| name | build-tcg-deck |
| locale | caveman |
| 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 trading card game deck from archetype selection through final optimization. Follows structured process that works across Pokemon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, other major TCGs.
When Use
- Building new deck for specific tournament format or casual play
- Adapting existing deck to changed meta-game
- Evaluating whether new card or set release warrants deck change
- Teaching someone principles of deck construction
- Converting deck concept into tournament-ready list
Inputs
- Required: Card game (Pokemon TCG, MTG, FaB, etc.)
- Required: Format (Standard, Expanded, Modern, Legacy, Blitz, etc.)
- Required: Goal (competitive tournament, casual play, budget build)
- Optional: Preferred archetype or strategy (aggro, control, combo, midrange)
- Optional: Budget constraints (maximum spend, cards already owned)
- Optional: Current meta-game snapshot (top decks, expected field)
Steps
Step 1: Define the Archetype
Choose deck's strategic identity.
- Identify available archetypes in current format:
- Aggro: Win quickly through early pressure and efficient attackers
- Control: Answer threats efficiently, win in late game with card advantage
- Combo: Assemble specific card combinations for powerful synergy or instant wins
- Midrange: Flexible strategy shifting between aggro and control as needed
- Tempo: Gain resource advantage through efficient timing and disruption
- Select archetype based on:
- Player preference and playstyle
- Meta-game positioning (what beats top decks?)
- Budget constraints (combo decks often need specific expensive cards)
- Format legality (check ban lists and rotation status)
- Identify 1-2 primary win conditions:
- How does this deck actually win game?
- What is ideal game state this deck is trying to reach?
- State archetype selection and win condition clearly
Got: Clear archetype with defined win conditions. Strategy specific enough to guide card selection but flexible enough to adapt.
If fail: No archetype feels right? Start with strongest individual cards available, let archetype emerge from card pool. Sometimes best deck is built around a card, not a concept.
