Horror MTG Card

Horror cards grant control by reducing opponent’s options through forced discards and instant speed plays. They often require specific mana types and can be high cost, demanding deck adaptation. Despite drawbacks, horrors are versatile, disruptive and can dominate long, strategic games.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
TypeToken Artifact Creature — Horror
Power *
Toughness *

Cards like Horror

Navigating the eerie corners of Magic: The Gathering, horror-themed cards create an atmosphere as chilling as their mechanics are formidable. A quintessential example of this genre is Abyssal Persecutor, a card that exemplifies the dark power and complex trade-offs reminiscent of other horror cards. Much like Bloodgift Demon, it offers an impressive creature with a significant drawback; in the former’s case, you cannot win the game until it’s disposed of, while the Demon nets you card advantage at the cost of life points.

Another terror on the table is Phyrexian Obliterator, with its daunting ability to make an opponent sacrifice permanents whenever it takes damage. Its horror lies not just in its visual design but in the deep strategic impact it has in the game, similar to Abyssal Persecutor’s influence on the board, but without the same restriction on your victory conditions.

Horror cards in Magic: The Gathering, such as these, cater to a playstyle that embraces both high risk and high reward. They share an unnerving presence that manipulates gameplay, forcing both the player and their opponent to navigate the shadowy constraints they impose.

Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Bloodgift Demon - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Obliterator - MTG Card versions
Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Bloodgift Demon - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Obliterator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Horror-themed cards in Magic the Gathering often come with abilities that let you horrify your opponents by discarding their cards, essentially diminishing their options and strengthening your position with increased card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Many horror cards are designed to not only terrify but to accelerate your resources. They may offer alternative casting costs or conditions that, once met, can catapult your mana resources ahead, allowing for quicker and more terrifying plays.

Instant Speed: The very essence of horror is in its unexpectedness, and that is where instant speed horror cards shine. Having the ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at instant speed embodies the surprise factor, leaving them uneasy about what lurks in your hand, ready to be unleashed at the most inopportune times for them.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Horror-themed cards often come with a penalty that ties into their flavor, such as forcing you to discard cards. This can sometimes result in resource depletion, especially when you’re already struggling to keep a full hand.

Specific Mana Cost: A particular drawback to horror cards is their tendency to lean on black mana. This can clash with your deck’s mana base if it isn’t geared towards black, thereby restricting their inclusion to specific deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To invoke the sense of dread and powerful effects that come with the horror genre, many of these cards come at a high mana cost. This can be problematic since you might be dealing with slower gameplay or delayed tactics while your opponents build up their board presence.

Reasons to Include Horror MTG Cards in Your Collection

Versatility: Horror-themed cards often come with mechanics that can disrupt opponents, through discarding, deathtouch, or sacrifice effects. They can seamlessly integrate into control or midrange decks, adding an element of surprise and adaptability.

Combo Potential: Many horror cards synergize with graveyard strategies or benefit from creatures dying. They work well with sacrifice outlets or in decks that aim to benefit from cycling creatures in and out of the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: Horror cards can be particularly effective if the current competitive environment favors long, grindy games or creature-based strategies. Their ability to interfere with the opponent’s hands and creatures can shift the tide in your favor.

How to Beat

Confronting a horror-themed Magic: The Gathering card on the battlefield can send a chill down the spine of even the most seasoned players. These cards are often designed with unsettling abilities that can disrupt your game plan and control the pace of the match. Tackling such a card takes strategic precision and an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.

To outmaneuver a horror card, you first need to identify the key abilities that make the card a threat. Is it causing discard, destroying creatures, or perhaps creating a sense of despair with its formidable presence? Once pinpointed, it’s crucial to counter these abilities with specific spells or abilities that negate or bypass the effects. For instance, if the card forces you to discard, consider utilizing cards that benefit from being in the graveyard or spells that allow you to draw more cards.

Relying on removal spells that can target and destroy the horror card is also a proven strategy. Remember, timing is essential, so wait for the opportune moment to strike, ensuring your resources are used efficiently. In essence, the key is to stay composed and play around the horror’s abilities, leveraging your deck’s strengths to claim victory over the dread it brings to the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Horror MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Gatecrash, 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 Horror and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Horror Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 42003TokenBlackScott Chou
22013-02-01GatecrashGTC 52003TokenBlackAdam Paquette
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 152015TokenBlackJason Felix
42016-11-11Commander 2016C16 192015TokenBlackScott Chou
52017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 32015TokenBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
62018-08-09Commander 2018C18 222015TokenBlackScott Chou
72018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 12015Double Faced TokenBlackAdam Paquette
82019-08-23Commander 2019C19 232015TokenBlackScott Chou
92020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 102015TokenBlackScott Chou
102021-04-23Commander 2021C21 82015TokenBlackPete Venters
112022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 312015TokenBlackNino Is