Control Decks

• Control decks utilize a slow and deliberate strategy, concentrating on defense and wearing an opponent down through a battle of attrition. If this strategy appeals to you, you need to approach the game like a 15-round fight, playing every inch with the intention of being the last man standing. Look for cards like "Force of Will" or "Pernicious Deed," which neutralize your opponent's cards. You also want cards that disrupt combos--combinations of cards that produce a specific effect when played together--by removing key components of each combo from play. Keep a single card representing a powerful creature for the end of the game, when your opponent is out of options and can't fight back.
  
  

Aggro Decks

• Aggressive or "aggro" decks take the exact opposite approach as control decks. If you play this kind of deck, you want to strike quickly, finishing a game off in just a few rounds through the rapid deployment of powerful cards. Fill your deck with "swarm" cards that place a lot of little threats on the board in a short amount of time (thus creating more dangers than your opponent can handle) or by using spells that cause direct damage such as "Lightning Bolt" or "Fire Blast." (Direct damage strikes at the opponent's life points directly--reducing it to 0 and thus ending the game--as opposed to striking at the opponent's cards.)
  
  

Combo Decks

• Combo decks rely on combinations of cards working in conjunction with each other to attain victory. Assemble the various components for your particular combo as quickly as possible, while holding off attacks from the other player in the interim. Focus on cards that let you search through your deck to find another card (such as "Dragonstorm") or cards that build resources even after they're destroyed (such as "Rite of Flame"). Combo decks are somewhat delicate, and their strategies can be disrupted more readily than other decks, so be prepared to fine tune your deck style before playing any serious games. When you get your deck to click on a regular basis, it can be tough to beat.