Meandering River MTG Card
2016-01-22 - Number 173
2016-11-16 - Number 70799
2017-04-28 - Number 283
2018-04-27 - Number 274
2018-06-22 - Number 19
2018-07-13 - Number 253
2018-08-09 - Number 265
2021-02-05 - Number 114
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Meandering River enters the battlefield tapped. : Add or to your mana pool.
The river split into many channels as it flowed to the Halimar Sea. Few travelers could follow the same one twice.
Cards like Meandering River
Meandering River has found its place as a dual land in Magic: The Gathering, granting players access to both white and blue mana. This feature is shared with Coastal Tower, yet, unlike Coastal Tower, Meandering River enters the battlefield tapped, which could delay crucial plays. However, its basic land types advantage allows deck builders to utilize it with cards that search for specific land types, an option Coastal Tower lacks.
Comparatively, Tranquil Cove not only provides the same mana flexibility but also offers a life gain bonus upon entering the battlefield. The trade-off here is again the land entering tapped, potentially affecting the tempo of the game. Azorius Guildgate mirrors the dual mana utility and tapped entry, but lacks any additional benefits, making Meandering River a suitable counterpart when life gain isn’t a priority.
When evaluating the variety of dual lands available in Magic: The Gathering, Meandering River aligns well within the selection, notably for decks that aren’t hindered by its entering tapped and can leverage the basic land types for synergistic plays. Its straightforward utility gives players a reliable mana fixer for their white and blue decks.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Meandering River doesn’t draw cards itself, it aligns perfectly with strategies that capitalize on card advantage. Early game setup with lands like Meandering River ensures you can seamlessly play your card advantage spells later.
Resource Acceleration: Meandering River may not produce additional mana, but it does offer resource acceleration through fixing your mana base. This land taps for two different colors of mana, helping you cast spells more efficiently and stay ahead on the board.
Instant Speed: Meandering River enters the battlefield tapped, but its inclusion in a deck allows for versatility at instant speed later in the game. Having the right mana available means you can respond to an opponent’s actions without delay—one step ahead, thanks to your reliable mana base.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Not applicable to Meandering River as it does not demand a card to be discarded when played or to activate its abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Though this land produces both blue and white mana, its specificity can be somewhat restrictive. Players may find Meandering River less beneficial in multi-colored decks that do not require both of these mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Entering the battlefield tapped means it can’t be utilized for mana on the turn it’s played, positioning Meandering River at a higher operational cost when compared to lands that are available for immediate use.
Reasons to Include Meandering River in Your Collection
Versatility: Meandering River is a dual land card, providing both white and blue mana with minimal downside. Its flexibility makes it a suitable choice for multicolored decks that require a consistent mana base without breaking the bank.
Combo Potential: This land effortlessly slips into control or combo decks that thrive on a stable mana foundation. It synergizes with cards that profit from landfall or check for specific land types without entering the battlefield tapped if you control two or fewer other lands.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games tend to stretch into longer battles of strategy and wit, having access to both colors of mana without delay can be crucial. In formats like Commander, where color fixing is essential, Meandering River provides a dependable option that can help maintain the pace necessary for competitive play.
How to beat Meandering River
Meandering River is a land card with a simple function – providing both white and blue mana to your deck. As a non-basic land card that enters the battlefield tapped, its immediate impact on the game is minimal, making it vulnerable to a tempo loss. To capitalize on this, presenting an aggressive board early on forces opponents to catch up rather than setting up their mana base comfortably.
Considering Meandering River’s role in mana fixing, utilizing land destruction or restricting your opponent’s mana development with cards like Ghost Quarter or Blood Moon can hinder the two-color benefits it provides. It’s also noteworthy that Meandering River doesn’t offer any additional utility aside from mana, so matching this land with more versatile lands or spells that offer both mana and additional effects can outpace it, pressing your advantage and making the land less efficient.
Ultimately, while Meandering River helps to stabilize mana in multicolored decks, pushing for a swift and efficient strategy or deploying mana disruption can effectively diminish its usefulness and give you the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Meandering River MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Treasure Chest, 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 Meandering River 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Meandering River Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 173 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs | |
| 2 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 70799 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gaga Zeng | |
| 3 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 283 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs | |
| 4 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 274 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 5 | 2018-06-22 | Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling | GS1 | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gaga Zeng | |
| 6 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 253 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs | |
| 7 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 265 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs | |
| 8 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim Commander | KHC | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Meandering River 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |