Patrick Chapin’s is widely considered the definitive manual for mastering the art of deck design in Magic: The Gathering. Written by Pro Tour Hall of Famer Patrick "The Innovator" Chapin, this book moves beyond simple card choices to explore the deep theory, math, and psychology behind tournament-winning decks. Key Themes of Next Level Deckbuilding
The book provides a step-by-step technical guide to building consistent mana bases, covering land counts, color requirements, and the math of mana curves.
The book is structured to guide players from fundamental concepts to elite-level brewing strategies. Patrick Chapin Next Level Deckbuilding Pdf 18
Chapin explains how to identify "pillars" of a format and how to design sideboards that either reinforce a deck's primary plan or pivot to a new strategy to catch opponents off-guard. The Sixteen Major Archetypes
One of the most praised sections of the book is its deep dive into the sixteen historical archetypes of Magic: The book is structured to guide players from
Red Aggro, Linear Aggro, Swarm, and Fish/Suicide Black.
Beyond theoretical frameworks, Chapin offers actionable advice for both "brewers" (those who create new decks) and "netdeckers" (those who use established lists). Book Review - Next Level Deckbuilding by Patrick Chapin Beyond theoretical frameworks
A famous Chapin theory that categorizes creatures based on their value. "Mulldrifters" provide immediate card advantage or value upon entering, while "Baneslayers" are powerful threats that must survive to dominate the game.