Jumpstart

This month, Jumpstart finally came to Europe. It was released in July in America, but due to COVID-related production delays, it didn't come to this continent until now. Was it worth the wait? Absoolutely.

Jumpstart is a casual way to play Magic. Each booster pack has 20 cards, includes lands, and has a theme. There are 46 themes, generally with tribal (Elf, Minotaur, Goblin, Dragon, Dinosaur, etc.) or strategic (Discarding, Reanimation, Mill, etc.) focus. Shuffle two packs together and you have a 40-card deck, ready to go! When you're done, it's easy to put the deck back into its original 20-card theme packs, pick two other packs, and play again.

There are 121 different theme packs you can open in Jumpstart. How, with just 46 themes? Though each pack contains (at least one) rare or mythic rare card, the theme packs themselves are of differing rarity (common, rare, mythic). And the common themes have four iterations- so when you open a pack that is the common "Above the Clouds" theme, there are four possible decklists for that one. The rare themes have two iterations, and the mythic themes have just one. All told:

• 11 mythic themes (11 theme packs)
• 15 rare themes (two iterations each, so 30 theme packs)
• 20 common themes (four iterations each, so 80 theme packs)

The official site lists the deck lists for all 121 possible themes, and this site breaks them down by rarity. The latter site also provides deck lists if you click on the tabs across the top.

My kids and I have been enjoying Jumpstart for a week now. It's so much fun, and quickly becoming my favorite way to play Magic. It's easy for beginners (and/or younger children) to put two packs together and have a deck, without having to worry about advanced deckbuilding techniques. It's a great way to explore different themes and combine them in different ways. And, of course, you can even make your own customized Jumpstart packs (I have a few in mind) for your own game nights. Arena had a Jumpstart event a few months ago; I conclude with three decklists from that to give you an idea. One parting thought: Jumpstart prices are soaring due to popularity and value of select rare/mythic cards, but Wizards has said that it will be printed to demand, so wait until prices come down if you can't get a box for a reasonable price.

Deck 1: Angels & Feathered Friends

1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence (JMP) 119

1 Serra's Guardian (JMP) 310

1 Angelic Ascension (M21) 3

1 Emancipation Angel (JMP) 102

1 Serra Angel (JMP) 132

1 Guardian Idol (JMP) 467

1 Angelic Page (JMP) 88

1 Anointed Chorister (M21) 4

1 Angelic Edict (JMP) 87

1 Scroll of Avacyn (JMP) 483

1 Take Heart (JMP) 134

1 Thriving Heath (JMP) 35

1 Celestial Enforcer (M21) 11

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Plains (JMP) 40

1 Steel-Plume Marshal (JMP) 5

1 Aven Gagglemaster (M21) 5

1 Falconer Adept (M21) 18

1 Dauntless Onslaught (JMP) 99

1 Sky Tether (JMP) 133

1 Concordia Pegasus (M21) 12

1 Warded Battlements (M21) 44

1 Gale Swooper (M21) 20

1 Aerial Assault (JMP) 80

1 Healer's Hawk (JMP) 107

1 Moment of Heroism (JMP) 124

1 Thriving Heath (JMP) 35

1 Celestial Enforcer (M21) 11

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

1 Plains (JMP) 44

Deck 2: Goblins & Vampires

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

1 Battle-Rattle Shaman (M21) 130

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

1 Goblin Commando (JMP) 325

1 Makeshift Munitions (JMP) 348

1 Burn Bright (M21) 134

1 Goblin Arsonist (M21) 147

1 Boggart Brute (JMP) 299

1 Goblin Instigator (JMP) 327

1 Goblin Shortcutter (JMP) 330

1 Ornery Goblin (JMP) 353

1 Outnumber (JMP) 354

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Exquisite Blood (JMP) 231

1 Sangromancer (JMP) 272

1 Silversmote Ghoul (M21) 122

1 Bloodbond Vampire (JMP) 209

1 Gifted Aetherborn (JMP) 239

1 Sengir Vampire (JMP) 275

1 Sanguine Indulgence (M21) 121

1 Agonizing Syphon (JMP) 199

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Vampire Neonate (JMP) 285

1 Gloom Sower (M21) 100

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

Deck 3: Archaeology & Walls

1 Scarecrone (JMP) 482

1 Buried Ruin (JMP) 491

1 Juggernaut (JMP) 471

1 Meteor Golem (JMP) 474

1 Scuttlemutt (JMP) 484

1 Thirst for Knowledge (JMP) 183

1 Aether Spellbomb (JMP) 456

1 Short Sword (M21) 236

1 Archaeomender (JMP) 9

1 Archaeomender (JMP) 9

1 Lightning-Core Excavator (JMP) 32

1 Thriving Isle (JMP) 36

1 Jousting Dummy (JMP) 470

1 Signpost Scarecrow (JMP) 485

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Island (JMP) 49

1 Towering Titan (JMP) 31

1 Assault Formation (JMP) 378

1 Carven Caryatid (JMP) 382

1 Gargoyle Sentinel (JMP) 465

1 Overgrown Battlement (JMP) 417

1 Wall of Blossoms (JMP) 442

1 Warmonger's Chariot (JMP) 490

1 Portcullis Vine (M21) 195

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Grave Bramble (JMP) 401

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Wall of Vines (JMP) 443

1 Roving Keep (JMP) 480

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

1 Forest (JMP) 75

Mono-Green Stompy

 

Today's deck archetype is mono-green 'stompy.'

Green is all about creatures- big ones. Really big ones. Hence the term 'stompy.' Of course, big creatures generally cost a lot, so such decks must include some form of mana acceleration (generally known as 'ramp'). Here are a few such decks using cards available on Magic Arena (so Ixalan expansion or later). I confess, I'm not thrilled with these, but they'll have to do.

1) Stompy 1

Llanowar Elves are a great ramp card, enabling you to get the mana you need sooner. Goreclaw makes the big guys even better, Colossal Majesty helps with card draw, and once you get a few creatures out, Ghalta becomes easy to play. 

1 Ghalta, Primal Hunger (RIX) 130

1 Gigantosaurus (M19) 185

1 Aggressive Mammoth (M19) 302

3 Llanowar Elves (M19) 314

1 Vigilant Baloth (M19) 206

2 Bristling Boar (M19) 170

3 Centaur Courser (M19) 171

3 Rabid Bite (M19) 195

2 Titanic Growth (M19) 205

24 Forest (M19) 277

2 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141

2 Root Snare (M19) 199

1 Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma (M19) 186

1 Carnage Tyrant (XLN) 179

1 Steel Leaf Champion (DAR) 182

2 Thorn Lieutenant (M19) 203

2 Colossal Majesty (M19) 173

1 Thrashing Brontodon (RIX) 148

1 Beast Whisperer (GRN) 123

1 Pelakka Wurm (M19) 192

1 Finale of Devastation (WAR) 160

1 Nissa's Triumph (WAR) 170

2 Blanchwood Armor (M19) 169

1 Crushing Canopy (GRN) 126

2) Stompy 2

Throne of Eldraine has a lot of nice green cards. Pelt Collector (from Guilds of Ravnica) keeps growing, Questing Beast is an all-around champ, but the real winner here is Syr Faren. When plussed up with cards like Giant Growth, his ability makes another creature huge and can seal fast wins.

4 Barkhide Troll (M20) 165

4 Gingerbrute (ELD) 219

4 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141

4 Stonecoil Serpent (ELD) 235

4 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer (ELD) 177

4 Questing Beast (ELD) 171

4 Titanic Growth (M20) 343

4 Giant Growth (WAR) 162

22 Forest (IKO) 272

2 Thrashing Brontodon (M20) 197

4 Growth Cycle (M20) 175

3) Count on it

+1/+1 counters are an increasing deck archetype that plays well with stompy decks. Here, Pridemalkin, Yorvo, Renata, and Wildborn Preserver (among others) are really nice 'counter' cards.

4 Pridemalkin (M21) 196

19 Forest (IKO) 274

1 Evolution Sage (WAR) 159

2 Primal Might (M21) 197

4 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

2 The Great Henge (ELD) 161

2 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer (ELD) 177

2 Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig (ELD) 185

2 Renata, Called to the Hunt (THB) 196

2 Questing Beast (ELD) 171

1 Elder Gargaroth (M21) 179

2 Pollenbright Druid (WAR) 173

2 Track Down (M21) 211

3 Wildborn Preserver (ELD) 182

2 Wildwood Scourge (M21) 214

4 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141

2 Garruk's Uprising (M21) 186

4 Castle Garenbrig (ELD) 240

4) Win or Lose, Draw

Like the deck title? This is all about card draw, another green strength. Jolrael and Burlfist Oak really like card draw, enabled by cards like Llanowar Visionary and Elder Gargaroth. Watch out for Jolrael's activated ability- I wasn't paying attention and activated it once when I had no cards in hand, killing all of my creatures. Fun!

4 Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse (M21) 191

23 Forest (IKO) 274

4 Setessan Training (M21) 205

4 Track Down (M21) 211

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

4 Burlfist Oak (M21) 174

2 Elder Gargaroth (M21) 179

2 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

4 Skyscanner (M21) 238

2 Heroic Intervention (M21) 188

4 Portcullis Vine (M21) 195

3 Primal Might (M21) 197

5) Stompy 3

I threw this final one together quickly- you'll notice many of the usual suspects. But some new faces: Scavenging Ooze is great against 'graveyard' decks, The Great Henge is an amazing card, and Kogla and Thorn Mammoth provide big creatures plus fun removal.

4 Ilysian Caryatid (THB) 174

24 Forest (ANA) 20

4 Rabid Bite (M20) 190

4 Scavenging Ooze (M21) 204

4 Wildborn Preserver (ELD) 182

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

4 Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig (ELD) 185

4 Questing Beast (ELD) 171

2 Elder Gargaroth (M21) 179

1 Kogla, the Titan Ape (IKO) 162

2 The Great Henge (ELD) 161

1 Titanoth Rex (IKO) 174

1 Primal Might (M21) 197

1 Thorn Mammoth (ELD) 323

Conclusion

My kids are drawn to green because of those powerful creatures. I am, too.

Mono-Red Burn

 

Today's deck archetype is mono-red burn (or aggro).

If you win a game of Magic by being the last person standing- by reducing each opponent's life to zero- then what better way than through spells that do direct damage? Enter red.

Burn decks are generally aggro- they focus on cheap spells that do damage fast. Here are a few examples.

1) Burn v1

This deck has some classic and staple burn cards. Shock, Lightning Strike, Skewer the Critics, and Wizard's Lightning can take out creatures or chip away at life totals. Risk Factor and Light Up the Stage grant access to more cards- a must- and Guttersnipe and Viashino Pyromancer fit in nicely.

 

4 Shock (M19) 156

22 Mountain (RIX) 195

4 Viashino Pyromancer (M19) 166

2 Lightning Strike (XLN) 149

4 Skewer the Critics (RNA) 115

2 Wizard's Lightning (DAR) 152

1 Banefire (M19) 130

3 Ghitu Lavarunner (DAR) 127

2 Risk Factor (GRN) 113

4 Fanatical Firebrand (RIX) 101

2 Lava Coil (GRN) 108

4 Light Up the Stage (RNA) 107

3 Runaway Steam-Kin (GRN) 115

2 Guttersnipe (M19) 145

1 Chandra, Fire Artisan (WAR) 119

2) Burn v2

Cavalcade of Calamity is the engine here, using an army of little guys (to include Tin Street Dodger, Torch Courier, and Gingerbrute) to do damage quickly.

4 Tin Street Dodger (RNA) 120

18 Mountain (ANA) 8

4 Torch Courier (GRN) 119

4 Fervent Champion (ELD) 124

4 Gingerbrute (ELD) 219

4 Shock (M20) 160

4 Cavalcade of Calamity (RNA) 95

4 Light Up the Stage (RNA) 107

2 Lava Coil (GRN) 108

2 Scorching Dragonfire (ELD) 139

2 Claim the Firstborn (ELD) 118

4 Skewer the Critics (RNA) 115

4 Infuriate (THB) 141

3) Burn v3

In the current standard environment, Bonecrusher Giant is a frequent feature, as is Bolt Hound, Torbran, and Blisterspit. Torbran in particular makes burn tick.

4 Fervent Champion (ELD) 124

18 Mountain (ANA) 17

4 Shock (M20) 160

4 Roiling Vortex (ZNR) 156

4 Robber of the Rich (ELD) 138

4 Scorching Dragonfire (M21) 158

4 Bolt Hound (M21) 131

4 Bonecrusher Giant (ELD) 115

4 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell (ELD) 147

2 Castle Embereth (ELD) 239

2 Claim the Firstborn (ELD) 118

3 Brash Taunter (M21) 133

3 Blisterspit Gremlin (IKO) 108

Conclusion

There are many other red cards of note in this area (some below). Burn is a straightforward but effective strategy- there's a reason you'll hear players use the expression "Red Deck Wins." 

Mono-Black

 

Today's deck archetype: mono-black . . .whatever. I'll cover a few.

We'll start with my friend, Tony. Tony does not like Magic, but has begrudgingly played a few times with our group. He once remarked that his ideal deck would be only swamps. I then gifted him one- a 60-card deck consisting of nothing but swamps (no word on if he's used it or, if so, how it fared). Anyway, in honor of Tony, I've crafted a few "swamps matter" decks. I'll call them Tony1, 2, and 3.

1) Tony1

When Core Set 2020 came out, I immediately thought of Tony when I saw Dread Presence:

This is a perfect "swamp deck" card. Anytime you play a swamp, you get two nice options, handy in many circumstances. I rounded this out with some removal cards of various kinds- discard (Yarok's Fenlurker, Rankle, Burglar Rat, Duress), destroy creatures (Murderous Rider, Murder, Rankle), Board Wipes (Massacre Girl), and some card draw (Foulmire Knight, Midnight Reaper, Clackbridge Troll, Rankle). The deck worked surprisingly well on Arena- not tournament-worthy, but better than most of my 'home brews.' I think it was just odd enough to throw people.

4 Dread Presence (M20) 96

25 Swamp (ANA) 6

3 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

4 Foulmire Knight (ELD) 90

2 Vampire of the Dire Moon (M20) 120

4 Yarok's Fenlurker (M20) 123

2 Massacre Girl (WAR) 99

4 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

3 Rankle, Master of Pranks (ELD) 101

2 Burglar Rat (GRN) 64

2 Clackbridge Troll (ELD) 84

4 Duress (M20) 97

1 Murder (M20) 109

2) Tony2

The second version differed only mildly from the first: I added Underworld Dreams (to punish 'card draw' decks) and Agonizing Remorse (for more targeted discard):

4 Dread Presence (M20) 96

25 Swamp (ANA) 6

3 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

4 Foulmire Knight (ELD) 90

2 Vampire of the Dire Moon (M20) 120

4 Yarok's Fenlurker (M20) 123

2 Massacre Girl (WAR) 99

4 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

3 Rankle, Master of Pranks (ELD) 101

2 Underworld Dreams (THB) 121

2 Clackbridge Troll (ELD) 84

1 Murder (M20) 109

4 Agonizing Remorse (THB) 83

3) Tony3

The third iteration featured more significant changes. The Theros Beyond Death set had this idea of 'devotion', which was how many of a given color's mana symbol you had in the casting cost of your cards on the battlefield- another theme that worked well for 'swamps matter.'  The idea was to get as many black mana symbols out (Tymaret and Ayara among others), then finish off with Gray Merchant of Asphodel, whose ability often won the game. I supplemented with cards like Drag to the Underworld, which was removal that capitalized on the same concept.

2 Tymaret, Chosen from Death (THB) 119

23 Swamp (IKO) 268

4 Yarok's Fenlurker (M20) 123

4 Ayara, First of Locthwain (ELD) 75

4 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

2 Underworld Dreams (THB) 121

4 Dread Presence (M20) 96

2 Rankle, Master of Pranks (ELD) 101

1 Spawn of Mayhem (RNA) 85

1 Cavalier of Night (M20) 94

4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel (THB) 99

2 Nightmare Shepherd (THB) 108

2 Drag to the Underworld (THB) 89

2 Erebos, Bleak-Hearted (THB) 93

3 Knight of the Ebon Legion (M20) 105

4) Vampire

Starting in Magic 2010, vampires became a viable tribe, naturally focused on this color. More recent sets (the Ixalan block and Core 2020) have featured them, too. Here's one such deck I enjoyed playing; the idea was to ping away at opponents by draining their life (and gaining it yourself).

3 Knight of the Ebon Legion (M20) 105

23 Swamp (RIX) 194

4 Vampire of the Dire Moon (M20) 120

2 Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord (M20) 115

4 Bloodthirsty Aerialist (M20) 91

2 Dread Presence (M20) 96

2 Murder (M20) 109

2 Skymarch Bloodletter (XLN) 124

1 Sanctum Seeker (XLN) 120

2 Vraska's Contempt (XLN) 129

4 Blood Burglar (M20) 88

2 Dusk Legion Zealot (RIX) 70

2 Child of Night (M19) 89

2 Icon of Ancestry (M20) 229

1 Cry of the Carnarium (RNA) 70

2 Disfigure (M20) 95

1 Champion of Dusk (RIX) 64

1 Twilight Prophet (RIX) 88

5) Discard

A final theme today is discarding. Cards like Duress, Burglar Rat, and Mind Rot can put your opponents at a disadvantage early by forcing them to discard- and Waste Not lets you profit. The big problem with a discard deck: once your opponent has no cards left, further discard spells are pointless.  That's where Tinybones is critical. 

4 Duress (M20) 97

22 Swamp (ANB) 116

4 Burglar Rat (GRN) 64

4 Liliana's Steward (M21) 111

2 Tinybones, Trinket Thief (JMP) 17

3 Waste Not (M15) 122

3 Mind Rot (M21) 115

4 Plaguecrafter (GRN) 82

2 Rotting Regisaur (M20) 111

2 Liliana, Waker of the Dead (M21) 108

3 Rankle, Master of Pranks (ELD) 101

2 Sangromancer (JMP) 272

1 The Eldest Reborn (DAR) 90

4 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

Conclusion

Mono-black decks can attack opponents in multiple ways- discard, tribes like vampires (or zombies- more on them another time), and through good old fashioned "Tony" decks: swamps matter.