So almost all of us surf the web searching for that deck that will win big for us. So we can become known as a force to be reckoned with not just another grinder. We visit popular sites looking for the newest tech and go over winning lists just to find that Tier 1 deck that you need to compete which we find cost around $600-$1000.
If you are anything like me you have a budget and dropping 1 Grand on a deck every month or two just isn't going to happen! So how do we compete with players with endless budgets or vast resources?
Well is a combination of things. I've seen so many players try to build net-decks without looking to see what decks their collections can actually supply some if not most of the key cards. So first off get a list of Tier 1 or Tier 2 decks and go through them to see what your collection has to bring to the table. If you own 15 cards you have 65% of the deck(if you own all the lands you will need) or 41.66% (15 of 36) of the non-land cards to build your Tier 1 deck.
Secondly, now that you know hat deck or decks you can build budget wise. You now need to make a decision on which one you want to pursue You now need to acquire the remaining few cards. To do that trading is the easiest budget way to get those remaining cards (other than borrow them). Well if you live in the boonies like myself the few people in your area either don't have what you need or won't trade the limited cards you will need. So you can try the forums, there are local stores ( closest one to me is 93 miles one-way) and you tube.
As for the trading forums you list your cards for trade in a list. Then make a list of your wants (the needed cards to finish your deck). It is a waiting game with a lot of trust involved. But you can be proactive and browse through other peoples' lists as well. You tube is an excellent way to trade for cards, just remember to send you cards with tracking to prove they get there. Also check other traders channels to make sure the person you are dealing with is a safe trader. Most of the time if you are the one to ask about the trade they will have you send first.
Trading takes time so make sure you have plenty of it. You have to search through tons of wants or videos to see if you have anything they want. Then you have to use your other cards to fill in gaps in price ranges. So if you don't have really high profile cards like
Sword of Feast and Famine,
Mox Opal,
Jace, the Mind Sculptor,
Despise, or Koth, of the Hammer to trade off you may need to trade your cards for less expensive filler cards from other deck lists that are doing well. You can even check buylists from magic sites. You will be surprised how many $1 or $2 cards you may have that are on the lists. If you don't get much credit or cash look at lists of other decks that are doing well and purchase cards (filler cards example: any manalands or
Hero of Oxid Ridge) from the other decks to use as better quality trade cards.
Another way to budget is the use tutors or cards that allow you to search up the card(s) you need for the deck to function properly. For example if you only own 1
Jace, the Mind Sculptor and 1
Mox Opal and your deck calls for 3 of each (your wallet will tell you food and rent is more important than buying them) use a filler card. So try using more card draw such as
Preordain to dig for your few key cards or use something like
Distant Memories (Yes, it says “card” so you can even fetch a land if you need it. Even if they let you draw 3 cards you gt to dig for an answer!).
Kuldotha Forgemaster or
Diabolic Tutor are other budget friendly ways to get your limited resources to serve you best.
These are just a few methods I use but remember it works best to stick to one Tier 1 deck and acquire the cards you need. Also make sure you take into account how long your decks main shell will stay in rotation (depending on your format). For example in standard trying to trade for a set of
Stoneforge Mystics may not be the best investment since they will rotate out soon. Well happy deck building and check mtgrathigod out on my channel on you tube!
LATER PLAYERS!
