Deck Building Tips for the Novice Magic: The Gathering Player
First thing that might help is that you start out building mono-color deck (single color). The reason for this is as a beginner you want to learn about playing the game and understanding card text and overall rules for the game. It is much easier to do this only having to worry about having the correct amount of mana to cast a spell or creature card. If you have more than one color in your deck that can make it hard for the beginner to understand and frustrating at the same time, which might discourage the new player.
The second thing that I would recommend is having no more than 60 cards in your deck. Too many cards in your deck can cause it take longer for cards that are I your deck to show up in your hand. I generally play with 20 land cards, 20 creature cards, and 20 other spell type cards (enchantments, instants, and sorceries).
The third thing would be spacing out your mana cost. Granted the best cards usually have a higher mana cost, but if you have a deck full of high casting cost cards then all your doing is waiting for your mana pool to build up to play those cards while your opponent wails on your life total. That's not to say don't put any good cards in your deck, just put cards with lower casting cost so that you may cast spells in your defense. Some of the best decks are called "weenie decks" because they are compiled of many 1-3 casting cost cards. This lets you get cards on the table so that you can strike early and build up your army of creatures quickly then overwhelm your opponent with a massive attack phase.
Another thing you might want to consider is to throw in some life gaining cards. Cards that replenish life lost from opponent attacks or direct damage spells. These types of cards can make all the difference in a game and surprise your opponent just when they thought they won.
These are just a few tips that I learned about deck building when I was a beginning player and had hard time learning these valuable lessons. The best tip that anyone could give to the beginner is to READ THE CARDS. Reading the card text is very important. Most of the time the cards explain what the text means and sometimes give you an example of how to play it. But, remember if your playing a game and don't understand something, just ask your opponent and they would be glad to help.
A great place to learn more tips and tricks and deck ideas is http://wizards.com/magic/welcome.asp?regionset=true and they have a telephone number that you can call for questions. That number is 1 800 324 6496.
I hope that I have helped a beginning player build a better deck and to become a better player.
Published by charles shiflett
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9 Comments
Post a CommentThis article is terrible. If you follow most these guidelines, you will get owned. For those are starting out here are some actual good rules:
1. The minimum size of a deck is 60, you can go over, but the price is a much less chance of pulling the card you want. The positive of going over sixty is that it gives your deck versatility. If your build a deck around a certain theme or with a certain strategy in mind, keep it close to sixty. If you have no idea what the deck might face, go a little over isn't so bad.
2. Start with an end game strategy. How do you propose to win? Are you going to have a horde of creatures that overwhelm your opponent? Are you going to deal direct/unblockable damage? Are you going to drive your opponent so crazy that they will have to concede? You need a strategy to win.
3. Figure out a defensive strategy. How are your going to stop your opponent from beating you? Most people forget this. Here's a classic example. Say you make a deck simply fire
Buy a starter deck, then mix and match from there.
fyi, juggalos suck ass.
hey i really love magic but i dont know how to build a good deck. i just throw cards togeather. i dont know what would go good with what.Can someone please help me.
ps my myspace e-mail is jjlh90@yahoo.com
i fogot to add this didnt mean to sound like a jerk i do that allot well anyway for you newbies along with what he wrote its not bad good pointers i still consider it more guidelines in the building process one tip i tell anyone who asks me to teach em how to play is always build a deck around a theme look through all your cards pull out every card (no matter how much of it you got) that do one thing ex: all merfolk,elves ... destroy all creatures, bounce ect. look at what you want your deck to do with those cards eliminate all that dont fit with that and add cards you think will help you get to the win condition then cut it down to 60 cards (every deck i own is 60 cards inless those cards past 60 has a purpose like milling and so on)
yea its ok to start it might give guidelines but nothin that will help a beginer build a deck that works what i mean lets say im a beginer i read this ok i grab my cards ok i pull out 20 land cards, 20 creature cards, and 20 other spell type cards (enchantments, instants, and sorceries). all i like the artwork,name sounds cool sounds like the abilities look interesting but not knowing that those 20 creatures are ok but do too many different things and are unfocused the 20 spells are similar nice artwork,but dont do nothin other then some random effect only thing that doesnt negative effect are the 20 lands
your article licks my balls
thanks for writing this i am a begginer so thanks it helps 5 stars yaaaa
Good article a great guide to learning magic.
Thank you for sharing your ideas on how to create a deck as a new MTG Player. This is very informative. This article contains great advice for the new and old players alike. Keep up the outstanding work!