Trying to build an effective bug themed deck...

Deck Help forum

Posted on Dec. 28, 2014, 8:43 p.m. by Stonetribe

Hello all. So I've always wanted to create an effective deck that features plenty of bug themed spells, but I've never been very good at deck building in general so I thought I might seek out help from people who know what they're doing. It would probably be primarily green, since that's where the majority of insect/spider/wurm creature types are with maybe a bit of black or red thrown in. I have trouble figuring out strategies or finding and putting together spells that synergize well with the said bug spells that I want to use. I only have two vague ideas for decks at the moment.

The first idea is just a deck that features a lot of Nantuko creatures and spells. Kind of lazy I know but a race of mantis people really appeals to me and using a deck centered around them would be a lot of fun.

The second idea would be a deck that revolves around spiders. I don't think there's a single creature with the spider creature type that doesn't have reach and I'm sure everyone knows that, but there are also a handful of them that also gain bonuses when the opponent has creatures with flying. So what I was thinking was making a deck with those spiders and packing it with spells (most likely blue ones) that I can use to give my opponent's creatures flying and invoke those bonuses. More interesting then the first one, but I don't know if it would be very practical or not, which is why I'm asking here. I can list some of the bug themed cards I have right now if needed, and I'm certainly willing to purchase new singles. Sorry if all this sounds like nonsense by the way, I doubt I'm up to date on the proper MTG terminology.

Can any experienced deck builders give me some feedback?

Femme_Fatale says... #2

When you said bug I thought you meant decks... which is a midrange-control style modern build, similar to that of Jund.

So in other words, you want an insect tribal deck.

December 28, 2014 9:03 p.m.

Hickorysbane says... #3

Ant Queen would be great, and Dragonlair Spider's not bad by an stretch of the imagination.

I like the second idea you have, but are there enough spiders that get boosts like that?

December 28, 2014 9:07 p.m.

NoSoyYucateco says... #4

You don't say which format you'd like the deck to be, so I'll suggest modern-legal stuff.

I'd think Green/Blue/Black would be your best bet. Then you can build around handy cards like Scute Mob, Delver of Secrets  Flip, or Mortician Beetle, which are my favorite insect cards, and Bioshift counters around to beef up your little buggies. That's just my first thought.

December 28, 2014 9:09 p.m.

Femme_Fatale says... #5

How ironic TwoMagicDudes, a BUG bug deck.

December 28, 2014 9:14 p.m.

NoSoyYucateco says... #6

It's so meta!

December 28, 2014 9:16 p.m.

mathimus55 says... #7

Scute Mob is definitely a stud. Sedge Scorpion is another that at least makes people not want to attack into you and buys you time to do other stuff. Brain Maggot would be a good cheap way to disrupt their hands too. Those all right there are dirt cheap if you don't already have them from anything Theros block as well.

December 28, 2014 9:50 p.m.

Stonetribe says... #8

Yeah Scute Mob is great, I already have 4 of them. As for the spider deck, spiders that get bonuses against flying creatures include Frostweb Spider, Netcaster Spider, Oran-Rief Recluse, Silklash Spider, Spitting Spider, Stingerfling Spider, and Woolly Spider. Is that an adequate number of rewards reaping spiders? If not, there were a couple of other good spiders that I was thinking of throwing into the mix such as Penumbra Spider, Goliath Spider, and Arachnus Spinner, with four Arachnus Webs. Some other good cards that were befitting the spider theme that I found were Swarmyard and Spider Spawning, and I know that Coat of Arms is a great addition to any creature theme deck.

Do those sound like cards that would work well with each other?

December 29, 2014 3 a.m.

Stonetribe says... #9

Oh and while I'm at it, does anyone know any cards that would be particularly good at giving my opponent's creatures flying?

December 29, 2014 3:23 p.m.

Femme_Fatale says... #10

A gatherer search is your best friend.

December 29, 2014 3:55 p.m.

Stonetribe says... #11

I love the gatherer. I wouldn't have found all those spidery cards without it. But getting the right wording to search for cards that can effectively give my opponent's creatures flying enmasse can be tricky. So far the only combo I found was Levitation and Donate. Zephyr Charge would be pretty handy too. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions before I try putting together a beta deck.

December 29, 2014 9:48 p.m.

Stonetribe says... #12

Alright, I've put together a sloppy rough draft. Any thoughts or advice would be very much appreciated, because I really don't know what I'm doing. I don't think I even labeled it correctly. Sorry about the inexperience. >.<

Bane of Icarus

January 2, 2015 8:22 p.m.

This discussion has been closed