MeltingHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Change in Climate

Melting has a continuous effect that modifies the characteristics of all lands on the battlefield. It functions as a static ability that removes the 'snow' supertype from every land, regardless of who controls them or what other types they may have. While the lands retain their names, mana abilities, and other types like 'Basic' or 'Forest', they are no longer considered snow permanents.

How It Resolves

When Melting enters the battlefield, its effect begins immediately. First, it checks all permanents with the land type. Second, it applies a layer 4 effect that removes the snow supertype. This means that any abilities that trigger when a snow land enters the battlefield will no longer see that land as snow, and costs that require mana from a snow source cannot be paid using those lands as they lose their snow status.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming Melting affects non-land snow permanents like creatures or artifacts; it specifically only targets lands. Additionally, players sometimes think this removes the basic supertype. Melting only removes 'snow'; a Snow-Covered Mountain simply becomes a Mountain, and it remains a Basic Land. It also does not stop lands from producing mana, it only changes the classification of that mana.

Strategic Timing

You should play Melting when your opponent relies on specific snow-matters synergies or cards that require snow mana for activated abilities. Since it is an enchantment, its effect persists as long as it remains on the battlefield. It is best deployed early in games against decks using Frostwalk Bastion or Scrying Sheets to shut down their utility.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Red Pressure

Aggravated Assault

With Melting on the battlefield, you ensure your mana base is consistent. You can use your red mana to activate Aggravated Assault repeatedly. While Melting doesn't directly boost the assault, it ensures that your opponent cannot use specialized snow-land effects to tap down your creatures or interact with your combat phases using snow-based utility.

Typeline Clarity

Shared Animosity

If you have Melting and Shared Animosity out, remember that Melting only affects lands. Your snow creatures will still share their creature types for Shared Animosity's trigger. Melting ensures that land-based snow synergies won't interfere with your aggressive board state, allowing you to focus on the tribal buffs provided by your other enchantments.