• In the "Magic: The Gathering" card game, Type II decks, also known as Standard decks, are composed of the most recent core set of cards along with the latest two blocks of cards. Each block is composed of three sets released within the same year. For example, a Type II deck constructed in September of 2010 can include the Magic 2011 core set and the Alara and Zendikar blocks. Using the rules, you can create several different types of decks to use in competition.
  
  

Offensive Deck

• The purpose of an offensive deck to preventing your opponent from ever having a chance to breathe. Start by limiting your deck to one or two mana colors at the most. Populate the majority of the deck with low-cost creatures such as the 1/1 Akoum Battlesinger with a mana cost of two and Arbor Elf, a 1/1 creature with a cost of one. The more low-cost creatures you have in your deck, the faster you can summon them into battle. Summon as many creatures as you can each turn and then attack with every available creature during the Attack Phase. The ongoing onslaught will prevent your opponent from waiting to cast power creatures or spells as he attempts to ward off your attack. Add one or two powerful creatures such as the 6/6 Admonition Angel or the 7/7 Iona, Shield of Emeria to finish off your opponent when you have built up a large army.
  
  

Special Ability Deck

• Rather than attempting a quick victory, build your Type II deck to make use of the abilities of a given block or core set to take down an unprepared opponent. For example, Zendikar makes use of cards with the Landfall ability such as Searing Blaze. Landfall abilities boost the effectiveness of a spell when you have placed land into play on the same turn, such as making Searing Blaze cause three damage to a target instead of one damage. The key to creating an ability deck is to know how abilities are used in battle. Build your deck with the Alara block of cards to make use of Unearth, an ability that lets you resurrect creatures, giving you an unending army.
  
  

Combo Deck

• Combo decks are about delivering a one-two punch. Instead of sending out creatures or casting spells on their own, put them together for a combination assault. For example, summon Magma Phoenix and Chandra Blaze into battle. Let Magma Phoenix die, then use the Phoenix's ability to resurrect back into your hand for five mana. Use Chandra Blaze's ability to discard Magma Phoenix and deal four damage to your opponent. Resurrect the Magma Phoenix and discard again and again to keep dealing damage. Another combo for your deck pairs Manaplasm, a creature, with the Tower Above spell. Cast Tower Above, a spell that grants a creature +4/+4 on Manaplasm, which gains power and toughness equal to a spell's casting cost to boost the Manaplasm from a 1/1 creature to an 11/11 creature capable of halving your opponent's life points in one turn.