Magic the Gathering is a popular collectible card game that has been around for over two decades. The game involves players using cards to cast spells, summon creatures, and ultimately defeat their opponents. One of the most unique and interesting deck types in Magic the Gathering is the Shrine deck. In this article, we will explore the Shrine deck in detail and provide tips on how to build and play this powerful deck.
What is a Shrine Deck?
A Shrine deck is a type of Magic the Gathering deck that focuses on using Shrine cards to gain powerful effects. Shrines are enchantments that stay on the battlefield and provide continuous benefits to the player who controls them. There are five different Shrine cards, and each one provides a unique effect.
The five Shrine cards are:
- Honden of Cleansing Fire
- Honden of Infinite Rage
- Honden of Life’s Web
- Honden of Night’s Reach
- Honden of Seeing Winds
The goal of a Shrine deck is to get as many Shrines onto the battlefield as possible and to keep them there, providing you with their powerful effects throughout the game.
Building a Shrine Deck
Building a Shrine deck can be a challenging task, as it requires a lot of specific cards to work effectively. However, with the right cards and strategy, a Shrine deck can be a formidable opponent.
The core of a Shrine deck is, of course, the Shrine cards themselves. You will want to include four copies of each Shrine card in your deck, as this will give you the best chance of drawing them early and often.
In addition to the Shrine cards, you will also want to include cards that help you draw more cards and search for your Shrine cards. Cards like Brainstorm, Serum Visions, and Mystical Tutor can all be effective in helping you find your Shrines quickly.
You will also want to include cards that can protect your Shrines and prevent your opponent from destroying them. Cards like Counterspell, Force of Will, and Dispel can all be effective in protecting your Shrines from your opponent’s spells.
Playing a Shrine Deck
Playing a Shrine deck requires careful planning and strategy. The goal is to get as many Shrines into play as possible and to keep them there, providing you with their powerful effects throughout the game.
One strategy is to use cards that allow you to put multiple Shrines into play at once. Cards like Enduring Ideal and Plea for Guidance can both be effective in getting multiple Shrines onto the battlefield quickly.
You will also want to use cards that allow you to protect your Shrines and prevent your opponent from destroying them. Cards like Ghostly Prison and Sphere of Safety can both be effective in preventing your opponent from attacking you or your Shrines directly.
Finally, you will want to use cards that allow you to gain additional benefits from your Shrines. Cards like Starfield of Nyx and Opalescence can both turn your Shrines into powerful creatures, allowing you to attack your opponent directly.
Conclusion
A Shrine deck can be a fun and challenging deck to play in Magic the Gathering. With the right cards and strategy, a Shrine deck can be a formidable opponent that can win games quickly and decisively. Whether you are a seasoned Magic player or just starting out, a Shrine deck is definitely worth considering for your next game.