Mtg Pauper

Published April 05, 2025

The idea behind Pauper is simple but brilliant:
"Only common cards allowed."

Core Concept:

Pauper is a Magic: The Gathering format where you can only use cards that have been printed at common rarity in at least one official MTG set (paper or online).

Why It Exists:

Rules Snapshot:

Gameplay Style:

1. Magic: The Gathering Online (MTGO) – Best Option

2. Forge (Free, Open Source)

3. Cockatrice + Pauper Decks

4. MTG Arena – Limited Pauper Play

TL;DR:

Level 1: Getting Started with Pauper

Goal: Understand Pauper basics and set up on MTGO.
Key Concepts:
- Pauper format rules: Only Common-rarity cards allowed (based on legality in any Magic set’s Common printing).
- MTGO interface: Navigating the client, joining games, and building decks.
- Budget-friendly deckbuilding: Pauper’s low-cost appeal (decks often cost 10–100 tix).

Steps:
1. Install MTGO and create an account. Explore the “Play Lobby” and “Collection” tabs.
2. Read the official Pauper format rules on Wizards’ website or MTG’s Pauper page.
3. Watch a beginner’s MTGO tutorial (e.g., YouTube channels like Tolarian Community College).
4. Rent or buy a budget deck (5–10 tix) from a rental service like Cardhoarder or Manatraders, or purchase a starter deck like Mono-Red Burn.
5. Play 5–10 casual games in the “Open Play” lobby to get comfortable with MTGO’s controls.

Level 2: Learning Your First Deck

Goal: Master the mechanics and strategy of one Pauper deck.
Key Concepts:
- Deck archetypes: Aggro (e.g., Burn), Control (e.g., Dimir Control), Midrange (e.g., Boros Synthesizer), Combo (e.g., Walls Combo).
- Mana curve and synergy: How cards work together to execute a game plan.
- Sideboarding basics: Adjusting your deck for specific matchups.

Steps:
1. Choose a beginner-friendly deck (e.g., Mono-Red Burn or Mono-Blue Delver). Check decklists on mtggoldfish.com or mtgtop8.com.
2. Study a deck guide or watch gameplay videos (e.g., from streamers like SnapBolt or LSV) to understand card roles and win conditions.
3. Play 20 games in the “Tournament Practice” room, focusing on your deck’s core strategy (e.g., for Burn: deal damage fast, use removal sparingly).
4. Learn to sideboard by reviewing matchup guides for your deck (e.g., what to swap vs. Control decks).
5. Track your wins/losses and note one mistake per game to improve (e.g., “Forgot to cast Bolt before combat”).

Level 3: Understanding the Meta

Goal: Recognize common Pauper decks and their strategies.
Key Concepts:
- Meta snapshot: Popular decks like Affinity, Boros Synthesizer, Mono-Blue Faeries, or Caw-Gate.
- Matchup dynamics: How your deck fares against Aggro, Control, Combo, etc.
- Format staples: Cards like Counterspell, Lightning Bolt, and Galvanic Blast.

Steps:
1. Browse recent Pauper tournament results on mtggoldfish.com or mtgo.com to identify top decks.
2. Play 20 games in the “Tournament Practice” room, noting the decks you face and their key cards (e.g., Gurmag Angler in Dimir).
3. Read a Pauper meta overview (e.g., from ChannelFireball or PureMTGO).
4. Learn 3–5 staple cards per color (e.g., Blue: Counterspell, Preordain; Red: Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning).
5. Write a short summary of how your deck wins or loses against 3 meta decks (e.g., Burn vs. Affinity: race them, remove key creatures).

Level 4: Improving Game Mechanics

Goal: Enhance technical play and decision-making.
Key Concepts:
- Combat math: Calculating damage, blockers, and trades.
- Stack interactions: How instants and abilities resolve.
- Mana efficiency: Using all available mana each turn when possible.

Steps:
1. Watch a Pauper gameplay video focusing on tight play (e.g., Aspiringspike or AnarchistAbe on Twitch). Pause and predict their plays.
2. Play 20 games, focusing on one mechanic per session (e.g., Session 1: Combat math—calculate lethal before attacking).
3. Practice using MTGO’s hotkeys (e.g., F2 to pass priority, F6 to pass turn) to speed up play.
4. Review 3 games where you lost, identifying at least one mechanical error (e.g., “Missed a trigger” or “Tapped mana incorrectly”).
5. Complete an MTG rules quiz online (e.g., via JudgeApps or a rules blog) to solidify stack and combat knowledge.

Level 5: Deckbuilding Basics

Goal: Build and tweak your own Pauper deck.
Key Concepts:
- Deck construction: 60 cards (40 spells, 20 lands as a baseline), balancing creatures, spells, and mana.
- Card evaluation: Power/toughness, mana cost, and synergy.
- Testing and tuning: Iterating based on performance.

Steps:
1. Pick an archetype you enjoy (e.g., Midrange). Find a sample decklist and note its key cards and mana base.
2. Build a deck in MTGO using your collection or a rental service, sticking to a 60-card minimum.
3. Play 15 games with your deck in “Tournament Practice,” tracking what works (e.g., “Card X always feels strong”) and what doesn’t.
4. Swap 3–5 cards based on testing (e.g., replace a high-cost card with a cheaper alternative).
5. Post your decklist on a Pauper forum (e.g., Reddit’s r/Pauper or MTG Salvation) for feedback, then make one change based on advice.

Level 6: Sideboarding and Matchup Mastery

Goal: Optimize sideboarding and matchup knowledge.
Key Concepts:
- Sideboard plans: Specific cards for specific decks (e.g., Hydroblast vs. Red decks).
- Matchup analysis: Identifying favorable and unfavorable pairings.
- Adapting playstyle: Aggressively vs. Aggro, patiently vs. Control.

Steps:
1. Create a sideboard guide for your deck, listing 3–5 cards to swap in/out for 5 meta decks (use online guides as a reference).
2. Play 20 games, sideboarding deliberately each time. Note whether your changes helped or hurt.
3. Watch a streamer play your deck against a tough matchup (e.g., Burn vs. Caw-Gate). Compare their sideboarding to yours.
4. Memorize your deck’s win rate against 3 meta decks (e.g., “I’m 60% vs. Affinity, 40% vs. Dimir”).
5. Practice one matchup 5 times in a row (e.g., vs. a friend or in “Open Play”), refining your sideboard each game.

Level 7: Competitive Play

Goal: Enter and succeed in MTGO Pauper tournaments.
Key Concepts:
- Tournament structure: Swiss rounds, top 8, and prizes (e.g., Treasure Chests, tix).
- Mental endurance: Staying focused for 3–5 rounds.
- Clock management: Avoiding time-outs on MTGO.

Steps:
1. Join a Pauper League or Challenge on MTGO (check the schedule on mtgo.com).
2. Play 1–2 tournaments, aiming to finish with a 2–3 record or better.
3. Review your losses with a friend or by watching replays (MTGO’s “Replay” feature). Identify one strategic error per match.
4. Practice clock management: Play 10 games with a timer (25 minutes per player), ensuring you finish without rushing.
5. Set a goal for your next tournament (e.g., “Win 3 matches” or “Make top 8”).

Level 8: Advanced Strategy

Goal: Develop deeper strategic thinking and adaptability.
Key Concepts:
- Role assessment: Are you the beatdown or the control in a matchup?
- Bluffing and reading opponents: Feinting spells or predicting plays.
- Meta prediction: Choosing a deck to counter the field.

Steps:
1. Read “Who’s the Beatdown?” by Mike Flores (available online) and apply it to 10 games (e.g., “I’m the control vs. Burn, so I prioritize removal”).
2. Play 20 games, attempting one bluff per game (e.g., leave mana open to fake a Counterspell). Note when it works.
3. Analyze recent Pauper Challenge results on mtgo.com. Pick a deck that beats the top performers (e.g., Mono-Black vs. creature-heavy meta).
4. Watch a high-level Pauper match (e.g., from a Showcase event). Pause and predict plays, focusing on their strategic choices.
5. Write a short plan for your next tournament, including deck choice and expected matchups.

Level 9: Mastering Multiple Decks

Goal: Become versatile by learning multiple archetypes.
Key Concepts:
- Archetype diversity: Strengths and weaknesses of Aggro, Control, Combo, and Midrange.
- Deck-switching: Adapting to meta shifts.
- Card interactions: Knowing how your cards fare against others.

Steps:
1. Pick one deck from a different archetype (e.g., if you play Burn, try Dimir Control). Rent or buy it.
2. Play 20 games with the new deck, focusing on its unique playstyle (e.g., Control: prioritize card draw and answers).
3. Learn the new deck’s sideboard guide and practice sideboarding in 10 games.
4. Alternate between your main deck and the new deck in “Tournament Practice” for 20 games, noting which feels stronger in the meta.
5. Join a tournament with the new deck, aiming for a 50% win rate or better.

Level 10: Contributing to the Pauper Community

Goal: Give back to the Pauper community and solidify expertise.
Key Concepts:
- Content creation: Sharing knowledge via articles, videos, or posts.
- Community engagement: Discussing strategies and brews.
- Leadership: Organizing events or mentoring new players.

Steps:
1. Write a short guide or deck tech for your favorite deck (e.g., post on r/Pauper or a blog).
2. Stream 5 games on Twitch or record a YouTube video explaining your plays.
3. Join a Pauper Discord (e.g., Pauper Community Discord) and answer 3 questions from newer players.
4. Organize a small Pauper event on MTGO (e.g., a 4-player tournament with friends).
5. Reflect on your progress: Set a new goal, like winning a Pauper Challenge or building an innovative deck.

Notes