Savannah

Savannah

Summer Magic / Edgar Rare
Mana Cost:
Type: Land — Forest Plains
Savannah Text:
({T}: Add {G} or {W}.)
Artist: Rob Alexander
Collector Number: 285
Release Date: 1994-06-21
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-29T11:04:21.698454 • Legacy Format

Savannah: A Versatile and Dynamic Land in Modern Magic: The Gathering

Savannah is a rare land that has been a cornerstone of Modern Magic: The Gathering decks since its release. It allows players to generate two different colors, making it a powerful addition to any deck looking to ramp into mid-game strategies or fix mana for spells.

Mana Conversion and Fixed Mana

When you play Savannah, you can add either Green (G) or White (W) mana to your pool. This allows you to transition between different color identities and generate the right amount of mana for your spells. The ability to fix two colors makes Savannah an excellent addition to decks that rely on multiple lands to generate their mana.

Savannah's mana conversion ability also provides a way to ramp into more expensive spells in the mid-game. By generating Green or White mana, players can accelerate their board development and create an advantage over their opponents. This is particularly useful for cards like Force of Will, Path to Exile, and Stony Silence, which require multiple turns to resolve.

Color Identity and Synergies

As a land that generates Green and White mana, Savannah plays well with a variety of spells and strategies. It's often used in conjunction with other green or white spells to create powerful combinations. For example, when paired with Stomping Ground, it allows players to fix the right amount of Green mana for spells like Tarmogoyf.

Savannah also provides a way to generate tokens and fix mana, making it an excellent addition to green-white token decks. When played with other green and white lands, Savannah creates a powerful combination that generates tokens and fixes mana.

Strategic Uses and Combos

Savannah is an extremely versatile card that can be used in a wide range of deck archetypes. Here are some strategic uses, combos, and synergies:

  • Ramp into Mid-Game Spells: With its ability to generate two different colors, Savannah becomes an excellent addition to decks looking to ramp into mid-game spells like Force of Will, Path to Exile, or Stony Silence.
  • Color Fixing: As a land that generates Green and White mana, Savannah provides a way to fix the right amount of mana for your spells. This is particularly useful in decks that rely on multiple lands to generate their mana.
  • Synergy with Other Lands: When paired with other green or white lands, Savannah creates an extremely powerful combination. For example, when played with Stomping Ground, it allows players to fix the right amount of Green mana for spells like Tarmogoyf.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Savannah is often included in a variety of deck archetypes that rely on ramping into mid-game spells or fixing the right amount of mana. Some popular deck archetypes that include Savannah are:

  • Mono-Blue Control: With its ability to generate White mana, Savannah provides an excellent way to fix the right amount of mana for blue spells like Counterspell and Dissolve.
  • Green-White Tokens: When paired with other green and white lands, Savannah creates a powerful combination that generates tokens and fixes mana.
  • Mono-Green Ramp: With its ability to generate Green mana, Savannah provides an excellent way to ramp into mid-game spells like Tarmogoyf.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Savannah has been a staple in Modern Magic: The Gathering decks for years. Its ability to generate two different colors makes it an excellent addition to any deck looking to ramp into mid-game strategies or fix mana for spells.

However, in recent years, the competitive metagame has shifted towards more controlling and combo-oriented decks. While Savannah can still be used in these decks, its viability is often hampered by more expensive and efficient ways of generating mana.

Despite this, Savannah remains an excellent addition to any deck looking to generate the right amount of mana. Its ability to provide a consistent source of mana makes it a staple in many modern decks.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

There are several key rules interactions to consider when playing Savannah:

  • Mana Generation: When you play Savannah, it generates two different colors, making it a powerful addition to any deck looking to ramp into mid-game strategies or fix mana for spells.
  • Color Identity: As a land that generates Green and White mana, Savannah plays well with a variety of spells and strategies. It's often used in conjunction with other green or white spells to create powerful combinations.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Savannah is an iconic card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, featuring a beautiful illustration of a savannah landscape. The flavor text reads "The land before time" which captures the idea that Savannah is a fundamental building block for many decks.

In terms of historical context, Savannah was first released in 2008 as part of the Mirrodin set. Since then, it has become one of the most popular and enduring lands in Modern Magic: The Gathering.

Conclusion

Savannah is a powerful land that allows players to generate two different colors, making it an excellent addition to any deck looking to ramp into mid-game strategies or fix mana for spells. Its versatility and flexibility make it a staple in many modern decks, and its historical context has cemented its place as one of the most iconic lands in Magic: The Gathering.

While Savannah may not be as explosive as some newer cards, its value lies in its ability to provide a consistent source of mana for players. When paired with other green or white spells, it creates an extremely powerful combination that generates tokens and fixes mana.

In modern competitive play, Savannah is still a viable option for many deck archetypes, particularly those that rely on ramping into mid-game spells or fixing the right amount of mana. While new format patches have shifted the metagame towards more controlling and combo-oriented decks, Savannah remains an excellent addition to any deck looking to generate the right amount of mana.

Overall, Savannah is a card that deserves its place in the Modern Magic: The Gathering metagame, providing players with a reliable source of mana that can be used in a variety of different strategies.