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When building a deck I always work on the theory that a deck cost at most a combined cost of 60 Mana to play based on the theory you have 30 cards and get 2 Mana per turn, using this theory any exit Mana can be used to re-attack or cope with Mana Control methods your opponent may use.
I would class a deck that cost less than 55 Mana as a speed deck anything under 55 Mana and you can easily afford to replace some low Mana creatures for something of extra power that cost more because you are safe within the realms of been able to play at speed casting a creature every move.
The way I always see it if you are going to play a card that generates extra Mana or saves you Mana you may as well take advantage of that fact and use that extra mana in your deck build to make your deck stronger, so I have figured out a guide that illustrate the amount of Mana I would risk increasing the total cost of my deck by based on using specific cards (the starting prise been 60 Mana).
Please note this is not an exact science just a guide based on the risk I would personally be willing to take when using certain cards within a balance deck, exceptions would apply to theme decks such as Biolith, Undead and Cubic decks especially.
Freedonian Wanderer (3) – Stay well clear its not worth the Mana it cost to play far to week, not recommended to use at all to use.
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Moving Isle of Kadena (29) – I would increase the cost of my deck by +2 for each of these in my deck, mainly due to the fact each one only really cost you 2 Mana not 4 since if played right they majority of the time the will get you 2 Mana back and they tent to be reliable.
Novogus Catapult (43) – a risky card to increase the cost of your deck on since they don’t always get killed off due to the extra mana output, however if I was running more than 1 in a deck I would increase the cost of my deck by +2
Dungeon of Ten Tyrants (47) – these tend not to last very long but they are at least going to get you 1 extra Mana, they are not so easy to kill so I would increase the cost of my deck by +2 for each one in my deck.
Undead Dragon (49) – Would not use in a Balance deck, more of a cubic deck accessory.
Inquisitor Koog (69) – Underrated Betrayer IMO, I would add +2 Mana to the cost of my deck if I included Koog.
Tino, Son of Scion (85) – very specific to a Biolith deck does not apply or have any place in a Balance Deck.
Scion, Biolith Lord (87) / Guardian Watchtower (88 ) – different rules apply again when used in a Biolith deck. When in a Mana balanced deck combo is too situational to increase deck costs on, if you pull it off its just a massive bonus
Wormak Heir to the Bioliths (86) – is always going to get you at least 1 Mana back if played sensible I would increase cost of deck by +2 using Wormak
White Cubic (90) – I would not increase the cost of a deck at all based on this one card like the scion and watchtower combo it’s a bonus if it survives.
Parmetic Holy Feast (91) – reliable obvious Mana source increase costs by +2
Goghlie Altar (92) – Again guaranteed to give you extra Mana +3 is a safe bet. I would even push +4
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Summoner Mesmer's Lapse (93) – why you ask? Because you are going to loose a creature in your deck to play it hence you loose the cost of casting that creature, I would add +2 to the cost of my deck if I included a lapse.
Beacon of Cai-Shae (116) - More of a fire theme deck card however I would add +1 for every 3 other fire creatures in a balance deck
Flame Lizard Commander (119) – risky to increase costs based on this card, however for every 3 lizards other lizards in my deck I would increase by +1
Novogus Sinbearer (155) – very deck specific to an undead deck, no place for this card in a balance deck.
Archbisshop Jirva (156) – the most relaable Mana source in the game IMO, I would go +3 or maybe even push to +4 for a deck that included Jirva.
Absolver Sacrament (191) – not really a Balance deck card IMO, heavy boilith decks or other types of themed decks would better suit this card, - very deck specific card to put a figure of cost price increase to. +4 would be a good cost for a balanced deck because of the cards that cost 4 that would be good to use this card on such as MioK due to its uselessness after play or Dark Sword due to its anti ability.
Granvenoa Altar (192) – obvious generator gives yoru deck +1
Elven Dismissal (194) – this card has an Anti Mana Ability of –2 IMO it’s a good card as long as you give your deck the Mana to use it, and I would only ever use it against a 1 Mana card.
Biolith Ascension (207) – depends what Bioliths you plan to cast with this card however at least +5 should be your target. |
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