Volcanic Island MTG Card


Facilitates card advantage and strategies via seamless two-color mana accessibility without delays. Crucial in multi-colored decks, it enables early and varied powerful spell casting. Supports instant-speed reactions, bolstering strategic plays and disrupting opponents effectively.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
RarityRare
TypeLand — Island Mountain

Text of card

Counts as both islands and mountains and is affected by spells that affect either. Tap to add either o U or o R to your mana pool.


Cards like Volcanic Island

Volcanic Island stands out amongst the dual lands in MTG, offering untapped access to both red and blue mana. It shares its untapped quality with fellow dual lands like Underground Sea or Tundra. Yet unlike the ‘shock lands’ such as Steam Vents, there’s no life loss to have Volcanic Island enter the gamefield ready to use. This feature alone elevates its utility, making it a fixture in formats where it’s legal.

Comparing it to ‘fetch lands’ like Scalding Tarn, Volcanic Island does not require a land search, thereby saving time and preventing deck thinning. While ‘check lands’ like Sulfur Falls also provide dual mana, they often enter the battlefield tapped unless you control an island or mountain, a condition that Volcanic Island bypasses, ensuring immediate use from turn one.

There’s a reason Volcanic Island remains sought after: it’s a powerful mana foundation with zero drawbacks. Its ability to tap for two types of mana unconditionally provides a flexibility that makes it a pinnacle example of nonbasic lands in the game, facilitating powerful color combinations and dynamic play from the onset.

Underground Sea - MTG Card versions
Tundra - MTG Card versions
Steam Vents - MTG Card versions
Scalding Tarn - MTG Card versions
Sulfur Falls - MTG Card versions
Underground Sea - MTG Card versions
Tundra - MTG Card versions
Steam Vents - MTG Card versions
Scalding Tarn - MTG Card versions
Sulfur Falls - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Volcanic Island by color, type and mana cost

Shivan Reef - MTG Card versions
Stormcarved Coast - MTG Card versions
Izzet Boilerworks - MTG Card versions
Riverglide Pathway // Lavaglide Pathway - MTG Card versions
Training Center - MTG Card versions
Steam Vents - MTG Card versions
Nivix, Aerie of the Firemind - MTG Card versions
Sulfur Falls - MTG Card versions
Desolate Lighthouse - MTG Card versions
Izzet Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Temple of Epiphany - MTG Card versions
Wandering Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Highland Lake - MTG Card versions
Swiftwater Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Spirebluff Canal - MTG Card versions
Cascade Bluffs - MTG Card versions
Surtland Frostpyre - MTG Card versions
Volatile Fjord - MTG Card versions
Frostboil Snarl - MTG Card versions
Prismari Campus - MTG Card versions
Shivan Reef - MTG Card versions
Stormcarved Coast - MTG Card versions
Izzet Boilerworks - MTG Card versions
Riverglide Pathway // Lavaglide Pathway - MTG Card versions
Training Center - MTG Card versions
Steam Vents - MTG Card versions
Nivix, Aerie of the Firemind - MTG Card versions
Sulfur Falls - MTG Card versions
Desolate Lighthouse - MTG Card versions
Izzet Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Temple of Epiphany - MTG Card versions
Wandering Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Highland Lake - MTG Card versions
Swiftwater Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Spirebluff Canal - MTG Card versions
Cascade Bluffs - MTG Card versions
Surtland Frostpyre - MTG Card versions
Volatile Fjord - MTG Card versions
Frostboil Snarl - MTG Card versions
Prismari Campus - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet DelverIzzet Delver LegacyIzzet DelverLegacy League 2024-04-23
Temur CascadeTemur Cascade LegacyTemur CascadeLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24
Beanstalk ControlBeanstalk Control LegacyBeanstalk ControlLegacy League 2024-04-23
5c Stoneblade5c Stoneblade Legacy5c StonebladeLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24
Grixis TempoGrixis Tempo LegacyGrixis TempoLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24
Izzet ArtifactsIzzet Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy League 2024-04-24
Temur DelverTemur Delver LegacyTemur DelverLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24
4c Underworld Breach4c Underworld Breach VintageUnderworld BreachVintage League 2024-04-23
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control LegacyJeskai ControlLegacy League 2024-04-23
The EPIC StormThe EPIC Storm LegacyThe EPIC StormLegacy League 2024-04-23

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Volcanic Island doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but it supports strategies that lead to card advantage. Its ability to tap for two types of mana without any conditions or entering the battlefield tapped ensures seamless plays and engagements with other cards that might draw you into more card options.

Resource Acceleration: This dual land ramps up your mana availability from the get-go, granting immediate access to two colors of mana in a single land drop. This acceleration is crucial, especially for multicolored decks that require a consistent and diverse mana base to cast an array of powerful spells early in the game.

Instant Speed: While Volcanic Island does not operate at instant speed, its intrinsic value comes from the fact that it enables instant speed plays. With mana readily available, it bolsters your ability to react during any phase of the game, backing up your strategy with the necessary resources to play instants and disrupt opponents at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect to consider with the Volcanic Island card is that it doesn’t directly require discarding, but its inclusion in a deck may pressurize your hand. In formats where land destruction is prevalent, having this high-value land could make you a target, leading to potential disadvantageous discards to save your strategic pieces.

Specific Mana Cost: The power of Volcanic Island comes from its ability to provide mana of two specific colors. However, it’s only optimally used in decks that require both blue and red mana. For decks not aligning with these colors, its value plummets, as it offers no additional advantage over a basic land.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Volcanic Island doesn’t itself have a mana cost, its acquisition cost can be considered high. Within the context of the game, cards that enable similar mana flexibility, like the various fetch lands, often come at a lower financial cost and can be more accessible for players, especially in casual formats.


Reasons to Include Volcanic Island in Your Collection

Versatility: Volcanic Island serves as a powerful dual land, easily integrating into decks requiring both red and blue mana without the downside of coming into play tapped, making it a seamless fit for a variety of strategies.

Combo Potential: This land is often a cornerstone in combo decks where both colors are essential, enabling players to execute game-winning combos efficiently with its untapped mana access.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where deck speed and consistency matter, like Legacy, having a land like Volcanic Island can be the difference-maker, ensuring your deck performs at peak capacity against the prevailing competitive environment.


How to beat

Volcanic Island stands out as a vintage dual land card that effortlessly taps for either blue or red mana without the downside of coming into play tapped. This characteristic makes it a robust inclusion in any deck that runs on the synergy of blue’s control with red’s aggression. As such, overcoming a deck harnessing the power of Volcanic Island demands strategic planning.

To gain the upper hand against a deck running Volcanic Island, players should consider the use of land destruction or land alteration cards such as Wasteland or Blood Moon. These cards can disrupt the mana base that Volcanic Island contributes to, thereby hampering an opponent’s ability to execute their strategy effectively. Artifact strategies, like employing Pithing Needle to stifle mana abilities of nonbasic lands, also serve as a viable approach.

Additionally, staying ahead in the resource race is crucial, which can be achieved through efficient counterplays and establishing a swift board presence that pressures the opponent before their land advantage becomes overwhelming. Thus, while Volcanic Island may provide a significant boost to an opponent’s deck, there are several tactics players can use to level the playing field and aim for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Volcanic Island MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Beta and Unlimited Edition, 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 Volcanic Island and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Volcanic Island Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-10-04 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2871993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
21993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2871993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
31993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2871993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2871993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
51994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2911993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2911993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
71994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2911993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
82002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 954792015NormalBlackSam Burley
92002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 436261997NormalBlackNoah Bradley
102009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 2151997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
112011-01-02Legacy ChampionshipOLGC 2018NA2015NormalBlackMark Poole
122011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 2601997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
132014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 3242015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
142022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5791997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
152022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2822015NormalBlackBrian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Volcanic Island has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 This has basic land types, but it isn’t a basic land. Things that affect basic lands don’t affect it. Things that affect basic land types do.
2008-10-01 This has the mana abilities associated with both of its basic land types.