22 years in, Magic: The Gathering is the brainiest it’s ever been (2015)
This is nowhere near the brainiest Magic has ever been. I&#x27;ve been playing almost since the beginning and it&#x27;s been disappointing to see how the game has been simplified. It seems like all competitive standard decks now are creature decks, which is a shame because control and combo decks used to be a huge part of the meta game and required a lot of skill to pilot.  I think Wizards deliberately eliminated combo and control decks because they often left the opponent (especially new players) with little to do if they were losing.  Whereas when two players are playing creature decks, both players (even new, losing players) will get to play some cards, do some attacking&#x2F;blocking, etc.  This makes the game much more exciting for new players, which ensures that they will keep playing.  If you want to see some really brainy decks have a look at Cadaverous Bloom (called Pro&#x27;s Bloom below)
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.mtggoldfish.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;evolution-of-magic-banned-and-restricted-combo-winter" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.mtggoldfish.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;evolution-of-magic-bann...</a>
Also have a look at the Bargin deck below:
<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.starcitygames.com&#x2F;php&#x2F;news&#x2F;print.php?Article=967" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.starcitygames.com&#x2F;php&#x2F;news&#x2F;print.php?Article=967</a><p>Other interesting decks I encountered over the years:
Wildfire
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=sb20010619a" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=sb20010619a</a>
Nether Go
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=sb20010212a" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=sb20010212a</a>
Forbidden Pheonix
<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;tappedout.net&#x2F;mtg-decks&#x2F;forbidden-phoenix&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;tappedout.net&#x2F;mtg-decks&#x2F;forbidden-phoenix&#x2F;</a>
Mono-Blue Stasis
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=GPTAIPEI00&#x2F;d1stand" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wizards.com&#x2F;sideboard&#x2F;article.asp?x=GPTAIPEI00&#x2F;d...</a>
And any of the combo winter decks (Grim Jar, Illusions Donate, Tolarian Academy, etc.)<p>Also Mythic Rares are super lame.  It&#x27;s a return to the days when you needed the &quot;Power 9&quot; (actually Power 10 when you include Library pf Alexandria&quot;) to be competitive.