How Many Lands Do You Need to Consistently Hit Your Land Drops?
When it comes to building a deck, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how many lands to include. The right number of lands can make all the difference in your deck’s performance, allowing you to consistently hit your land drops and cast your spells on time. But how many lands do you need?
Traditional Knowledge
According to traditional knowledge, lands should make up around 40% of your deck. This means that for a 60-card deck, you should aim for around 24-25 lands. This is a tried-and-true structure that has worked for many players for many years.
The Formula
However, there’s a formula you can use to determine the ideal number of lands for your deck. The formula is:
19.59 + 1.90 average mana value of your spells – 0.28 number of cheap card draw or mana ramp spells + 0.27 if you have a companion
This formula takes into account the average mana value of your spells, the number of cheap card draw or mana ramp spells, and whether or not you have a companion. By plugging in these numbers, you can get a more accurate estimate of the ideal number of lands for your deck.
Example
Let’s say you’re building a deck with an average mana value of 3, and you have 5 cheap card draw or mana ramp spells. If you don’t have a companion, the formula would look like this:
19.59 + 1.90 3 – 0.28 5 = 22.11
This means that, based on this formula, you would want to aim for around 22 lands in your deck.
Commander Decks
If you’re building a Commander deck, the rules are a bit different. Commander decks must contain exactly 100 cards, including the commander. In this case, the ideal number of lands is around 36-38.
How Many Lands is Too Many?
But how many lands is too many? If you’re playing a non-green, non-artifact based, non-mana hungry deck, you shouldn’t include more than 5-7 rocks. This allows for the Commander staples and a couple color-pairing specific options.
Average Load of a Deck
In terms of the average load of a deck, most decks built with traditional wood framing are designed to carry loads of about 50 pounds per square foot (PSF). This is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind when building your deck.
Table: Land Requirements for Different Deck Sizes
| Deck Size | Ideal Number of Lands |
|---|---|
| 40 cards | 17-18 |
| 60 cards | 24-25 |
| 100 cards | 36-38 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ideal number of lands for your deck will depend on a variety of factors, including the average mana value of your spells, the number of cheap card draw or mana ramp spells, and whether or not you have a companion. By using the formula and considering the rules for Commander decks, you can determine the ideal number of lands for your deck and ensure that you’re consistently hitting your land drops. Remember to keep in mind the average load of a deck and the number of lands that is too many for your specific deck.