The Lost Caverns of Ixalan: The Best Cards You Need to Watch!

Every new Magic: The Gathering set brings fresh excitement, and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is no different. This one takes us deep underground into a world of ancient civilizations, treasure-filled caves, and creatures lurking in the shadows. Whether you’re into Commander, Standard, or just cracking packs, there’s plenty to look forward to.Let’s break down some of the must-have cards from this set and why they’re making waves in the MTG community.

Dinosaurs and Pirates Are Back!

Two of the most popular creature types in Ixalan history are making a strong return. If you liked them before, you’ll love what this set has in store.

Dinosaurs: The big, stompy beasts are here again, and they mean business. Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant is one of the wildest cards in the set—a massive 12/12 that cheats out other creatures from your hand. If you play decks that thrive on big threats, this one’s a no-brainer.

Pirates: These sneaky, treasure-loving rogues are also back, and they’ve got some serious tricks. Kitesail Larcenist is a standout because it lets you exile an opponent’s key card (artifact or creature with MV 3+) and use it yourself. Pirates just got even more annoying—for your opponents, that is.

Explore Mechanic Returns, But Better

If you played during the original Ixalan block, you’ll remember Explore. It’s back, and it’s been given a fresh spin. If you don’t, here’s the deal: creatures with Explore reveal the top card of your library. If it’s a land, you draw it. If it’s not, you can dump it in the graveyard and get a +1/+1 counter.

Bonehoard Dracosaur makes great use of this. It not only explores when it attacks, but it also spits out Treasures, giving you extra resources. Great for ramp, great for card filtering, great for decks that want value every turn.

Treasure Tokens: A New Powerhouse in MTG

Treasure tokens have slowly become one of the most impactful mechanics in the game. This set is leaning into that hard, and there are some serious standouts.

Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation is an insane card for decks that love tokens. It doubles any token you create—including Treasure. If you’re running a deck that focuses on artifacts or token generation, this should be on your radar.

Captain Storm, Cosmium Raider adds another layer of fun. Not only does this Pirate create Treasure, but it also lets you turn them into removal. Sac three Treasures? Blow up an artifact or enchantment. Efficient and powerful.

Caves – A New Land Type That Changes the Game

This set introduces Cave lands, a new land subtype that fits the underground theme perfectly. While Cavern of Souls isn’t in the set, these new lands still bring interesting utility.

Hidden Cataract is one example of how these lands are more than just mana-fixers. They bring additional value while keeping your mana base stable. Expect these to be highly useful in both Standard and older formats.

Commander Cards You Can’t Ignore

As usual, this set is packed with legendary creatures and spells that are going straight into Commander decks. Some of the biggest names include:

Huatli, Poet of Unity: A planeswalker designed for Dino decks. She ramps, creates protection with Dinosaur tokens, and has an ultimate that can shift the entire game in your favor.

The Mycotyrant: A Fungus legend that plays around spore counters, growing larger and creating Saprolings over time. Great for any deck that enjoys a slow, inevitable board presence.

Best Cards for Limited – Draft and Sealed Picks

If you’re a Limited player, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan delivers a fresh and exciting format. Mechanics like Explore and Descend make for a dynamic drafting experience.

Belligerent Regisaur is an uncommon worth watching. It rewards aggression by giving bonuses when multiple creatures attack, making it an easy inclusion in red-green decks.

Malamet Battle Glyph is another solid pick. Early game, it helps you dig for lands. Late game, it gives you a huge advantage. Versatile and valuable.

Ixalan’s Story – More Than Just Cards

Beyond the mechanics, the lore of this set is rich. The underground world of Ixalan holds hidden civilizations, ancient secrets, and treasures waiting to be uncovered. The art and flavor text pull you into this setting, making the experience even deeper whether you’re playing or just collecting.

Final Thoughts – Should You Buy The Lost Caverns of Ixalan?

If you love Dinosaurs, Pirates, treasure mechanics, or just fresh deck-building options, this set is worth a look. It’s got plenty of strong picks for Commander, new mechanics for Standard, and a fun Limited format.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on card prices. Some of the hottest cards—like Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant and Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation—are already in high demand. If you’re planning to grab them, it might be best to do it sooner rather than later.

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