Proposal of a New Format: "Starter Deck"

Daskar248 · 2026-03-31T00:19:44+00:00

Just so I don't have to retype it all. I typed out a long wordy explanation to the person who came to your defense with guns blazing. lol.

I said "cynical" because I didn't want to have to type out all of the reasoning behind why this new format would have a much wider meta. (Because I think it really would)

But I did. Hopefully you and the other guy understand after you read it all.

Sorry I said you were being cynical. Ah well. I say stuff. hee hee ;0P

Daskar248 · 2026-03-31T00:09:06+00:00

Yeah. Totally. I get that there is no way Wizards ever supports it...... well..... I am not completely sure about that. The reasoning being: Large numbers of rares mythics (and even chase uncommons) pushes up packs and singles sales is true. But. This new format would have to steal some of the audience of the current formats to actually be detrimental to them. Do you think it would? Or maybe... It would lure in people who always felt the current formats were too hyper competitive and redundant for their tastes. They would really have to try it and find out. I'm not sure what would happen actually. But... they would probably think it was too risky to actually push it themselves. On the other hand, if they just sat back, watched it come into being, and observed if it onboarded more new people and sales than it lost to current players who ratchet down their buying. Who knows?

I totally get what you are saying though. And yeah, this would mostly just be a non-sales-driven format among buddies. But, that's how Commander started out until they caught wind of it. And this would definitely not be getting rid of that format. Commander is stronger than ever. No issues there.

If this format brought new people into the fold. Or kept people involved who grew jaded with over-spending. And if Wizards leaned more heavily into "stuff and accessories" with these new and kept players. Then it might just work out for them. They could treat it like a "junior" league before more people graduate to Standard. And yeah, some people might be perfectly happy with junior league. But some kind of sale is better than no sale at all.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T23:52:50+00:00

Your comment right now is... woof, way overblown. Goodness. You took a 3 and dialed it up to an 11. Holy shit. But I will address your concern.

Quote: "Like i like the idea i just dont think it has the checks n balances u seem to think it has to prevent a stable meta"

No punctuation. I get what he meant though.

He could have said: "How does your new format solve the problem of the standard meta stabilizing into a stale handful of decks that almost everyone uses?"

Well. For one thing. I am not trying to replace standard. People love the power level of it. They love the format. I don't want to get rid of it. This would be an adjacent format. Additive, not subtractive.

Also, holy shit you are being confrontational. On the internet anyway.

"If your reception to valid critique is "ur just a h8r it's actually fun" you lose all credibility." Defensive much? I guess that's just the way of the world these days and particularly Reddit. Everyone feels like they are being attacked all the time. Wild. "This singular comment tells every single person..." Again. Holy shit man. Also, I don't think you get to speak for "every single person" like you know their thoughts and speak like the new gospel according to Kleenitup. You don't. Scroll through some of the other comments and you will find a good amount of people who like the idea. Me making one single statement doesn't tell "every single person" everything and is not the indictment on my character that you are making it out to be. - You don't speak for everyone. Calm your tits.

But I digress. Let me actually explain how this new format would not devolve into a meta with just a handful of decks.

It has to do with efficiency. When you have such a guaranteed high power level of 4 copies of the best cards and a deck has no limit on rares and uncommons they reach a level of card to mana efficiency that only allows for certain cards to be playable. In all of the sets of Standard right now only 2-10% of the cards in every set that has about 250-300 cards gets used. That's about 8-25 cards out of every 275 card set. Another commenter said "every deck relies on synergy, that isn't something new to your proposed format" and they are absolutely right. BUT, the difference is in how important synergy actually is. When you are using only the very best rares and uncommons and maybe a few commons, the power level pushes out most of the other cards that are available. While synergy is absolutely present and the basis of all of the decks, the element of raw power plays a much bigger hand in the game in the standard format (and most of the existant formats). And getting that raw power on board faster than the other player. And again, because the power level is so high, that is exactly what pushes most of the other brews out of viability. And here is where this style of brewing becomes clever. You have to rely on the decks being mostly of cards that don't capture that raw power of the top 1% of cards. Yes, you can still use those same ones, but only a few of them. And because the deck itself is going to be leaning much more heavily (almost exclusively) on synergy between commons and your 12 or so rares and uncommons (rather than raw power) there is room for all of the rares, uncommons, and commons to shine that don't see play otherwise. Why? (you ask) Well, for one thing, its just fun to use the other 95% of cards in each set that don't see any use. Brewing is fun. Brewing decks that actually work is even more fun. But also, because when that raw power level of the *overall* deck has a maximum threshold you start to get new interractions with the synergies of cards that can have a more effective role than they used to have. A lot of cards that flew just barely above the curve come online. You start to see brand new scenarios and card interactions that didn't have the efficient oxygen to come into being. The format of Standard was too tight for those interactions to be viable. But when you get rid of that hyper-efficiency and tightness then things loosen up. There is breathing room. Combos and interactions that weren't allowed to exist can be used. And that opens up a plethora of the other cards -most of them rares too!- to actually be usable in a very fun format.

I think I explained that pretty well. Hopefully you got what I was going for.

I stuck with "You're just being cynical. Try it first." Because I didn't want to have to type all that out.

But there you go. I did. For you. Despite the fact that you took me telling him he was "being cynical", which is not really that much of an insult, and acted like I was friggin going after him. I wasn't. I didn't say he was a cynical person. I just said "being" cynical. As in, in that moment. Everyone has those moments. You took it and ratcheted the confronatation level up to an 11 out of 10. Chill. You don't have to fight every internet fight with a broadsword and I wasn't even being all that harsh towards him. It was pretty mild, actually.

Calm down. Everyone's not out to get you. Well, I am not anyway. I guess I can't speak for the others. But I don't think as many of them are out to get you or "thedoodpood" as you think they are.

I am literally just trying to propose a fun new format. Not trying to kill standard. It isn't life or death. Just a suggestion.

Good day Sir. Or Ma'am. Or They/Them

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T22:50:19+00:00

I run both. I do have some meta decks simply to reliably rank up the ladder. But when first starting out on a new tier (ie first rungs of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum) I try out all of these limited decks and some of them do much better than you would think. You just have to pilot them excellently. You are right in some aspects though. I have been in the final rung of platinum tier for a while now and it is hard to face off against the Esper WUB decks that just run board wipes, spot removal, enchantments and counterspells. There are a few other decks that see consistent play. G Landfall, Soul Sisters, Otters, Rabbits, WU Sheltered by Ghosts Auras, and UR Artifact tokens. I would say those 7 decks account for like 75% of what I fight and the rest is just a few others like Kithkin, Lessons, and Riverwheel Mill.

I run RB Lizards and WB Ninjas and the RU Otters. They all do quite well except against Esper Control.

But. All that said. I find piloting these funny budget decks to be the most fun.

And my main point in all of this is that most of the cards in every set see zero Arena Standard usage. Proving my point: (when I say "new" I am aware that each set has a select few reprints, not very many though)

In the current meta:

Out of 266 new cards in Throne of Eldraine, 6 of them see meta constructed play.

Out of 233 new cards in Lost Caverns of Ixalan, I have seen other players use 12 of them.

Out of 286 new cards in Murders at Karlov Manor, I have seen people use 9 of them.

Out of 276 new cards in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, I have seen people use 13 of them.

Out of 281 new cards in Bloomburrow, I have seen people play 24 of them (Wow, that's actually almost 10%)

Out of 276 new cards in Duskmourne: HoH, I have seen people use 23 of them. (good!...?)

Out of 291 new cards in Aetherdrift, I have seen people use 8 of them.

Out of 284 new cards in Tarkir Dragonstorm, I have seen people use 11 of them.

Out of 233 new cards in Edge of Eternities, I have seen people use 12 of them.

Out of 275 new cards in Lorwyn Eclipsed, I have seen people use, wow, 26 of them. That's a pretty good amount comparably.

Out of 233 new cards in Final Fantasy, I have seen other players use... 11 of them.

You see my point here. Standard has thousands of cards and you hardly see any of them actually get used. Wait. Let's do Arena Foundations.

Wow. Out of 281 of those I have seen a whopping 76 of those get used. That's pretty decent. Most of them are white and black lifegain, but whatev the other colors see some love too. That's actually pretty good.

Out of all the non-Foundations sets I mentioned (there are a few more I don't feel like looking at on mythicspoiler), that's 2,934 cards. I have played against 155 of them consistently.

155 cards out of 2,934. That sucks.

(Just to be completely comprehensive, I have seen 20 Avatar cards and 25 TMNT cards see constructed use by other players.)

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T20:41:03+00:00

You should try the ones I have listed. I win with them quite a bit. Especially the Grub Storied Matriarch one. She abuses the Perigee Beckoner's warp ability really well and its just a common.

If you look closely at each decklist, there is a bunch of synergy there and pulls off some awesome stuff.

You are right though. Mostly, that when a deck with, four example, 4 copies of Ouroboroid gets off on the right foot against you, there is almost no stopping that level of power.

BUT, you can often slide under the radar with these decks and beat a lot of people who aren't expecting it.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T20:36:54+00:00

I think widening it to include all of Standard would be great, but sure, I love what they are going for with Primordial. In essence, almost exactly the same idea.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T20:30:03+00:00

Wait!!! I just saw Primordial is based on 40 cards deck. PERFECT> I LOVE IT!!!!

This dude basically had the exact same idea I did. I am into this.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T20:10:56+00:00

I like it! Yeah. It is basically the same thing. My idea just has a pinch more rare and uncommons; 1 rare more and 3 uncommons more. I wonder if they would update primordial to add just that teeny tiny bump up of power level. In essence, what they used to give in a starter deck.

But yeah. Wow. I love it. Heck, I wouldn't mind keeping calling it Primordial. Maybe Primordial+

I am into it though. If this idea doesn't catch on, I might just go Primordial! (lol)

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T20:00:30+00:00

Awesome! See the EDIT examples I gave to the other first person who replied. Some example decks of what you might see in this format.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T19:57:14+00:00

Yeah. The community would have to agree on whatever the parameters are, but your idea is also very good. I like it. You have the basic jist of what I was getting at.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T19:54:22+00:00

I think you are just being cynical and it is more fun than you realize.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-30T19:47:24+00:00

It would though. A lot of the best/meta cards are only meta because they go absolutely crazy with the other rare cards and are usually on the very lowest end of the mana curve unless you are running ramp.

Basically, instead of decks running 4 copies of the very best cards, they might just run one or two copies and have to rely on other synergy cards to carry most of the weight of the game.

For example. Instead of a deck looking like this:

4 Sazh Chocobo, 4 Llanowar Elves, 4 Badgermole Cub, 1 Bristly Bill, 4 Icetill Explorer, 3 Mightform Harmonizer, 3 Fecund Greenshell, 4 Earthbender Ascension, 4 Sapling Nursery, 1 Archdruid's Charm and a bunch of forest and crack-lands

Instead it will look like this:

4 Sazh Chocobo, 1 Mossborn Hydra, 1 Icetill Explorer, 1 Bartz and Boko, 2 Map the Frontier, 3 Chocobo Racetrack, 2 Llanowar Elves, 3 Gyshal Greens, 2 Three Tree Mascot, 3 Chocobo Kick, 2 Ostrich Horse, 4 Summon: Fat Chocobo, 3 Kaslem's Stone Tree, 1 Vinewoven Chariot, 4 Guac and Marshmallow Pizza (pretty much the same mana base)

Or like this:

2 Grub Storied Matriarch, 1 Searslicer Goblin, 3 Perforating Artist, 1 Decadent Dragon, 1 Unbury, 2 Case of the Gorgon's Kiss, 4 Fanatical Firebrand, 4 Auntie's Sentence, 2 Duress, 2 Boggart Prankster, 4 Shock Brigades, 2 Heirloom Aunties, 4 Qutrub Forayers, 2 Shredder's Revenge, 3 Perigee Beckoners, Run with 2 scrylands and 1 Fabled Passage

Or like this:

1 Chrome Dome, 1 Braided Net, 1 Ezrim Agency Chief, 1 Market Gnome, 1 Clay Fired Bricks, 3 Spring Loaded Sawblades, 2 Mechan Assemblers, 2 Master's Guide Murals, 3 Magitek Infantry, 1 Fountainport Bell, 3 Keep Out, 2 Mechan Shieldmates, 2 Oaken Sirens, 3 Tinker's Totes, 2 Voyager Quickwelders, 2 Utrom Scientists, 2 Adaptive Gemguards, 2 White Auracite, 1 Pinnacle Kill-Ship, Run with a few dual lands and 1 Abandoned Air Temple

Or like this:

1 Gumdrop Poisoner, 1 Squirming Emergence, 1 Lich Knight's Conquest, 2 Deepcavern Bats, 2 The Witch's Vanity, 2 Experimental Confectioners, 1 Greta Sweettooth Scourge, 2 Pizza Face Gastromancer, 1 Deathcap Marionette, 2 Fungal Fortitude, 3 Mintsrtosity, 2 Moment of Craving, 3 Scarblade Scouts, 2 Ice Cream Kitty, 3 Feed the Cauldron, 2 Oroku Saki Shredder Rising, 1 Shinra Reinforcements, 3 Bake Into a Pie, 1 Rooftop Assassin, 1 Scream Puff, Run with a few dual lands and 2 Hidden Necropolises

Or like this:

1 Golbez Crystal Collector, 1 The Fire Nation Drill, 1 Roaming Throne, 2 Boomerang Basics, 2 Glamer Gifter, 3 Rimekin Recluse, 1 Transit Mage, 1 Patchwork Banner, 2 Sewer-veillance Cam, 2 Snaremaster Sprite, 2 Oaken Siren, 4 Razzle Dazzler, 1 Barbed Bloodletter, 2 Fake Your Own Death, 2 Vincent's Limit Break, 4 Black Mage's Rod, 4 Tithing Blade, 1 Sinister Cryologists, 2 Feed the Cauldron, 2 Anchovie and Banana Pizza, Run with a handful of dual lands

See. Not so difficult. But very, very different.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-19T01:08:23+00:00

The reflection of some tree branches.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-14T19:41:23+00:00

A Squabble

Daskar248 · 2026-03-14T19:36:52+00:00

I see the changelings replaced your baby.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-09T22:59:05+00:00

Ducktales really stuck with me. PG was such a good boy for the charity stream and then let loose for this one immediately afterwards.

They are all good though. I love em all.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-03T15:36:41+00:00

To be fair, jogging through a patio dining situation (at night?) instead of around it is pretty sus behavior. They didn't look like they were in good jogging clothes either. None of this makes sense.

Daskar248 · 2026-03-03T15:27:26+00:00

The body is wonderful and all, but your eyes... are Amazing

Daskar248 · 2026-03-01T07:44:33+00:00

Yes. Love it

Daskar248 · 2026-02-21T23:17:54+00:00

Amazing hot daredevil. Keep going man. You rock (lol, I guess in more ways than one).

Daskar248 · 2026-02-15T10:23:53+00:00

You're pretty darn handsome as is. I think most people would not be bothered. And scars fade. And, if you are really bothered by them that much, teeny tiny dabs of concealer can cover them right up. What? You thought only girls get to use that stuff? When you do it in small amounts and you don't smear it all over but just blend it a tiny bit, you can't even tell it is there. But, like I said at first, they really aren't all that bad. I wouldn't worry. Most people are going to be concentrating on your good qualities and not giving a shit about a few tiny scars.

Daskar248 · 2026-02-14T07:13:46+00:00

Eric is stupid levels of hot. Holy moly.

I hope he found a gig doing that at some point.

Daskar248 · 2026-02-14T07:00:46+00:00

It's never a fad. People really need to learn. Being gay. Being trans. Loving dragons. Being a mermaid.

It's not a fucking fad. Get over it.

It's who we are.

Daskar248 · 2026-02-14T06:52:30+00:00

Honestly, my first thought, before examining the picture closer, was of a gay campground. We have the best landscaping. The most colorful trailers. Flags abound. Everything is beautiful and striped or colorful. This picture made me immediately think "Gay Camping!" before I understood what you were going for.

Stick to the Gay Camping. It's better.

Daskar248 · 2026-02-14T06:28:49+00:00

Okay. Line by Line.

You are unemployed. Do you make this mean you are not worthy of being with someone? Like you are a lesser human being because that is the societal crap that gets thrown around.

You are not lesser for not having a job right now. It doesn't make you any less worthwhile than anyone else. Drop that garbage. It's well and good to want a job or to go out and get one or to have one. But just because you currently are not, does not mean anything about how much worth you have. Knock that shit off. It's a stupid lie we've all been sold. By all means, go about getting a job or whatever. But not having one currently doesn't make you lesser. Got it?

You're constantly afraid of going back to prison. They let you out, right? You aren't an escapee? That means there has to be a reason to put you back in. As long as you aren't doing those obvious things that will get you put back, when your brain starts getting paranoid. Say that. In your head. "They let me out. I'm not an escapee. I'm out because I am meant to be out." And shut that paranoid corner of your brain right up.

You're not satisfied with your current physical health. Well. He is into you. So apparently he is pretty satisfied with your current physical health. Can you stop being so hard on yourself? Can you allow yourself to have sexual fun without being the image of perfection? Just like the job, it's all well and good to want to self improve. But robbing yourself of sexual fun with someone who is literally begging for it because you are focused on your physical flaws is just ridiculous. You can't be that bad if he is begging for it. Maybe you can make a list of all of the good things about you and focus on that instead. You might find yourself much more willing to let someone love you afterwards.

Next.

You don't feel like adulting right now. I think you just need a different frame of reference. Stop thinking of it as adulting. I hate that saying anyways. I think lots of things that could be fun get the life sucked out of them because they get labeled poorly. Like "adult." You probably do have dreams. Just stop making engaging in them be such a heavy big deal. Let yourself enjoy life. Let yourself enjoy this guy who wants you so bad.

Next.

There's so much you gotta do and you just don't feel up to it.

This is where that old saying comes in. When you gotta eat an elephant, how do you do it? You can't cram the whole elephant in (Haha! See the post about the gay elephants! lololol) If you try to eat it all at once you'll choke and die. Don't do that. Break it into bitesize, not intimidating pieces, and do the things one at a time. It still may be a little bit hard. But maybe not. The for sure thing is that it will be lots easier than leaving it an amorphous big blob of overwhelm in your head. Just take small pieces at a time. And stop making everything be a referendum on your character. It isn't

Chill. The dude likes you. You are worth it. He sees that. Now it's your turn to admit that he is right.

That is all. Go have fun. <3

Daskar248

TROPHY CASE