MTG Original Dual Lands (ABUR Duals)
The original dual lands from Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, and Revised are the only dual lands that have two basic land types AND enter untapped with zero drawback. Underground Sea is simultaneously an Island and a Swamp for every purpose in the game. They are on the Reserved List, meaning Wizards will never reprint them, so prices range from $200 to $2,000+ depending on condition and edition.
All 10 Original Dual Lands
| Card | Colors |
|---|---|
| Tundra | White/Blue (Azorius) |
| Scrubland | White/Black (Orzhov) |
| Plateau | White/Red (Boros) |
| Savannah | White/Green (Selesnya) |
| Underground Sea | Blue/Black (Dimir) |
| Volcanic Island | Blue/Red (Izzet) |
| Tropical Island | Blue/Green (Simic) |
| Badlands | Black/Red (Rakdos) |
| Bayou | Black/Green (Golgari) |
| Taiga | Red/Green (Gruul) |
Key Details
- Tier: Premium (1/3)
- Entry: Always enters untapped.
- Fetchable: Yes (has basic land types)
- Cards in cycle: 10
Format Legality
| Standard | Pioneer | Modern | Legacy | Commander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal |
Strategy
If you play Legacy or high-power Commander, original duals are the best mana base investment you can make. If you do not play those formats, skip them entirely. Shock lands are 95% as good at 5% of the price. In proxy-friendly playgroups, proxying duals is widely accepted and lets you play the format without the financial barrier.
Related Cycles
- Fetch Lands — Pay 1 life, sac: search for a land with basic land type.
- Allied Fetch Lands — Pay 1 life, sac: search for a land with basic land type. Onslaught allied pairs.
- Shock Lands — Pay 2 life or ETB tapped. Two basic land types — fetchable.
- Fast Lands — ETB untapped if you control 2 or fewer lands.
- Fast Lands (Enemy) — ETB untapped if you control 2 or fewer lands.
Build Your Mana Base
Use our Mana Base Calculator to find the right mix of Original Dual Lands and other duals for your deck. Paste a Moxfield or Archidekt link and get Monte Carlo-simulated land counts. See all 48 dual land cycles in our complete Dual Land Cycles Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are original dual lands legal in Modern?
No. Original dual lands were printed before Eighth Edition and are not legal in Modern, Pioneer, or Standard. They are legal in Legacy, Vintage, and Commander.
Why are original dual lands so expensive?
They are on the Reserved List, which means Wizards of the Coast has committed to never reprinting them. Supply is fixed and demand from Legacy and Commander players keeps prices high. Underground Sea and Volcanic Island are the most expensive because blue is the strongest color in Legacy.
Are original dual lands worth buying?
Only if you play Legacy or high-power Commander regularly. For Modern and Pioneer, shock lands provide nearly identical functionality. For casual Commander, shock lands plus check lands cover your color needs at a fraction of the cost.