Shorter esters require shots more often and have lower mg per ml. For guys that are using larger cycles, this can mean more oil, taken more often. For the most part, long esters can be used all the way through a contest prep or cutting diet, so the common thought that long esters make you hold too much water, is not always true. The key with a long acting test on a cut, is using enough AI to control water. For a mass cycle, long esters are usually best, as they build up to higher levels in your blood. The drawback of long esters is that they take longer to build up and become very effective. For this reason, a kick start of an oral or a short acting compound for the first several weeks, will help to get a cycle working quickly. For advanced guys, I've designed a cycle in the pre-designed stack section of the board, that takes advantage of long and short esters. If you are an experienced guy, check it out

https://www.1napsgear.org/pre-designed-stacks-c42/undercover-s-lean-mass-program-p9151

If you are newer to gear, this cycle would probably be a little much. You'd do fine with this cycle, minus the NPP. Or like you mentioned, a test/deca cycle would be awesome for mass gains