How much does Deckbuilding cost?
Real gear costs, sorted by tier. The essentials first — then the nice-to-haves once you're hooked.
Budget starter
$60
Essentials only, cheapest picks
Mid-range
$160
Essentials, recommended picks
Full setup
$420
Essentials + optional gear, premium
Cost questions
How much does Deckbuilding cost to start?
A budget Deckbuilding starter kit runs around $60 for the essentials. A mid-range setup is closer to $160, and a fully kitted setup runs $420+.
Is Deckbuilding an expensive hobby?
No — Deckbuilding is relatively affordable. You can get started for under $60 with the essential gear.
What do I actually need to buy to start Deckbuilding?
The essentials are: Cards & Singles, Storage & Sleeves. The optional gear is nice once you're hooked, but not required to get started.
Can I start Deckbuilding on a budget?
Yes. The budget tier shown above gets you everything essential for around $60. Avoid buying the premium tier until you've stuck with it for a few months.
Understanding Deckbuilding costs
The real cost to start Deckbuilding sits between $60 (bare essentials, budget picks) and $160 (solid mid-range kit) for the items you genuinely need on day one. A fully equipped setup with optional gear runs around $420. Those figures assume you're buying new — used gear can cut the entry cost significantly, especially for Deckbuilding, where secondhand equipment is common.
What's essential vs. optional
The 2 essential items in this breakdown — Cards & Singles, Storage & Sleeves — are what you actually need to get started. Skip any of these and you'll hit a wall early. The 1 optional item (Reference & Tools) are quality-of-life upgrades that matter once the habit is established. Buy them when you've confirmed the hobby is sticking.
Which tier should you start with?
For most beginners, the mid-range tier (~$160) is the right starting point. Budget picks often create friction that makes it harder to tell if you're struggling with the hobby or just fighting bad equipment. Mid-range gear removes that ambiguity without overcommitting before you know the hobby sticks. The premium tier ($420+) makes sense once you've been doing Deckbuilding for six months or more and know exactly where your current gear is holding you back.
What each item is for
- Cards & Singles(~$110 mid-range)The card pool itself — a starter, singles, or a draft set to build from.
- Storage & Sleeves(~$50 mid-range)Sleeves, deck boxes, and binders to protect and organise the collection.