Tips for getting started in Modern?
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 14, 2022, 3:32 p.m. by LittleMy
I come from a hard Commander background, the last time I played a different format was with other people's decks recently for only a game or two in Legacy, and building Legacy at the very start of me playing Magic. I really want to expand my deck building skills and dive into another format.
I know very well what kind of player I am, but it's been so very long since I built anything other than singleton, are there any tips I should know going into Modern? Is Modern unhealthy (I know there's some debate around that) and should I instead move to another format? Are Modern decks inherently expensive (cause every deck I see, fetchlands or no, range above ~400+. Not an issue, just wondering)? Anything else that you wish you knew when starting Modern?
Thanks for all the help in this!
Grubbernaut says... #3
I don't think there's any real controversy over the health of modern, atm. The meta changes weekly, Lurrus is the only thing potentially ban worthy, and it's not even breaking the format. Overall in a good, healthy, diverse place.
February 14, 2022 4:02 p.m.
wallisface says... #4
Modern is currently in a very healthy state. The only real obstacle is currently the cost-to-entry.
Here’s a list of the top-tier decks.
Here’s a list of budget-friendly sudo-competitive modern decks.
And here is the most commonly played card in the format.
I would suggest, for getting into modern, by starting with an established deck. There’s lots of budget-versions of top-tier decks (just google for what you’re after), which then usually have roadmaps for upgrading them to their “final form”.
Its certainly possible to get creative and brew in modern, but unless you’re super familiar with the format, you’ll get punished trying to do so. Your best bet for upskilling is playing loads of games and reading articles.
February 14, 2022 4:13 p.m.
wallisface says... #5
Looking at your profile, I would assume you’d feel right-at-home playing Gifts-Storm in modern. Not only is it a decently competitive combo deck that draws waay too many cards, but it’s also decently cheap, by modern standards.
3 example decklists are here, here, and here.
The mtgGoldfish rundown of it is here.
February 14, 2022 5:24 p.m.
My advice to anyone wanting to build a Modern deck is to COMMIT TO A MANA BASE.
The combination of fetch/shock lands is mostly the biggest barrier of entry for Modern.... if you get a functional mana base for your favorite 2-3 colors you can then feel a sense of freedom to build/assemble staples to build a deck.
If the deck gets stale to you over time at very least you have a mana base to try something else.
I I used to buy way too many shells of decks that were handicapped by a "budget mana base"... when I committed to just getting 8 fetches and 6 shocks that corresponded I found my deck building to become much more focused and I bought less cards I didn't need.
February 14, 2022 6:18 p.m.
psionictemplar says... #7
No matter what you play, you will likely need the same lands (fetch/shock) quite often, so I would start with that. From there I would move towards some of the safer format staples like Force of Negation, Solitude/Fury or whatever works towards your preferred play style. Just as a precaution, I would stay away from the very top end (ex: Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer/ Wrenn and Six)until the end, just in case of a potential ban. Just like most other constructed formats, you will want multiples of your best cards.
February 14, 2022 8:47 p.m.
TriusMalarky says... #8
Modern is incredibly healthy, the discussion is around specific cards -- people like the format but dislike some of the new cards. And also tron. They always hate tron.
The big thing with modern rn is budget -- it's possible to build lower, but with Fetches and Shocks, then add Invocations, Saga, Ragavan and it adds up really really fast.
February 14, 2022 11:02 p.m.
DragonWolf420 says... #9
something that i'm surprised hasn't been asked yet, is are you trying to netdeck or homebrew? if you're netdecking and budget isn't a problem, you should be fine jumping into modern. if you'd rather homebrew and/or your budget is tight, you may have better luck in pioneer. still a 60-card non-rotating format, but no fetches in the format can cut out a good chunk of the cost.
a buddy of mine once described modern as "sometimes you just get your dick kicked in, and you have to be ok with that". i prefer to word it a bit differently lol. if you can't win by turn 4, you sure as heck better have enough removal to stop the other guy from winning by turn 4.
February 14, 2022 11:55 p.m.
If you are looking to get into modern with a more budget friendly deck I recommend checking out Burn. Its not the most creative deck but does well enough in the format against most meta decks and isn't as crazy expensive as most others.
February 16, 2022 1:43 p.m.
My first question is what kind of deck do you like playing? Do you want to make your own deck, or do you want to netdeck something? Do you prefer combo, control, or aggro or some combination of them?
Just looking at your profile description and EDH names, I'm guessing you like combo-control, sort of like me, which is generally in the higher end of pricing unfortunately, because the manabases can get greedier.
I'll wait for some feedback before giving any type of specific suggestions.
March 6, 2022 7:09 p.m.
nbarry223 there was a suggestion earlier to look into for a combo deck, Gifts Storm that I've been looking into building. That's the only current direction I have. I love combos, but I'm open to more aggro playstyles. I'd stay away from control playstyles as I have pretty bad threat assessments.
Price for me isn't an issue, I'll build anything as long as it's fun, even if takes me a year to get all the cards.
March 7, 2022 8:52 a.m.
Do you like easy to pilot or more complicated interactions?
Like my favorite decks usually end up as toolbox decks, even if they are more aggro. That leads to more complicated interactions in a lot of cases.
For example, amulet titan decks are probably the most complicated to pilot decks in the format, while something like burn is arguably easier (misplaying with burn can still cost you the game easily, not saying it is super easy to pilot by any means).
March 7, 2022 12:11 p.m.
nbarry223 I'd say I like fairly complicated interactions. Smart playing for me is leagues more fun than draw, swing, lightning bolt, pass.
March 8, 2022 9:13 a.m.
Okay, so interactive decks that aren’t control and can be either combo or aggro oriented, and try to stay away from control if possible.
I’d definitely suggest checking out amulet titan decks, although I don’t really suggest it as your first modern deck. The core of the deck is about 2/3 the deck, so there’s plenty of room for customization.
Some other decks that may be what you are looking for are eldrazi tron, elementals, creatures toolbox (probably fits best if I had to pick one), and maybe storm.
SpammyV says... #2
My personal opinion is that the format is healthy. The interactive cards are very powerful now and matching the power of the threats. Burn's good, resilient midrange decks with Lurrus are good, flashy midrange decks with Yorion are good, control's decent, linear combo decks like Living End are good. The top decks are good but the gulf between Tier 1 and Tier 1.5 or Tier 2 isn't so great that a non-Tier 1 deck can't have success if you know the deck well and can pilot it well into an unprepared metagame. There's definitely cards that could become problematic in the future, and I think it'd be a better format without some cards/mechanics, but things are good right now.
Right now I'd describe Modern gameplay as "tight." There are a lot of flexible and powerful removal spells and counterspells, so deciding how you sequence your threats and use your interaction is supremely important. There are a lot of decisions to make, that old "Ships passing in the night" comparison doesn't pass any more.
Is Modern expensive? Unfortunately yes. Enemy Fetches aren't the biggest issue right now since they're still somewhat cheapened from the MH2 reprinting, but Ragavan/Incarnations/Wrenn & Six/Force of Negation are all expensive. I really hope they get reprinted in force soon. Things aren't so bad since they are often part of multiple decks, and you can make some budget considerations. Omitting the expensive cards for some cheaper ones can still serve you well if you're playing at your LGS. Just as an example, I've been getting copies of Wrenn & Six for my 4C Indomitable Creativity deck one at a time, and it's still been serving me decently. You cut some power/consistency but if your plan is strong enough you can still get wins.
February 14, 2022 4:01 p.m.