How to Master Brewing Corner in Magic: The Gathering

Joshua Wong

Joshua Wong

### Brewing Corner: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Magic: The Gathering Decks

### Brewing Corner: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Magic: The Gathering Decks

Welcome to the Brewing Corner! Whether you're a new player or an experienced veteran eager to shake things up, brewing your own Magic: The Gathering deck can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. It’s where creativity meets strategy, and the possibilities are endless! So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s dive into the art of brewing.

#### Step 1: Choose Your Format

Before you start slapping cards together, decide which format you want to brew for. Each format has its own rules and card pools, which can significantly influence your deck's design. Here’s a quick breakdown of popular formats:

- **Standard:** Focuses on recent sets. Great for newer players!
- **Modern:** Includes sets from 8th Edition onward. A bit more diverse and complex.
- **Commander (EDH):** A singleton format where you build around a legendary creature or planeswalker as your commander. Lots of fun with social gameplay.
- **Pioneer:** A great middle ground between Standard and Modern.

**Tip:** If you’re new to brewing, starting with Standard or Commander can be less overwhelming while still offering plenty of depth.

#### Step 2: Choose a Theme or Strategy

Now that you've picked a format, it’s time to decide on a theme or strategy. This can be anything from tribal synergies (like Elves or Zombies) to combo decks or control strategies. Here are a few examples to inspire you:

- **Tribal:** An Elf deck that harnesses the power of cards like *Elvish Promenade* and *Llanowar Elves*.
- **Aggro:** A Red Burn deck featuring cards like *Lightning Bolt* and *Soul-Scar Mage* to whittle down your opponent’s life.
- **Control:** A Blue Control deck using *Counterspell* and *Teferi, Time Raveler* to control the game’s pace.
- **Combo:** A *Storm* deck that looks to generate a massive spell chain using cards like *Grapeshot*.

**Common Pitfall:** Avoid choosing a theme that relies too heavily on specific cards that may not be available in your chosen format. Always check the legality!

#### Step 3: Build Your Core

Once you have a theme, it’s time to start building the core of your deck. This usually consists of 20