Rugged Highlands MTG Card


Provides dual mana plus life gain, aiding in landfall strategies and mana stability within decks. Though it enters tapped, it boosts overall mana pool without imposing a discard requirement. Comparable to other dual lands but stands out for its immediate life gain and meta relevance.
Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
RarityCommon
TypeLand

Text of card

Rugged Highlands enters the battlefield tapped. When Rugged Highlands enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life. : Add or to your mana pool.


Cards like Rugged Highlands

Rugged Highlands enters the battlefield among a unique group of MTG lands that offer a dual mana advantage. This card mirrors the utility seen in Swiftwater Cliffs, as both can tap for either red or green mana while granting the player a slight life boost upon entry. Yet, Rugged Highlands stands distinct with its association to green mana, aligning with the resilience typically seen in green-centered card decks.

Comparatively, Timber Gorge follows the same trend of entering the battlefield tapped and providing red or green mana options, minus the life gain. This minor difference emphasizes Rugged Highlands’ edge in strategies that prize every increment of life. Rootbound Crag steps into the lime light as an upgrade provided it meets its condition – a control of another Mountain or Forest, it leaps ahead by allowing immediate use of the mana without the pesky wait, catering to faster-paced play styles.

When considering the balance of immediate utility versus long-term gain, Rugged Highlands holds a noteworthy position for those who favor stability and a buffer to their life total, an aspect that might tip scales in prolonged matches within the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Swiftwater Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Timber Gorge - MTG Card versions
Rootbound Crag - MTG Card versions
Swiftwater Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Timber Gorge - MTG Card versions
Rootbound Crag - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rugged Highlands by color, type and mana cost

Taiga - MTG Card versions
Karplusan Forest - MTG Card versions
Mogg Hollows - MTG Card versions
Shivan Oasis - MTG Card versions
Mossfire Valley - MTG Card versions
Rockfall Vale - MTG Card versions
Contested Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Skarrg, the Rage Pits - MTG Card versions
Stomping Ground - MTG Card versions
Highland Weald - MTG Card versions
Fungal Reaches - MTG Card versions
Fire-Lit Thicket - MTG Card versions
Gruul Turf - MTG Card versions
Kazandu Refuge - MTG Card versions
Rootbound Crag - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolf Run - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Cinder Glade - MTG Card versions
Timber Gorge - MTG Card versions
Game Trail - MTG Card versions
Taiga - MTG Card versions
Karplusan Forest - MTG Card versions
Mogg Hollows - MTG Card versions
Shivan Oasis - MTG Card versions
Mossfire Valley - MTG Card versions
Rockfall Vale - MTG Card versions
Contested Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Skarrg, the Rage Pits - MTG Card versions
Stomping Ground - MTG Card versions
Highland Weald - MTG Card versions
Fungal Reaches - MTG Card versions
Fire-Lit Thicket - MTG Card versions
Gruul Turf - MTG Card versions
Kazandu Refuge - MTG Card versions
Rootbound Crag - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolf Run - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Cinder Glade - MTG Card versions
Timber Gorge - MTG Card versions
Game Trail - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Rugged Highlands. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro Free formStandard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
Five-color MidrangeFive-color Midrange Free formStandard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
Turbo FogTurbo Fog PauperTurbo FogPauper League 2024-01-27
Jund ControlJund Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 2
Gruul MidrangeGruul Midrange StandardGruul DinosaursCommunity Turnier 4/2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not directly offering card draw, Rugged Highlands provides an incremental advantage by contributing to both your land count and life total. This is subtly beneficial, setting a healthier life benchmark while supporting landfall triggers or similar mechanics.

Resource Acceleration: This dual land offers resource acceleration by tapping for both red and green mana. While it enters the battlefield tapped, the diversified mana resource it provides is crucial for casting spells more efficiently in multi-colored decks, smoothing out mana curves and ensuring you meet color requirements.

Instant Speed: Rugged Highlands doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, but it’s an ally in a deck that does. By ensuring you have the right mana at the ready, it enables a seamless transition from laying groundwork to exploiting instant speed spells without stumbling on color restrictions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other utility lands that offer passive benefits, Rugged Highlands doesn’t impose a discard requirement, thus not impacting your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Entering the battlefield tapped means that Rugged Highlands requires a turn before its mana can be used, which could slow down your gameplay compared to lands that don’t have this stipulation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite providing both red and green mana, this card doesn’t incur a high mana cost which is characteristic of many other dual lands. However, the delay in availability can be a tactical disadvantage in fast-paced matches where tempo is crucial.


Reasons to Include Rugged Highlands in Your Collection

Versatility: Rugged Highlands is an excellent addition to any deck that operates on a red-green mana base. The ability to enter the battlefield tapped but also provide a life point offers a small but sometimes crucial advantage, fitting into various deck archetypes that can afford a non-basic land coming into play tapped.

Combo Potential: While not directly impacting most combos, Rugged Highlands can be a key piece in decks that harness landfall abilities or other mechanics that are dependent on lands entering the battlefield. Its presence can help maintain a steady flow of both green and red mana, which are often critical in activating powerful combo sequences.

Meta-Relevance: Amidst a meta that’s heavy on aggressive decks, the extra life gained from Rugged Highlands can allow a player an additional turn to stabilize against fast-paced strategies. The land gives red-green decks more consistency, helping them establish a strong presence on the board and compete effectively.


How to beat

Rugged Highlands is a common land card that finds its way into many Magic: The Gathering decks, particularly those needing a boost in mana stability. This dual land, catering to red and green mana strategies, offers a slight edge with its ability to gain you one life upon entering the battlefield. However, it enters play tapped, potentially slowing your tempo just enough for your opponent to gain the upper hand.

To outpace a deck utilizing Rugged Highlands, speed and disruption are your best allies. Cards that allow for land destruction or forced shuffling can negate the life gain and tempo advantage that Rugged Highlands confers. Applying pressure with fast, low-cost creatures can take advantage of the turn lost by your opponent while their land is tapping. Alternatively, employing non-basic land hate cards can efficiently manage these dual lands. But be wary, land destruction can be seen as unsporting by some, so use this strategy judiciously.

Ultimately, while Rugged Highlands provides a stable two-color mana base with a small life cushion, its setback of coming into play tapped is exploitable. By keeping your gameplay brisk and meddling with your opponent’s land setup, you can diminish Rugged Highlands’ impact on the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rugged Highlands MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Fate Reforged, 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 Rugged Highlands and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rugged Highlands Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 2402015NormalBlackEytan Zana
22015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 1702015NormalBlackEytan Zana
32016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 2432015NormalBlackEytan Zana
42016-11-11Commander 2016C16 3182015NormalBlackEytan Zana
52017-03-31Duel Decks: Mind vs. MightDDS 592015NormalBlackEytan Zana
62019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2502015NormalBlackEytan Zana
72019-08-23Commander 2019C19 2712015NormalBlackEytan Zana
82020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 2522015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
92020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 2492015NormalBlackEytan Zana
102022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 2732015NormalBlackAlayna Danner
112022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2922015NormalBlackOleg Shekhovtsov
122022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 292★2015NormalBlackOleg Shekhovtsov
132023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 2712015NormalBlackThomas Stoop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rugged Highlands has restrictions

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