I started playing magic as a casual n00b back in the 90's... then quit, rejoined during Darksteel, and started playing head first into the tournament scene. I quit playing T2 back when TS rotated in (because I hated the block) and have become 100% casual/limited again thanks to formats like EDH.
So here's a couple questions for you casual players who have had tournament experience.
1 - Every now and again I have the desire to build a T2 or Extended deck when a new set comes out because I like how the cards interact and want to experience the game play, but I have no intention to play constructed tournaments. Is there a point to building T2 or Extended decks and worry about using cards effecting format legality even though you don't plan on playing competitively? I see the value of having something to play with when someone asks "do you have a T2 deck," but if I'm just going to run up against T2 players who want serious testing... is there a point? Do you just warn those players ahead of time that your deck isn't as competitive?
2 - I have fond memories of decks I used to play in old T2 formats like Slide, Greater Gifts, and Martyr Proc... when new cards come out, do you find ways to add new things to the decks, or keep them around for nostalgia just the way they are (esp if you have no intention of tournament play)? I see cards every now and again that would be fun to add to an old deck of mine... but it feels weird! What do you guys do with your old "successful" decks?
I built my first ever T2 deck that I played in a T2 event at games day.
It was expensive, deck cost me $100 in cash and a lot of good rares I owned.
The deck is worthless in casual, wins every one on one game and is boring in multiplayer. It usually ends up being milled because I've drawn all 60 cards and not killed anyone/everyone but not died either.
I have an old T2 legal makeshift mannequin deck (from worlds 2007, minus damnation plus grim harvest). It's fantastic for multiplayer. I made a few changes like cut the conclaves for islands, added bottle gnomes, and got rid of the sideboard. Otherwise, I can't really change it, it feels weird.
I prefer formats like Vintage, Legacy, and EDH myself.
However I do try to make a T2 deck every few sets - and whenever I make a "good" T2 deck I will not take it apart.
I have found that type 2 decks from other blocks are usually balanced against newer type 2 decks.
If you are playing casual then it really doesn't matter as long as the decks are "balanced" against each other.
For instance, I still have my:
old blue green Madness
White, red, green Astro-Glide
Ravager Affinity
Red Green Beasts/land destruction (baloths, contested cliffs, ect.)
White Blue Zur's Weirding
UB Dralnu control
That's kind of what I figured. While I've taken some of my favorite decks apart, I always find myself wishing I had them back to play around with. Sure G/W Slide isn't very good anymore, but it's still fun to play.
I usually play all casual EDH and casual vintage etc but when I worked at the store i'd make semi decent T2 stuff. Not top tier stuff, but maybe second tier or replace the more expensive stuff with budget items, and use it to play new and less experienced players who would come in wanting to play. A weaker T2 deck is much more fair to someone playing with type II booster packs they ope nand fatpacks and theme decks and such than say, whipping out my budget survival/recur vintage deck.
I have a Lorwyn standard elves deck still built right now for a quick game when I don't want to whip out the vintage deck and smash face or get involved in an hours' long EDH exodus. Rav-TS was my favorite T2 format, and I personally like to build decks from that standard period for fun.
So really, I feel there's no reason to take apart any deck from any format if you enjoy playing it and I certainly keep working on improving mine all the time with new cards. Do what makes you feel good. ^^
1 - Every now and again I have the desire to build a T2 or Extended deck when a new set comes out because I like how the cards interact and want to experience the game play, but I have no intention to play constructed tournaments. Is there a point to building T2 or Extended decks and worry about using cards effecting format legality even though you don't plan on playing competitively? I see the value of having something to play with when someone asks "do you have a T2 deck," but if I'm just going to run up against T2 players who want serious testing... is there a point? Do you just warn those players ahead of time that your deck isn't as competitive?
I make plenty of casual decks that are not strictly T2, but still play with block themes. (Like, I have a Jund deck that's mostly stuff from Alara block but has some oddities like Insidious Bookworms). It's like you said— players who specifically ask to play T2 are usually looking to test against competative decks. If you're not looking to do the same, then I wouldn't worry about constraining yourself.
2 - I have fond memories of decks I used to play in old T2 formats like Slide, Greater Gifts, and Martyr Proc... when new cards come out, do you find ways to add new things to the decks, or keep them around for nostalgia just the way they are (esp if you have no intention of tournament play)? I see cards every now and again that would be fun to add to an old deck of mine... but it feels weird! What do you guys do with your old "successful" decks?
I'll usually continue to tinker with a deck for years after it's intially put together, sometimes adding cards from new sets that come out. Most of the decks eventually reach a "finalized" status, though, where I am happy with them as they are and I don't change them any more.
So here's a couple questions for you casual players who have had tournament experience.
1 - Every now and again I have the desire to build a T2 or Extended deck when a new set comes out because I like how the cards interact and want to experience the game play, but I have no intention to play constructed tournaments. Is there a point to building T2 or Extended decks and worry about using cards effecting format legality even though you don't plan on playing competitively? I see the value of having something to play with when someone asks "do you have a T2 deck," but if I'm just going to run up against T2 players who want serious testing... is there a point? Do you just warn those players ahead of time that your deck isn't as competitive?
2 - I have fond memories of decks I used to play in old T2 formats like Slide, Greater Gifts, and Martyr Proc... when new cards come out, do you find ways to add new things to the decks, or keep them around for nostalgia just the way they are (esp if you have no intention of tournament play)? I see cards every now and again that would be fun to add to an old deck of mine... but it feels weird! What do you guys do with your old "successful" decks?
It was expensive, deck cost me $100 in cash and a lot of good rares I owned.
The deck is worthless in casual, wins every one on one game and is boring in multiplayer. It usually ends up being milled because I've drawn all 60 cards and not killed anyone/everyone but not died either.
I have an old T2 legal makeshift mannequin deck (from worlds 2007, minus damnation plus grim harvest). It's fantastic for multiplayer. I made a few changes like cut the conclaves for islands, added bottle gnomes, and got rid of the sideboard. Otherwise, I can't really change it, it feels weird.
However I do try to make a T2 deck every few sets - and whenever I make a "good" T2 deck I will not take it apart.
I have found that type 2 decks from other blocks are usually balanced against newer type 2 decks.
If you are playing casual then it really doesn't matter as long as the decks are "balanced" against each other.
For instance, I still have my:
old blue green Madness
White, red, green Astro-Glide
Ravager Affinity
Red Green Beasts/land destruction (baloths, contested cliffs, ect.)
White Blue Zur's Weirding
UB Dralnu control
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I have a Lorwyn standard elves deck still built right now for a quick game when I don't want to whip out the vintage deck and smash face or get involved in an hours' long EDH exodus. Rav-TS was my favorite T2 format, and I personally like to build decks from that standard period for fun.
So really, I feel there's no reason to take apart any deck from any format if you enjoy playing it and I certainly keep working on improving mine all the time with new cards. Do what makes you feel good. ^^
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"In another life, in another dream,
By a different name,
Gave it all away for a memory and a quiet lie.
But I felt the face of a cold tonight,
Still don't know the score,
But I know the pain of leaving everything very far behind.
And if I could cry,
And if I could live,
What truth I did then take me there,
Heaven Goodbye."
-Heaven's Not Enough, by Steve Conte
I'll usually continue to tinker with a deck for years after it's intially put together, sometimes adding cards from new sets that come out. Most of the decks eventually reach a "finalized" status, though, where I am happy with them as they are and I don't change them any more.
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