MTG Strategist-The Greatest Failure in Magic

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I just wanted to take a moment to discuss how I build decks.  Not so much the step by step process, but the overarching strategy that I use to produce a functional deck.

First, I start with a baseline 24 lands and 36 spells.

Second, I put a bunch of cards into the deck and play.

Third through 50th...

I fail.

Over and over again, I fail.

Play the deck...lose.

Adjust, play it again...lose.

Realize that my strategy isn't viable...start over.

Rebuild...

Play again....lose.

ETC...


For each decent deck that I produce, I have up to 10 that didn't make the cut.  Each of them represents a lot of time and effort.  It isn't wasted time.  Each failed deck moves me closer to a deck that may hold the key to the next great strategy.

For example, in an attempt to make Overwhelming Splendor work...I have the following failed decks in the bin.

Overwhelming Splendor with Burn
Overwhelming Splendor with flyers
Overwhelming Splendor Blue/White
Overwhelming Splendor Red/White
Overwhelming Splendor Green/White/Red

None of them worked well enough to be competitive.  But I did learn a little bit more with each build.
The first decks I ever built were ridiculous.  I created impossible to attain combos and win conditions.
 I put in too many lands/creatures/spells....not enough lands/creatures/spells.  Each one was a train wreck.  I played them against the most challenging decks-not just in the format I was building for-but against casual and modern decks that seriously outgunned me on every front.  One series of games, I lost 23 times in a row.  I remember the losses a little, but what I remember more were the decks I came back with.  Each one designed to specifically take down the deck that had beaten me.  Slowly, I learned to generalize my decks to handle a myriad of threats.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is...don't be afraid to fail.  Especially at deck building.  I'm not smarter than anyone else, I am just willing to fail more than the average guy.  Have patience with the process.  Do it in a way that fits your way of thinking.  You can pull a deck off of an MTG site and play it...I'd be happy to play against you.  But if you want to build a deck that nobody sees coming, you're not going to find it anywhere but inside your head.

Put your ideas out there and we'll help.  Just don't be afraid to try.

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