It seems the Legacy main area is a magnet for threads asking "what deck should I play?". Understanding the demand AND trying to curb spam, THIS thread is where you can ask the community for advice.
New to the format? Got cash to blow? Trading your collection for that special 75? Tired of what you already have? All of that is fair game if you keep it in the confines of this thread.
4 Rules I Humbly Ask of Everyone:
a) This thread is for the community. Treat each other fairly and respectfully.
b) Making your own thread just to ask the same "what should I buy/play" will not be tolerated. You will get an infraction for spam.
c) This is NOT the place to post decklists. PLEASE keep THAT discussion in the appropriate section of Legacy.
*Posting a TES list? Keep that to the TES thread in established. Same idea for archetype decks already defined.
*Posting a homebrew? That belongs in developing/budget.
d) Finances ARE a factor in deciding what deck to play. Fair game to point out how much money you have. Harping/complaining about prices IS NOT tolerated. Feel free to vent about prices here.
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
I wanted to build UWB Stoneblade but I still miss the Underground Seas, Polluted Deltas and only have one Jace. So I thought about keeping my mana base (I already have 4 Flooded Strand and 2 Tundra and 4 Counterbalance) and building a CounterTop deck with Thopter Foundry. Is such a deck fun to play and has it chances at tournaments?
This may not be precisely the answer you're looking for, but have you considered/do you have the money to try to build UWB Stoneblade with Marsh Flats and Scrublands rather than Polluted Deltas and Underground Seas? The overall cost would probably be about a third (definitely less than half) to acquire the W/B rather than the U/B lands, and I'm sure that since you already have the Strands and Tundras you could tweak the manabase to work anyway. A quick look at the ThopterBalance thread reveals that most lists seem to run Underground Sea as well.
"You know Manningham's story of the burgher's wife who bade Dick Burbage to her bed after she had seen him in Richard III and how Shakespeare, overhearing, without more ado about nothing, took the cow by the horns and, when Burbage came knocking at the gate, answered from the capon's blankets: William the conqueror came before Richard III."
Are you pretty set on Esper? I don't think you would have any mana problems with a more traditional UW list and only 2 Tundras since you have the full 4 Flooded Strands.
My other suggestion is to consider a Mystic Gate type filter land.
Depending on your build and the meta, a UW list will do just as well as the Esper list, if not better.
Hey there! I'm looking to get into Legacy, and I'm not sure where to start! I like the idea of an off the wall deck, something like lands. But I've been lead to believe that it takes a tremendous amount of concentration and meta-game knowledge to play lands.
So, my question is, is there a deck which I can pilot that doesn't take a tremendous amount of meta knowledge to pilot? I'd like to think of myself as a "good" player, so I think I can handle some in game thought processing.
My budget is alright, I won't be buying P9 any time soon, but I can acquire what I needover time if needs be.
thoughts?
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Hey there! I'm looking to get into Legacy, and I'm not sure where to start! I like the idea of an off the wall deck, something like lands. But I've been lead to believe that it takes a tremendous amount of concentration and meta-game knowledge to play lands.
So, my question is, is there a deck which I can pilot that doesn't take a tremendous amount of meta knowledge to pilot? I'd like to think of myself as a "good" player, so I think I can handle some in game thought processing.
My budget is alright, I won't be buying P9 any time soon, but I can acquire what I needover time if needs be.
thoughts?
Welcome! I would honestly take a look at a few things:
a) what format are you coming from?
Depending on this answer, you may want to try getting into legacy with a similar archetype (ie; "aggro" stuff if coming from standard) to get a feel for how it would play out.
b) playtest [control], [aggro], [combo] decks and see what you like playstyle-wise.
This is really the make-or-break piece IMO. I've evolved my game to enjoy one archetype over another over time. If you're not having fun playing a particular deck, don't force yourself to play it. You can ask what specific decks to run, but it's best to test the spectrum and see "gee I don't like going for it all or I lose" or "just turning creatures sideways all day is boring".
c) complexity
I argue this is the final piece of a deck decision. The classic example is Storm having numerous decks. Some are arguably more straightforward than others. What do I mean by this? In Legacy you can have more "forgiving" decks that let you incorporate a play-error another deck will simply collapse under. Again, I look to storm as the example because if you go [tap my land], ritual, ritual....oh I forgot to brainstorm before all this oops >> you could punt a game right then and there.
You mention Lands.dec, which is a slow grind-it-out matchup...but very intricate. Grabbing the strategically wrong land could cost you a game.
As you practice with a deck, the learning curve and "oooh now I get what I should do in this scenario" will work itself out --- however, all decks are NOT created equal.
Complexity also creates a balance of [time in the round for a tournament] vs [difficulty of winning]. Lands has trouble straight-up "winning" because it needs a long time to get going. Is that bad? A trillion decisions + your play speed will impact tournament performance. Likewise, the opponent needs to figure out your move as well. Well-skilled players in Legacy can overcome poor theoretical matchup % by out-playing their opponents (broad generalization, but the concept is true from my experiences). This relates to complexity because decks packing multi-route gameplans are more involved than "i play a creature and turn it sideways to attack" strategies.
TL,DR: test out a variety of decks. If you want to try lands.dec go for it...but understand it's a very slow grind-it-out attrition plan surrounded by nuances. It may be too hard to assess what legacy is like if that's your first deck in the format. If you have people to play with/online client I heavily suggest spending time learning popular decks of the format as a crash course into what to expect.
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I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
Well I'm coming off of standard, but it's a UB controlggro deck. So control/Aggro is probably a good idea.
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Whilst the multitudes go about their business, we listen; we skulk; we watch and see all. Do you yourself possess the necessary skills and aptitude to join our hidden ranks?
My Xbox Live gamertag is A3t0s - Hit me up for Bops or Bops 2 anytime
I just began playing Legacy and I say do whatever looks fun to you... Over time you can and will learn the metagame. Part of being good is knowing your deck! I have been playing Nic Fit which runs a bunch of different things that are good vs certain decks and of course you make a mistake sometimes, but that comes with playing your deck more! If lands is your thing I say go play lands!
Hey. I'm trying to get into legacy and don't really have a deck. I was wondering since most of the people here have more experience than me i wanted to ask:
Is there such a deck that focuses on Land Destruction?
If so, is it viable?
This did not need its own thread. This is exactly that the "[Official] What [deck] should I play/buy/get into thread" is for.
Merged with said thread. Infraction for spam. -Warden
Lands has some good matchups and is very fun to play with. It is a bit weak against combo, though, and is one of the most boring decks ever to play against.
White stax is loads of fun. The games can take a while though, and it's prone to bad draws.
Check out the "what should I get into" sticky and the budget one as well to give you some options and ideas.
Remember that proxying up a deck is a great way to get a feel for it before you drop the money on it. Don't just impulse buy a deck because it looks fun.
And to answer your other question, both Staxx and Pox are quite viable, although not tier 1, they still turn up pretty high once in a while in tournaments, and neither are (comparitively) expensive to create due to the lack of dual lands necessary.
Make sure to look up their threads though and make sure it's something you want to be building!
Alright; The Gate (sans Bob/Lili/Swords) or fully stacked Burn?
I've only got $170, so The Gate would be a little sub-optimal with only Jittes in place of Swords, Arena or Sign in Blood in place of Bob, and more removal in place of Lili.
But with 170 I should be able to get a fully optimized Burn.
Also, I'd be going into an unknown meta; and I really have no preference to which color/play style, they're both my favorites.
Thoughts?
However I wish I could play Death and Taxes right now =[
Alright; The Gate (sans Bob/Lili/Swords) or fully stacked Burn?
I've only got $170, so The Gate would be a little sub-optimal with only Jittes in place of Swords, Arena or Sign in Blood in place of Bob, and more removal in place of Lili.
But with 170 I should be able to get a fully optimized Burn.
Also, I'd be going into an unknown meta; and I really have no preference to which color/play style, they're both my favorites.
Thoughts?
However I wish I could play Death and Taxes right now =[
Given the budget Id lean towards burn. Id also scour my local shops bulk bins for stuff like keldon marauders and fire blasts any of the common stuff you can source locally for bulk common rates will be a big cost saver when it comes to ordering the rest. Also Burn can upgrade into U/r/(x) Snapcaster without to much grief if you decide to stick with it.
I was leaning to burn as well. Just seems like too many subs in Gate for it to be playable, or more so, than burn.
Good point as well about the Urx, hadn't thought about that.
Hi,
I have been visiting this site as a guest checking the primers to find an archetype for building my first legacy deck, but I don't seem to find anything I die for, so I'm asking for your advice. Here are my preferences:
I like to interact with the opponent, however, I like a certain degree of control (maybe some tempo deck?)
I'm a little short on money (probably have about $400-$500 to spend at most), but I'd like to get two or three dual lands for collecting and playing.
I like to have some synergy on the deck, some interesting interactions between my cards and multiple win conditions if possible.
I hate burn.
Depending on your build, UR Delver might be a good bet for you Regn. The only "expensive" cards in it are Forces/Volcanic's and I wouldn't run a playset of either in the deck. You can use Zendikar fetches and lots of the cards have been in standard recently, Goblin Guides/Delvers/Snapcasters/Grim Lavamancers so if you don't have them you could probably trade for them pretty easily. Most of the lists on TCG Player average 6-800, and depending on what you already have and/or patience to trade/ebay. You could cut a hundred or two off at least.
I know you said you hate Burn, and UR Delver is a glorified burn deck, but it does give you the ability to interact. Another list you might like is the Gate. Outside of Bobs and Wastelands, the deck isn't too pricey. But no matter what deck you choose, especially if its a blue deck, a large chunk of your budget is going to be consumed by duals, wastelands, and forces. I would guess that's 75% of the cost of most legacy decks outside of the ones that run Tarmogoyf.
Thanks!
The thing I don't like about burn is that it is too straightforward, there aren't many complex interactions inside the deck, but URDelver might be different. I'll test the decks you mentioned asap.
Hi, I started playing magic again and most of my friends are playing legacy, so I'm searching for a deck to play.
A) I played most t2-t4 in my days (started in 7th edition, stopped by ravnica)
B) I love control decks, U/B is a must. I hate storm decks, I don't think they're fun =/
C) I'm looking for a serious deck and I don't mind the complexity of the deck. I don't have anything in mind; any type strategy for me is good (except storm). I saw some decks online like this "exotic" Grixis control and I liked the way these U/B or U/B/* decks works.
D) I don't care about the price; I'll build the deck piece by piece, no matter how long it takes.
Ah, I liked the esper stone-blade, but my friend have one and I don't want the same deck, but similar builds are fine too. Thanks in advance for the help. =)
Have a tournament coming up where I expect to see a lot of top tier decks. I really want to go, but I'm new to legacy and don't know what to play. Cheaper is better. I would like something that will be able to compete. 4 to 5 hundred is fine, but most of the meta decks seem around 1000 >_<
What would be my best route for a mono G beater deck that isnt elves? Green has always been my go to color and i am a timmy player so I would like to keep something in my deckbox.
thanks in advance
Thread merged. This is the thread where you post such inquiries. The OP of this thread and the legacy rules thread are fair warning. Infraction issued for spamming the legacy main area. -Warden
What would be my best route for a mono G beater deck that isnt elves? Green has always been my go to color and i am a timmy player so I would like to keep something in my deckbox.
thanks in advance
What kind of budget are you on? If there is no limit to how much you are willing to spend then your 2 best options are...
It is the general consensus that chalice stompy died a while back, but ever since green sun zenith got printed the deck has had a little revival of sorts. With GSZ the deck can play one drops through a chalice at one and is overall much stronger than what it used to be. the list presented in the 6h post of that link is a great starting point.
if you have some kind of budget then you should probably check out this thread here. Not really for the main topic mind you, but for the responses that I and some other forum members give.
New to the format? Got cash to blow? Trading your collection for that special 75? Tired of what you already have? All of that is fair game if you keep it in the confines of this thread.
b) Making your own thread just to ask the same "what should I buy/play" will not be tolerated. You will get an infraction for spam.
c) This is NOT the place to post decklists. PLEASE keep THAT discussion in the appropriate section of Legacy.
*Posting a TES list? Keep that to the TES thread in established. Same idea for archetype decks already defined.
*Posting a homebrew? That belongs in developing/budget.
d) Finances ARE a factor in deciding what deck to play. Fair game to point out how much money you have. Harping/complaining about prices IS NOT tolerated. Feel free to vent about prices here.
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
This may not be precisely the answer you're looking for, but have you considered/do you have the money to try to build UWB Stoneblade with Marsh Flats and Scrublands rather than Polluted Deltas and Underground Seas? The overall cost would probably be about a third (definitely less than half) to acquire the W/B rather than the U/B lands, and I'm sure that since you already have the Strands and Tundras you could tweak the manabase to work anyway. A quick look at the ThopterBalance thread reveals that most lists seem to run Underground Sea as well.
My other suggestion is to consider a Mystic Gate type filter land.
Depending on your build and the meta, a UW list will do just as well as the Esper list, if not better.
So, my question is, is there a deck which I can pilot that doesn't take a tremendous amount of meta knowledge to pilot? I'd like to think of myself as a "good" player, so I think I can handle some in game thought processing.
My budget is alright, I won't be buying P9 any time soon, but I can acquire what I needover time if needs be.
thoughts?
Whilst the multitudes go about their business, we listen; we skulk; we watch and see all. Do you yourself possess the necessary skills and aptitude to join our hidden ranks?
My Xbox Live gamertag is A3t0s - Hit me up for Bops or Bops 2 anytime
Welcome! I would honestly take a look at a few things:
a) what format are you coming from?
Depending on this answer, you may want to try getting into legacy with a similar archetype (ie; "aggro" stuff if coming from standard) to get a feel for how it would play out.
b) playtest [control], [aggro], [combo] decks and see what you like playstyle-wise.
This is really the make-or-break piece IMO. I've evolved my game to enjoy one archetype over another over time. If you're not having fun playing a particular deck, don't force yourself to play it. You can ask what specific decks to run, but it's best to test the spectrum and see "gee I don't like going for it all or I lose" or "just turning creatures sideways all day is boring".
c) complexity
I argue this is the final piece of a deck decision. The classic example is Storm having numerous decks. Some are arguably more straightforward than others. What do I mean by this? In Legacy you can have more "forgiving" decks that let you incorporate a play-error another deck will simply collapse under. Again, I look to storm as the example because if you go [tap my land], ritual, ritual....oh I forgot to brainstorm before all this oops >> you could punt a game right then and there.
You mention Lands.dec, which is a slow grind-it-out matchup...but very intricate. Grabbing the strategically wrong land could cost you a game.
As you practice with a deck, the learning curve and "oooh now I get what I should do in this scenario" will work itself out --- however, all decks are NOT created equal.
Complexity also creates a balance of [time in the round for a tournament] vs [difficulty of winning]. Lands has trouble straight-up "winning" because it needs a long time to get going. Is that bad? A trillion decisions + your play speed will impact tournament performance. Likewise, the opponent needs to figure out your move as well. Well-skilled players in Legacy can overcome poor theoretical matchup % by out-playing their opponents (broad generalization, but the concept is true from my experiences). This relates to complexity because decks packing multi-route gameplans are more involved than "i play a creature and turn it sideways to attack" strategies.
TL,DR: test out a variety of decks. If you want to try lands.dec go for it...but understand it's a very slow grind-it-out attrition plan surrounded by nuances. It may be too hard to assess what legacy is like if that's your first deck in the format. If you have people to play with/online client I heavily suggest spending time learning popular decks of the format as a crash course into what to expect.
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
Whilst the multitudes go about their business, we listen; we skulk; we watch and see all. Do you yourself possess the necessary skills and aptitude to join our hidden ranks?
My Xbox Live gamertag is A3t0s - Hit me up for Bops or Bops 2 anytime
Is there such a deck that focuses on Land Destruction?
If so, is it viable?
This did not need its own thread. This is exactly that the "[Official] What [deck] should I play/buy/get into thread" is for.
Merged with said thread. Infraction for spam. -Warden
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=148066
It's in the Established section, so I guess it is pretty reasonable. I haven't played it myself, but I've wanted to sleeve it up for some time now.
Lands can also slowroll as LD. I've stripped every land from an opponent's deck using Ghost Quarter + Crucible of Worlds:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=288614
Lands has some good matchups and is very fun to play with. It is a bit weak against combo, though, and is one of the most boring decks ever to play against.
(246-174-26)
Check out the "what should I get into" sticky and the budget one as well to give you some options and ideas.
Remember that proxying up a deck is a great way to get a feel for it before you drop the money on it. Don't just impulse buy a deck because it looks fun.
WGURBLands!WGURB
WGUInfectWGU
Legacy Lands Primer
Top 8 SCG Oakland 2014
Helpdesk
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Make sure to look up their threads though and make sure it's something you want to be building!
I've only got $170, so The Gate would be a little sub-optimal with only Jittes in place of Swords, Arena or Sign in Blood in place of Bob, and more removal in place of Lili.
But with 170 I should be able to get a fully optimized Burn.
Also, I'd be going into an unknown meta; and I really have no preference to which color/play style, they're both my favorites.
Thoughts?
However I wish I could play Death and Taxes right now =[
Legacy: Pox | Tiny Leaders: Thalia Hatebears
Given the budget Id lean towards burn. Id also scour my local shops bulk bins for stuff like keldon marauders and fire blasts any of the common stuff you can source locally for bulk common rates will be a big cost saver when it comes to ordering the rest. Also Burn can upgrade into U/r/(x) Snapcaster without to much grief if you decide to stick with it.
Currently looking to buy miscut Homelands, (my wife thinks I'm crazy too).
Semper Gumby (Always Flexible)
Good point as well about the Urx, hadn't thought about that.
+imaginaryrep
Legacy: Pox | Tiny Leaders: Thalia Hatebears
I have been visiting this site as a guest checking the primers to find an archetype for building my first legacy deck, but I don't seem to find anything I die for, so I'm asking for your advice. Here are my preferences:
I like to interact with the opponent, however, I like a certain degree of control (maybe some tempo deck?)
I'm a little short on money (probably have about $400-$500 to spend at most), but I'd like to get two or three dual lands for collecting and playing.
I like to have some synergy on the deck, some interesting interactions between my cards and multiple win conditions if possible.
I hate burn.
Thanks a lot for your input!
I know you said you hate Burn, and UR Delver is a glorified burn deck, but it does give you the ability to interact. Another list you might like is the Gate. Outside of Bobs and Wastelands, the deck isn't too pricey. But no matter what deck you choose, especially if its a blue deck, a large chunk of your budget is going to be consumed by duals, wastelands, and forces. I would guess that's 75% of the cost of most legacy decks outside of the ones that run Tarmogoyf.
The thing I don't like about burn is that it is too straightforward, there aren't many complex interactions inside the deck, but URDelver might be different. I'll test the decks you mentioned asap.
A) I played most t2-t4 in my days (started in 7th edition, stopped by ravnica)
B) I love control decks, U/B is a must. I hate storm decks, I don't think they're fun =/
C) I'm looking for a serious deck and I don't mind the complexity of the deck. I don't have anything in mind; any type strategy for me is good (except storm). I saw some decks online like this "exotic" Grixis control and I liked the way these U/B or U/B/* decks works.
D) I don't care about the price; I'll build the deck piece by piece, no matter how long it takes.
Ah, I liked the esper stone-blade, but my friend have one and I don't want the same deck, but similar builds are fine too. Thanks in advance for the help. =)
http://particularlyawesome.blogspot.com/
thanks in advance
Thread merged. This is the thread where you post such inquiries. The OP of this thread and the legacy rules thread are fair warning. Infraction issued for spamming the legacy main area. -Warden
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig!
What kind of budget are you on? If there is no limit to how much you are willing to spend then your 2 best options are...
Berserk Stompy
and
Chalice stompy
It is the general consensus that chalice stompy died a while back, but ever since green sun zenith got printed the deck has had a little revival of sorts. With GSZ the deck can play one drops through a chalice at one and is overall much stronger than what it used to be. the list presented in the 6h post of that link is a great starting point.
if you have some kind of budget then you should probably check out this thread here. Not really for the main topic mind you, but for the responses that I and some other forum members give.
Like Squandered Resources on Facebook for updates on article releases, deck lists, and more!
Getting Started in Legacy and Legacy Budget Primer 5!
Special thanks to Bornnover for the banner used in those articles.