Nov 183 min read

Magic: The Gathering – The Colour Series - White Cards

If you’re just getting started with Magic: The Gathering, you’ll quickly find out that this is a game guided by a colour pie containing five mana colours. One of the most important choices for those learning to play is choosing which colour they want. Each colour of mana has strengths and weaknesses so understanding the game play of each colour is vital.

What does White represent?

This colour is associated with:

· Civilisation

· Fairness

· Law and order

· Protection and healing

The key aspect associated with white is fairness. There are fewer chances for players to generate extra mana, draw additional cards or play cards for free – all things which have the potential to be seen as cheating. White does not have some of the ultra-powerful individual cards of the other colours. It does, however, have the power to deal with any card in the game and also to destroy. It can also permanently exile cards from the game that may normally be returned to play.

Wrath is one of the signature effects associated with the colour. This means that it can cast a spell which destroys all the cards in the battlefield in one go, both opponents and their own, levelling the field in a completely fair manner.

Why might you consider playing White cards?

Those players who chose white magic are individuals who prefer to keep their fighting for the battlefield. They have little use for too many instant-speed effects and do not rely on the ability to closely control what cards they draw. White prefers to win by degrees and through wars of attrition.

If you enjoy puzzle solving with just a few simple tools, and love the idea of being able to cancel out enemy combos and kill the best card your opponent has, white is probably the colour for you.

Aggro

The most famous strategy historically for white is aggro. The “white weenie” decks of years past always dominated the first few turns of any game. The modern-day game is, however, a little different with the deck leaning on a combination of overwhelming numbers and an anthem buff to provide efficient damage in order to provide a clear path to victory.

Midrange deck

Nicknamed “Death & Taxes,” the best midrange game from white maximises the taxing and law keeping effects of the colour. These decks look on magic as a way of tying up the opposing resource whilst destroying any cards their opponents may care to play. All of this goes on while little white creatures slowly hack away at your opponent’s life.

Control decks

There are almost always blue or black cards in a white control deck, and this creates the most complete selection of defensive abilities you will see in the game. Without the draw of a blue or black card, the white deck lacks the options, and the number of answers required to keep control. By utilising life-gains, wrath and layers of defensive enchantments white can often play “pillowfort” style. This makes it almost impossible to kill before attaining a slow but inevitable victory.

Combo strategies

The fair nature of white makes combo strategies something that doesn’t happen. However, there are a few things that can help them produce infinite value. The “Flickering” creatures which are a subset of the protective magic of white can often cause a loop. This means the defensive abilities of white can create “soft locks” which, unless removed, leave it invulnerable.

Is White your MTG colour of choice? Let us know in the comments below.