[Standard] How do build my first deck?

I thought they were legal in Standard (if the cards are printed in Standard).

I like black and red usually. But looking at a first glance to my cards looks like blue / white (especially multi color) are predominant.
As play style I prefer aggro more than control.

for standard you need to obtain multiples of cards to have a consistent deck.  Take the list below from the article linked on TCG player.  The author of the article does a good job explaining the cards.  A friend and I tested it and it works pretty good.  You want the hasty creatures to enable tajic.  We used a couple assemble the legion to sub for a couple hellkites. Worked out okay.

I think you could get most of the way there with some of your trade stuff + a little cash.  I know you said you don't want to buy singles, but it's really the most cost effective way to get what you want.  Buying packs is too random, you might get trade stuff, but for that 4 bucks you can guarantee the card you want, or multiple cards.  Remember that building a deck doesn't have to be a sprint.  The cards in standard aren't changing for a few months so you can acquire them as you get time. 

http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=11146

2 Aurelia, the Warleader
4 Boros Reckoner
3 Hellrider
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Silverblade Paladin
3 Tajic, Blade of the Legion
4 Thundermaw Hellkite

3 Boros Charm
4 Legion's Initiative
1 Oblivion Ring
4 Searing Spear

4 Clifftop Retreat
8 Mountain
6 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
2 Slayers' Stronghold

building your first standard deck is a goal to work towards.  I Just started when RTR came out.  I played previously, but wanted to get back into standard.  I chose Jund for my first deck.  A very expensive deck. No one starts out with all the cards they want/need.

I now have a fully functional tournament ready deck.  I traded, bought a few cards when I could, but mainly it was just about being persistent in what I wanted to work towards.

You have stuff you can trade.  Find a deck you like... and start working towards it.  Don't let prices become an obstacle.  Be persistent and make sure you make fair trades.  Don't let someone trade a $20 card from you for 10 $dollar cards.  It will work out in the end I promise

Looks better IMO.  Still needs more multiples of cards to be consistent, but it's a work in progress, right?  have no idea why it's not showing up as standard. 

My next statement depends heavily on what kind of players you have in your area. 

In my experience going to a game-day or a FNM with anything less than a top tier deck or some of the wall tier 2 deck is usually going to make for a long night with frustrating matches.  That doesn't mean you can't go to play and have as much fun as possible.  Like any game or sport if you don't play you don't' get better.  I suggest going to game day and keep an open mind.   I might even save my money if I were you and just talk to the other players, watch the matches, and play some casual games.   Show up early and ask the players about the meta and see what they say about your deck and your chances at the tournament.  Nothing more frustrating that putting 15 bucks in the pot if you're not going to see any return on it.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to discourage you, new players are magics best resource, but I want you to have realistic expectations.  Competitive magic can be a rewarding experience, but if try to enter the arena before your ready you'll end up getting frustrated and you might even quite playing. Losing a player that's obviously interested in the game and trying to improve themselves and their play would be unfortunate for everyone.

Last edited by elpablo (2013-05-10 13:29:53)

Also, don't forget about limited events.  Sealed or draft tournaments help you expand your collection while still playing magic in a slightly competitive environment.  The strategies are different but the format is balanced and everyone is on an even playing field. 

ask your local store(s) about drafts.

good luck to you then and I hope you win your match

Honestly, I would trade the Voice of Resurgence.  It's worth a whole lot right now, that might not last.

I use this analogy a lot when explaining splashing colors to people.  Imagine your red/white deck is a chocolate chip cookie recipe.  You can add walnuts (green cards) to give it a different flavor but if you add one walnut what are the chances you'll get the cookie with the one walnut in it?   To go a bit further you don't want to make a oatmeal, raisin, chocolate chip, peanut butter, walnut, pecan, dark chocolate, sugar cookies either.  That's too much and it might just make you sick.

Like drgolovacroxby said, trade it for the cards you need.  Hanging on to one card isn't going to help you when you can get a set of something else.  Lands are a good investment to make.   Try to trade value for value.  Voice is still a $30 card.  That's 3 sacred foundry's or a set of hellriders plus value.  Voice of resurgence goes in a completely different style of deck. Same thing goes for some of the other cards in your inventory. There's lots of cards you can unload to build one solid deck.  Sorin, temple garden, godless shrine, deadbridge chant... someone will want these cards.  Trade them and get the things you need.

You should really also decide on a deck-list to build.  There's the one I posted early, that works well.  There's red/white (boros) aggro, Red aggro (RDW).  These decks are all different and will take you a while to build so you need to work towards one of them.

Last edited by elpablo (2013-05-13 20:23:39)