Scrubland

Scrubland

Limited Edition Beta Rare
Mana Cost:
Type: Land — Plains Swamp
Scrubland Text:
({T}: Add {W} or {B}.)
Artist: Jesper Myrfors
Collector Number: 282
Release Date: 1993-10-04
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-28T18:08:40.049282 • Legacy Format

The Fertile Ground of Magic

TL;DR Summary Scrubland is a dual-colored land card that allows players to add one mana of either White (W) or Black (B) when tapped. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for decks that need to access these colors without committing to single-colored lands.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Scrubland's versatility stems from its ability to provide both White and Black mana, making it a valuable asset in various deck archetypes. Players can tap Scrubland for the needed color, rather than being locked into a specific mana base, allowing them to adapt their strategy mid-game.

In terms of interactions, Scrubland plays well with cards that benefit from having multiple colors available. Creatures like Azcanta Guildpoacher and Luminarch Aspirant appreciate the versatility offered by Scrubland, as they gain additional benefits when their controller controls two or more dual lands. Additionally, decks running these creatures will benefit from accessing both White and Black mana to fuel their abilities.

Scrubland also interacts favorably with cards that rely on having specific mana combinations. A deck running Luminarch Aspirant would benefit from accessing both White and Black mana to create 2/2 colorless tokens, showcasing the card's ability to enable powerful spells.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

As a dual-colored land, Scrubland can be used in various strategies to provide an additional mana fix or serve as a temporary means of accessing a specific color. In aggressive decks, Scrubland's flexibility allows players to adapt their strategy mid-game by tapping it for the needed color.

Scrubland also sees play in control and combo decks where access to both White and Black mana is necessary to enable powerful card draws or ultimate abilities. In such cases, Scrubland's ability to provide either color serves as an insurance policy against losing access to the other color.

One notable example of a synergy involving Scrubland can be seen in Eldrazi Conscriptor-based combo decks. Players use Scrubland to fix their mana and enable the Eldrazi Conscriptor's ability to draw cards while creating an Eldrazi, demonstrating the card's potential for explosive plays.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Scrubland's dual-colored nature makes it an attractive option for various deck archetypes:

  • Control decks can use Scrubland as a means of fixing their mana and accessing the colors needed for powerful spells.
  • Combo decks can leverage Scrubland to enable their combo pieces by providing access to specific colors.
  • Midrange decks often rely on dual lands like Scrubland to maintain a flexible mana base.

In terms of deck composition, Scrubland is best used in conjunction with other dual lands that provide either White or Black mana. This allows players to maintain flexibility and ensure that they have access to the necessary colors for their spells.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

As a dual-colored land, Scrubland's viability varies across different formats:

  • In Modern, Scrubland sees play in control decks, combo decks, and midrange strategies.
  • In Standard, Scrubland is less popular due to the prevalence of other dual lands that provide access to more colors.
  • In Commander, Scrubland serves as a versatile option for players looking to fix their mana and enable powerful spells.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Scrubland's interaction with various cards and abilities is governed by the following rules:

  • When tapped, Scrubland allows players to add either one White or one Black mana.
  • Scrubland's ability can be used in conjunction with other lands that provide additional mana.
  • Scrubland does not interact with cards that alter mana costs.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Scrubland's artwork depicts a lush, green landscape with scattered rocks and tree stumps. This image evokes the idea of a scrubland ecosystem, characterized by a mix of grasses, shrubs, and small trees.

In terms of flavor, Scrubland reflects the dual-colored theme of its ability to provide both White and Black mana. This contrasts with other lands that specialize in providing single-color mana, reflecting the diverse nature of the plane's ecosystems.

As for historical context, Scrubland was first introduced in Tempest, one of the original Magic sets released by Wizards of the Coast in 1997. Since its introduction, Scrubland has remained a staple in many deck archetypes due to its versatility and adaptability.

Summary of Key Points

  • Scrubland is a dual-colored land that provides access to both White (W) and Black (B) mana.
  • The card's ability allows players to tap it for either one W or one B, making it an attractive option for decks that need to access these colors without committing to single-colored lands.
  • Scrubland interacts favorably with cards that benefit from having multiple colors available.
  • The card sees play in various deck archetypes, including control, combo, and midrange strategies.
  • Scrubland's viability varies across different formats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Scrubland is a versatile dual-colored land that offers a unique set of benefits to players. Its ability to provide access to both White (W) and Black (B) mana makes it an attractive option for various deck archetypes, from control to aggressive strategies.

As a staple in many competitive decks, Scrubland's versatility and adaptability make it a reliable choice for players looking to fix their mana or enable powerful spells.