Blue and black, the colors of control and manipulation in Magic: The Gathering, often find synergy in deckbuilding strategies that rely on disrupting opponents and drawing advantage. A crucial element in building a successful blue-black deck is land selection. Choosing the right lands can significantly impact your mana consistency and, ultimately, your game plan. This guide explores the best blue and black lands, focusing on various formats and strategic considerations.
What are the best dual lands for blue and black?
The ideal dual lands for blue-black decks provide access to both blue and black mana without significantly hindering your mana base's overall consistency. The best options often depend on the format you're playing. In formats like Modern and Legacy, fetchlands paired with shocklands are incredibly powerful. For example, fetching a Polluted Delta with a Flooded Strand provides both the mana and the life gain to mitigate the shock damage. Other strong dual lands include:
- Checklands: These enter untapped if you control a basic land of a different color. Examples include Drowned Catacomb and Watery Grave. These are excellent for fixing mana in the early game while being less impactful in the late game, offering the benefit of being pain-free.
- Battle Lands: These enter tapped unless you control two or more other lands. While they enter tapped, their ability to consistently produce both colors makes them valuable in longer games. Examples include Godless Shrine and Underground Sea.
- Fetchlands: These lands fetch basic lands from your deck. Their power comes in the synergy with shocklands or basic lands which can allow consistent mana generation in the early game and make lands like Scrubland and Bloodstained Mire considerably safer.
The best dual land for your specific blue-black deck will depend on your budget and the overall strategy of your deck.
What are some good budget blue and black lands?
Building a competitive blue-black deck without breaking the bank is definitely achievable. Several budget-friendly options provide acceptable mana fixing:
- Basic lands: While not dual lands, a sufficient number of Islands and Swamps form the foundation of any blue-black mana base.
- Cycling lands: Lands like Bojuka Bog and Twilight Mire offer the potential to cycle away excess lands.
- Common dual lands from older sets: Searching older Magic sets can uncover cheaper dual lands, though they may not be as powerful as newer options.
Remember, even in budget decks, mana consistency is crucial. Prioritize acquiring enough lands to reliably cast your spells on curve.
Are there any other important land considerations for blue/black decks?
Beyond dual lands, other land types can significantly improve the performance of your blue-black deck:
- Utility Lands: Lands that provide additional effects beyond mana production can be game-changers. Examples include Marsh Flats, Bloodstained Mire, Polluted Delta, and Flooded Strand. These fetch lands have great synergy in a deck with a strong blue/black presence.
- Mana-Producing Creatures: Consider adding creatures with mana abilities that can accelerate your mana development, particularly in the early game.
- Land Ramp: Including cards that accelerate your land drops is a great way to improve your mana base without overextending your game plan by having too many lands that draw you out.
How many lands should I run in my blue-black deck?
The optimal number of lands in your blue-black deck depends heavily on your deck's strategy and the format you are playing. Generally, you should run between 22 and 26 lands in a competitive constructed deck. Aggro decks might prefer the lower end of this range, while control decks often lean towards the higher end.
Consider the mana costs of your spells, and remember to factor in the number of non-land cards in your deck.
What about lands that tap for colorless mana?
Colorless mana-producing lands like Arcane Sanctum or Command Tower provide flexibility in your mana base, particularly when you have cards with colorless mana costs. However, these should generally be considered secondary to lands that produce colored mana.
Conclusion
Building a strong blue-black deck requires careful land selection. By considering the various options available, you can create a mana base that supports your chosen strategy and ensures consistent performance. Remember to weigh the pros and cons of each land type to best address your deck's needs and your budget constraints. Experimentation and understanding your specific deck's needs are key to building an optimal mana base.
