A Framework of Deck Themes

Hurloon Minotaur card art

"I've made this deck before." The thought ran through my mind recently as I was brewing. I've created hundreds (thousands?) of Magic decks in my life. And while designing a new deck is one delightful aspect of this game (as much fun as playing for some people), you can get a sense of déjà vu. There are over 31K cards, leading to nearly infinite deck options, but only so many deck themes. This post explores that and offers a framework.

I have explored deck types before. The basic types are aggressive (or aggro), control, midrange, or combo. But there are different ways (or themes) to implement each of these types, and I think the framework below covers most of them. In several cases I include example keywords.

Deck Themes Framework

1. Spell color(s) matter 
• Mono-color
• Adamant, converge, sunburst, devotion
2. Spell cost matters
3. Spell rarity matters
• pauper and other formats
4. Spell types matter
• Creatures
• Non-creatures
• Artifacts
• Enchantments
• Includes number of a given card type
5. Lands matter
• Landfall
• Domain
6. Creature attributes matter
• Creature types or supertypes (Kindred decks)
• Creature power/toughness 
• Keyword/ability word (flying, defender, deathtouch, etc.)
7. Card state matters
• Face-down: Disguise, cloak, manifest, morph
• Double-sided: Transform
8. Win condition matters
• Poison counters
• Mill
• Specific card-based conditions: see this post on ways to win
9. Zone matters
• Hand (card draw)
• Graveyard (delirium)
• Deck (mill, cascade, others)
• Transitions Between (entering the battlefield, discard, death/sacrifice)
10. Life matters (gaining or losing)
11. Counters matter
• Proliferate
12. Tokens matter
• Creating
• Type
• Populate

Comments/Examples

Within the above framework, it is possible to have aggro, control, mid-range, or combo decks in nearly any category (though some lend themselves towards a specific type). Let's look at some example cards and map them to themes and types.

Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma

Goreclaw is an example of theme 6 above—creature attributes matters. He makes creatures with power 4 or greater cheaper to cast and boosts them when he attacks. This theme could align well with an aggro deck.

All That Glitters  

All That Glitters aligns with theme 4 above—spell type matters. This card wants to be surrounded with artifacts and enchantments. That it relies on other cards in this way suggests is it could work in a combo deck.

Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose

Vito aligns with theme 10 above—life matters. Surround him with lifelink creatures and other life-gaining spells to drain your opponents dry. This theme could align with tempo, control, or midrange decks.

Academy Manufactor

The Manufactor is theme 12—tokens. Create one of the three stated types on the card and you get one of all three instead. This theme could work well in many deck types.

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We could do this all day. I will adjust this framework as I find and address omissions.

I find this framework useful as I think about exploring the game. Having a representative deck of each theme is a nice way to enjoy the varied strategies of the game. And analyzing the decks you have made may indicate that you tend towards only a few of the above, giving you insight into your own playstyle, preferences, or areas you may want to focus on in the future.

Until next time, keep exploring.