Have you ever stared at your collection of Magic: The Gathering cards, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities? Building a deck feels like a huge puzzle. You want something strong, something fun, but finding the perfect combination can sometimes feel impossible. Many players struggle to move from owning cards to crafting a truly competitive or enjoyable deck.
Choosing the right strategy—Aggro, Control, or Combo—often dictates your success at the table. A poorly built deck can lead to frustrating losses, leaving you wondering what went wrong. We know that feeling of wanting to win but not knowing where to start your construction process.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the core elements of successful deck building, showing you exactly how to select powerful synergies and avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you will have the tools to construct your next champion deck with confidence.
Let’s dive into the art and science of creating unbeatable Decks In Magic.
Top Decks In Magic Recommendations
- RETURN TO THE LAND OF LIGHT AND SHADOW—Lorwyn returns, not as it once was, but a world split in two. Explore this dual-aspect plane filled with enchanting creatures and embrace the powers of order and chaos.
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK—Pick up and play Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- CONTENTS—100-card Dance of the Elements deck with 12 new cards (including 2 foil Mythics), deck box, 10 double-sided token cards, strategy insert, reference card
- RETURN TO THE LAND OF LIGHT AND SHADOW—Lorwyn returns, not as it once was, but a world split in two. Explore this dual-aspect plane filled with enchanting creatures and embrace the powers of order and chaos.
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK—Pick up and play Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- CONTENTS—100-card Blight Curse deck with 12 new cards (including 2 foil Mythics), deck box, 10 double-sided token cards, strategy insert, reference card
- SURPASS YOUR PROGRAMMING—Boost artifacts and proliferate counters with the aid of interstellar vessel, Inspirit, and its sentient navigational consciousness, Kilo
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Every Edge of Eternities Commander Deck includes 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring Borderless art
- INTRODUCES 12 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 12 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- COLLECT SPECIAL TREATMENT CARDS—Each deck also comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 1 Traditional Foil card and 1 alt-border Rare or Mythic Rare (foil or nonfoil)
- THRILLING MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- Two Decks Included - All Jack Diamonds & All Seven Spades
- Each Deck Contains 56 Identical Cards
- Made with Standard Bicycle Card Stock In Air Cushion Finish
- Can Be Used in a Multitude of Different Card Tricks
- Magic Tricks & Cards by Magic Makers - Your Partner In Magic
- Powerful and Easy to Perform – One of the most impressive playing card illusions ever created. Amaze audiences with a thought-of card reveal using a specially prepared magic card deck that works every time.
- Made with Authentic Bicycle Quality – Professionally crafted using genuine playing cards bicycle for smooth handling and durability. Includes a full deck of cards bicycle in the famous bicycle standard playing cards design.
- Perfect for All Skill Levels – Whether you’re new to magic or a pro, this trick card deck is easy to learn yet powerful enough for television performances. Great for magic invisible effects, close-up shows, and street magic.
- Includes Everything You Need – Comes with the special magic deck of cards, printed instructions, and handling tips. Perform mind-reading style tricks with this versatile magic trick cards decks setup.
- Ideal Gift for Magicians & Collectors – A must-have for fans of bicycle card magic, bicycle marked deck tricks, and marked deck of cards routines. An excellent addition to any magic cards decks trick or trick deck collection.
- A NEW AGE OF TARKIR—Return to Tarkir for an epic battle between dragons and clans; discover which clan fits your playstyle with distinct three-color gameplay, and add draconic power to your collection
- HARNESS THE FURY OF THE DRAGONS—Join the Temur clan to ramp mana and summon dragons with this Green-Blue-Red Commander deck
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Command your army with Ureni, spirit dragon of wisdom, or Eshki, leader of the Temur clan; every Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck includes 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring gorgeous Borderless art
- BATTLE ALONGSIDE YOUR CLAN—The Temur are a semi-nomadic people who thrive in the northern mountain terrain by living in concert with their environment. They are expert hunters, gatherers, and herders, working alongside their formidable animal companions.
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- Quick-See Leader View Window: The crystal-clear display panel lets you check your key card stats instantly before the game starts - no more fumbling to open the box! Never be unprepared again!
- Instant Card Stand & Easy Access: Converts to a stable stand in seconds to free your hands during play while keeping cards within reach - because real players need both hands for strategy! Game-changing convenience!
- Premium Card Protection System: Never worry about damaged cards again! The combination of rugged waterproof construction, protective inner cushioning and secure magnetic closure creates the ultimate defense system for your valuable card collection.
- High Capacity Storage: Holds 210+ unsleeved / 120+ single-sleeved / 100+ double-sleeved cards, plus 2 FREE dividers to organize decks in seconds! No more bulging binders—just grab & play!
- Portable Card Case: Choose from 6 vibrant colors in a slim, portable design (perfect 3.2” x 3.8" x 4.3" size) that fits anywhere - take your deck box to every game night in style!
- Card magic for everyone with more than 50 amazing card tricks
- Two special trick decks included to have total control with your card magic
- Easy online learning with streaming and download access for fast results with routines for both the magic Svengali Deck and magic Stripper Deck
- Complete course In card tricks by Magic Makers
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Your Magic: The Gathering Decks
Welcome, aspiring Planeswalkers! Building a great Magic: The Gathering (MTG) deck is exciting. This guide helps you pick the right decks, whether you are just starting or looking to upgrade your collection. We focus on what matters most when buying ready-to-play or pre-constructed decks.
Key Features to Look For
When you look at a new deck, a few things stand out. These features tell you how the deck will likely perform.
Synergy and Strategy
- Synergy: Does the deck work well together? Look for cards that help each other. A good deck has a clear plan.
- Consistency: Can you execute your plan often? Decks with too many random, unrelated cards feel weak.
- Card Quality: Are the powerful, rare cards present? Strong decks usually feature sought-after, powerful spells.
Deck Format Suitability
Make sure the deck fits the way you want to play. Standard decks use only the newest cards. Commander (EDH) decks are built for multiplayer fun. Modern decks allow older, powerful cards. Check the format listed on the packaging.
Important Materials and Components
While MTG decks are mostly paper cards, the quality of the physical product matters for longevity and feel.
Card Quality and Printing
- Card Stock: Standard MTG cards use high-quality card stock. Cheap knock-offs use flimsy paper that tears easily.
- Ink Quality: Clear, vibrant ink prevents fading. Poor printing makes text hard to read during fast games.
Accessories Included
Many pre-built products come with extras. These accessories improve your experience immediately.
- Sleeves: Plastic sleeves protect your investment. Good sleeves make shuffling much smoother.
- Life Counters/Tokens: Having official tokens and a die helps track game states accurately.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one deck feel great and another feel frustrating? It usually comes down to two things: the mana base and the sideboard.
The Mana Base (The Foundation)
The mana base is the collection of land cards. A weak mana base severely reduces quality. If a deck runs many colors but only basic lands, it often fails to cast spells on time. Higher quality decks include “dual lands” or “fetch lands” that produce multiple colors reliably.
The Sideboard
For competitive play, the sideboard is crucial. This is a collection of 15 extra cards you swap in between games. Decks with a well-thought-out sideboard adapt to different opponents. Decks missing a good sideboard are less flexible.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about why you are buying the deck. This shapes your best choice.
Casual Play (Friends and Fun)
For casual play, focus on fun themes. Commander decks excel here because they encourage big, splashy plays. Synergy matters more than raw power.
Competitive Play (Tournaments)
Competitive players need consistency and efficiency. These decks must execute their main strategy perfectly, often sacrificing some fun factor for raw speed and power. You often need to upgrade these decks immediately after purchase.
Learning the Game
If you are new, choose “Planeswalker Decks” or “Challenger Decks.” These are designed to teach basic mechanics simply. They usually have straightforward strategies.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Buying MTG Decks
Q: Should I buy a pre-built deck or build my own?
A: Pre-built decks save time and offer immediate playability. Building your own offers total customization but requires deep knowledge of card interactions.
Q: What is the difference between a Theme Deck and a Challenger Deck?
A: Theme Decks are usually very basic, meant for absolute beginners. Challenger Decks are stronger and designed to compete well in local tournaments right out of the box.
Q: Do I need to buy sleeves immediately?
A: Yes. Sleeves protect the cards from sweat, dirt, and wear. This keeps their trade value high, and they shuffle better.
Q: What does “Format Legal” mean?
A: It means the deck only contains cards allowed in a specific game type, like Standard or Pioneer. Illegal cards cannot be played in that format.
Q: Are older decks always better than new ones?
A: Not necessarily. Power levels change. An older deck might be powerful but not legal in current formats. New decks reflect the current strongest strategies.
Q: How many lands should a 60-card deck have?
A: Generally, 22 to 26 lands provide the best balance for a 60-card deck. Too few lands means you cannot cast your spells.
Q: What is a “staple” card?
A: A staple is a very powerful, highly useful card. Many good decks across different strategies use the same few staple cards.
Q: Can I upgrade a pre-built Commander deck?
A: Absolutely! Commander decks are excellent starting points. Most players upgrade the mana base and swap out weaker cards for better options.
Q: How do I know if the deck is too complicated for me?
A: Look at the variety of symbols in the mana costs. Decks using many different, complex symbols (like {2}{R}{G}{W}{U}) are usually harder to pilot than decks using just one or two colors.
Q: What is the most important factor for winning?
A: Consistency is king. A deck that does what it wants to do reliably beats a deck that sometimes does something amazing but often stumbles.