Tolarian Tutor: Mana Curve and Land Bases - A Magic: The Gathering Study Guide

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The night before Friday Night Magic you’re sitting at your kitchen table with your friends, arguing with them about which spells and what lands you should be putting in your constructed deck. One friend says: “No, you clearly need to take our your taplands - look at your curve, you’re too aggressive for them!”, while another says: “You need to keep those in to stay flexible and reach your high drops!” Who’s right in this situation? How would it be different if you were playing at a limited FNM with sealed and draft?
Mana curving and land base are both important parts of deckbuilding, and we’ll be covering them today in our second episode of Tolarian Tutor. Though we went over mana curve a bit in our first lesson, we’ll be taking a deeper dive this time and explore the intricacies of how curving and land base composition change in both limited and constructed formats.
What does the term Mana Curve refer to?
If we were to take a Magic deck and group the spells by converted mana cost from left to right, we can clearly see that we’re creating a graph of our deck to see how many low, middle and high drop cards we have.
Most decks will have the majority of its cards in the center, with a few cards to the left that can be played during our first few turns, and not too many to the right that might clog up our hand for the majority of the game. This creates a bell curve, which is the origin of the term Mana Curve.
You want a steady mana curve so that you can actually play Magic and cast spells every turn, curving out like we discussed during our last session. It’s one of the reasons why a lot of players don’t play cards like Pull From Tomorrow, because it takes 6 mana to cast and most players should be spending that mana doing something more relevant to the battlefield.
How important is having a mana curve that centers on 3 to 4 drops?
The answer to this question varies from format to format, set to set and deck to deck. Again, you’ll need to keep all of these things in mind when you build your deck and design its strategy.
Let’s focus on some recent limited sets. In more Aggressive formats like Amonkhet draft, your curve will probably peak earlier at around the 2-3 drop slots. Usually, a 2/2 for 2 is just considered a vanilla creature, but here a card like Watchers of the Dead is more relevant given the aggressiveness of this format. An example of a slower format would be in Modern Masters 2017, where your curve rested around the 3 to 4 drop range with creatures like Dinrova Horror at the top.
What are some of the signals to look out for in a set when figuring out how to optimize my mana curve?
This is a slightly more difficult question, but the easiest way to determine how aggressive or slow a format is would be to take a look at how good its mechanics are at attacking. Let’s take Amonkhet for example. With Amonkhet, Exert is a bad mechanic for blocking, but it’s very good at Attacking. So we get a bit of a hint there that we need to be more aggressive. In Gatecrash, Battalion was a mechanic that incentivized attacking with at least one or more creatures. That too should be a clue that it is a more aggressive format.
If it’s a slower format, you’ll see more efficient, low costed removal that takes care of lower drop creatures. As a result, 3-4 drops become much more important and have a bigger impact on the board state. Again looking at Modern Masters 2017, we saw the return of Lightning Bolt and Path to Exile, which made creatures like Mistmeadow Witch and Dinrova Horror more playable and able to hold their own on the battlefield.
Building a mana curve and land base that are both optimized and consistent is a key part of becoming a great Magic player. Studying from others and rigorous testing are both great ways to help you improve your skills, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Music Courtesy Of:
"Vintage Education" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

What Magic The Gathering lessons and topics would you like to see in future episodes? Let me know!

[@spidermonkey7280]

Tolarian Community College can you please go over Tempo/Card advantage? It seems like a topic that many newer players have trouble understanding. Thanks :)

[@twainarmandi2992]

How to face a control deck please Professor

[@jakebnda]

Frequently used jargon! I often hear people describe decks or attributes of decks/cards with jargon that isn't readily apparent (to me the beginner). I've heard stuff (ironically enough) like tutoring,or flavor, and just things along those lines.

[@Flickstro]

Maybe how to tackle building decks around particular attributes (i.e: haste, vigilance, death touch, etc.) I'd love to hear your take on the notion.

[@BigTuna762]

How to use/tips and tricks for using The Stack!

[@jccjccjoanne]

I know this is only the second episode, but the Tolarian Tutor is possibly the best MTG series on youtube.

[@Fubnin]

jccjccjoanne I wouldn't put it above magicmansams magic card documentaries but it's up there

[@tyr4148]

Friday Nights???

[@amazinganimations7412]

Just take out the word possibly

[@leskobrandon8454]

It isn’t the second. It’s definitely the first

[@nickw7235]

This comment aged very well

[@Avathee]

I'd love if you introduce each archetype, i.e tempo, control, aggro, tribal. And then make a video about each and every type of archetype. For example: one video only covering aggro. One video only about control. :D

[@gemofmagic9436]

agreed I still don't really understand those terms or how they apply to my brews.

[@daievo073]

Yes!

[@Carmparens]

This is something we're working on right now :D Make sure and stay tuned for this part of the series!!

[@brandonchandler5819]

This kind of video would be amazing if it were a collaboration with TheMagicManSam! I'd love his historical approach with the Prof's style!

[@Avathee]

I agree. I've played the game for roughly three years now and just a few days ago I learned what tempo was. You learn something everyday.

[@StarcoreLabs]

Professor, this is exactly the kind of video series I was hoping you'd make. I feel like I'm in a college class learning Magic. Thank you!

[@ProphecyPhrase]

Starcore Labs Same here.

[@Literally15Ducks]

Yeah but now you need to buy books, old school duels, and even the used books, Shocklands, are not cheap. Not to mention fetches.

[@BrunoCasagrandaNeves]

Starcore Labs TCC MTG MOOC all day!

[@Nearnae]

Im almost Harry Potter

[@mikejonesnoreally]

I know! The Professor is like a living copy of the brown book! :)

[@jkahlke1]

It may be too broad, but I'd love to see a video on when to block and when to let damage through.

[@stelliocantos4639]

I'm sure this has been said, but I'm throwing it on the pile in the hopes that this series continues a long time: I love this series. It is great for intermediate people like me trying to get better. Thanks for doing them and please continue!

[@nisterror]

Way better than many classes I took at University. For being a free content, the quality is better than many things we pay for in uni.

[@jorgepiza2040]

It's amazing the passion with which you give classes. I would have loved to have such a teacher at school Extremely entertaining class and very organized. Thank you

[@Quarrenn17]

As a new magic player starting 3 years after this video, this is still super helpful. Building a deck is about the most careful part and was challenging to learn how to do properly, but I have to say this video has helped TREMENDOUSLY with that! Definitely a great, ageless video. 👍

[@chippyonline001]

Hey, Professor! Another great episode for Tolarian Tutor and a an awesome intro as well. Thank you so much for this!

[@bartholomewfargo]

Really enjoying the more technical videos. Breaking down the nuts and bolts of how the decks work and the "why" of how cards are chosen is very useful information.

[@Nootzie2000]

This is by far the most useful video format I've seen for getting better at MTG. Thank you professor!

[@xBeauGaming]

Cool, so see you Friday at FNM for draft!

[@scottmcclean621]

This whole channel just keeps getting better. Thanks!

[@calebdanielherman4913]

Really thankful that I found this channel! Just started playing mtg a few months ago when my workplace went into lockdown and needed to find something to keep my clients excited and engaged with something. Was always super intimidated by mtg and shied away from attempting to play until my late 20s, now I'm having a blast learning it!. Big thank you!

[@garywilkinson1422]

Started playing a month ago and I have to say this was tremendously useful :)

[@jcm9097]

Thank you so much Professor! All your vids (especially this new tolarian tutor series) is helping me greatly at becoming a better magic player. I look forward to your videos every single day. Thank you!

[@TehSeksyManz]

I've been playing for almost a year and have built quite a few different decks yet you have made me think about things from a new light. The learning never ends with this game! Thanks for this :P

[@JabroneyMod]

Big fan of this series man. Keep up the great work!

[@ApeSkit01]

Man, I love this channel. Currently binge watching episodes. Thanks Professor, you're a legend. Very helpful to get back into a game I loved 15 years ago.

[@LunaDunno]

I'm loving these episodes. I find your formats and explanations wonderful as well as the links to the topics and the summaries at the end. I hope you do more of these :)

[@kulrigalestout]

Really glad I stumbled across this channel. It's helping me feel much more informed about how to get back into MTG, and how to go about making a deck from all the cards out there.

[@Yakkosprite]

Professor, this kind of content is what sets you apart as the best MTG content creator for your specific area. Pray continue your most excellent lectures

[@MindsculptingMtG]

Thank you for starting this series! I know a lot of players struggle with the intricacies of the game like curve and side boarding! Thank you for being a huge inspiration to me Professor!

[@CaptainWolffi]

I really love that you are making this series. As a relatively new player it is really nice to learn all this stuff

[@mentosmuncher]

I've been playing magic for over 4 years now and i'm astonished at how much i learned from this one video. Didn't know mana curve and how your land base in draft can be tuned to that extent. very cool

[@Trojanponey]

Thank you for making this. Mana base and mana curve has been one of the most difficult aspects of deck making for me so far.

[@1yessboss]

i like that you have added the second part in this series so quickly after the first. keep them coming :)

[@chanceasteria]

I thoroughly enjoy your presentation and execution. I have not played in many years and recently picked up Magic Arena and this was incredibly insightful. Peace be upon you sir.

[@FATmonkeyCHRIS]

Maybe my favorite series from you so far. I'm a 20+ year player (mostly casual) your mana tutor tips taught this old dog new tricks. Thanks and looking forward to more. I'd love to hear more about non green ramping.

[@equionxmatta8067]

I cannot thank you enough for this video! I've been looking for something like this for forever. Keep up the awesome series!

[@Twineandribbon]

Meaty episode. I'll be referencing this video for years to come. Thanks!!

[@saulcuthbertson7248]

Lol same😂

[@stephencosta8671]

Great video, you do a great job describing a sometimes difficult topic for beginners. Keep it up, love your content!

[@cmskman]

I'm glad your doing this. I've been playing since New Phyrexia and i still learn new things about MTG all the time. Keep doing these it helps a lot of people.

[@thestormtrooperwhocanaim496]

Thank you Professor! I will be playing my first edh tournament tomorrow. This helps greatly! You might be the first person I support in patreon.

[@Shyverin]

This has been a really useful series for me since I used to dabble in magic and now want to come back. Thanks Prof.

[@BrettMagill]

Prof, your new videos have really improved in quality and value. Thank you so much, you're awesome!

[@last9up]

Love the visualization of the deck to the mana curve :o That's genius.

[@jupdi3544]

Love your Tutor series! Best to show friends that don't play for so long!

[@admiralyang5767]

Boys use dual lands. Men only use snow-covered lands.

[@dogmatichermit7534]

Zagłoba snow-covered Duals?

[@Foofoothegoon]

And girls use manlands?

[@SunniestAutumn]

Zagłoba Champions use white bordered mismatch lands from the Fourth Edition.

[@flaccidreflex5563]

No a real man would buy Guru lands for all 10 of his commander decks

[@m.g.i2480]

True to the point :)

[@jkahlke1]

These tutor videos are awesome! I was out of the game for a few months - so these are great refreshers.

[@mazirian9261]

This channel made me try Mtg again, thanks!

[@ysq4915]

I don't play magic but you are such a happy confident and I love your attitude

[@marclillis8648]

Just getting into Magic and ill say these videos are super helpful not only for the topic of videos but also showing me cards that are out there for both modern and bonus my commander decks.

[@vitorhugodearimatearocha6534]

Hi Professor, I´m coming back to play magic for fun this year (I played for the last time in 2006) and your videos have been really enlightening. Thanks for this new great job.

[@cloudmane4159]

I really like these videos. Helping players wrap their heads around magic theory is EXACTLY something a professor would do 👌😊

[@TheBunnyDestroyer]

Whenever I get someone into magic again, I'm sending them here. I could have used videos like this when I was starting out. Thanks, Prof!

[@cerothespectrum1710]

I'm not a regular viewer, but i love coming back to your vids for basic refreshers

[@alexdobbins950]

Another great video! Keep up the amazing work! Thank you for helping teach new skills to concepts to players that know how to play but still want to improve!

[@IcyHaze02]

6:43 I am a Hate Drafter. So I would grab Glorybringer, just so my opponents can't have it :)

[@prufrock1977]

Why draft jank when you can draft something to trade or sell after the draft is over?

[@hexyearhexyear]

Hate drafting a card is not, statistically speaking, a valuable method of decision making for making your draft deck in that scenario the best it can possibly be and allowing you to maximize win percentage. It can be fun and I'm not looking to deride you for doing it but I wanted to comment to note that it's certainly not "correct" as far as statistical win percentage over time is viewed.

[@l_scanu8645]

If i was in Green then i have probally picked up a Gift of Paradise or something simular in the first 2 packs, so i would pick the Glorybringer and prioritise fixing later in the pack. If i wasn't in Green and was W/B or something, then i would take a good Uncommon or premiem Common over it, but if it's a mediocure pack then i'll just take it. Glorybringer really isn't nice to play against so as long as i'm not sacrifceing too much i'd take it.

[@mdeske]

I would take glorybringer even if we redraft the rares. If not glorybringer goes to my opponent's hand and I will possibly lose a game because of it.

[@hexyearhexyear]

I highly recommend you read this whole article but I'm going to quote from a portion of it that explains why you get no value from hate drafting, especially early in an individual pack (magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/beyond-basics/dont-hate-draft-2016-07-28) "But let's back up for a second. Let's run through what it takes for a hate draft of any individual card to positively impact your draft. It requires several things happening: The card that you would be hate drafting needs to get to someone who can play it. There are plenty of reasons for someone to take it after you: Maybe they picked up a white card or two and think they could end up playing it, but ultimately can't. Maybe someone who is currently in white takes it, but ends up bailing. Maybe someone who hasn't read this article decides to hate draft it. Any number of reasons could prevent the card from being played. You have to play against that person. There's far from a guarantee you'll end up playing against whoever ends up with the card. (And even less likely if you're playing in an event where Round 1 is paired four seats away from you.) If you plan on winning the three matches in your eight-person draft pod (which, of course, you do!), then you'll face fewer than half of the other players in the draft. Even if the card is incredibly strong, that doesn't mean they're necessarily favored to win their match. I mean, how many times have you drafted an awesome rare and still lost? It happens frequently. One Archangel Avacyn doesn't entirely salvage a weak Draft deck. Plus, all kinds of things can happen-they can be short on lands, their opponent can have the perfect answer, and so on. They have to draw that card, and cast that card against you, and have it be better than what they would have played instead, and it has to help them win the game. Okay. So you pass the card to someone who ends up playing it, and then you do get paired against them. Next, they actually have to draw it! It doesn't matter if the card they have is as absurd as Umezawa's Jitte-if they don't draw it, or they draw it and can't cast it, or they draw it at a time when it's ineffectual, then it doesn't end up mattering. Now, compare that list to what it takes to make a card that's good in your deck. To make a card you pick for your deck useful, you have to 1) play it in your final deck, and 2) draw it in any of your games and have it work toward winning you the match. There's a chance it will be relevant in every game you play, as opposed to only against certain people." -Gavin Verhey

[@martinolsen7183]

What a great video! Hope to see many more of this series!

[@SalmiakkiAficionado]

I love Tolarian Tutor :] If Tolarian Community College had a series about the rules of Magic, then it would have gone full circle, covering every single topic of Magic

[@mluna1237]

I am loving this new series! I would be interested to see episodes about drafting, sideboarding, and reading your meta.

[@angelojohnson9441]

This is the second of these videos of yours that I have watched. I started playing in 95, took a break from 2005 to 2011, and have been playing since. I've improved the mana curves and ratios of more people's decks than I can recall (thanks to the Prophecy fatpack spoiler that first introduced me to the mana curve concept). I've done statistical study of my decks to find "the perfect ratio" (note: then EDH came along and crapped all over it). If I had one question it would be just that: how to obtain a proper mana curve with an EDH deck? I have figured out color distribution but once decks get to that size, even saying "take your deck's total cmc and divide it by X" doesn't seem to work the same way. If you bothered to read the first half of the first paragraph, the reason for typing it wasn't to just toot my own horn, it was to put emphasis on the fact that I still learned something from watching this video. I appreciate these types of videos and I especially appreciate the closing piece of focusing not on winning but on learning. Thank you.

[@luliby2309]

This is an awesome series Professor. Also, I like that subtle Limited Resources reference you put in there.

[@eravar2831]

This is quickly becoming my favourite series

[@zenoc7]

This is awesome we all needed this. it's so hard to find mana curve guides you're the best, professor

[@michaelgleason4791]

Zachary Samspon For something more advanced look into hypergeometric distribution. It's how I figure out the number of lands in a constructed deck.

[@hankhill4780]

Thanks for the lesson I watched this over my lunch and I feel like I have learned something today. Thank you Prof.

[@drewnapoleons4569]

Just got back into magic about a month ago last time I played was around 2002 watched a ton of your videos and went to my first draft last night and placed second with a 5-2 record thanks for all the info!!!! 💪🏻

[@MrNamdevil]

You are very important to new players. We just got started in our country. And your videos help the new guys a lot keep it up Professor.

[@brianfaust1862]

I was just looking for a video on this yesterday. Apparently, the Professor is a mind reader as well. Thanks, Prof!

[@thecattotorium3837]

Where was this in 1998 when I was learning to Magixx. Thanks man! Loyal follower!

[@daodrassulravan5520]

I love your new format! This is amazing!

[@justindriscoll5470]

Love this channel guys, you fulfill a much needed info source for newer players

[@PhilipBegin]

Great video Prof. Resources like this are always more than welcome.

[@coreykershner1357]

It is these kinds of videos that do more than just "entertain" the MtG community but add value by helping build better players and therefore make the game of Magic better globally! Thanks prof!

[@lordsarzex4925]

Im in love with the new office and graphics you used in this video. Also super helpful, I always have trouble determining if a faster paced deck vs a slow late game deck needs changes to its curve.

[@thtcpkedude]

I really like this series. I also like the black board to your side that you put the topics on. Really helpful.

[@barrett6929]

Great episode Prof, I learned quite a bit. Hope to see more videos like this.

[@gemofmagic9436]

this series is just right for my skill level. :)

[@Hyper88]

I love this series so much, glad attendance isn't mandatory for the course.

[@WanderingCactuar]

This was very helpful. I'm new to MTG and I really appreciate your content!

[@Datsok]

This channel's awesome, i'd be lost without it!

[@qtaltube]

Loving this series Professor! Thank you

[@Esriil]

I'm not sure if my comment was seen in the last video, but the camera position was changed and it is amazing! The center framing without the cut off on top is perfect. Very appealing.

[@nikolascheeseman2854]

Excellent work as always! Keep it up Prof!

[@thegenericnerdking]

One of my new favorite series on KZbin. :)

[@grozaAC]

The tutor videos are shaping up to be great for someone that's new like myself.

[@samspires]

You truly are a college for mtg now, love these videos!

[@grahamastor4194]

Really like this new series. Glad to see you talk about Limited, Standard and Modern; all the formats the pros play. I'd like to see something about evaluating new sets; individual cards, tribal, mechanics and how they might effect what's currently popular in the different formats. Thx.

[@CidDamascus]

this puts into words something I've been trying to tell my friend. Thanks for the vid

[@OsseusMusic]

I love these videos! I finally finished my modern 8 whack deck and these are definitely helping with the improvements.

[@raulperez2308]

Daniel Murphy suh cliff

[@JavierReyes-vi7vj]

Just wanted to say professor that I use card kingdom for my mtg shopping now and it's excellent! Am just waiting for the Twin Flip'n'Tray Deck Case 160+ to get restocked to get one for myself. So thanks for promoting a great site

[@leem.9934]

This is one of the most useful topics to cover. This is a video that will likely remain relevant for years to come. I like to refer people to this and other resources like it.

[@jellyranger1706]

Hey Prof! I watched this video in preparation for FNM...I went 3-1 for the first time in my life! Thanks for the education!

[@indigohalf]

I played M:tG as a kid back in the days of 7th Edition (I believe I favored the Silver Deck from the 7e starter set mainly for aesthetic reasons) and I recently got the urge to get back into it. I was a little too young to be up to date on strategies, and these days I may as well be a newbie. Your channel is helping me to review what little I remember and catch up on the things that have changed (I don't think Planeswalkers were a thing.) I appreciate the mellow, welcoming vibe. I hope I can find more folks like you to play with.

[@alandavidacostavittor3336]

Your the best, this is like the 5th consecutive video i watch from you, i discovered the first this morning, and now i cant stop. Thanks ! xD

[@saulcuthbertson7248]

You know this is the second? Not the fifth.

[@KASTICtv]

The new background/office is just awesome!

[@w00dm31st3r]

Thank you, Professor. Very helpful!

[@shmupshmuppewpew5260]

You da man, Prof.. these Tolarian Tutor episodes are top notch! This might not be good for an episode anytime soon (better topics available), but I think it would be cool to see an episode directed at everyone who quit playing around Fallen Empires/Chronicles, but want to get back in to MTG...the ep could feature info on significant rules changes since then, new formats, etc. I don't know how many people who quit at that time are coming back to MTG, but I do know a lot of people gave up on it around then.

[@cartooncolee]

Great job love these new episodes!

[@Pabloski33]

I really like the purple background of your new place, keep up the good work Prof

[@dragonyoshi1]

I aprecciate you using amonkhet as an example that expansion was my introduction to magic I got a glorybringer first hand of the draft!

[@WarpChargedGaming]

Gotta say, very impressed with your video. Fantastic job.

[@nathangoddard6303]

excellent series. this is the content that made me take the jump to patreon

[@ethanhamilton5743]

I like your new setup! Nice job!

[@ChuckMulholland]

Good quality in production and content. 👍

[@luisaguirre1482]

you opened my eyes to this problem... Thanks Profesor!

[@grizzlymanverneteil4443]

Love that animation sequence !

[@bewilson20]

Great work as always!