How Many Lands Do I Need for a 70-Card Deck?
The age-old question of how many lands a Magic: The Gathering player should have in their 70-card deck is one that has sparked debate and discussion for years. With the sheer variety of deck types and strategies available in the game, it can be overwhelming to determine the right balance of lands. In this article, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of lands and help you find the sweet spot for your 70-card deck.
What is the Traditional Rule?
Before we dive into the intricacies of calculating lands, let’s explore the traditional rule of thumb: lands should make up about 40% of your deck. This means for a 40-card deck, you’ll want approximately 16 lands, and for a 60-card deck, 24 lands. But, as you’ve probably surmised, this percentage changes as you move towards a 70-card deck.
Calculating the Ideal Number of Lands for a 70-Card Deck
So, what’s the ideal number of lands for a 70-card deck? The simple answer is that it depends. Different strategies, playstyles, and even formats demand different land configurations. To give you a better sense of where to start, let’s explore a few examples:
| Card Type | Percentage of the Deck | Ideal Number |
|---|---|---|
| Lands | 33-42 | 27-30 lands |
| Creatures | 30-40 | 20-25 creatures |
| Spells | 30-40 | 25-30 spells |
Here, you can see a general outline of the expected breakdown of card types for a 70-card deck. 33-42 lands seems to be a reasonable starting point, while 30-40% for creatures and spells gives you a solid foundation for most strategies.
But, What About High-Land-Age Decks?
For decks focused on generating mana quickly and consistently, like combo-oriented decks, you may need to bump up the number of lands to 45-55. On the other hand, low-land-age decks might opt for a more efficient approach, with 30-38 lands to keep card advantage in their favor.
What If My Deck is Unbalanced?
Let’s be honest: not every deck is a perfectly balanced gem. Perhaps you’ve accidentally drafted too many lands and your deck is feeling bogged down. Or maybe you’re struggling to make ends meet with too few lands. Here are a few solutions to help rebalance your deck:
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too Many Lands | Try removing 2-5 lands to free up space for more impactful spells or creatures. |
| Too Few Lands | Experiment with 2-5 more lands to ensure consistency and maintain a strong start. |
Conclusion: It’s All About Strategy
Finding the right number of lands for your 70-card deck is ultimately a delicate balancing act, dependent on your specific playstyle, strategy, and card composition. By taking into account the traditional percentage guidelines and adjusting based on your unique needs, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a land-rich and powerful deck that can tackle even the most challenging formats.
Remember to keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep having fun on the game!