Cards and Card TypesBeginner

Land in MTG

A permanent card type normally played to produce mana rather than cast as a spell.

Why it matters

A player may normally play one land during their main phase while the stack is empty. Playing a land is a special action, so it does not use the stack and cannot be responded to.

Visual example

Play a land

Hand
Forest

A basic land with an intrinsic green mana ability

BattlefieldPlay a land
  1. 1During your main phase, choose Forest from your hand.
  2. 2Use your land play to put it directly onto the battlefield.
  3. 3Tap the Forest later to add green mana.

Real card example

Forest

A basic land with an intrinsic green mana ability

Common mistakes

  • Playing a land is not casting a spell.
  • You normally get one land play per turn, not one during each main phase.

Official rule reference

Comprehensive Rules 305 · Current Comprehensive Rules

View official rules