Shock land

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Revision as of 11:13, 21 September 2018 by >Hunterofsalvation
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The shock lands (or shocklands) are a 10-card cycle of dual lands that were introduced in the Ravnica block. They have been reprinted in the Return to Ravnica block[1][2][3][4] and the Guilds of Ravnica block.[5][6]

Description

Each of these rare nonbasic dual lands has two basic land types and a static replacement ability, from which these cards derive their collective nickname "shock lands", that causes each to enter the battlefield tapped unless its controller pays 2 life. The name "shock land" is a reference to the card Shock, though there are technical and sometimes significant differences between shock lands' life loss and Shock's damage.

List of Shock lands

Allied colored

Hallowed Fountain ({W} / {U})
Watery Grave ({U} / {B})
Blood Crypt ({B} / {R})
Stomping Ground ({R} / {G})
Temple Garden ({G} / {W})

Enemy colored

Godless Shrine ({W} / {B})
Steam Vents ({U} / {R})
Overgrown Tomb ({B} / {G})
Sacred Foundry ({R} / {W})
Breeding Pool ({G} / {U})

History

As shock lands, like the original dual lands, have basic land types, they were and are often used in combination with fetch lands, where available. Due to this, they form an integral part of most decks in the modern format, whereas in Legacy the original duals take their place.

Stomping Ground in particular was much sought-after, since it and a Kird Ape in one's opening hand meant a first-turn 2/3 creature. The same with Wild Nacatl making it a 2/2 on turn 1 with Stomping Ground or Loam Lion with Temple Garden.[citation needed]

References