How Many Creatures Should You Have in a Modern Deck?

The million-dollar question! There isn’t a single, universally correct answer to how many creatures you should run in a Modern deck, but a good starting point is between 12 and 22 creatures. This number is heavily dependent on your deck’s strategy, mana curve, and overall game plan. An aggressive deck will lean towards the higher end of that range, while a more controlling or combo-oriented deck might opt for fewer creatures, relying more on spells to disrupt the opponent and set up their win condition.

Ultimately, the optimal number of creatures is a matter of careful consideration and rigorous testing. Let’s dive deeper into the factors that influence this crucial deck-building decision.

Understanding Your Deck’s Archetype

The first and most important factor is understanding the archetype of your deck. Modern decks generally fall into a few broad categories:

• Aggro: These decks aim to win quickly by overwhelming the opponent with a relentless stream of creatures. Think decks like Hammer Time, Burn, and some variations of Humans. These decks will typically run 18-22 creatures. They require a high density of threats to consistently pressure the opponent.

• Midrange: Midrange decks seek to establish board control and grind out value, eventually overwhelming the opponent with powerful, resilient creatures. Think decks like Rakdos Scam or Jund. These decks usually have 14-18 creatures, balancing threats with removal and disruption.

• Control: Control decks focus on disrupting the opponent’s game plan, removing threats, and eventually winning with a few powerful finishers. Think decks like Azorius Control. Here you usually find 12 or fewer creatures. The focus is on surviving the early game and deploying a game-winning threat later.

• Combo: Combo decks assemble a specific combination of cards to achieve a game-winning effect. Think decks like Living End or Amulet Titan. The range of creatures in these varies depending on the combo but normally goes anywhere from 8 to 16.

The Mana Curve: A Crucial Consideration

Your mana curve is the distribution of cards in your deck based on their mana cost. An ideal mana curve ensures you have plays available at each stage of the game. If you are running a high count of cheap creatures, you will require to play more lands. A more expensive curve could give you a need to use mana ramp or a lower count of lands.

• Aggressive Decks: Need a low mana curve with most creatures costing 1-3 mana. This allows for quick and explosive starts.

• Midrange Decks: A more balanced curve, with a few cheap plays and some more expensive threats to close out the game.

• Control Decks: A higher curve, relying on removal and counterspells to survive the early game, followed by impactful late-game threats.

Considering Removal and Interaction

The amount of removal and interaction in Modern is immense. Creature-heavy decks need to be prepared to deal with cards like Lightning Bolt, Fatal Push, Path to Exile, and many others. Running resilient creatures (those with protection, hexproof, or recursion) can help mitigate the impact of removal.

Consider also the format. Formats with lots of removal like Modern make it more difficult to utilize small creatures.

Decks with less creatures also need to consider the amount of spot removal they may have. With too much spot removal and not enough creatures, you may find it difficult to find targets for removal.

The Role of Non-Creature Spells

Non-creature spells play a crucial role in supporting your creature strategy. Removal spells clear the way for your attackers, while pump spells can turn a small creature into a formidable threat. Card draw spells ensure you have a steady stream of threats and answers.

It’s important to consider how your non-creature spells synergize with your creatures. For example, a deck running lots of equipment might want to focus on creatures that benefit from being equipped.

Testing and Iteration

The best way to determine the optimal number of creatures for your deck is through rigorous testing. Playtest against a variety of opponents and track your results. Pay attention to whether you are consistently drawing too many or too few creatures. Are you running out of threats too quickly, or are you frequently drawing creatures when you need removal or disruption?

Based on your testing results, adjust your creature count accordingly. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different numbers until you find the sweet spot for your deck. Remember that Games Learning Society provides great insights into strategic gameplay, which can help refine your testing process and decision-making. Their website, GamesLearningSociety.org, is a valuable resource for any Magic player looking to improve their skills.

FAQs: Creature Counts in Modern Decks

1. Is there a “cookie-cutter” number of creatures that works for all Modern decks?

No. The number of creatures is extremely dependent on the exact deck and what the deck is trying to achieve.

2. What happens if I have too few creatures in my aggro deck?

If you have too few creatures in your aggro deck, you’ll likely struggle to apply enough pressure to win before your opponent stabilizes. You will be open to spot removal and could quickly fall behind.

3. What happens if I have too many creatures in my control deck?

Too many creatures in a control deck can dilute your removal and disruption, making it harder to control the board and survive until you can deploy your finishers.

4. How important is it to have a consistent mana base when running a lot of creatures?

Extremely important. Creature-heavy decks often need to curve out efficiently, playing a creature on each turn. A shaky mana base can disrupt this plan.

5. Should I focus on creatures that provide value over time, or creatures that are just big and aggressive?

This depends on your deck’s strategy. Aggressive decks might prioritize raw power, while midrange decks might prefer creatures that generate card advantage or provide utility.

6. How does the Modern metagame affect the number of creatures I should run?

If the metagame is full of removal, you might want to focus on resilient creatures or run fewer creatures and more disruption. If the metagame is fast and aggressive, you might need to prioritize cheap, efficient creatures to keep up.

7. What are some examples of resilient creatures that are good in Modern?

Examples include Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, Dragon’s Rage Channeler, and creatures with Undying or Persist.

8. How does sideboarding affect my creature count?

Your sideboard can allow you to adjust your creature count based on the matchup. You might sideboard out some creatures against control decks and bring in more removal, or vice versa.

9. Is it ever correct to play a Modern deck with zero creatures?

Yes, it is possible. A creatureless control or combo deck can work, relying entirely on spells to win the game. However, these decks are generally more difficult to pilot.

10. What role do “man-lands” (lands that can become creatures) play in a Modern deck’s creature count?

Man-lands can provide additional threats that are less vulnerable to removal, as they are not creatures by default. They can be a valuable addition to decks that want to control the board.

11. How does the prevalence of graveyard hate (cards that exile or disrupt graveyards) affect creature-based strategies?

Graveyard hate can significantly impact decks that rely on recurring creatures from the graveyard. It’s important to be aware of the potential for graveyard hate and have a plan to deal with it.

12. What is the difference between a “go-wide” and a “go-tall” creature strategy in Modern?

A “go-wide” strategy involves playing many small creatures to overwhelm the opponent with numbers. A “go-tall” strategy involves buffing a single creature to make it a massive threat.

13. How can I effectively test different creature counts in my Modern deck?

Use online simulators, playtest against real opponents, and track your results. Analyze your win rate, mulligan rate, and the frequency with which you draw the right mix of creatures and spells.

14. How many legendary creatures can I have in my Modern deck?

The total number of legendary creatures in a deck is not restricted. While you can have four of any legendary in your deck, don’t forget that if you already have a legendary card of the same name out, you will have to choose one to sacrifice.

15. What are some key non-creature cards that every Commander deck should have?

Sol Ring is a staple for mana ramp, while Arcane Signet also serves as efficient ramp. Cards like Chaos Warp and Heroic Intervention provide removal and protection, respectively. Rhystic Study can punish opponents for casting spells without paying the additional cost.

The Final Verdict

Determining the ideal number of creatures for your Modern deck is a complex process that requires careful consideration of your deck’s strategy, mana curve, the metagame, and your own personal playstyle. There is no single right answer, and the best approach is to experiment, test, and iterate until you find the sweet spot that works for you. Remember to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more strategies. Happy brewing!