How can I best get into the format?
Modern forum
Posted on May 7, 2014, 5:24 a.m. by -Fulcrum
I've tried several times over to get into the format but without any experience or knowledge of the format, I have a hard time building a functioning (non-netdecked) deck.
Another thing I've tried doing was just trying to build decks around some of my favorite cards that I know are played in Modern (in my case, Abrupt Decay and Lingering Souls ) but still have trouble with the above problem.
One thing I'm considering is mirroring my transition from casual to standard and just going to a Modern FNM with a slightly modified standard deck, just for fun and experience.
Thoughts?
So If I wanted to get into modern, could I scoot by running a combination of Shocks and Buddy lands? How relevant is the shuffle. I get it's great for things like Serum Visions but I realistically lack the tools to get fetches. The most I could ever spend on a deck would fall somewhere around $200.
May 7, 2014 7:03 a.m.
The problem with 8-rack is that with Liliana it can get hugely expensive. I would recommend things like Slippery Bogle decks that basically pile enchantments onto a hexproof creature or something like my Selesnya aggro deck [Budget] You were saying about needing fetchlands? which is fine and wins some of the time.
The key for budget is to avoid 3 colour so you don't need to run both fetches and shocks, avoid Liliana of the Veil , avoid Tarmogoyf , avoid Mox Opal , avoid Dark Confidant
May 7, 2014 8:30 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #5
/sigh I remember when Affinity was considered a budget deck. Back in the day of $20 Mox Opal s, makes me sad.
To get a good idea of what type of decks you might see I recommend this resource. This gives you an idea of what's out there. (You don't have to build from those decks but it helps when you are looking for what to beat.)
I really like what Athreos, God of Passage is bringing to Modern, He puts deadguy in a good place.
What is your favorite archetype? Combo, control, or Aggro?
May 7, 2014 10:42 a.m.
I'm definitely a mix of control and combo. My primary color is blue and my favorite combination is Grixis. Obviously I'd have to shy away form tri-colored decks to limit the price.
May 7, 2014 10:47 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #7
Well, it wouldn't be too hard to get the nuts and bolts of a Splinter Twin deck built on a budget. The core is usually 4x Splinter Twin and 4x Deceiver Exarch . Add Pestermite s and some control elements and you have a deck.
I'm hesitant to point you towards storm because that deck requires some SERIOUS mental investment.
May 7, 2014 10:53 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #8
Play Mono-Green Infect. Cheap, effective, and you'll see what modern's really about.
May 7, 2014 10:56 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #10
Everything looses to something, Infect doesn't really lose to infect because Apostle's Blessing and Vines of Vastwood r a thing that most people run in Infect actually giving it more protection than most deck have.
May 7, 2014 11:04 a.m.
There's nothing wrong with a modified Standard deck, but know that the tweaks might not be what you would do for tweaking a Standard deck.
In Standard, your card inclusions go from "good card" to "better card" because the limited card pool limits concepts and synergy and the cards will often have to stand on their own. Modern, though, has a lot of cards, and therefore how they play into your concept factors into card choices more.
Put another way, specialist decks where "this deck is ONLY about X" where every card contributes to one stated objective are practically impossible in Standard; some of the card inclusions will have to not fit with the concept, but if they're solid cards on their own it's still a good deck. Less competitive Modern players, however, will sometimes experiment with really obscure concepts just because the cards to do it are there.
Also, in competitive circles (and often in general) Modern is fast and control is weaker than in other formats. Not all standard decks will upgrade to Modern equally.
May 7, 2014 11:18 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #13
The only viable control decks that I've seen are usually some form of Tron.
Even then the G/R version leave a lot to be desired in the control department.
May 7, 2014 11:26 a.m.
trentfaris242 says... #16
It's win con is a combo, but does that mean it isn't a control deck? I'd honestly like opinions on this. I just started playing it :P
May 7, 2014 12:01 p.m.
There is a event deck coming out later this year. It should provide a decent skeleton for a fairly competitive modern deck.
May 7, 2014 12:12 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #18
Usually combo decks have control elements to prevent interaction so often they will look alike. A control deck stops being a control deck when it's win condition is combo.
May 7, 2014 12:12 p.m.
A control typically wants to control the game and then play a single large grindy finisher that'll just wear you down (like Elspeth in standard).
A combo deck will typically try to hinder you at the same time as putting together their combo.
Both can look alike but its about how they win and how they play. Often a combo deck will tap out to win with their combo whereas a control deck will avoid doing this.
May 7, 2014 12:17 p.m.
ChiefWannaHacka says... #20
If you want to get into the format, my suggestion would be find a deck concept you like first. From there you can figure out how you want to build or what you want to invest in. If you're just playing at FNM level, then you could just make a good stuff deck to start. For example a big Jund type deck with shocks and checklands can still hit all the colors to cast silly things like Thundermaw Hellkite , Huntmaster of the Fells Flip , or Grave Titan . It's a lot like Jund from last standard if you have the pieces. You get to play Abrupt Decay and other goodies, but don't have to shell out for the Tarmogoyf s, Dark Confidant s, or Fetches.
My example is only one of many options, but the concept of playing what you like is the core idea.
May 7, 2014 12:19 p.m.
So I tossed this thing together while trying to keep the budget at or below $200. I'm not really sure how good this is or how to improve it, but here it is:
U/R Budget Twin Playtest
Modern*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 0 VIEWSMay 7, 2014 2:52 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #22
I'm not an expert on Twin but that really looks like a good starting point.
Don't forget, as the years go along you can add to it. Eternal formats are a very personal thing. Allowing you to craft it exactly how you are comfortable. You can get a Remand next week, then the week after that you might be able to pick up another Remand .
May 7, 2014 3:20 p.m.
forestlore44 says... #23
What are some more of your favorite cards? And what sort of deck do you enjoy playing the most: aggo/ midrange/ combo/ control?
GoofyFoot says... #2
Honestly, Modern is at a great place format-wise IMO. While net-decks do run rampant, it's the same with every other format, and unlike standard, no net-deck is unbeatable. and with such a diverse format that lacks the super powers allowed in legacy, modern is realistically a format anyone can go into with a 10 dollar deck and do OK in. if you're wanting competitive, it comes with a price tag, mainly for lands and necessary staples. But so many decks are fun and good to play, you have a chance against anything. My mono-black discard deck That Lovin' Feeling ruin's both milera and kikipod's day. 8rack is definitely not tier 1, nor would i suggest it if you're trying to make friends, but it's great to play and unless you run into mono-white pillowfort, most decks won't be able to stop you (Leyline of Sanctity hurts bad).
The best way to put it is in a sports term. FNMs are really just pickup games. they don't count for your teams score, they don't get you into the superbowl, they are there so you can have fun and see what you can do. GPQs and GPs are actual games, where you need to come prepared for with a mind set of what you want to achieve. and Pro-tours are obviously Superbowl/world series, etc. The point being don't worry about winning or losing at a FNM. build a deck you like, take it into the FNM, and find experienced players who are not assholes that will give you good feed back. In my experience, there are many there and they aren't too hard to find.
and hell, if you know what colors or archetype you want to run, or even if you're just looking for ideas, go to MTGtop8.com or mtgdecks.net for inspiration. you don't have to copy the deck lists, but seeing a combo or an archetype you didn't know about that is just crazy enough to work with a little tweeking is a great way to start. That's how I built my Esper Conscriptions deck, after I saw the Combat trick of Sovereigns of Lost Alara +Eldrazi Conscription .
May 7, 2014 6:22 a.m.