The only decks I have any knowledge about are decks that I would actually be interested in playing (if budget is not a concern). Actually wanting to play a certain deck is what leads me to learn the ins and outs of it, what cards to include, etc. Those include:
WUR Control
WUR Twin
UR Twin
UR Delver
Gruul Zoo
Playing death and taxes, not knowing the opponents deck is death. It's already near impossible to eke out advantage playing such a fair deck, I'd lose if I didn't fully understand decks like jund twin and pod, both pre and post board.
Play groups help a ton. I am lucky to live in an area there are numerous Modern players and we try and get Modern games in before and n between matches for events. Before large events we find time to get a group together to play test different decks. In these play testing ties we proxy up ideas to see how things work with in a set group of decks. The best ways to learn about decks are playing and reading.
I'm not too big into listening to podcasts or watching videos of people playing
I actually think watching videos is probably the best way to get familiar with any format in Magic.
I too have taken your approach of acquiring cards for other decks and trying them out just to learn how to beat them. I never had any interest in playing Tron, Melira Pod, Splinter Twin, or WUR control, but I have all the cards for them for the purpose of trying them out and understanding them better (and lending them to friends who like to play netdecks).
I think most if not virtually everyone starts in kinda the same way: you have a random pile of cards, you get into the game more, maybe you pickup a few singles at a shop. You cycle rinse repeat until you have a more cards than you thought you would. Among those cards you develop a liking to certain cards above others and you start to look at options. Most people at that point look to the Internet for advice.
For me, Just by reading and watching videos I learn what the current state of the meta is, what cards are up and down ( sites like goldfish can help) and even watching major tournaments live streamed gives me an idea of what decks I don't need to understand because they don't pose a threat (for example zoo). You can learn the broad strokes watching a reading however to get the fine points, nothing beats just playing. Playing a lot. That's why I particularly don't care what some so called "pros" are doing , since they barely play modern but that's another rant.
Iove to learn about decks by reading/watching videos
Nothing beats actually playing tho that's where you learn the most I couldn't agree more with that.
Reading primers, posts here, etc. helps me with deck construction, but not with play.
What helps me learn a deck is playing it and against it. This is perhaps why, given I'm fairly new at the more competitive side of modern, I don't feel bad losing against a deck, especially if I don't know it, because even losing against a deck tells you about it.
Watching gameplay videos on youtube of the particular match-ups that your interested in is a good way to learn about the decks, specifically if the pilot is really skilled (watching LSV's channel if you're interested in one of the same decks that he is).
I prefer to learn about a deck by playing against it. Reading about what decks do and how to combat them only gives me false confidence, so I'd rather be in the dark until I'm forced to learn about what the deck does from experience.
I look over decklists, sideboards, and watch videos (GPs, PTs, MTGO streams, etc). For this PTQ season, I've built a rogue deck that I feel has really good matchups against the majority of the field. But since it isn't a netdeck, I can't just "watch the top players" play it in various matchups, so I've been putting in a lot of time in the tournament practice room on MTGO to see its strengths, weaknesses, and best way to disrupt other decks.
I look over decklists, sideboards, and watch videos (GPs, PTs, MTGO streams, etc). For this PTQ season, I've built a rogue deck that I feel has really good matchups against the majority of the field. But since it isn't a netdeck, I can't just "watch the top players" play it in various matchups, so I've been putting in a lot of time in the tournament practice room on MTGO to see its strengths, weaknesses, and best way to disrupt other decks.
Im interested in your brew if you don't mind sharing.
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Active Modern Decks
U Tron GW Bogles RG Loam UR Blue Breach RBU Grixis Goryo BRU Grixis Delver GBR Jund GBW Junk
Modern is such a diverse format. I tend to look at my preferences and then my budget. I'm an aggro type player. No matter how much I try to avoid it, I always fall back onto an aggro deck. Also, I'm a White/Green/Red player most of the time so I'll probably look into RDW or Naya Zoo. That's just how I am. But it's so expensive!
It depends how well I need to learn the deck. Generally for me though, playing a ton of matches against it is a good way. I get to see what the players tend to do in certain situations and be accustomed to how the deck works and wins. Combined with looking at the deck's 75, I can get a decent idea of how it works. If I'm going to play it, I'll test with it a lot. But as far as learning the ropes go, watching others works quite well for me.
I look over decklists, sideboards, and watch videos (GPs, PTs, MTGO streams, etc). For this PTQ season, I've built a rogue deck that I feel has really good matchups against the majority of the field. But since it isn't a netdeck, I can't just "watch the top players" play it in various matchups, so I've been putting in a lot of time in the tournament practice room on MTGO to see its strengths, weaknesses, and best way to disrupt other decks.
I second (in addition to the obvious things like primers and practice) watching videos. What I do sometimes is watch the video, but pause it frequently and ask myself "what would I do in this situation?" I then resume watching and see how what they do is different, if at all, and if it works out for them, and if I could have done it better if it doesn't work out.
I prefer to play them. I have played no less than 10 different decks in Modern in the past 4 months. This doesn't take into account numerous other decks I played at the beginning of Modern with a different ban list.
The problem I've encountered is that since I haven't built Affinity (and sell any Affinity staple that I get my hand on) or Jund/GB Rock, I probably don't play the best vs. them. I always seem to have a problem beating these decks. I know that my win percentage is less than 50% vs. these decks.
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
You played JESUS?!?! I heard none of his guys stay in the graveyard, and once you think you have him beat he ALWAYS comes back to win within three turns. I like...WORSHIP him.
I actually care less about established decks since most of them are generically the same and instead concentrate on learning about what decks people are brewing because they can become "the next thing" that you will want to play or will have to play against.
Generally I do a lot of Primer reading, but if a deck interests me enough I will brew.
For Established decks one needs only check out the Meta game type websites to see what is succesful... then it just comes down to play skill in the end. Sure, some decks have nuances but learning them on the fly is what keeps things fresh for me.
None of the decks in Modern are hard to understand, barring outliers like Amulet Combo and a few funky decks.
Watching a video or two goes a long way for people that are visual learners.
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Level 1 Judge - Altruistic Community Service.
My Modern decks: B/R/G Living End G/R/B G/R Tron R/G U/W/G/R Gargageddon R/G/W/U R/W/G Naya Burn G/W/R
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WUR Control
WUR Twin
UR Twin
UR Delver
Gruul Zoo
I actually think watching videos is probably the best way to get familiar with any format in Magic.
I too have taken your approach of acquiring cards for other decks and trying them out just to learn how to beat them. I never had any interest in playing Tron, Melira Pod, Splinter Twin, or WUR control, but I have all the cards for them for the purpose of trying them out and understanding them better (and lending them to friends who like to play netdecks).
WURUWr Stoneblade
Modern
WRGNaya Zoo Company
For me, Just by reading and watching videos I learn what the current state of the meta is, what cards are up and down ( sites like goldfish can help) and even watching major tournaments live streamed gives me an idea of what decks I don't need to understand because they don't pose a threat (for example zoo). You can learn the broad strokes watching a reading however to get the fine points, nothing beats just playing. Playing a lot. That's why I particularly don't care what some so called "pros" are doing , since they barely play modern but that's another rant.
Iove to learn about decks by reading/watching videos
Nothing beats actually playing tho that's where you learn the most I couldn't agree more with that.
GWBoglesGW///URDelverUR WVial-knightsW
Reading primers, posts here, etc. helps me with deck construction, but not with play.
What helps me learn a deck is playing it and against it. This is perhaps why, given I'm fairly new at the more competitive side of modern, I don't feel bad losing against a deck, especially if I don't know it, because even losing against a deck tells you about it.
UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU's prison: blue is the new orange is the new black.
Mizzix Of The Izmagnus : wheels on fire... rolling down the road...
BSidisi, Undead VizierB: Bis zum Erbrechen
GTitiania, Protector Of ArgothG: Protecting Argoth, by blowing it up!
GYisan, The Wanderer BardG: Gradus Ad Elfball.
Duel EDH: Yisan & Titania.
In Progress: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV duel; Grenzo, Dungeon Warden Doomsday.
Modern:
UWUW TronUW
Legacy:
WDeath N TaxesW
CEldrazi C
If you couldn't tell I hate greedy blue decks.
Vintage
WWhite Trash
Give Zaliki a CardI must have all the cats!
Im interested in your brew if you don't mind sharing.
U Tron
GW Bogles
RG Loam
UR Blue Breach
RBU Grixis Goryo
BRU Grixis Delver
GBR Jund
GBW Junk
Active Legacy Decks
BR Reanimator
Grixis Death's Shadow, Jund, UW Tron, Jeskai Control, Storm, Counters Company, Eldrazi Tron, Affinity, Living End, Infect, Merfolk, Dredge, Ad Nauseam, Amulet, Bogles, Eldrazi Tron, Mono U Tron, Lantern, Mardu Pyromancer
I second (in addition to the obvious things like primers and practice) watching videos. What I do sometimes is watch the video, but pause it frequently and ask myself "what would I do in this situation?" I then resume watching and see how what they do is different, if at all, and if it works out for them, and if I could have done it better if it doesn't work out.
-Modern-
UBRAffinityUBR
UTronU
-Standard-
BDevotionB
-EDH-
RBGProsshRBG
The problem I've encountered is that since I haven't built Affinity (and sell any Affinity staple that I get my hand on) or Jund/GB Rock, I probably don't play the best vs. them. I always seem to have a problem beating these decks. I know that my win percentage is less than 50% vs. these decks.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)My 180 Modern Bordered Only Cube
Generally I do a lot of Primer reading, but if a deck interests me enough I will brew.
For Established decks one needs only check out the Meta game type websites to see what is succesful... then it just comes down to play skill in the end. Sure, some decks have nuances but learning them on the fly is what keeps things fresh for me.
None of the decks in Modern are hard to understand, barring outliers like Amulet Combo and a few funky decks.
Watching a video or two goes a long way for people that are visual learners.
My Modern decks:
B/R/G Living End G/R/B
G/R Tron R/G
U/W/G/R Gargageddon R/G/W/U
R/W/G Naya Burn G/W/R