Average mana value is useful for quick comparisons, but a mana curve reveals the clusters, gaps, and expensive tail that determine how a deck actually develops.
Raw land count does not show whether you can produce the right colors on time. Audit usable sources against each important spell’s cost and intended casting turn.
Recurring bad opening hands do not always mean a deck needs more lands. Use this testing workflow to isolate mana, curve, card-role, matchup, and keep-decision problems.
Card types show what your cards are. Functional deck categories show what they do, making it easier to find weak ramp, draw, removal, and win-condition packages.
A top-heavy mana curve may be the problem, but weak ramp, missed land drops, color requirements, or empty early turns can create the same symptoms. Use this workflow to find the actual bottleneck before cutting every expensive spell.