Experiences With Temples

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on Feb. 19, 2017, 11:08 a.m. by JaceTheSwagSculptor

So I'm wondering what the general consensus is on these lands in EDH, the Temples that is (such as Temple of Enlightenment, Temple of Plenty, and etc.). Have you found the scrying to be worth it or was the ETB tapped to be too detrimental? Tell me your opinions/experiences with them.

Thanks!

ZeGinger says... #2

I like them. They are a strict upgrade over regular tapped dual lands, and if you're looking for decent fixing at an affordable price then there's no reason to not get these. in a more competitive deck, well that's more up to how reasonable a single scry is to you

February 19, 2017 11:14 a.m.

pskinn01 says... #3

Deck, and meta dependant. In casual meta, the scrying can be good, making them better than basics. In competitive, the enters tapped can be detrimental.

February 19, 2017 11:15 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #4

pskinn01 is 100% right. In casual, I'd only run one, even in a tricolor deck. Untapped lands are crucial to early game momentum, and even casual decks play Sol Ring and Dorks.

February 19, 2017 11:25 a.m.

Darn! I was trying to dodge the typical "it's meta dependent" answer by saying your experiences, but it still happened lol.

Regardless, to give context my deck is an optimized tier 3 deck in the form of Sigarda, Host of Herons. The meta I play in, for the most part is on par with me.

February 19, 2017 11:26 a.m.

Postmortal_Pop says... #6

I play both competitive and casual decks and I personally run then in both. As stated above, they're strictly better than the ordinary tap lands and a great call for budget.

T1/t2 that scry is one step closer to that early blocker I didn't draw, or that other color I need. T6/t7 that scry can help me break the chunk of land I got stuck in. It's a win all around.

February 19, 2017 11:32 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #7

In a 2 color deck, I think it's fine. If you're playing competitive EDH, though, you don't have time for a tap land when people can win on T4 reliably.

February 19, 2017 11:35 a.m.

@Postmortal_Pop: Very good point! The lands are good early or late game but very bad if you draw them mid game during your key stabilization turns.

February 19, 2017 11:38 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #9

There are just too many good dual lands for me to run them in 3+ colored decks, and I cant run all nonbasics. However, I think they're great in 2 colored decks.

February 19, 2017 12:03 p.m.

I enjoy them, especially in decks that are 2 colors as duels are always welcome. Their interaction with Karoo Lands is really nice.

February 19, 2017 12:39 p.m.

Spatialdebris says... #11

Karoo doesn't work. It requires a plain which temples are not

February 19, 2017 12:49 p.m.

hyperlocke says... #12

@Spatialdebris: Golgari Rot Farm and the rest of this cycle are sometimes referred to as "Karoo lands".

February 19, 2017 12:54 p.m.

Spatialdebris says... #13

Bounce lands are fine and all, but there are several types. Lairs, guild double lands, the Karoo type lands. Being specific prevents confusion

February 19, 2017 3:07 p.m.

buildingadeck says... #14

The dual bounce lands are referred to as Karoo lands, so he was right.

That interaction is fine at a casual level, but it's pretty bad competitively. That's the point we are trying to make

February 19, 2017 5:24 p.m.

Arvail says... #15

Run them if you have to. If you're playing in serious circles, being a turn behind is pretty serious. You want to avoid that if your group's anywhere close to being good or tuned.

February 19, 2017 5:40 p.m.

It seems the consensus is that they are good for casual, but anything beyond that they are not worth it. Although, I wouldn't call my meta super competitive I think you guys have convinced me to pass on the temples for now.

February 19, 2017 8:46 p.m.

Abaques says... #17

The difference between casual and competitive is a spectrum, not a bright line. They aren't good in highly competitive games, but they are great in most casual matches, even ones with a higher level of power. Your budget should be your guide. If you're playgroup is spending north of $400 on a deck then there are usually better options, but if the power level is lower then they are fantastic. I've found that at lower power levels the scry can occasionally be worth more then an untapped land. That's obviously a situational call though.

February 19, 2017 11:11 p.m.

CastleSiege says... #18

I have a personal vendetta against lands that come in tapped, so I avoid using the Temples in all of my decks.

February 20, 2017 1:52 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #19

SaltySpecula: So you're suggesting that it is maximum value to play a scryland with a Karoo land with one card in your deck that makes them come in untapped? Now you've wasted one slot in your deck for Amulet of Vigor for a slim chance at synergy for a scry one in a 100-card singleton format. That does not seem beneficial.

March 13, 2017 4:33 a.m.

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