Mardu Hordechief MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 17
2019-11-07 - Number 172
2020-09-26 - Number KTK-17
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Raid |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Raid — When Mardu Hordechief enters the battlefield, if you attacked with a creature this turn, put a 1/1 white Warrior creature token onto the battlefield.
The horde grows with each assault.
Cards like Mardu Hordechief
Mardu Hordechief is a noteworthy warrior creature card that offers keen strategic advantages in Magic: The Gathering, somewhat akin to other cards that bolster the battlefield upon entering. A close parallel can be seen with Blade Splicer, which also brings a creature token to your ranks but instead of bolstering, it grants a definite ability — First Strike to the token. Mardu Hordechief, with its Raid ability, can empower one of your existing creatures, assuming you’ve attacked with a creature on the very turn you cast it.
Another card worth comparing is Siege-Gang Commander, renowned for providing not just one but several creature tokens. Though it’s at a higher mana cost, the direct control over token deployment and added direct damage effect offers a diverse tactical edge. Mardu Hordechief doesn’t quite match this level of board presence but balances with a lower mana cost and the potential for an immediate increase in a creature’s stats.
Exploring these options, Mardu Hordechief holds its ground as a solid choice for players looking to augment their crews with swift reinforcements, especially in decks poised to attack each turn, maximizing its Raid-triggered potential.
Cards similar to Mardu Hordechief by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mardu Hordechief comes into play with its raid ability, granting you an extra warrior creature token if you attacked with a creature during the same turn. This bonus significantly bolsters your battlefield presence and tips the scales in your favor by increasing the number of attackers or defenders at your disposal.
Resource Acceleration: While Mardu Hordechief itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its ability to potentially summon additional creatures can indirectly lead to greater mana efficiency. By influencing board states where you’re able to attack with multiple creatures, it sets you up for stronger turns and maximizes the potential of your other resource-accelerating cards.
Instant Speed: While Mardu Hordechief is not an instant, the ability to summon it post-combat can catch opponents off guard. You’re not only adding a creature to the board but potentially benefiting from the raid mechanic. Savvy players can leverage this, ensuring they’re always developing their board and leaving mana open for responses to opponents’ threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Mardu Hordechief requires that you discard another card to unleash its full potential. This can be quite detrimental, especially in a tight game where every card in hand counts towards your strategy and survival.
Specific Mana Cost: Boasting a specific color combination in its mana cost, the Mardu Hordechief demands a dedicated deck build around white, black, and red mana. This can restrict its inclusion to only those decks that can reliably produce all three colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost relative to its power and toughness, the Mardu Hordechief may not be as efficient as other creatures in the same mana range. Players might find other cards that offer more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield for the same or lesser mana investment.
Reasons to Include Mardu Hordechief in Your Collection
Versatility: Mardu Hordechief is a flexible addition to your deck due to its ability to create creature tokens which can be used for defense or to bolster your offensive strategy. This card can enhance various play styles, fitting seamlessly into token-based decks or those focusing on aggression.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to produce tokens upon attacking can effortlessly synergize with mechanics that capitalize on the number of creatures you control, such as raid or battalion. This enables multiple strategies and interactions, amplifying the card’s combo potential in your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of the MTG meta, a card that brings additional creatures into play can be incredibly beneficial. Mardu Hordechief’s potential to alter the battlefield presence on every turn makes it relevant in a meta dominated by creature-focused strategies and mirror matches.
How to Beat Mardu Hordechief
Mardu Hordechief is a card that can quickly tilt the battlefield in favor of the player who casts it, primarily because of its raid ability which creates warrior tokens if you’ve attacked with a creature on the same turn. Playing against this card requires tactical maneuvering and smart deck building.
Timing your removal spells is crucial when facing a deck with Mardu Hordechief. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or targeted removal like Path to Exile can efficiently handle the tokens before they get out of control. Also, using instant-speed removal allows you to respond to the raid trigger after the attack, but before the token generation, effectively nullifying the Hordechief’s advantage. Cards that limit the number of creatures that can attack, such as Ghostly Prison, can also stymie the strategy that Mardu Hordechief depends on.
Preventive measures work wonder as well. Counterspells or hand disruption tactics can keep Mardu Hordechief from hitting the board in the first place. In essence, knowing your opponent’s deck and preparing a counter strategy are key. By maintaining control of the board and minimizing the impact of Hordechief’s raid ability, you can keep the tide of warriors at bay and preserve your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mardu Hordechief MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Mardu Hordechief and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Mardu Hordechief Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Torstein Nordstrand.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KTK-17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mardu Hordechief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mardu Hordechief card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities care only that you attacked with a creature. It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked with, or which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent those creatures attacked. |
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities evaluate the entire turn to see if you attacked with a creature. That creature doesn’t have to still be on the battlefield. Similarly, the player or planeswalker it attacked doesn’t have to still be in the game or on the battlefield, respectively. |