The Allure of Flip Lands in MTG

Flip Lands stand as a captivating and distinct element within the world of "Magic: The Gathering."
They amplify strategic depth and variability while showcasing the designers' boundless creativity and imagination.

What Are Flip Lands in MTG?

Flip Lands are a unique category of cards in which the magic unfolds. They usually come with two distinct forms or states.
Players have the ability to transform them from one state to another, unlocking entirely new effects and abilities. This mechanic not only introduces variability into the game but also provides players with more strategic choices.

How do Flip Lands Work?

Flip Lands, also known as Double-Faced Cards (DFCs). One side is typically a land, and the other side can be a spell, creature, planeswalker, or other card type.
The transformation from one side to the other is a central mechanic of these cards. Here's how Flip Lands work:

Card Layout:

Flip Lands have a distinct layout with two faces. They are played and placed on the battlefield like regular cards but have a special rule that governs how they can transform.

Playability:

You choose which side of the card you want to play as. It enters the battlefield in that chosen state, either as a land or the non-land side.

Transforming:

When the conditions are met, you "flip" the card, revealing the other face.

Conditions:

These conditions are typically stated on the card itself.

Mechanics and Abilities:

These abilities and effects are defined on the transformed face of the card.

Summoning Sickness:

This means they can't attack or use tap abilities unless they have haste.

Mana Production:

If a Flip Land's transformed side is a non-land card type (like a creature or planeswalker), it doesn't produce mana like a regular land. It's only the land side that can be tapped for mana.

Tapped and Untapped:

Remember that the specifics of Flip Lands can vary from card to card, so it's important to carefully read each card's text to understand how it works and under what conditions it can transform.

How to Play a Flip Land

Let's explore an example, this time using the card "Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin" from the "Ixalan" set. Ability: At the beginning of your upkeep, look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard. Then if you have seven or more cards in your graveyard, you may transform Search for Azcanta. Transformation Condition: To transform Search for Azcanta into Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin, you need to have seven or more cards in your graveyard.

How to Play:

• You draw "Search for Azcanta" from your deck and have it in your hand.
• You choose to play it as a land or as an enchantment. If you choose to play it as a land, it enters the battlefield tapped and you can tap it for U mana, just like an Island.
• If you choose to play it as an enchantment (Search for Azcanta), it enters the battlefield as an enchantment with the abilities mentioned on its first side.
• At the beginning of your upkeep, you look at the top card of your library and decide whether to put it into your graveyard. If you meet the condition of having seven or more cards in your graveyard, you can choose to transform Search for Azcanta.
• If you choose to transform it, you flip the card over, revealing its transformed side, "Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin."
• Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin now functions as a legendary land with its own abilities, and you can tap it for U mana or use its abilities as appropriate.
• As always, read the card text carefully to understand its transformation condition and abilities in both states. Flip lands like "Search for Azcanta" add a layer of decision-making and strategy to your gameplay.

Flip Lands Card List

Westvale Abbey	Ormendahl, Profane Prince
Hostile Hostel	Creeping Inn
Growing Rites of Itlimoc	Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun
Sea Gate Restoration	Sea Gate, Reborn
Agadeem’s Awakening	Agadeem, the Undercrypt
Primal Amulet	Primal Wellspring
Search for Azcanta	Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin
Shatterskull Smashing	Shatterskull, the Hammer Pass
Valakut Awakening	Valakut Stoneforge
Storm the Vault	Vault of Catlacan
Turntimber Symbiosis	Turntimber, Serpentine Wood
Azor’s Gateway	Sanctum of the Sun
Arguel’s Blood Fast	Temple of Aclazotz
Journey to Eternity	Atzal, Cave of Eternity
Hadana’s Climb	Winged Temple of Orazca
Legion’s Landing	Adanto, the First Fort
Treasure Map	Treasure Cove
Malakir Rebirth	Malakir Mire
Glasspool Mimic	Glasspool Shore
Vastwood Fortification	Vastwood Thicket
Bala Ged Recovery	Bala Ged Sanctuary
Kazuul’s Fury	Kazuul’s Cliffs
Sejiri Shelter	Sejiri Glacier
Thaumatic Compass	Spires of Orazca
Vance’s Blasting Cannons	Spitfire Bastion
Profane Procession	Tomb of the Dusk Rose
Emeria’s Call	Emeria, Shattered Skyclave
Havengul Laboratory	Havengul Mystery
Path of Mettle	Metzali, Tower of Triumph
Akoum Warrior	Akoum Teeth
Beyeen Veil	Beyeen Coast
Song-Mad Treachery	Song-Mad Ruins
Jwari Disruption	Jwari Ruins
Skyclave Cleric	Skyclave Basilica
Kabira Takedown	Kabira Plateau
Khalni Ambush	Khalni Territory
Silundi Vision	Silundi Isle
Zof Consumption	Zof Bloodbog
Spikefield Hazard	Spikefield Cave
Makindi Stampede	Makindi Mesas
Golden Guardian	Gold-Forge Garrison
Conqueror’s Galleon	Conqueror’s Foothold
Dowsing Dagger	Lost Vale
Hagra Mauling	Hagra Broodpit
Tangled Florahedron	Tangled Vale
Blackbloom Rogue	Blackbloom Bog
Umara Wizard	Umara Skyfalls
Pelakka Predation	Pelakka Caverns
Ondu Inversion	Ondu Skyruins

Double-Faced Card List