Are Dual Lands on the Reserved List?
Yes, the original ten dual lands are indeed on the Reserved List. These iconic lands, printed in the early days of Magic: The Gathering from Alpha to Revised, are among the most sought-after and expensive cards in the game. Their inclusion on the Reserved List means that Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has made a promise not to reprint them in tournament-legal form, which dramatically impacts their availability and price. This commitment contributes to the dual lands’ mystique and continues to fuel fervent debate within the MTG community.
Understanding the Reserved List
The Reserved List is a controversial topic, and for many, a point of contention. It is a list of cards that WotC has pledged not to reprint, in their original or functional equivalent form for tournament play. This policy, put in place in the late 90s, was intended to maintain the value of older cards after they were devalued by reprints of popular cards, and to protect collectors from having their collections plummet in value. While this has largely been true for some cards, it also means that many of these cards have become increasingly hard to find and extremely expensive.
The Original Dual Lands
The term “dual lands” generally refers to the ten original nonbasic lands that can produce two different colors of mana. These include:
- Tundra (White/Blue)
- Underground Sea (Blue/Black)
- Badlands (Black/Red)
- Taiga (Red/Green)
- Savannah (White/Green)
- Scrubland (White/Black)
- Volcanic Island (Blue/Red)
- Bayou (Black/Green)
- Plateau (Red/White)
- Tropical Island (Green/Blue)
These dual lands, often simply called “duals,” are a vital part of the mana base for competitive Magic decks, and their scarcity, coupled with their power, drives up their value considerably.
Why the Reserved List Matters for Dual Lands
The fact that these dual lands are on the Reserved List significantly impacts their availability and price. Since WotC has promised not to reprint them, the supply of these cards is limited to the original print runs from the early sets. With more and more players joining the game, the demand continues to increase and the cost of these cards also continues to skyrocket. This is in contrast to newer dual lands, which get reprints regularly.
The Impact on the Market
The limited supply of dual lands, combined with consistent demand, has made them among the most valuable cards in Magic: The Gathering. Prices for some of the more popular duals can reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible for many players. This has created a divide in the community between those who can afford these cards and those who cannot. The Reserved List, while intended to protect collectibility, inadvertently hinders game accessibility and, for some, adds an unnecessary barrier to entry in some formats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are dual lands in Magic: The Gathering?
Dual lands are nonbasic lands that can produce two different colors of mana. They are a crucial component of mana bases in many competitive decks, allowing for smoother and more efficient casting of spells. The original ten dual lands are the most sought after due to their lack of drawbacks and inclusion on the Reserved List.
2. Why are the original dual lands so expensive?
The original dual lands are expensive primarily due to their inclusion on the Reserved List, which prevents WotC from reprinting them in tournament-legal versions. This limits their supply, while their consistent demand as staple cards in formats like Vintage and Legacy keeps their prices high.
3. Will Wizards of the Coast ever reprint the original dual lands?
Wizards of the Coast has stated that they will not reprint the original dual lands in tournament-legal form due to the Reserved List policy. While there have been debates on the subject and loopholes in the past (like the foil exception), the company maintains the commitment made decades ago.
4. What is the Reserved List “foil loophole”?
The “foil loophole” was an exception in the 2002 Reprint Policy that allowed Wizards of the Coast to reprint Reserved List cards as premium versions such as foils. This allowed for limited reprints of these cards as Judge promos, Player Rewards, and Arena promos. This loophole, while controversial, did not violate the core pledge not to reprint them for mass tournament use.
5. What is the cheapest type of dual land in MTG?
The cheapest dual lands in Magic: The Gathering are generally the lands that do not have any restrictions. Some of the most budget-friendly dual land cycles include Snarls, Bouncelands, Zendikar Creature Lands, Temples, Thriving Lands, Tango Lands, and New Capenna’s Hideouts. These are reprinted regularly and aren’t part of the Reserved List.
6. Why isn’t Demonic Tutor on the Reserved List anymore?
Demonic Tutor was originally on the Reserved List until WotC removed it, along with other early set common/uncommon cards due to “overwhelming public support” for it to be removed. This change highlights the fact that the Reserved List is not set in stone.
7. What is the controversy surrounding the Reserved List?
The MTG Reserved List is a source of ongoing debate within the Magic community. On one hand, it preserves the value of older cards and provides a certain level of collectibility. However, on the other hand, it makes essential cards like dual lands inaccessible to many players, creating financial barriers to competitive play.
8. What are the implications of the Reserved List for MTG’s future?
The Reserved List continues to shape the market dynamics and format viability. It creates scarcity, driving up prices for older, powerful cards and restricting access for many players. This tension between collectibility and accessibility will likely continue to influence the direction and evolution of MTG.
9. What are the most valuable dual lands?
The most valuable dual lands tend to be Underground Sea, Volcanic Island, and Tropical Island, as they are typically considered to be the most important for different color combinations that have a high presence in competitive formats. This can fluctuate based on the current meta though, where other color combinations might rise.
10. Are all nonbasic lands considered “dual lands”?
Not all nonbasic lands are considered “dual lands”. The term specifically refers to lands that can produce two different colors of mana. Examples of nonbasic lands that aren’t duals are colorless lands like [[Wasteland]] and basic land types like [[Reliquary Tower]] and [[Command Tower]] (although Command Tower is typically a dual land)
11. What are some budget-friendly alternatives to the original dual lands?
For players on a budget, there are many other dual lands and multicolored mana options available. The list from question 5, in addition to fetchlands, and shocklands provide strong alternatives, though often with slight drawbacks.
12. What was the original purpose of the Reserved List?
The Reserved List was created to prevent a decrease in the value of older cards caused by reprints. This was meant to reassure collectors that their purchases were protected from plummeting prices.
13. Are any cards currently being removed from the Reserved List?
As of the current day, WotC has made it clear they will not be removing any cards from the Reserved List. Demonic Tutor was a very unique situation that isn’t likely to occur again.
14. How does the Reserved List affect new players of Magic: The Gathering?
The Reserved List can make it challenging for new players to build competitive decks, particularly in formats where older cards are legal. This is due to the inflated prices of cards on the list, making the game less accessible to newer and budget-conscious players.
15. What are the long-term effects of the Reserved List on the MTG community?
The long-term effects of the Reserved List are complex. While the policy does have some collectibility protection, it exacerbates price discrepancies, limits card availability, and can create a split between players who can afford high-end cards and those who cannot. The ongoing debate suggests the community is still trying to resolve the impacts of this policy.
In conclusion, the original ten dual lands are indeed on the Reserved List, and their status is unlikely to change. This policy significantly impacts their price and accessibility, making them a focal point of discussion within the Magic: The Gathering community. While they remain a desirable and powerful set of lands for competitive players, their cost makes them a challenging purchase for many.