New Deck Considerations / Tips!

Because EVERYONE hates a blue mage!

Innistrad is released, Zendikar has rotated, and we’re all clamoring to build new decks. The process can be lengthy, and without the right preparation: expensive. Here are some tips and tricks to really get you thinking about what you’ll actually NEED, and some of the constraints / considerations that you may run into to help you out!

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CARD POOL

What cards do I already own? Can I build this deck right now, or will I need to buy / trade for the cards I need? Am I trying to build the deck out of cards that I own?

Summary: Do I already have the cards I need or will I need to get them somehow?

ACCESSIBILITY

How / where can I get the cards that I need? Are there local vendors or do I need to shop online? Is there anyone who has these for trade? Do I know anyone who can get me these cards?

Summary: Where am I going to get the cards I need?

TIME FRAME

When do I need to have this deck built by? Am I playing in a standard tournament this weekend, or am I trying to finish it for Nationals months away? Will I be able to buy / receive the cards that I need in time for the event? Am I just looking to trade for them but don’t have a timeline in mind, so I can afford to wait it out and get the best prices? Should I buy the cards now or see if they decrease in price first?

Summary: When do I need the cards by?

PLAY

Does the deck play well? Have I play tested it to ensure it’s what I want? Did I make proxies of the expensive cards to find out if they are worth the hype before I invest?

Summary: Is the deck any good?

BANKROLL

If I’m going to be buying new cards, how much do I have to spend? Will I be able to buy the cards I need for that price? Will I be able to trade for these cards or do I have to buy them? Is building this deck going to prevent me from building another deck? Do I need to prioritize where I’m spending my money or do I have enough to cover everything?

Summary: How much money do I have / need?

ROTATION

Are the cards I’m playing with going to rotate? Which cards am I going to have to replace when rotation occurs? Do I want to have cards that WILL rotate in my deck? Can I afford to replace the cards that will rotate? How long do I plan on using this deck?

Summary: Do I care about next rotation?

COMPETITIVE

Why am I building this deck? Is it to be competitive or casual? Am I investing in a deck that will be considered tier 1 or not? What do I expect to get out of this deck? Am I going to spend a ton of money on a deck I will only play once or twice, or will this be my go-to deck for competitive tournaments? Casual cards are often less expensive and available.

Summary: Is this a competitive or casual deck and worth the money I’ll be investing?

ENJOYMENT

Am I going to like this deck? Will it love me long time or am I going to play it a few times and scrap it? Do I have an attachment to the deck or am I just trying to put together the “flavor of the week”? Does the deck fit my play style?

Summary: Am I going to enjoy this deck?

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These are the things that I consider before building a new deck. Investing a little bit of time BEFORE buying cards and building the deck WILL save you time and money!

TALKBACK!

What do YOU do when you’re planning a new deck?

What are you building right now?

Did you test your deck before you bought all the cards for it?

Cheers!

Carl Szalich

NOTE:

CHRISTINA MARCHIONI & CTRLMJOLLNIR!!

Could you please send me an email to: cszalich@hotmail.com?

I’d like to get you your prizes but your Google profiles have no info ;).

Thanks!