Pet Card
Slang · A sentimental inclusion · Common in casual and Commander decks
A pet card is a card a player includes in their deck out of personal attachment or enjoyment rather than because it’s objectively the strongest choice for the slot. Every long-time player has at least one.
Pet Cards and Deck Optimisation
Competitive deckbuilders tend to trim pet cards ruthlessly in the name of consistency, while casual and Commander decks often keep them precisely because winning isn’t the only goal.
When a Pet Card Earns Its Slot
Sometimes a pet card genuinely overperforms expectations, at which point it graduates from a sentimental choice to a real inclusion earned on its own merits.
Strategic tip
There’s nothing wrong with a pet card in a casual deck, but be honest about what it’s costing you. If it’s replacing a card that would meaningfully improve your consistency, know that trade-off going in.
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