Darkwater Catacombs — Magic: The Gathering card

Darkwater Catacombs

Land

{1}, {T}: Add {U}{B}.

*Murky Otarian tides hide the forgotten treacheries of the Phyrexian war.*

Set Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander
Rarity Rare
Mana Value 0
Artist Monte Michael Moore
Collector # 355
Scryfall

Why Play Darkwater Catacombs

Dimir decks need reliable dual-color mana, and Darkwater Catacombs provides exactly that with guaranteed blue and black mana from a single activation. The one mana activation cost means you'll typically use this on turn two or later when you have extra mana available, making it ideal for control decks that want to hold up interaction. Budget-conscious players particularly value this land since it offers dual-color fixing without the premium price of fetchlands or shocklands.

Format Notes

Commander represents the primary home for Darkwater Catacombs, where the slower pace allows time to pay activation costs and the singleton nature makes any dual land valuable. Legacy and Vintage see minimal play due to superior options like Underground Sea and fetch-shock combinations that provide untapped mana. The card has never faced banning issues and remains a solid budget option for casual formats where turn-one plays are less critical.

Combos & Synergies

Amulet of Vigor transforms Darkwater Catacombs into an explosive mana source, allowing immediate activation after entering play. Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth creates powerful synergy by making the Catacombs tap for black mana naturally while still offering the blue-black option when needed. Cards like Deserted Temple and Rings of Brighthearth can generate additional value by untapping or copying the activated ability for extra mana production.

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Land Reach