{"ops":[{"insert":"Desiccate your opponents in a landscape where every refuge is a mirage."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHighlights"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Desert"},{"insert":" is a delicate ecosystem where the sands are always shifting between your library, battlefield, and graveyard.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Stampede Driver"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—A nod to the wild west cattle driver, and a nice mini-"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Overrun"}},{"insert":", too. This creature’s ability will also help you put a desert in your graveyard at times when you need it."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Cartographer"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"and"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Quarry Beetle"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—When a strategic play ends up putting lands in your graveyard, use these creatures to hedge your bets and keep the dunes flowing."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Moss Diamond"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—It’s nice to have a reliable mana source around when your lands come and go. Although, simply replacing this artifact with another Forest is a reasonable build option as well."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sunset Pyramid"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—Did you know: some of the greatest pyramids are found in the desert?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Dance of the Tumbleweeds"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—It’s better to be safe than sorry when gambling with your mana sources. This spell allows you to replenish your land supply, and also backfills as a creature creator when needed. Or, go all-in on a six-mana spending spree and get both."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sandstone Deadfall"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—That’s a steep price to kill a creature, but don’t worry; we’ve got a plan."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe Rares"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ramunap Hydra"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Desert"},{"insert":" is designed to maximize this hydra, giving you a 4/4 or 5/5 with a pile of abilities as early as possible. Remember, when you can put a land into your graveyard at instant speed (by sacrificing, cycling, etc.), it can become a surprise +1/+1 boosts for this creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Hour of Promise"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"—Like Dance of the Tumbleweeds, this spell’s potential to ramp up your desert count and gain two creatures gives a harsh reminder to stay out of hot, dry, barren places."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPlay Notes"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your resources will be limited—most of the lands in this pack have powerful non-mana abilities that come with the cost of putting a land in your graveyard, either by sacrificing or discarding them. Because lands are your primary mana sources, the challenge is to know when you can afford to lose them. Luckily, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Desert"},{"insert":" is designed to take advantage of this, with cards that fetch new lands, return lands from the graveyard, or benefit from lands being in the graveyard. Choose wisely and don’t let your mana well run too dry.\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Desert"},{"insert":" is a great partner for multicolor packs (how about "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://mtgjumpstarter.wordpress.com/portfolio/jumpstart-pride/","italic":true},"insert":"Pride"},{"insert":"?), as the aggressive graveyard strategy can take a backseat to this pack’s many ways to search out different colors of mana. And because of all the land synergy, pairing with "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/jumpstart-decklists-2020-06-18#","italic":true},"insert":"Lands"},{"insert":" (from JMP) is sure to cause your opponents die of exposure (desert joke).\nI tagged "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Desert"},{"insert":" as intermediate difficulty because, for many new players, risking and managing mana sources is a big ask where sometimes every choice feels bad. More seasoned players will be comfortable navigating when to sacrifice and when to not.\n\nSource: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://mtgjumpstarter.wordpress.com/portfolio/jumpstart-desert/"},"insert":"https://mtgjumpstarter.wordpress.com/portfolio/jumpstart-desert/"},{"insert":"\n"}]}