Island

Description

The Mercadian Masques expansion, released in 1999, remains a foundational block for Magic: The Gathering collectors. Within this set, card number 338 represents one of the most critical components for any deck builder: the basic land Island. As a Basic Land card, this card provides the Blue mana necessary to cast spells in the game. The specific version listed here is the foil variant, which adds a distinct sheen to the card surface compared to the standard non-foil prints. Basic lands like this Island are often overlooked in the secondary market because they are printed in massive quantities. However, the foil versions from older sets like Mercadian Masques hold a unique appeal for completists. Collectors who aim to complete the entire Mercadian Masques checklist often seek out the foil versions of basic lands to ensure their collection is fully represented. The presence of the artist Tony Szczudlo on the card highlights the artistic direction of the set during this era of the game. For players, this card functions as a fundamental resource generator. The card allows the player to add one Blue mana to their pool when tapped. While the gameplay function is straightforward, the collectible value lies in its status as a piece of Magic history. Owning the foil Island from this set is a practical addition to any Magic: The Gathering collection, bridging the gap between gameplay utility and catalog completeness.