
- Armored Warhorse and Charging Paladin, solid, straightforward chargers.
Then there are almost horses, unicorns, pegasi, nightmares, depending on how strictly you’re sticking to the theme. If you’re cool with them, Charging Pegasus or Spectral Steed can give you more aerial presence. And if you really want to push the flavor, Knight creatures often depict their trusty steeds right in the artwork, so cards like Knight of the White Orchid fit perfectly.
Step Three: The Support Crew, Spells & Enchantments
If you’re going tribal, Herald’s Horn and Icon of Ancestry will help you dig for more horses while making them stronger. Pair with anthem effects like Glorious Anthem or Marshal’s Anthem to make your herd downright terrifying.
You also want mobility; it’s a cavalry deck, after all, so cards like Fleetfeather Sandals or Swiftfoot Boots keep your best horses safe and swinging. Don’t forget combat tricks like Righteousness or Boros Charm to turn a block into an absolute disaster for your opponent.
And if you’re playing Crested Sunmare, lifegain cards are essential. Even incidental lifegain from lands like Radiant Fountain or Scoured Barrens keeps the horse factory running.
Step Four: Flavor is Half the Fun
If you’re building an Equine deck, lean into it. Use basic lands with wide-open plains artwork. Slip in cards like Call the Cavalry just for the name. Maybe even give your deck a custom sleeve design with horseshoes on it. The more thematic, the better, because winning is great, but winning with style is unforgettable.
Step Five: Playing the Deck
Here’s the secret: your Equine deck is likely going to play like a mix of midrange and token swarm. You’ll want to build up a board, protect your key pieces, and then overwhelm with either sheer numbers or one massive, fully-pumped steed that smashes through for the win. If you’re in multiplayer, timing is key, whether you wait for opponents to tap out before making your big push, or use combat tricks to punish anyone foolish enough to swing at the cavalry.
So, building an equine deck in MTG is challenging but not impossible. There are plenty of equine-style cards to include, making it the perfect pastime activity for MTG fans that also love horses. Even the journey of collecting all of them is plenty of fun.