Underworld ConnectionsHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Land of Opportunity

Underworld Connections is an Aura with the 'Enchant land' keyword. When you cast it, you must choose a land on the battlefield as a target. Once it resolves, the enchantment stays attached to that land, granting it a new activated ability. It is important to remember that the land itself gains the ability; the enchantment just facilitates it.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you pay the mana cost of one generic and two black mana to cast the spell, targeting a land. Once it enters the battlefield, you can activate the new ability of the enchanted land at any time you could cast an instant. To do this, you must tap the land and pay 1 life as a cost. The draw happens immediately upon the ability's resolution. Note that because this is an activated ability involving tapping, you cannot use that land for mana and for drawing a card in the same turn unless you have a way to untap it.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is forgetting that the land becomes the source of the ability. If the land is destroyed, Underworld Connections is put into the graveyard because it no longer has a valid permanent to enchant. Additionally, since the ability requires tapping the land, it is usually best to play this on a land that you don't need for mana during your opponent's turn, allowing you to draw a card right before your own turn begins.

When to Utilize Connections

This card excels in slower, controlling decks where you can afford the life loss in exchange for late-game gas. Unlike triggered abilities that happen automatically, you choose when to use this, giving you flexibility if your life total is dangerously low.

Interaction examples

Manual Control vs. Automatic Loss

Phyrexian Arena

While Phyrexian Arena forces you to draw and lose life every upkeep, Underworld Connections requires you to tap the land and pay life manually. If you are at 1 life, Phyrexian Arena will cause you to lose the game during your upkeep, whereas you can simply choose not to activate the land enchanted by Underworld Connections to stay alive.

Managing Life Totals

Black Market Connections

If you have both cards on the field, you can generate massive card advantage. During your precombat main phase, Black Market Connections triggers, allowing you to draw for 2 life. Later in the turn, or on your opponent's end step, you can tap the land enchanted by Underworld Connections to pay 1 more life and draw another card, totaling two extra cards for 3 life.