Utility tapland
Utility taplands are taplands that provide a utility effect instead of the producing of multiple colors. As the power level of commons increased, dual-colored taplands with further utility became more prevalent.
Cycling lands and Sac lands are usually tap lands. Most of them have a one-shot utility effect.
Future Sight cycle
This uncommon cycle of utility taplands from Future Sight features different keywords or ability words. Thematically, all are located in Dominaria:
- New Benalia (
)
- Tolaria West (
)
- Dakmor Salvage (
)
- Keldon Megaliths (
)
- Llanowar Reborn (
)
Hideaway lands
This rare cycle of utility taplands from Lorwyn that have hideaway 4.
Final Fantasy added a colorless variant that enters the battlefield untapped and also is a Town.
Shadowmoor cycle
Shadowmoor introduced an uncommon cycle of utility taplands with basic land types. Each land has an activated ability with an activation cost of M, where M is the associated color.
Zendikar cycles
Zendikar added two cycles of utility taplands, one common and one rare, named after locations on Zendikar. Worldwake and Battle for Zendikar would add their own common cycles.
The common cycles all have a minor spell effect as an enters the battlefield ability.
Zendikar cycle
Worldwake cycle
- Sejiri Steppe (
)
- Halimar Depths (
)
- Bojuka Bog (
)
- Smoldering Spires (
)
- Khalni Garden (
)
Battle for Zendikar cycle
- Sandstone Bridge (
)
- Skyline Cascade (
)
- Mortuary Mire (
)
- Looming Spires (
)
- Fertile Thicket (
)
Rare cycle
Each land in the rare cycle has powerful abilities that generally encourage monocolor gameplay.
- Emeria, the Sky Ruin (
)
- Magosi, the Waterveil (
)
- Crypt of Agadeem (
)
- Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle (
)
- Oran-Rief, the Vastwood (
)
Eldraine
Throne of Eldraine introduced two cycle of five lands, one common and one rare.
The Wilds
The five common lands enter the battlefield tapped unless the player controls three or more lands of that basic land type. Each land depicts one location in the Wilds, has a basic land type, and an enter-the-battlefield effect when it enters untapped.
- Idyllic Grange (
)
- Mystic Sanctuary (
)
- Witch's Cottage (
)
- Dwarven Mine (
)
- Gingerbread Cabin (
)
Castles
The five rare lands enter the battlefield tapped unless the player controls a land of that basic land type. Each land depicts one of the five courts of the Realm and has an activated ability.
Strixhaven Campuses
In Strixhaven: School of Mages, a cycle of lands to represent each of the college campuses was printed. They tap for M and N, which are the enemy colors associated with that college and have the common ability ,
: Scry 1.
In Marvel's Spider-Man, a set of ally-colored lands were printed to complement this cycle, but using Surveil 1 rather than Scry 1.
Investigate Lands
In Ravnica: Clue Edition, there was a cycle of lands that tap for M and N. They have the common ability 4, : Investigate.
Modern Horizons 3 Keyword Lands
These five rare check lands enter the battlefield tapped unless the player controls a land of that basic land type. Each has an activated ability with a keyword not known for being on a land.
- Monumental Henge (
)
- Archway of Innovation (
)
- Spymaster's Vault (
)
- Arena of Glory (
)
- Shifting Woodland (
)
Tarkir: Dragonstorm Check Lands
These five rare check lands enter the battlefield tapped unless the player controls either basic land type of that basic land type's enemy colors. Each has an activated ability.
- Dalkovan Encampment (
)
- Mistrise Village (
)
- Great Arashin City (
)
- Cori Mountain Monastery (
)
- Kishla Village (
)
Final Fantasy Adventure Towns
These five rare lands enter the battlefield tapped and have utility by having an Adventure spell attached.
- Ishgard, the Holy See (
)
- Jidoor, Aristocratic Capital (
)
- Midgar, City of Mako (
)
- Lindblum, Industrial Regency (
)
- Zanarkand, Ancient Metropolis (
)