An aggro (short for “aggressive”) deck in Magic: The Gathering is focused on quickly reducing the opponent’s life total to zero, and applying pressure as early as turn 1 of the game. Aggro decks are known for their fast, efficient creatures and a streamlined strategy aimed at winning the game as quickly as possible. My personal favorite aggro decks in the past were Gruul Aggro and Rakdos Vampires.

Going back to the basics, here are the essential components of a Magic: The Gathering aggro deck:

Low-Cost Creatures: Aggro decks prioritize creatures with low mana costs that can be played in the early turns. These creatures should have efficient power-to-mana ratios, allowing you to establish a board presence quickly. Creatures with abilities like haste can be especially effective.

Efficient Aggro Creatures: Look for creatures that provide a high power-to-mana-cost ratio. These are creatures that can deal a significant amount of damage for a relatively low cost. Examples include Goblin Guide, Monastery Swiftspear, and Kari Zev, Skyship Raider.

Redundancy: Aggro decks often feature redundancy, meaning they include multiple copies of key creatures and spells. This increases the likelihood of drawing the cards you need early in the game.

Burn Spells: Direct damage spells, commonly referred to as “burn” spells, are essential for finishing off opponents or dealing with problematic creatures. Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and similar spells can serve as both removal and reach.

Evasion: Creatures with evasion abilities, such as flying or unblockable, are valuable in aggro decks. They can bypass opposing defenses and deal damage directly to the opponent. Prowess creatures, which get bigger when you cast non-creature spells, also contribute to evasion.

Combat Tricks: Instant spells that provide temporary buffs or other combat-related effects can catch opponents off guard and help your creatures win in combat. Cards like Giant Growth or Mutagenic Growth can provide the necessary boost.

Mana Base: Aggro decks often use a straightforward and fast mana base, prioritizing lands that come into play untapped. This ensures that you can deploy your threats quickly and maintain a fast tempo.

Sideboard Options: Aggro decks benefit from a well-prepared sideboard to address specific matchups. Consider including cards that can deal with enemy enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers or provide additional reach against control decks.

Card Advantage: While aggro decks are primarily focused on speed, having some form of card advantage can be beneficial. This could come in the form of cards like Light Up the Stage, cantrip creatures, or other spells that allow you to draw additional cards.

Aggressive Planeswalkers: Some aggro decks incorporate aggressive planeswalkers that provide additional threats and can help control the board. Consider planeswalkers that have low mana costs and can immediately impact the game.

Aggro Enchantments and Artifacts: Certain enchantments and artifacts can enhance the aggressive strategy of the deck. Examples include Rancor for trample, or Mana Barbs for additional damage.

Remember that the specific cards and composition of an aggro deck can vary depending on the format and the current metagame. It’s essential to adapt your deck to the challenges posed by the decks you’re likely to face in your local playgroup or at tournaments.