Breeding Pool

This rare land, Breeding Pool, is a versatile dual-land that adds either green or blue mana when tapped. Its ability to untap itself if you pay 2 life upon its entry makes it a decent addition to midrange and combo decks.

In Commander, Breeding Pool sees moderate play due to its low converted mana cost and flexibility in color pairs. It's often used alongside lands like Verdant Horizon or City of Brass, allowing players to easily access two different colors.

Breeding Pool is priced around $23 USD, making it a relatively affordable option for experienced players looking to supplement their mana bases.

Breeding Pool

Breeding Pool is a rare land card from the Scourge set. As a Land - Forest Island, it can be played to generate mana for spells and abilities.

Oracle Text and Abilities

The oracle text of Breeding Pool reads: ({T}: Add {G} or {U}.) As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.

• Mana Generation: When played, Tapping Breeding Pool allows the player to add either one green {G} mana symbol or one blue {U} mana symbol to their mana pool.
• Life Payment: As this land enters the battlefield, the player has a choice: pay 2 life or allow the land to enter tapped. If the player pays 2 life, Breeding Pool can be played without tapping it.

Stack and Battlefield Functionality

When a player plays Breeding Pool from their hand, they have two options:

1. Tap Breeding Pool: Add {G} or {U} mana symbol to the player's mana pool.
2. Pay 2 Life: Allow Breeding Pool to enter without tapping it.

If the player chooses not to pay 2 life and tap Breeding Pool instead, it will enter the battlefield tapped. This means that if a spell or ability requires mana generated by Breeding Pool, the player cannot cast it until they untap Breeding Pool.

Edge Cases and Unusual Interactions

• Life Total: If a player's life total falls to 1 or less while trying to pay the 2 life cost for Breeding Pool to enter untapped, they must take the land as tapped. This interaction can be significant in low-life situations where paying 2 life might make it difficult to survive.
• Other Cards: Certain cards may interact with Breeding Pool's mana generation or ability costs. For example, Vraska's Contempt could potentially remove Breeding Pool from the battlefield while it is tapped, negating its effect.

Commander-Specific Quirks

In Commander decks, Breeding Pool can be a valuable addition for players who rely on green and blue mana to cast spells. Its ability to add either {G} or {U} mana symbol makes it an attractive choice for combo and control strategies that require specific combinations of colors.

Keep in mind that the 2 life cost for Breeding Pool entering untapped can be a trade-off, particularly if the deck has limited removal options or is struggling with life total.

Strategic Applications of Breeding Pool

Breeding Pool is a versatile and highly sought-after land that provides a unique advantage in various Commander deck archetypes. Its ability to add either green or blue mana when tapped makes it an excellent addition to mono-color, hybrid, and multicolor decks.

Key Benefits:

• Provides flexibility in terms of mana access, allowing players to adapt to changing board states.
• Offers a built-in life-gain option, enabling players to pay 2 life to untap the land on its entry, which is particularly valuable in combo-heavy or aggressive strategies.
• Can be used as a mana accelerator in decks relying heavily on early-game plays.

Competitive and Casual Builds:

1. Merfolk Tribal: Breeding Pool's ability to add blue mana makes it an excellent fit for Merfolk tribal decks, which often feature high-cost creatures that benefit from the additional mana.
2. Azorius Control: This deck archetype leverages Breeding Pool's life-gain option to maintain a stable life total while controlling the board with white and blue spells.
3. Golgari Combo: In Golgari combo decks, Breeding Pool provides the necessary mana acceleration to enable early-game plays and combo pieces.

Niche Builds:

1. Ramp Stacks: Breeding Pool can be used as a component of ramp stacks in mono-color or hybrid green-blue decks.
2. Land-Agnostic Combo: This build archetype focuses on creating a land-independent ecosystem, where cards like Breeding Pool provide crucial mana acceleration.

Synergistic Cards:

• Elder Isle: A similar land that provides life gain and can be used in conjunction with Breeding Pool to create a powerful ramp engine.
• Emeria, Shattered Singularity: This enchantment enhances the effects of Breeding Pool, allowing players to tap it for additional mana while maintaining its life-gain option.

Overall, Breeding Pool is an excellent addition to any Commander deck seeking to optimize mana access and life total management.

Breeding Pool is a versatile and powerful land that offers a unique combination of benefits. Its ability to add one mana of either green or blue allows it to easily ramp into higher-curve creatures, such as Golgari Findbroker or Jadelight Ranger, while also enabling the casting of spells like Bloom Mocker or Vines of Vastwood. The land's flexibility in this regard makes it an attractive addition to any green-blue deck.

One key interaction to consider is with cards that manipulate life totals, such as Doomsday, which can be used to pay the 2-life cost for Breeding Pool. This allows you to enter the land untapped and immediately utilize its mana-generating abilities. Additionally, creatures like Golgari Findbroker or Fertile Ground can help mitigate the life loss associated with using Breeding Pool's ability.

Another consideration is that, when paired with other lands that have similar mana-adding abilities, such as Verdant Catacombs, Breeding Pool can create a "free" mana-generating engine. This effect combines to allow players to generate an additional two mana of their choice each turn.

Common Mistakes with Breeding Pool

Breeding Pool is a staple in many Commander decks, but its unique enters-the-game effect often leads to mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Failing to pay the 2 life cost: When Breeding Pool enters the battlefield, you have the option to pay 2 life to untap it. Failing to do so can leave the land tapped, which can be frustrating in a deck that relies on it.
• Incorrectly assuming it's a dual land: While Breeding Pool does provide both green and blue mana, its enters-the-game effect makes it behave differently than a traditional dual land like Badlands or Verdant Catacombs. Be mindful of this when building your deck.
• Not synergizing with cards that care about tapped lands: Breeding Pool's enters-the-game effect can be a double-edged sword. While it provides flexibility, some cards will only benefit if the land is tapped. Make sure to consider these interactions when including Breeding Pool in your deck.
• Overlooking its interaction with mana-fixing spells: Cards like Sol Ring or Explosive Vegetation can accelerate your mana development and make Breeding Pool's enters-the-game effect more reliable.

To avoid these mistakes, keep in mind the specific cards you're playing alongside Breeding Pool. For example:

By being aware of these potential pitfalls, you can optimize your deck's performance with Breeding Pool.

Here's the rewritten text in a more natural and engaging style:

Breeding Pool: A Versatile Land for Combo Decks

In the world of Magic, few lands are as coveted as Breeding Pool. This rare artifact from Scars of Mirrodin has been a staple in many combo decks since its introduction.

Key Features

• Provides dual green and blue mana when tapped
• Can enter untapped at the cost of 2 life
• A rare land with a moderate price point

History & Notable Appearances

Breeding Pool was first printed in Scars of Mirrodin (sld) and has since appeared in From the Vault: Relics (ftvrel) and Masters Edition III (me3). Its limited availability contributes to its relatively high price point.

• Average price point: $23.53 USD, €21.74 EUR
• Not a budget-friendly option

Commander Considerations

For Commander players seeking alternatives to Breeding Pool, consider the following:

• Misty Rainforest: A common land providing dual colors and low CMC
• Verdant Catacombs: An uncommon land offering green mana acceleration with multiple reprints
• Stomping Ground: A rare land from Lorwyn set, providing red and green mana

Budget & Accessibility

The Breeding Pool is not a budget-friendly option due to its rarity and high price point. Consider alternative lands for your Commander deck.

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Full card JSON for reference (all fields, raw):

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Breeding Pool is a versatile and iconic land that excels in green-blue (UG) and blue-green (UBG) color identities, particularly in combo-oriented decks. Its ability to add one mana of either color for a single tap makes it an excellent enabler for various spells and permanents.

One of the most obvious applications for Breeding Pool is in combination with Sylvan Library. By tutoring a card from your library while playing a copy of Breeding Pool, you can create a powerful draw engine that fuels your combo or aggro strategy. This synergy works beautifully in decks featuring Tarmogoyf or Eldrazi Monument, as the accelerated development allows for early game acceleration and pressure.

Another area where Breeding Pool shines is in ramp-heavy green-blue combinations, particularly those centered around Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin. By adding one mana of either color, you can accelerate your ramp into a powerful enchantment that disrupts opponents or creates card advantage. This synergy also benefits from additional sources of colorless mana acceleration, such as Mox Opal or Cyclonic Rift.

Breeding Pool's ability to add blue mana is particularly valuable in combination with Kor Spirit Diver. By tapping Breeding Pool for its U-mana cost, you can enable your Kor Spirit Diver to generate card advantage through its ability. This synergy works well in more controlling decks that focus on generating value through counterspells and card draw.

In terms of Commanders, Breeding Pool is often found in combo-oriented lists featuring Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. These commanders benefit from the accelerated development and additional mana options provided by Breeding Pool.

Breeding Pool is a versatile land that provides both green and blue mana, making it an attractive addition to Commander decks that run these colors. Its ability to add either {G} or {U} allows players to flexibly access the cards they need.

In terms of format competitiveness, Breeding Pool has seen play in Commander due to its relatively low CMC (0) and versatile mana generation. However, it's not a top-tier card in this format, typically seeing play in more casual decks that focus on value over power. According to EDHREC, its current EDH Rec Rank is 68.

In terms of banlist status, Breeding Pool is not banned or restricted in any official formats. Its relatively low price point (USD 23.53 and EUR 21.74) makes it a moderately priced card, but not prohibitively expensive.

Some notable cards that pair well with Breeding Pool include Llanowar Elves, which can accelerate mana development, and Opt, which provides additional blue mana to complement the land's ability. However, the card is often overlooked in favor of more powerful or efficient options like Footing or Misty Rainforest.

Key Scenarios & Matchups for Breeding Pool

Breeding Pool is a dual land that provides flexibility in green and blue mana. Its primary strength lies in its ability to add either color of mana, making it an excellent addition to decks focused on ramping into powerful spells.

• Dual-Colored Decks: Breeding Pool excels in decks that require both green and blue mana to function effectively. It can serve as a key component in ramp strategies, allowing players to quickly accelerate into their game-winning spells.
• Combo Decks: When paired with cards like Evolving Wilds or Rampant Growth, Breeding Pool can help combo decks achieve a swift and decisive victory by providing the necessary mana to activate combo pieces.
• Land-Centric Decks: In more focused land-centric decks, such as those utilizing lands like Badlands or Stomping Ground, Breeding Pool's versatility in adding green and blue mana makes it an excellent addition.

On the other hand, Breeding Pool can struggle in situations where:

• Monocolored Decks: It may not be as valuable in monocolored decks that only require a single color of mana to function effectively.
• Aggressive Midrange Decks: Against aggressive midrange strategies, Breeding Pool's lack of direct impact and high life cost when entering untapped can make it less desirable.

Overall, the versatility of Breeding Pool makes it an excellent addition to various deck archetypes.

Breeding Pool has been a staple in many decks since its introduction in the Scars of Mirrodin block. This rare land is printed in the set Scars of Mirrodin (sld) and allows players to add either green or blue mana when tapped, providing flexibility for any strategy.

In terms of printings, Breeding Pool has only appeared in a few sets: Scars of Mirrodin (sld), From the Vault: Relics (ftvrel), and Masters Edition III (me3). Its limited availability has contributed to its relatively high price point, with a current value of $23.53 USD.

Breeding Pool's EDHREC ranking stands at 68, indicating moderate usage in Commander decks. The card is often paired with other lands like Simian Spirit Guide and Expedition Map, which complement its mana-generating abilities.

Notably, Breeding Pool has appeared in iconic Commander decks such as the "Niv-Mizzet, Master of Knowledge" and "Zurgo Bellstriker" archetypes. Its versatility has also made it a staple in some combo decks that rely on disrupting opponents' plans with Liliana of the Veil or Jace, the Mind Sculptor.

In the vast expanse of Ravnica, where guilds vie for dominance and magic is woven into the fabric of society, lies a land of primordial power: Breeding Pool. This rare Forest Island serves as a nexus for green and blue mana, allowing players to tap its energies with a mere thought ({T}: Add {G} or {U}.). As a testament to Ravnica's unique blend of nature and magic, Breeding Pool embodies the union of natural forces and arcane might.

The land's ability to enter untapped at the cost of 2 life is a poignant reminder that even in this realm of wonder, sacrifice is often required. In a world where guilds carefully balance their influence and resources, Breeding Pool stands as a symbol of the delicate dance between power and responsibility. This rare artifact is highly prized by guildmages seeking to master the intricacies of mana manipulation.

In the dimly lit laboratories of the Selesnya Conclave, members often experiment with combining the energies of Breeding Pool with other cards like Simian Spirit Guide or Jeska's Will. These collaborations push the boundaries of what is thought possible in terms of mana efficiency and strategy. Meanwhile, in the Izzet League, researchers strive to understand the intricacies of Breeding Pool's energy output, seeking to optimize their own magical endeavors.

Breeding Pool exists at the intersection of several key world-building elements: the intricate web of guild politics, the symbiotic relationship between magic and nature, and the ongoing quest for innovation and discovery in Ravnica. Its lore is deeply intertwined with that of other cards, like Drowned Ruin, which shares a similar theme of manipulating mana to achieve extraordinary effects.

In the world of Ravnica, Breeding Pool serves as both a tool and a symbol, reflecting the ever-shifting balance between power, sacrifice, and innovation. As players continue to explore its potential, they add their own chapter to the rich tapestry of this enchanted realm.