Basic vs. Nonbasic Lands in Magic: The Gathering: A Comprehensive Guide

At its core, Magic: The Gathering is a game of resource management, and lands are the primary source of mana, the resource needed to cast spells and activate abilities. Lands come in two fundamental categories: basic lands and nonbasic lands. The distinction between them significantly impacts deck construction and gameplay strategies. In essence, basic lands are a specific set of lands with unique characteristics and fewer restrictions, while nonbasic lands are all other lands that do not possess the “basic” supertype. This article will delve into the specifics of each type, exploring their differences and practical implications for both casual and competitive play.

What are Basic Lands?

Basic lands are defined by possessing the “basic” supertype in the game of Magic: The Gathering. These lands are fundamental to deck building and are the bedrock of most mana bases. The original five types of basic lands are:

• Plains (produces white mana)
• Island (produces blue mana)
• Swamp (produces black mana)
• Mountain (produces red mana)
• Forest (produces green mana)

In addition to these, the following are also considered basic lands:

• Snow-Covered Plains, Snow-Covered Island, Snow-Covered Swamp, Snow-Covered Mountain, and Snow-Covered Forest
• Wastes (produces colorless mana).

The most significant feature of basic lands is that you can include any number of them in your deck. This unlimited quantity sets them apart from nonbasic lands, making them incredibly important when building a deck. Furthermore, basic lands are typically readily available and come included in most Magic: The Gathering products.

Key Features of Basic Lands:

• Supertype: Possess the “basic” supertype.
• Unlimited Quantity: No restriction on the number included in a deck.
• Mana Production: They tap to produce one mana of their associated color (or colorless for Wastes).
• Accessibility: Widely available and inexpensive.
• Subtypes: Possess one of the five basic land subtypes: Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, or Forest (or none for Wastes).
• Snow Lands: Snow-covered basics are considered basic lands.

What are Nonbasic Lands?

Nonbasic lands are all lands that do not have the “basic” supertype. These lands offer more varied and powerful abilities than basic lands, though they come with a significant limitation: you are usually limited to four copies of any nonbasic land in your deck. Due to these limits, you must carefully choose which nonbasics to include. They often have specific abilities that help you fix your mana or enhance your strategy. These powerful nonbasic lands add layers of complexity and diversity in deck-building.

Key Features of Nonbasic Lands:

• Lack of Supertype: They lack the “basic” supertype.
• Limited Quantity: Generally limited to four copies per deck (with some exceptions for specific formats or cards).
• Varied Abilities: Often possess more complex abilities beyond simple mana production.
• Strategic Value: Crucial for building complex mana bases and executing sophisticated strategies.
• Rarity: Generally more difficult to acquire than basic lands and can be costly.
• Examples: Shock lands, fetch lands, dual lands, and tri-lands all fall into the nonbasic land category.

Why is This Distinction Important?

The difference between basic and nonbasic lands is crucial for several reasons:

• Deckbuilding: The quantity restrictions on nonbasic lands force players to carefully manage their mana base and choose the nonbasic lands that best suit their needs. The unlimited nature of basic lands allows them to serve as the foundational mana source.
• Mana Consistency: Nonbasic lands often help to produce multiple colors of mana, which allows for a more efficient mana base, while also having special abilities that may not be found on basic lands.
• Interaction with Spells: Some spells and abilities interact specifically with either basic or nonbasic lands, making this distinction an important consideration.
• Format Legality: Some formats or events may restrict or prioritize certain types of lands, emphasizing the necessity of understanding this core concept.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Dual Lands Basic Lands?

No, dual lands are not basic lands. While some dual lands may possess basic land types, they do not have the “basic” supertype, therefore limiting the number that can be in a deck to four.

2. Are Shock Lands Basic Lands?

Shock lands are also not basic lands. Like dual lands, they have basic land types (e.g., “Mountain Island”) but do not have the “basic” supertype. They are also limited to four copies per deck.

3. What are the Basic Land Types?

The basic land types are Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. These subtypes determine the color of mana a land produces and how it interacts with certain cards.

4. How Many Basic Lands Should I Have in My Deck?

The number of basic lands depends on the overall mana curve and strategy of the deck. A general guideline is to have around 17-18 lands in a 40-card deck and 24-25 lands in a 60-card deck. These numbers should be adjusted based on the average mana cost of spells in the deck and the presence of mana acceleration spells.

5. Is a Snow-Covered Forest a Basic Land?

Yes, Snow-Covered Forest and all the other snow-covered basic lands are considered basic lands. They have both the snow supertype and the basic supertype.

6. Can I Have Multiple Snow Lands in Commander?

Yes, in Constructed formats like Commander, where basic snow lands are legal, you can include any number of them in your deck.

7. Do Gates Count as Basic Lands?

No, Gates are a nonbasic land type, and they do not have the “basic” supertype.

8. How Many Lands Can I Play Per Turn?

You can play only one land per turn, and this action can only occur during one of your main phases.

9. Does a Basic Land Count as a Spell?

No, playing a land is a special action and is not considered a spell. Lands never go on the stack.

10. Are Basic Lands Free?

Basic lands are included in most Magic: The Gathering products and are effectively free. They also can be acquired in bulk quite inexpensively.

11. Are all Basic Lands Legal?

Basic lands are legal in a format only if they were printed in a set that is legal in that specific format.

12. What Qualifies as a Basic Land?

A land qualifies as a basic land if it possesses the “basic” supertype printed on the card and is one of the following names: Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, Forest, Snow-Covered Plains, Snow-Covered Island, Snow-Covered Swamp, Snow-Covered Mountain, Snow-Covered Forest, or Wastes.

13. Do You Draft Basic Lands?

Technically, the basic land card isn’t supposed to be removed from the packs when drafting, but it’s common practice to do so unless the slot contains something other than a basic land.

14. What are the Supertypes in Magic?

The supertypes in Magic: The Gathering are basic, legendary, ongoing, snow, and world.

15. Is Scrubland a Basic Land?

No, Scrubland has basic land types, but it is not a basic land itself. It is a nonbasic land that can produce either white or black mana and is restricted to 4 per deck.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between basic and nonbasic lands is essential for any Magic: The Gathering player. Basic lands provide a stable and unlimited foundation for any mana base, while nonbasic lands offer diverse abilities and mana fixing capabilities but come with deck building restrictions. Mastering their uses is a key step to building effective and strategic decks. By learning these fundamentals, you’ll be well on your way to creating complex and successful strategies in the game of Magic: The Gathering.