Demolishing Real Estate: Land Destruction in Commander – A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, absolutely! Land destruction is a viable, albeit often controversial, strategy in Commander. While it’s not as prevalent as creature removal or card draw, the ability to cripple an opponent’s mana base is a powerful tool. Whether you’re looking to slow down aggressive strategies or disrupt carefully constructed combos, destroying lands can be a legitimate path to victory. Let’s delve into the specifics of this potent tactic.
Understanding Land Destruction in Commander
Land destruction encompasses any effect that removes lands from the battlefield. This can range from surgical, single-target removal to sweeping board wipes that obliterate everyone’s mana sources. Knowing the different types and the colors that specialize in them is crucial for both employing and defending against these strategies.
Single-Target Land Destruction
These effects target and destroy a specific land. They are efficient and can surgically remove problematic lands like Gaea’s Cradle or Maze of Ith. Common examples include:
- Strip Mine: A classic that allows you to destroy any land.
- Wasteland: Similar to Strip Mine, but only targets nonbasic lands.
- Stone Rain: A simple and direct spell to destroy a land.
- Sinkhole: A more restrictive option requiring a black mana commitment.
Mass Land Destruction (MLD)
Also known as Armageddon effects, these destroy all lands on the battlefield. While extremely powerful, MLD can also be socially frowned upon in casual Commander games, as it often leads to long, grindy games. Some examples are:
- Armageddon: Destroys all lands, resetting the mana base.
- Ravages of War: Another version of Armageddon.
- Jokulhaups: Destroys all creatures, artifacts, and lands.
Colors and Land Destruction
- Red: Traditionally the color most associated with land destruction. Red offers both single-target and mass land destruction spells.
- Black: Can destroy lands, but less frequently than Red. Often coupled with life loss.
- Green: Typically destroys noncreature permanents, which can include lands, but this is less common. Green focuses more on ramping and fixing mana rather than denying it to others.
The Ethics and Strategy of Land Destruction
Land destruction is a complex topic in Commander because of its potential to disrupt the flow of the game. While it’s a legitimate strategy, using it indiscriminately can lead to negative play experiences. Consider the following:
- Power Level of the Pod: Is your playgroup competitive or casual? MLD is generally better suited for competitive environments.
- Targeted vs. Untargeted: Single-target land destruction is usually less disruptive than MLD, allowing you to strategically remove key lands without completely halting the game.
- Game Plan: Do you have a plan to win after destroying lands? If not, you might just be prolonging the game for everyone.
Defending Against Land Destruction
Being able to defend against land destruction is as important as employing it. Here are some ways to protect your mana base:
- Land Ramp: Getting ahead on mana through cards like Cultivate or Rampant Growth can mitigate the impact of losing a land or two.
- Land Recursion: Cards that allow you to retrieve lands from your graveyard, such as Crucible of Worlds or Ramunap Excavator, can help you recover from mass land destruction.
- Indestructible Lands: Lands like Darksteel Citadel are immune to destruction.
- Counterspells: Holding up countermagic to protect crucial lands can be a worthwhile investment.
Building a Land Destruction Deck
If you decide to embrace the path of land destruction, here are some tips for building a successful deck:
- Focus on Advantage: Land destruction alone won’t win you the game. You need to leverage the mana advantage you create by deploying threats and controlling the board.
- Resilience: Include ways to recover if your land destruction plan is disrupted. Cards that generate mana in other ways, such as mana rocks and mana dorks, are essential.
- Finisher: Have a clear plan to close out the game once you’ve crippled your opponents’ mana bases.
Why Play Land Destruction?
Despite its reputation, land destruction can be a valuable strategy in Commander for several reasons:
- Control Aggressive Decks: Slowing down fast, aggressive strategies by destroying their early lands can buy you time to set up your own game plan.
- Disrupt Combo Decks: Combo decks rely on specific mana bases to function. Removing key lands can prevent them from assembling their combos.
- Punish Greedy Mana Bases: Decks that rely heavily on nonbasic lands are particularly vulnerable to cards like Wasteland.
The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games and education. You can find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is land destruction considered “bad manners” in Commander?
It depends on the playgroup. In casual environments, mass land destruction can be frowned upon as it can prolong the game without necessarily leading to a clear victory. Single-target land destruction is generally more accepted, especially when targeting problematic lands. Communicate with your playgroup about expectations.
2. What colors are best for land destruction in Commander?
Red is the primary color for land destruction, offering both single-target and mass land destruction spells. Black also has access to some land destruction effects, but it’s less common. Green focuses more on ramping mana than destroying it, though some cards can target noncreature permanents.
3. Can I counter a land with a counterspell?
No, you cannot. Lands aren’t spells. They don’t go on the stack, so they can’t be countered. You can only counter spells.
4. Are there any lands that are indestructible?
Yes, lands like Darksteel Citadel are indestructible and cannot be destroyed by effects like Stone Rain.
5. How many lands should I include in my Commander deck?
A general guideline is to include between 33 and 40 lands in your Commander deck. The exact number depends on your deck’s mana curve and the amount of mana ramp you include.
6. What is “mass land destruction” (MLD)?
Mass land destruction refers to spells that destroy all lands on the battlefield, such as Armageddon and Ravages of War. These effects are powerful but can be controversial in casual Commander games.
7. Can I use Strip Mine to destroy a basic land?
Yes, Strip Mine can destroy any land, including basic lands.
8. What are some cards that allow me to recur lands from my graveyard?
Useful cards include Crucible of Worlds, Ramunap Excavator, and Life from the Loam.
9. Is it possible to build a competitive land destruction Commander deck?
Yes, it is. Such decks often aim to control the game by destroying opponents’ lands while simultaneously developing their own board presence. However, building one that’s both competitive and enjoyable for the playgroup can be challenging.
10. What is the difference between “destroy” and “sacrifice” in Magic: The Gathering?
Destroy means to move a permanent to its owner’s graveyard as a result of an effect. Sacrifice means a player is choosing to move a permanent they control to the graveyard. Indestructible lands can’t be destroyed, but they can still be sacrificed.
11. What cards protect me from land destruction?
Cards like Heroic Intervention give your permanents, including lands, indestructible until end of turn. Also, having additional mana rocks will help you recover faster.
12. Are there any Commanders that synergize well with a land destruction strategy?
Commanders that benefit from a resource advantage, such as those that generate value from artifacts or creatures, can synergize well. Also commanders that can be easily recast from the command zone can help you overcome the mana loss.
13. Is land destruction more effective in certain Commander archetypes?
Land destruction can be particularly effective against decks that rely heavily on specific nonbasic lands, like three to five color decks or those that focus on complex combos.
14. What’s the typical land ratio on EDHREC?
The typical land count on EDHREC is around 36, according to a recent article by Magic Data Science.
15. What is the formula for land counts in Commander?
A good formula for estimating the number of lands in your 99-card deck, counting MDFCs partially in this fashion, is: 31.42 + 3.13 * average mana value of your spells – 0.28 * number of cheap card draw or mana ramp spells.
In conclusion, land destruction in Commander is a complex and multifaceted strategy. While it can be powerful and effective, it’s important to consider the social implications and the overall enjoyment of the game for all players involved. Employ it strategically, responsibly, and with a clear plan to secure victory, and you can effectively demolish your opponents’ mana bases and pave the way to victory.