What is the Best Land Ratio in Magic The Gathering?
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.
The “best” land ratio in Magic: The Gathering isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer; it depends entirely on the specific deck you’re playing and its mana curve. However, a general starting point is 40% lands for a 60-card deck, translating to 24 lands. This number needs to be adjusted based on several factors, including the deck’s overall strategy, average casting cost, and the number of mana acceleration spells included.
Understanding the Importance of Mana in Magic
Mana is the lifeblood of any Magic: The Gathering deck. Without enough lands, you’ll be mana screwed, unable to cast your spells and falling behind your opponent. Conversely, too many lands can lead to mana flood, drawing lands instead of impactful spells in the late game. Striking the right balance is crucial for consistent performance and maximizing your chances of winning.
Factors Influencing Land Ratio
Several key factors dictate the ideal land ratio for your deck. Ignoring these can lead to frustrating games and suboptimal results.
Deck Archetype
Different deck archetypes require different mana bases. Here’s a breakdown:
-
Aggro Decks: These decks aim to win quickly, usually by turns 4-6. They typically run a lower land count, often around 20-22 lands in a 60-card deck. They focus on cheap, efficient creatures and burn spells. They can get away with fewer lands because they don’t need to consistently hit land drops past the first few turns.
-
Midrange Decks: Midrange decks aim to control the early game and then overwhelm opponents with powerful threats in the mid-to-late game. They usually run around 23-25 lands in a 60-card deck. They need consistent mana to cast their disruptive spells and then their impactful creatures and planeswalkers.
-
Control Decks: Control decks seek to stall the game, answer threats, and eventually win with powerful late-game cards. They often run the highest land count, typically 25-27 lands in a 60-card deck. They require a consistent stream of mana to cast counterspells, removal spells, and card draw spells.
-
Ramp Decks: These decks focus on accelerating their mana production to cast expensive spells early. The land count can vary from 24 to 26 lands, but they also include mana ramp spells like ramp spells and mana dorks to reach their high-mana goals faster.
-
Combo Decks: Combo decks need to assemble specific card combinations to win, so mana consistency is crucial. Their land count typically falls in the 23-25 land range, but it relies heavily on card draw and tutoring to assemble their combo pieces quickly.
Mana Curve
The mana curve represents the distribution of casting costs in your deck. A deck with many cheap spells will need fewer lands than a deck with mostly expensive spells. Analyze your mana curve:
- Low Mana Curve: If most of your spells cost 1-3 mana, you can run fewer lands.
- High Mana Curve: If you have many spells costing 4 mana or more, you’ll need more lands to consistently cast them on time.
Mana Acceleration
Cards that produce additional mana, such as mana dorks, ramp spells, or mana rocks, effectively reduce the need for lands. If you include a significant number of these cards, you can reduce your land count accordingly. For each two mana acceleration spells in your deck, consider removing one land.
Card Draw and Filtering
Card draw spells and filtering effects (like scry or surveil) increase your chances of finding lands when you need them and discarding them when you don’t. Decks with ample card draw can often run slightly fewer lands because they have better access to the lands they do include.
Mulligan Strategy
Your mulligan strategy is your plan of action when you have an opening hand that is not good. Decks that are designed to mulligan aggressively to find specific cards (such as combo decks) might get by with fewer lands, as they are more likely to find the lands they need.
Color Requirements
Complex mana bases with multiple colors can be more demanding. You may need more lands, dual lands, or mana-fixing lands (lands that can produce multiple colors of mana) to ensure you can cast your spells on time.
Practical Examples
Let’s illustrate with a few examples:
- Mono-Red Aggro: This deck typically runs 20-22 lands. It focuses on cheap creatures and burn spells, aiming to close out the game quickly before needing more mana.
- Green Ramp: This deck might run 24 lands, alongside 6-8 ramp spells, to quickly generate mana and cast powerful threats.
- Esper Control: This deck might run 26-27 lands with a variety of dual lands and mana-fixing to consistently cast its counterspells, removal, and card draw.
Playtesting is Key
Ultimately, the best way to determine the optimal land ratio for your deck is through extensive playtesting. Start with a reasonable estimate based on the factors above, then play numerous games, track your mana screw and mana flood rates, and adjust accordingly.
General Guidelines
- Starting Point: 40% lands (24 lands in a 60-card deck).
- Aggro: Lower the land count (20-22 lands).
- Control: Increase the land count (25-27 lands).
- Ramp: Keep the land count similar but add mana ramp spells.
- Complex Mana Bases: Consider adding dual lands and mana-fixing lands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I have too few lands?
You’ll experience mana screw – being unable to cast your spells due to insufficient mana. This can lead to early game disadvantages and eventual defeat. You will get stuck on one or two lands and be unable to cast your spells and be unable to impact the game.
2. What happens if I have too many lands?
You’ll experience mana flood – drawing excessive lands instead of impactful spells. This can lead to late-game stagnation, where you have plenty of mana but nothing to spend it on. You will draw land after land and be unable to draw into spells that can win you the game.
3. How do I calculate my deck’s mana curve?
List all the spells in your deck, noting their mana costs. Calculate the number of spells at each mana cost (e.g., 5 spells at 1 mana, 7 spells at 2 mana, etc.). This distribution visualizes your mana curve. Tools like deckbuilding websites often automate this process.
4. What are mana dorks?
Mana dorks are creatures that tap for mana. Examples include Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise. They allow you to accelerate your mana production and cast spells earlier.
5. What are mana rocks?
Mana rocks are artifacts that produce mana. Examples include Sol Ring and Arcane Signet. Like mana dorks, they accelerate your mana production.
6. What are dual lands?
Dual lands are lands that can produce more than one color of mana. Examples include Steam Vents and Hallowed Fountain. They help smooth out your mana base in multi-colored decks.
7. What are mana-fixing lands?
Mana-fixing lands are lands that help you produce the colors of mana you need. This can include dual lands, but also lands that search for other lands, like fetch lands.
8. How does card draw affect my land ratio?
Card draw increases your access to lands. If your deck has ample card draw, you can potentially run slightly fewer lands, relying on drawing into them when needed.
9. How does scrying affect my land ratio?
Scrying allows you to look at the top card of your library and either keep it or put it on the bottom. This can improve your consistency and help you find lands when you need them, potentially allowing you to run slightly fewer lands.
10. How many lands should I add when adding a new color to my deck?
This depends on the splash. For a light splash (only a few cards of the new color), 2-3 dual lands that produce that color will be sufficient. For a heavy splash, you might need as many as 4-6 dual lands or fixing lands.
11. Should I always run 40% lands?
No. The 40% rule is just a starting point. Adjust based on your deck’s archetype, mana curve, and other factors. Aggro decks require fewer lands, while control decks often need more.
12. How many lands should I include in a commander deck?
Commander decks are 100 cards, and a typical range is 35-38 lands. This number can be adjusted depending on mana rocks and ramp spells within the deck. The more ramp spells, the less lands you will require.
13. How many colors should I play?
There is no hard and fast answer to the question. The more colors in the deck, the more difficult it will be to assemble all the color requirements for spells. Mana fixing becomes much more difficult, as it becomes necessary to include dual lands, mana rocks, and other ramp spells.
14. What are fetch lands?
Fetch lands are lands that let you search for other lands from your deck. They thin the deck, provide color fixing, and help enable strategies that require lands to go to the graveyard. A good example would be Bloodstained Mire, which can search for a swamp or mountain.
15. How do I balance color requirements in my mana base?
Prioritize lands that produce the colors most frequently needed by your early-game spells. Use dual lands and mana-fixing lands to ensure you can consistently cast your spells on curve. Consider using color-fixing artifacts if necessary.