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by Christopher Askwith Strategy of the Deckmaster Part Three : Theme Decks In the last two demonstrations of methodical deck building, we looked at how to build a deck methodically, and how to build a deck for Type One tournament play, assuming you didn't have access to the oldest cards, of course. Now we turn our attention to Theme Decks. A theme deck is much different than a deck that is simply built to win. A theme deck is made for the hell of it: it is made for fun. Provided everyone you are playing with uses a theme deck, games can be exceedingly fun to play, as long as you don't mind long games where wierd things can happen. With the knowing that a theme deck isn't built to try and win all the time, we will apply our methodical deck building process to a theme deck of Orcs and Goblins. If you have not learned this process, go back to the May issue of Beyond Dominia to see the first of the "Strategy of a Deckmaster" articles. 1.        The Main Theme of the deck is Orcs and Goblins 2.        The Secondary theme is Direct Damage 3.        The lands will include Mountains. 4.        There will be no other mana sources. 5.        The spells that complement the main theme will            be Ironclaw Orcs, Brassclaw Orcs, Orcish Veterans, Mons's            Goblin Raiders, Goblin Chirurgeon, Orcish Spy, Goblin            Recruiter, Goblins of the flarg and Goblin Swine Rider. 6.        The spells that complement the secondary theme            will be Nevinyrral's Disk and Goblin Grenade. You want to test this deck to insure it wins about one game out of three against other theme decks you make. Then it will be suitable for play against other theme decks, but will never win against real decks. The deck will then resemble: Land 22 Mountains Red 4 Goblin Grenade 2 Goblin Shrine 2 Goblins of the flarg 2 Mons's Goblin Raiders 2 Goblin Chirurgeons 2 Goblin Scouts 2 Goblin Recruiter 2 Keeper of Kookus 2 Goblin Soothsayer 4 Orcish Oriflamme 2 Ironclaw Orcs 2 Brassclaw Orcs 2 Orcish Veterans 2 Orcish Spy 2 Orcish Conscripts 2 Orcish Farmers 2 Orcish Captains 2 Orcish Squatters Artifacts 4 Nevinyrral's Disk [ Back to July 1997 Table of Contents ] [ Back to Beyond Dominia ] Magic: the Gathering is a Registered Trademark of Wizards of the Coast