Commander mana base guide
Elrond, Moon-Reader
Mana Base
Optimal land base for Elrond, Moon-Reader — 36–38 lands, blue color requirements, and budget builds from $50 to $500+.
blueA starting mana base for Elrond, Moon-Reader is a 36–38-land build tuned to its blue color identity and its control / spellslinger / aggro game plan. Elrond, Moon-Reader is a control deck that trades early tempo for late-game inevitability, so its manabase leans toward a balanced mix of untapped fixing plus tapped lands that earn their slot with late-game upside. 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
blue sources
Choose your tier
Elrond, Moon-Reader manabase by budget
How to build a Elrond, Moon-Reader 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: Control.
- ◆Secondary themes: Spellslinger, Aggro.
Method
How to build a mana base for Elrond, Moon-Reader
- 01Set land count to 36–38. Elrond, Moon-Reader is a control deck that trades early tempo for late-game inevitability and needs that count as a starting point for playtesting.
- 02Cover color requirements. For a 37-land blue build, 38 blue potential sources. Check the full deck and the desired casting turn.
- 03Slot priority lands first — untapped duals for blue + 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 Elrond, Moon-Reader deck run?
A starting point for Elrond, Moon-Reader is 36–38 lands. As a control deck that trades early tempo for late-game inevitability, it leans toward a balanced mix of tapped and untapped lands, with tapped lands earning their slot through late-game upside. Adjust the count for your actual curve, ramp, draw, and playtesting. The builder supports 30–42 lands.
What is the best mana base for Elrond, Moon-Reader?
The best mana base for Elrond, Moon-Reader is built around untapped dual lands that support the blue color identity, plus a few utility lands that reinforce a control game plan. At every budget, prioritize color fixing over cute utility.
What is the best land base for Elrond, Moon-Reader on a budget?
A budget Elrond, Moon-Reader land base can start with basic lands and affordable fixing that fits the blue 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 Elrond, Moon-Reader 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 Elrond, Moon-Reader need fetch lands?
Elrond, Moon-Reader works fine without fetch lands. Compare fetches with affordable fixing and consider whether your deck has suitable fetch targets or land-entry synergies. Their value depends on the complete list, not a fixed budget threshold.
What color identity does Elrond, Moon-Reader have?
Elrond, Moon-Reader is a blue Commander (color identity: U). This determines the entire land base — every non-basic must fit inside this identity. For a 37-land deck, Elrond, Moon-Reader needs 38 blue sources as starting source-count targets. Paste your decklist into the builder to account for its colored mana requirements.