Build a Deck - Step-by-Step Guide

Walk through the deck building wizard to create a Commander deck.

Overview

The deck builder guides you through a multi-step modal wizard that helps you configure and build a complete Commander deck. Each step lets you customize your deck's strategy, budget, and power level before generating the final list.

Access the builder at /build or click Build in the sidebar.

Step 1: Choose a Commander

Select your commander from the search field in the modal. Type the commander's name to see matches.

Partner Commanders: If your commander has Partner, Choose a Partner, or has a Background, you'll be prompted to select a second commander in a follow-up step.

Learn more: Partner Mechanics Guide

Step 2: Select Primary Themes

Choose 1–3 core themes that define your deck's strategy by clicking theme chips in the modal. Themes are organized by pool size:

Recommended: Themes that work well with your commander (marked with ★)
Pool Size Sections: Themes grouped by available card count (Vast, Large, Moderate, Small, Tiny)

Each theme displays a badge showing the approximate number of cards available for that theme in your commander's colors.

Tips:
- Start with 2–3 themes for focused strategies
- Mix creature-tribal and mechanical themes for depth
- Larger pool sizes give the builder more card options
- Use AND mode for tighter synergy (cards match multiple themes)
- Use OR mode for broader pools (cards match any theme)

Learn more: Theme Browser & Quality System

Step 3: Add Secondary/Synergy Themes (Optional)

After selecting your primary themes, you can add additional themes using the "Additional Themes" textbox:

Enter theme names separated by commas
Add utility packages (e.g., card draw, removal)
Incorporate combo pieces or win conditions

Multi-Theme Fallback: If you select multiple themes, the builder uses a fallback cascade to find cards that synergize across themes. If no exact matches exist, it expands to broader combinations.

Learn more: Random Build (Multi-Theme Cascade)

Step 4: Bracket Compliance

Set power-level restrictions with bracket policies (required, defaults to Bracket 3):

Bracket 1–4: WOTC-defined power tiers
Enforcement Modes: Advisory, Strict, or Custom
Banned Lists: Automatically enforced per format rules

Enable bracket enforcement with ENABLE_BRACKETS=1 (default: on).

Learn more: Bracket Compliance Guide

Step 5: Preferences

Configure optional build behaviors and card priorities:

Combo Preferences

Prioritize combos: Automatically include combo pieces near the end of the build
Combo count: How many combos to include (default: 2)
Balance: Early game, late game, or mix

Multi-Copy Package

Enable Multi-Copy package: Include multiple copies of cards for token/tribal strategies
Works with archetypes like Rat Colony, Relentless Rats, Dragon's Approach
Automatically suggests Thrumming Stone synergy when applicable
Learn more: Multi-Copy Package

Owned Card Preferences

Use only owned cards: Limit the pool to cards you already own
Prefer owned cards: Still allow unowned cards, but rank owned cards higher

Upload your collection at /owned or before starting a build.

Learn more: Owned Cards Guide

Land Base Options

Swap basics for MDFC lands: Modal DFC lands replace matching basic lands automatically
Smart Land Bases: Auto-adjust land count and mana curve based on commander speed and color complexity

Learn more: Land Bases Guide

Step 6: Ideal Counts

Set target counts for key card categories using sliders or number inputs:

Ramp: 0–30 cards (default varies by commander)
Lands: 25–45 cards (default varies by commander speed)
Basic Lands: 0–40 cards (subset of total lands)
Creatures: 0–70 cards
Removal: 0–30 cards (spot removal)
Wipes: 0–15 cards (board wipes)
Card Advantage: 0–30 cards (draw/recursion)
Protection: 0–20 cards (counterspells, indestructible effects)

Warning: The builder validates your totals. If ideal counts exceed 99 cards, reduce totals to avoid build issues.

Tips:
- Start with default recommendations
- Adjust based on your deck's strategy
- Category totals may overlap (e.g., a creature that ramps counts in both)

Step 7: Include/Exclude Specific Cards (Optional)

Fine-tune your deck with must-have or must-avoid lists:

Include List: Guarantee specific cards in the deck (max 10)
Exclude List: Prevent certain cards from being chosen (max 15)
File Upload: Upload .txt files with one card name per line
Fuzzy Matching: Card names are validated with approximate matching

Enable with ALLOW_MUST_HAVES=true.

Learn more: Include/Exclude Cards Guide

Step 8: Budget Constraints (Optional)

Control deck cost with budget limits:

Total Budget ($): Set a deck cost ceiling — cards over budget will be flagged
Per-Card Ceiling ($): Flag individual cards above this price
Pool Filter Tolerance (%): Cards exceeding the per-card ceiling by more than this % are excluded from the card pool (default: 15%)
Set to 0 to hard-cap at the ceiling exactly

Budget filtering uses cached Scryfall prices and respects owned card preferences.

Enable with ENABLE_BUDGET_MODE=1.

Learn more: Budget Mode Guide

Step 9: Advanced Build Options

Quick Build / Skip Controls

Skip building specific card types to speed up the process:
- Skip lands (use with external manabase tools)
- Skip ramp/removal/draw
- Customize card type distribution

Learn more: Quick Build & Skip Controls

Batch Build Mode

Generate multiple deck variations at once:
- Build 1–10 decks with the same configuration
- Compare results to see variance in card selection

Enable with ENABLE_BATCH_BUILD=1.

Learn more: Batch Build & Compare

Step 10: Build & Review

Once configured, click Build Deck to generate your decklist. The builder will:

Select cards based on your themes and synergies
Apply budget and bracket constraints
Optimize the manabase for your color identity
Balance card types (creatures, spells, lands)

After Building

The results page shows:

Full Decklist: All 100 cards with images and prices
Summary Stats: Mana curve, color distribution, card types
Export Options: CSV, TXT, JSON, or Arena format
Deck Actions: Lock cards, replace specific cards, rebuild with changes

Lock & Replace: Found a card you want to keep? Lock it, then replace others without losing your favorites.

Learn more: Locks, Replace & Permalinks

Alternative Build Modes

Random Build Mode

Let the builder choose themes, budget, and configuration automatically with seeded randomization.

Learn more: Random Build Guide

Batch Build & Compare

Generate multiple deck variations at once and compare strategies side-by-side.