Designing Duel Decks

Magic can be viewed not as game, but instead as a game framework. Most card games use a fixed card pool. Magic is different because each player brings a customized set of cards to contribute to the game's card pool. Since every combination of decks, or matchup, creates a different set of cards, one could argue that each matchup creates a different game. Anyone who has played enough Magic knows that this is more than a technicality. Different formats and matchups require very different knowledge and strategies.

This is perhaps what makes Magic so interesting and successful. We don't play one game, but an endless variety of games all within a familiar framework. However, this great flexibility comes at a cost.


Imagine Timmy and Spike are lab partners in Biology. They discover they both enjoy Magic and decide to play after class. Timmy has been working on his deck for a while now. It features his favorite 100 green creatures (mostly determined by the power stat). Spike brings his favorite deck too: Legacy Dredge. Spike defeats Timmy before he casts a spell. He doesn't cast a spell in game two or three either. Timmy decides he doesn't want to play anymore. Spike's not really having fun either.

The game created by these two player's card pools is very one-sided and not very interesting. Is there any way that Timmy and Spike can play together and have fun?

What if Timmy built two decks? Wurms vs Dragons. What if Spike brought along some of his other Tier 1 Legacy decks? Now you could imagine Spike piloting Wurms to a narrow victory vs Dragons. Timmy might learn that he enjoys being able to cast spells on turn one (and survive past turn four) as he tries out Spike's Legacy Merfolk.

The concept behind "duel decks" is instead of just building your deck, build both decks in the matchup. This way you can ensure the decks are balanced and the game is fun. In effect, you are custom building your own game within the framework of Magic. Ever want to be a game designer? Here's your chance! There are ten-thousand or so unique pieces to work with.

To get started just match up any two decks you think would be fun to play. You could start with some decks you've already built. Or you could buy two starter decks, or even a pre-built Duel Decks set (I love these things, but don't worry there is still plenty of work to do if you go this route). Don't worry too much about balance yet, just use cards that you like to play with.

Once you've built your decks it's time to test. Play them against each other over and over again. As you play pay attention to whether the games are fun. Which cards are fun in the matchup and which aren't? Also keep a win/loss record of each deck. You want them to be as close to even as possible.

A few examples of things to watch out for. You notice that deck one has no way to deal with deck two's Unscythe, Killer of Kings. Every time it hits play it's an unhappy feeling. Deck one has to end the game very soon or suffer inevitable defeat. Helplessness isn't fun so give deck one a Naturalize. You don't want cards to feel one-dimensional so give deck two a Steel Hellkite. Now the Naturalize is more interesting. If you're playing deck two you could use the Naturalize on the Hellkite, but you might try to wait until you draw a Doom Blade so you have a way to deal with Unscythe if it shows up.

What do you do if one deck is winning too much? You have to understand why. If you not sure then keep playing, and eventually you'll figure it out. Maybe the deck is just too slow. Maybe it needs removal, or more threats. Keep playing and keep tweaking. Value balance and fun. Eventually you will create a game that you're proud to call your own.