By definition, resources in terms of goods and services are to utilized in their full potential utilizing allocation. In situations where resources are scarce, it is advised that the allocation is carefully calculated to prioritize the one that is most needed. Especially in cases of crisis and disaster, the authorities are supposed to handle what is best for the affected community and optimize the use of resources at hand.

In Magic, resource allocation also coincides with the term “Mana curve.” It is defined as the curve of mana costs. In the deck-building aspect, you would want to play the cards that match your curve as best as possible and cut cards accordingly. This is best practiced especially in Limited games, where it is more important to have two-mana dudes which are easier to cast than those of four-mana which at chance can get stuck in your hand if you don’t hit your lands.

The best way is to use a mana curve calculator based on an online app or website. This is recently utilized by most Magic: the Gathering websites under the deck building feature tab. It is either automatically generated when you input the card components or when you list the land components and click the calculate button.

Also, it lets you plan out your optimized play starting from the first turn. The probability of having one-drops and two-drops in your deck is based on how many of those cards in the list while building the deck. This works in all deck archetypes. For control decks, you will have one-mana cantrip fixers like Opt to draw into your needed spells to deal with the current situation.

At times, mana curving might not work as your drawn starting hand might not be the ideal one. This comes next to what spells you’d like to open first. initially, you would want to have a one land play, cast one-mana creature and then so on and so forth.

However, in the case that you would be tapped out to cast on turn three you 3-mana dude, there are some things to consider. First, is would you risk it to a spot removal from the opponent? Yes, you have maximized your mana for the turn but it will end up as a dead creature in your graveyard. Or, would you wait for another turn to cast it, with one-mana backup for protection like God’s Willing? And lastly, cast a cheaper cost creature if you had drawn it late and have them spend their removal on it. Those are the things to consider which are likely to affect how you curve out your threats.

To wrap things up, mana curve and optimized gameplay coincide with how the deck is built and played. Certain situations may declare what is ideal with some risks involved but that is what makes Magic a unique game.

*Header image from https://www.float.com/blog