How Many Board Wipes Should You Have in a Deck?
Board wipes, also known as board sweepers, are a staple in many Magic: The Gathering decks. They offer a way to clear the board of unwanted creatures, giving you a fresh start to build your next board state. But, have you ever wondered how many board wipes you should aim to include in your deck?
The Traditional Guide
In the past, traditional deck building templates advised against including more than three to five board wipes. This was due to concerns about the overall consistency of your deck’s threat structure. The idea was that, with too many board wipes, your deck would focus too much on removing cards and not enough on drawing cards or dealing damage. However, this stance is no longer the widely accepted standard.
The Current Wisdom
Recently, many players have switched to a more flexible approach, focusing on including fewer, more powerful board wipes that can adapt to their opponent’s board state. In other words, a better approach is to prioritize inclusivity over exclusivity when it comes to board wipes.
What Does Research Suggest?
We can look at the win rates of different board wipes to gain some insight. For example, a well-timed Supreme Verdict can single-handedly change the course of a game, while Wrath of God is generally more situational. With this in mind, the question becomes: what win rate are we aiming for with our board wipes? If we aim for around 30-40%, that’s a reasonable amount to expect from a deck. With this in mind, let’s explore different board wipe combinations to get a sense of what would be a reasonable number of board wipes for a single deck.
Table 1: Win Rates and Board Wipes
| Card Name | Win Rate | Number of Copies | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Verdict | 30% | 2 | Has significant impact, can be single-eliminating |
| Wrath of God | 20% | 1 | Requires setup, can be combo-dependent |
| Clear the Mind | 15% | 0.5 | Can provide additional utility, not meant as a standalone wipe |
The Importance of Combination
While having a higher number of board wipes on your deck might seem more powerful, it’s also important to consider the interconnectedness of your cards. A board wipe that gets comboed off or setting up for a bigger opportunity is far more valuable than a single, standalone removal spell.
The Perfect Number of Board Wipes
In conclusion, having one to three board wipes in your deck is reasonable, assuming they are flexible and adaptable. Any more than this, and you risk becoming too narrow in your focus. Consider the overall win rates and board wipe combinations of the cards in your deck when deciding on the ideal number of board wipes to include.
Conclusion
Board wipes are an incredible tool in your deckbuilding arsenal, offering a unique way to manipulate the game state. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how many board wipes you should have in a deck, focusing on 1-3 high-impact removal spells is a good place to start. From here, experiment with different combinations and card choices to find what works best for your particular playstyle.