Building my first Modern Deck
Modern Deck Help forum
Posted on March 26, 2016, 8:59 p.m. by SteezeOrtiz
Hey, I am somewhat new to magic and I am building my first modern deck. I would like some suggestions on how to improve my deck so far. Right now this is just a base for the deck. I'm willing to add more cards, and take cards out if needed. Thanks
Part of the issue with Mill is that you're essentially trying to deal 53 points of damage (the cards left in their library after they draw their first seven) versus the normal 20.
That means 1 card milled = 1/53rd. of their deck = 1.8% of their "health."
Normally, 1 point of damage = 1/20th. of their life total = 5% of their health.
So, in order for a 2 mana mill spell to have the same impact as Lightning Strike (15% of their starting life total), that mill spell has to mill 7.95 cards. Breaking / Entering hits 8 cards, but it's a sorcery and costs UB, instead of 1R. That's a terrible trade off. Even worse, Modern has access to Lightning Bolt, Boros Charm, and Atarka's Command, with fast creatures (Goblin Guide, Monastery Swiftspear) that put stuff like Cathartic Adept to shame.
My point with all of this is that Mill decks are at a serious disadvantage compared to something like Burn. You can't use mill spells to kill something already in play like Burn can. Your strategies are the same: point cards at the opponent and quickly try and race them, but you're just in different colors.
That being said, you want to think very carefully about what cards make the cut and which ones don't. Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, Mind Funeral, Nephalia Drownyard, and Glimpse the Unthinkable are good examples. Jace, Memory Adept being an ideal candidate for your deck, despite his mana cost.
Phenax, God of Deception is good here, but the rest of your creatures don't do much on their own without him in play.
One mill deck that works really well in modern is Lantern Control. You can cut some of the more niche cards or win conditions and play Mind Funeral and more Surgical Extractions/Extirpates. The overall idea, however, is that you'll notice how much disruption it plays. It's really easy to win the game using Codex Shredders (even if it takes 11 turns) if your opponent can't attack or cast spells!
Here you can find a more glass-cannon style mill deck that just tries to go all out with the mill, similar to what you have. I'm not really a fan of Shelldock Isle, though. I think I'd play Ghost Quarters so you can force your opponent into being hit by Archive Trap.
I think overall, however, you'll want to go with a U/B control deck that has mill as its primary win condition, rather than a mill deck with some control cards. It means you're not just playing a worse version of Naya Burn, not to mention it makes your deck harder to interact with.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions or which direction you want to go with your deck.
March 27, 2016 6:55 p.m.
SteezeOrtiz says... #4
So the deck is nearly done. I've cut the deck down to 62 cards. I'm having a hard time choosing which 2 cards to cut. Looking for any suggestions on which 2 cards to remove.
March 30, 2016 4:48 p.m.
Definitely Tome Scour. It's only 5 cards and is a sorcery.
March 30, 2016 5:25 p.m.
SteezeOrtiz says... #6
@sylvannos I've already removed 2 Cancels. So if I remove Tome Scour, what other 2 cards do you suggest I add?
March 30, 2016 6:04 p.m.
A 4th. copy of Breaking / Entering. Another Glimpse the Unthinkable would be ideal (you'll want 4), but if budget is a problem, I'd suggest Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, another Psychic Strike, Archive Trap (works great with Ghost Quarter), Mind Sculpt, or Sphinx's Tutelage.
Also, I'd suggest Nephalia Drownyards. They give you extra stuff to do when you have extra mana. If you're playing 26 lands, you have the slots available.
March 30, 2016 6:21 p.m.
SteezeOrtiz says... #8
Thanks, I'll remove Tome Scour and add 1 Breaking / Entering and 1 Mind Sculpt. I will most likely be adding another Glimpse the Unthinkable in the near future. Gotta wait until I get paid to add that. Thanks for all your help.
ducttapedeckbox says... #2
Modern is a very fast paced format, so even if you're playing it "casually," you will need to be able to lay down threats quickly.
My mill deck from Standard a while back may provide some insight, Perfection of Milling. It needs some changes, but it's a decent deck if you're playing against other very casual decks.
March 26, 2016 10:02 p.m.