This is what I see as basic deck archetypes in TFW.... (just my opinion)
Edit: I fleshed out the strategies and cards a little more from the original post.

Sylvan weenie Rush
(1 domain sylvan with thistle falcon, tenderfoot archer, sapling. Strategy is to rush opponents base and through sheer numbers of creatures overwhelm opponent. Usually has a weak late game. Can also add additional domain for variety such as Chaos)

can usually beat...

mono-3 domain DL
(3 domain DL with possession, crypt doctor, altar of ix, lysis, and multiple 3 domain heavy hitting DL cards. Strategy is to establish a strong late game with creature control against your opponent)

can usually beat...

mono-3domain CI
(3 domain CI with trebuchet emplacement, trade routes, royal guards, imperial fortress. Strategy is all around balanced game of strong mid game creatures/mid game board control

can usually beat...

MF/Ele Vapor Mahal Spam
(2-3 domain MF/Ele with Hadark's fort, ord stone, vapor mahal, sleet mogi) Strategy is early building control through multiple vapor mahals. Usually has a weak late game.

can usually beat...

Sylvan weenie rush


...and other combo decks that dont fit into above categories...
-Glimpse-Athal or Glimpse-Rithig
-Soul Plague-That Hive
-Benefits of Spectacle-Twisting Intentions
-MF-Chaos Turmoil-Freehold
-overclock - gilded organ

comments welcome.... which do you think are the strongest/weakest? anything i missed?

WoW, I'm in an archtype all on my own... cause I very rarely see another mono-CI...

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Looking for: Crumbling Alone (2)
Also looking for: Revenant Bishop, Osin Faith Healer, Pilgrim's Cairn, Avenging Angel (2)

This idea of TFW being a rock/paper/scissors game is making me somewhat nervous every time I hear it. I know that this is one of the main reasons why headshot decided to quit, but I am not altogether sure what it really means.

Is the basic idea that if you play a certain deck/style/strategy and you are paired against someone with a different deck/style/strategy that you will always win/lose? I.e., that the rock/paper/scissors moment comes first in the deck building phase and then, perhaps more importantly, in the pairing?

I think I have loads of things to say regarding this topic, but I would like to be a bit clearer regarding what it is all about

I can not say that any match up is a guaranteed loss, but there are definitely some match ups that will be harder to win than others. With each faction having its own strengths and weaknesses, it will be inevitable that there will be some deck types that will take advantage of your weaknesses.

I'd put it something like this:

RPS is a metagame problem where the differences in strategies between different types of decks translates into some types being dominant over others, in a way that makes the matchup determine results very strongly. The more different strategies the game allows for, the more potential for RPS problems arise.

It can't be avoided completely as long as there are different types of decks, but we should strive to keep this problem marginal. IMHO the TFW developers has done a great job on this so far, though things can always get better.

What we do want is a fluid RPS environment within the match, where you have to make sure that your decks have good scissors to play when your opponents goes heavy on paper. It's also part of using the cards you have to their maximum: trying to get your creatures and building into favourable "matchups" on the map.

What I think it great about TFW is how limited the RPS issue is. In many online and real trading card games it has gotten to the point where there literally are three optimal decks and the win ratio when using paper against rock is like 90%. In contrast, as your diagram shows (and I don't even think it's that clear cut) there are at least 5 viable deck types. In addition, I think that with a good deck and good play style your chances to win still remain around 30% against the deck that is supposed to be your counter. Every complex game has a metagame where certain decks will have better odds against other optimal decks, but to me this seems very minimal in TFW thanks to the excellent job of balancing.

ok... i edited my original post to remove rock-paper-scissors from the title.
i think rock-paper-scissors has a negative connotation for some people.
my intent in posting this was to just show there are lots of viable strategies in TFW (I list at least 10(!!!) there) and in my opinion, some strategies are stronger than others at defeating some strategies.
I dont think any strategy dominates in this game.
and again, this is just my impression... please dont take it as fact and feel free to modify as you wish.
also, i think huger and dublone expressed more eloquently what i was trying to convey as well

You forgot one

noob_mexican's deck

beats

nothing

Correction:

noob_mexican's deck beats himself!

This is ok online, but NOT in the real world sir.

DarkJello

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Ad astra per alia porci!$!

Correction Z Style:

noob_mexican's deck beats me!