- What is a temples (scry lands) cycle?
- Temples — also called scry lands — are 10 nonbasic dual lands from Theros block (2013-2014), reprinted in Theros Beyond Death (2020). Each ETBs tapped and scrys 1, letting you look at the top card of your library and choose to keep it or send it to the bottom. The cycle covers all 10 color pairs. They’re slower than check lands or fast lands (always ETB tapped) but compensate with library smoothing that pays off across long games. Temples are the budget gold standard for Commander manabases and slow midrange/control decks in Pioneer and Modern. Prices are typically $1–$3 each, making the full cycle one of the cheapest 10-card dual sets you can buy. With surveil lands eclipsing scry in newer printings, temples may be the last great scry cycle.
- How many lands are in the Temples (Scry Lands) cycle?
- The Temples (Scry Lands) cycle has 10 lands, first printed in THS.
- How much does the Temples (Scry Lands) cycle cost?
- Buying the complete Temples (Scry Lands) cycle costs about $2.00 based on the cheapest English printing of each land.
- What's the cheapest land in the Temples (Scry Lands) cycle?
- Temple of Enlightenment is the cheapest at about $0.14.
- What's the most expensive land in the Temples (Scry Lands) cycle?
- Temple of Malady is the most expensive at about $0.26.
- What other names are used for temples (scry lands)?
- Players also call them scry lands, Theros temples. The cycle name and its nicknames all refer to the same 10 cards.
- Are temples the same as scry lands?
- Yes — the 10 Theros-block temples all ETB tapped and scry 1. "Scry lands" is the descriptive name and "temples" is the cycle name.
- Are temples worth running in Commander?
- Yes, especially in mid-range decks that play a long game. The scry trigger smooths draws and effectively replaces a marginal top-deck. They’re objectively better than gain lands or refuges in nearly every deck.
- Are there temples for every color pair?
- Yes — the full Theros + Theros Beyond Death cycles together cover all 10 pairs.
- Are temples better than surveil lands?
- No — surveil lands strictly upgrade scry for any deck that cares about the graveyard, and they’re equivalent for decks that don’t. Surveil lands are the upgrade pick when budget allows.
