How do Shock Lands Work?
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Shock lands are dual lands that can be tapped for one of two types of mana, and they have the unique ability to enter the battlefield untapped if you pay 2 life. They are a crucial part of many Magic: The Gathering decks, particularly in the Modern format, and are often used in combination with fetch lands to provide color-fixing and tempo advantages.
What are Shock Lands?
Shock lands are a type of non-basic land that has two basic land types, allowing them to be used to produce two different colors of mana. They are named after the card Shock, which deals 2 damage to a target, and they work in a similar way, allowing you to “shock” yourself to get an untapped land.
How do Shock Lands Work?
Shock lands have a unique ability that allows them to enter the battlefield untapped if you pay 2 life. This ability can be used to gain a tempo advantage, allowing you to play spells and abilities on the same turn that you play the shock land.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about shock lands:
- What are the advantages of shock lands?: Shock lands provide good color depth without losing tempo, and they are excellent for color-fixing with fetch effects.
- Do shock lands count as basic lands?: No, shock lands do not count as basic lands, although they do have basic land types.
- Why are they called shock lands?: Shock lands are named after the card Shock, which deals 2 damage to a target.
- Are fetch lands better than shock lands?: Fetch lands and shock lands serve different purposes, and which one is better depends on the specific deck and game plan.
- Why do people wait to crack fetch lands?: Players often wait to crack fetch lands to minimize the information their opponent can gather about their deck and game plan.
- How many true dual lands are there?: There are 10 original dual lands, which were printed from Alpha to Revised.
- Can evolving wilds fetch dual lands?: No, evolving wilds can only fetch basic lands.
- How does land work in Magic?: Lands tap to produce mana, which is used to cast spells and activate abilities.
- What is the difference between shock lands and check lands?: Check lands need an enabler to enter the battlefield untapped, while shock lands can enter untapped by paying 2 life.
- Do shock lands have color identity?: No, shock lands do not have a color identity, because they do not have a colored mana symbol in their text.
- Is Breeding Pool a basic land?: No, Breeding Pool is not a basic land, although it does have basic land types.
- What are the 10 shock lands?: The 10 shock lands are Hallowed Fountain, Watery Grave, Blood Crypt, Stomping Ground, Temple Garden, Godless Shrine, Steam Vents, Overgrown Tomb, Sacred Foundry, and Breeding Pool.
- What are the odds of getting a galaxy foil shock land?: The odds of getting a galaxy foil shock land are 1 in 24 (4%) in a Draft Booster, and 1 in 12 (8%) in a Collector Booster.
- Can fetch lands get triomes?: Yes, fetch lands can get triomes, because triomes have basic land types.
- Do dual lands count as 2 lands?: No, dual lands do not count as 2 lands, they count as 1 land with 2 basic land types.
By understanding how shock lands work and how they interact with other Magic: The Gathering cards, players can build more effective decks and gain a competitive edge in tournaments and casual play. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new player, shock lands are an important part of the game that can help you achieve victory.