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-MTG Beginners Deck Construction

 

Choose up to 3 main columns, and then 1 subsection from each.

The points of this table is focusing the deck- each column has different sections that do not need to overlap to function adequately, but can work well with other columns. If you choose more than the recommended number of columns or sections, the deck would most likely lose its focus- you would be unlikely to draw the appropriate cards to reinforce your position at the right times. The key to any successful deck is that its cards support each other, but do not require each other, and this table was constructed with that main principle in mind.

Obviously, it is possible to make a deck that contains themes completely different to those listed here, decks that have more than the recommended number of themes, or completely different themes altogether. However, the point of this table is to be an aid for beginners- not advanced players. When starting out in a new game, most likely with very limited cards anyway, trying to make such complex decks is often doomed from the start.

Also note that some blocks have specific themes that may not match to the table either, for example the Ravnica- City of Guilds "Golgari Deathcreep" deck, which focuses on death/rebirth style of play. While that in itself is simple in the starter deck, outside of ravnica play such things become more complex, and thus, is not included.

In short, this deck is exactly as described- a tool for beginners. It will not win you tournaments, but it may help you to create a basic deck of your own to begin playing with, and form a good starting point for improving your skills in Magic: The Gathering.

Improve own creatures Weaken/Destroy opponents creatures Mana advantage Instant win Stop opponent Card advantage
Either Improve statistics all round, Either shrink them out of existance (-x/-x effects), Either improve lands, Either a theoretical infinite combo, Either counterspells, Either draw additional cards,
Or add evasion abilities (fear, flying, unblockable, etc) and focus on increasing power. Or deal lethal damage, Or use effects to fetch extra lands, Or an effect that has an autowin ability. Or stop opponents mana, or make your opponent discard cards
  Or use destroy creature effects Or destroy opponents lands If you choose this column, choose no other columns (Unless you want to choose Stop opponent: counterspells or card advantage: additional drawing). Or destroy/incapacitate opponents creatures,  
    Or include lots of creatures that tap for mana   Or make yourself difficult to target/attack.  

In addition to only choosing a maximum of 3 sections, you should also try and keep a maximum of 2 different colours in your deck. This helps to make sure you have the right colour mana at the right time. Its incredibly frustrating having 5 mana, and a 5-drop card in hand, but not being able to play it because it requires 3 white mana, and you only have 2 plains out.

The column: Improve own creatures generally works best with green or white cards. (E.g. Strength of Cedars, Holy Strength, etc.)

The column: Weaken/Destroy opponents creatures generally works best with black cards, with the exception of dealing lethal damage, which works best with red.

The column Mana Advantage generally works best with green cards, except for destroying opponents lands which works best with red.

Instant wins are entirely dependant on the specific combo, but is most commonly a blue/green mix.

The column Stopping Opponent generally works best with white cards, except counterspells which are unique to blue.

The column Card Advantage generally works best with blue for additional drawing, or black for making opponents discard.

A good example of a deck theme is improve own creatures and destroy opponents creatures, choosing to improve your own creatures statistics all round, and to use destroy effects on opponents creatures. Then you will be able to use a mix of cards like Horobis Whisper for pesky creatures that might get in your way, and Glorious Anthem for a permanent boost to all your creatures so that they can annihilate smaller creatures your opponents control that don't warrant the use of a destroy effect..