Could someone explain to my friend why Shock lands are better than lifegain lands?
General forum
Posted on Nov. 16, 2015, 11:34 a.m. by Mindgrind
A friend of mine won't run shock lands because he doesn't want to loose the two life if he needs it untapped. Yet, he runs lifegain lands in replacement. Could someone explain why Shock lands are better? Example Temple Garden over Blossoming Sands. Thanks
one day your n00b friend will realize, just give them time. Having life doesnt win games, taking your opponents life does. if theyre really that apposed to running shocks, tell them to at least run pain lands (Shivan Reef, ect)
November 16, 2015 12:03 p.m.
The new tango lands and the check lands are probably a good alternative for you're friend! Not to mention the scry lands, this way he can get his benefit without the life loss he doesn't want
November 16, 2015 12:08 p.m.
Tell them to embrace their inner black player. Life is your best resource.
November 16, 2015 12:14 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #7
Having the potential for a land to come into play untapped is invaluable, regardless of the 2 life loss. Plus color fixing in any deck that doesn't begin with "mono-" is incredibly important as well. Thus why the ABUR duals command such a high price, aside from not being printed since Revised: they color fix, have two basic land types so they can be fetched, and they come into play untapped naturally.
November 16, 2015 12:14 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #8
Only one person has mentioned the most important argument.
Life is a resource, not something to be protected at the cost of the game.
You can win games at 1 life (hell, even negative in some corner cases). That's all you need. Beyond that you have 19 resource points.
You are paying one resource to have another resource come into play untapped.
Is your friend just as opposed to using Phyrexian mana? It's literally the same thing.
November 16, 2015 1:16 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #9
Welcome to mtg where the rules are made up and the life points don't matter
November 16, 2015 1:25 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #10
Life points only matter where Death's Shadow, Serra Avatar, Felidar Sovereign, and Serra Ascendant are concerned lol.
November 16, 2015 1:28 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #11
Don't forget Test of Endurance.
But seriously the ability to fetch for fixing and the chance to come in untapped is great. Just teach him the mantra that "one isn't zero". All life except the last 1 is a resource to be used to win the game. Sometimes you can afford to have shocks come in tapped, other times you need that mana right now and will gladly spend 2 life to make it happen.
November 16, 2015 3:31 p.m.
Because games are won and lost in single turns and tapped mana doesn't slow you downs in such a way that you either can't respond to big plays or produce your own. 2 life isn't much good if you've lost.
November 16, 2015 4:05 p.m.
just show him how twin wins and ask if his life total is that precious to him there where it truly doesn't matter. I used to be the same way when I started, then I got into modern and realized with decks like twin you may as well go probe, fetch, shock, thoughtseize on T1 running grixis control. funniest suicide play ever.
beckhr says... #2
They are fetch able, they can come in untapped, and losing 2 life is negligible if I can counter/destroy one of your threats or play one of my own.
November 16, 2015 11:44 a.m.