MTG Salvation

Hi,

I was watching this Deck Tech video (http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/deck_tech_gr_aggro_with_marc_l.html) by Star City Games and had a simple question. Since I am new to MTG I don't really understand why they have 3 abundant growths.

My current deck list is below. I am only playing standard pauper right now to get a better feel for the game before spending bigger bucks. I agree that no deck is going to be perfect against every situation, but I was hoping with proper side boarding you could beat most. If not, I don't understand how these guys can win or be in top 8s of GPs since you have to win so many games in a row.

Thanks so much for the great advice. I am always hesitant to post deck lists as I really want to understand why cards are used in different decks versus the best one for the specific deck I am creating. All of these answers were great!

Hi,

I am having a little trouble understanding when you use different draw cards in the blue deck (Divination, Thought Scour, Think Twice, etc.). I just don't get how you rank these cards or what situations you want them in.

Thanks.

How do people beat them in tournaments since many have tri color decks or even more colors.

Hi,

I have been having a little trouble dealing with super aggro decks. The red decks just keep pouring out haste creatures and just shove in all the time. I am playing a Blue/Black/Red control/aggro deck. I seem to be unable to get past the beginning turns against these decks. If I toss down a creature too early against black they are usually enchanting it or outright destroying it. Against Red, if I block they searing spear me. How should I be side boarding against decks like this? I am not really looking for specific cards to be told to me, but just the general strategy I should think about when facing these types of decks.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I have one follow up question about a decks mix of lands. Specifically, how do you handle guildgates? I am unsure how to handle a situation where you splash a 3rd color and determine you only need proportionally 4 lands of that color in your mix. Would you just put 4 guildgates of that color that match up with your main?

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

As a new player I have had trouble understanding all the different phases of a turn and what actions can be taken during those phases. MTGO really helps to make sure you go through each phase correctly, but I still struggle with understanding exactly when/what things can be cast during your turn and your opponent's. Is there some kind of reference I can review/memorize that shows each phase and everything you can do in it?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all the great advice!

I think I can understand you doing it in a tri color deck when you have a splash of a 3rd. Since you probably don't want a lot of the lands of the 3rd color and this card allows you to ensure you get all three colors out. Is that the only situation you would use this or is it good in all decks that are not monocolor?

Quote from CerberusSG

I, too have a question.
If my deck runs on 25 lands and i decided to add 4 Terramorphic Expanse, do i need to increase the number of lands?
My deck runs optimally on 6 mana.

What type of decks should use Terramorphic? I Don't see why you wouldn't just put an actual land in your deck versus this card.

Thanks for the great advice! I listed my deck list below and actually only have 21 lands. It might just be that I am not playing the deck correctly, but I do find that I have mana flood issues in a lot of my play testing.

4 Brimstone Volley
4 Cancel
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Essence Scatter
2 Faithless Looting
4 Frostburn Weird
1 Harvest Pyre
10 Island
4 Izzet Guildgate
7 Mountain
1 Nephalia Seakite
4 Pillar of Flame
4 Searing Spear
2 Stitched Drake
1 Stormbound Geist
4 Think Twice

I am new to the game so this question is pretty basic, What are the general rules for how many lands you should have in your deck?

I am currently playing a constructed Standard Pauper deck (found online) and it doesn't really have a very high land drop cost. I feel like I always have tons of lands, but I am also probably not playing the deck correct. Can you skimp on lands if your deck has a low land drop cost?

Just started playing Magic Online. Haven't played magic since mid 90s so it is a nice blast from the past. I am starting out with Constructed Standard Pauper since I basically don't know anything (client, cards, phases, etc.). Figure this is a good way to get familiar with everything for a very cheap price. I have been doing a ton of research online, putting in a lot of time off the tables to get better (another reason I am signing up to these forums). Is there anything else you can suggest that I be doing?