Forgotten Cave MTG Card

Cycling allows for strategic deck filtration, exchanging Forgotten Cave for potentially game-changing draws. Instant speed cycling adds flexibility, keeping opponents guessing and enhancing turn optimization. Exclusive red mana output can restrict its use, yet it excels in mono-red or red-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 27 setsSee all
RarityCommon
TypeLand
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Forgotten Cave comes into play tapped. oc T: Add o R to your mana pool. Cycling o R (o R, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.)

Cards like Forgotten Cave

Forgotten Cave holds its own space within the broad spectrum of land cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives are the other cycle lands, like Secluded Steppe and Lonely Sandbar, providing both mana and card draw in a pinch. These lands are all part of a family of cycling lands, giving players flexibility to trade them for a new card if they’re not immediately needed for mana.

Barren Moor is another cycle land that parallels Forgotten Cave in its basic function, offering black mana as opposed to red and also the cycling ability. Drifting Meadow and Polluted Mire complete the cycle, supporting white and black mana respectively, and providing the same cycling ability. What makes Forgotten Cave distinct is its alignment with red, a color known for its aggression and speed in Magic: The Gathering. Even though it enters the battlefield tapped, the cycling ability of Forgotten Cave is a useful tool for red decks to find more gas when lands are no longer necessary.

When looking at versatility and value within the red mana land cards, particularly for decks that might be mana-flooded or in search of action, Forgotten Cave stands out for its dual utility. This maintains its relevance in strategies where every card draw counts.

Secluded Steppe - MTG Card versions
Lonely Sandbar - MTG Card versions
Barren Moor - MTG Card versions
Drifting Meadow - MTG Card versions
Polluted Mire - MTG Card versions
Secluded Steppe - MTG Card versions
Lonely Sandbar - MTG Card versions
Barren Moor - MTG Card versions
Drifting Meadow - MTG Card versions
Polluted Mire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Forgotten Cave by color, type and mana cost

Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Blighted Gorge - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Desert of the Fervent - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions
Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Blighted Gorge - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Desert of the Fervent - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Forgotten Cave. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Assault LoamAssault Loam ModernAssault LoamModern Challenge 64 2024-03-18
BurnBurn PauperBurnPauper Challenge 64 2024-03-24
Calibrated BlastCalibrated Blast ModernCalibrated BlastModern Preliminary 2024-04-23 (1)
Jund ZombiesJund Zombies ModernAssault Loam$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Jund ComboJund Combo ModernAssault LoamModern $10K Trial - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 4:00 pm (Silver)
Jund AggroJund Aggro ModernAssault Loam$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Jund ControlJund Control ModernAssault LoamGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange ModernAssault Loam*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm
Mono Red Combo GoblinsMono Red Combo Goblins Free formNoble Spring Quarterly
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn PauperBurnLiga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 3

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Forgotten Cave possesses a cycling ability which allows you to draw a card for the cost of one red mana. This is particularly beneficial when the land is not immediately needed, offering a way to dig through your deck to locate more impactful cards.

Resource Acceleration: As a land card, Forgotten Cave can tap for red mana, contributing to your mana base. It seamlessly integrates into decks, especially those running red, assisting in casting spells swiftly and efficiently. Its presence supports strategies that thrive on having access to specific colors of mana without delay.

Instant Speed: The cycling ability of this land card can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in gameplay. This feature allows a player to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to decide whether to cycle the card, thus keeping options open and applying pressure on the adversary to anticipate multiple lines of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Forgotten Cave’s cycling ability necessitates the discarding of the card itself, which can present a setback if you’re in need of land resources later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This land produces red mana only, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that can utilize this color effectively, and making it less versatile for multi-colored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it offers the flexibility of cycling for a new card, the cycling cost of Forgotten Cave is a single red mana, which can be a steep price for decks looking to operate efficiently and conserve mana for pivotal plays.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Forgotten Cave slides into a multitude of deck builds with ease. Its primary function as a land guarantees a mana resource while its cycling ability offers late-game card draw.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on the graveyard. Cycling Forgotten Cave can enable various mechanics, like madness or flashback, adding layers to your tactical approach.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where the speed of play is critical, Forgotten Cave remains relevant. Providing both mana stability and the ability to cycle away for something more immediate, it’s a dual-purpose tool adaptable to ever-shifting metagames.

How to beat

Facing a Forgotten Cave in an MTG game requires strategic maneuvering. This land card offers flexibility with its cycling ability, allowing an opponent to draw a card at the cost of discarding Forgotten Cave from hand. This can lead to potentially drawing into more advantageous cards that could change the game’s momentum in their favor.

To counteract this, controlling your opponent’s graveyard is a solid game plan; cards that exile cards from graveyards can stifle any effects that rely on cycling or cards returning from the graveyard. Another tactic to consider is applying pressure by maintaining a strong board presence, compelling your opponent to use their mana for immediate threats rather than cycling. Additionally, since the Cave enters the battlefield tapped, rapid, aggressive strategies can take advantage of this slow tempo, hopefully securing a victory before the cycling ability can have a meaningful impact.

Ultimately, while Forgotten Cave can be a useful card for red decks looking for more draw options, tactically managing your plays can ensure you stay one step ahead of its potential benefits.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Forgotten Cave MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, 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 Forgotten Cave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Forgotten Cave Magic the Gathering card was released in 26 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 3171997NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
22007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 572003NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
32010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A1271997NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
42011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2732003NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
52012-09-07Duel Decks: Izzet vs. GolgariDDJ 332003NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
62013-11-01Commander 2013C13 2892003NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
72014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2972015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
82014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2962015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
92014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 572015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
102015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2842015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
112017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 2492015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
122017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 592015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
132018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2522015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
142018-08-09Commander 2018C18 2462015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
152019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 2392015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
162019-08-23Commander 2019C19 2432015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
172019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 16682015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
182020-03-12Historic Anthology 2HA2 212015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
192020-04-17Commander 2020C20 2742015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
202020-09-26The ListPLST C18-2462015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
212020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 4832015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
222021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2892015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
232022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 280★2015NormalBlackAndrey Nyarl
242022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2802015NormalBlackAndrey Nyarl
252022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 8142015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
262023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 1532015NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
272024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 3432015NormalBlackWayne Wu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Forgotten Cave has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal