Fetid Pools MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 243
2017-04-29 - Number 243s
2020-08-13 - Number 293
2023-10-13 - Number 494
2023-10-13 - Number 277
2023-10-13 - Number 1085
2023-10-13 - Number 868
2024-02-09 - Number 261
2024-03-08 - Number 496
2024-03-08 - Number 793
2024-03-08 - Number 1024
2024-03-08 - Number 265
2024-04-19 - Number 296
| Card sets | Released in 13 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land — Island Swamp |
| Abilities | Cycling |
Text of card
(: Add or to your mana pool.) Fetid Pools enters the battlefield tapped. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
Cards like Fetid Pools
Fetid Pools is a versatile land card in Magic: The Gathering that provides blue and black mana and cycling ability. It finds its kinship with cards like Irrigated Farmland and Canyon Slough, which also belong to the cycle dual lands of the Amonkhet set. These cards share the double mana provision with a cycling trait giving players a boost in both resource fixing and hand flexibility. Unlike basic lands, they enter the battlefield tapped unless you control two or fewer other lands, a minor setback for their otherwise flexible utility.
Moreover, Fetid Pools resonates with the functionality of other dual lands such as Watery Grave and Sunken Hollow. Although these do not have cycling, they offer the choice of coming into play untapped at a cost, thus enabling a faster gameplay. Watery Grave imposes a two life payment while Sunken Hollow checks for two or more basic lands to enter untapped.
Considered within the scope of its set and beyond, Fetid Pools presents itself as a balanced choice for decks that value the blend of mana accessibility with the additional card draw option. Its ability to cycle from the battlefield or hand adds a layer of strategic depth to gameplay, distinguishing itself amidst Magic: The Gathering’s broad array of land cards.
Cards similar to Fetid Pools by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Fetid Pools. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Control | Explorer | Jaffer's Mini Mosh - Explorer | |
 | Dimir Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024 | |
 | UB | Pioneer | Pioneer League 2024-04-19 | |
 | Esper Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Sultai Combo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
| Sultai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024 | |
 | Five-color Combo | Legacy | Painter | Charlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 1 |
| Grixis Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
 | Four-color Mill | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 11 2024 | |
 | Sultai Some Brand of Cereal | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fetid Pools offers an edge when it comes to card flow. Cycling this land for a new card helps replace itself in your hand, potentially smoothing out your draws and keeping the resources coming.
Resource Acceleration: As a dual land, Fetid Pools contributes to resource acceleration by accessing two types of mana, blue and black. This multi-color capability can be crucial for various deck strategies, ensuring you have the right mana when you need it.
Instant Speed: The cycling feature of Fetid Pools operates at instant speed, granting the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions. This helps you hold up mana for counterspells or instant-speed interaction and cycle away the land if it’s not needed, all without missing a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Fetid Pools comes with a caveat for deck building as it may necessitate discarding other cards to fulfill certain strategies. This can be particularly counterproductive when in dire need of all resources in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: As a land card that taps for either blue or black mana, it may not be universally applicable in multicolor decks seeking more color flexibility. This limitation could restrict its inclusion to primarily blue-black focused decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana to cycle, Fetid Pools can be a little steep for decks that prioritize low-cost cycling to maintain momentum. While offering deck filtering, it may impede the overall speed and efficiency compared to lower cost cycling options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fetid Pools offers dual functions as both a land card that can provide blue or black mana and as a way to cycle for another card. This adaptability makes it a fit for various decks, enhancing mana consistency and lending itself to strategies that require flexibility.
Combo Potential: As a land with the cycling ability, Fetid Pools interacts beneficially with cards and mechanics that trigger off discarding or drawing cards, or even landfall. This could be the linchpin for combos in decks designed around such synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Top-performing decks in the competitive scene often leverage the most efficient mana bases possible. Fetid Pools fits this criterion, smoothing out mana draws in control or midrange decks while maintaining relevance in the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play.
How to beat
Fetid Pools dives into the realm of dual lands within Magic: The Gathering, offering both blue and black mana without any life penalty—a valuable trait for any deck seeking to stabilize its mana base efficiently. The versatility of the card is further enhanced by its cycling ability, allowing players to draw a new card for a small cost when the land is no longer needed.
Confronting a Fetid Pools on the field can be a subtle yet pivotal point in a match. To effectively counter its advantages, players can consider utilizing land destruction cards or strategies that inhibit its cycling ability. Direct land removal, such as Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin, can eliminate Fetid Pools from the battlefield. Leveraging cards like Ashiok, Dream Render can also hamper your opponent’s ability to search their library, indirectly reducing the effectiveness of Fetid Pools’ cycling feature.
Ultimately, while Fetid Pools serves as a stable source of two important colors of mana and offers card flexibility, understanding when to disrupt its presence can turn the tides of a game, showcasing the depth and strategy inherent in Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay dynamics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fetid Pools MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Promos, 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 Fetid Pools and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Fetid Pools Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 243 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 2 | 2017-04-29 | Amonkhet Promos | PAKH | 243s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 293 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 4 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 494 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miklós Ligeti | |
| 5 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 277 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miklós Ligeti | |
| 6 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 1085 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miklós Ligeti | |
| 7 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 868 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miklós Ligeti | |
| 8 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 261 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 9 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 496 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kamila Szutenberg | |
| 10 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 793 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kamila Szutenberg | |
| 11 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 1024 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kamila Szutenberg | |
| 12 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 265 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kamila Szutenberg | |
| 13 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fetid Pools has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |