One key decision you need to make when building a MTG deck is determining the number of lands in a 40-card deck.
Our guide to choosing how many lands to put in a 40-card deck
Choosing how many lands you need in your 40-card deck is pretty similar to when you ened to choose the amount of lands in your draft decks. The main difference is that building a draft deck often happens under time-sensitive constraints. A 40-card deck, however, can be pre-constructed by the player.
Most 40-card decks need between 16-18 lands to be a competitive, structured deck. However, there’s a few colour combinations that are going to need a little give-or-take with this rule.
How many lands should go in a Blue 40-Card deck?
Blue decks in MTG, known for control and manipulation strategies, often require a steady mana flow. Generally, in a 40-card blue deck, aiming for about 17 lands is a good start. This number allows for consistent land draws while maintaining a balance with your spells. Blue decks usually have a higher curve, necessitating an adequate number of lands to play powerful late-game spells.
How many lands should go in a Red 40-Card deck?
Red decks are famed for their aggression and quick plays. In a 40-card red deck, around 16 lands might suffice. Red’s strength lies in its low-cost creatures and spells, meaning you can often get away with fewer lands. This setup keeps your deck fast-paced, ensuring you’re always pressuring your opponent.
How many lands should go in a Green 40-Card deck?
Green decks, known for their ramping capabilities and hefty creatures, can vary in their land count. A safe range for a 40-card green deck is between 17 and 18 lands. Green’s ability to generate additional mana through creatures and spells allows for some flexibility, but having enough lands to kickstart your mana production is crucial.
How many lands should go in a White 40-Card deck?
White decks, focusing on balance and efficient creatures, require a careful land balance. In a 40-card white deck, aim for 17 lands. This count supports white’s mid-range strategy, ensuring you have enough mana to cast your spells without being mana-flooded.
How many lands should go in a Black 40-Card deck?
Black decks, known for their resource manipulation and powerful spells, need a careful mana balance. For a 40-card black deck, 17 lands is a typical choice. This setup supports black’s diverse strategies, from aggressive creature plays to costly but powerful spells.
Too many lands in a 40-Card deck will cause flooding
An excess of lands in your 40-card deck can lead to ‘flooding.’ When you draw too many lands and not enough spells, your game can stall. Striking the right land count is essential to avoid this pitfall, ensuring your deck remains efficient and responsive.
If you have too many lands in a 40-Card deck, you’ll run out of spell cards pretty quick
Conversely, a deck heavy on lands might leave you lacking in spells. In MTG, spells are your primary means of interacting with the game. Without a sufficient number of spells, your deck loses effectiveness, struggling to respond to opponents or to establish a winning position.
The number of lands in a 40-card MTG deck varies based on the deck’s color and strategy. The key is finding a balance that supports your deck’s theme without risking mana flood or spell shortage. Remember, the right land count can make or break your game in MTG!
In a 40-card deck, try and stick to the sweet spot of 16-17 lands so that you don’t end up with too many mana cards and no spells to use.
You’ll be able to avoid mana flooding again by choosing the right amount of lands. In 40-card decks, you should choose creatures that you have enough mana to cast. Essentially, build low.