Red and blue, a classic Magic: The Gathering color combination known for its aggressive tempo strategies and powerful control elements, requires a land base capable of supporting both fast starts and late-game resilience. Finding the right balance is crucial for success, so let's delve into the best lands for your Izzet (red/blue) deck, considering various formats and playstyles.
What are the Best Red and Blue Lands in MTG?
The "best" lands depend heavily on the specific deck and format you're playing. However, several lands consistently prove valuable in Izzet decks due to their versatility and synergy with the colors. These include:
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Dual Lands: These lands, like Steamworks and Volcanic Island, tap for both red and blue mana. They're incredibly powerful and a cornerstone of competitive Izzet decks. However, their cost and availability can be prohibitive.
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Fetch Lands: Cards like Bloodstained Mire and Misty Rainforest allow you to search your library for a specific land type, giving you great mana consistency and the ability to find the right land at the right time. This is particularly beneficial in Izzet decks that require a specific mana base early in the game.
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Shock Lands: Lands such as Bloodstained Mire and Scalding Tarn enter the battlefield tapped, but offer a significant mana advantage over basic lands in the long run. The initial tap disadvantage is typically outweighed by the color fixing and mana consistency they offer.
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Check Lands: These lands, such as Flooded Strand and Wooded Foothills, allow you to search your library for a basic land, helping thin your deck and ensure you don't get stuck with too many lands of one color.
What lands should I avoid in my Red/Blue deck?
While many lands are useful, some are less ideal for Izzet decks:
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Basic Lands: While you'll always need some basic lands to fetch, relying solely on them significantly hampers your mana consistency. The goal is to maximize your colored mana production for optimal spell casting.
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Lands that enter tapped: While Shock Lands are acceptable, an abundance of lands that enter tapped will severely restrict your early game development and potentially lead to a slower start.
What types of red/blue decks need different landbases?
The optimal land base varies considerably depending on the deck's strategy:
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Aggro Izzet: An aggro deck will prioritize lands that come into play untapped, even if it means sacrificing some color fixing. Faster mana generation is key to winning early.
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Control Izzet: Control Izzet decks can afford to have more lands that enter tapped, as they focus on controlling the board and winning in the late game. Mana consistency is prioritized over speed.
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Tempo Izzet: Tempo Izzet decks need a balanced approach, needing a blend of lands that come into play untapped for aggressive plays and reliable mana fixing for more expensive control cards.
How many lands should I run in my Red/Blue deck?
The optimal number of lands usually falls between 22-26, depending on the deck's speed and the format. Aggro decks may run slightly fewer, while control decks might run more. This number is just a guideline; it's essential to test and adjust based on your experience.
Are there any budget-friendly options for Red/Blue lands?
Yes! While dual and fetch lands are expensive, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available:
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Cycling lands: These lands allow you to cycle them away for a card, providing some card advantage and thinning your deck.
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Common/Uncommon dual lands: Certain sets feature cheaper dual lands, although they may not be as efficient as their rare counterparts.
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Basic lands: Basic lands are always the most budget-friendly option, but they should be complemented by other lands for optimal performance.
This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for building a successful Izzet mana base. Remember to always test and refine your land base based on your deck's specific needs and the format you are playing. Good luck, and may your mana always be plentiful!
