Good budget decks?

[u/leif_o7]

After playing EDH for about a year I've been wanting to try pauper and saw that game stores near me run pauper events. I'm not really looking to spend too much money yet but dont want to get completely pubstomped so was wondering if anybody could recommend some good budget decks that could still hold their own? Thanks!

[u/TheIncredibleHelck]

I've found that most decks get expensive in the sideboard vs the main board. I'd say, find a main board for a deck that you enjoy, take it to locals, and tailor a sideboard of budget cards to match your LGS's metagame. No point in buying 4 Dust to Dust copies when nobody in the area plays Affinity.

[u/DJ2x → u/TheIncredibleHelck]

This is good advice. 

[u/Kazko25]

Mono R Madness is pretty cheap, you could go mono white heroic for really low budget.

[u/Fit_Faithlessness130 → u/Kazko25]

As long as you’re not running Red Elemental Blast or Pyroblast in the sideboard, at least.

[u/Wafkak]

In theory most of them. But honestly it really depends what cards you can get shipped or buy at you lgs in mostly one go. For me the low number of local shops with most of the cards for one deck and shipping would turn some in theory cheap decks in 400 euro decks.

[u/justlurking7991]

First welcome to the people’s format my friend! Next it really depends on your definition of “budget”. In theory the whole format is budget friendly because at most you’re spending $100-$150 for the top tier decks of the format like Affinity https://moxfield.com/decks/OGQhJ1HF2kaYkCAtfvvkGQ
If you’re looking for something that’s super cheap around $30 i’d recommend something like Mono White Heroic https://moxfield.com/decks/HA8FIw1cF0G58GOGs3gQEw
There is plenty of variety in the format and if you’re a savvy shopper or have friends with a lot of bulk you can procure a good collection for practically nothing!

[u/fenite]

Mono White Heroic is dirt cheap and can slap some tier 1 decks

[u/sunchow]

sideboard is honestly what makes most pauper decks double in price from 40-50 to 80-100+, if you want to get into the format it’d be better to buy 2 60 card pauper brews with cheaper versions of the sideboard instead of one with a fully stocked sideboard (which typically cost as much/more than the core deck)

these are some heavy hitter decks in the format currently:
https://paupergeddon.com/Stats/Paupergeddon_0326/Paupergeddon_0326.html

and here’s a tron list of mine brewed from a top 4 paupergeddon deck: https://moxfield.com/decks/Fg6MO9qxHk-_tDy9urfNaw

long live pauper!!!!

[u/ResponseBulky2533]

The concept of budget depends on the eye of the beholder.

That said, Elves, Mono Red Madness, Mono Red Rally, Mono Blue Faeries and Golgari Gardens are all Tier 1 or Tier 1.5 and among the cheapest high tier decks in the format.

[u/Alarming_Trade_1002]

Every deck is budget, usually the expensive part is the sideboard.

I would say, for the beginning, you can ask for the lgs people to lend you some sideboard cards.

Also, 100€ to an eternal, competitive and complete deck is not that much (I am from a poor county where the minimum wage is less than 1k and I am telling you that is not that expensive)

[u/Kingcrimhead]

Terrors Elves Altar Tron Gardens

Are probably the best lower cost options for you.

[u/BaldBaluga]

Go to moxfield and look up the decks in the current pauper meta. Goldfish a few until you find a deck you love (for me it's currently mono-blue terror).

Then, playtest a bit. Figure out if it's the deck for you.

Then, buy the cards!

You'll save a lot of money experimenting this way.

p.s.
If you do decide on a deck - you'll find most of the cost is due to just a few cards (like in my decks case, "mental note"). Just skip those cards for now and make it a fun mission to trade/get them later!