Magic: The Gathering is a complex game featuring countless different strategies for defeating your opponent, some of which are more viable than others. Over the history of the game, certain strategies have proven timeless, and tend to favor certain colors or color combinations. These are known as deck archetypes.
As part of its beginner-friendly Deck Wizard feature, Magic Duels offers assistance in constructing the following deck archetypes.
Origins archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| All-Out Assault |  
|
Hit the ground running! Finish your opponent before they have a chance to setup defenses. |
| Control the Sky | 
|
Defeat your opponent with an aerial assault, while your ground creatures defend. |
| Elvish Fury |  
|
Assemble an overwhelming army of Elves. |
| From the Grave |
|
Reuse and recycle cards using the power of your graveyard. |
| Horde's Thunder |
|
More lands mean bigger creatures to smash your enemies with. |
| Magical Armor |
|
Enhance your creatures to outclass your opponent. |
| Push Through |
|
Summon a small army and use spells to protect it and win. |
| Tactical Tricks |
|
Turn your small creatures into deadly combatants. Your opponent won't know what to block! |
| Tempt with Fire |
|
Turn the tables by stealing opposing creatures and using them against your foes. |
| The Right Tools |
|
Artifacts are cards which don't require a specific color to cast and often have unique, powerful effects. |
Battle for Zendikar archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Allies |
|
Overwhelm your opponent with an ever-growing army of Allies. |
| Processors |
|
Manipulate your opponent's resources to give you the tools to take over the game with powerful enter-the-battlefield abilities. |
Oath of the Gatewatch archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Devoid Decay | 
|
Harness the power of the barren Wastes to enlist the Eldrazi. |
| Surge of Power |
|
Combine multiple spells per turn to overwhelm your enemies. |
Shadows over Innistrad archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Delirious Haze |
|
Put four or more types of cards into your graveyard for powerful delirium bonuses. |
| Vampiric Rage |
|
Vampires highlight this speedy deck that aims to spill your enemy's blood. |
Eldritch Moon archetype[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging Horror |
|
Use emerge to unleash massive Eldrazi on unprepared foes. |
Kaladesh archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full Energy |
|
This aggressive deck uses energy counters to fuel powerful combat abilities. |
| Inventors' Fair |
|
Use wondrous artifacts to lead an ingenious assault. |
Aether Revolt archetypes[]
| Name | Colors | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rise and Revolt |
|
Use the revolt mechanic and your cards leaving the battlefield will swing the game in your favor. |
| Brave Pilots |
|
Shiny Vehicles and an eager crew. Start your Engines! |