MTG deck archetypes

Understand every Magic: The Gathering archetype — how it wins and which cards define it.

Deck library →Formats →Combos →

• Aggro

  Fast creatures and direct damage to win before the opponent stabilizes.

• Control

  Counterspells and removal to outlast the opponent and win in the late game.

• Midrange

  A balanced mix of efficient threats and answers for the mid-game.

• Combo

  Assemble specific cards for an instant win or overwhelming advantage.

• Tempo

  Early threats protected by cheap, disruptive interaction.

• Tribal

  Synergistic creatures of a shared type that buff each other.

• Ramp

  Accelerate mana to cast powerful spells ahead of schedule.

• Mill

  Win by emptying the opponent’s library instead of dealing damage.