MTG - Top 5 BEST & Cheapest Competitive Modern Decks for Magic: The Gathering!

[@TheManaSource]

Hope the video is informative! I’ve gotten this question a few times so I wanted to address it as best I could! Working on some more techs for modern, standard, CMDR, and Brawl right now.

[@EJsGameplay]

It informed me I'm still too poor to play Modern.

[@guftders]

I honestly would buy into a Tier 2 deck, rather than a budget Tier 1. Just because sideboard slots are generally dedicated more to popular strategies so you can potentially just win because no one has prepared for your deck.

[@aziza_azule6222]

And pauper?

[@CourierFromFONv]

What kind of "budget" are you on?

[@Atmapalazzo]

Each deck except Storm here is tier 2 at most. They're all very good and perfectly playable, but they're called tier 2 because they are tier 2. If you're going into a GP expecting to see at least 1 EnT, Amulet Titan, Merfolk, and Ad Naus minimum then you're very poorly prepared. If you're not expecting that, then they're not tier 1.

[@MDJ7713]

Prof is sitting behind the camera threatening wedge unless he mentions merfolk

[@TheManaSource]

This actually happened. Help me.

[@xakuyer]

TheManaSource help

[@tygonmaster]

< Fear me.

[@aquilesbeizaga8291]

😂

[@ChipDip0214]

with a black lotus against razor blade

[@davidfrischer7075]

Since when is $550 a “budget” deck

[@dylanlawrence8466]

David The Duck welcome to modern

[@awayinmymind3970]

For a tier 1 deck that (as of the making of this video) was very likely the best deck in the format, yeah that's cheap. Most tier 1 competitive modern decks are so expensive because of fetch lands. Uro/Urza is a prime example. A deck that's roughly $1200, and the manabase makes up around 700ish. But if you care about having a tier 1 hyper competitive modern deck in the first place, then chances are, you're serious about competing in magic; at which point price shouldn't be a huge issue. If you just play at FNM's, you don't need to spend $500+ on a deck for modern (a non rotating format, so the deck lasts forever with a few updates every few years.)

[@Cdawg_6969]

I can’t stop thinking of equals three with that background

[@Bluecrimson217]

God, was that youtube show _that_ long ago? I feel old!

[@supremecourt4131]

I really want to start with magic But 550 dollars is budget xD!? I mean come on.. it is still a card game

[@justingarssacoche]

Play MTG arena ?

[@DylanHunter64]

8 Whack Goblins is arguably better than merfolk and probably more explosive. And half the cost. I would recommend that deck to anyone who wants an affordable, legitimately powerful modern deck.

[@nicolasmogollon9253]

Dylan Hunter do you have a deck list?

[@MaggotKing9]

Yeah and you can add Blood Moons and/or goblin guides to improve the power

[@planeswalkin1012]

Problem with goblins is they are horrible after wipe or lategame where as the advantage from many of the merfolk lets you rebuild and the control elements let you stabilize but as i play both i can def say goblins is better really early game and can be more explosive off the start

[@rogerpatrickc.blasko8987]

Dont mention any red decks, theyre cheap, repetitive, and easy to make (imo)

[@LM-mc2lm]

I decided to go with 8 whack for my first deck because of the cost and it’s working out pretty well!

[@oom-3262]

WHERE IS MY BOI THE 5 BUCKS TRESURE HUNT DECK

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

OOM- 32 it's cheap to start, but I myself slowly upgraded mine with nephalia academy, fetches, shocks and boseijuu, plus all 12 manlands.

[@GRAEMEMCFORLIFE]

Anyone got a link to this treasure hunt deck you guys are talking about? :)

[@modernminded5466]

Graeme M Something like this: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/22-07-18-zombie-hunt/?cb=1532248124

[@SeleneTheFoxBat]

It’s fun, I’ve played it before. The problem is that it loses to any counter spell or thoughtsieze effect.

[@themagicofmagicthegatherin6533]

I love how diverse Modern is. It's one of my favorite things about the format. Looking at each of these five decks, they are completely different lists and themes. Fantastic! Great video!

[@Nateson]

That sweatshirt looks super comfortable. Also I'll see you in a few days!!

[@kingquest1068]

o.O I watch your OW videos on my other KZbin acount, and then I randomly see you here. Didn't know that you played MTG!

[@edwardw9204]

Hi everyone, some notes on D&T, you might want to play Eldrazi & Taxes over it, it's much cheaper and an overall better deck. The reason is that the Mono-W version plays 3 Horizon Canopy or Gemstone Cavern and Chalice or 3 Mutavault. While the BW version plays fairly cheap cards.

[@SlyBlu7]

"Average cost of a tiered Modern deck is about $1k" Yeah, I'ma stick with Limited formats. For that price, I can play draft at my flgs every week for 2 years, and every game will be different.

[@therealphilipl5579]

Kinda surprised that living end didn't get a mention, you can build a really competitive version for under 200 dollars

[@owenmasur5640]

The great thing about death and taxes is that for 1000 dollars you can upgrade it into a tier 1 legacy deck.

[@othon_87]

Dude just wanted to stop by and say looking forward to you coming back, and its awesome and inspiring to keep up with your recovery via Twitter!

[@jacobwenner4054]

I wish I saw this a few days ago I just bought that Nivmagus Elemental deck from MTGGoldfish today

[@emeryj3843]

Just heard what happened, and I hope you are able to make a swift recovery. Good Luck Wedge!

[@staterazor5441]

I saw you at star city con, wanted to get an auto graph, but i was playing a sealed match. Love you and tha prof. Thanks for all you do

[@machspeed5025]

My friend, the resident storm player at my LGS says that his storming days are over with the release of Dampening Sphere. But I haven't seen anyone put one in a sideboard yet.

[@Kenyin]

Mach Speed Most storm lists mainboard repeal and sideboard echoing truth, wipe away and artifact hate

[@EnmaMusicProduction]

This is why I love Wedge, he has dedication to the budget versions of conpetitive decks.

[@bluesoxyt5343]

$600 $450 Yeah "c h e a p"

[@Oyabun2009]

@themanasource i think it would be great to mention this video again with the release of Ultimate Masters

[@TomGalonska]

Really good list! I'd like to add, that the WB Version of Eldrazi&Taxes is also very cheap and very powerful... You get acces to Tidehollow Sculler (wich is the main upgrade for the main deck. alongside Wasteland Strangler) and very good sideboard cards (Bitterblossom, Pontiff, and good removal/discard)

[@docterfantazmo]

Isn't Goblins quit cheap, just the Guides pushing up the price?

[@sensei9767]

Not tier 1

[@near3d945]

I not sure but i think Wegde dont like aggressive red deck's so he wont recommend them.

[@sensei9767]

GOD DAMMIT! Wedge said the video shows the cheapest tier 1 decks. Not just good decks, great decks! 8-wack is good, but not a deck you can win a GP with.

[@danielderschlecker5471]

Everything besides Storm shown in this video isn't a tier one deck. No one thinks you could win a GP with Merfolk or DnT right now too.

[@sensei9767]

You have a bit of a chance I guess

[@bronsonkim6652]

Great video, didn't realize storm was so budget

[@Iosmailbox]

I do think all these decks are playable and have enough power level for Modern I think calling them Tier 1 is a little misleading, yes they can win a GP or your local FNM but that doesn’t make them tier 1 still great decks love the video

[@placeholdermclastname6816]

Question: You mentioned Thalia in the Eldrazi & Taxes part of the video but she isn't on the deck list, where does she go?

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Thom Mensink maindeck

[@mynameisforrest]

Love your intro man, perfect animation and music!

[@wierdo884]

Really liked this open seemed to really flow

[@AKASyx]

Interestingly, many of those deck are pretty complex for people to play.

[@jeffmassicott7186]

Tbh wedge could post a vid reading a phone book and id listen to it. Love ya wedge!

[@danacoleman4007]

THE Wedge.... Awesome as always!

[@matthewneal1870]

Can you add side boards to the deck lists?

[@yosukeminamoto5823]

Yeah boi wedge is back and with considable force to make content again! :D

[@williamwright4813]

The guy at my LGS who plays Ad Nauseum runs Opt instead of Sleight of Hand

[@TheManaSource]

Love that option!

[@StarkMaximum]

Love that OPTion...?

[@pieter2548]

Hangi in up there brother, my thoughts and prayers are with you, stay tough, stay whole, this is a critical circumstance, there are people here concerned about what happened to you, we surely sill support you in any way we can, if not with money with ourmoral support, please hang in there brother.

[@robertbenson8210]

Good video, I have 3 out of the 5 decks mentioned. I believe I probably payed less then what you quoted. You could have probably mentioned dredge on the list, are maybe you left it off on purpose?

[@senyormort]

I have played death and taxes for almost four years. This deck is a pain in the ass and you always have room to add small changes to adapt your strategy against the metagame, even with the monowhite version. Your oponent start playing asking permition for doing anything as if you were playing a hard control deck :)

[@ZorrosRage]

You can make a cheap boggles without layline or canopy

[@TheManaSource]

You can, but it won't be tier 1

[@ZorrosRage]

TheManaSource probably not but tier 2-3 can still do decent. Most looking at budget are looking for sub 200 and 100

[@senyormort]

You can play without canopy, but the leyline protects you against discard and edicts that destroys you.

[@tiredapollo8990]

Are you gonna do another video with game knights

[@guftders]

I can understand why it's not here, but I would personally vouch for 8 rack. Only thing that will set you back is the Mutavaults and LiliVeils. Thoughtseize can be replaced with Blackmail (and honestly, with the current meta, I think it's just better overall anyway). It's considered Tier 2 though simply because it does currently have some consistency issue that Karn might be able to fix

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Guftders Kalisere I run budget 8 rack and never had a problem, even with a green splash.

[@Turk2112]

Where does Burn fit in?

[@pierre-philipper.-gauthier2146]

I built Storm for the low price, I keep playing it because it's awesome to play and very powerful

[@jimpachi98]

Are those all BFZ cards in the background?

[@cubingexpress8875]

Everyone Wedge is currently in the hospital with major back issues. He apparently has no medical insurance. He is currently paralyzed from the waist down. Support him and his bills here www.gofundme.com/anthony039s-emergency-surgery-help

[@assassinscreedgamer7471]

how do we get your life linker code?

[@poopoopeepeeman6744]

Wedge my sweet father I have a question Why are you running 3 Wanderwine Hub in the merfolk deck when there is no white at all? I'm not trying to call you out but I just wanna know if there is a reason i'm missing

[@Blutyr8]

Click Nation gives you blue mana and can untap even if your opponent plays Choke since its not an island.

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Ervin Bešič some people also use einjango. It also let's you splash white if you need to.

[@andersrolig]

Where is Thalia in the DnT decklist? I personally run a DnT deck in Modern, and as I don't want to spend my whole wallet on Modern I love the deck. It run's ok without the Aether Vial. I will only run Aether Vial if I can trade for it. I traded Thalias to me to build the deck, and had a Cavern of Souls and Horizon Canopy lying around. The one really big investment was the four copies of Path to Exile. I challenge give my friends a run for their money when they run decks like EldraziTron and Death's Shadow :)

[@tonypower9315]

Great your back to modern! Hoooo raaah

[@jordangarner87]

Considering my luck with humans has been carp i think I will build death and taxes thanks Wedge. I been tinkinger with humans for what seems like an eternity and it only did well at modern event last summer.After that it was just 1-3 or 0-4 and it's the 5 color version too.

[@danielderschlecker5471]

That would definitely be a downgrade. What list are you running? It's the best deck atm after all.

[@jordangarner87]

Daniel Der Schlecker 5 color aether vial

[@mattecrystal6403]

wow, $450 decks! These are such great, cheap, budget-oriented decks! The money I save buying these decks means I can throw an extra $4000 maybe even $5000 on a mid-tier laptop.

[@macattack6325]

8 wack is definitely not top tier but is worth mentioning as a budget competitive modern deck

[@Pheebsgrease]

Makes me wish soul sisters was a higher tier. Because it's sooooo cheep.

[@oguzcnar8962]

can we use one of this decks instantly

[@robbysawyer7823]

Something I have been running is R/G 8 whack very destructive

[@DirtyKhmer4Eva]

Didn’t they ban baral and primeval titan in modern

[@JBKing_2005]

I agree with the merfolk deck. People think I'm crazy for liking mine. It's affective.

[@StxneVI]

When i hear budget i expect idk below 100$ maybe 250$ maybe

[@biarus_7382]

3 shepherd of rot 3 gempalm polluters 3 ghoul raisers 3 nameless inversions 3carion raiders 4 festering mummy’s 2shambling goblins 3 sultai emissaries 1 gnawing zombie 1 infernal care taker 2grey merchants of asphodel 2tragic slip 2 geths Verdict 2 sighs in blood 2ghoulcallers chant 1 cemetery recruitment One planes walker 20 black mana. My fave cheap deck

[@hahahaha8888]

Loving the healthy beard, boss!

[@tonypower9315]

Wedge.....the best killer deck in modern is....? Mono green goblin belchar! Woooo what fun...thanks bud, just saying!

[@justinpoulin1251]

Thanks Wedge, this is perfect for new players (I am one🙃)

[@RareSt3ak]

Please make a video on the new Core Set 2019 spoilers!

[@andriybasyuk5674]

No Yargle though?

[@richardkocksworthy8423]

Dat my boi

[@Tinycuber1]

I would not suggest someone to buy any of the 3 combo decks for a gp this weekend...

[@reymon2722]

Get well soon Wedge!

[@betasquadron4952]

unless you want scalding tarns

[@TyBlood13]

You don't play fetches in Storm lol

[@shawndiaz7528]

Beta Squadron Optimal Gifts Storm build is fetchless.

[@gored_378]

Bg elves?

[@ThatGuyWhoPlaysMagic]

Uhm....elves? They are cheap and am

[@thenerdyeel3092]

their really good but are not considered top tier atm.

[@xXNoFateXx]

I just placed 1st at a PPTQ with G/B CoCo Elves, they should definitely be considered top tier. Especially because they have little to no sideboard hate, and a ridiculously stacked sideboard against the top 3 decks in Modern right now.

[@alessandrocecconi3214]

xXNoFateXx can u post the decklist?

[@xXNoFateXx]

4 elvish mystic 4 llanowar elves 4 heritage druid 4 nettle sentinel 4 dwyrens elite 4 elvish clan caller 4 elvish arch druid 4 shaman of the pack 2 ezuri, renegade leader 4 lead the stampede 4 collected company 4 overgrown tomb 4 windswept heath 2 verdant catacombs 1 pendelhaven 3 cavern of souls 4 forest

[@IlNovazz1127]

@@xXNoFateXx Is this a good deck versus tier deck?

[@Starcrash6984]

There's a reason that Storm cards are cheap right now, and that's the introduction of Damping Sphere into most sideboards.

[@xakuyer]

Storm, that's what i'm talking about !

[@nrossetti2046]

Craters and prose?

[@oliverphoenix1563]

Am i the only one that feels as if 500 dollars is too much to be considered budget? Magic the gatherings cost is the only reason i refuse to get into the game. So i just play Pokemon.

[@duolingobird9244]

Oliver Phoenix don’t play modern... Standard has its share of really expensive tier 1 decks sometimes, but it’s way easier to build a budget deck there

[@oliverphoenix1563]

@@duolingobird9244 what's the difference?

[@xTwilightWolvesx]

Oliver Phoenix Standard involves cards that have been released over the last two years. Modern involves cards that have been released since 2003.

[@TheCharlieChitty]

Baral bought Storm back? I'd argue the legalisation of Opt when Ixilan released. Maybe both.

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Charlie Chitty storm was back around the time baral returned

[@reformed1trick739]

I'm a merfolk player, I almost always walk away from events a 3-1 or 4-0. Love it to pieces and the addition of merfolk trickster has made it even more powerful

[@sanderferreira2507]

Modern is ridiculous expensive in my country right now, that storm deck cost one month and a half of work, for most regular workers.

[@e5205]

I'm literally in love with storm, I ordered it last week. Who spends $2200 on Jund when you can win on turn TWO?! (I mean, you won't, but it's technically possible)

[@MTGDeckmastersGameplay]

I love modern videos!

[@ZorrosRage]

How about 5 best decks under $200 then 5 under $100 you can make or find :) I'm guessing green stompy wins the under 100

[@Wiseguy150]

Guessing goblins (coco version) isn't competitive enough to be on this list eh?

[@MTGDeckmastersGameplay]

What about dredge?

[@KraftMatthias]

merfolk-deck: for what minamo?

[@sirhades92]

Can't wait for "cheapest vintage decks"

[@ihsaningersoll9232]

Lol just don’t buy lands. Not that hard

[@ihsaningersoll9232]

Tfw $530 is cheap

[@0verdose589]

Ihsan ingersoll what did you think, its modern , go play standard if you want a cheap deck

[@atraxisdarkstar]

With Modern, you buy the pieces and they're good for a long time. When you're playing Standard, you have to constantly invest over and over and over.

[@TheManaSource]

I tried my best to make sure the decks I included weren't JUST land dependent. Luckily, most of the cheap tier 1 decks have limited numbers of the crazy expensive lands, and usually round out the rest of the deck with like...5-10$ cards.

[@xF3arl]

Hey if I can build a deck off a weeks worth of work that seems pretty cheap to me.

[@victorperron8092]

Living end?

[@RealSunic]

How about them PucaPoints?

[@SpencerBelanger]

Are you saying seismic swan isnt tier one!? *triggered*

[@PacersFanForever1]

what about burn?

[@DrDkt666]

Isn't summer bloom banned in modern?

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

DrDkt666 I think so, and for good reason.

[@DragonBloodHabbo]

I've deck Death & Taxes, I would known why have you putted the creatures eldrazi and why one blade splicer?

[@praetoratraxa8521]

Storm player: (Has godlike T1 kill hand, grinning like a loon) Opponent: OK I start with Leyline of Sanctity on the field. Storm player: (Flips table)

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

W00PER. EXE the storm player has various cards. That just slows them down.

[@venaretro5444]

Storm player: Echoing Truth your leyline, Grapeshot your for 22?

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Vena Retro counterflux. How do you actually stop/slow storm? Just counter the first spell?

[@venaretro5444]

Hand+Graveyard disruption combined with a fast clock.

[@sinthoras330]

Louise Drake Eidolon of the great revel is fun against them :)

[@dussi3648]

Burn is pretty budget aswell

[@Navyma18]

Burn puts up more consistent results than any of these. It's been a mainstay at the top tables perpetually for years now.

[@williamsmith9510]

Singularity competitive burn isn't cheap, in fact the fetchlands and goblin guides are almost more expensive than the whole storm list. As an intro to modern mono red burn is good, but it isn't as competitive as naya or rw burn

[@Navyma18]

William Smith I built naya for 575. As far as modern decks go that's fair.

[@88Hyo]

Red Green zoo (no goyf and no Guide), naya burn (again no Guide) mono red goblins (no cavern of souls) delver (no cryptic command and no snapcaster). Just replace the most expensive pieces (that are usually half the price of the deck) and play with khans fetches. You'll still waste about 500 dollars in cardboa, but it's better than the alternative.

[@BB-pn2qv]

Great video... but is 400-500$ Really budget?

[@FalseOracle617]

In modern yeah

[@wescocinco4870]

I know what a budget deck is and tier one or not, $550 is not budget by any means. When you classify most cards as under $10, that doesn't bring you to a budget deck xD

[@someperson7622]

storm loves damping sphere :D i love damping sphere, we all love damping sphere, amulet bloom, uh nope, storm decks, not so fast asshole, overall a sick hate card and typically, it shits all over aggro decks, want to come out blazing on your first few turns? yeah the sphere, learn to love the damping sphere

[@diamondaries9966]

I mean, when I looked for budget modern, I was hoping for a tad cheaper decks.

[@anthonytrumble4031]

Merfolk IMO is best with blue green

[@iloveathos]

Where are sideboards?

[@nateszigeti3653]

I don't think that just because a deck can win a tournament does it mean it's tier 1. I'm sure he's just being general meaning top tier = high tier/tiered. idk, maybe I'm being nitpicky