Format Entry
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 26, 2014, 1:55 p.m. by blackmarker90
So recently I have been trying to get into modern, and I need a few chase/staple rares. I know that people are only looking for specific items for these, but it seems that for someone with a limited budget it is near impossible to obtain any of said cards. I don't have an unlimited budget to go buy many cards and my main trade stock is standard items, with a few specific case modern rares, and it feels like I can't get anywhere towards getting this deck put together. I know WotC is trying to make Modern ann easier format to enter, but it feels harder than ever for someone who has only recently picked up with new standard.
Sorry for the rant, and if it seems like I am complaining feel free to delete the post Epochalyptik
It is a common rant. It's hard to get into modern, regardless of what WoTC is doing, if you want to play a tier 1 deck. I think the goal here should be a tier 1.5-2 deck that sees some play is the best type of deck to get into. For example b/w tokens is relatively inexpensive, if you go without the Bitterblossom . Most of the core of the deck is bulk, though the Auriok Champion is a bit hefty (15$ ea or around there). Soul Sisters is another, where the Serra Ascendant are the most expensive at around 10-12$ (last I checked, could have gone up). It should be easier to get the harder rares in this if your area has a lot of players around. The bonus is neither really needs fetches, while b/w does better with them, it's not that hard to make it consistent and 'fast enough' with 4 Godless Shrine and 4 Isolated Chapel instead of the few they have with the fetches in the net decks. Souls sisters is mono-white so all you need are plains.
February 26, 2014 2:04 p.m.
PasorofMuppets says... #4
My only real suggestion is to trade a lot. I have grown much of my modern collection from trading a bunch on tappedout (I trade a lot in person too). Another suggestion is to trade smart, speculate with your trades. I traded for 8 Jace, Architect of Thought when they were around $10 and traded them off for EDH and Modern cards.
If you don't want to spend money, you're going to have to spend a lot of time.
February 26, 2014 2:05 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
I think most people gun for decks in the top two tiers because they want to justify spending the money to climb over the barrier to entry.
Of course, there are plenty of cheap, viable decks, but most people don't think of those decks when they think of Modern. They think of Tron and Jund and America. And those decks cost money.
February 26, 2014 2:05 p.m.
blackmarker90 says... #6
Well the deck I'm trying to build is Snapgoyf Control and the biggest things I need are Snapcaster Mage and the fetches.
February 26, 2014 2:10 p.m.
Cobthecobbler says... #7
Reading your last comment, it's no wonder your having a hard time getting passed the barrier. You're trying to build the most expensive modern deck.
If you're coming off of new standard, then I'm assuming you're familiar with Mono-black devotion. Well, a new, Modern-format version of that deck has been making a splash in the format, and the most expensive card is Phyrexian Obliterator (NM $27.99).
If you want something that can hold it's own, I hear its been doing pretty well.
Otherwise, Soul Sisters is probably the cheapest winning Modern deck, because it uses no fetches, and only one or two cards really cost much.
February 26, 2014 2:17 p.m.
That's just an obscene cost for a deck trade for and to enter the format with . Though I'm sure the cost is in the goyf's, my America control costs a 1100$ (with 4 snaps, 4 catacombs, 3 flats, 1 mesa and the rest of the staples for the deck). Anyways, I suggest you start small, by small, I mean getting whatever staples you can and trade around till you get the pieces you want. I started with pod, but that was only 600$ in value last summer when I built it and moved into u/w tron and now american control this year. In all honesty, cost wise either start smaller or trade up in steps. Snaps are hard because they are now back in business thanks to the drs banning.
February 26, 2014 2:18 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #9
In my experience, getting into Modern was very easy. I started off with a homebrew Delver of Secrets Flip UR Tempo deck that was really nothing more than Delvers, some burn that I already had; Incinerate , Combust , Lightning Bolt , etc, and the couple of key counterspells that were in budget (namely Mana Leak and Counterflux ).
After focusing on strictly that deck for over a year now, it has expanded into my list that I have today, which includes other awesome tempo cards like Geist of Saint Traft and Snapcaster Mage , as well as all of my shock lands and check lands that I needed.
Really, the barrier of entry into modern is set by the person trying to get in. You just have to be smart about it. Don't shoot for the top tier deck immediately. Set your goals.
I'm currently working on another deck that I hope to eventually evolve into a GB control variant. Right now, it's the most budget list you'll ever see, but it has room to grow as I get the key cards that I need. A Game of Cat and Mouse. In testing, this deck was able to take down both Ajundi and Melria Pod with moderate success, even in its current infant state.
So basically what i'm trying to get at is that you don't need a top tier deck to be good at modern, or even get into modern. If you know how to make a good deck, take the most efficient pieces that you can afford, and start from there. You've got to learn to crawl before you can run, and I feel that too many people are trying to be born sprinting.
February 26, 2014 2:23 p.m.
Just an example, I traded a snap and Wurmcoil Engine for a Noble Hierarch which I plan to trade away for more value or sell to a store for credit to get the fetches I need for my u/w/r deck.
February 26, 2014 2:24 p.m.
blackmarker90 says... #11
Which is why I am trying to get then before they get to Misty Rainforest prices.
February 26, 2014 2:27 p.m.
I will trade you a playset of snaps for a playset of misty's ;-)
February 26, 2014 2:31 p.m.
I expect misty to reprinted within in a couple years, in a standard legal set. I don't every expect snap to though.
February 26, 2014 2:39 p.m.
but try to trade for what people want, not necessarily what you want. If that Marsh Flats is all that's available for fetches, grab it if you can. If that Steel Overseer is available, grab it if you can. These things will lead you to what you want.
February 26, 2014 2:41 p.m.
blackmarker90 says... #16
Snap will probably get the Goyf treatment in a future Modern Masters type set. Bumped up to mythic and just enough printed to drive the cost way up
February 26, 2014 2:42 p.m.
megawurmple says... #17
I agree with a lot of the people who have posted before me: start smaller, then work your way up. My first ever Modern brew was my ramp deck, which started as a cheap (sub-$100) deck with nothing hugely expensive. Over time, I've managed to evolve it into a semi-competitive (as in 3rd at a GPT) 3-colour powerhouse deck that is worth $350-400. I did so bit by bit. As I expanded my knowledge of the format, I edited accordingly and acquired some of the more expensive cards when I got the chance. Now I'm in the process of putting together a tier 1 tempo deck for about $1,100, and I feel like I have enough experience to play it. Had I gone straight for the tier 1 deck, I would have been useless at playing it.
My advice would be to try and build something yourself, or get something cheap, and use that to acquaint yourself with the format before you throw yourself head first at the most expensive deck you can see.
February 26, 2014 3:42 p.m.
blackmarker90 says... #18
That is actually a home brew, yes it looks very Jund-ish. But this is what I came up with myself.
February 26, 2014 4:02 p.m.
Cobthecobbler says... #19
And it's an extremely expensive deck that is not at all ideal for breaking into modern.
February 26, 2014 4:11 p.m.
megawurmple says... #20
Sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you of netdecking, I worded that wrong. I simply meant that you should build a cheaper deck or use an archetype that isn't big in Modern; try to evolve your own archetype in the format. I feel that that is the best way to gain experience as you have to figure out how to beat the meta using what resources you have available; you can't look for solutions by seeing how other decks of that archetype adapt. It may not be the next ground-breaking Modern deck, but at least it will be your own.
February 26, 2014 4:26 p.m.
SharuumNyan says... #21
Merfolk costs less than $400. If you already have several Mutavault it'll be much cheaper. I consider it tier 1, because it Top 8s at large tournaments regularly.
Mono-colored is the way to go if you want to start cheap(er). You can learn the format and how different decks work by playing against them, and you won't have to spend a small fortune on lands.
And there's nothing wrong with netdecking a deck and then adusting it to local meta, especially if you want to try out a format.
February 26, 2014 5:04 p.m.
blackmarker90 says... #22
Thankfully I have all of the lands except for the fetches
Epochalyptik says... #2
Legitimate complaints are perfectly acceptable.
I wanted to get into Modern, but I'm thinking of shelving or selling my Modern deckbuilding collection. I don't have the time to follow the format, and every time I think I'm close to expanding the collection, the next chase rare spikes $20. It's just annoying to me that a format billed as more stable than Standard has such a high and unstable barrier to entry.
February 26, 2014 2:03 p.m.