Cheap (but effective) Manabases

{"ops":[{"insert":"Mana can be the most expensive part of a deck - but how do you end up with a deck that works consistently without spending a lot of money? \n\nTrying out getting the measure of how good a mana base can be with X dollars.   I'm making the assumption that people will read the article top to bottom - so I'm doing colourless utility lands and mono-coloured decks first. \n\nCheap colourless cards that fit in most decks:\n Land destruction: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tectonic Edge"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghost Quarter"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Graveyard hate: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scavenger Grounds"}},{"insert":" (especially worth having when there are other deserts to sacrifice) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----\n\nMono-coloured decks:\n\nCheap colourless cards that fit into most mono-coloured decks (not required for green decks)\n "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Fetches: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Armillary Sphere"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Ramp: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Myriad Landscape"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhite:\nInitial land package (~$10):\n Cycling lands: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Secluded Steppe"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Desert of the True"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drifting Meadow"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Utility lands: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shefet Dunes"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blighted Steppe"}},{"insert":"   "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Fetches: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Gift of Estates"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" Ramp: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Knight of the White Orchid"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Upgrades:\n Fetches: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Land Tax"}},{"insert":"  (expensive!) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Soldier lands: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Forbidding Watchtower"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":" & "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Memorial to Glory"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" Ramp: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Pearl Medallion"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":"    "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" Graveyard lands: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Emeria, the Sky Ruin"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":"  (expensive - fits better with "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Teysa Karlov"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" esq. desks)  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBlue:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Initial land package (~$2):"},{"insert":"\n "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Cycling lands: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lonely Sandbar"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Desert of the Mindful"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Remote Isle"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":" Utility lands: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memorial to Genius"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blighted Cataract"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Upgrades:\n Land hate: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Back to Basics"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBlack:\nInitial land package (~$7):\n "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Cycling "},{"insert":"lands: "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"the usual three "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cabal Stronghold"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Graveyard hate: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bojuka Bog"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Graveyard lands: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memorial to Folly"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Upgrades:\n Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jet Medallion"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cabal Coffers"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nRed:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Initial land package (~$5):"},{"insert":"\n "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Cycling lands"},{"insert":": the usual three & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tectonic Reformation"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Land hate: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Alpine Moon"}},{"insert":" (for those who play with Cabal Stronghold etc...)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Enablers: "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Upgrades:\n Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ruby Medallion"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Lands hate: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Moon"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGreen:\nInitial land package (~$10):\n "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Cycling lands"},{"insert":": "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"the usual three "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Enablers: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oran-Rief, the Vastwood"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mosswort Bridge"}},{"insert":"  "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rampant Growth"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cultivate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kodama's Reach"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Explosive Vegetation"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Circuitous Route"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyshroud Claim"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Upgrades:\n Ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Growing Rites of Itlimoc // Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emerald Medallion"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------\n\nTwo-coloured decks:\n\nFor the cheapest: Basic Fetches < Gates (et al) < gain life tap lands. With the tap lands and the ones that gain life - I believe that the allied pairs have an additional one for both. \n\nIf you want to spend a little bit more also consider the following:\nFor slower decks, the AMK cycle duals (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fetid Pools"}},{"insert":") are solid (and fetchable with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gift of Estates"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Farseek"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyshroud Claim"}},{"insert":") as well as the bounce lands (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Boros Garrison"}},{"insert":") - ally colours only!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For midrange decks, the BFZ check for two or more basic lands (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Smoldering Marsh"}},{"insert":") are good & fetchable with the cards stated above. - ally colours only!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For fast decks, the ping lands (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Yavimaya Coast"}},{"insert":") are awesome"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The all round star is the check lands (which check for land type), these vary in price but were all recently re-printed in DOM & XLN, so if you wait for rotation should be very affordable. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" A bit more of the 'janky' side there are "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nimbus Maze"}},{"insert":"; "},{"insert":{"card-link":"River of Tears"}},{"insert":" & the Tainted land cycle ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tainted Field"}},{"insert":" etc...) - they only fit into a colour combinations but fix mana from typically turn two/three onwards (like the check lands)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Also "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command Tower"}},{"insert":" is the best of the cheap cards - do get one of these first if you haven't already got one"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------\n\nThree-colour decks:\n\nFor the cheapest tri colour lands we have the Shard ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Seaside Citadel"}},{"insert":") & Wedge "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"("},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Opulent Palace"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":") "},{"insert":"tap lands as well as the Vivid land cycle ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivid Creek"}},{"insert":"). These, along with "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Command Tower"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":", are the best lands to run in a three colour deck outside of stupidly expensive & fast decks, because they generate all the colours you need. At this point "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exotic Orchard"}},{"insert":" is great. \n\nSame discussion as above, except some lands get better and some worse. \nIf you are running cards that fetch non-basics, the AMK and BFZ dual lands are awesome. If not - you will want to prioritise other cards (and just use the gain 1 life dual tap lands in their stead)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Again, the all round stars are the check lands (which check for land type) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Again, for fast decks, the ping lands are also great - however if you are running fetches then do consider AMK and BFZ dual lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"The 'janky' lands are only good if they are enabled by the main colours of the deck - typically a deck that is strongly black but touches on two other colours will really enjoy the Tainted lands, but asides from that..."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"F The basic fetch lands are now great. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"------"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Four/Five-colour decks:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"Again, the Vivid land cycle along with "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Command Tower"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":" & "},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Exotic Orchard"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":", are the best lands to run in a four colour deck outside of stupidly expensive & fast decks, because they generate all the colours you need. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"The next lands are the tri-colour lands (the Shards & Wedges) and the basic fetches!"},{"insert":"\n\nAt especially five colour - you are unlikely to see much benefit from adding non-fetchable dual lands as the check lands won't have much to check against. At four colour your manabase is more likely to be slightly skewed (towards green due to ramp) so add some lands that check for a land type (again likely forests). But as opposed to buying four check lands - consider buying something like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"City of Brass"}},{"insert":" (about the price of two check lands currently) \n\nTowards this end consider "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rupture Spire"}},{"insert":" et al & the cheap filter lands ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unknown Shores"}},{"insert":") to ensure getting the mana colours required. \n\n------\n\nSpecial colour fixing:\n Tribal - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unclaimed Territory"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Path of Ancestry"}},{"insert":" (slightly expensive) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Artifacts - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spire of Industry"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Counters - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aether Hub"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)","background":"#ffffff"},"insert":"I've found some unique lands writing this piece ("},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Nimbus Maze"}},{"attributes":{"color":"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)"},"insert":"!) so "},{"insert":"I hope this has been some help for you too!\n\nP.S. I've yet to simulate (let alone play with!) the one-and-a-half cycles of double colour filter lands (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rugged Prairie"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Darkwater Catacombs"}},{"insert":"), but I'm expecting that they are awesome in a two colour deck, but get less effective with more and more colours added. \n"}]}