Quick Question
Standard forum
Posted on July 15, 2014, 9:37 p.m. by Naturalist
Just attended my first ever prerelease. Completely random and on a whim with a buddy. Hadn't played magic for over 15 years (Ice Age was hot last time I played).
Anyway, I am so pumped to be back and want to become a strong local tournament player. I come to you seeking advice. I've preordered a booster box for M15 since I have really no cards except for what i just picked up at the prerelase (finished 2nd btw) and few starter decks from M13 a friend gave me to mess with. It's my understanding that standard and modern are the main tourney formats.
My question is besides just net decking a few hot decks anyone have an suggestions for a few more modestly priced options to get me playing and getting the rules down? While I don't mind dropping some cash I want to see a ton of cards and play a ton of games. I don't mind losing a ton. I feel this is a good way for me to learn. I need to be punished for noob mistakes so I can learn from them.
My prerelease deck was G/B centered around a Hornet's Nest and Hornet Queen . I love green and wouldn't mind building a deck around these cards.
Final question should I go back and buy boosters of the previous sets still in rotation or am I better off getting singles of the older cards?
Naturalist says... #3
Haha thanks for the feed back Royal Assassin brings back fond memories!
So you're saying I should just bite the bullet and buy a deck instead of building around the new M15 cards? I also thought about trying to get in to more sealed events just to build my card collection and gain experience but not sure it is worth it.
I think I will pick up a Commander deck at some point too, seems to be super popular at my LGS.
July 15, 2014 10:02 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #4
Well, a Modern Affinity deck is like $500, but like gnarlicide said, several key pieces of Affinity have been reprinted in the last few sets. Also, while this may seem like a large sum, Affinity is one of the few decklists that barely changes. If it isn't build almost to almost the same specifications, it fails.
July 15, 2014 10:14 p.m.
InconspicuousPotato says... #5
I agree with the others. Play a bit with your friends until you've got the rules down, then go on like mtgtop8 or something and look for a deck you like. But be sure to do a ton of research on it to make sure you know how it works and plays out, then buy it.
July 15, 2014 10:21 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #6
I mean, you can always draft or do sealed until you can trade for all the cards you want, but that takes time. The upside to that is, you will be gaining the experience you need while building up your own card pool with out investing too heavily into the game in your early days back.
I went the "just buy a deck" route. It was easier on me because I told myself I wouldn't just quit the game. That and I initially "invested" into modern and legacy. So I can pretty much get most of my money back if I do quit. Thats a really big IF though, since most of those cards that are really expensive are REALLY fun and abusive to play with.
July 15, 2014 10:40 p.m.
cireretals says... #8
Just buy an event deck play with that, change it as you see fit. You could win with one of those, Usually you could win with one and they are worth the price.
July 16, 2014 12:13 a.m.
Naturalist says... #9
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Sounds like picking out a deck is the way to go. With the new set dropping this week tho is there any chance some of these decks will fall out if favor because of the rotation of the new set?
July 16, 2014 7:08 a.m.
Naturalist says... #11
Good to know. I'm thinking I will probably start with an aggro deck, these seem to be a little more straight forward and will help me build my fundamentals before jumping in to the more complex strategies and synergies.
July 16, 2014 8:30 a.m.
Aggro decks are definitely best for players getting back into the tame, but it is very circumstantial. If you don't win early, you just lose.
July 16, 2014 9:24 a.m.
Naturalist says... #13
I'm OK with losing right now, I just want to see a lot of cards and play a lot of games. I am going to try and attend as many FNM or weekend events as I can.
Side note, is MTGO worth a look to give me practice throughout the week? Or am I better off studying cards and watching matches on YouTube?
July 16, 2014 9:31 a.m.
Instead of MTGO, I recommend Cockatrice. Cockatrice is free-to-play and you can build any deck you want right off the bat. There's a bit of a learning curve to it and there are a few more trolls, but free makes it better.
Also, Mono-Black Devotion loses almost everything in September; it won't be a deck. gnarlicide was being facetious.
It's tough to build a tournament-viable deck right before a rotation because about half your cards will be leaving Standard. Aggro, though, is cheap and can win you games in a real tournament for less than $50.
July 16, 2014 12:12 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #15
Mmmm. Facetious.
zandl it sounds like some players are trying to dig deep and find replacements for cards leaving. If mono black stays in standard, though, it would end being an entirely different deck with Gary being their go to finisher. The removal almost stays the same. It would be slightly easier to splash colors with pain lands. The only thing MBD really loses is it's creature base. Which, don't get me wrong here, is the core of the deck.
July 16, 2014 12:29 p.m.
It loses Rat, Demon, Specter, Mutavault , Duress , Doom Blade , Ultimate Price , Devour Flesh , Underworld Connections , and that stuff's just the Mono-Black package without a splash.
I'd be shocked if MBD is tier-1 after rotation. I just don't see it; it loses everything but Gary, Bile Blight , Downfall, and Thoughtseize - and 4 cards does not a deck make.
July 16, 2014 12:37 p.m.
Naturalist says... #17
Thanks for the info about cockatrice, I'll have to check it out. I think I'm going to try and play as many sealed and draft events I can until I see the meta changes (if there is any) I really want to try a deck using Hornets nest and Hornet Queen.
July 16, 2014 8:47 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #18
fair enough, zandl. I had totally forgot about the rest of those cards. I guess MBD is going to tank after the fall... thanks to the jesus.
July 16, 2014 8:56 p.m.
biggestmtgnerd says... #19
I mean... You could try to build it, but it wouldn't be quite the same. I guess 4 grey merchant, 4 erabos, 4 abhorrent overlord, 4 thoughtseize, 4 bile blight, 4 heroes downfall, 4 drown in sorrow, 4 master of the feast, 4 indulgent tormenter, I guess.
Not quite the same, though.
July 17, 2014 9:34 a.m.
Mbd has Master of the Feast . But will need Waste Not and Mind Rot to offset opponent card advantage.
July 17, 2014 10:46 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #22
I"ve gotta disagree with everybody here - especially since you've already bought a booster box.
Part of the joy of Magic (a major part, IMNAAHO) is putting cards together - just buying a net-deck takes that away. Especially as you're okay with losing.
My advice is to enjoy the cards you have. Look through them, search for synergies. Decide what sort of deck you want to build. Build it - maybe buy a few singles to complete it. Then play. Then build another. Then just have fun.
Way more value for the dollar than just netdecking and sticking with one build.
July 18, 2014 7:37 a.m.
Naturalist says... #23
Thanks for the feedback. I am excited to get my new booster box this evening. I really want to work up da deck around Hornet Nest & Hornet Queen
July 18, 2014 9:52 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #24
Yeah, those are great (and fun) cards to build a deck around. (It wouldn't be standard legal, but building a deck around Hornet Nest and Squirrel Nest would make a fun critter deck.)
I was in pretty much teh same boat as you last year - I stopped playing around Ice Age, and got back in mid-Theros. I've loved the ride so far!
gnarlicide says... #2
Welcome back, man. I returned during Innistrad, (circa 2012) after break. I found a deck that I liked and bought it. The whole damn thing. It's probably the best option for guys like you and me. After you buy your deck, go to the shop and win more cards. That's what I did.
As far as modern... Well, not much is modest about it. I suppose you could make an affinity deck, since some of the cards have been recent re released. So it won't be too hard on your wallet, and it's really competitive. It's a good deck to get you into that format.
Don't forget, that legacy is still a thing, or type 1 as you know and I know it. But alas, that format is for rich kids and old schoolers. But don't let that discourage you from playing it. It's fun as fuck.
Oh yeah, Royal Assassin is not the best card anymore. Lol. But it still surprises people when it's reprinted every now and again.
July 15, 2014 9:54 p.m.