In the world of Magic: The Gathering, land destruction has always been a controversial yet strategically powerful mechanic. Among the many forms of land disruption, cards that destroy all nonbasic lands hold a unique place in competitive and casual formats alike. These spells can quickly shift the balance of a game, shutting down opponents who rely heavily on powerful nonbasic lands for fixing, ramping, or utility. Understanding how these cards work, when to use them, and how to build around them is essential for any player who wants to master land destruction strategies in MTG.
Understanding Nonbasic Lands in MTG
What Are Nonbasic Lands?
Nonbasic lands are any lands in Magic: The Gathering that do not carry the ‘basic’ supertype. Basic lands include Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. Nonbasic lands are everything else like Command Tower, Cabal Coffers, or Field of the Dead. These lands often offer special abilities or mana fixing, making them vital in many multicolor decks or strategies built around utility lands.
Because of their power, nonbasic lands are often targeted by land destruction spells, especially those that can wipe the board clean of such resources. Cards that destroy all nonbasic lands are often used to punish greedy mana bases and reset the game in favor of players who build around basic lands.
Popular Cards That Destroy All Nonbasic Lands
Iconic Examples
Over the years, Wizards of the Coast has printed a handful of cards that specifically destroy all nonbasic lands. Here are some of the most well-known examples:
- Ruination A red sorcery that simply states, Destroy all nonbasic lands. A clean and efficient way to punish decks that rely too much on color fixing.
- Wake of Destruction Targets a land and destroys all lands with the same name. This can be particularly devastating against decks that rely on multiple copies of the same nonbasic land.
- Impending Disaster While it doesn’t explicitly mention nonbasic lands, it can function similarly by wiping out all lands when conditions are met.
- Boil and Boiling Seas These don’t target nonbasics per se but destroy all Islands, which often include nonbasic blue-producing lands.
Commander Staples
In the Commander format, where nonbasic lands are prevalent due to multicolor decks, cards like Ruination become even more effective. These spells can completely reset the board and leave players scrambling to rebuild their mana base, giving the caster a huge advantage especially if they rely more heavily on basic lands.
Strategic Use of Nonbasic Land Destruction
Timing and Game Impact
Using a spell that destroys all nonbasic lands requires careful planning. Casting it too early might not affect opponents significantly, while waiting too long could allow others to develop unassailable board positions. The best time to use these effects is when opponents are overcommitted to nonbasic lands and lack other ways to recover mana quickly.
Deck Archetypes That Benefit
Certain deck types are naturally positioned to benefit from nonbasic land destruction:
- Mono-colored decks Often rely less on nonbasic lands, allowing them to recover quickly from mass land destruction.
- Land destruction/control decks Designed to disrupt opponents’ resources while maintaining their own position.
- Stax or prison decks Use land destruction as part of a broader strategy to lock opponents out of the game.
Synergistic Cards
Including cards that synergize with land destruction can make these strategies even more powerful. Examples include:
- Crucible of Worlds Allows you to play lands from your graveyard after a board wipe.
- Ramunap Excavator Similar to Crucible of Worlds but in creature form.
- Blood Moon Disrupts nonbasic lands by turning them into Mountains, making them less effective even before they’re destroyed.
- Magus of the Moon Creature version of Blood Moon, great for redundancy.
Dealing with Nonbasic Land Destruction
Building Resilient Mana Bases
If you’re playing in a meta where nonbasic land destruction is common, there are ways to protect your strategy. Consider the following tips:
- Include more basic lands Helps maintain access to mana after a board wipe.
- Use ramp spells Cards like Cultivate and Kodama’s Reach bring basics onto the battlefield and can rebuild your board faster.
- Mana rocks and dorks Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Birds of Paradise, and Llanowar Elves can provide nonland mana sources to keep your engine running.
Counterspells and Disruption
In blue-heavy decks, counterspells like Negate or Swan Song can be used to protect against devastating spells like Ruination. Green decks can use land search effects post-destruction to recover quickly. The key is being aware of what your opponents might play and preparing accordingly.
Meta Considerations and Multiplayer Dynamics
Effect on Multiplayer Games
Destroying all nonbasic lands can drastically change the pace of a multiplayer Commander game. While it can even the playing field or stop a runaway player, it can also draw hate from the table. Many players see mass land destruction as unfun, so it’s essential to be aware of your group’s tolerance for such strategies.
Politics in Commander
If you decide to include nonbasic land destruction in your deck, be prepared to defend your decision. In many casual playgroups, these cards are frowned upon. However, in high-power or cEDH environments, any strategy that can slow down opponents and lead to a win is usually considered fair game. Communication and setting expectations with your playgroup will help ensure a fun experience for everyone.
Ethics and Fun Factor
When Is It Appropriate?
While land destruction is a valid strategic option, its frequent or early use can sour games. Most players agree that cards like Ruination are best reserved for high-stakes plays or to prevent an opponent from winning outright. Using them casually without a clear path to victory may result in longer, less enjoyable games for everyone at the table.
Balancing Power and Interaction
Smart deckbuilding includes finding a balance between powerful effects and meaningful interaction. If you plan to run nonbasic land destruction, consider including ways to speed up the game or win soon after the board wipe. That way, the disruption feels purposeful rather than oppressive.
Destroying all nonbasic lands in Magic: The Gathering is a powerful tool that can shift games, punish greedy mana bases, and help control-focused decks assert dominance. Whether you’re building a mono-red Commander deck or looking to shake up a competitive meta, including cards like Ruination can add a strategic edge. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Make sure your deck is equipped to benefit from such plays, and always consider the social dynamics of your playgroup. Mastering nonbasic land destruction can make you a more versatile and effective MTG player, capable of navigating a wide range of game scenarios and metas.