Tranquil Expanse MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
RarityUncommon
TypeLand

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts mana variety and consistency for multi-color decks, enhancing card play efficiency.
  2. Entering play tapped presents a tempo challenge, potentially impacting the game’s pace.
  3. Its simplicity is key, a trusted source for green and white mana with no frills.

Text of card

Tranquil Expanse enters the battlefield tapped. : Add or to your mana pool.

Despite the chaos of the Roil and the devastation of the Eldrazi, Zendikar is a world of breathtaking beauty.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tranquil Expanse may not directly translate to card draw, but its function as dual land ensures your hand remains versatile. This lets you deploy other cards more efficiently, subtly contributing to card advantage by smoothing out your land drops.

Resource Acceleration: As a land that taps for two types of mana, Tranquil Expanse provides a kind of resource acceleration critical in multicolored decks. It effectively expands your mana base, allowing you to play more demanding spells ahead of the curve and enabling a smoother, more reliable game plan.

Instant Speed: While Tranquil Expanse itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it facilitates the casting of instant-speed spells by providing an expanded color source. Having access to two different mana colors at any given time means you’re more likely to have the resources necessary to respond to opponents’ threats instantly.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Tranquil Expanse enters the battlefield tapped, which could delay your game plan as it doesn’t provide mana the turn it’s played.

Discard Requirement: Although Tranquil Expanse doesn’t directly ask you to discard a card, it’s often one of the first lands to be discarded due to its lack of immediate utility compared to basic lands or other utility lands that can be used the turn they come into play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a high-speed game, the tempo loss from a land entering tapped can be significant, especially when other lands could offer instant benefits or untapped mana sources even if they might have some other constraints or downsides.


Reasons to Include Tranquil Expanse in Your Collection

Versatility: Tranquil Expanse is a land card that taps for two different colors of mana, making it a fundamental addition to multicolor decks seeking a stable mana base without incurring the cost of pricier dual lands.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of landfall strategies or combos by ensuring consistent land drops while simultaneously ramping and fixing your mana.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where the mana base can determine a game’s pace and outcome, Tranquil Expanse offers accessibility and reliability, playing a crucial role in decks that cannot afford to miss a color or lose speed against competitors.


How to beat

Tranquil Expanse may not be the flashiest land card in Magic: The Gathering, but its utility in mana fixing for green and white decks can’t be overlooked. This card enters the battlefield tapped, which can be a subtle but impactful downside. Gaining access to both colors of mana is beneficial, yet the delay in availability can be exploited.

To gain an edge against opponents using Tranquil Expanse, consider deploying land destruction strategies or cards that hinder or punish tapped lands to disrupt their mana development. Aggressive decks that put early pressure on the opponent can capitalize on the slow start that comes with entering-the-battlefield-tapped lands. Quick, low-cost creatures, and spells that disrupt the opponent’s mana base can ensure that by the time their Tranquil Expanse is operational, you’re already leading the pace of the game.

Tactically, aiming for an efficient mana curve and maintaining a tempo advantage are key strategies. In essence, creating a scenario where Tranquil Expanse’s entrance slow-down gives you an upper hand will ensure you’re well-positioned for victory.


Cards like Tranquil Expanse

Tranquil Expanse carves its niche within the array of dual lands in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often measured against other lands like Blossoming Sands, which also taps for green or white mana. While both enter the battlefield tapped, Blossoming Sands offers a slight edge with its 1 life gain upon entry. However, Tranquil Expanse stands neck and neck with its functional kin in terms of mana flexibility without any additional perks.

Comparatively, the Selesnya Guildgate is another card that mirrors Tranquil Expanse’s mana-abilities, providing the same colors of mana. Yet, unlike Tranquil Expanse, Selesnya Guildgate is part of a larger guildgate series, which can be relevant in decks that benefit from the guildgate subtype, such as those using Maze’s End. This difference can be crucial for deck builders who see the stratagem behind the inclusion of gate subtype lands over standard dual lands.

In essence, while Tranquil Expanse may not offer the bonus of life gain or a relevant subtype, it holds its ground as a trustworthy mana fixer in decks that value a stable mana base over additional effects. Its sheer simplicity makes it a dependable, if not spectacular, choice in the realm of dual lands within Magic: The Gathering.

Blossoming Sands - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Blossoming Sands - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Selesnya Guildgate - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tranquil Expanse MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Aether Revolt, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Tranquil Expanse and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tranquil Expanse Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 1802015normalblackCliff Childs
22017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 1892015normalblackSam Burley
32017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 2862015normalblackSam Burley
42017-08-25Commander 2017C17 2862015normalblackCliff Childs
52018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 2592015normalblackSam Burley
62018-08-09Commander 2018C18 2892015normalblackCliff Childs

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tranquil Expanse has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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