Focusing Our Decks

The past couple of days we have been focused on, well, focusing our decks.  The stance I took with running a 4 color deck was, essentially, useless, as I didn't have a strict purpose.  Oh, sure, my deck could spit out slivers every turn, and launch some high hitters, but it could also stall and mill a bit.  Then again, I could also just keep a couple high cards in my hand and some destructive spells and hold off until the end.  Then AGAIN, I could have simply healed life until the end, and then broke out my high cards.  See?  I was unfocused, and although I thought having multiple strategies was good, it was unclear as to what I wanted to do and wouldn't hold up against any good Magic player.  I stripped my deck down to two colors, red and black, and started researching.
I began to catch on when I read the wonderful article by Chad Ellis over at tcgplayer.com.  Ellis illustrated this by using an illustration about southwest airlines.

"Another example is Southwest Airlines. When most airlines were struggling, Southwest grew rapidly and profitably through a unique strategic approach. They only used a single airline model, which reduced maintenance costs and also happened to be inexpensive. They only used second-tier airports. They set prices at extremely low levels. They offered no frills. They didn't use paper tickets. 

In short, Southwest didn't do a ton of things. Not doing them enabled them to cut costs, increase demand, have their planes spend less time on the ground and more time flying paying customers and, in aggregate, to make a lot of money. "
Essentially, I found my deck to be doing too much, and not enough of one thing efficiently.  I have since narrowed my deck down to ONLY spells that would deal damage to target player/creature, spells that would lower the att/def of target creature, and only creatures that were cheap (like, 1 or 2 mana) yet would build into a formidable army.  Sure, I can't counteract a lot of attacks, yet I will be able to end a game by turn 4 or 5 if I draw the right combination.  Which is hard not to draw, seeing as how my deck is, essentially, made up of the same kinds of cards.  Can't wait to update my decklist and show ya'll how its goin!

Thanks, Mark

Nick's First Deck

So, I have played with this deck twice and lost both times.  I found that it had just the right amount of Mana.  Although it did not have enough cards that complimented each other.  During the first part of the game it was a very aggressive deck!  But at the game went on it lost its aggressiveness near mid-game or end-game.

I have posted my deck onto "Wizards Of the West Coast Forums" to get some feedback on my deck. But if any of you would like to give me feedback go ahead!  I would be grateful for it!

White and Blue Deck: http://deckbox.org/sets/711504

Mark's First Deck

So I'm not really sure how good this deck is.  I like it, but it may be a little diverse.  I have several non-basic

lands that counteract the chance that I could have a useless hand and essentially be unable to play any cards for several turns.  Here is the deck!  I have also posted it to the Wizards of the Coast forum and can't wait to see how the deck plays out in future games.

Mixed Sliver Depletion <--- (Name, I think)



Sorceries, instants, enchantments:

• Mind rot
• Shock
• Flames of Firebrand
• Mirran Mettle 2x
• Aerial Predation
• Giant Growth
• Snake Umbra
• Trollhide
• Howl of the Night Pack
• Hive Stirrings 2x
• Congregate
• Captains Call
• Verdant Haven
• Psychic Spiral
• Tome Scour 2x
• Traumatize

Creatures:

• Zhur-Taa Swine
• Ghor-Clan Rampager
• Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
• Sliver Construct
• Child of Night
• Null Championship
• Battle Sliver 3x
• Pitch burn Devils
• Blur Sliver
• Manaweft Sliver
• Kemba's Legion
• Steelform Sliver
• Aetherling
• Striking Sliver
• Prederatory Sliver 3x
• Brindle Bore 2x
• Ground shaker Sliver

Lands:

• Transguild Promenade 4x
• Azorius Gate
• Orzhov Gate
• Hallowed Fountain
• Forest 4x
• Swamp 2x
• Island
• Mountain 5x

Mark and Nick's MTG Pro Journey

So we just decided to start playing MTG.  It wasn't really a concious decision, it just kind of happened.  We were thinking about it, and we suddenly had deck builders in our hands and were visiting the local geek shops.  Seeing as we were looking for some help in building our decks, it appeared that a blog would be in order.  First of all, we might as well start by posting our decks.  Those will be up shortly, and we would love some advice and tips about deck building.  We are aspiring to eventually be able to play in some tournaments, or even go pro.  Of course, thats a long way off, but by continually working, I believe that it is a goal that is quite acheivable.  With continued updates of our decks, we will also be posting our musings on how certain decks might work, as well as the strategies that we figure out.  Right now, were sticking to constructed play, and might even post of videos of gameplay and what helps us out.  We hope to grow to be better players, along with any whom would wish to join us!

     Feel free to comment with questions or such, and we will respond ASAP. 

Thanks! Mark