Horde of Notions – MTG Lorwyn Halloween Throwback

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

Horde of Notions may not be the sort of card that has skulls or jack-o-lanterns all over its art, but there are some low-key Halloween themes going on. Some people believe this to be the time of the year when the spirits of the dead return, and nothing is going to stay in your graveyard for long in a deck themed around the Horde. Barring some really crazy mana shenanigans, you’re probably only going to be using its activated ability about once per turn, but that’s really plenty. The Lorwyn block had a major theme involving elementals with comes-into-play abilities, some of which could be actively devastating (Cloudthresher and Mulldrifter spring to mind). There have been some other strong elemental cards over the years that would work well alongside him, even before you get up to M20. He hasn’t always gotten a lot of fanfare, but is still an interesting choice for casual and Commander settings.

Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 3/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
EDH/Commander: 4/5

The big boss monster for the Elemental tribe in Lorwyn, Horde of Notions offers both a pretty decent body and a powerful effect. It’s not unbeatable in combat, but a couple of swings from the Horde will put your opponents well and truly on the back foot; it blocks and attacks well in equal measure. Of course, it also has the fun upside of having its activated ability to get back any Elemental from your graveyard, which is nice when Elementals tended to have the evoke ability to expedite their path to the graveyard.

It’s a solid way to grind out more value from Elementals, and it’s also a passable body on its own. Horde of Notions has the issue that it’s arguably too “fair” a card to be really a format house, and being five colors does constrain it a fair bit. It’s definitely a fun card, and it can be a good creature to build a deck around (like in Commander), but don’t expect Grand Prix success with this.

Constructed: 2.25
Casual: 4
Limited: 3.75 (harmed by the mana fixing of its formats, but nuts if you can make it work)
Multiplayer: 3.5
Commander: 4.25