Back to BasicsHow it works & interactions with other cards

How the Lockdown Works

Back to Basics creates a continuous effect that modifies the rules of the untap step for all players. While the enchantment is on the battlefield, any land that does not have the 'Basic' supertype will simply remain tapped if it was used during a previous turn. This affects all nonbasic lands, including dual lands, fetch lands, and utility lands, regardless of who controls them.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Back to Basics for two blue and one generic mana. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, its static ability immediately takes effect. During each player's untap step, the game checks the types of all tapped lands; those with the 'Basic' supertype (like Island or Forest) untap as normal, while any land without that supertype is skipped during the untap process. This effect does not use the stack and cannot be responded to once the untap step begins.

Common Misconceptions

A common mistake is thinking Back to Basics prevents lands from being tapped for mana; it only prevents them from untapping naturally. Players can still use abilities to untap lands, such as spells or creature abilities. Additionally, if Back to Basics leaves the battlefield, all lands will untap as normal during their controller's next untap step, as the restrictive effect is no longer active.

Strategic Implementation

This card is most effective in decks that run a high density of basic Islands. By pairing it with other 'taxing' effects, you can create a suffocating environment where opponents must choose between spending their limited mana on their own spells or paying extra costs to interact with your board.

Interaction examples

The Stasis Tax

Rhystic Study

With Back to Basics preventing your opponent from untapping their nonbasic lands, their available mana pool shrinks significantly each turn. When you have Rhystic Study on the board, the opponent is forced to choose between casting a spell and giving you a card, or paying the tax of {1} with their very limited mana resources. This often results in the opponent being unable to pay the tax, granting you massive card advantage.

Fortifying Your Defense

Propaganda

If an opponent is relying on nonbasic lands to fuel their aggressive creature deck, Back to Basics will eventually leave them with very few untapped resources. If you also control Propaganda, the opponent must pay {2} for each creature they wish to attack you with. Because their lands aren't untapping, they will likely find it impossible to pay the attack costs for multiple creatures, effectively shielding you from combat damage.