Prototype creatures are creatures that are used to refer to an entire class of creatures with the same power and toughness and mana cost or converted mana cost (and in some cases, abilities). What makes these creature prototypical is their recurrence at common or uncommon rarity in almost all modern sets. Of these categories, Gray Ogres and Pikers are the most common with nearly 400 and over 200 respectively.
In most cases, these are usually found with (often strong) upsides in the colors they are most common in. In most cases, multicolored cards are not considered to belong to the "corresponding" prototype.
Common models
| Name | Prototype card | Characteristics | Colors | List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear | Grizzly Bears | 2/2 for 1C | With abilities ("Value Bear"): White, Green, Black[1] Only at CC cost or with downside: Red, Blue |
List |
| Air Elemental | Air Elemental | 4/4 or bigger flyers for cmc 5, always uncommon or rarer |
All colors except green | |
| Welkin Tern | Welkin Tern | 2/1 flier for 1U, usually with downside |
Blue | List |
| Hill Giant | Hill Giant | 3/3 for 3C or 2CC | Mostly red and green | List |
| Gray Ogre | Gray Ogre | 2/2 for 2C | All colors, but slightly more common in black and red[2] | |
| Wind Drake | Wind Drake | 2/2 for 2C with flying | Mostly white and blue[3] | List |
| Turtle | Horned Turtle | 1/4 for 2C | Mostly white and blue | List |
| Ox | Pillarfield Ox | 2/4 for 3C | Mostly white and green | List |
| Giant Cockroaches | Giant Cockroach | 4/2 for 3C | Mostly red and black | List |
| Piker | Goblin Piker | 2/1 for 1C | All colors, but most numerous in red | |
| Cat | Sanctuary Cat | 1/2 for C | Mostly white and green | List |