Next Level Deckbuilding by Patrick Chapin is widely regarded as a definitive "college textbook" for Magic: The Gathering strategy. While it was first published in 2013, its core philosophies—like the Deckbuilding Wheel —remain a cornerstone for competitive brewing. Core Content & Structure The book is approximately and is divided into three primary sections: Part 1: The Foundations:
Covers technical deck construction, including building mana bases, card evaluation, and sideboarding strategy. Part 2: The 16 Archetypes:
Breaks down the "Deckbuilding Wheel," categorizing every deck type from "Lava Spike" aggro to "Draw-Go" control. Part 3: History & Legends:
Profiles the top deckbuilders in Magic's history and the evolution of deck design. Key Takeaways & Concepts Baneslayers vs. Mulldrifters:
A famous dichotomy that classifies creatures into "high-impact threats" (Baneslayers) versus "value-generating tools" (Mulldrifters). Netdecking vs. Brewing: Chapin argues that understanding the
behind successful decks is more important than simply copying them, allowing you to "take net decks to the next level". Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Thinking:
Teaches different analytical approaches to evaluating new cards and discovering overlooked synergies. Pros and Cons Book Review - Next Level Deckbuilding by Patrick Chapin
The digital ink on the tablet screen flickered, the PDF reader stuck on page 119. Young Leo stared at the progress bar, his thumb hovering over the glass. He was deep into Patrick Chapin’s Next Level Deck Building , trying to crack the code of the "Rule of Nine." With a quick swipe, he hit
The text didn't just scroll; it shivered. The air in the cramped game shop grew cold, smelling faintly of ozone and old cardstock. On page 120, the layout shifted. The clean advice on mana curves and synergy dissolved into a shimmering, geometric diagram that looked less like a decklist and more like a map of the stars.
"To master the game," the text now read, "one must cease playing against the opponent and begin playing against the architecture of reality."
Leo felt a pull in his chest. His physical deck, a messy pile of Blue-Black control cards, began to vibrate on the table. Without thinking, he followed the diagram on page 120. He stripped away the "good" cards and replaced them with things that made no sense—cards that were traditionally "draft chaff," the unplayable junk left on tables. Next Level Deck Building Patrick Chapin Pdf 120-
Suddenly, the shop vanished. Leo stood in a void of pure information, where every possible game state was a glowing line of light. He saw the "Next Level"—not as a metaphor for skill, but as a literal dimension where deck building was the art of choosing which future would come true.
He looked back at the PDF. Page 121 was blank. The book wasn't a guide anymore; it was a permit.
"Your turn," a voice echoed—a voice that sounded like a thousand shuffling cards.
Leo smiled, tucked a single, useless common into his sleeve, and stepped into the light. He wasn't just a player anymore. He was the Architect. Should we look for actual deck-building strategies from the book, or do you want to continue this supernatural journey through the pages? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
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Next Level Deck Building is a comprehensive guide to building better Magic: The Gathering decks. Patrick Chapin, a renowned deck builder and Magic player, shares his expertise on how to create more effective and cohesive decks.
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A review for Next Level Deckbuilding by Patrick Chapin generally highlights its status as a "advanced college textbook" for Magic: The Gathering (MTG) strategy. The "Why Buy" Review Summary
The Content: The book is divided into three major sections: the basics of deck building (including sideboarding), a deep dive into the 16 major deck archetypes using the "Deckbuilding Wheel," and a history of the top deckbuilders in Magic's history.
Target Audience: It is ideal for established players looking to transition from copying "netdecks" to understanding the underlying philosophy of why certain decks work.
Key Theory: It introduces famous concepts like the Mulldrifter vs. Baneslayer dichotomy, which helps players evaluate whether a creature is for "value" or "threat".
Formatting: Readers often praise the gorgeous formatting, noting that the text is often accompanied by pictures of relevant cards, making the complex arguments easier to digest. Critical Considerations
Price Point: While highly regarded, critics often point out that the PDF/eBook price (historically around $27–$37) can feel steep for digital content. Rare physical copies have been seen on eBay for significantly more (~$120+).
Timeless vs. Dated: While the fundamental theories remain solid, some readers note that specific card references are now several years old, which might require a newer player to look up legacy cards to understand the context. Where to Find It Next Level Deckbuilding by Patrick Chapin is widely
Official digital versions are available through Star City Games.
A comparison between this and Chapin's other book, Next Level Magic? Where to find the most recent pricing for physical copies?
Here is informative content developed from the subject line referencing Next Level Deck Building by Patrick Chapin, specifically focusing on the concepts found on pages 120–129 (the “120-” range).
A unique feature of this section is Chapin’s categorization of deck-building styles. Recognizing your natural tendency helps you identify blind spots:
| Type | Strength | Weakness | |------|----------|----------| | The Innovator | Creates new strategies | Overly complex, fragile | | The Tinkerer | Optimizes existing shells | Hesitant to change core | | The Net Decker | Plays proven winners | Relies on others’ testing | | The Metagamer | Excellent at targeting | Weak vs. rogue decks | | The Artist | Beautiful synergy | Ignores efficiency |
Chapin advises that great deck builders blend two or more profiles depending on the tournament phase.
Chapin revisits Mike Flores’s famous question and adds a layered decision tree. On pages 120–129, he argues that the role can switch not just game-to-game, but turn-by-turn. He provides a checklist to determine your role in any matchup:
He then introduces the concept of “pseudo-beatdown” — playing as the aggressor temporarily to force a control opponent to use resources inefficiently.
While Chapin introduces the classic “Aggro > Control > Combo” wheel early on, pages 120–129 deepen this into a more nuanced model. He discusses how decks are not just one archetype but exist on a spectrum:
Key takeaway from this section: The best deck is rarely the most powerful in a vacuum, but the one best positioned against the expected field. Understanding your goals : Chapin emphasizes the importance