Best Battle TCG Starter Decks for 2025 — Ranked from Worst to First

The year 2025 has been amazing for EDH, as Battle TCG and crossover decks are changing the meaning of "ready-to-play." This list ranks the ten best preconstructed starter decks currently available, balancing power, enjoyment, and upgrade potential. 

If you're a new player entering the world of Battle TCG, these decks are the perfect starting point. They will not only teach you the fundamentals but also help you win quickly and grow with you over time.

 

#10 Tarkir: Dragonstorm – Abzan Armor

 

 

Theme: Resilience, Counters, and Long Game Strength

Abzan Armor brings a sturdy, grindy playstyle centered around creature buffs and battlefield durability. It rewards patience — building up counters and leveraging small advantages until your opponents simply run out of gas.

Best upgrades: Add more counter-synergy cards and protection spells to keep your commander safe.

Playstyle: Midrange / Buff synergy.

 

#9 – Tarkir: Dragonstorm – Jeskai Striker

 

Theme: Tempo and Precision Attacks

Jeskai Striker delivers the thrill of calculated aggression. Combining spells and fast creatures, it excels at controlling tempo — punishing overextensions while striking for lethal at just the right moment.

Great for Starters: Simple sequencing, strong synergy between noncreature spells and combat tricks.

Best upgrades: Add spell recursion and low-cost removal to maintain flow.

Playstyle: Aggro / Tempo Control.

 

#8 – Final Fantasy VI: Revival Trance

 

 

Theme: Heroic Combos and Classic JRPG Power-Ups

This nostalgic crossover brings iconic Final Fantasy VI characters into a synergistic deck built on revival and teamwork. Expect comeback moments where your fallen allies surge back stronger than ever.

Best upgrades: Add recursion effects and mana acceleration to hit your late-game payoffs faster.

Playstyle: Combo / Midrange Value.

 

#7 – Final Fantasy XIV: Scions & Spellcraft

 

 

Theme: Magic, Synergy, and Legendary Heroes

With its focus on spell-chaining and character-driven synergy, Scions & Spellcraft rewards creativity. It’s all about using spells in clever order to build momentum — a perfect deck for players who love tactical play.

Best upgrades: Add mana-fixing artifacts and a few big finishers for closing power.

Playstyle: Combo / Control.

 

#6 – Edge of Eternities – Counter Intelligence

 

 

Theme: Control, Reversal, and Outthinking the Opponent

If you like playing chess while everyone else plays checkers, this is your deck. Counter Intelligence focuses on outmaneuvering your opponents through reactive plays — counterspells, hand disruption, and defensive engines.

Best upgrades: Add more flexible counter cards and card draw engines.

Playstyle: Control / Reactive Defense.

 

#5 – Final Fantasy VII: Limit Break

 

Theme: Big Moments and Overwhelming Finishers

Channel your inner Cloud and Sephiroth with this power-packed deck. Limit Break thrives on momentum — building energy, then unleashing devastating finishers that swing the game instantly.

Best upgrades: Add direct damage spells and higher consistency tools.

Playstyle: Aggro / Burst Combo.

 

 

#4 – Tarkir: Dragonstorm – Temur Roar

 

Theme: Dragons, Ramp, and Explosive Finishes

Temur Roar captures the raw excitement of dragon decks — ramp early, control midgame, and dominate late. With a clean curve and flashy finishers, it’s one of the most beginner-friendly power decks of the Tarkir lineup.

Why it’s great for beginners: Big, splashy cards that teach ramp and threat sequencing.

Best upgrades: Add premium mana sources and top-end dragons from older sets.

Playstyle: Ramp / Big Creature Midrange.

 

 

#3 – Final Fantasy X: Counter Blitz

 

 

Theme: Speed, Tactics, and Coordinated Combos

Built for speed and adaptability, Counter Blitz shines when piloted by quick thinkers. It rewards those who can pivot between defense and offense mid-match, mirroring the strategic rhythm of Final Fantasy X battles.

Why it’s great for beginners: Encourages flexible play and reaction timing.

Best upgrades: Add instant-speed interaction and card draw.

Playstyle: Tempo / Reactive Combo.

 

 

#2 – Aetherdrift – Eternal Might

 

 

Theme: Energy, Evolution, and Long-Term Power Scaling

Aetherdrift’s Eternal Might stands out for its adaptability — a deck that grows in strength as the game progresses. It introduces new players to resource scaling and incremental advantage, without feeling too slow.

Best upgrades: Add ramp and repeatable energy sinks to push late-game potential.

Playstyle: Midrange / Growth Engine.

 

#1 – Tarkir: Dragonstorm – Sultai Arisen

 

Theme: Graveyard Power and Recursive Dominance

Sultai Arisen takes the top spot for good reason. It’s a graveyard-centric powerhouse that teaches both strategy and patience — letting you recycle fallen creatures, generate endless value, and eventually crush the table through inevitability.

Best upgrades: Add recursion-focused mythics and mana stabilization.

Playstyle: Control / Graveyard Value.

 

Final Thoughts

From Dragonstorm legends to spell-slinging legends, 2025’s Battle TCG lineup proves that preconstructed decks can be both fun and competitive. For beginners, these decks offer an instant entry point into the strategy, storytelling, and spectacle that define Battle TCG.

Ready to start your collection? Explore all decks in our precon collection.