Exploration – Double Masters MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

Exploration is one of a set of cards from the Urza block that I was sure were on the Reserved List, but aren’t. (I almost had a heart attack when they put Argothian Enchantress in a Commander deck, and another one when Sneak Attack was in one of the Masters sets.) In a sense, it’s lucky, because now you all have another chance to get one. It provides a decent accelerating effect and part of an engine – only part of one, though, as it doesn’t have an intrinsic way to make sure you have lands in hand. Even if you only get one or two extra lands out of it, the advantage can be very potent.

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 2/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Commander: 3/5

Exploration reminds me of a fairer version of Fastbond, which still has room to be powerful enough! Putting this down early can ramp you out of control in following turns, and it’s just a one-mana investment in that regard. Being able to put out something big and lethal on turn 2 is certainly nice, and there are plenty of degenerate strategies enabled by fast mana. It’s rarely seen a reprint (this is only its second reprint since Urza’s Saga!), so it’s a chance to get one, but something like this is apt to be in short supply, as it helps Commander and Legacy decks rev up their engines to absurd speeds. It’s not for every deck, of course, but there are certainly decks that like having this at their disposal.

Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 4
Limited: 2.25
Multiplayer: 3.5
Commander: 4