Looking for 4 Balanced Decks [Casual]

Deck Help forum

Posted on May 16, 2018, 10:30 a.m. by luin

I haven't played mtg for several years, and maybe I will give my collection to my nephew when he's old enough. Despite this, I want to keep 4 decks for myself to play casual 1v1 and multiplayer in the future. These decks are supposed to be used against each other, in order to give the chance to play to those who aren't actually regular magic players*. Unfortunately, working on 4 well-balanced decks is a huge task and I have neither the time nor enough experience in deckbuilding to do that: that's why I'm looking for 4 (or 3, I could work on the fourth one myself) preconstructed decks that are already tested to be played together.

Here are my (non restrictive) preferences:

  • Two-color decks;

  • 50$ budget for each deck/no cards with insane prices (5$ or above);

  • My collection is entirely Modern so I'd stay in this format if possible;

  • No infect fgs.

*I already have 2 basic decks (a mono-G and a mono-R) to teach magic to new players so these 4 ones can have more advanced strategies.

Thanks in advance!

x12721 says... #2

I'll brew something up for you if you'd like, just lemme know if there are any other considerations you'd like for me to follow!

May 16, 2018 10:42 a.m.

Caerwyn says... #3

If you're just looking for premade decks to help players learn, consider purchasing the Planechase Anthology. The four decks were, quite literally, designed to be played against one another either 1v1 or in multiplayer. Each of the decks has wildly different mechanics--Ninjitsu, Devour, Cascade, and Auras--allowing players to experience several different playstyles. Further, it comes with all you need for a Planechase game, giving you access to a completely different format, should your players want to mix things up.

That said, it is not without flaws. Most notably, they are not optimized (lots of one-ofs and no three/four-ofs), which can cause consistency issues. The lack of combo or control decks limits their ability as teaching tools (though, I've found many new players do not enjoy either, since they tend to be complex/hard to pilot).

May 16, 2018 11:31 a.m. Edited.

Nillstan says... #4


Budget Mill, Made By Nill

Modern Nillstan

SCORE: 2 | 4 COMMENTS | 142 VIEWS


Here's a modern deck you can build for 20 bucks. It's pretty quick, and teaches well if you want them to learn how to utilize different parts of their decks when you take away their main stuff. Feel free to try it out bruv.

May 16, 2018 6:19 p.m.

multimedia says... #5

Hey, I suggest adding a lot more info of what kind of two color decks you like, strategies you like to play. You're not just looking for help here you're looking for someone or many people to do all the work for you.

Yes it's a huge task and you begin by saying you have no time to do it? If you want help then help the people that want to help you, saving them time by giving them a starting point. You want four well-balanced decks is a good idea; it's not a starting point to actually getting the decks made.

I suggest making some starter decks here, post the links to them. These decks are examples of the kinds of decks you like to play, or would like to save with cards that you have in your collection. This gives users here that want to help you a better idea of what your looking for and what cards you have.

May 17, 2018 5:32 a.m.

luin says... #6

x12721: You mean from scratch? Are you an angel or what?

cdkime: Yeah I'd rather not buy some "commercial" decks because, as you said, they're not very practical and I should fix them anyway.

Nillstan: Thanks man but one deck is just... one deck.

multimedia: Sorry if I wasn't clear. I didn't want you to work for me (honestly, I had no idea there was somebody willing to do this from scratch), I was just looking for decks that someone already made and wants to share. I don't think that my time is more precious than yours.

May 17, 2018 7:25 a.m.

x12721 says... #7

Yeah, seriously, I'll brew something for you if you'd like (I've got the time), just tell me if there are any additional guidelines you want me to follow!

May 17, 2018 8:10 a.m.

Nillstan says... #8

I'd also be willing to brew up some shtuff for you if you'd like. Personally create options for you, yknow?

May 17, 2018 8:28 a.m.

DankStompy says... #9

don't complain because someone only shows you 1 deck. its better than zero. you can't expect every single person here to show you 4 different decks. just go buy preconstructed decks. or better yet, if you wanna play mtg against someone, they can use their own cards. you don't need to supply everyone else with a deck to use everywhere you go.

May 17, 2018 10:14 a.m.

shadow63 says... #10

dih-leer-ee-uh m

Smash

Are both cheap decks that have really fun strategies

May 17, 2018 12:46 p.m.

luin says... #11

Whoa thanks guys, very much appreciated!

Well my favourite combinations are W/B, R/W, G/U and U/B. I've always wanted to build a deck based on Experiment Kraj + Gilder Bairn combo, while the U/B deck could be control or something similar. Haven't an actual idea about the W/B and the R/W atm (I quite liked the concept of an exalted deck with Fumiko the Lowblood + Lightmine Field combo, though I'm not very sure about it). I generally prefer decks inspired by a combo (not an instant-win one, just a fun combo to play with) over aggro and straightforward tribal.

May 18, 2018 6:12 a.m.

luin says... #12

Another concept for R/W could be something with Spitemare, Pyrohemia, Outrider en-Kor and/or stuff like that.

May 18, 2018 7:43 a.m.

x12721 says... #13

Do you want a sideboard for each deck as well?

May 21, 2018 8:22 a.m.

luin says... #14

I don't think I really need it, perhaps just the maybeboard with the cards you have considered. Can't wait to see what you'll come up with!

May 21, 2018 6:03 p.m.

Quickspell says... #15

luin, x12721, so did you come to any results? I'd really love to see those four decks:)

May 25, 2021 4:47 a.m.

x12721 says... #16

Unfortunately, Quickspell, I've been quite busy IRL, and have largely moved away from this project. I may resurrect it in the future, however. These are two of the decks I made - the prices may have risen since they were made.


Balance the Scales - 1 of 4

Casual x12721

SCORE: 1 | 4 COMMENTS | 67 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER



Balance the Scales - 2 of 4

Casual x12721

1 COMMENT | 21 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER


June 1, 2021 2:44 a.m. Edited.

Quickspell says... #17

x12721 Thank you! I get it, so much going on... Thank you for your suggestions, I will gladly study them

June 22, 2021 5:52 p.m.

Quickspell says... #18

By the way, maybe instead of building decks that are balanced, you may just want to search for four pauper EDH decks with different win strategies. You may even want to get five and play single color only - each color doing what it can do best. They are 50$ each at most because it's all common cards. And since you're probably not playing much anyway, you can take the search for balance slowly. After each game, which could be months apart, see what cards of each deck add to keeping up with the best and replace the obvious ones immediately. With this incremental process they will balance out eventually. You can also slow down the strong decks by removing game pieces that are too powerful ⚖️

June 22, 2021 6:09 p.m. Edited.

x12721 says... #19

Quickspell I made a third one, my plan is to keep all these decks under $20. While I like your idea for pauper EDH, I think my series of decks will be 60 cards.


Balance the Scales - 3 of 4

Casual x12721

1 VIEW | IN 1 FOLDER


August 29, 2021 5:07 p.m.

Please login to comment