Understanding Fetch Lands
Definition and Basic Functionality
The world of Magic: The Gathering is a constant dance of innovation, strategy, and card interactions. Building a winning deck is more than just throwing together powerful spells and creatures. It requires careful consideration of every aspect, from the mana base to the sideboard. One of the most crucial elements of constructing a top-tier deck is the selection of lands. And within the realm of lands, a special breed reigns supreme: the fetch lands. They’re more than just lands; they’re strategic tools that can elevate your game from good to exceptional. This guide delves deep into the fascinating world of fetch lands, providing you with all the knowledge you need to master their use.
Types of Fetch Lands
The mechanics of fetch lands are straightforward, but the implications are far-reaching. Let’s break down the process. A fetch land enters the battlefield, typically tapped. Then, at a convenient time, you activate its ability. You pay a life, sacrifice the fetch land, and then search your library for a land that meets its criteria. For example, a Bloodstained Mire might search for a Swamp or a Mountain. You reveal that land, put it onto the battlefield, and shuffle your library. That’s the basic process, but the real magic lies in how these cards interact with the larger strategy.
Key Characteristics and Benefits
There are many different types of fetch lands, each with their unique characteristics. You’ll find those that fetch basic lands, and others, primarily used in older formats, that search for dual lands. Different sets have featured fetch lands, each offering a unique take on the concept. One of the earliest appearances of fetch lands came with the *Onslaught* set. These fetch lands, such as Polluted Delta and Windswept Heath, have become staples in many formats. Then, the *Zendikar* sets, known for their exploration theme, introduced another cycle of fetch lands. Later, *Modern Horizons* provided a fresh wave of these critical cards. The availability of fetch lands can vary. Some fetch lands have been printed many times, making them more accessible, while others are rarer and come with a higher price tag.
Drawbacks and Considerations
The strategic advantages are numerous. One of the most significant is the ability to improve your mana consistency. In a multicolor deck, you’re often relying on drawing specific lands to cast your spells. Fetch lands can help you find the right lands at the right time. For instance, if you have a Blood Crypt in play and need a Mountain, you can use a fetch land to find it. This is invaluable when you’re trying to make sure you have access to your mana every turn. Beyond mana fixing, they can also help you thin your deck. When you search your library and put a land onto the battlefield, you’re removing a land from your deck. This subtly increases the odds of drawing non-land cards later in the game. The deck thinning effects are often underestimated, but they can make a real difference in the long run.
Strategic Applications of Fetch Lands
Mana Fixing
Fetch lands aren’t just about finding lands; they can also trigger other abilities. Cards like Terramorphic Expanse and Evolving Wilds, which fetch basic lands, can trigger abilities that care about land entering the battlefield. This includes things like the landfall ability, found on many creatures and spells, which triggers whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control. Moreover, fetch lands can synergize with certain graveyard strategies. You’re sacrificing a land to find another, and this makes it easy to fill your graveyard, which can be a vital strategy in many decks.
Deck Thinning & Its Advantages
They can be especially effective in helping cast spells with delve, which are spells that can exile cards from your graveyard to reduce their mana cost. The life payment is also a significant consideration. While a single life point may seem insignificant, the cumulative effect can become a real factor over the course of a game. It is possible for you to lose a significant amount of life to fetch lands, especially if you use them multiple times in a turn.
Triggering Abilities and Synergies
There are also several factors to consider. Fetch lands can be vulnerable to certain opposing strategies. Cards that punish players for sacrificing lands can cripple a fetch land strategy. It’s also worth noting that fetch lands increase the number of times you need to shuffle your deck. This can slow down the game, especially in a competitive environment.
Interaction with the Graveyard
Their use varies depending on the format. In the Modern format, fetch lands are incredibly important. Modern has a very large card pool, and it is also very fast-paced. Mana fixing is crucial to ensure you can play on curve, and fetch lands are essential for that. Many Modern decks utilize a fetch land strategy. Popular Modern decks, like Death’s Shadow, are built around this. Death’s Shadow uses fetch lands to deal damage to itself to power up creatures, and the deck is dependent on its fetch lands to work. Another example is Jund, a well-known control deck. Its mana base is built around the ability to fetch multiple colors of lands. The strategy of fetch lands is built into its core.
Fetch Lands in Specific Formats
Modern
Fetch lands are equally impactful in Legacy, a format known for its powerful cards and diverse strategies. Mana fixing is crucial, and the ability to fetch for dual lands is vital. The speed of the format often dictates the need for perfect mana. Many Legacy decks rely heavily on fetch lands to ensure the best possible draws. Decks like Delver and various combo strategies use them extensively.
Legacy
In Commander, fetch lands are staples. This format is known for its casual nature and high card pool. Fetch lands provide consistent mana fixing in decks of up to five colors. Commander decks often have a lot of different mana symbols, so they are particularly useful. They can also trigger the abilities of cards with landfall or other abilities that rely on land entering the battlefield.
Commander/EDH
Buying fetch lands can be a significant investment. Prices can range from relatively inexpensive to a premium. It’s essential to assess the market and understand the value of each fetch land. The price of fetch lands is determined by a number of things. The first factor is the specific fetch land itself. The more useful a fetch land is, the higher its price. Older sets and their printing history can also impact prices. Some fetch lands have only been printed in very limited quantities, so their price tends to be higher. The condition of the card can also influence the price.
Other Formats
You’ll find fetch lands for sale in many places. Local Game Stores (LGSs) often sell individual cards. There are also many online stores that specialize in selling Magic cards. Another option is to trade with other players. This is a great way to acquire fetch lands and build your collection. Online marketplaces offer a vast selection of cards at competitive prices.
Buying Fetch Lands
Pricing and Rarity
Always be aware of the possibility of counterfeit cards. These fakes can be difficult to detect, but there are some things to look for. A fake card might have a different feel than a real one. Also, look closely at the print quality. If the printing is blurry or the colors seem off, it might be a fake. Checking the name and text of the card against known versions can help.
Where to Buy Fetch Lands
In closing, fetch lands are a fundamental part of playing Magic: The Gathering. They are powerful tools, crucial for any player looking to compete at the highest level. They offer improved mana fixing, deck thinning, and valuable synergies. Mastering the art of using fetch lands is a hallmark of a skilled player.
Counterfeits and Authenticity
These lands are not just about improving your mana; they change the game. Use them wisely, and they will improve your chances of victory. So, embrace the power of fetch lands and elevate your Magic game. They are worth their cost in both life and cards. Now go forth and make the most of these essential components!
