Desert of the True MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 174
2020-04-17 - Number 268
2020-08-13 - Number 291
2024-04-19 - Number 286
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Land — Desert |
| Abilities | Cycling |
Text of card
Desert of the True enters the battlefield tapped. : Add to your mana pool. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
Cards like Desert of the True
Desert of the True finds its niche within the cadre of unique lands in Magic: The Gathering, most notably those with cycling abilities. This card draws parallels to its predecessors such as Drifting Meadow or Secluded Steppe, both offering the cycling feature. Desert of the True stands out due to its linkage to the desert subtype, which can be relevant in certain deck synergies or conditions that reference deserts specifically.
As with Secluded Steppe, the cycling cost of Desert of the True does necessitate a two-mana investment, which can affect its playability and tempo in a game. However, unlike its counterparts, it yields an extra tactical advantage in decks that benefit from having deserts either in play or in the graveyard. Moreover, it’s also worth noting that while other lands like Forgotten Cave or Lonely Sandbar provide similar cycling benefits, they cater to different color mana requirements.
When analyzing the utility and potential interactions of cycling lands, Desert of the True holds a place for players seeking a mindful balance between mana-fixing, deck thinning, and strategic support in Magic: The Gathering. Its dual nature as both a resource and a deck enhancer gives it distinction among its cycling land peers.
Cards similar to Desert of the True by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Desert of the True. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 | |
 | Orzhov Planeswalkers | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 | |
 | Mono-White Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Mono-White Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Desert of the True doesn’t directly provide card advantage in the traditional sense, but as a cycling land, it offers deck thinning which increases the likelihood of drawing into more impactful cards later in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Though it enters the battlefield tapped, Desert of the True is integral for color fixing in white-based decks. In the later stages of the game, the ability to cycle it away effectively turns a potentially unneeded land into a new card, subtly accelerating your resources without losing land drops.
Instant Speed: The cycling ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in your gameplay. You can decide to cycle Desert of the True during your opponent’s end step if you don’t have other actions to take, keeping your options open throughout the turn and ensuring you aren’t committing to a play too early.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Desert of the True is its cycling ability that forces you to discard it in order to draw a card. This can be a setback when you’re in need of maintaining card advantage or if you require more land plays for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: When it comes to casting nonbasic lands like Desert of the True, it’s important to consider its colorless mana offering. While it can fit into any deck, it doesn’t contribute to color fixing, which can be critical in multicolored decks requiring specific mana combinations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although cycling is a versatile capability, the two generic mana cost to activate it on Desert of the True feels steep, especially when other cycling lands or cards may offer a lower cycling cost that could be paid with various types of mana, adding to their flexibility and ease of use within a game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Desert of the True offers essential flexibility to any deck, sliding easily into strategies that demand mana consistency or require a higher land count for cards like “Knight of the White Orchid” and “Land Tax.”
Combo Potential: Though not a direct combo enabler, its cycling ability can help sift through your deck to find key pieces, while also being relevant for graveyard-focused mechanics such as Landfall and Delirium.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where nonbasic lands are prevalent, Desert of the True remains largely unaffected by land disruption, ensuring that your mana base stays intact against cards like “Blood Moon” and “Back to Basics.”
How to beat
The Desert of the True enters the field of Magic: The Gathering as a nuanced land card that can challenge players with its cycling capability. Unlike basic lands, this desert can be cycled for two mana, allowing a player to draw a card and keep their hand refreshed. It proves useful in a deck where land drops have been optimized or late in the game when drawing into more impactful cards is crucial.
Overcoming the versatility of Desert of the True demands strategic play. Prioritize land destruction cards or spells that restrict land card abilities to minimize its cycling effect. In a game where tempo is king, denying your opponent’s opportunity to cycle for a new card might just swing the match in your favor. Utilizing cards that punish players for using the graveyard can also be effective, as cycling puts Desert of the True directly into the graveyard—potentially fueling your opponent’s graveyard strategy.
To summarize, beating Desert of the True involves a thoughtful approach to control the battlefield and hindering your opponent’s graveyard interactions. Stay one step ahead by restricting land abilities and keeping pressure on your opponent’s resources.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Desert of the True MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Commander 2020, 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 Desert of the True and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Desert of the True Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Jung Park.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jung Park | |
| 2 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 268 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jung Park | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 291 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jung Park | |
| 4 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 286 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jung Park |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Desert of the True has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Desert of the True card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Desert is a land subtype with no special meaning. It doesn’t grant the land an intrinsic mana ability. Other cards may care about which lands are Deserts. |