This card's design is so simple and elegant,
it's hard to believe it didn't originally appear
until Zendikar. The first interaction that ran
through many people's minds at that time was the
Urza lands, but the block itself provided a lot
of even more exciting targets, including Emeria,
Valakut, and the Worldwake dual lands (also,
come back tomorrow!). It's also a version of
this effect that non-green decks don't have to
pay extra for compared to their green
counterparts, which is not always a given. For
casual players who use larger horizons, I'd
recommend getting some if possible, because it's
a given that lands with special abilities will
continue to be printed for as long as you are
playing Magic.
Today's card of the day is Expedition Map which
is a one mana artifact that taps for two to be
sacrificed and search your library for a land to
put into hand. The fact that this is a
colorless and fairly low cost method of
searching non-basic lands gives noticeable value
in formats like Commander. In other
settings the ability to use more copies of most
lands reduces the need for a Map, but if the
land is critical enough a search can be worth
including.
Now we're talking. a total of 3 to tutor any
land of your choice? Sure, let's go for that.
Playing a game of EDH and need a gaea's cradle
to combo out? go for this. Looking to pick out
that one land that's evaded you most of the
game? Well, here you go. Even in constructed
it's a pretty solid 1-drop.
