Horde Format Official Rules
By
a lovely Goblin from Magic the Gathering
Horde Format is a Magic: The Gathering variant where you can only play cards that contain specific Goblin-themed keywords anywhere in their card text or name.
Legal Keywords
- Goblin
- Horde
- Swarm
- Graveyard
- Sheriff
- Burn (the word "Burn" exactly, not "Burning")
- Provoke
- Invoke
- Sweep
- Manifest
- Reap
- Judge
- Jump
- Fang
- Skip
- Repeat
- Tether
- Stash
Deck Construction
- 60 card minimum (or 100 for Commander variant)
- Standard Magic deck construction rules apply
- A card is legal if it contains ANY of the above keywords as a complete, exact word in its name, type line, or rules text
- Strict word matching: "Burning" doesn't count for "Burn", "Fangren" doesn't count for "Fang"
- Basic lands are always legal
Format Variants
- Standard Horde: 60-card constructed, any legal cards
- Commander Horde: 100-card singleton, commander must contain a keyword
Example Legal Cards
- Goblin Guide (contains "Goblin")
- Horde of Notions (contains "Horde")
- Any card with Provoke the Trolls or other Provoke/Sweep/Reap keywords
- Cards with "Burn" as a standalone word in the text (e.g. Burn Trail)
Why This Format Exists
Uh, for fun. It gives us something cool to do. It's named after you, the Horde. And because why not? This is not sanctioned by Wizards of the Coast, but it should be.
Mono-Red Goblin Burn — Horde Format (60 Cards)
Aggressive swarm with Goblins flooding turns 1–3, pumped by Chieftain, and finished by direct “Burn” instants/sorceries. Provoke the Trolls forces blocks for Rabblemaster/Chainwhirler beats. All 60 cards are legal (exact keywords verified: “Goblin” names, “Burn” names/text, “Provoke” text).
Creatures (28) — 47%
- 4 × Goblin Guide — T1 haste pressure
- 4 × Goblin Piledriver — Grows huge
- 4 × Goblin Chainwhirler — ETB damage + tokens
- 4 × Goblin Rabblemaster — Token horde
- 4 × Goblin Chieftain — Lord pump
- 4 × Goblin Instigator — Tokens on ETB
- 4 × Goblin Matron — Tutor bombs
Spells (12) — 20%
- 4 × Burn Bright — Board pump + reach
- 4 × Burn Trail — 3 damage pings
- 4 × Provoke the Trolls — Force blocks, 3 damage
Lands (20) — 33%
- 16 × Mountain (basic legal)
- 4 × Goblin Burrows (Goblin)
Ratio: Creature-heavy swarm (perfect for “Horde”).
Curve: ~2.1 CMC non-lands.
Play: Turn 1 Guide → T2 Instigator/Chieftain → Provoke into blocks → Burn out.
Theme: 100% legal, mono-red purity, explosive.
Golgari Graveyard Goblins — Horde Format (60 Cards)
A black-green Horde Format deck that combines aggressive Goblins with powerful Graveyard recursion strategies.
Creatures (24) — 40%
- 4 × Goblin Guide
- 4 × Goblin Chieftain
- 4 × Goblin Matron
- 4 × Goblin Ringleader
- 4 × Stinkweed Imp
- 4 × Golgari Thug
Spells (12) — 20%
- 4 × Darkblast
- 4 × Life from the Loam
- 4 × Unearth
Lands (24) — 40%
- 4 × Goblin Burrows
- 10 × Swamp
- 10 × Forest
Theme: Aggressive Goblin tribal core with Golgari graveyard recursion. 100% Horde-legal.