Good control deck win condition example (budget)
Deck Help forum
Posted on May 5, 2013, 2:31 p.m. by dpac
I'm making my first control deck (the previous ones were creature based decks), and I'm not sure what makes a good control deck finisher or win combo.One obvious option is mill the opponent. Maybe some manlands.I'm not really sure what other win combos I can use.Can someone help me with this?I thought of making an esper control deck. I'm also thinking about adding a splash of red.
Sorry and thank you for moving this to the appropriate section.I forgot to mention.It's meant just for casual play with friends.
May 5, 2013 3:33 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
Mill is a pretty bad win con in general, but it's more viable in casual.
You should focus on the concept of the deck, then decide the colors. It will be much easier that way.
For example, Grixis could allow you to do Cruel Control (using cards like Cruel Ultimatum , Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker , Blightning , etc.)
May 5, 2013 3:48 p.m.
I basically would like to keep the board clear, survive until I'm able to drop a creature that will act as a finisher or be able to do a combo that will win the game.
May 5, 2013 4:29 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
That's the basic idea of all control decks except tempo control. What specifically do you want to do?
May 5, 2013 4:33 p.m.
I'm kind of lost, as in I don't know how control decks are meant to win games.If you could give me some ideas for how a budget control deck could win games.I can also splash in a Red in the deck.
May 5, 2013 5:17 p.m.
TurboFagoot says... #8
Technically a control could win by controlling the game for a few turns, drop a 1/1, and control the game for the next 20 turns. This isn't really viable, but there's no "set strategy" to how a control deck wins. It varies with every deck.
Do I drop my Delver turn one and let it get there? Do I swing in with my Augurs of Bolas over a few turns? Do I tap out and drop a large finisher like Aurelia or Aetherling to end the game in about two turns?
It depends on what fits in your deck. Build your shell of control cards first, and see what you can throw in.
May 5, 2013 5:26 p.m.
Control decks that utilize removal probably will win using bombs such as Massacre Wurm or Necropolis Regent
Counterspell decks probably use cards such as Delver of Secrets Flip
Not sure about land destruction, but Wild Nacatl , Tarmogoyf and Kird Ape /Loam Lion seem to work.
Tell me if I am missing something.
May 5, 2013 5:59 p.m.
t3hSn0wm4n says... #10
AHHHHH. Finally I can help someone with something instead of having to ask for help myself! lol
I play control decks exclusively. I love control. just really depends on what you want to control. Do you want to control the board and piss off your opponent by simply countering every spell he casts? (my favorite BTW)
Or do you want to allow your opponent to put things on the board and then focus on control by removal? (not my favorite but it definitely works)
I would recommend taking a look at some of the control decks on the site. Ral and His Izzet Wizards is the dek that I am currently running with. Feel free to take a look and even use my ideas if you like. I do not claim to be the best player in the world, far from it. But this deck so far has done some damn fine work and won matches that by all rights it probably should not win.
Once you have determined the type of control that you want to use, you look at the colors that correspond with that strategy. Blue is going to have the best counters such as Cancel , Negate , Dissipate , Essence Scatter , etc etc. Black is going to have your removal spells such as Murder , Tragic Slip , and Ultimate Price to name a few.
Combine these types of things with white spells to gain life or board wipe like Supreme Verdict and you will start to have a fantastic control deck. Keep in mind that if you are not having fun with the game then there is no point to playing. So don't focus on the fact that you will lose and lose a lot learning to play control. Just keep your head up and have fun. :D
May 5, 2013 6:02 p.m.
The person above is right.
Land destruction is also pretty fun (don't worry about destroying your own lands, just destroy and beat using small creatures)
May 5, 2013 6:03 p.m.
Thank you everyone for you answers!t3hSn0wm4n I like you deck, I want to try and build a deck that controls the board and prevents the opponent from casting things.If you have time, please look at my 4 Color Control, which is just a sort of draft version with some interesting cards I'm planning on picking up.
May 5, 2013 7:04 p.m.
detentionsphere says... #14
Mill is great win condition for control, as long as that mill is Nephalia Drownyard ! It doesn't take up spell slots, allowing you to run 27-28 lands, it taps for mana, and it can be used at instant speed! You'd need way better mana to support it though. As is, even without Drownyard your mana is terrible. Transguild Promenade sucks, I would never run it. I would definitely choose about 2 colors and cut the others; you just cannot support 3-4 colors with the duals you have.
May 6, 2013 12:28 a.m.
It's just meant for casual play. I really want to try a 4 color control deck with few creatures.
Epochalyptik says... #2
This isn't really a question, and we don't even know what format you intend to play.
Moved to Deck Help.
May 5, 2013 3:27 p.m.