• Klavs
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Topic: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Hi guys,

I have just started to get into playing Magic, have followed it for a while and watch the pros play etc, but never really had the funds/time to dive into it myself. I do now. I have bought a bunch of theros/nyx boosters, and my pool is rather limited at the moment compared to lots of other players. But I have put together a deck with the cards I currently have in my possession and just want some feedback as to whether it is viable or whatever.

I know how to play, but deckbuilding is very new to me so even if it sounds basic to you, it might not be to me so please, say whatever you think.

It's R/G aggro, with various ways to ramp my mana to drop my big guys as soon as possible. My aim is to stomp through before my opponent can do much about it. As I said, my card pool is pretty limited, and I am still on a budget so I can't afford to just go and drop 20 bucks on a couple of extra mana confluences or whatever on a whim. Budget suggestions would be nice, as well as general feedback on whether this would actually stand any chance, both in casual and at a friendly, not-too-competitive FNM.

Creatures
1x Akroan Crusader
2x Renowned Weaver
1x Satyr Hoplite
1x Sedge Scorpion
1x Eidolon of the Great Revel
3x Golden Hind
2x Voyaging Satyr
2x Minotaur Skullcleaver
2x Forgeborn Oreads
2x Centaur Battlemaster
2x Pheres-Band Thunderhoof
1x Humbler of Mortals

Instants

1x Magma Spray
2x Rouse the Mob
2x Titan's Strength
2x Solidarity of Heroes
1x Colossal Heroics

Sorceries

1x Twinflame
1x Flurry of Horns
1x Revel of the Fallen God

Enchantments

2x Font of Fertility
2x Nylea's Presence
2x Market Festival

Planeswalkers

1x Ajani, Mentor of Heroes

Lands

11x Forest
9x Mountain
2x Mana Confluence

Thanks for taking the time out to read this and give me your suggestions/comments. smile

Last edited by Klavs (2014-06-25 13:11:10)

Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

well the foil mana confluence isn't doing much for you by itself and it's worth $40.  Straight trade value could get you a set of  more than a few staples for the deck, plus the temples you have that are not in your colors you could pick up more. Even then I'd almost suggest just going mono green devotion and picking up the nykthos, and ramp that way.  Nylea isn't that much either, 4-5 bucks tops.  I think you should hedge towards that.   You might hang onto ajani though and possible consider GW aggro at some point.

There are a number of commons and uncommons that can help you.  A set of elvish mystic, voyaging satyr, Burning Tree Emissary kalonian tusker, disciple of nylea.  Arbor colossus is a powerful card that is only $.50, same for Reverent Hunter

Last edited by elpablo (2014-06-25 18:22:13)

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Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Thanks for the reply mate.

Yeah first pack I open I look at this foil mana confluence. I was shocked, haha. I've been thinking about getting rid of it and boosting up my collection, but it's hard to part with shinies. I should bite the bullet.

I have 2 Temple of Malady and a Temple of Silence that are currently sitting unused but I am not sure if I want to get rid of them, I'm not going to stay in green forever and want to keep my options open and they are strong cards.

I'll consider the monogreen approach, it's a good idea. smile

Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Realistically, many of the foil chase cards can net 2-3 of the non-foil version of the card.  Given your limited collection, it would probably be a better bet to trade the foil for the non-foil versions.  Mind you, the foils look really nice, but unless you're trying to trick out a deck, it doesn't make much sense to worry about having the foil version.

There was actually a fun article just the other day on mono green aggro deck the other day with Charging Badger and Aspect of Hydra (I think it was through tcg's articles).  As elpablo said, you can invest in some of the pieces for it for extra cheap - Swordwise Centaur, Kalonian Tusker, Reverent Hunter, Spire Tracer, Nylea, etc.

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Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Yeah I've decided to reluctantly part with the foil MC, even though it looks awesome. I am going to try to trade it for monogreen devotion cards and see what I can get out of it, and go down that path for my first semi-competitive deck. smile

What about Boon Satyr? I can see that being quite relevant here.

Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

boon satyr is a fine card, i think at the 3 spot though in green it contends with courser of kruphix which is a much better card.  Boon satyr is pretty cheap though if you go the aggro route and the flash is relevant.  Some cards to look out for would be...

nykthos
Boon satyr
scavenging ooze
arbor colossus
polukranos
nylea
sylvan caryatid
Garruk, caller
courser of kruphix
Mystcutter hydra
witchstalker

if you could splash red

Temple of abandon
xenagos, the reveler
domri
mizzium mortars
stormbreath
ruric thar
ghor-clan

Ty makes some good points, but personally, I'm against the somewhat gimmicky concepts that use aspect of the hydra/badger etc... I'd rather just have solid value oriented creatures like polukranos.  The value creatures give you more bang for you mana and usually trade up from your opponent.  Salt and pepper to your own taste though.

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Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Of course, Courser of Kruphix is a great card, but it's greatness is reflected in its price. I'd probably work them in over time.

Mistcutter Hydra seems a bit sideboard-ish to me?

Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

mystcutter is sideboard for sure, but a good card none the less and gives you a decided edge in the mono blue or control match up.  And it's not that expensive.  Remember an FNM/tournament deck is a 75 card deck.  You just don't get to include 15 the first game of the match.  In over half your games your sideboard will get to be included in your deck so it's good to have a strong one.  IE: what good is winning game 1 if you get crushed by opposing sideboards and don't have one to match?

Also having a sideboard plan helps a lot, even if it's just a rough one, knowing exactly what to take out and put in for a given match up.

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Re: [Standard] (Opinions; Budget) - Help with first deck

Very true. I guess I'm going to have to study what kind of builds I could be up against so I know exactly what kinda stuff to chuck in the sideboard.

This is all stuff that I'm going to have to learn, the sideboard has always seemed a bit of a mystery to me.