Thalakos Lowlands MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 328
1999-11-12 - Number 88
2015-05-06 - Number 246
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
oc T: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool. oc T: Add o W or o U to your mana pool. Thalakos Lowlands does not untap during your next untap phase.
Cards like Thalakos Lowlands
Thalakos Lowlands holds a unique place within the realm of land cards in Magic the Gathering. It’s often compared to other dual lands that play a pivotal role in mana fixing, such as Adarkar Wastes, which also taps for blue or white mana. However, Thalakos Lowlands’ ability to enter the battlefield untapped if you control a Plains distinguishes it from Adarkar Wastes, which doesn’t have such conditions but does inflict damage upon the player when tapping for colored mana.
Coastal Tower is another card that resonates with Thalakos Lowlands. While both tap for either blue or white mana, Coastal Tower always enters the battlefield tapped, making Thalakos Lowlands potentially faster and more favorable in early game strategies requiring an immediate mana fix. Additionally, compared to Sejiri Refuge, which also enters tapped and offers one life upon entry, Thalakos Lowlands sacrifices the life gain for the possibility of immediate utility, prioritizing tempo.
In essence, Thalakos Lowlands can be strategically superior in a deck that runs Plains and demands a brisk pace. It adeptly avoids the life penalty of similar utility lands like Adarkar Wastes while potentially bypassing the tapped state common to many dual lands, allowing a nimble integration into your game plan.
Cards similar to Thalakos Lowlands by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thalakos Lowlands stands out for its potential to bolster card advantage by setting up successful top-deck scenarios. This can be a crucial factor for decking strategies that rely on optimized card draws.
Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to untap valuable lands can expedite resource acceleration, letting you deploy bigger threats or answers earlier in the match while keeping pace with your opponent’s development.
Instant Speed: The utility of Thalakos Lowlands is heightened by its interactivity at instant speed, allowing you to seamlessly adapt to the evolving battlefield and respond to threats or opportunities at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Thalakos Lowlands is that activating its ability necessitates discarding a card. This can sometimes translate into a significant disadvantage, especially when your hand is already running short on options, and losing an additional card could cost you the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Another aspect to be mindful of is the mana requirement to utilize Thalakos Lowlands effectively. The card requires both blue and white mana, which means it’s exclusively beneficial in decks that run these colors. This specificity constrains deck-building options and can prevent the card from being a versatile land choice for multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, when considering mana efficiency, Thalakos Lowlands may not be the best bang for your buck. The initial investment of two mana to play coupled with the two mana of specific colors needed for its ability means that you could be committing a notable portion of your resources for an effect that might be offered at a lower cost or with additional benefits on other lands or cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thalakos Lowlands serves as a reliable mana producer in any deck that runs both blue and white. Thanks to its dual nature, this land is instrumental in ensuring you get the right color of mana when you need it, bridging the gap between control and aggression seamlessly.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on landfall abilities or other mechanics that trigger on lands entering the battlefield. Its ability to come into play untapped if you’re willing to return another land to your hand can also be seen as a combo enabler, opening up avenues for plays that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that often shifts between aggressive and control archetypes, having a stable mana base is crucial. Thalakos Lowlands doesn’t compromise your board state like a “comes into play tapped” land would, and it can be particularly useful when faster gameplay is favored.
How to beat
Thalakos Lowlands stands out in the world of land cards within Magic: The Gathering due to its unique ability to transform mana into the power of protection. The card enables players to pay two mana to give a creature the ability to phase out until the end of the turn, effectively dodging incoming spells or abilities that could prove lethal. Emphasizing strategic play, Thalakos Lowlands can be a thorn in your side if you’re unprepared.
To overcome the defensive prowess of Thalakos Lowlands, incorporate enchantments or artifacts that restrict the activation of abilities. Cards like Cursed Totem or Damping Matrix can prevent opponents from utilizing the phasing ability, keeping their creatures vulnerable to your strategies. Additionally, instant-speed removal that doesn’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear the field before the enemy has a chance to phase out their creatures. Always be one step ahead by playing spells on the stack, forcing your opponent to phase their creatures out early, and then use your removal effectively.
Remember, adapting to the dynamics of the battlefield is key. By disrupting your opponent’s game plan and staying flexible with your removal, Thalakos Lowlands can be neutralized, keeping the path to victory clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thalakos Lowlands MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Thalakos Lowlands and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Thalakos Lowlands Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 328 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 2 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 88 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 3 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thalakos Lowlands has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |