Teaching Decks
Deck Help forum
Posted on July 29, 2015, 11:46 a.m. by ComradeJim270
To help some new players I've met learn how to play the game, I've thrown together a couple of basic, mono-color tribal/theme decks. I haven't had the chance to really test them yet, but in the meantime I'd like opinions on them and if they are properly balanced against each other.
What do you think, Tappedout? An even fight?
ComradeJim270 says... #3
Thanks. I did think of making something that's a bit different in terms of archetypes, but creature combat is generally easier for new players to understand, and creature-based decks are usually easier to pilot. I included some control elements in the zombie deck as a basic introduction to the idea, and will see how that goes. My experience so far is that new players often get frustrated facing control because they do not understand how to beat it.
July 29, 2015 1:02 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #4
If I was going to make a teaching deck I would try to incorporate a few of each card type to familiarize the new players with the different types. As in put some artifacts, enchantments, maybe auras and equipment. Probably a cheapo planeswalker too.
I would also try an work in the color pie. If I made a black deck I would try and add a decent amount of creature kill and maybe a tutor or two, Red would have burn obviously, Blue counterspells, ect ect.
I also agree that having a couple different deck types would help showcase what can be done in deck building and how different decks appeal to different people.
July 29, 2015 1:44 p.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #5
Good point, I'll try to work in a little more color pie stuff, and a couple artifacts and auras.
The black deck was designed with some recursion, lifelink, regenerate and kill spells. Putting in Sign in Blood was also a conscious choice to show that black will do things to win at any cost.
For the goblins I put in burn, lots of cheap creatures that want to attack and stuff like that. Something with haste would be very helpful and is currently missing.
July 29, 2015 1:50 p.m.
andymaul123 says... #6
ComradeJim270 The decks look pretty good! I would tailor these to your target audience and their skill level/background. If, for example, the person you're teaching is not well-versed in games culture you're going to want to tone down the amount of information up-front. I'd suggest sticking with vanilla creatures, lands, and sorceries only. This will teach them the core of the game (i.e. spending resources to kill your opponent) without extraneous information that may dissuade them. Later on you can begin to incorporate abilities on creatures, instants and enchantments can be explained as different "speeds" of sorceries, etc. The original Portal cards were rather effective in teaching, if you want a resource to look up.
If you're teaching someone younger, or someone who has a background in playing games, then you have more wiggle room from the start and your decks look fairly solid in that respect. I would include more vanilla creatures and only one or two instants (if any). I would not worry about artifacts, enchantments, planeswalkers, etc until after they've played a fair share with your starter decks.
Rkassen718 says... #2
I like the simplicity of this deck. May not be optimal deck in competition. But it is sound. Have you thought of introducing those early stage players a couple of archetypes? I learned on an aggro deck. Mono red. Kinda similar to your goblin deck. I soon picked up other archetypes watching the guys play at fnm. I am currently working on a mill deck using u/b. I know the setup you were going for was simplicity. But why not introduce a control deck? Or a token deck? Overall, I love the idea you have chose.
July 29, 2015 12:44 p.m.