Desert of the Fervent MTG Card


Cycling ability allows for seamless exchange for a new deck card, optimizing card flow and strategy refinement. Instantly accessible mana accelerates resources, essential for aggressive decks requiring immediate spellcasting. Instant speed cycling offers strategic flexibility and surprise, preserving mana for reaction to opponent moves.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
RarityCommon
TypeLand — Desert
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Desert of the Fervent enters the battlefield tapped. : Add to your mana pool. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)


Cards like Desert of the Fervent

Desert of the Fervent is an intriguing option within the world of mana-fixing lands in MTG. Its primary function mirrors that of the common cycle lands like Forgotten Cave, providing both color fixing and a later game card draw. Unlike the Forgotten Cave, Desert of the Fervent offers the desert subtype which interacts with other cards that reward you for having deserts on the battlefield or in your graveyard.

Smoldering Crater is another card worthy of comparison, which also taps for red mana and can be cycled. However, it lacks the desert subtype, making Desert of the Fervent more relevant in decks that synergize with deserts. Additionally, the cycle cost of Smoldering Crater is slightly higher, which may influence decisions based on the mana efficiency of your deck.

Concluding, Desert of the Fervent holds a valuable spot in decks looking for the utility of cycling with the added advantage of the desert synergy. It showcases how a subtle difference in card subtypes and cycling costs can distinguish a card and influence its use in strategic deck-building.

Forgotten Cave - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Cave - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Desert of the Fervent by color, type and mana cost

Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions
Mines of Moria - MTG Card versions
Kher Keep - MTG Card versions
Thriving Bluff - MTG Card versions
Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Crater - MTG Card versions
Mines of Moria - MTG Card versions
Kher Keep - MTG Card versions
Thriving Bluff - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desert of the Fervent contributes to card flow in a different way. Although it doesn’t allow you to draw additional cards directly, its cycling ability offers the option to exchange it for a new card from your library. This is particularly valuable when searching for key components of your strategy or when the land itself isn’t immediately needed.

Resource Acceleration: This land enters the battlefield untapped, which means it can be used for mana immediately. This is essential for faster-paced decks that aim to outpace the opponent by being able to cast spells without delay. It provides an efficient manner of resource acceleration within the early phases of the game.

Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Desert of the Fervent can be used at instant speed. This gives players the flexibility to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to decide whether to cycle the card, thereby maintaining the element of surprise and leaving mana open for potential responses to the opponent’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Desert of the Fervent demands a card be discarded from your hand to gain access to its basic land cycling ability. This can backfire if your hand is already depleted, essentially forcing you to lose two cards for the price of one.

Specific Mana Cost: While it provides red mana, its entry to the battlefield tapped restricts immediate utility. This can disrupt tempo, especially in fast-paced red decks that rely on swift, aggressive plays.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the cycling cost is set at two mana, it can be seen as steep for decks that aim to maintain a lean mana curve. In scenarios where quick play is crucial, there may be more cost-effective alternatives for card draw or mana-fixing.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Desert of the Fervent serves not only as a mana source but also as a cycling option, allowing for greater flexibility in game play. Whether you’re missing land drops or digging for key cards, its dual function can be a game changer.

Combo Potential: With its cycling ability, Desert of the Fervent can be a subtle enabler for decks that capitalize on cards entering the graveyard or cycling mechanics. This can synergize well with graveyard-based strategies or with effects that trigger upon drawing cards.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where the speed of your deck is crucial, Desert of the Fervent offers the benefit of thinning your deck while providing mana acceleration. It’s particularly useful in red decks that aim to stay ahead in the race, keeping the pressure up while maintaining resource flow.


How to beat

Desert of the Fervent stands out in MTG as a versatile land card, not only adding red mana to your mana pool but also offering a cycling ability for card advantage. It becomes essential to know how to navigate against it. Denying your opponent the opportunity to use its cycling by strategically playing land destruction or graveyard disruption cards can turn the tide of the game. Land destruction spells allow you to target and eliminate Desert of the Fervent before your opponent can utilize its cycling. If the card does make it to the graveyard, consider employing graveyard hate tactics that can remove it from the game or disrupt its utility beyond the cycling scope.

Keep in mind, spells like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can directly target and remove Desert of the Fervent from the battlefield, hindering your opponent’s mana flexibility. Additionally, Rest in Peace can effectively nullify the cycling advantage by exiling cards instead of sending them to the graveyard, ensuring the card won’t come back to haunt you. Successfully counteracting Desert of the Fervent requires timing and the right disruption cards in your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desert of the Fervent MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Commander 2020, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Desert of the Fervent and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desert of the Fervent Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Titus Lunter.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1702015NormalBlackTitus Lunter
22020-04-17Commander 2020C20 2662015NormalBlackTitus Lunter
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 2872015NormalBlackTitus Lunter
42021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2862015NormalBlackTitus Lunter
52024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2842015NormalBlackTitus Lunter

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desert of the Fervent has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Desert of the Fervent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-04-18 Desert is a land subtype with no special meaning. It doesn’t grant the land an intrinsic mana ability. Other cards may care about which lands are Deserts.