Land destruction is one of the most controversial mechanics in Magic: The Gathering, but when paired with the right enabler, it can become a game-defining strategy. Enter Steward of the Harvest, a card that allows creatures to inherit land abilities, and Strip Mine, one of the most infamous land destruction tools in the game. Together, they form a devastating combo that can lock down opponents.
So, let’s say you’ve got both cards on the table; how does the combo work? It’s actually pretty straightforward:
- Steward of the Harvest grants creatures the ability to inherit land abilities.
- Strip Mine has the ability: Tap, Sacrifice Strip Mine: Destroy target land.
- By giving creatures the ability of Strip Mine, you can sacrifice them to repeatedly destroy opponents’ lands, effectively cutting off their mana resources.
Okay, so we understand how this is done, but why Is This Combo So Powerful?
- Repeatable Land Destruction: Strip Mine, like Ghost Quarter, is a one-use land destruction ability. This combo lets you turn creatures into Strip Mines, allowing repeated uses and making it difficult for opponents to recover.
- Synergy with Graveyard Strategies: If you’re running recursion effects like Phyrexian Reclamation or Eternal Witness, you can keep bringing back sacrificed creatures for endless land destruction.
- Even greater synergy with tokens: If you’re running a token-heavy deck, perhaps with a commander like Cadira or Shroofus – or just any number of token-generating cards – giving all your many, many token this ability is deadly.
- Control Through Resource Denial: Many decks rely on ramp and mana development. This combo can just shut down explosive plays before they happen.
Now, we can’t discuss this combi without engaging, of course, in the eternal, ethical debate: Is Land Destruction Too Oppressive? It’s discussed at every casual table where it appears. Some players argue that it’s a legitimate strategy, while others feel it creates unfun and frustrating gameplay. The Steward of the Harvest and Strip Mine combo amplifies this debate, as it allows for repeatable land destruction rather than one-time effects.
Now, there are plenty of arguments for not using land destruction. It’s a quick way to really annoy people. It also fundamentally prevents opponents from playing the game; unlike counterspells or removal, land destruction can leave opponents completely helpless. It’s also frowned upon in casual play; many Commander groups have an unspoken (or sometimes aggressively rule against excessive land destruction.
On the other hand, some would argue that land destruction is a valid control strategy; just like counterspells, land destruction is a way to disrupt opponents’ plans. What is one meant to do, after all; let their opponent do the thing? It also punishes greedy mana bases; meaning that decks that rely on few lands and heavy ramp can be especially vulnerable to land destruction.
If you’re facing Steward of the Harvest + Strip Mine, consider these countermeasures when trying to play around them:
- Graveyard Hate: Cards like Rest in Peace, Bojuka Bog, or Leyline of the Void prevent recursion, if that’s what your opponent is relying on.
- Indestructible Lands: Darksteel Citadel and the Modern Horizons 2 bridges, like Slagwoods Bridge or Goldmire Bridge, can survive Strip Mine’s effect, but only to a limited extent; you’re not going to have a fully indestructible mana base.
- Mana Rocks and Ramp: Using artifacts like Sol Ring or Arcane Signet ensures you still have mana even if your lands are destroyed. Of course, these have drawbacks of their own, and there’s plenty of artifact destruction out there that’s a lot more socially acceptable than land destruction.
The Steward of the Harvest and Strip Mine combo is a ruthless tool for controlling the battlefield. Whether you embrace it as a strategic powerhouse or avoid it due to its oppressive nature, there’s no denying its impact on the game, or on your interpersonal relationships. This is also not the only effective combo that can be created with Steward of the Harvest. Imagine how cool it would be to link it up with Gaea’s Cradle…
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