The summary of ‘How To Build Every Commander Mana Base | The Definitive Guide | Magic: The Gathering’

00:00:00

In this segment, the video addresses how to build a Mana base for a Commander deck in Magic the Gathering, emphasizing its importance. It notes that creating an effective Mana base involves more than balancing lands and spells, especially given the variety of dual and non-basic lands available in 2023. The speaker references older guides released for different color combinations and explains the need for an updated approach due to changes in the game and increased focus on the Commander format. The segment promises to cover all types of Mana bases, suggest optimal land choices, and provide budget-friendly alternatives. Additionally, a brief sponsor message highlights a hair loss treatment service called Keeps.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses strategies for building an effective Mana base in a Commander deck. They emphasize the importance of balancing your Mana sources according to the Mana curve of your deck. For a lower Mana curve, fewer lands are needed, while a higher curve requires more lands. The speaker cautions against cutting too many lands to include more spells, as this reduces the deck’s reliability. They note that concerns about Mana flood are valid but that having too little Mana is a more common issue, especially with certain types of commanders. Specific guidelines are provided: 33-35 lands for low curve decks, at least 38 lands for mid-range decks, and adjustments based on the number of colors in the deck. For monocolor decks, the land base will mostly include basic lands, while decks with more colors will need a more complex Mana base.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on building a mana base for multi-color Commander decks in Magic: The Gathering. Key guidelines include using 20 basic lands for two-color decks with six to eight utility lands, while three-color decks should use fewer basics and more dual lands. For four and five-color decks, it’s recommended to use one or two basic lands of each color and prioritize the highest quality dual lands, avoiding tap lands where possible. Specific lands like Triomes and Ravnica bounce lands are highlighted as exceptions to the no-tap-land rule due to their utility. Command Tower is recommended for all multi-color decks, and more valuable options like City of Brass and Mana Confluence become auto-includes for decks with more colors. While original Dual lands are ideal but costly, they are not essential for success, as there are budget-friendly alternatives that offer similar benefits.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the strategic use of fetch lands and various other land options in Commander decks based on the number of colors in the deck. They explain that fetch lands are valuable for mana fixing and recommend specific quantities for two, three, four, and five-color decks. Mono-color decks are generally advised against using fetch lands unless they have landfall synergies. Alternatives like Fabled Passage, Ash Barrens, land cyclers from Lord of the Rings, and Myriad Landscape are recommended for budget or missing pieces scenarios. Furthermore, shock lands are highlighted as great mana-fixing options, especially in two and three-color decks, though their use in four and five-color decks depends on the specific color requirements of the deck.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the best dual lands to use in Commander decks. They recommend using Battle Bond lands, which function similarly to original dual lands but are not fetchable. Horizon lands are highlighted for their dual-functionality and ability to provide a card later in the game, suitable for decks with two to four colors. Triomes are praised for three-color decks but advised to be used sparingly in four or five-color decks due to their nature as tap lands. The speaker also recommends pain lands and slow lands for their efficiency, while deeming fast lands, reveal lands, creature lands, and temples as less effective for present-day Commander. Finally, the speaker suggests avoiding older or unnamed dual lands as they are considered too weak for modern Commander gameplay.

00:15:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance and diversity of utility lands in constructing a complete Mana base for a deck, particularly in the commander format. They explain that utility lands offer benefits beyond basic Mana fixing and highlight the recent increase in utility lands that provide colored Mana. Key examples mentioned include the channel lands from “Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty” and modal double-faced lands like Agadeem’s Awakening. The speaker also lists essential utility lands for each color, noting how different deck types might benefit from specific land choices, and advises against a common mistake of always including Reliquary Tower in decks that don’t require it. Utility lands are best utilized in mono- and two-color decks, with recommendations on the number of utility lands to include depending on the deck’s color complexity. The segment concludes with insights on the evolving role of Mana acceleration and the decreasing reliance on Mana rocks due to the improvement of low Mana value spells.

00:18:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the selection of Mana acceleration for Commander decks, noting that while Mana acceleration is important, it should be chosen carefully. They highlight that three-mana rocks are generally too slow in the current metagame, while two-mana rocks like Arcane Signet and the talismans from Modern Horizons are more viable. The segment also mentions key one and zero-mana accelerants like Mana Vault, Mana Crypt, and Jeweled Lotus.

Recommendations for different deck configurations are provided:
– For two-color decks: Soul Ring, Arcane Signet, the Talisman, the Signet for the color pair, Thought Vessel or Mind Stone.
– For non-green three-color decks: Soul Ring, Arcane Signet, and the three talismans corresponding to the deck’s colors.
– For multicolor green decks: Soul Ring, Birds of Paradise, Delighted Halfling, Farseek, Nature’s Lore, Three Visits, Rampant Growth, and Arcane Signet.

The speaker then moves on to building the Mana base, suggesting specific land distributions and Mana rock counts for mono-color, two-color, and three-color Commander decks.

00:21:00

In this segment of the video, the presenter discusses specific guidelines for building mana bases in Commander decks. They provide detailed recommendations for different types of lands and mana rocks to include, such as rainbow lands, fetch lands, and OG dual lands, along with the amount of basic lands, utility lands, and green mana accelerants. The presenter emphasizes that these guidelines are intended as a helpful starting point rather than strict rules since each Commander deck has unique mana requirements. The video aims to assist players in building their mana bases more easily and encourages viewers to customize according to their needs. Additionally, the video promotes a gameplay show, “Shuffle Up and Play,” and includes a sponsored message about the hair loss treatment product, Keeps.

00:24:00

In this part of the video, the participants discuss the decisions surrounding a character named Glenn. They briefly deliberate whether it’s a hard decision, ultimately concluding that it’s not. They reference “The Station Agent,” mentioning details about a hat. One participant jokingly asks if anyone wants to cut them, which the others promptly decline, and it’s suggested they talk more, possibly about a show.