The History of Fetch Lands and Why They're So Expensive
Why Every Competitive Magic Player Wants Them (and Pays the Price)
If you've spent any time looking into building a Magic: The Gathering deck—especially in Modern, Legacy, or Commander—you've probably run into a type of land called a Fetch Land. You've also probably noticed something else: they're expensive. Often $20–$80 each, and you usually want four.
So… what's the deal?
In this blog, we'll cover:
- What fetch lands are
- Their history in MTG
- Why they're so valuable
- Whether you really need them
- How to afford them
🌉 What Are Fetch Lands?
Fetch lands are a cycle of lands that let you pay 1 life and search your library for a land with specific land types, putting it onto the battlefield.
Classic Example:
Scalding Tarn
{T}, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice Scalding Tarn: Search your library for an *Island or Mountain* card and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle.
They don't just “grab a land”—they can grab dual lands, shock lands, triomes, and more. That's what makes them so powerful! Color fixing and deck thinning in one card.
A Brief History of Fetch Lands
🔹 1996: Mirage Fetch Lands (Slow Fetches)
The first fetch-style cards: Flood Plain, Bad River, etc.
They entered the battlefield tapped and were much slower.
Useful in casual play, but nowhere near today's power level.
🔹 2002: Onslaught Fetch Lands (OG Five)
Polluted Delta, Windswept Heath, Bloodstained Mire, etc.
The first "true" fetches—instant-speed, untapped, and format-defining.
Extremely popular in Legacy and Commander ever since.
🔹 2009: Zendikar Fetch Lands (Enemy Colors)
Scalding Tarn, Misty Rainforest, Arid Mesa, etc.
Completed the cycle with enemy color pairings.
Print run was limited, demand skyrocketed.
🔹 2020–2021: Reprints (Finally)
Secret Lair / Modern Horizons 2 brought partial relief.
Still expensive due to massive demand and only partial reprints.
There are now 10 “true” fetch lands: 5 from Onslaught, 5 from Zendikar.
Why Are Fetch Lands So Expensive?
1. Format Ubiquity
Fetches are played in Commander, Modern, Legacy, and Vintage.
They slot into almost any multi-color deck.
Most players need 4–10+ for a single deck.
2. Power Level
Enable consistent color fixing.
Trigger landfall, fill the graveyard, or thin your deck.
Synergize with shock lands, dual lands, and triomes.
3. Limited Reprints
Fetch lands are not reprinted often, especially in Standard.
Most reprints come through specialty sets (Modern Masters, MH2, Secret Lair).
Some fetches, like Scalding Tarn, go years without a restock.
4. Casual + Competitive Demand
Commander players want them, modern grinders need them, collectors hoard them, and speculators invest in them.
Do You Need Fetch Lands?
It depends.
Yes, If You:
Play competitive formats like Modern or Legacy.
Run multi-color Commander decks and want maximum consistency.
Play landfall, graveyard, or spell-synergy archetypes.
No, If You:
Play mono-colored decks.
Are just starting out.
Don't mind occasional slow mana
Consider budget alternatives such as:
Evolving Wilds
Terramorphic Expanse
Fabled Passage
Rocky Tar Pit
Jund Panorama
Where to Get Fetch Lands Affordably
If you're looking to invest wisely:
Always buy singles instead of opening booster packs looking for one.
Watch for reprint announcements and seasonal drops.
Look for cards in played condition to save 20–30% off market.
Final Thoughts
Fetch lands are one of the best investments you can make in MTG. They're powerful, flexible, and used across nearly every format.