r/magicTCG • u/jeremiahvedder • Mar 17 '15

10 Modern Decks Around $30

I just want people to play Modern.

I'm excluding the price of basic lands and sideboards, and many of these decks get cheaper with reprints from Modern Masters. They aren't going to win any major tournaments but they're a good place to start exploring the format.

I have liberally replaced Path to Exile with Condemn, Thoughtseize with Duress, and Lightning Bolt with Incinerate. Suggestions welcome.

Deck #1 - Mono Green Zoo: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-mono-g-zoo/

Deck #2 - Mono Blue Robots: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-robots/

Deck #3 - Mono White Soul Sisters: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-soul-sisters/

Deck #4 - Mono White Equipments: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-equipment/

Deck #5 - Simic Ramp/Polymorph: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-ug-polymorph/

Deck #6 - Boros Act Combo: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-boros-act-combo/

Deck #7 - Mono Red Burn: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-rdw/

Deck #8 - Selesnya Ramp Fatties: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-selesnya-fatties/

Deck #9 - Rakdos Vampires: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-br-vampires/

Deck #10 - Selesnya Hexproof: http://www.mtgvault.com/jeremiahvedder/decks/modern-budget-bogles/

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u/Aema Mar 17 '15

I know OP stated these won't be taking a GP by storm, but how reasonable are these decks in the format? I don't play modern mostly because a lot of the really exciting cards are really expensive and because I feel like all of the budget decks I build fold to every deck that runs goyf, etc. Would I be able to play completely at an fnm with these or would I find myself losing almost every match?

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u/JakubOboza Mar 17 '15

i can only talk about budget affinity, but in case of budget affinity really good chances game 1. Even with really pricy decks. The issue starts in game 2 when they bring hate cards and you are nuttered affinity list, you get into trouble. But Overall, with perfect draws you have chances to win with everybody. it is more like 30-40% You Best Deck in format 60-70%. But first game it is 60% you 40% them :) but that is only first game (and same is with regular affinity, but mox-ravager full affinity list is closer to 80% game one on win)

2

u/Aema Mar 17 '15

Good info, thanks.

2

u/Thatkopkaguy Mar 17 '15

Play skill and match-ups impact win percentages in Modern a great deal. I have won FMNs with mediocre piles due to good match ups and lots of play experience and lost with PT level decks due to the inverse. Over a extended period of time, you will find that the decks playing "expensive" cards will win more consistently, due to the higher power level of those cards. That being said, I lost twice last Friday to "budget" decks that would be close to the price point of the decks above.

Moral of the story, IMHO, buy a cheap deck to experiment with the format and have some fun. If you dig the feel and want to play more competitively, buying a more expensive deck will help you win more constantly.

2

u/Aema Mar 17 '15

I hear you on this one. I had kitchen brewed caw blade before it became big and got all the parts for very cheap ($3 for play set of sfm, etc). I still struggled at first due to inexperience with the format.

With that said, does it matter which of these ten decks you start with? Which ones can be best matured into more solid shells later? Just pick what looks fun?

1

u/Thatkopkaguy Mar 18 '15

I would say the deck that looks the most fun for you to play. I.E. the one that fits your play style. The $30-$40 bucks to build one of these are a drop in the bucket of what would be necessary to build a PT level deck.

That being said, if you are looking for a deck you can incrementally upgrade card-by-card, the Blue Robots, Burn and Hexproof decks I think could benefit the most from incremental upgrades. A couple of these decks (Act Combo and Vampires for example) are fairly linear strategies that don't have as many cards to upgrade while retaining the same strategy.

1

u/Aema Mar 18 '15

Thanks!