1. The Power Card / Turn
Every deck needs a moment where it says: this is why I exist.
Strongest card → What single card represents your deck’s peak power?
Strongest turn → What’s the exact turn that puts you in the driver’s seat?
Decks without these “power moments” feel unfocused and weak.
Ceiling x Replicability
Ceiling = the raw strength of your strongest turn and how hard it is to counter.
Replicability = how often you can actually reach that turn. Does it require a perfect hand, or can you set it up consistently?
A deck with high ceiling but no replicability is flashy but unreliable. A deck with high replicability but no ceiling is safe but powerless. Great decks balance both.
2. Curve for the First 3 Turns
The first three turns decide if your deck gets to play from ahead, or spend the game catching up.
Checklist your optimal turn 1-2-3 plays.
Decks with better openers create “free” advantages that snowball.
Combining a better first 3 turns with a better power turn (than our opponents) is the most consistent way to win games.
3. Ratios of the List
Consistency is king. Tournaments are won not by one flashy game, but by replicating results over and over.
Categories to balance:
Power cards → the threats your deck is built around.
Openers → cards that guarantee early plays and smooth your curve.
Flex slots → utility cards that adapt to the matchup.
Ratios matter. Too few openers = bricking early. Too many flex slots = unfocused. The best lists find the sweet spot where every draw feels purposeful.
4. Interaction & Matchup Requirements
Interaction is the glue that holds a deck together. Units win games, but interaction makes sure you can actually reach that point. The right answer can let a weaker board win combat and sneak a score, deny your opponent’s entire power turn, or shut down strategies your units alone can’t beat.
But it’s never free. Holding up interaction without developing can be a double-edged sword — if your opponent still forces it out and breaks your board, you’ve effectively skipped your turn while falling behind in tempo. The strength of interaction lies in balance: enough to protect your curve and cover bad matchups, but not so much that your deck loses its ability to apply pressure and score.
Thanks for Reading!
Deckbuilding isn’t about cramming good cards together. It’s about identity and resilience. Your power turn, early curve, ratios, and interaction each reinforce that foundation.
Nail these four fundamentals, and you’ll build lists that aren’t just playable — they’re built to win.
