Playtesting Control
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 19, 2015, 4:10 a.m. by 2npii
I usually make proactive decks where goldfishing at least gives some idea as to how quickly/ consistently I can establish a board presence/ achieve some goal if left uninterrupted. However with reactive control decks it doesn't really give an idea of how effectively I can survive to cast threats.
So I'm currently working on a grixis control deck for post-rotation standard (Elgrixi if anyone's interested; will be updated once the site has all the new cards as I can't be asked to work out more proxies) and I'm wondering how people playtest their control decks.
I've tried opening up 2 playtesting screens, one of my own, one with a different deck and seeing how well I can do, but that requires me to know how to play the other deck as well as my own. Is knowing how to play your opponents deck just part of playing control? And if so, would I be better off waiting until the new format is established, then learning to play all the most popular decks so that I can play against the myself and have a better idea of how the match will pan out?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Servo_Token says... #3
Yes. Alway know how to play your opponent's deck, or at least make a good go at it. that's how you become a better magic player.
September 19, 2015 9:57 a.m.
reverendvile777 says... #4
Trying to run control out of the gates in a new standard is rather futile since part of building a control deck is knowing what the correct answers to run are. Knowing your opponent's deck and how it plays are all key to playing control properly.
Also, if you are trying to actually get better, do not go to untap.in. Play on MTGO, or xmage if you don't have to budget for MTGO. Rules enforcement and skilled opponents are necessary for good practice.
September 19, 2015 10:50 a.m.
reverendvile777 - That's what I was thinking; it doesn't seem worth preparing for the current popular decks when they might not be so hot come October!
Thanks for your inputs!
September 20, 2015 4:27 a.m.
reverendvile777 says... #6
If you want to play control, Esper Dragons just seems like the only good option since it's a little more capable of ending games. I took a 4 color version with red for Draconic Roar (best 2cmc removal spell in the format), Radiant Flames, and Crackling Doom (best removal spell period) for a test drive that has done alright.
bretters says... #2
Go play your deck against someone else on untap.in
September 19, 2015 7:41 a.m.