Not all lands were created equal in our format. Indeed, Wizards decided that some lands should be better than others, sometimes by a lot. These are our best lands in Commander.
Below we have made our selection of the best lands in our format. We divided the lands in two categories: multi mana lands and utility lands.
Table of Contents
Best Multi Mana Lands In Commander
10. Temple of the False God
Altough it looks like a budget Ancient Tomb; beware. This land does not help you in the early game and is often considered a trap. We therefore like lands such as Crystal Vein better, as these offer more consistency and the mana boost once when needed.
9. City Of Traitors
This land is rarely seen in EDH outside graveyard matters decks, however in CEDH decks this lands sees play (among decks with tons of mana rocks that look to combo on turn 3). Still it taps immediately for two the turn it enters which can provide game swinging plays.
8. Lotus Vale / Lotus Field
Sacrifice two untapped lands to gain a land that taps for three of any one color. If you run cards that cancel ETB effects and/ or have ways to untap, these lands become insanely powerful.
7. Scorched Ruins
A land that taps for four colorless mana, and requiring two untapped lands to be sacrificed. This reserved list land greatly benefits from the same effects as Lotus Vale / Lotus Field to avoid the downside.
6. Lake Of The Dead
Sacrificing a swamp to gain a burst of 4 black mana can be quite powerful. Still, there are many decks that play lands from the graveyard (Lord Windgrace), this land really shines in these strategies.
5. Mishra’s Workshop
Taps for three colorless mana which can only be used on artifacts. No further restrictions. A card you seldom see, Mishras Workshop is from Antiquities and also on the reserved list. For artifacts decks its power is just umatched. For a mere $ 2500 you can own a decent copy!
4. Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
Nykhtos taps for the amount of devotion you have on the board and only costs 2 colorless to activate. Devotion counts the color pips of all permanents you own, not only creatures. A boon to mono color decks and some two color decks, Nykhtos is a real power house.
3. Cabal Coffers
Recently reprinted in Modern Horizons Cabal Coffers is a force to be reckoned with in commander. Paired with Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth you got the dream team assembled. If you are in mono black this one is obligatory.
2. Ancient Tomb
Taking two to the face hurts over time. However, the mana advantage you gain is worth it. Do note that only colorless mana is produced. Ancient Tomb has not seen a meaningful reprint for some time. If you need these, we suggest to wait for the eventual reprint.
1. Gaea’s Cradle / Serra’s Sanctum
Ahh, The golden glory days of Urzas Saga. these lands are ubiquitous and well known. Reserved list and widely accepted as insanely powerful, these lands have no true equals. Getting creatures on the board is easier in general, hence why GC sees more play and therefore commands a higher price tag. As their prices are quite restrictive resorting to Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx is a way to replace these lands (altough these two are also not very budget friendly anymore)
Best Utility Lands In Commander
10. Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth, Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
Turning all lands into a Swamp is “kinda” good with Cabal Coffers out, everybody knows this. For Green there is no Cabal Coffers effect (green does not need this). However these effects are extremely useful for color fixing purposes too. Also, there are other useful cards that look for the number of swamps or forests you control.
9. Vesuva / Thespian’s Stage
Copying a Gaea’s Cradle can be backbreaking for the table. Copy effects are great as they scale with the powerlevel of the cards on the table. Especially for budget decks these are great pickups! We do like thespian stage the most as it taps for mana by itself and does not ETB tapped.
8. Inkmoth Nexus
Woah this land can be mean! It taps for colorless but also can transform into a 1/1 flyer with infect. Decks that buff creatures love this sneaky little land. Be aware when this land hits the field; chances are you will get one shot with infect sooner or later!
7. Glacial Chasm
The cumulative upkeep of 2 life can really be punishing over time. However reducing incoming damage to zero is undeniably strong. Lifegain and pillowfort decks love GC and for good reason. Being a land means that interacting is quite difficult. Pack your Generous Gift and Beast Within for nasty lands like this!
6. Phyrexian Tower
Sacrice effects are really strong in EDH, they can be used at instant speed. This land enters without any restrictions and taps for mana just by itself. The sac effect stapled onto it makes it insanely useful for sending creatures to the yard, gaining a burst of mana and preventing exile effects.
5. Volraths stronghold / Academy Ruins / Hall of Heliods Generosity
Recursion is king in EDH. These lands tap for mana unrestricted AND offer recursion for creatures, artifacts or enchantments. Volraths Stronghold is on the reserved list and therefore commands a hefty price tag. Academy Ruins and Hall of Heliod’s are not and much more affordable.
4. Strip Mine / Wasteland
Lands are hard to deal with as only a few cards target lands. In almost every game there is a point where you just need to get rid of a pesky land. Enter Strip Mine and Wasteland. Run these lands when you can, they are awesome. For budget replacements we recommend Tectonic Edge and Ghost Quarter.
3. Cavern of Souls / Boseiju, Who Shelters All
We all hate getting our spells countered right? Our commander often just needs to resolve for our main game plan. Cavern of Souls is the golden standard for getting around tricksy counterspells. Boseiju enters tapped and requires 2 life each time but does make sure your giant C costed sorcery will resolve. These lands have really proven themselves at our table and are seen often.
2. Urza’s Saga
This enchantment lands is basically a swiss army knife as it offers so much versatility. The mode where the token is generated fits in plenty artifact strategies and being able to sacrifice the land to tutor for a 1 or 0 drop artifacts (sol ring, mana vault, mana crypt) AND put it onto the battlefield (meaning that a counterspell is not possible) is very strong.
1. Boseiju Who Endures / Otawara, Soaring City
When this land cycle was spoiled in Neo Kamigawa everyone immediately recognized the power level of these utility lands. We consider Boseiju and Otawara the best of them. They come in untapped and act as a land tapping for color. Having removal on a land like this is already so good that you should immediatey replace a basic for these. However, what makes these lands go over the top is the channel ability. Channel is not a spell but an activated ability, making them extremely hard to interact with. As these two have such wide applicability and almost go in every deck that runs these colors, they claim the number one spot.
Honorable mention: tabernacle at pendrell vale. This land is notorious for its price tag but also its powerlevel. Just playing this will completely hose creature decks. However, as not many decks want it, we have chosen to not put it in out top 10.
Of course the above list is our selection; there are many great lands that we could not fit in. Think our list still definitely needs a change? Shoot us a message!
