| name | build-tcg-deck |
| locale | caveman-ultra |
| source_locale | en |
| source_commit | 82c77053 |
| translator | Julius Brussee homage — caveman |
| translation_date | 2026-04-19 |
| description | Build a competitive or casual trading card game deck. Covers archetype selection, mana/energy curve analysis, win condition identification, meta-game positioning, and sideboard construction for Pokemon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, and other TCGs. Use when building a new deck for a tournament format or casual play, adapting an existing deck to a changed meta-game, evaluating whether a new set warrants a deck change, or converting a deck concept into a tournament-ready list.
|
| license | MIT |
| allowed-tools | Read Grep Glob WebFetch WebSearch |
| metadata | {"author":"Philipp Thoss","version":"1.0","domain":"tcg","complexity":"intermediate","language":"natural","tags":"tcg, deck-building, pokemon, mtg, fab, strategy, meta, archetype"} |
Build TCG Deck
Construct TCG deck archetype → final optimization. Works across Pokemon TCG, MTG, FaB, other major TCGs.
Use When
- New deck for tournament format or casual
- Adapt existing deck to changed meta
- Eval whether new card/set warrants change
- Teach deck construction principles
- Convert concept → tournament-ready list
In
- Required: Game (Pokemon TCG, MTG, FaB, etc.)
- Required: Format (Standard, Expanded, Modern, Legacy, Blitz, etc.)
- Required: Goal (competitive, casual, budget)
- Optional: Preferred archetype (aggro, control, combo, midrange)
- Optional: Budget constraints
- Optional: Current meta (top decks, expected field)
Do
Step 1: Define Archetype
Choose strategic identity.
- ID available archetypes in format:
- Aggro: Early pressure + efficient attackers
- Control: Answer threats, win late via card advantage
- Combo: Assemble card combos → powerful synergy / instant wins
- Midrange: Flexible, shifts aggro ↔ control
- Tempo: Resource advantage via efficient timing + disruption
- Select based on:
- Playstyle
- Meta positioning (what beats top?)
- Budget (combo needs specific expensive)
- Format legality (bans, rotation)
- ID 1-2 primary win conditions:
- How does deck actually win?
- Ideal game state to reach?
- State archetype + win condition clearly
→ Clear archetype + win conditions. Specific enough to guide selection, flexible to adapt.
If err: No archetype feels right → start w/ strongest individual cards, let archetype emerge from pool. Sometimes best deck built around a card, not concept.
Step 2: Build Core
Select cards defining strategy.
- Core engine (12-20 cards depending on game):
- Directly enable win condition
- Max legal copies
- Non-negotiable — deck fails w/o
- Support (8-15):
