This is actually a common occurrence. You start building a deck around a cool idea, then you focus and tune it as you go. Eventually, you find that you've tuned it too far now, and it's simply too one-sided, or too focused. At this point, it can be hard to "downgrade" or even take apart the deck, because of the pride you have in the creation - EDH decks can be very personalized, and have a lot of intrinsic Identity.
This has happened to me with several decks, including Nemata, Chainer, Trostani, etc.
Often times, this for me is a cue to build a new deck, and start the process over again. This allows me to start a new path to start the process over again, and redo a lot of that exciting discovery, and end up with a new creation to be proud of.
In some cases, this may mean taking apart and reinventing a deck or theme. My Cromat deck (first deck) I rebuilt multiple times across different themes, before it was fully retired - though Cromat himself is sitting in my prefered pile, waiting to be rebuilt some day. Tibor and Lumia have likewise been rebuilt across multiple themes, and though I still have the deck together, it hasn't been updated in years, as current options have far outclassed them.
Other decks, such as Chainer and Trostani, I still keep together, and even lightly update them - but play them much more rarely. I carry a large number of decks with me (13 currently), so I can always adapt to the table's power. If I feel like pulling those decks again I ask if anyone would want to play a more 'evil' game, or a more tuned game, or might even request certain decks from other people - My brother's Glissa deck has a lot of graveyard removal, and I find it makes for a fun game against my Chainer deck.
Sometimes, I reserve certain slots in decks for "fun cards." Sandwurm Convergence isn't a powerful card, and is stupid expensive, but is one of several 'fun slots' that I've put into Trostani that are intended to be un-optimized.
Not running a card because you wouldn't have fun with it is the most important reason not to run a card.
Finally, one thing you can do is gauge reactions to certain cards, and whether they are meeting your expectations for a fun game. For me, certain cards have been cut from my decks, such as Torment of Hailfire. On paper, I was excited to try Torment, because it seemed to make for interesting decisions or be an interesting wrath type effect. In practice though, it's simply a kill spell that you crank enough into X that they can't outclass it, or an underwhelming impact spell in desperation. Every time it's been played, it's always been a bit of a deflation of the intrigue and interest of the game. Anti-climactic. Other cards that have made my list are Craterhoof Behemoth, Seedborn Muse (came off the list during Prophet of Kruphix times, but is now back on), Prophet (when legal), Vicious Shadows, Parallax Wave, etc.
Not all cards will be met with happiness and joy - some cards, such as counterspells and wraths are intended to impede or negate - but balancing how much is important as well. A few counterspells are healthy, but if you are doing a Forbid lock, or Familiar's Ruse + E.Witness, or Mystic Snake blinks... Well, that can get oppressive rather quickly and it might be a good idea to scale back part of the combo.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
StaffThis has happened to me with several decks, including Nemata, Chainer, Trostani, etc.
Often times, this for me is a cue to build a new deck, and start the process over again. This allows me to start a new path to start the process over again, and redo a lot of that exciting discovery, and end up with a new creation to be proud of.
In some cases, this may mean taking apart and reinventing a deck or theme. My Cromat deck (first deck) I rebuilt multiple times across different themes, before it was fully retired - though Cromat himself is sitting in my prefered pile, waiting to be rebuilt some day. Tibor and Lumia have likewise been rebuilt across multiple themes, and though I still have the deck together, it hasn't been updated in years, as current options have far outclassed them.
Other decks, such as Chainer and Trostani, I still keep together, and even lightly update them - but play them much more rarely. I carry a large number of decks with me (13 currently), so I can always adapt to the table's power. If I feel like pulling those decks again I ask if anyone would want to play a more 'evil' game, or a more tuned game, or might even request certain decks from other people - My brother's Glissa deck has a lot of graveyard removal, and I find it makes for a fun game against my Chainer deck.
Sometimes, I reserve certain slots in decks for "fun cards." Sandwurm Convergence isn't a powerful card, and is stupid expensive, but is one of several 'fun slots' that I've put into Trostani that are intended to be un-optimized.
Finally, one thing you can do is gauge reactions to certain cards, and whether they are meeting your expectations for a fun game. For me, certain cards have been cut from my decks, such as Torment of Hailfire. On paper, I was excited to try Torment, because it seemed to make for interesting decisions or be an interesting wrath type effect. In practice though, it's simply a kill spell that you crank enough into X that they can't outclass it, or an underwhelming impact spell in desperation. Every time it's been played, it's always been a bit of a deflation of the intrigue and interest of the game. Anti-climactic. Other cards that have made my list are Craterhoof Behemoth, Seedborn Muse (came off the list during Prophet of Kruphix times, but is now back on), Prophet (when legal), Vicious Shadows, Parallax Wave, etc.
Not all cards will be met with happiness and joy - some cards, such as counterspells and wraths are intended to impede or negate - but balancing how much is important as well. A few counterspells are healthy, but if you are doing a Forbid lock, or Familiar's Ruse + E.Witness, or Mystic Snake blinks... Well, that can get oppressive rather quickly and it might be a good idea to scale back part of the combo.
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek