Trenching Steed MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Horse Rebel
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	26
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

Trenching Steed increases creature power with a +1/+1 counter for each spell cast.
Its Landfall ability translates into mana generation, crucial for gaining a lead.
Strategic uses of its counters at instant speed can dramatically shift gameplay.

Text of card

Sacrifice a land: Trenching Steed gets +0/+3 until end of turn.

The Keldons took several of the steeds as trophies of war. They'd never seen such a light beast stand so firm.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Trenching Steed excels in allowing players to steadily build up their board presence. Each time you cast a spell during your turn, Trenching Steed provides a +1/+1 counter, subtly tipping the scales in your favor in the form of accumulating creature power.

Resource Acceleration: This dependable mount doesn’t just toughen up from spells—it helps churn out valuable mana. With its Landfall ability, every land you play gives you an additional leg up, quite literally. It places a vitality counter on Trenching Steed, which can later be removed for a burst of resource acceleration, propelling you ahead of the competition.

Instant Speed: While Trenching Steed operates at sorcery speed itself, the counters it garners can be utilized at instant speed. This allows for unpredictable plays and strategic depth, offering instant adaptability in response to shifting game states. This element of surprise can often be the turning point in tightly-contested duels.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While trenches can hide the mightiest warhorses, Trenching Steed does have a caveat. It requires you to pitch another card from your hand just to unleash it. This sacrifices card advantage and can leave you at a deficit if your arsenal is already thinning.

Specific Mana Cost: Charging into the battlefield with specific mana demands, Trenching Steed can strain your mana base. It necessitates a precise color balance in your deck, limiting its adaptability and sometimes leaving it stranded in your hand at the worst moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning this noble beast requires a considerable mana investment. In a game where speed can be of essence, its cost might delay your game plan, especially when you weigh it against other creatures in your cavalry that might charge for less.

Reasons to Include Trenching Steed in Your Collection

Versatility: Trenching Steed offers a flexible fit for deck builders, adapting well to various strategies that appreciate creatures which can consistently bolster their battle lines.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to work in tandem with effects that reward you for playing creatures, generating benefits each time it is cast or even when it is returned to your hand for another round.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its adaptability, Trenching Steed can be an underrated asset in environments where the board presence and the ability to develop your plays turn by turn can make a significant difference.

How to beat

Trenching Steed presents a particular challenge on the battlefield, often enticing players to adapt their strategy to outmaneuver its persistent effects. This card’s subtle strength lies in its potential to keep the board state favorable for its controller. However, crafting a meticulous plan can turn the tide against this steadfast creature.

Effective removal spells are key; consider utilizing versatile options like Murder or Abrupt Decay that can cleanly deal with the Steed without triggering indestructibility or regeneration abilities. Artifact destruction spells also prove useful, targeting equipment that might bolster the Steed’s stats. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can also reset the playing field, irrespective of individual creature strengths.

Moreover, incorporating counterspells or hand disruption tactics can preemptively tackle this threat before it settles on the board. In essence, the strategy revolves around preventing Trenching Steed from establishing its defensive posture or eliminating it in a single, decisive move. With careful planning and timely execution, overcoming this card’s challenge is well within reach for astute players.

Cards like Trenching Steed

Trenching Steed finds its place within the vast array of creatures that Magic: The Gathering has to offer. When viewed through the lens of utility and gameplay impact, we see parallels with cards like Concordia Pegasus. Both creatures take to the skies with flying, yet Trenching Steed brings the additional advantage of potentially strengthening other creatures you control each time you cast a kicked spell. It’s a multifaceted tool, offering not just a winged blocker but also amplifying your battlefield presence.

Gliding alongside is Gust Walker, another creature card that, while lacking the flying ability innately, can gain it with exertion, and compares favorably cost-wise. However, unlike Trenching Steed, Gust Walker doesn’t offer the same level of synergy with kick spells. Trenching Steed stands out in this respect, weaving together the aspects of versatile combat strategies and deck-theme enhancements.

Assessing Trenching Steed against its brethren in the game, it emerges as a card with a unique niche. It has a specific interplay with kicked spells that not only complements strategies built around such mechanics but also encourages creative deck building to leverage its on-cast ability, making it a compelling choice for players who favor decks with kicked spells synergies.

Cards similar to Trenching Steed by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Trenching Steed MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Trenching Steed and other MTG cards: