Cave of Temptation MTG Card

Cave of Temptation - Modern Horizons (MH1)

Modern Horizons (MH1)
2019-06-14 - Number 237

Cave of Temptation - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)

Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
2022-10-07 - Number 267★

Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
2022-10-07 - Number 267

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Rarity	Common
Type	Land

Key Takeaways

Cave of Temptation enables mana flexibility and creature power-ups, offering dual utility throughout different game phases.
While offering strategic advantages, it may present opportunity costs and requires consideration for deck synergy.
Its versatility and synergy make it a worthwhile addition for decks that capitalize on creating a sustained presence.

Text of card

: Add . , : Add one mana of any color. , , Sacrifice Cave of Temptation: Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cave of Temptation enables strategic planning and maneuvering within the gameplay by offering both immediate mana utility and a future option for strengthening your creatures. Having the flexibility to use its mana production early game and potentially transition to a creature enhancement in the later stages ensures that the card remains valuable throughout the different phases of the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a land card, Cave of Temptation plays a pivotal role in resource acceleration. It taps for colorless mana which is essential for diverse deck builds or can be sacrificed later for two +1/+1 counters, offering a significant power boost and board presence for creature-oriented strategies.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not an instant, its activation ability for providing +1/+1 counters can be utilized at instant speed. This allows savvy players to enhance creatures during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s actions, adding an element of surprise and tactical advantage to the fray.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Cave of Temptation doesn’t directly require a discard, it’s important to be aware of the potential opportunity cost. For every land slot it occupies, you might be forgoing a more synergistic or powerful land option that could offer immediate value to your strategy without any additional investment.

Specific Mana Cost: The land provides colorless mana which might not be a drawback in itself, but its ability to add one mana of any color comes with the stipulation of a mana cost. This might be restrictive for decks that require multi-colored resources early in the game and for those that are tuned to play very color-specific spells without the inconvenience of tapping an extra land.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To take advantage of its full potential, you need to invest four mana to transform the Cave into a source of permanent +1/+1 counters. In the fast-paced game environments where mana efficiency is key, dedicating four mana to this process could slow down your momentum and sideline other pivotal plays, possibly leading to a loss in tempo and board presence.

Reasons to Include Cave of Temptation in Your Collection

Versatility: Cave of Temptation offers a dual utility that many players find appealing. Not only does it provide mana fixing by tapping for colorless mana, but it also can be used to bolster a creature’s power and toughness, making it a flexible addition to a variety of decks.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to instantly enhance a creature makes it an ideal complement to decks that focus on bolstering creatures’ stats or that involve counter manipulation mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values land utility and the ability to adapt to different board states, Cave of Temptation holds its ground. It’s especially valuable in formats where mana can be tight, and the extra boost to a creature can turn the tide of a game.

How to beat

Cave of Temptation is a versatile land card that can bolster your mana pool or enhance a creature, making it a tactical piece in many MTG decks. Being a land, it’s not prone to the standard removal spells that target creatures or enchantments. However, there are still methods to mitigate the impact of this card on a game. Land destruction spells are a direct way to deal with Cave of Temptation. Cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can target and take out this particular land, thus hindering your opponent’s mana acceleration or their plans for creature growth.

Control decks with counter abilities can also pose a challenge to decks utilizing Cave of Temptation, as they can prevent the most dangerous threats that are meant to be pumped up by its ability. Applying pressure through aggressive strategies can also be effective, as using Cave of Temptation for its enhancement ability requires a significant mana investment, which could slow your opponent down. Thus, by keeping the pressure high, you force them into a defensive position where they might not afford to spend four mana to strengthen their creature, making Cave of Temptation less of a concern.

Ultimately, it’s the strategic response to this land’s capabilities that dictates its power in the match. Understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s mana base or to emphasize an aggressive gameplay can turn the tables against a deck relying on Cave of Temptation.

Unlocking Land Potential

Cave of Temptation serves as an intriguing land in MTG with a unique set of abilities. It offers flexibility in mana generation, akin to lands like Unknown Shores, allowing a player to tap for colorless or to be filtered into any color mana. Yet, Cave of Temptation carves its niche with its additional utility of powering up creatures by putting two +1/+1 counters on them for a fee and a sacrifice.

Cards like Cave of Temptation

In examining terrain cards with added benefits, Cave of Temptation stands in comparison to Holdout Settlement. Both provide an assortment of mana options, yet Cave of Temptation doesn’t require the tap of another creature for colored mana, ensuring uninterrupted board presence. Another relative is Crumbling Vestige, offering a one-time burst of any color mana upon entering the battlefield, whereas Cave of Temptation might be tapped multiple times throughout the game, proving its lasting value.

Looking at utility aspects, Llanowar Reborn also gives creatures a +1/+1 counter boost. However, it lacks the flexibility of Cave of Temptation, being bound to green mana and a one-time Graft ability. As such, players valuing adaptability and long-term strategic plays might find Cave of Temptation better aligning with their gameplay.

Cards similar to Cave of Temptation by color, type and mana cost

Terramorphic Expanse - MTG Card versions

Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx - MTG Card versions

Temple of the False God - MTG Card versions

Labyrinth of Skophos - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cave of Temptation MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Cave of Temptation and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Cave of Temptation Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2019-06-14	Modern Horizons	MH1	237	2015	Normal	Black	Winona Nelson
2	2022-10-07	Warhammer 40,000 Commander	40K	267★	2015	Normal	Black	Teodora Dumitriu
3	2022-10-07	Warhammer 40,000 Commander	40K	267	2015	Normal	Black	Teodora Dumitriu