Unearthing the Perfect Ratio: What is the Optimal Land Ratio in MTG?

The question of the optimal land ratio in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a perennial topic of debate among players, from casual brewers to competitive grinders. There’s no single magic number that works for every deck, but a solid understanding of the principles can guide you towards the right balance. In short, the optimal land ratio in MTG is not a fixed number but rather a dynamic element that depends heavily on your deck’s strategy, mana curve, and format. While traditional wisdom suggests 40% of your deck should be lands, this is a starting point, not a hard rule. For a 60-card deck, this translates to approximately 24 lands, and for a 40-card deck, it’s around 17-18. However, these numbers can fluctuate significantly based on various factors. Let’s explore what those factors are.

The Foundation: Understanding Land Ratios

The fundamental purpose of lands in MTG is to generate mana, which you need to cast spells. Too few lands, and you’ll find yourself “mana screwed,” unable to play your cards. Too many, and you’ll likely flood, drawing lands when you need action. Finding the sweet spot between these two extremes is the key to consistent gameplay.

The Standard 60-Card Deck

For the classic 60-card constructed deck, a good starting point is 20-24 lands. However, this range can vary considerably. Aggressive decks with low mana costs might get away with 20 or fewer lands, while control decks or those with higher mana curves often benefit from 24 or more. Decks relying heavily on spells with casting costs of 4 or more will almost always want to trend higher, closer to 25-26 lands, to consistently make their land drops. The overall mana value of the deck is paramount to choosing your appropriate land base.

The 40-Card Limited Deck

In Limited formats like Draft or Sealed, the traditional 17-18 land guideline holds up reasonably well. Limited environments tend to have a lower average mana value. However, as with constructed, if your deck has a lot of expensive spells, you might want to inch up to 18 or even 19 lands.

Commander: A Different Landscape

Commander (EDH) demands a different approach due to its 100-card singleton format. Here, 33-42 lands is a commonly accepted range, with 36 being a frequently cited average. However, Commander decks often use a larger suite of mana-producing artifacts, commonly known as “mana rocks” which allows players to run a slightly lower land count. The cost of your commander and how early you intend to cast it is also an important consideration. A higher costing commander often means you should play additional lands.

Factors Influencing Your Land Count

Several factors can sway your optimal land count beyond these starting points:

• Mana Curve: A deck’s mana curve describes the distribution of cards across different mana values. If your deck is front-loaded with 1 and 2-mana spells, you can probably get away with fewer lands. Conversely, if your deck is top-heavy with spells that cost 4 or more mana, you will definitely need more lands.
• Mana Ramp: Cards that produce extra mana are called “ramp”. Decks that use a lot of ramp, whether through mana-producing creatures or artifacts, can often run fewer lands, because they can accelerate their mana production.
• Card Draw: Drawing more cards means more chances to find lands. Decks with significant card draw engines can sometimes risk playing a slightly lower land count as they are more likely to find needed lands.
• Special Lands: Utility lands that do not produce mana but provide additional effects often require consideration. How crucial their effect is to your strategy should factor into your decision. “Dual lands” that produce two different colors of mana, like the common “shock lands”, can help with mana consistency but often don’t provide any card advantage.
• Format: Each format has different rules, and those rules affect how many lands you should run. For example, Standard typically is slower than Modern which is often slower than Legacy.

The Role of Mana Rocks

Mana rocks, such as Sol Ring or Arcane Signet, are crucial considerations. These artifacts help accelerate your mana and can allow you to run a slightly lower land count. A good rule of thumb is that if you plan to consistently use mana rocks, you should cut 1 land for every three or four mana rocks in your deck. However, do not rely solely on mana rocks to make up your land base. You will still need a solid base of lands to reliably cast spells.

Testing and Adjusting

Ultimately, the “optimal” land ratio isn’t something you arrive at once. It’s a process of building, testing, and adjusting. You will have to play games with the deck and see if you find yourself frequently “mana flooded” or “mana screwed”. You should always be willing to cut or add lands as you refine your deck.

15 Frequently Asked Questions About Land Ratios in MTG

1. How many lands should a beginner run in a 60-card deck?

A good starting point for a beginner is 22-24 lands in a 60-card deck. This provides a reasonably consistent mana base while they learn to play. As they get more comfortable, they can start to adjust depending on their deck’s particular needs.

2. Is it better to have too many lands or too few?

Generally, it’s better to have slightly more lands than fewer. Being “mana screwed” is much more detrimental than being “mana flooded,” especially early in the game. Drawing extra lands later can often be mitigated by mana sinks or card-drawing effects.

3. How does mana ramp affect my land count?

The more mana ramp you run, the lower you can afford your land count to be. A good rule of thumb is to remove one land for every three to four dedicated mana ramp spells or effects.

4. How does card draw influence my land count?

A deck with a significant amount of card draw can get away with running fewer lands. If you have consistent access to card draw, you will be more likely to find needed lands, though do not go too low on lands.

5. What’s a good land count for a two-color Commander deck?

For a typical two-color Commander deck, you’ll likely be comfortable in the range of 34-38 lands, potentially adjusting up or down depending on the mana curve, mana ramp, and specific card draw available.

6. How many dual lands should I include?

Run as many dual lands as your budget and the format allows. Dual lands greatly improve consistency and smooth out the mana base. Always ensure you have some basic lands so you’re not relying exclusively on non-basic lands.

7. How many lands should be in a 40-card draft deck?

The standard is 17-18 lands in a 40-card draft deck, though 19 can be appropriate if your deck’s mana curve skews higher.

8. Should I adjust land counts for specific formats like Modern or Legacy?

Yes, format-specific adjustments are often needed. Faster formats like Modern and Legacy sometimes can get away with fewer lands, while slower formats often require more. Each format is different, and specific meta game considerations come into play.

9. What about utility lands that don’t produce mana?

Utility lands that don’t produce mana should be considered carefully. If they’re crucial to your strategy, include them and understand that they effectively take a land slot. Having too many can impede your mana base.

10. Does my commander’s casting cost affect my land count?

Yes. A higher mana cost commander likely means you want more lands, as it is likely you intend to cast the commander early and often.

11. Is it okay to go below 20 lands in a 60-card deck?

Only do this with extremely aggressive decks, or those with significant card draw or mana ramp. The risk is high, but can sometimes be rewarded.

12. Is it okay to go above 25 lands in a 60-card deck?

Yes, if your deck is particularly mana-hungry, especially if you are playing a deck with 4 or 5 color mana bases. Playing more lands is almost always better than being mana screwed.

13. What are “mana sinks,” and how do they influence land count?

Mana sinks are cards that let you use extra mana, often to draw cards or activate abilities. Decks with many mana sinks can often run slightly more lands, since they can convert extra mana into useful effects.

14. How do I test my land ratio?

Playtest your deck! Pay close attention to how often you draw the right amount of lands. You are looking for consistency. Adjust the number of lands as needed based on your testing.

15. Should I just use the average recommended land count?

While a good starting point, relying solely on averages can lead to an inefficient land base. Your deck is unique; therefore, its land base should also be tailored to its specific needs. Test, iterate, and adjust.

Finding the perfect land ratio is a continuous learning process. By understanding the core principles, carefully evaluating your deck’s needs, and not being afraid to experiment, you’ll find the optimal balance that maximizes your win rate and consistently empowers you to make powerful plays.