Subject: Strategy: Deck Size [Humor]
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 19:00:14 EDT
From: JonPKibble@aol.com
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

[ The following is not meant to be taken seriously, though the stories told of
my blue deck are true... ]

Greetings fellow Magic players. In this article I hope to provide some insight
into a highly controversial issue that Magic players everywhere always ponder;
deck size. That is, how many cards is the most optimal number to put in your
deck? Let's start at the bare minimum. Some "better" players foolishly believe
that 60 is the best number, saying that this way you will be able to "focus"
your deck and expect what you are going to draw. Others, such as Jay Schenider
often go to 61, for reasons which are beyond me. Jamie Wakefield has been
known to play 62 cards in his decks. Personally I don't see the point of
restricting yourself to such a small deck. That is why I think the optimal
size for a deck should be at least 250 cards. Why over 250?

  - Your opponent will never be able to guess with certainly what cards are
coming up.
  - Random Booby Trapping becomes much less effective.
  - You can effectively and legally stall the game while casting Mana
Severance.
  - If you are not playing with Mana Severance, then a Grindstone will not do
much against you. Ditto with Millstone (in any situation.) You'll never fear
the almighty Millstone!
  - You can legally use the full 5 minutes of shuffling.
  - You create the chance of your opponent mistaking you for a zip and giving
you the game by making mistakes they would not have if you were playing a 60
card deck.
  - If you don't draw the cards you need, blame it on the deck.
  - two words: THOUGHT LASH.

The more cards in your deck, the bigger your deck gets. Imagine the
intimidation to your opponent. "My deck is ten times as big as yours." Upon
seeing your monstrosity your opponent will cower in fear. Why limit yourself
to 60 cards when you can be rebellious. Why not go out on a limb, if that is
where the fruit is. Be a non-conformist.... well, you get the idea. I tried
this theory last night and made a blue deck out of some of my extra cards,
along with four Thought Lashes. Although I am yet to use the Lash, the deck is
now 10 and 0. (I cannot say I played against top notch decks but they were
certainly not zip decks.) Use this deck as a sample for the Kibble school of
deckbuilding.

       100 Island
       1 Abduction
       4 Abjure
       3 Boomerang
       3 Brainstorm
       4 Breezekeeper
       2 Browse
       4 Capsize
       1 Cloud Djinn
       4 Cloud Elemental
       4 Cloud Spirit
       4 Counterspell
       1 Dismiss
       3 Disrupt
       2 Dissipate
       1 Ether Well
       2 Fighting Drake
       2 Floodgate
       4 Flux
       3 Fog Elemental
       2 Force of Will
       1 Hydroblast
       4 Impulse
       4 Inspiration
       1 Interdict
       4 Leap
       4 Legerdemain
       2 Man-o’-War
       4 Mana Leak
       2 Manta Ray
       4 Manta Riders
       2 Meddle
       3 Memory Lapse
       2 Mind Games
       4 Mystic Veil
       1 Mystical Tutor
       1 Noble Benefactor
       4 Ophidian
       4 Power Sink
       3 Ransack
       4 Ray of Command
       4 Rootwater Hunter
       3 Sage Owl
       1 Sea Sprite
       4 Shadow Rift
       4 Sift
       3 Spell Blast
       4 Spindrift Drake
       3 Suq’ata Firewalker
       4 Thalakos Mistfolk
       4 Thalakos Seer
       4 Thought Lash
       2 Tidal Warrior
       1 Tidal Wave
       4 Time Ebb
       1 Timid Drake
       3 Vodalian Illusionist
       4 Wind Drake
       4 Zuran Spellcaster

P.S. I bet there is some Joe Chumly out there which is going to copy this
deck. I can't wait to play him in a tourney some day!!!

Comments and flames always welcome.

Jon Prywes
JonPKibble@hotmail.com
http://kibble.base.org