Hello from the Other Side: Lessons from 60 Card Formats

    Earlier this fall, I was seeking a new challenge. While I've thoroughly enjoyed playing Commander, I felt the urge to explore other Magic: The Gathering formats to broaden my horizons. Coming from a more competitive background, my aim was to participate in local tournaments on a weekly basis. Despite my attachment to favorite decks, I was reluctant to invest heavily in Modern/Legacy due to my love for brewing and building several decks. Consequently, I delved into Pauper.

    For those unfamiliar, Pauper is an eternal format where any card printed at the common rarity level is fair game, with a few banned exceptions. The diversity of decks in this format is extensive, offering options for nearly every imaginable playstyle. So, I researched some deck ideas, acquired the necessary cards, and began my journey. Here are a few lessons I've gleaned from my experience so far.

1) Sideboards Transform Deck Building: Having access to a sideboard significantly influences how you construct decks. In Commander, the lack of a sideboard means every card in your 99 must address potential threats. In Pauper, your deck operates with a primary plan. During matches, you swap out cards that are ineffective or "dead" for those more suited to the matchup. This allows for more specific card choices. For instance, with red and blue emerging as dominant colors in the current meta game, players are including copies of Red Elemental Blast and Blue Elemental Blast in their sideboards to counter these threats. While these cards may not be mainboard staples, they prove devastating in the right matchups.

2) Value Early Turns: In my quest to build Pauper decks, I encountered the challenge of speed. Many decks I tried were simply too slow. Conditioned by the leisurely pace of Commander, I initially overlooked the importance of the early game. Recognizing the necessity of turn one and two plays in 20-life formats, I've adjusted my approach. A smooth start and a lower curve have prompted a reevaluation of my Commander deck-building habits.

3) Embrace Statistics: One of the most intriguing aspects of the 60-card game is the wealth of statistics derived from tournament postings. Decks are organized into categorizable groups, allowing us to gauge a deck's probability against the top contenders in the format. In contrast, Commander's complexity, with numerous commanders and interactions, makes obtaining definitive data challenging. Understanding your deck's weaknesses in a proven statistical manner is a valuable asset for preparation.

4) Richer Resources for 60-Card Formats: While EDHrec is an excellent resource for Commander decks, the availability of resources for 60-card formats is notably deeper due to the abundance of posted tournaments. Recording a 1v1 match on MTG online is more straightforward than documenting an entire Commander game, leading to numerous YouTubers showcasing 60-card decks like Pauper through entire leagues, providing insights into how these decks perform against 3-5 opponents.

5) Importance of Strategy Diagnosing: In Commander, understanding an opponent's strategy is often deduced from their commander's abilities. However, in 60-card formats without commanders, quick on-the-fly analysis becomes crucial. Diagnosing your opponent's plan in real-time adds an extra layer of strategy and anticipation to the game.

    In a nutshell, diving into the Pauper format turned out to be a pretty wild ride. It's like Magic: The Gathering on a budget, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer. Sideboards suddenly became my new BFFs, making me rethink how I throw together decks. It's been a wild first step, but I'm loving every moment of the chaos. Here's to more brewing, more battling, and more Pauper-fueled adventures to come!