This week we are going to pop back to standard, because it is easier to talk budgeting in a slightly less 'competitive', by which I mean turn 2-3 kills, but we are going to discuss how to build a very competitive deck, such as the one above, while managing your finances, because hey, we all have an expensive hobby!!
SELECT A DECK YOU LOVE:
To build an expensive deck, it really has to be a labour of love, I know how cliché that is, but you have to put time and money into it, so it is silly to go into it half hearted. The way you really fall in love with a deck is to play your archetype and experience with it, find those neat interactions which add an extra dynamic. Once you've fallen in love with the deck, it's time to bite that bullet and build it on paper.
SELECTIVE BUYING:
By selective buying, I mean only buy what you really need to, and most of the time, that is those cheapish rares and commons and uncommons that are hard to find. Obviously you should always support your Local Game Store, but they might not give the best prices. For expensive cards that you need to buy, scour Ebay, EU Card Market and whatever good American sites there are, being English I only know the ones this side of the Atlantic. Although those in New York should check out Montasy Games! However, try and do as little 1 card buying as possible, because it is the most liquid capitol you will spend.
BULK AND SPECIALS:
Sometimes it is reasonably easy to pick up a collection that someone is trying to sell off on the cheap, people are also more likely to sell you their singles than to trade at a knocked down price, which is especially good if you struggle with your own collection of trade fodder, although we will discuss fodder a little later! Specials like the Duel Deck series, or the Clash Packs, can be a cheap way to get cards you want, for example Elspeth, Sun's Champion is the same price as the whole of the Duel Dec, and you get Kiora and all the other fun cards. Courser of Kruphix and Hero's Downfall are available in Clash Packs, which could also give you a good starting point.
TRADING:
Trade Fodder, trade fodder and trade fodder! If you can pick up some cards people need, then you'll always be more successful in your trades. Get your bum down to local tournaments to chat to people and to hopefully trade with them. Friends are more likely to give you a sweeter deal if they know you're going for a deck, but don't over really on that: no one likes a scrounger. At larger tournaments people are more likely to use SCG, but make sure you price so you get a fair deal, there are unscrupulous people out there! Trade for your deck for the most part, people are willing to help someone aiming for a goal, I certainly look kindly on people trying to improve their games with a deck they believe in!
THE BIG PAY OFF:
Now you have completed the deck you can begin to try and gain a bit of money with it! Just get yourself down to tournaments, and do what your deck does best, moreover you then gain more trading fodder from prizes, thus expanding your trading folder and allowing you to sell off those cards that other people are trying to get that you've won!
I really hope this will support those who are now bored of budget or just want a bit of a change, I just want to disclaim that I'm not slamming budget decks, just trying to give people more options! Again, I'll support anyone who wants it, sorry about the pace of replies on the last article, I will do it, I tried to this morning but I had a terrible hangover!
Good Luck and keeeeep Brainstorming!