Hello everybody, I'll go straight to the point before the introduction: is it important to play all archetypes (aggro, midrange, control) in oder to become a better player ?
I am relatively new to MTG as I started playing with Arena in January 2018. From the first day I played CCG's I was attracted to slow and defensive decks that seek to dominate the board and then launch the final attack. It follows that I did the same with Magic. After more than a year I have only played control and midrange, but mostly control. I don't think my matches with decks that can be considered aggro are more than 20. Since I like to grow and become a better player (without having any serious competitive aspirations of course) I have been wandering if I miss something for not playing all archetypes. Truth be told, I find the whole concept of aggro decks very boring but I am thinking that playing aggro every now and then would give me a broader view of the game and would make me an overall better player, even though all my serious decks are (and will always be) control and (slow) midrange. So, what do you think, based on your experience ?
Getting at least a basic competency with archetypes outside of your comfort zone will make you better at piloting decks IN your comfort zone, better at piloting AGAINST those other archetypes, and better at the game in general. It's worth having a broad AND intimate understanding of how different strategies operate, and different archetypes will force you to develop skills with parts of the game and its mechanics that you won't pay as much attention to in your comfort zone.
Thanks for the replies, that's what I was thinking as well. I guess I'll make me a mardu artistocrats, it's the only aggro deck I can think of that seems kind of interesting.
Thanks for the replies, that's what I was thinking as well. I guess I'll make me a mardu artistocrats, it's the only aggro deck I can think of that seems kind of interesting.
Have you actually asked yourself what it is about aggro that you find boring? There's always ways you can tweak things to make them more interesting. For instance, I'm not really a control guy, but I'm running Temur Reclamation in Arena. Mainly because Expansion//Explosion is enough of a fun one to make me want to hop in.
But yeah, like everyone else said, at least some level of familiarity with all deck archetypes is a bonus.
I would suggest a deep dive into the Gatherer with your favorite snack/drink at hand and just go down that rabbit hole of learning about the things that interest you. Reading the comments on the Gatherer, using the advanced search to find related keywords/archetypes will help you retain a lot of information regarding interactions - when it comes to the subjects that interest you. I find that being able to suspend more interactions into my memory informs my decisions in-game and when I build decks - and that makes me a better player.
Being able to brew my own decks - and my continued refusal to netdeck whatsoever have inspired continual growth in Magic through the necessary requirement to learn MORE. This approach means that for the 20 years I've been playing, I've never gotten bored of the game either. It is a long-term approach to find continued enrichment from this game.
I wouldn't say that you must own/pilot decks of every archetype to become better because getting whooped by them can be just as valuable a learning experience too.
Failure is sometimes just as important as success when it comes to learning new things - it's at least sign that you are trying. GL!
as someone who would try and force control decks for the longest time, I feel that trying to learn different archetypes has really helped me. It really helped me understand how other types of decks worked and even being able to get an idea what people would be showing that they have without actually seeing
Believe it or not, despite playing control for years I didn't really start doing well until I played more midrangedecks
Have you actually asked yourself what it is about aggro that you find boring? There's always ways you can tweak things to make them more interesting. For instance, I'm not really a control guy, but I'm running Temur Reclamation in Arena. Mainly because Expansion//Explosion is enough of a fun one to make me want to hop in.
But yeah, like everyone else said, at least some level of familiarity with all deck archetypes is a bonus.
To me aggro decks go against the game itself by finishing it before it even unfolds. But I'm the same with any strategy/board game, I like to fight for dominance rather than race to the finish.
as someone who would try and force control decks for the longest time, I feel that trying to learn different archetypes has really helped me. It really helped me understand how other types of decks worked and even being able to get an idea what people would be showing that they have without actually seeing
Believe it or not, despite playing control for years I didn't really start doing well until I played more midrangedecks
I do play both control and midrange though, it's just aggro that I haven't touched, but the Mardu Aristocrats that I made is being proven to be more midrange than I thought
Being able to brew my own decks - and my continued refusal to netdeck whatsoever have inspired continual growth in Magic through the necessary requirement to learn MORE. This approach means that for the 20 years I've been playing, I've never gotten bored of the game either. It is a long-term approach to find continued enrichment from this game.
Almost all seasoned players I've heard talking about this subject say it's better for new players to netdeck rather than make their own because that's the way they learn what works. For a year I would only play stuff of my own and only now have I started copying decks from others. Making my own decks has helped me a lot, but I don't know where would I be if I had done the opposite (first netdecking and then brewing). I think both help. That being said, the only deck I've copied 100% without changing a card is Ikawa's Esper Control.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I am relatively new to MTG as I started playing with Arena in January 2018. From the first day I played CCG's I was attracted to slow and defensive decks that seek to dominate the board and then launch the final attack. It follows that I did the same with Magic. After more than a year I have only played control and midrange, but mostly control. I don't think my matches with decks that can be considered aggro are more than 20. Since I like to grow and become a better player (without having any serious competitive aspirations of course) I have been wandering if I miss something for not playing all archetypes. Truth be told, I find the whole concept of aggro decks very boring but I am thinking that playing aggro every now and then would give me a broader view of the game and would make me an overall better player, even though all my serious decks are (and will always be) control and (slow) midrange. So, what do you think, based on your experience ?
Thanks
Getting at least a basic competency with archetypes outside of your comfort zone will make you better at piloting decks IN your comfort zone, better at piloting AGAINST those other archetypes, and better at the game in general. It's worth having a broad AND intimate understanding of how different strategies operate, and different archetypes will force you to develop skills with parts of the game and its mechanics that you won't pay as much attention to in your comfort zone.
Most Used (of many dozens) EDH Decks:
Brago, King Eternal - Stax
Grenzo, Dungeon Warden - Aggro Combo
Wort, the Raidmother - Spellslinger Swarm Control
Animar, Soul of Elements - Tempo Combo
Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder - Spellslinger
Exodia the Forbidden One:
Oona, Queen of the Fae - Combowins.dec
Nothing teaches you of the weaknesses and strengths of a deck than knowing how to play it yourself.
"Sometimes, the situation is outracing a threat, sometimes it's ignoring it, and sometimes it involves sideboarding in 4x Hope//Pray." --Doug Linn
Have you actually asked yourself what it is about aggro that you find boring? There's always ways you can tweak things to make them more interesting. For instance, I'm not really a control guy, but I'm running Temur Reclamation in Arena. Mainly because Expansion//Explosion is enough of a fun one to make me want to hop in.
But yeah, like everyone else said, at least some level of familiarity with all deck archetypes is a bonus.
Being able to brew my own decks - and my continued refusal to netdeck whatsoever have inspired continual growth in Magic through the necessary requirement to learn MORE. This approach means that for the 20 years I've been playing, I've never gotten bored of the game either. It is a long-term approach to find continued enrichment from this game.
I wouldn't say that you must own/pilot decks of every archetype to become better because getting whooped by them can be just as valuable a learning experience too.
Failure is sometimes just as important as success when it comes to learning new things - it's at least sign that you are trying. GL!
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
Believe it or not, despite playing control for years I didn't really start doing well until I played more midrangedecks
To me aggro decks go against the game itself by finishing it before it even unfolds. But I'm the same with any strategy/board game, I like to fight for dominance rather than race to the finish.
I do play both control and midrange though, it's just aggro that I haven't touched, but the Mardu Aristocrats that I made is being proven to be more midrange than I thought
Almost all seasoned players I've heard talking about this subject say it's better for new players to netdeck rather than make their own because that's the way they learn what works. For a year I would only play stuff of my own and only now have I started copying decks from others. Making my own decks has helped me a lot, but I don't know where would I be if I had done the opposite (first netdecking and then brewing). I think both help. That being said, the only deck I've copied 100% without changing a card is Ikawa's Esper Control.