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Unlocking the Potential of Red Blue Lands in Magic: The Gathering

In the vast and intricate world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), mana bases are the foundation upon which powerful strategies are built. Among the myriad of color combinations, the pairing of Red and Blue, often referred to as Izzet, presents a unique and compelling archetype. The effectiveness of any Izzet deck hinges on its ability to reliably produce both Red and Blue mana, making the choice of red blue lands crucial. This article delves into the strategic importance of red blue lands, exploring various options, their advantages, and how to optimize them for competitive play.

The Significance of a Strong Mana Base

Before diving into specific red blue lands, it’s vital to understand the overarching importance of a well-constructed mana base. A consistent and reliable mana base ensures that you can cast your spells on curve, execute your game plan efficiently, and avoid being mana screwed or flooded. In the case of Izzet decks, which often rely on casting multiple spells per turn and maintaining tempo, having access to both Red and Blue mana is paramount. A poorly constructed mana base can lead to frustrating situations where you’re unable to cast crucial spells, hindering your ability to control the board or close out the game. Therefore, the selection of red blue lands should be a top priority when building and refining your Izzet deck.

Dual Lands: The Cornerstone of Red Blue Mana Bases

Dual lands, lands that can produce either Red or Blue mana, are the cornerstone of any successful Izzet mana base. These lands provide the flexibility and consistency needed to cast spells of both colors efficiently. Here are some of the most important and commonly used dual lands for red blue lands:

Original Dual Lands

These are the original dual lands from the early days of Magic, known for their simple yet powerful ability to tap for either Red or Blue mana without any drawbacks. They are highly sought after and expensive, but they provide unparalleled consistency. A prime example for red blue lands is:

Volcanic Island: This land is the gold standard for Izzet mana bases, providing access to both Red and Blue mana without any conditions. Its scarcity and high price make it a premium choice, but its performance is undeniable.

Shock Lands

Shock lands, introduced in the Ravnica sets, offer a more accessible alternative to the original dual lands. They enter the battlefield tapped unless you pay 2 life, providing a reasonable trade-off for their increased availability. An excellent choice for red blue lands is:

Steam Vents: This land is a staple in Izzet decks, offering the flexibility of producing either Red or Blue mana. While the 2 life payment can be significant in aggressive matchups, the consistency it provides is often worth the cost.

Check Lands

Check lands enter the battlefield tapped unless you control a basic land of their respective types. They offer a good balance of consistency and affordability, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious players. A strong choice for red blue lands is:

Sulfur Falls: This land enters the battlefield untapped if you control an Island or a Mountain. It’s a solid choice for Izzet decks that run a sufficient number of basic lands, providing consistent mana without any additional costs.

Fetchable Dual Lands

These lands can be fetched by fetch lands, adding to their versatility. Fetch lands like Flooded Strand and Scalding Tarn can search for these duals, providing mana fixing and deck thinning. Using fetch lands to find the appropriate red blue lands is a powerful strategy.

Prismatic Vista: Although not a dual land in itself, Prismatic Vista can fetch any basic land type, including Islands and Mountains, to help activate check lands and other mana-fixing effects.

Other Notable Dual Lands

Several other dual lands can be valuable additions to an Izzet mana base, depending on the specific deck and budget. These lands may have additional conditions or drawbacks, but they can still provide valuable mana fixing.

Spirebluff Canal: Enters the battlefield untapped if you have two or fewer other lands. This is great in the early game for aggressive starts.
Training Center: A newer addition that enters tapped unless you control two or more other lands.

Tri Lands: Expanding Your Color Options

While dual lands are the primary focus of an Izzet mana base, tri lands, lands that can produce three different colors of mana, can also be valuable additions, especially in decks that splash a third color. These lands provide even greater flexibility, allowing you to access a wider range of spells and strategies. Consider the impact of adding tri-color support alongside your core red blue lands.

Xander’s Lounge: This tri-land can tap for blue, black, or red. While it always enters tapped, it can be useful in decks that splash black for cards like discard or removal.

Basic Lands: The Foundation of Stability

While dual lands and tri lands provide the flexibility needed to cast spells of multiple colors, basic lands are the foundation of a stable and consistent mana base. Including a sufficient number of Islands and Mountains ensures that you can reliably cast your spells, even if you don’t draw your dual lands. Basic lands also provide resilience against land destruction and mana denial strategies. The proper balance of basic lands alongside your red blue lands is crucial.

Island: Essential for casting blue spells and activating check lands.
Mountain: Essential for casting red spells and activating check lands.

Utility Lands: Adding Versatility and Power

Utility lands, lands that provide additional benefits beyond mana production, can add versatility and power to your Izzet deck. These lands may offer card draw, creature generation, or other unique abilities that can swing the game in your favor. However, it’s important to strike a balance between utility lands and mana-producing lands, as relying too heavily on utility lands can compromise your mana consistency. Consider how utility lands complement your red blue lands.

Mystic Sanctuary: This land can return an instant or sorcery from your graveyard to the top of your library when it enters the battlefield. This can be useful for recurring important spells.
Blast Zone: This land can be charged up with mana to destroy all permanents with a certain mana value. This can be useful for clearing the board of problematic threats.

Mana Rocks: Accelerating Your Mana Development

Mana rocks, artifacts that produce mana, can accelerate your mana development and allow you to cast more powerful spells earlier in the game. They can also provide mana fixing, allowing you to access colors that you might not otherwise have. However, mana rocks are vulnerable to artifact removal, so it’s important to consider the risks and benefits before including them in your deck. Remember to factor in the cost of mana rocks when evaluating your overall red blue lands strategy.

Arcane Signet: This artifact produces one mana of any color in your commander’s color identity. This is a staple in most multicolored decks.
Izzet Signet: This artifact produces one red or one blue mana. It’s a cheaper alternative to Arcane Signet, but it’s less flexible.
Chromatic Lantern: This artifact makes all your lands tap for any color of mana. This can be useful in decks that splash multiple colors.

Optimizing Your Red Blue Mana Base

Building an optimal Izzet mana base requires careful consideration of several factors, including your deck’s mana curve, the number of colored mana symbols in your spells, and your budget. Here are some tips for optimizing your red blue lands:

Balance Consistency and Speed: Aim for a balance between lands that enter the battlefield untapped and lands that provide consistent mana fixing. Too many lands that enter tapped can slow down your game plan, while too few dual lands can lead to mana screw.
Consider Your Mana Curve: If your deck is heavily weighted towards early-game spells, prioritize lands that enter the battlefield untapped. If your deck is more focused on late-game threats, you can afford to run more lands that enter tapped.
Account for Color Requirements: Pay attention to the number of colored mana symbols in your spells. If your deck requires a lot of double- or triple-colored mana, you’ll need to prioritize lands that can reliably produce those colors.
Use Mana Calculators: Mana calculators can help you determine the optimal number of lands and mana sources for your deck, based on your mana curve and color requirements.
Test and Refine: The best way to optimize your mana base is to test your deck extensively and make adjustments based on your results. Pay attention to how often you’re mana screwed or flooded, and adjust your land count accordingly.

Conclusion

The selection of red blue lands is a critical aspect of building a successful Izzet deck in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding the different types of lands available, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to optimize them for your specific deck, you can ensure that you have a consistent and reliable mana base that allows you to execute your game plan effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new player, mastering the art of mana base construction is essential for achieving success in the competitive world of MTG. Always remember that the lands are the foundation upon which your victories are built, and choosing the right red blue lands can make all the difference.

[See also: Building a Consistent Mana Base in MTG]

[See also: Budget Mana Fixing Options for Magic: The Gathering]