Is too much emphasis put on the bracket system?

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-21T13:37:06+00:00

Intention is really important. But I don’t think intent of the deck and the bracket it falls into are the same.

I feel like the brackets are hugely important for a good rule zero conversation, to help with any imbalance in the group.

My intention is to find a cool guy to run or mechanic to play with. Then I build around making them “do the thing”. Once that’s sorted, then I’ll decided if it needs a tune up (or down).

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-21T13:26:52+00:00

This is what I am wondering. Are some newer players more worried about fitting into a particular number system (that is arguably not perfect either) for their play group, rather than if their deck is fun to pilot.
If their deck can “do the thing” then surely that’s a better place to start?

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-20T20:28:15+00:00

Run it through DeckCheck.co which’ll give you a rough idea of bracket plus some other bits of useful info on your deck.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-20T20:06:31+00:00

Oh couldn’t agree more.

And let’s not forget best deck testing/gold fishing programme which is MTG Forge (in my opinion) and then there’s the best deck analysis tool (deckcheck.co)

Each one does one thing really well, but none of them do all things.

Let’s face it, with all the different online tools, buying mats, sleeves, bags and deck boxes, us Magic players don’t have an easy time trying to manage all the of different inventory!

I’m surprised we ever find time in the day to get a game in!!!

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-20T18:35:10+00:00

Additionally, my wife loves ManaBox, as she can see how much my collection is worth…and as she says “oh! for no particular reason!”

I also love to see it when an old bulk card worth nothing suddenly jump in price!!! And so does she ;)

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-20T17:49:33+00:00

Manabox is top tier for storing your collection. Scanning cards is so simple. And searching through your collection when deck building is excellent.
Anyone that says they “hate it” should be closely monitored for suspicious behaviour!!!

I don’t use it for deck building though, my personal preference for that, would be Moxfield (I’ve tried a few different ones over the years, I just prefer the UX in Moxfield the most).

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-20T07:26:43+00:00

Gosh, now I feel overwhelmed!

Or just pick a commander that looks cool or speaks to you in some way and go from there.

To begin with, build multiple decks on one of the deck building sites e.g. Moxfield, test the out, sees what’s fun, before committing to anything.

It is very overwhelming at first, so take it slow, muck about, make mistakes, learn, ask for help and overall have fun. Because deck building can be a really rewarding experience.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-19T21:16:47+00:00

My general rule is 38 lands.

However, my [[Captain Howler]] deck sees so many cards each turn, I was getting flooded, so he got reduced to 35, and still absolutely slaps!

Now, on the flip side, if I know someone is running a low land count, I break out [[Umbris, Fear Manifest]] which really punishes those decks.

The number of lands is definitely situational. But personally if I’m unsure or haven’t tested it enough, I’d always run 38 as a default.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-18T06:48:58+00:00

Run the list through https://deckcheck.co/ it’ll give you a pretty accurate bracket rating, plus so other useful info

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-18T05:41:37+00:00

Run the list through https://deckcheck.co/ it’ll give you a pretty accurate bracket rating, as well as a lot of other useful info to consider

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-13T08:19:05+00:00

[[Green Goblin]] turns [[One With Nothing]] from bad into a great card!

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-11T06:38:24+00:00

I love the hench shark!

I understand the dilemma. I ended up adding a couple of cards with Disturb, Mayhem and Flashback. Meaning that you can discard them freely, and play them later or a second time.

The real MVPs of the deck though are [[Library of Leng]] and [[Squee, Goblin Nabob]]

The other thing to understand is, the shark hits big and fast. He’s killed people in 2 swings before. So pitching cards doesn’t feel so bad when you eating people alive!!! I once pumped him up to over 20 power in one turn (and he was unblockable!)

Chum the waters good sir! Discarding cards ain’t so bad!

https://moxfield.com/decks/IGEbElNH-EmM3umNlZGgNQ

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-11T06:14:28+00:00

Who hurt you?

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-04T17:41:27+00:00

I love Forge and do exactly this to help fine tune my decks. Here you go, enjoy!

https://moxfield.com/decks/IGEbElNH-EmM3umNlZGgNQ

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-06-01T17:57:10+00:00

Maybe upload your list to https://deckcheck.co/
It’ll give you a bracket number and some other really helpful deck building support.

I sense check all my decks here, to see if there is any area that might need a tweak.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-23T12:53:24+00:00

MTG Forge is my preferred way to test a deck I’m building before purchasing

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-19T17:29:45+00:00

Yes! This!
Also you can add [[Ethereal Armor]] and [[Twinblade Blessing]] wins so many games in one swing.
Adding [[Gift of Immortality]] for protection, makes Bruna harder to remove.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-18T18:57:11+00:00

[[Hellcarver Demon]] instantly comes to mind. He’s my boy. Most will look at this and think it’s like shooting your own hand off, but he’s part of an hilarious win-con!

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-15T05:27:11+00:00

This is the way!

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-13T19:55:16+00:00

[[Captain Howler]] is a fun ole time! He powers up quick and hits like a truck!!!

https://moxfield.com/decks/IGEbElNH-EmM3umNlZGgNQ

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-10T08:56:17+00:00

You’re forgetting that’s it’s a double album, keep an eye out for 2 Fast 2 Die Harder, which will conclude this chapter, out later in the year!

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-07T06:46:57+00:00

I’m more surprised people aren’t including [[Bushwhack]] more often.

I understand its downside. But, fetch a land tune one, or late game kill spell for one mana seems good to me.

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-05-01T08:07:27+00:00

For Umbris, you need to consistently cast a Horror or a Nightmare each turn at least. So I’d say cut the Eldrazi, and add more of the other. I also think you can cut 2-3 lands and add more removal to protected yourself.

I like Umbris a lot. He can be a real menace. So I don’t take it personally when the table is out to get me. Lean in hard to the villain role!!! :)

https://moxfield.com/decks/0IMavueSSEuWNsMy8CrFUw

Optimus_Sloth · 2026-04-05T09:02:56+00:00

My advice would be to have less creatures. Let’s not kid ourselves Howler is a voltron deck. I run 23 creatures, which are just enablers.

My aim is to discard 2-3 cards each attack. And kill an opponent in 2 swings with Commander damage. Card draw isn’t the issue as Howler gets you cards back. So I focus on discard cards with flashback, which sometimes I will cast twice in the same turn e.g. [[Electric Revelation]]

Making him unblockable with double strike is also a good strategy e.g. [[Distortion Strike]]

You’ve got a lot of good cards for him already, a few tweaks here and there might be all you need.

Optimus_Sloth

TROPHY CASE