Question from a noob!
Economics forum
Posted on Feb. 16, 2016, 8:57 p.m. by PistonGolem
Hello, I am relatively new to the game, and I occasionally see decks on this site that are expensive due to Zendikar Expeditions Dual lands. I don't really see the value in the lands, becasue you have to take a hit just to get what you could have played (another land) the same turn. Can someone explain the extreme value of lands like Arid Mesa? Thanks!
It also allows you to use the land immediately for mana, whereas the cheaper fetches (Evolving Wilds) often bring in the land to the battlefield tapped until your next turn.
February 16, 2016 9:05 p.m.
I am not entirely sure, but I think part of it is because they are mythic rare and foil. Another thing is they allow mana fixing or provide a good effect (like Kor Haven). Ones like Arid Mesa allow you to manafix, while thinning the deck, and does so without losing tempo.
February 16, 2016 9:11 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #6
A last thing that people haven't mentioned yet is that it puts a land in your graveyard. This has synergies with things like Tarmogoyf, Crucible of Worlds, and delve cards like Gurmag Angler.
However, the normal reason is just to ensure you get all your colors for your manabase. Trying to run a five color deck without fetchlands would be extremely difficult.
February 16, 2016 10:07 p.m.
You also need to realize some of them haven't been properly reprinted in a long time. So of course this "reprint" only jacked up the prices since they're so damn rare compared to a proper reprint.
February 16, 2016 10:07 p.m.
adwilliamson129 says... #8
This is because you can play Barney turn two with Ulamog in defense mode if deck costs more then 600 doll hairs. Please wiki "howtomagic." very insightful stuff for newbs who don't get how to combo on turn 1. gg.
Time to d-d-d-d-d-d-d-ddueeeeeellllllll
February 16, 2016 10:17 p.m.
insertcleverid says... #9
The vlaue of fetches is they're the best card in the format for what they do (fix mana) so if you want the best chance to win you need them. They are printed at rare and they are more often than not a 4-of in a deck. Combine that all together with the attitude of a spike (play to win) and you have a ver expensive piece of cardboard. If you think the price is not for you, dont buy.
February 16, 2016 11:07 p.m.
it also gives more landfall triggers where relevant like Groundswell in modern infect, you can time the fetch to your advantage without missing a land drop
February 17, 2016 1:51 a.m. Edited.
alanwescoat says... #11
- Mana fixing
- Landfall triggers
- Deck thinning
Deck thinning has had a lot of discussion, both pro and con. It gives a minimal edge with moderately significant loss of life. I use it to thin mono-colored decks, but only under certain circumstances, situations in which that minimal edge is what I need. Mono-red Burn is likely to use it for that purpose. Few other strategies are likely to follow suit, though I have employed it successfully with White Weenies.
February 17, 2016 10:03 a.m.
You don't see it often outside in Standard, Modern, or Limited, but fetchlands also allow you to shuffle. Shuffling itself is a resource in Magic. There's some really cool interactions with cards like Scroll Rack or Courser of Kruphix where you manipulate the top card of your deck with fetchlands to see more cards each turn.
In formats that have cards like Brainstorm, Sensei's Divining Top, or Sylvan Library, knowing how and when to shuffle becomes a very important skill to have because it generates virtual card advantage.
EmblemMan says... #2
The main thing is it can fetch multiple colors so Arid Mesa can fetch Canopy Vista Plateau Steam Vents and get you all different kinds of colors so that they are always accessible when you need them. People after me will also mention "deck thinning" the idea is that you play a land and then get another land out so that means you are less likely to draw a land. After a lot of fetches its somewhat relevant but in the grand scheme of things the percentages it brings to drawing a non land is very minimal.
February 16, 2016 9:01 p.m.