How to Build a Winning MTG Arena Historic Deck

If you’re a player who wants to improve their game and build a winning MTG Arena Historic deck, you’re in luck! This guide is designed to help you build a winning Historic deck from scratch, starting with the basics and working our way up to more advanced strategies. We’ll cover all aspects of deck building, including evaluating your card collection, choosing your deck’s theme and playstyle, and optimizing your cards for maximum effectiveness. Whether you’re a newcomer to MTG Arena or a seasoned veteran, this guide will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in the Historic format. So, let’s dive in!

Understanding MTG Arena Historic Format

What is the Historic format?

MTG Arena’s Historic format is a non-rotating format that allows players to use cards from every set available in the game. This means that players have access to a larger pool of cards to build their decks, making the format more diverse and allowing for more powerful strategies than Standard.

Historic was introduced to MTG Arena in 2019 and has quickly become a popular format among players. With access to powerful cards from older sets, players can create unique and exciting decks that can’t be played in Standard. The format has also seen its own set releases, such as Historic Anthology, which added new cards to the format and allowed for new archetypes to emerge.

The importance of a strong deck

In Historic, having a strong, well-built deck is crucial for success. With such a large card pool and a diverse meta, the competition can be fierce, and you need a deck that can keep up with the ever-changing environment.

A strong deck will have a clear game plan and win condition. Before building your deck, it’s important to consider your strategy and how your cards work together to achieve your goal. This will help you make more informed decisions when selecting cards for your deck.

In addition to having a clear game plan, a strong deck will also have efficient ways to interact with your opponent’s strategy. Whether it’s through removal spells, counterspells, or other means, it’s important to have ways to disrupt your opponent’s game plan and protect your own.

Finally, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in the format. The meta can shift quickly, and what worked yesterday may not work today. By keeping an eye on the latest tournament results, decklists, and community discussions, you can adapt your deck to stay competitive.

By following these guidelines and taking the time to carefully build and fine-tune your deck, you can give yourself the best chance of success in MTG Arena’s Historic format.

Evaluating Your Card Collection

Before you start building your MTG Arena Historic deck, it’s important to take a close look at your card collection. Evaluating your collection will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and make informed decisions when it comes to building your deck.

Assessing Your Collection

The first step in evaluating your card collection is to take stock of what you have. Use the Collection tab in MTG Arena to see all of your cards, and filter them by rarity, color, and set to get a better idea of what you have.

Identifying Your Strengths

Once you have a clear picture of your collection, identify the colors and card types you have the most of. This will give you a good starting point for choosing your deck’s theme and playstyle. For example, if you have a lot of red and green cards, you might consider building an aggro deck that focuses on attacking quickly and dealing damage fast.

Addressing Your Weaknesses

In addition to identifying your strengths, it’s important to acknowledge your weaknesses. Take note of the colors and card types you’re lacking in, and consider whether it’s worth investing in those areas to round out your collection. Alternatively, you can focus on building a deck that doesn’t rely on those colors or card types.

Crafting New Cards

If you find that you’re missing key cards for your deck, you may need to craft them using Wildcards. Wildcards are a valuable resource that can be used to create any card of the same rarity, so use them wisely.

Choosing Your Deck’s Theme and Playstyle

Choosing your deck’s theme and playstyle is a crucial step in building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck. Your deck’s theme and playstyle should reflect your preferences and the cards you have available. Here are some popular themes and playstyles to consider:

Aggressive (Aggro) Decks

Aggro decks are focused on attacking quickly and dealing damage as fast as possible. These decks are typically composed of low-cost creatures and spells that can get on the board early and start attacking. If you enjoy playing fast-paced, aggressive decks, aggro may be the right choice for you.

Control Decks

Control decks are focused on denying your opponent’s strategy and playing the long game. These decks typically have a lot of removal spells and counterspells to disrupt your opponent’s game plan and protect your own. If you enjoy playing a more defensive style, control decks may be the way to go.

Midrange Decks

Midrange decks are a blend of aggro and control, with a focus on playing powerful creatures and spells that can take over the game. These decks aim to dominate the mid-game by playing efficient cards that can both attack and defend. If you enjoy playing a balanced style that can adapt to different situations, midrange decks may be the right choice.

Maximizing Your Card Collection

When choosing your deck’s theme and playstyle, it’s important to consider the cards you have available. You may find that you have a lot of cards that fit well into a specific theme or playstyle, making it an easier choice. However, if you don’t have many cards in a particular area, you may need to invest in new cards or consider a different approach.

By choosing a theme and playstyle that suits your preferences and maximizes your card collection’s potential, you’ll be well on your way to building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck.

Key Components of How to Build a Winning MTG Arena Historic Deck

When building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck, there are several key components that you should keep in mind. These components include:

Mana Base

A solid mana base is the foundation of any winning deck. You should aim to have the right balance of lands and colors to consistently cast your spells on time. Pay attention to the colors of your spells and make sure you have enough of the right lands to support them.

Creatures

Creatures are the backbone of most decks in MTG Arena Historic. Choose creatures that synergize with your deck’s theme and help you achieve your win condition. Prioritize creatures with strong abilities or powerful stats for their mana cost. Consider the creature’s power, toughness, abilities, and the overall synergy with your deck when making your choices.

Spells

Spells can make or break a game in MTG Arena Historic. Select a mix of removal, counterspells, and card draw spells to help control the board and maintain card advantage. Make sure that you have the right mix of spells to support your deck’s strategy and help you achieve your win condition.

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers can be game-changers in MTG Arena Historic. They are powerful creatures that have unique abilities that can help turn the tide of a game. Include planeswalkers in your deck if they align with your strategy and provide valuable abilities to your deck.

Balancing the Components

When building your deck, it’s important to balance these components to create a well-rounded and powerful deck. Your deck’s theme and playstyle should guide your choices, but it’s important to make sure that you have enough of each component to support your strategy.

By paying attention to these key components, you’ll be on your way to building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck.

Building Your Deck: Step-by-Step Guide

Building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck can be a complex process, but following these steps can help make it easier.

Establishing your win condition

The first step in building any deck is determining how you plan to win the game. This is known as your win condition. Whether it’s through combat damage, mill, or alternative win conditions like specific card combos, your win condition should be the focus of your deckbuilding process.

Selecting the core cards

Once you’ve established your win condition, you should identify the core cards that are essential to your strategy. These cards should synergize with your deck’s theme and playstyle. Choose cards that are efficient and powerful, and try to avoid cards that don’t contribute to your game plan.

Filling in the gaps

With your core cards selected, it’s time to fill in the gaps in your deck with support cards that help you execute your game plan. Look for cards that provide utility, protection, or disruption to your opponents’ strategies. Consider how these cards can help you achieve your win condition and support your core cards.

Fine-tuning and optimizing

After you’ve assembled your initial deck, playtest it and refine the card choices. Remove cards that underperform and add others that improve your deck’s consistency and power. Pay attention to your deck’s curve, or the distribution of mana costs across your cards. You should also consider the mana base of your deck and make sure you have enough lands and colors to support your spells.

Building a Sideboard

In addition to building your main deck, you should also create a sideboard of 15 cards that can be swapped in and out of your deck between games. Your sideboard should include cards that help you adapt to different matchups and handle specific threats.

Managing Your Resources

Building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck can be an expensive process. It’s important to manage your resources wisely and prioritize cards that are essential to your strategy. Consider crafting cards that are likely to see play in multiple decks or formats.

By following these steps and managing your resources wisely, you can build a winning MTG Arena Historic deck that can compete with the best of them.

Playtesting Your Deck

Playtesting is a crucial step in building a winning MTG Arena Historic deck. It allows you to fine-tune your deck, identify weaknesses, and improve your game plan. Here are some tips for effective playtesting:

Establish a Testing Plan

Before you start playtesting, it’s essential to have a testing plan. Identify the types of decks you’re likely to face in the meta and create scenarios that test your deck’s ability to respond to those situations. You should also track the results of each game to help you evaluate your deck’s performance.

Test in Different Settings

It’s important to playtest your deck in different settings to get a better understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. Play against different opponents with different strategies and skill levels. You can also playtest your deck in different formats or against different decks to see how it performs.

Adjust Your Deck Accordingly

As you playtest your deck, you’ll likely discover areas where it struggles or underperforms. Use this feedback to make changes to your deck, such as swapping out cards that aren’t working or adjusting your mana base. Remember to test your revised deck to see how the changes affect its performance.

Use Resources to Aid Playtesting

There are several resources available to help with playtesting, such as MTG Arena’s Playtest feature or external websites that allow you to playtest against other players. You can also use tools like MTG Goldfish or MTG Arena Pro to track your deck’s performance and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your playtesting is effective and helps you build a winning MTG Arena Historic deck.

Adapting to the Meta

In MTG Arena Historic, the meta is constantly changing as new sets are released and players develop new strategies. It’s essential to keep up with the latest trends and adjust your deck accordingly to stay competitive.

Monitoring the Meta

One way to keep up with the meta is to monitor popular decklists and card choices. Websites such as MTGGoldfish and AetherHub provide up-to-date information on the current meta and the most commonly used cards in top-performing decks.

Another way to stay on top of the meta is to participate in community discussions, such as those found on Reddit or Discord. By engaging with other players and sharing experiences, you can learn about new decks and strategies that may be worth trying.

Adapting Your Deck

Once you have identified shifts in the meta, it’s time to adapt your deck. This can involve making changes to your core card choices, adding or removing specific cards to better handle popular strategies, or altering your mana base to better suit the current meta.

When adapting your deck, it’s essential to consider how the changes will affect your overall strategy and win condition. Avoid making changes that compromise the core identity of your deck, as this can lead to inconsistency and weakened performance.

Anticipating the Meta

In addition to monitoring the current meta, it’s important to anticipate how it may change in the future. This can involve predicting which cards may become more or less popular, and how new sets may introduce new strategies or threats.

By anticipating the meta, you can be ahead of the curve and make changes to your deck before the shift happens. This can give you a significant advantage in competition and help keep you competitive in the ever-evolving MTG Arena Historic format.

Tips and Tricks for Success in Historic

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you achieve success in the Historic format:

Know the Meta

Stay informed about the current meta by following MTG Arena websites, social media, and streaming channels. Knowing the popular decks and strategies will help you make informed decisions when building and adapting your deck.

Sideboard Wisely

Your sideboard should include cards that address weaknesses in your deck and counter popular strategies in the meta. Ensure you have a plan for each matchup and sideboard accordingly.

Mulligan Strategically

Don’t be afraid to mulligan if your starting hand doesn’t have the necessary components to execute your game plan. Mulliganing can increase your chances of winning in the long run.

Practice Efficiently

Practice with purpose and efficiency. Set goals for your playtesting sessions and focus on areas where your deck needs improvement. Experiment with different strategies and cards to find the optimal configuration.

Manage Your Resources

Mana, life total, and cards in hand are all valuable resources in MTG. Learn to manage these resources effectively to maximize your chances of winning. Don’t waste removal spells on unimportant targets, and be mindful of your life total when making decisions.

Stay Patient

MTG is a game of variance, and sometimes luck isn’t on your side. Stay patient and keep a level head, even when things aren’t going your way. Avoid making impulsive decisions or tilting, as this can lead to costly mistakes.

By following these tips and tricks, you can increase your chances of success in the Historic format. Remember, building a winning deck is just the first step—consistent play and practice are essential for achieving long-term success.

Conclusion

As we conclude this guide, we hope that the tips and strategies outlined here have been helpful in your deckbuilding journey in MTG Arena Historic. Remember that building a strong deck takes time, patience, and practice. It’s essential to evaluate your card collection, choose a theme and playstyle that aligns with your strengths and preferences, and carefully consider the key components of a winning deck, such as mana base, creatures, spells, and planeswalkers.

Building a successful deck doesn’t end with the initial creation process. Playtesting your deck, adapting to the ever-changing meta, and implementing tips and tricks for success are all critical to achieving victory. Keep in mind that everyone’s deckbuilding process is unique, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

We wish you the best of luck in your future MTG Arena Historic matches. With dedication and hard work, you can become a formidable opponent in this exciting format. Happy brewing!

What are the key components of a winning MTG Arena Historic deck?

A winning MTG Arena Historic deck typically consists of a combination of powerful creatures, spells, and planeswalkers that work well together. It is important to include a good mix of cards that can deal with threats from the opponent’s deck and cards that can help you gain card advantage or disrupt the opponent’s game plan. You should also pay attention to the mana curve of your deck, ensuring that you have a good balance of low-cost and high-cost spells.

How do I choose which cards to include in my MTG Arena Historic deck?

When building your MTG Arena Historic deck, it is important to choose cards that work well together and complement each other’s strengths. Look for cards that synergize well and consider their individual strengths and weaknesses. Pay attention to the format’s metagame and what types of decks are popular. Consider including cards that can deal with popular strategies, such as removal spells to deal with creatures or artifacts, or counterspells to stop opponent’s spells from resolving.

How do I balance my MTG Arena Historic deck between offense and defense?

Balancing offense and defense in your MTG Arena Historic deck is important for maintaining control of the game. You should include a mix of creatures and spells that can both deal damage and defend against threats. This includes cards that have high power or toughness, or those with abilities that can deal damage or prevent damage from being dealt. You should also consider including cards that can help you gain card advantage or disrupt the opponent’s game plan, such as hand disruption or removal spells.

How can I improve my chances of winning with my MTG Arena Historic deck?

To improve your chances of winning with your MTG Arena Historic deck, it is important to practice and refine your strategy. Playtest your deck against a variety of opponents and analyze the results to identify any weaknesses or areas that need improvement. Keep up to date with the format’s metagame and adjust your deck accordingly. It can also be helpful to watch replays of high-level gameplay to gain insights into successful strategies and learn from the mistakes of others.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when building an MTG Arena Historic deck?

When building an MTG Arena Historic deck, it is important to avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of winning. One mistake is to include too many high-cost spells, which can make your deck slow and unresponsive. Another mistake is to neglect the mana curve of your deck, which can lead to mana issues and difficulty casting spells. It is also important to avoid including cards that do not work well together or do not fit the overall strategy of your deck. Finally, be careful not to neglect the sideboard, which can be an important tool for adjusting your deck to counter specific strategies or matchups.