Apologies first of all to anyone waiting for my article on the Azorious Air force deck, but with Worlds just finished I thought you would appreciate a run down of the top performing decks from the tournament. As always I like the rogue tech and have found a few gems from the Standard rounds.
Worlds has been and gone and as expected the Pros have tuned their decks, tested endlessly and presented us with the best of their offerings! Many a net deck shall be taken to your local Friday Night Magic and Standard Constructed tournaments, here's what to watch out for!
I would recommend, for those of you who haven't already, that you read the "Best Decks in Worlds", by Mike Flores on Magic the Gathering.com. This has a lot of the decklists and a lot of commentary, I will just give my initial thoughts on the decks covered there:-
Dragonstorm.dec - This was a popular deck type before worlds and will increase in popularity now we have a tuned version. The correct choice would be to have Gigadrowse in the main deck to improve your game against Control and the Mirror in game 1. Sleight of Hand and Telling Time are sufficient card search spells, so no need to pack more than 8. The Storage lands in the sideboard help against control, where you have enough time to abuse them - Perhaps Control decks, that can afford to, should put in Ghost Quarter, or side it in to deal with this threat.
Boros Deck Wins (Again!) - The most popular deck for Champs in 2005 has returned with Zoo being knocked off its mantle for "Top Beatdown Deck" The consensus is to run 16 Burn Spells, being Char, Riftbolt, Volcanic Hammer and Lightning Helix and 4 of Icatean Javelineers, Soltari Priest and Savannah Lions. Four copies of Cyroclasm are mandatory for the sideboard.
U/W Tron - Counters, Wrath, Faith Fetters and recurring Triskelavus for the win! Two decks made top 8 of Worlds, so this is one for the control players.
U/W Snow White - Nassif's deck with Chronosavant and Muse Vessel for the win, this deck can gain an obscene amount of life. Good against Beatdown and Combo (despite losing in the semis to Dragonstorm) I really like this deck over regular Snow White decks as the Remands and Compulsive Researchs protect against Mana-Screw.
Blink.Dec - A deck that abuses comes into play abilities of Avalanche Riders, Court Hussar and Riftwing Cloudskate with Momentary Blink. This looks like a lot of fun to play and consequently I would expect it to show up in fair numbers. However, the deck runs 12 duals, so budget players beware!
Snow Whiter than White
Starting with Snow, this build has several Rogue elements. What I really like about Alex's build is the Howling Mines in the main deck, which, in combination with the Weathered Wayfarer's make sure you get the land you need to compete. Rather than win with Triskelavus, Alex's deck chooses to win via decking with recurring Jester's Scepters and Howling Mine. My gut feeling is that this is too slow for a PTQ environment, where you will be looking at too many draws to progress. However, that is not to say this is unplayable , just that some more aggressive options are necessary. Triskelavus is probably our best bet.
Alex Sittner, 5-1 |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 13 Snow-Covered Plains 4 Scrying Sheets 1 Academy Ruins 1 Desert 1 Mouth of Ronom 2 Boreal Shelf 22 land 4 Weathered Wayfarer 4 Martyr of Sands 8 creatures |
1 Story Circle 2 Coldsteel Heart 1 Jester's Cap 4 Howling Mine 3 Cover of Winter 3 Proclamation of Rebirth 4 Jester's Scepter 4 Condemn 4 Wrath of God 4 Sunscour 30 other spells |
2 Jester's Cap 1 Coldsteel Heart 2 Tormod's Crypt 4 Sacred Ground 3 Wall of Shards 3 Disenchant 15 sideboard cards |
U/G Snakes and Elephants
Snakes on a plane, no that's just crazy talk, However, Snakes and Elephants - That's cool. Several of these decks made 5-1 on Standard Day and the list below looks to me to be the most tuned. The sideboard looks very strong and Matthias runs Gather Courage, which is something we have discussed on our boards quite a lot. The ability to tap out and stun your opponent with a free spell is better than the +1/+1 extra, which you would get with Giant Growth. It comes down to personal preference, but I would play some copies of Simic Growth Chamber to smooth the mana, Birds and Elves is a risky combination and a timely Electrolyse or Pyroclasm can ruin your day. If those cards are popular in your area you may want to rethink playing both, otherwise go for it, there are twelve three drops to bust out on turn 2!
| Matthias Kunzler, 5-1 Standard – 2006 World Championships |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 4 Breeding Pool 4 Yavimaya Coast 1 Pendelhaven 7 Forest 4 Island 20 land 4 Birds of Paradise 4 LlanowarElves 4 Scryb Ranger 4 Plaxmanta 4 Ohran Viper 3 Mystic Snake 3 Spectral Force 26 creatures |
4 Remand 4 Call of the Herd 4 Psionic Blast 2 Stonewood Invocation 14 other spells |
4 Gather Courage 3 Shadow of Doubt 3 Loaming Shaman 3 Krosan Grip 2 Serrated Arrows 15 sideboard cards |
U/W/R Angels and Dragons
This decklist went 5-1 in the Standard Day and a very similar version turned up in the top8. This control deck has a lot of flexibility, in that it has burn to control creatures and to later go to the head for the win. Permission is very light with only two Spell Snares for hard counters in the main. Versus a deck like Snakes and Elephants this is going to struggle against the permission, with only Wrath of God needing a counter if Spectral Force is in play. Condemn from the board helps, that is if there isn't a Plaxcaster counter on it! The Hellkite looks a little slow when compared with the Firemane Angel, but my guess is that in a control field you have time to cast the Dragon.
| Marcio Carvalho, 5-1 Standard – 2006 World Championships |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 1 Gemstone Caverns 4 Hallowed Fountain 4 Steam Vents 2 Sacred Foundry 1 Urza's Factory 2 Plains 2 Flagstones of Trokair 1 Azorius Chancery 1 Izzet Boilerworks 1 Boros Garrison 4 Shivan Reef 23 land 3 Court Hussar 3 Bogardan Hellkite 4 Lightning Angel 10 creatures |
4 Wrath of God 4 Lightning Helix 4 Remand 2 Spell Snare 4 Compulsive Research 3 Demonfire 2 Izzet Signet 1 Boros Signet 3 Azorius Signet 27 other spells |
3 Condemn 2 Circle of Protection: Red 4 Annex 3 Giant Solifuge 3 Trickbind 15 sideboard cards |
Solar Flare
Solar Flare's gone nowhere, sure a pilot didn't make top 8 but there were multiple 5-1 finishes on Day 1. Mortify seems to have gone down in value a lot right now, which I believe is because there are a lot less targets at the moment. Skeletal Vampire shrugs it off and Akroma is untouchable. Condemn therefore comes out of the board and into the main. I could not see any Solar Pox amongst the top finishers and in my opinion Remand is so much better than Smallpox and that is probably why.
Tim He, 5-1 |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 1 Prahv, Spires of Order 4 Godless Shrine 3 Watery Grave 1 Hallowed Fountain 3 Caves of Koilos 1 Underground River 2 Azorius Chancery 2 Orzhov Basilica 2 Flagstones of Trokair 1 Urza's Factory 1 Plains 1 Island 1 Swamp 23 land 3 Court Hussar 2 Akroma, Angel of Wrath 3 Skeletal Vampire 3 Angel of Despair 11 creatures |
2 Dimir Signet 4 Azorius Signet 4 Compulsive Research 4 Remand 1 Careful Consideration 3 Condemn 4 Wrath of God 2 Persecute 2 Dread Return 26 other spells |
3 Mortify 3 Circle of Protection: Red 2 Peace of Mind 1 Persecute 4 Castigate 2 Phyrexian Totem 15 sideboard cards |
Counterspell.dec
Wafo-Tapa, Counterspells? No it isn't Deja-vu! However that name is synonymous with successful Counterspelling decks and this is no different, U/B instead of U/R this time this is an interesting deck for the Blue mage. The deck revolves and Mystical Teachings, card advantage AND tutoring in one package. The deck has a suitcase of bullets for problem cards and one copy of Dralnu Lich Lord for surprise value. The dark lord is in fact a dark horse, as long as your opponent has no direct damage that is! He gives all your cards flashback generating a huge resource advantage for you. Desert removes most of the creatures in a Boros Deck.
| Guilliame Wafo-Tapa, 5-1 Standard – 2006 World Championships |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 2 Dreadship Reef 4 Watery Grave 4 Underground River 3 Dimir Aqueduct 7 Island 4 Desert 24 land 3 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir 1 Skeletal Vampire 1 Dralnu, Lich Lord 5 creatures |
4 Rune Snag 3 Spell Snare 3 Mana Leak 1 Cancel 4 Remand 4 Think Twice 4 Mystical Teachings 1 Cremate 1 Last Gasp 1 Sudden Death 1 Seize the Soul 4 Repeal 31 other spells |
4 Deathmark 1 Seize the Soul 2 Trickbind 2 Moonlight Bargain 1 Spell Snare 1 Cancel 1 Darkblast 1 Shadow of Doubt 2 Dreadship Reef 15 sideboard cards |
Przemek Oberbek put in a stirling performance with a more traditional blue deck, with many counters and card drawing. It looks vulnerable on paper to the beat down decks and with Shadow floating around the Ironfoots don't look as good as they once did. Still it is not a lost cause as Przemek's performance shows, Darkblast also nullifies about half the creatures in a typical Boros Deck.
| Przemek Oberbek, 5-1 Standard – 2006 World Championships |
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| Main Deck 61 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 14 Snow-Covered Island 5 Snow-Covered Swamp 4 Scrying Sheets 1 Urza's Factory 2 Frost Marsh 26 land 3 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir 1 Rimefeather Owl 3 Phyrexian Ironfoot 7 creatures |
2 Rewind 1 Commandeer 4 Remand 4 Cancel 3 Spell Snare 4 Compulsive Research 2 Darkblast 2 Boomerang 2 Repeal 4 Rune Snag 28 other spells |
2 Slay 2 Last Gasp 1 Commandeer 3 Trickbind 4 Dark Confidant 2 Darkblast 1 Snow-Covered Swamp 15 sideboard cards |
Orzhov, Sideboard Switcheroo!
You just have to love standard at the moment, so many options! This deck from Chris McDaniel of Star Wars Kid fame has a plan B in the board. The deck starts off with a lot of weenie creatures backed up with hand disruption and transforms into beatdown beating machine. I feel it is maybe a little light on anti-Dragonstorm cards post Worlds metagame. Shadow of Doubt would make a fine addition to the sideboard. I do feel that with all 75 cards taken into account a well tested Orzhov deck has the tools to handle any strategy thrown at it.
Zoo (3/3s for two, plus many burn spells)
Just like the Solar Flare the Zoo is going nowhere soon and is here to stay. Better than Boros Deck Wins? The pros obviously don't think so. BDW also offers pro red creatures plus Worship out of the board, which is tech against Dragons! Zoo offers more efficient creatures that are easier to deal with. The choice is yours, but as long as there are Hellkites around the Pro Red route seems the best way to go.
| Wai Kin Au Yong, 5-1 Standard – 2006 World Championships |
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| Main Deck 60 cards |
Sideboard | |
| 4 Temple Garden 4 Sacred Foundry 4 Stomping Ground 4 Battlefield Forge 2 Gemstone Mine 2 Karplusan Forest 20 land 4 Savannah Lions 4 Kird Ape 2 Magus of the Scroll 4 Watchwolf 4 Scab-Clan Mauler 18 creatures |
2 Griffin Guide 4 Seal of Fire 4 Lightning Helix 4 Volcanic Hammer 4 Rift Bolt 4 Char 22 other spells |
4 Cryoclasm 2 Ronom Unicorn 3 Tin Street Hooligan 2 Temporal Isolation 2 Paladin en-Vec 2 Thrill of the Hunt 15 sideboard cards |
So where do we go from here?
Standard is not very standard at the moment, and literally anything goes. The card quality is so high, which means if you have a good idea and have the time to develop it, the chances are you have a competitive deck! Magic is such a multi-faceted game and for me deck design is what appeals to me, so this is my ideal environment. These are some of the ideas I have been playing with,
So many ideas so little time, what do you think, what are you going to be playing at your next FNM / Standard Constructed event?
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