I don't think the proper word is "better" or "worse" than any other card.
keep in mind: with 2 mana available, you are able to either:
rampant growth to get a land from your deck tapped
or
explore, draw a card, forest, tap the forest for birds...
sure, you need to have 3 mana opening hand to solidify this opening move which isn't too hard, and it COULD screw your next turn over for a land drop, but think of long term mathematics: if a land card was 3 cards away, it's now 2 cards away. One can also argue that the shuffle of rampant growth will make the previous idea of pulling your land draws closer if you have gaps, but either way, your fishing a card out of the deck.
So, you can trade the stability of rampant growth for the additional open mana turn 2 thanks to explore leaving your mana untapped... neither are better. I'd shoot for the moon imo and go for the bonus mana ramp that explore can provide. and if I don't get mana to drop next turn, so be it. There will be games wher... (see all)
Posted By:
keikun332
(11/8/2010 6:11:44 AM)
Closer to Savor the Moment than Time Walk, really.
Posted By:
mutantman
(1/29/2010 3:47:38 PM)
The cantrip seals it.
Posted By:
mdakw576
(1/30/2010 2:42:47 AM)
This is an overrated card, in my experience. Decent, mind you, but overrated. I think it's great in the current format, particularly in the right decks, such as Turbo Land and Eldrazi Ramp. My friends and I like to play with cards from every available expansion, and this just doesn't stand up to something like Rampant Growth.
Posted By:
jetzine
(2/11/2011 11:45:53 AM)
Most of the time, this is better than the obvious comparison, Rampant Growth. If it's early game, Explore doesn't put the land into play tapped, so you can gain the benefit of the extra land immediately. Plus, Explore replaces itself, unlike Rampant Growth. Lategame, getting a land won't be as important, and Explore gives you a better chance of getting something you want. The only situation where I can imagine Rampant Growth being better is in Valakut decks, where players will probably want the consistency of getting a Mountain with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle in play. In general, Rampant Growth is preferable if you need a specific basic land. 90% of the time though, Explore is simply a better card.
P.S.: Explore is extremely flavorful, and the artwork is amazing.
Posted By:
dudecow
(1/29/2010 3:14:59 PM)
"What turn is it?"
"Two Explores."
Posted By:
lorendorky
(12/17/2011 2:29:21 AM)
This won me several games at the prerelease.
Posted By:
The_Legionary
(2/4/2010 6:32:21 PM)
Not quite time walk, but amazing nonetheless. I expect this to see heavy play.
Posted By:
Laguz
(1/29/2010 12:23:38 PM)
Needs an Oracle update:
You may play an additional land this turn.
If you cheated this turn, sacrifice $10,000. Draw a card.
Posted By:
SweetoothTKC
(12/19/2011 6:06:21 PM)
It is a useful card in almost any situation if you think about it. At worst, it cycles for 
. Because of this it won't be a dead card late game unlike most mana accelerators.
Posted By:
non1337
(11/14/2010 8:21:34 AM)