Commander mana base guide
Balin, Loremaster
Mana Base
Optimal land base for Balin, Loremaster — 36–38 lands, red color requirements, and budget builds from $50 to $500+.
redA starting mana base for Balin, Loremaster is a 36–38-land build tuned to its red color identity and its tribal / aggro / spellslinger game plan. Balin, Loremaster is a tribal deck that rewards a critical mass of one creature type, so its manabase leans toward untapped lands — every tapped enter costs a real turn of tempo. Choose a $50, $100, $250, or $500 budget below to generate a land list. This guide covers priority land picks, color-source math, and a free builder that generates the full list with TCGplayer checkout.
Source allocation
Color requirements
Starting source allocation by color; actual spell costs and timing can require different counts.
38
red sources
Choose your tier
Balin, Loremaster manabase by budget
How to build a Balin, Loremaster land base at each popular price point. Click a tier to open the builder pre-loaded with the commander and budget.
- $5036–38 lands
Start with affordable color sources and basics; reserve utility slots for the commander’s plan.
Build at $50 → - $10036–38 lands
Prioritize dependable color access. Compare the suggested upgrades with the $50 build.
Build at $100 → - $25036–38 lands
Compare stronger fixing and useful land interactions. Availability and prices determine what fits.
Build at $250 → - $50036–38 lands
Explore functional upgrades first. Expensive printings are optional, and a larger budget does not guarantee a stronger deck.
Build at $500 →
Solver reasoning
Why these lands
- ◆Detected primary archetype: Tribal.
- ◆Secondary themes: Aggro, Spellslinger.
Method
How to build a mana base for Balin, Loremaster
- 01Set land count to 36–38. Balin, Loremaster is a tribal deck that rewards a critical mass of one creature type and needs that count as a starting point for playtesting.
- 02Cover color requirements. For a 37-land red build, 38 red potential sources. Check the full deck and the desired casting turn.
- 03Slot priority lands first — untapped duals for red + a few utility slots. These earn their spot regardless of budget.
- 04Fill by budget: $50 = check + pain lands, $100 = add selective shocks, $250 = fetches, $500+ = original duals.
- 05Verify by running landfiller — the solver returns the exact list at your budget with a one-click TCGplayer cart.
Questions & Answers
FAQ
How many lands should a Balin, Loremaster deck run?
A starting point for Balin, Loremaster is 36–38 lands. As a tribal deck that rewards a critical mass of one creature type, it leans toward mostly untapped lands — enters-tapped duals cost too much tempo when the game plan is racing. Adjust the count for your actual curve, ramp, draw, and playtesting. The builder supports 30–42 lands.
What is the best mana base for Balin, Loremaster?
The best mana base for Balin, Loremaster is built around untapped dual lands that support the red color identity, plus a few utility lands that reinforce a tribal game plan. At every budget, prioritize color fixing over cute utility.
What is the best land base for Balin, Loremaster on a budget?
A budget Balin, Loremaster land base can start with basic lands and affordable fixing that fits the red identity. Evaluate utility lands against the colors your deck needs. Use the $50 budget preset to see which cards fit current prices. Casting consistency depends on your full deck; no fixed percentage is guaranteed.
How much does a Balin, Loremaster manabase cost?
Choose a land budget from $20 upward. The builder recommends specific lands using available card prices and reports the total. Start with $50 or $100, then compare the land changes before spending more.
Does Balin, Loremaster need fetch lands?
Fetch lands can help Balin, Loremaster access its colors when paired with suitable land types. Compare their cost and targets with other fixing; they are not mandatory for every build.
What color identity does Balin, Loremaster have?
Balin, Loremaster is a red Commander (color identity: R). This determines the entire land base — every non-basic must fit inside this identity. For a 37-land deck, Balin, Loremaster needs 38 red sources as starting source-count targets. Paste your decklist into the builder to account for its colored mana requirements.