Spelunking MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Number | 213 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ernanda Souza |
Text of card
When Spelunking enters the battlefield, draw a card, then you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield. If you put a Cave onto the battlefield this way, you gain 4 life. Lands you control enter the battlefield untapped.
Cards like Spelunking
Spelunking holds a unique space in the enchantment category of Magic: The Gathering. It shares characteristics with cards like Exploration, allowing players to control the tempo by enabling additional land drops. However, Spelunking offers a more conditional land play, requiring successful swings at your opponent. On the flip side, Exploration grants immediate extra land plays but doesn’t reward the player for pressuring their opponent.
Another card in consideration is Burgeoning, which also accelerates land drops. Unlike Spelunking, Burgeoning relies on opponents’ land plays to trigger, offering potential for more land drops in multiplayer games but less control over when those drops occur. Burgeoning can be more reactive compared to the more proactive approach that Spelunking takes.
Assessing the strategic applications and value, Spelunking affords a blend of conditional advantage with aggressive strategies. This makes it a potential fit for decks that aim to not only develop their mana base but also engage opponents directly. Therefore, while facing competitors in its category, Spelunking shines as a card that rewards an offensive playstyle and could be a clever pick for certain MTG decks focused on combining land play with combat.
Cards similar to Spelunking by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spelunking provides a strategic edge by offering the ability to delve deeper into your library. This edge becomes a dynamic force when strategically employed to outmaneuver opponents and maintain card flow.
Resource Acceleration: The intrinsic value of Spelunking lies in its potential to ramp up your resources. It methodically churns through your deck, facilitating critical land drops that boost your plays and provide the fuel for your game-winning strategies.
Instant Speed: The card thrives under the veil of unpredictability. It functions at instant speed, granting the adept player the flexibility to adapt to the evolving battlefield. With the ability to cast Spelunking in moments of opportunity or during an opponent’s end step, it epitomizes tactical dexterity.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spelunking mandates discarding a card, which can be challenging if your hand is already sparse. This card demands strategic play to ensure the discard does not put you at a disadvantage by depleting valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Spelunking’s casting cost might not align with every deck’s mana base, as it requires a specific combination of mana to play. This can sometimes restrict its inclusion to decks that can readily produce the necessary mana colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Spelunking is considerable when compared to other options. Players may find other cards that offer similar benefits with a leaner mana commitment, potentially providing quicker or more efficient results.
Reasons to Include Spelunking in Your Collection
Versatility: Spelunking offers a unique blend of land acceleration and deck filtering, adapting well to decks that aim to maintain a consistent land drop each turn while sifting through the deck for key cards.
Combo Potential: It pairs well with cards that profit from landfall triggers, boosting strategies that revolve around land-based synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that heavily features graveyard interaction, Spelunking can be particularly potent, enabling smoother deck function against a variety of popular strategies.
How to Beat
Spelunking, as a card in the landscape of MTG, comes with a unique set of mechanics that challenge players to approach it tactically. To gain an advantage over Spelunking, it is crucial to evaluate your deck’s capabilities to deal with the card’s effects. For example, employing cards that limit an opponent’s ability to play lands can dampen Spelunking’s impact, as the card’s strength is often tied to land-based strategies.
Another effective strategy is to focus on hand disruption. Cards that force opponents to discard can be exceedingly helpful, often leaving Spelunking stranded in a player’s hand without the necessary lands to trigger its abilities. Alternatively, swift aggro decks can outpace Spelunking, aiming to win the game before the card becomes a significant threat. It’s a balancing act; know when to strike and when to hold back, always with the consideration of how Spelunking could shift the game if left unchecked.
Ultimately, understanding Spelunking’s synergies within an opponent’s deck is key. Counter it with precision, through land control, hand disruption, or relentless aggression, and you’ll find yourself well-equipped to tackle this challenge on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spelunking MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Spelunking 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spelunking has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spelunking card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | If Spelunking would enter the battlefield at the same time a land you control would enter the battlefield tapped, that land still enters the battlefield tapped. |
| 2023-11-10 | If a land has an ability that says it enters the battlefield tapped, you choose the order in which that ability's effect and Spelunking's effect apply. This means you can choose to have the land enter tapped or untapped. If a land you control is simply put onto the battlefield tapped without a replacement effect being applied, it always enters untapped if you control Spelunking. |