In the world of Magic: The Gathering, few phrases have echoed as loudly through the community as Nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry. This seemingly simple sentence has become a defining moment in Magic history, capturing both the power of game mechanics and the iconic nature of competitive play. It’s more than just a quote it’s a lesson in rules interaction, a meme, and a battle cry for red mages everywhere. To fully appreciate its meaning, we need to look deeper into the cards, the context, and the culture that gave rise to this unforgettable Magic moment.
The Origin of Nonbasic Lands Are Mountains, Jerry
The quote comes from a famous exchange between Magic: The Gathering pros during a game that involved the powerful enchantmentBlood Moon. The player, frustrated with how the game state changed due to the enchantment, argued against the outcome. In response, the explanation was repeated with growing intensity: Nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry!
Blood Moon and Its Effect
At the heart of this iconic quote lies the cardBlood Moon, an enchantment that reads:
- Mana Cost: 2R (Two colorless, one red)
- Card Type: Enchantment
- Text: Nonbasic lands are Mountains.
What this means in the context of Magic’s rules is that all lands that are not one of the five basic land types Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, or Forest lose their abilities and become Mountains. This effect is incredibly disruptive, especially in formats where decks rely heavily on nonbasic lands for mana fixing or special abilities. Blood Moon turns off utility lands, manlands, shock lands, fetch lands, and more, rendering many decks almost unplayable if they aren’t prepared for it.
The Rule Behind the Meme
The phrase’s popularity stems not just from the card’s power but also from the rules confusion it causes. Magic’s comprehensive rules state that when an effect changes a land’s type, it removes all other types and abilities unless otherwise stated. So under Blood Moon, a land likeWatery Grave(a nonbasic dual land) simply becomes a Mountain it no longer taps for blue or black mana and loses any additional abilities it might have had. This can be devastating in the middle of a game.
Layer System in Magic
To understand why Nonbasic lands are Mountains is such a critical ruling, we need to touch on the layer system Magic uses to handle continuous effects. Blood Moon operates inLayer 4, the layer that handles type-changing effects. This means it sets the land’s type to Mountain before any abilities or text from other cards would be considered. That’s why nonbasic lands lose their original abilities they’ve been overwritten at a fundamental layer of the rules.
Why It Resonates with the MTG Community
The quote didn’t just spread because of its gameplay implications it became a rallying cry for red players, a meme that symbolizes the chaos and control that a single enchantment can bring to a battlefield. Red, often underestimated for its aggression and simplicity, finds validation in Blood Moon. It’s a card that flips complex strategies on their heads and forces opponents to play fair.
A Moment of Clarity or Frustration
The expression Nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry was reportedly shouted in a fit of rule enforcement. A player was trying to use their nonbasic lands for their normal purposes, unaware (or in denial) that Blood Moon had changed the game state. The other player, likely exasperated, repeated the rule in an effort to clarify and that’s how a legendary moment was born. It’s now part of Magic lore.
Decks That Thrive With Blood Moon
Blood Moon isn’t just a rule-bender it’s a win condition in certain decks. These archetypes are often built around the idea of exploiting greedy mana bases or fragile land setups. Here are some examples of decks where the card shines:
- Mono-Red Prison (Legacy/Modern): Uses Blood Moon and other taxing cards to shut down opponents while beating down with Goblin Rabblemaster or Chandra.
- Ponza (Modern): A land destruction deck that pairs Blood Moon with cards like Stone Rain and Pillage to cripple the opponent’s resources.
- Skred Red (Modern): A midrange control deck that uses red removal and Blood Moon to dominate the board.
In each of these cases, Blood Moon turns otherwise fair games into chaotic puzzles for opponents, forcing them to rethink their mana strategies entirely.
How to Play Around Blood Moon
Because Blood Moon can be such a devastating sideboard or main-deck threat, experienced players have learned to prepare for it in a variety of ways. Here are a few strategies for mitigating its impact:
Include Basic Lands
Decks that rely heavily on dual lands or fetch lands should consider including a higher count of basic lands. Fetching a basic Forest instead of a nonbasic ensures you can still cast your green spells under Blood Moon.
Mana Dorks and Artifacts
Creatures that produce mana, like Birds of Paradise or Noble Hierarch, remain unaffected by Blood Moon. Similarly, mana rocks like Arcane Signet or Chromatic Lantern can help smooth out your mana under Moon effects.
Counterspells or Disenchant Effects
In blue or white decks, you can counter Blood Moon as it enters the battlefield or remove it with enchantment destruction once it’s in play. Cards like Force of Will, Counterspell, or Wear // Tear are great options.
The Legacy of the Quote
Nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry lives on not just as a gameplay reminder but as part of the culture surrounding Magic: The Gathering. It has been referenced in memes, YouTube videos, Twitch streams, and even on custom playmats and T-shirts. The moment embodies a unique intersection of humor, frustration, and mechanics mastery.
A Teaching Moment
Many Magic judges and tournament officials use the quote to explain complicated interactions involving type-changing effects. It helps new players understand that the game isn’t just about powerful cards it’s about the rules that shape how those cards behave. This iconic line serves as a fun but firm reminder that understanding the layers and timing in Magic can be the difference between winning and losing.
Nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry may have started as a heated moment during a game, but it has since evolved into a legendary phrase that captures the spirit of competitive Magic: The Gathering. It’s a meme, a rule explanation, and a red player’s declaration of dominance all rolled into one. Behind those five words lies a deep understanding of one of the game’s most powerful cards: Blood Moon. Whether you laugh when you hear it or cringe at the memory of being locked out of a game, there’s no denying its place in Magic history. So next time you see a Blood Moon hit the board, just remember nonbasic lands really are Mountains, Jerry.