In the expansive multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, strange things happen when cards with bizarre interactions collide. One phrase that has become both a meme and a moment of surprise among players is All nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry. It’s the kind of line that echoes around gaming tables, playfully pointing out an absurd board state caused by a very real and very powerful card interaction. This scenario isn’t just a joke it actually emerges from real card effects in the game, and the implications can be both hilarious and strategically devastating. Understanding how and why all nonbasic lands can become Mountains opens a window into the game’s complex layer system, rules interactions, and player psychology.
The Origin of the Phrase
Although it sounds like an inside joke and in many ways, it is the phrase All nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry likely stems from a particular type of Magic card interaction involving land transformation. Cards likeBlood Moon,Magus of the Moon, or other similar red enchantments and creatures are known to alter the game state dramatically by turning nonbasic lands into basic Mountains.
Cards Behind the Statement
- Blood Moon: A red enchantment that causes all nonbasic lands to lose their abilities and become Mountains.
- Magus of the Moon: A creature version of Blood Moon that has the same static effect on nonbasic lands.
- Alpine Moon: Targets a single nonbasic land and removes all abilities from it while giving it all land types.
These cards are staples in red-heavy strategies that aim to disrupt opponents by neutralizing powerful land-based effects. In many formats, including Modern and Legacy, Blood Moon is considered a meta-shaping card that forces deck builders to think twice about running too many nonbasic lands.
Understanding Land Types and Nonbasic Lands
To grasp the full impact of this effect, it’s important to understand the difference between basic and nonbasic lands. Basic lands like Plains, Islands, Swamps, Mountains, and Forests are the foundational sources of mana and are not affected by most land-hate cards. Nonbasic lands, on the other hand, include lands that have additional abilities or mana versatility, often used to optimize multi-colored decks.
Why Nonbasic Lands Matter
- Mana fixing: Nonbasic lands often produce multiple colors of mana, making them essential in multi-colored decks.
- Utility effects: Some nonbasic lands have activated abilities that allow them to draw cards, destroy creatures, or offer other game-changing options.
- Strategy enablers: Decks in Legacy or Commander formats may revolve around specific lands likeGaea’s CradleorField of the Dead.
When a Blood Moon effect hits the battlefield, all those special lands suddenly lose their charm. They become plain old Mountains, producing only red mana and offering no additional utility. For many decks, this is the equivalent of a digital shutdown especially for players who rely on precise mana balancing or powerful land combos.
Jerry and the Meme Factor
So who’s Jerry? While there’s no official lore behind the phrase, it often plays out like a comedy routine at the table. One player calmly drops a Blood Moon and says, All nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry, as if explaining something obvious to someone who is suddenly panicking. The name Jerry becomes a placeholder for the bewildered opponent who just saw their entire manabase collapse.
Why the Line Caught On
The phrase took off because it captures the combination of absurdity and helplessness that players experience in the face of land destruction or manipulation. It’s a form of Magic: The Gathering comedy a mix of rules lawyering, dry humor, and genuine strategic insight. And like many memes, it distills a complex game state into a single, repeatable phrase that players across formats understand instantly.
Strategic Use of Blood Moon Effects
Players who include cards like Blood Moon in their decks are making a clear metagame decision. It’s often used as a sideboard or mainboard card in red decks that want to punish greedy mana bases or slow combo strategies. Here’s why it’s so effective:
Disruption Value
Turning off your opponent’s access to blue or green mana can shut down counterspells, ramp, and key combos. Against three- or four-color decks, Blood Moon can delay their game plan by several turns or even lock them out entirely.
Synergy with Mono-Red
Blood Moon has little downside in a mono-red deck that uses basic Mountains. It’s a one-sided land lockdown that allows red players to continue functioning at full strength while their opponents scramble to adjust.
Early Turn Play
If played on turn two or three, Blood Moon can be devastating. Many decks keep opening hands that rely on specific nonbasic lands for early mana fixing. A sudden shift to Mountains renders those lands nearly useless.
Counterplay and Responses
Of course, no Magic strategy is without counters. If you’re facing an environment where Blood Moon or Magus of the Moon is common, there are several ways to protect your nonbasic lands or recover from their transformation.
Ways to Resist the Mountain Takeover
- Play more basics: Include basic lands in your mana base to reduce the risk of being shut down by Blood Moon.
- Land fetch effects: Cards likeFarseekorNature’s Lorethat search for basics can help maintain color access.
- Enchantments and removal: Destroying Blood Moon directly or bouncing it with spells likeDisenchantorBounceeffects can restore land functionality.
- Mana rocks: Artifact mana sources are unaffected by land transformation and can provide much-needed flexibility in mana production.
Commander and Casual Play
In Commander, the impact of a Blood Moon can vary depending on the table. While some casual groups frown upon it as too oppressive, others see it as a fair and strategic move especially in high-powered metas. If a deck leans heavily on powerful lands likeUrborg, Tomb of YawgmothorMaze’s End, a well-timed Blood Moon can flip the game’s balance.
Social Agreement
Because Commander is a social format, players often agree on the tone of the game before starting. In a competitive group, no one will bat an eye at a Magus of the Moon. But in a relaxed setting, uttering All nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry might earn a few groans before everyone bursts out laughing.
The Power and Humor of a Mountain-Filled World
All nonbasic lands are Mountains, Jerry is more than just a meme it’s a moment that captures the spirit of Magic: The Gathering. It represents the unexpected twists that make the game thrilling, the strategic depth that challenges even veteran players, and the community-driven humor that makes every session memorable. Whether you’re the one casting Blood Moon or the one watching your playmat turn red, the phrase serves as a reminder that Magic is a game of surprises, adaptability, and, yes, sometimes a whole lot of Mountains.