EDH Optimizer
Horsemanship Commander decks
Horsemanship shows up as a main archetype for 8 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in blue and red. Its most characteristic cards are Blackblade Reforged, Lightning Greaves, Swiftfoot Boots: not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear in these decks far above what is normal for the same colors.
Cards that define the archetype
Ranked by how much MORE they are played inside the archetype than in the rest of Commander. Generic staples (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet…) fall out for exactly that reason: they are played everywhere equally.
| Card | Commanders | Avg. inclusion | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackblade Reforged | 3 | 48% | +92 pts |
| Lightning Greaves | 3 | 41% | +79 pts |
| Swiftfoot Boots | 3 | 58% | +65 pts |
Commanders for Horsemanship
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is.
By color identity
Blue Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
Black Best cards by color →
Paste your list and we tell you whether the deck actually does what it wants to do: curve, ramp, interaction and a 10,000-game simulation.
🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Horsemanship deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Sun Ce, Young Conquerer, Guan Yu, Sainted Warrior, Ma Chao, Western Warrior. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 8 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Horsemanship is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Horsemanship deck?
The three most characteristic are Blackblade Reforged, Lightning Greaves, Swiftfoot Boots. They are not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear far more inside this archetype than in the rest of Commander — which is what actually makes them essential here.
What colors is Horsemanship played in?
The most common color identities are Blue, Red, Black. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Horsemanship deck cost?
It depends on the price cap PER CARD you set. Each commander page lists the best cards in three tiers (up to €2, up to €10 and no cap), and the optimizer only suggests swaps that fit the cap you pick.