In every MTG set, mechanisms relevant to some of the cards exist. A combination of cards that benefit from a similar mechanism often creates a very powerful synergistic effect. We refer to this effect as mechanical synergy (for example: Madness, Affinity, Storm). Sometimes, two mechanisms in the same series create a synergistic effect with each other (examples: Madness + Discard + Flashback effects). Therefore, a match between cards that share a common mechanism or several fitting mechanisms creates a mechanical synergy. This synergy is not important in itself unless it serves a specific strategic idea, accompanied by functional synergy. However, mechanical synergy usually serves as an effective means of achieving powerful functional synergy.

Mechanical synergy is relevant in both limited and constructed environments. In both formats the mechanism or mechanisms underlying the set usually become the central axis around which the different decks are built. In Odyssey Block, for example, the main decks were Psychatog, U/G Threshold and U/G Madness: three decks with a different strategic idea but based on the same mechanical synergy. This phenomenon is easy to explain since these mechanisms were invented intentionally to achieve better functional synergy. However, the two should not be confused: mechanistic synergy is nothing more than the empowerment of cards sharing a mechanism and alone is not sufficient to facilitate victory unless it revolves around a strategic idea. For example, mechanical synergy rarely includes an independent win condition.

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Sometimes, achieving functional synergy based solely on mechanical synergy is difficult in a limited environment, as opposed to a constructed one. The reason for this difficulty is that mechanical synergy is more demanding than a simple functional mechanism. The cards required to achieve mechanical synergy cannot be substituted with other cards without significantly reducing the synergistic effect. If I were to include several non-artifact cards in the affinity deck, the early game draw of these cards would completely disrupt my battlefield development. On the other hand, “normal” functional synergy is more forgiving and allows for the inclusion of less suitable cards without such devastating consequences. The effectiveness of mechanical synergy depends on the available pool of cards for building the deck. This is why mechanical synergy is more commonly seen in draft formats compared to sealed formats (further discussed in the following chapters).

Many years ago, I taught MTG at a school for gifted children. I explained in one of the classes that drafting solely based on mechanical synergy without considering the playability of the cards themselves would be a mistake. I shared my lecture with a friend who was an avid fan of crazy drafts. On the spot, he bet that at the next draft, he would construct a deck primarily using cards that are generally considered quite bad individually. To cut the long story short, his deck outperformed all the others and secured first place. The deck was centered around a spell called Dampen Thought (he managed to draft 3 of these), which, when combined with other spells, allowed him to repeatedly use it and deplete the opponent’s library.

Examples Mechanics and Archetype Synergies in Limited

Mechanic	Strategic Theme	Key Commons	Key Uncommons	Block
Madness	Aggro-Control, Discard Synergy	Fiery Temper (Torment)	Circular Logic (Torment)	Odyssey Block
Flashback	Card Advantage / Self-Mill	Deep Analysis (Torment)	Roar of the Wurm (Odyssey)	Odyssey Block
Affinity	Artifact Swarm / Tempo-Based Aggro	Frogmite (Darksteel)	Cranial Plating (Darksteel)	Mirrodin Block
Storm	Spell Combo / Win-Condition	Empty the Warrens (Time Spiral)	Grapeshot (Time Spiral)	Time Spiral Block
Mill (Arcane/Splice)	Control / Alt-Win Condition	Dampen Thought (Champions of Kamigawa)	Psychic Puppetry (Champions of Kamigawa)	Kamigawa Block
Threshold	Graveyard-Fueled Midrange	Mystic Visionary (Odyssey)	Cephalid Sage (Odyssey)	Odyssey Block
Delirium	Graveyard-Based Control	Wicker Witch (Shadows over Innistrad)	Obsessive Skinner (Shadows over Innistrad)	Shadows Block
Exploit	Sacrifice Value	Sultai Emissary (Dragons of Tarkir)	Sidisi’s Faithful (Dragons of Tarkir)	Tarkir Bl