Topic: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

Hi everyone! I've been playing MTG casually for a little less than a year and have mostly built decks by throwing all the cards I think are "cool" together and hoping they work, which has been more miss than hit recently. I want to start putting more thought into my decks and I was hoping you guys could give me some tips.

Here is the deck that I am currently working on: http://deckbox.org/sets/322516

The goal of the deck is to get past the opponent's defenses with fliers and unblockable Latch Seekers. Early game kraken hatchlings and then hover barriers will be my defence while everything else attacks turn after turn to wear them down.

I have some Negates for coutering instants and the like and Pacifism/Oblivion Ring for removing threats and opening up the field for my attackers. I also have Sleep and Holy Mantle to help get my attackers to the player's life points. Other enchantments are in there to make my guys stronger and I even get a bit of life gain from Divine Favor.

I know it's not perfect. I'm unsure about having Cloudfin Raptor in there because if he's pulled late game he's almost useless. Aven squire also feels out of place as he's relatively weak and I don't think I'd be using the exalted ability much. I also think I might be trying to cover too many bases as I only have 2 of each of my non-creature spells.

Here's the catch: Me and my friends have a house rule forbidding us from buying specific cards unless we already got a copy from a booster pack. This helps to limit our decks so that someone with a lot of cash to burn can't just go out and buy a deck that would smoke the rest of us. It would take the fun out of the game.

So I can only use cards that I already own, though I can go buy more of them. Here's my inventory: http://deckbox.org/sets/177365

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated, and if my entire game plan sucks and I should start over feel free to tell me so tongue

Last edited by Janikole (2013-02-21 15:22:17)

Re: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

So a few questions for you:

1) I'm guessing this is for casual play?  The sorts of suggestions we can provide will be tempered by the level of competition you're running with.  For example, Serra Angel is the sort of card you would want to run casually, but would never see competitive constructed play (at least not past the year 2000).

2) Are you primarily playing 1-on-1 or multiplayer?  Normally you don't have to worry about simultaneously building offense/defense like you're doing here in 1-on-1 play.  You would be inclined then to remove the Kraken Hatchlings and Hover Barriers for some added offensive weapons.

3) To clarify, as long as you have 1x of a card in your inventory, you're in the clear to pick up more?

One you can answer these questions, with any luck we can offer some better input.

Re: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

One change I'll recommend right off the bat is replacing the Hover Barrier with Fog Bank, since Fog Bank doesn't take damage.  It's relatively cheap (<$1.50 each), so getting a playset should be pretty easy on the pocketbook (c. $6.00).

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Re: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

Thanks for the replys guys!

TyWoo:
1) Yes this is for casual play, I may one day enter some tournaments for fun but for now I just play with a few of my friends

2) I rarely play 1-on-1 games so defense is an issue for me

3) That's correct smile

HikingStick:
I totally agree that fog bank is better than hover barrier, however since I don't any copies of it already it would be breaking house rules for me to go and buy some sad

Re: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

Janikole wrote:

HikingStick:
I totally agree that fog bank is better than hover barrier, however since I don't any copies of it already it would be breaking house rules for me to go and buy some sad

If trading is okay, start one with me.  I have at least two I can trade you (it shows only one in my tradelist, but I can make two happen).  Sorry for not catching that house rule before.

Profile - Wishlist - Tradelist

Black and Blue--not just for bruises anymore.

Re: [Standard][Opinions] Deck critique for new deckbuilder

I'm not entirely comfortable trading cards over the internet but I thank you very much for the offer all the same. I will take your suggestion and ask around to see if any of my friends have a copy they would be willing to part with smile