I went through each of the 40 maps in the game and collected data regarding the number and type of squares in each map. I then compiled the data into a spreadsheet, to make it easy to see at a glance the general “character” of a map. You can download the Excel spreadsheet here. On a separate worksheet, there is some additional derived data, from which I will make several observations below.

Note: If you wish to reproduce or rehost this spreadsheet or other content, you MUST obtain permission from me before doing so. Thanks.

Most Maps Are Balanced for All Elements

With the exception of the elemental maps (Melkizekiah, Phoenixion, Blumeer, and Batuan), almost all other maps have an equal distribution of red, green, blue, and yellow lands. The other exceptions are Cravonia (where yellow and blue lands each account for ~19% of squares, and red and green only ~14% each), and Arrow (where there is one additional green and blue square compared to red and yellow).

In other words, most of the time you don’t need to worry about your deck being at an unfair advantage solely because of land elements.

There Are Six Neutral-Heavy Maps

Alcyon (29%), Alcyon II (32%), Dinar Mountains (22%), Basisk (60%), Vaulting Horse (31%), and Windmill (38%) are all maps where neutral squares are the most prevalent. Decks with neutral creatures, or those that will produce enough cash to convert lands should be better for these maps.

Special Squares Are Predominant

That’s right — on most (70%) of the maps included in the game, the highest percentage of squares are special ones. By special, I mean castles, forts, shrines, warps, temples, etc.

65% of Maps Support Symbol Decks

Don’t bring your symbol deck if there isn’t a temple around, because you’ll be in serious trouble.

Beware Neutral and Multi-Element Heavy Maps

Many maps late in the single-player campaign are relatively light on normal and morphable lands (totaling 50% or lower), and relatively heavy on neutral and multi-element lands (>20%). These maps will cost you more money to build up your land chains, as you’ll likely need to convert more neutral and multi-element lands to your preferred color.

Your Usage of Haste and Slow May Be Map-Dependent

Because maps have different maximum die rolls, you may want to alter your usage of the Haste, Slow, and other die-control cards. On maps that have a high maximum roll (with the highest being 10), using Haste on yourself will be less effective than using it on a map where the maximum die roll is 6. The flip side of this is that casting Slow on opponents in this situation is more effective than normal.

Additional Trivia

The map with the fewest squares is, naturally, Santana Village, the first level in the game. Three maps have a whopping 81 squares: Altar of Light, Altar of Darkness, and Illusia. Eusia, Stairway to the Gods, and Miniature Garden have 80 squares.

There are six maps with two castles, and two maps with five forts. Bridges are only seen on three maps, and only two maps contain map change switches.