Motivated Pony MTG Card


Brings card advantage by enabling consistent hand improvement, crucial for maintaining battlefield control. Accelerates resources, facilitating quicker plays and potentially game-changing tactics. Offers instant speed utility, adding an element of surprise and strategic depth.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Horse
Abilities Haste,Trample
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Trample, haste Whenever Motivated Pony attacks, attacking creatures get +1/+1 until end of turn. If a Food entered the battlefield under your control this turn, untap those creatures and they get an additional +2/+2 until end of turn.


Cards like Motivated Pony

Motivated Pony introduces an intriguing twist to creature capabilities in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other low-cost creatures like the beloved Llanowar Elves, which also accelerates your mana availability. However, Motivated Pony goes a step further by offering a conditional boost in power if you have a certain card type in your hand, much like the raw potential of Kiln Fiend, which grows stronger with each instant or sorcery played.

Examining Skyship Plunderer, we can see a different approach to enhancing capability. While it doesn’t directly increase mana or power, it enables you to put +1/+1 counters on other cards whenever it deals combat damage. This can be crucial for long-term strategies, a stark contrast to Motivated Pony’s immediate power surge. Another card to consider in this space is Goblin Motivator, which shares the theme of enhancing other creatures by granting them haste until end of turn, a subtle yet significant advantage in many scenarios.

Even within Magic: The Gathering’s extensive library, Motivated Pony distinguishes itself with its mix of immediate power potential and the added meta-gameplay of hand management, making it a card worth considering in decks that can fulfill its conditions for maximum effect.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Kiln Fiend - MTG Card versions
Skyship Plunderer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Motivator - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Kiln Fiend - MTG Card versions
Skyship Plunderer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Motivator - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Motivated Pony by color, type and mana cost

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Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Motivated Pony enables you to consistently improve your hand, giving you the edge in maintaining pressure and options on the battlefield. By offering an ability that lets you draw, every turn becomes an opportunity to outmaneuver your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As a resource accelerator, this card can quickly change the pace of the game. It lets you ramp up your available mana, allowing for earlier plays of key spells or creatures that could turn the tide in your favor.

Instant Speed: The power of instant speed spells in Magic cannot be overstated, and Motivated Pony brings this to your arsenal. With the capacity to act at the end of your opponent’s turn, this card keeps your opponent guessing and your strategy flexible.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Motivated Pony card necessitates parting with another card in your hand as part of its activation. This condition could put players at a disadvantage, especially in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Motivated Pony, a precise combination of mana is required, which could clash with players’ deck strategies that aren’t aligned with the color identity of the card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Motivated Pony comes with a mana value that’s on the higher side, making it a hefty investment for the effect it delivers. This can be less appealing when more cost-effective creatures are available to fill similar roles in a deck.


Reasons to Include Motivated Pony in Your Collection

Versatility: Motivated Pony’s adaptable nature means it’s a comfortable fit in a variety of deck builds. This enhances deck consistency and performance, whether you’re focusing on creature-based strategies or looking for a reliable early game play.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities can synergize with a range of complementary cards. Leveraging its potential to create formidable combinations can tip the scales in your favor during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: As the competitive scene shifts, having Motivated Pony in your arsenal can give you an edge. Its relevance in certain matchups makes it a savvy choice for players keen on staying competitive.


How to beat

Motivated Pony is an intriguing creature card sure to catch the eye of many Magic: The Gathering players. Its unique ability to gain momentum by possibly untapping each turn can make it a quick threat on the battlefield. However, understanding its mechanics is key to mastering how to outmaneuver this card in play.

Featuring enhanced capabilities when boosted with spells or abilities, Motivated Pony can gallop into a swift problem for opponents. To counteract this card effectively, consider utilizing removal spells efficiently. Instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can easily dispatch the card before the ability triggers. Moreover, implementing creature control enchantments such as Pacifism or Lignify can neutralize this steed without having to send it to the graveyard.

Adding cards to your deck that restrict the untapping of creatures also works wonders against Motivated Pony. Identifying the right moment to play these control elements is crucial. Keep a vigilant eye on your opponent’s mana availability and potential combat tricks. Doing so will help ensure that the Motivated Pony doesn’t outpace your strategy. By employing these tactics, you can maintain control of the game and diminish the impact of this high-spirited equine.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depths of MTG are exemplified by cards like Motivated Pony, with its card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant speed tactics. However, each card’s pros and cons must be weighed, considering factors like discard requirements and mana costs. The true potential of a card like Motivated Pony is unlocked through its versatility, combo potential, and meta relevance. Aspects of this card echo MTG staples, offering both new opportunities and familiar strategies. When facing such cards, remember that precise counters, like instant removal or creature control, can turn the tide. To dive deeper into the dynamics of cards like Motivated Pony and refine your gameplay, join us to expand your knowledge and evolve your strategies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Motivated Pony MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Motivated Pony and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Motivated Pony Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Claudiu-Antoniu Magherusan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 422015NormalBlackClaudiu-Antoniu Magherusan
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1252015NormalBlackClaudiu-Antoniu Magherusan
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4442015NormalBlackClaudiu-Antoniu Magherusan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Motivated Pony has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Motivated Pony card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 Do not eat the delicious cards. No, not even for second breakfast.
2023-06-16 Food is an artifact type. Even though it appears on some creatures in other sets, it's never a creature type.
2023-06-16 If an effect refers to a Food, it means any Food artifact, not just a Food artifact token. For example, you can sacrifice Lembas, an artifact card with the Food subtype, to activate the last ability of Bill the Pony.
2023-06-16 Some spells and abilities that create Food tokens may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't create any Food tokens.
2023-06-16 You can't sacrifice a Food token to pay multiple costs. For example, you can't sacrifice a Food token to activate its own ability and also to activate the last ability of Bill the Pony.