So in a conquest to play against multiple friend groups in numerous kitchen table casual games, I am designing a deck that can withstand tough competitors and fringe decks alike.
I would like to say first: I have a huge cohort of friends who play: most friends typically have around 75% power level decks when it comes to casual gameplay (ranging across all formats), some having more more or less experience in the game.
I'm a veteran; I've been playing since Invasion, and have been an avid deckbuilder, limited player, and EDH player for quite awhile.
My goal is to design a 60 card deck that is both strong and casual at the same time, within a single player and a multiplayer environment. It sounds like I am asking for a lot, right? Well, most of my friends are not playing in co.petitive tournaments, and don't have the access to super expensive cards. Yet, some do. Usually, those players will throw themselves into multiplayer games just to see how they do. Most of us play commander, but many of us have 60 card decks that are untouched due to our love for EDH.
All of this aside, I would like to build a casual MTG deck that can essentially tackle anything that is thrown at me in either a multiplayer or single player casual game of classic kitchen table magic.
In all honestly, I am NOT trying to be the Spike player at the table trying to win every game. What I am trying to do is make a deck that can handle multiple fronts of weird kitchen table casual shenanigans and hang in there for the long run, and pose a threat to winning the game. Instead of winning, my enjoyment comes from exciting plays and intriguing politics.
So far, I've essentially come down to a few ideas:
- I want a control deck. (This is because control decks tend to have the ability to deal with multiple threats, and have the most answers to things that are represented in the game.)
- I have decided to play something like Seasons Past, Clear the Mind, etc. (I feel like recursion is a great way to exist in a multiplayer game; my favorite colors are black and green, and also it adds inevitability to a game.)
- I don't want to dominate multiplaywr games, but I do want to be a threat that grows in silence and can be semi political (without being "Group Hug"). For example, if one player is running the table, I'd like the ability to boardwipe to gain political favor, etc. Obviously this only works until suddenly they realize I am the real threat, but I will be equipped for that when the time comes
Overall, I need some good deck and card suggestions that help me accomplish this. I am trying to keep this budget friendly because we are talking casual here, but I would be willing to shell out some money for essential cards to make a deck that works.
Thanks in advance and I hope this helps others identify some strong casual decks!
its not what you asked for exactly & its certainly not optimized, but its rather fun. guess i should clarify, that its built for our "format", which is 60 card constructed multiplayer or heads up, anything thats banned or restricted in ANY format cant be played.
Green Black Grave Pact decks work well too. Most effective strategy is generally a liner combo deck like Splinter Twin though. Then you're not worried about anyone else.
Although, if you're not trying to dominate.. WG with low end wipes/ramp into high end threats is generally a good direction to go that's effective.
we play 60 card constructed decks, that can be used heads up or in free for all games w/ no sideboards & any card thats banned or restricted in ANY format, cant be used. this also includes Elvish Spirit Guide & the enemy fetches since they wouldnt be legal if they were printed in a edition that was modern or pioneer legal.
Yeah, we dont have the patience to keep track of all the banned/restricted lists. If they printed it, it's legal. We call it gentalmans casual, don't play it if you dont want it played. Since I have 40+ decks, most people are playing off my deck boxes anyway so everything is good.
while i love the idea of gentleman's casual, i play w/ multiple groups of varying play styles & attitudes. some of the folks wouldnt have a problem playing rack/balance against folks all day, while others wouldnt be happy w/ that, + some folks like playing multiplayer, while others dont, so i needed something that could check all the boxes & that "list", if you will, puts some sort of limit on how crazy ppl can get; not too much though b/c i've built a storm deck that could win turn 3 or 4, along w/ a very modern capable living end deck
Can I recommend a birthing pod deck? It's control that interacts at sorcery speed, and you can focus on creatures that have targeted removal or card advantage built in. I would avoid global effects in general and focus on the recursion aspects to keep advantage up. Woodfall primus, Ravenous Chupacabra, and Black Cat can give a nice package to keep the stronger enemies under control without knocking the weaker ones out of the game entirely.
I have a Blue/Black Mill deck currently, bit my biggest problem is board stay. I'm thinking about intertwining zombie tokens into my mill deck, I just want to learn the best way to go about it.
I would like to say first: I have a huge cohort of friends who play: most friends typically have around 75% power level decks when it comes to casual gameplay (ranging across all formats), some having more more or less experience in the game.
I'm a veteran; I've been playing since Invasion, and have been an avid deckbuilder, limited player, and EDH player for quite awhile.
My goal is to design a 60 card deck that is both strong and casual at the same time, within a single player and a multiplayer environment. It sounds like I am asking for a lot, right? Well, most of my friends are not playing in co.petitive tournaments, and don't have the access to super expensive cards. Yet, some do. Usually, those players will throw themselves into multiplayer games just to see how they do. Most of us play commander, but many of us have 60 card decks that are untouched due to our love for EDH.
All of this aside, I would like to build a casual MTG deck that can essentially tackle anything that is thrown at me in either a multiplayer or single player casual game of classic kitchen table magic.
In all honestly, I am NOT trying to be the Spike player at the table trying to win every game. What I am trying to do is make a deck that can handle multiple fronts of weird kitchen table casual shenanigans and hang in there for the long run, and pose a threat to winning the game. Instead of winning, my enjoyment comes from exciting plays and intriguing politics.
So far, I've essentially come down to a few ideas:
- I want a control deck. (This is because control decks tend to have the ability to deal with multiple threats, and have the most answers to things that are represented in the game.)
- I have decided to play something like Seasons Past, Clear the Mind, etc. (I feel like recursion is a great way to exist in a multiplayer game; my favorite colors are black and green, and also it adds inevitability to a game.)
- I don't want to dominate multiplaywr games, but I do want to be a threat that grows in silence and can be semi political (without being "Group Hug"). For example, if one player is running the table, I'd like the ability to boardwipe to gain political favor, etc. Obviously this only works until suddenly they realize I am the real threat, but I will be equipped for that when the time comes
Overall, I need some good deck and card suggestions that help me accomplish this. I am trying to keep this budget friendly because we are talking casual here, but I would be willing to shell out some money for essential cards to make a deck that works.
Thanks in advance and I hope this helps others identify some strong casual decks!
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
4 Brainstorm
4 Daze
3 Fieldmist Borderpost
3 Gideon of the Trials
2 Gush
11 Island
4 Magus of the Tabernacle
4 Mana Leak
3 Mana Tithe
9 Plains
3 Ponder
4 Sol Ring
4 Winter Orb
Green Black Grave Pact decks work well too. Most effective strategy is generally a liner combo deck like Splinter Twin though. Then you're not worried about anyone else.
Although, if you're not trying to dominate.. WG with low end wipes/ramp into high end threats is generally a good direction to go that's effective.
1x Bayou
3x Cavern of Souls
1x City of Brass
1x Forest
1x Island
1x Mountain
4x Prismatic Vista
1x Savannah
1x Taiga
1x Tropical Island
4x Insatiable Hemophage
4x Sawtusk Demolisher
4x Sea-Dasher Octopus
4x Slippery Bogle
4x Vadrok, Apex of Thunder
4x Oath of Nissa
4x Manamorphose
3x Open the Omenpaths
3x Reality Ripple
1x Thrill of Possibility
2x Traverse the Ulvenwald
1x Mishra's Bauble
4x Ancient Tomb
4x Badlands
4x Blightstep Pathway
4x Blood Crypt
1x Gemstone Caverns
4x Mountain
19x Dragon's Approach
4x Gamble
3x Final Fortune
4x Dragon Mage
1x Thunderbreak Regent
3x Dragon Breath