The quintessential aggressive strategy. It relies on low-cost, high-efficiency creatures combined with direct damage (burn) to reduce the opponent's life total to zero before they can establish a board presence. 2. Linear Aggro (White Weenie / Tribal)
Chapin suggests that every deck must answer three fundamental questions to succeed:
As a game designer for Dire Wolf Digital and a prolific writer with over 85 articles published on StarCityGames.com, Chapin's expertise is deeply practical. He co-hosts the Top Level Podcast with fellow strategy great Michael Flores, constantly engaging with the game's evolving metagame. This unique blend of experience makes him one of the few people in the world qualified to write what many consider the ultimate book on the subject.
Yes. Although Next Level Deckbuilding was published years ago and references older cards like Glint-Eye Nephilim or classic Storm variants, the underlying framework is completely evergreen.
While the PDFs are often sought after, there is something to be said for the actual text. If you can get your hands on a copy (digital or physical), here are three concepts from the book that are still relevant today: Patrick Chapin Next Level Deckbuilding Pdf 18
Never add a card to your deck simply because it is "powerful." Every card must serve a specific role within your deck's overarching macro-strategy. Ask yourself: Does this card help me win faster, or does it prevent me from losing? 2. The Mana Base is the Heart
The legend of the represents something deeper than a file format or a version number. It symbolizes the community’s hunger for advanced, meta-aware, statistical deckbuilding . Whether or not Chapin ever publishes an official 18th edition, his principles remain the industry standard.
While most players categorize card game strategies into Aggro, Control, Midrange, and Combo, Chapin revolutionized this by mapping out on a structural "Deckbuilding Wheel". This includes:
One of the most praised sections of the book is its deep dive into the sixteen historical archetypes of Magic: The quintessential aggressive strategy
Next Level Deckbuilding is a comprehensive guide to strategy written by Hall of Fame player Patrick Chapin .
To purchase the genuine PDF, simply visit and search for "Next Level Deckbuilding." You can also sometimes find listings for the physical paperback version, which was published later. By buying the book, you are not only gaining a world-class education but also directly supporting the author and the creators who make this high-level strategy content possible.
Chapin categorizes every deck into four quadrants on a "Deckbuilding Wheel," further divided into 16 specific archetypes.
If you’ve been playing Magic: The Gathering for more than a few years, you’ve probably heard the name Patrick Chapin. Known as "The Innovator," Chapin didn't just play the game; he broke it down into a science. Linear Aggro (White Weenie / Tribal) Chapin suggests
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
Often, the best deck is not the most popular deck, but the deck that beats the most popular deck. 4. The Testing Process
One of Chapin's most famous contributions to TCG vocabulary is the division of creatures into two philosophical categories: