|
| |
Well, it has been a while since I’ve written an article, so I decided to produce something about a format that isn’t worthy of DCI recognition. This, of course, has to do with our upcoming Highlander tournament. Without a doubt, it will be very difficult to build an optimal deck, to say the least. However, this article should provide some useful tips for approaching this challenge.
To begin, we should analyze the limits of Highlander. As you know, the concept is to have every card restricted, except basic land. Thus, there will be no copies. According to the pending rules, the format will be type I with a banned list. Now, at first glance, it may seem that the Highlander decks will be incredibly random. In fact, I would expect many of the decks at the tournament to reflect this. However, in order to do well with this format, certain guidelines can be followed. These include building a focused deck, using cards that minimize the format’s inherent weakness, and avoiding some typical deck constructing mistakes.
To start, I would like to discuss focus. In order to achieve this, several things can be done. For instance, if playing an aggressive deck, pay close attention to the converted mana costs. Don’t just throw together good cards. If you are going for a typical weenie deck, your mana curve should contain more 1 or 2 casting-cost spells and creatures. From there, the more a card costs, the fewer there should be, typically. This is sometimes called the teir system. An important thing to mention, though, is that the majority of creatures should also have the same purpose. To explain, a weenie deck may have a good curve, but if there are too many creatures like grim lavamancer, mother or runes, mesmeric fiend, or granger guildmage, the focus is still lacking. The general strategy of aggression is compromised if there are too many 1/1 creatures whose main purpose doesn’t include attacking. Of course, there are a few exceptions. For example, mana-producing creatures such as birds of paradise and Llanowar elf can be used in greater numbers because they act as mana accelerators to produce larger threats. In this case, there should be a good number of them to assure consistency, another aspect of a focused deck. As for control decks, casting costs are important as well. Cards like brainstorm, impulse, opt, and perhaps careful study are good for developing during the early stages of the game. The difference is that control decks can run more cards with higher costs such as Wrath of God and Fact or Fiction. Although some of this may seem pretty basic, the difficulty lies in finding enough cards that have similar functions. Remember that even Highlander decks should use the same basic deck building consistencies that make other constructed decks work. Do this and your deck will be focused.
The second thing to think about for Highlander is that there are some cards that go far to minimize the limits of the format. What do I mean by this? Well, when every card is restricted, it is hard to get access to enough of the right cards if they are specific in nature. For example, there aren’t any other white cards quite like Armageddon. In general, a card like this shouldn’t be the key of a Highlander deck. However, there are ways to get around this. A few examples are using vampiric, mystical, and enlightened tutors, survival of the fittest, quiet speculation, and Wild Research. These cards all serve to “fetch” key cards which would be otherwise difficult to naturally draw for Highlander. The reusable ones may be especially impressive if used in the right way. I estimate, in fact, that these kinds of cards will prove to be one of the most important factors of the best decks. Relying on the “luck of the draw” is simply unacceptable. By utilizing these cards, this can be avoided.
Finally, I would like to go over some typical mistakes in deck construction. For example, one potential problem is that some people will just try to build an already-known theme deck. While some may work out, many themes simply don’t have enough different support cards to work in Highlander. U/G madness is an example of this. A typical player may throw together the madness cards, but then add things like wall or roots or blastoderm. However, both of these cards don’t go along with the deck. First of all, Wall of roots is a defensive card for an offensive deck. This is an obvious contradiction to the synergy of the deck. Also it produces mana for a deck that shouldn’t need it so much. Blastoderm doesn’t work either, although it isn’t as bad. This is because U/G madness is a tempo based deck that relies on utilizing madness to make spells easier to cast. As an aggro control deck, the threats are generally less expensive. You’ll notice that roar of the wurm is the only creature (technically a sorcery) that costs four mana when madness is accounted for. It’s only in the deck because, as a 6/6, it is a very good deal. Even so, there aren’t 4 in the usual build. Another thing I would suggest avoiding is preparing for a metagame with maindeck space. When a new format is involved, it’s hardly reasonable to predict what decks will be played with a good degree of certainty. The point I’m trying to make is that when your deck is complete, it should be “pure” and full of synergy. By this I mean that the cards in the deck should all work together. For example, in an extended environment with a lot of aggressive decks, it may be suitable to add moment’s peace in the main deck to allow your U/G madness deck to win the creature races. However, the card is usually a poor choice against control decks. Also, the nature of the card doesn’t go along with the offensive strategy. Thus, there is a lack of synergy.
In summation, there are many different way to put together the Highlander deck of your choice. I hope these guidelines help, but feel free to be as creative as you want. With a foreign format like this, it is likely that there are few great deck ideas that haven’t been thought of already. Having said that, I hope I’ve provided a good foundation to go by. Other than that, good luck at the tournament.
|
