Exploring MDFC Lands in MTG

Essentially, MDFC lands embody a dual nature, functioning as a hybrid between a land and a spell (specifically instants, sorceries, or creatures). What sets them apart is the freedom to cast or play either side, shattering the previous constraints associated with double-faced cards. These MDFC lands harbor a subtle yet potent power, allowing players to bolster both their land count and spell count concurrently.

Now, it's time to undertake the intriguing task of ranking all MDFC lands ever released in MTG. Join us as we explore and evaluate each one, discovering which of these remarkable cards should be considered for inclusion in your constructed decks.

 

MDFC (Modal Double-Faced Card) land is a type of MTG card introduced in the Zendikar Rising set. These cards have two faces, each representing a different type of card. One face is typically a modal spell, allowing the player to choose from multiple options when casting it, while the other face is a land.

The innovative aspect of MDFC lands is their versatility. Players can choose to play them as a land if they need mana or as a spell if the situation calls for it. This flexibility adds strategic depth to deck building and gameplay, as players can include spells on lands in their decks without sacrificing consistency.

For example, a common MDFC land might have a front face with an instant or sorcery spell, and a back face with the land type. Players can choose to cast the spell or play the land, depending on their needs during the game.

MDFC lands have become popular in various formats due to their flexibility and the interesting decisions they introduce into the game.

when building a deck in MTG, MDFCs that have a land on one face are typically counted as lands. This is because one of the functions of these cards is to provide mana by being played as lands.

When considering the mana base of a deck, players often count the MDFCs that have a land face as part of the total number of lands in the deck. For example, if a deck includes 24 traditional lands and 4 MDFCs with land faces, the total land count for deck construction purposes would be 28.

It's important to note that MDFCs offer flexibility since they can be played as spells or lands, depending on the player's needs during the game. This flexibility in function allows deck builders to include spells on land without sacrificing the consistency of their mana base.

#15. Valakut Awakening // Valakut, Stoneforge

Valakut Awakening finds significant utility in EDH combo decks, serving as a valuable filtering component. This versatile card not only aids in rectifying unfavorable starting hands but also helps eliminate redundancy within your deck. Moreover, it synergizes exceptionally well with certain commanders such as Grenzo, Dungeon Warden, whose abilities are influenced by the specific cards placed at the bottom of your library.

#14. Ondu Inversion // Ondu Skyruins

 

Ondu Inversion can be cast as a sorcery to destroy all nonland permanents or can enter the battlefield as a land card. This dual functionality provides exceptional flexibility, allowing it to act as both a board wipe when needed or as an additional land drop.

#13. Turntimber Symbiosis // Turntimber, Serpentine Wood

Turntimber Symbiosis can be cast as a sorcery, offering players the choice between either searching their deck for a creature card to put onto the battlefield or adding an impressive creature from the top of their deck to the battlefield. This flexible spell provides deck manipulation and creature deployment in one, catering to different strategic needs.

Turntimber, Serpentine Wood transforms into a land, acting as a mana source for the player. However, it is a unique land that turns into a spell if it's chosen as a creature spell.

#12. Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave

Spikefield Hazard can be cast as an instant, allowing players to deal 1 damage to any target. Alternatively, it can be played as a land, serving as a source of mana. This dual-purpose card provides both direct damage potential and flexibility in mana resources.

#11. Khalni Ambush // Khalni Territory

Target creature you control fights target creature you don’t control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)

#10. Hagra Mauling // Hagra Broodpit

Hagra Mauling may seem somewhat costly for a Murder-like effect at 4 mana, emphasizing that its practicality hinges entirely on its dual identity as an MDFC land card. When advice circulates urging heightened interactivity in your decks, a seamless adjustment involves substituting a Swamp with this card. In certain game instances, this modification can yield favorable outcomes, making the inclusion of Hagra Mauling a decision with potential benefits that you won't rue.

#9. Silundi Vision // Silundi Isle

Silundi Vision can be cast as an instant, allowing players to look at the top six cards of their library and choose a sorcery card from among them to put into their hand. This offers valuable card selection and the potential to find key sorceries for strategic plays.

Silundi Isle transforms into a land that can be tapped for blue mana. 

#8. Kazandu Mammoth // Kazandu Valley

Kazandu Mammoth stands as a robust creature often included in stompy decks. When combined with fetch lands, it can swiftly become a formidable 7/7 attacker as early as turn 4. Its optimal utility shines in decks prioritizing creature power, such as a Ghalta, Primal Hunger EDH deck or in synergy with cards like The Great Henge.

A former green staple during its time in Standard, Kazandu Mammoth synergizes seamlessly with ramp spells that put lands into play tapped, showcasing its effectiveness in accelerating mana and reinforcing decks with a focus on creature strength.

#7. Emeria's Call // Emeria, Shattered Skyclave

Emeria's Call can be cast as a sorcery, creating two 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying. This instant board presence provides a defensive or offensive advantage, depending on the situation, making it a powerful late-game play.

Emeria, Shattered Skyclave transforms into a land that can be tapped for white mana. Additionally, it has the unique ability to return a creature card from the graveyard to the battlefield if you control an 8 Plains or Islands. 

#6. Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary

Bala Ged Recovery can be cast as sorcery, allowing you to return a target card from your graveyard to your hand. This retrieval effect is valuable for recovering key spells or creatures from the graveyard, providing resilience and card advantage.

#5. Glasspool Mimic // Glasspool Shore

Glasspool Mimic enters the battlefield as a creature with the same creature type as any creature you control. This flexible copying ability allows it to mimic powerful creatures in your deck, providing versatility and potential synergies.

#4. Shatterskull Smashing // Shatterskull, the Hammer Pass

This combines a dual-purpose removal spell with a land, providing additional value. While Shatterskull Smashing may not top the charts as the most potent red board wipe or the most resource-efficient, its versatility makes it an accessible choice for a variety of decks. Ensure its inclusion in EDH decks that prioritize damage dealt to creatures, such as those featuring Toralf, God of Fury, or decks like Rosheen Meanderer that generate ample mana for X spells.

#3. Jwari Disruption // Jwari Ruins

Jwari Disruption can be cast as an instant, allowing you to counter target spell unless its controller pays 1. This provides a cost-effective way to disrupt your opponent's key spells and maintain control over the battlefield.

Jwari Ruins transforms into a land that can be tapped for blue mana. Additionally, it has the unique ability to deal 1 damage to any target if you control at least seven other lands.

#2. Sea Gate Restoration // Sea Gate, Reborn

Sea Gate Restoration can be cast as sorcery, drawing your cards equal to the number of cards in your hand plus one. This potent card draw effect provides substantial card advantage, especially in later stages of the game.

Sea Gate Restoration // Sea Gate, Reborn exemplifies the synergy between card advantage and mana efficiency, making it a versatile inclusion in decks that value both a robust mana base and substantial draw power.

#1. Agadeem's Awakening // Agadeem, the Undercrypt

Agadeem's Awakening can be cast as sorcery, returning any number of creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield. The mana cost is equal to the total converted mana cost of the creatures returned, providing a powerful graveyard recursion option.

Agadeem, the Undercrypt transforms into a land that can be tapped for black mana. Additionally, it has the unique ability to return a creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield if you control three or more other Swamps.