[Community Discussion]: Standard Chat

Standard forum

Posted on Oct. 3, 2015, 11:37 p.m. by Epochalyptik

Just like Modern, Standard now has its own "chat" thread. We're hoping that this thread draws avid Standard players to share their knowledge.


This thread is dedicated entirely to Standard. Feel free to post your thoughts on the meta, ideas for your next decklist, and just chat generally about the format!

Of course, you can always start a new thread if you're interested in discussing one particular aspect of the format; this thread should be used for the quick thoughts and informal questions about the format.

This discussion will be ongoing; you are free to post here as long as you're on topic.

This is NOT a deck help thread. Please do not spam deck help requests.

Epochalyptik says... #2

Some topics to get the discussion started:

This weekend is marking some major changes in Standard. We're now on the two-block paradigm, which means we're also on the doubled up rotation schedule. Now, Standard will rotate every time a new block begins. How do you think the new rotation schedule will shake the format?

What are you excited to experiment with now that BFZ is legal? Any builds you're dying to try? What are you afraid of in the new meta.

October 3, 2015 11:40 p.m.

JaceArveduin says... #3

I thought we already had one of these?

Anyway, I don't know about you guys, but I've been tinkering with this Temur Converge list that I recently put together and the converge creatures are treating me quite well.

Abzan is, probably, still the boogeyman, and the bane of my existence, though maybe it's not as bad now.

October 4, 2015 12:27 a.m.

I'm looking forward to seeing the hard control decks that come out of rotation. I absolutely love playing unusual control decks like the UR Mindswipe list floating around pre rotation.

I'm currently brewing with typical control decks and with Demonic Pact, the latter of which I'd like to get FNM viable.

October 4, 2015 12:34 a.m.

trollslayer says... #5

Subbing to keep up with what Iv been falling behind on.

October 4, 2015 1:20 a.m.

trollslayer says... #6

Also tagging lots of people, to get us started. tooTimid DERPLINGSUPREME NoviceMagician VampireArmy TheBoraxKidFAMOUSWATERMELON ThisIsBullshit. Those people most likely have no idea on the standard meta. But tagging them anyways because they are the first to come to mind.

October 4, 2015 1:30 a.m.

trollslayer: Tis' an honor. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind keeping up with Standard. I don't mind being in the loop to see what's going on. Subbed.

October 4, 2015 3:01 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #8

I am still on UGb morph. I recently updated the deck to include Grim Haruspex.

I'm happy about my matchup against control (especially post-board) and midrange-type decks, but I do fret for any sort of aggro match that might exist like Tokens or BW Warriors.

October 4, 2015 4:48 a.m.

GlistenerAgent says... #9

All of you, play Atarka Red. The deck is busted.

October 4, 2015 8:27 a.m.

Thanks Slayer :)

I've actually been brewing a bit for standard, and I've come up with a strange tempo/prowess list. Uses some painful value creatures (Thunderbreak Regent, Frost Walker, etc...), tempo spells (Clutch of Currents, Rush of Ice), and a lot of refilling (Treasure Cruise, Day's Undoing) to keep the cranks going. Been working out surprisingly well so far.

October 4, 2015 8:27 a.m.

I don't play standard but I really want to run Mardu allies. Looks like a lot of fun but I don't know how competitive it is.

October 4, 2015 8:39 a.m.

Argy says... #12

Mardu Allies is hella fun to play but I don't think you can make it very competitive.

I'm going back to the drawing board and trying to work with just two colours instead.

October 4, 2015 9:28 a.m.

GreenGhost says... #13

Good thing I already have my playset of Atarka's Command

October 4, 2015 9:51 a.m.

Same lol it doubled in price

October 4, 2015 9:51 a.m.

VampireArmy says... #15

aristocrats man. It's bueno

October 4, 2015 10:03 a.m.

GreenGhost says... #16

So is this just because of a buyout or is it due to standard?

October 4, 2015 10:09 a.m.

WHO WOKE ME UP.

Actually, it is kinda coincidental that you tagged me, because I'm stepping into the standard realm because of BFZ. But alas, I won't be able to post again until Monday. Bye all!

October 4, 2015 10:35 a.m.

mpeach1 says... #18

I think people are seeing signs of a buyout, but that card has been nuts this weekend at SCG. I think it's mostly due to that, not necessarily a buyout

October 4, 2015 11:47 a.m.

Doc28 says... #19

I'm working on a pretty cool control list for the new standard featuring Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper and Jeskai Ascendancy. It seems pretty good from preliminary tests, but we'll see how it plays out over the next few weeks. Atarka Red seems like it will be really strong out of the gate, but I don't think it will have enough firepower to remain at its previous level of dominance.

October 4, 2015 11:51 a.m.

Dalektable says... #20

I'm working on UW control for standard, seems good but will need tweaking once the metagame is more established. If aggro is huge I may need to splash red for Radiant Flames.

October 4, 2015 12:17 p.m.

MTGbrewer says... #21

GlistenerAgent Do you have a particular list? (For the atara red)

October 4, 2015 12:31 p.m.

Not readily available. Reddit has some, though.

October 4, 2015 12:33 p.m.

HoboTSH says... #23

@MTGbrewer: My current standard deck is an Atarka Red variant that runs more pump instead of creatures. Gruul Deck Wins, Fire of Kaladesh Edition. Fun but not as fast as normal Atarka Red.

Also what do you guys think about grixis ingest decks vs dimir ingest decks in standard? Which seems more viable?

October 4, 2015 4:14 p.m.

buildingadeck says... #24

Grixis gives you access to Exquisite Firecraft. I prefer the Grixis version.

October 4, 2015 4:17 p.m.

HoboTSH says... #25

Grixis also gives you Processor Assault for Siege Rhino and Dragonlord Silumgar.

October 4, 2015 4:22 p.m.

Argy says... #26

Just found out that Citadel Siege helps make Mardu Allies a little more viable.

October 4, 2015 5:05 p.m.

tooTimid says... #27

This standard format is going to be sweet. My take aways from this weekend:

Best deck: Atarka Red with pump spells.

Best new deck: 5 Color Bring to Light

Deck Hit hardest by rotation: Abzan Control

What I'm going to be playing: G/W Megamorph or Dark Jeskai

October 4, 2015 5:15 p.m.

VampireArmy says... #28

What does siege do for mardu allies?

October 4, 2015 5:22 p.m.

Argy says... #29

It gives one of 'em a permanent +2/+2 at the start of combat.

Helps speed their destructive capabilities up.

Haste/Menace/First Strike and an extra +2/+2 is no joke. Not to mention if you throw Gideon or Drana into the mix.

October 4, 2015 5:24 p.m. Edited.

THANK YOU Argeaux for mentioning Citadel Siege, I never knew about the Dragons option and it's exactly what I wanted, you are my favorite person for the next hour and 24 minutes.

October 4, 2015 8:36 p.m.

Argy says... #31

Excellent.

October 4, 2015 8:38 p.m.

I have my sight set on a Green/White Hardened Scales themed deck. That Undergrowth Champion is making my mouth water! Figuratively, of course. And throwing in a Hangarback Walker with a couple Citadel Sieges and Retreat to Kazandus makes the deck something to be reckoned with. At least that's what my hope is.

My friend, ComradeJim270, got an idea for Abzan Allies + Rally the Ancestors. Seems like a pretty good way of playing the ally type.

October 4, 2015 9:04 p.m.

Argy says... #33

Enduring Scalelord can work well with +1/+1 Counters.

Undercity Troll and Abzan Falconer might be interesting, too.

October 4, 2015 9:19 p.m.

JaceArveduin says... #34

Well guys, I've put some games in on Untap with my Temur list, and I gotta say it feels like it curves out really well. No 1 drops, but being able to go Skyrider Elf into either a Savage Knuckleblade or a 3/4 Tajuru Stalwart, then dropping either a huge Woodland Wanderer or Surrak, the Hunt Caller is just a beating. Surrak Dragonclaw is also a good curve-topper, and I might even be able to toss a Dragonlord Atarka in there.

October 4, 2015 9:30 p.m.

tooTimid I'd say the best deck is Abzan Aggro. Lots of people played it, which might be why Atarka Red did well. That, and the prevalence of slow and clunky decks trying to do weird stuff with their mana.

October 4, 2015 11:05 p.m.

silverwolf5o says... #36

What do you guys think we will be seeing in sideboards nowadays? I'm unsure of what to put in my sideboard, because i don't know what the big threats out there are now.

maybe you guys could give me some ideas. i'm thinking of running allies if that helps with suggestions.

October 4, 2015 11:05 p.m.

tooTimid says... #37

GlistenerAgent: Abzan aggro was the most played deck on day two by a hop and a running leap so I think some of the success can be attributed to that, but the list BBD and Brad Nelson brought to the table seemed fantastic. Worth noting it had a poor conversion rate towards the end of day two.

I think that Gerry T's deck was great. I have to imagine the Abzan aggro matchup is great.

October 4, 2015 11:34 p.m.

NarejED says... #38

Still hoping that white weenie aggro spearheaded by Kytheon, Hero of Akros  Flip will be a thing, but it hasn't become a reality yet. :(

October 5, 2015 1:41 a.m.

Top 64 Decklists from this weekend's Open. There are some interesting decks hidden amongst all the Abzan Aggro.

October 5, 2015 8:31 a.m.

mpeach1 says... #40

Glad to see some control towards the top

October 5, 2015 9:46 a.m.

Dalektable says... #41

This standard format is confusing me, haha. With such complicated manabases, so much is possible and people are really stretching that. Like, people are managing to curve Mantis Rider into Siege Rhino. I'm also going to have have to move my win condition of choice from Dragonlord Ojutai to Gideon, Ally of Zendikar due to the prevalence of the Crackling Doom.

October 5, 2015 10:47 a.m.

I'm just hoping that Abzan will die down now that we won't see eight Courser of Kruphix's each match. I'm tired of seeing those and the Sylvan Caryatid, and I'm super happy that the rotation kicked in

October 5, 2015 10:52 a.m.

Argy says... #43

Now you'll just see 20 Rattleclaw Mystic, instead.

;0)

October 5, 2015 10:55 a.m.

Boza says... #44

@Dalektable, "This standard format is confusing me, haha."

This is by far the best thing about this standard - BFZ brought so much stuff that is difficult to evaluate that Standard will be in turmoil for a lot longer than normal.

Also, a general comment - Jace, Vryn's Prodigy  Flip - the star of BFZ standard hails from Origins and I tihnk it is very sad that almost no eldrazi have made it into top 64 of the first major bfz standard tourney (5 ulamogs total).

October 5, 2015 11:10 a.m.

VampireArmy says... #45

Carrier Thrall vs Blisterpod is a hard choice

October 5, 2015 11:16 a.m.

Mandalorian says... #46

This Atarka Red deck has a big weakness in that it goes all in on 1 or 2 creatures. There's not as much burn as were used to with red decks and a lot more combat tricks than usual. Kill the creatures and your good. Cards like Surge of Righteousness are really good here. Let them wastes 2-3 spells on a creature and then kill it while gaining 2.

October 5, 2015 1:16 p.m.

Mandalorian says... #47

My prediction is that aggro will not finish as well in later tournaments. Aggro always does well early in meta changes because people don't know how to handle it, control doesn't know what to sideboard for. You better believe everyone will be ready for this deck next go around.

October 5, 2015 1:19 p.m.

maddsurgeon says... #48

I played Atarka Red 3.0 at this weekend's FNM (didn't have time/money to build anything new, basically bought two Cinder Glades and ran with my old deck). Had some success (3-1) but hit up against U/W control really hard.

After watching some of the SCG Open coverage, wishing I had gone with the Landfall plan -- those guys have the right idea; the burn is gone so to close the deal you need stuff like Temur Battle Rage and Retreat to Valakut. Especially when people are still struggling to figure out complicated manabases.

October 5, 2015 1:36 p.m.

maddsurgeon says... #49

PS - I agree with Mandalorian, the Atarka Red decks might fade out/have to restructure once people are ready for them.

October 5, 2015 1:38 p.m.

Agreed, mpeach1. It's nice to see two Esper lists in the top 8 at SCG Indy.

What are thoughts on playing any form of control without Jace? Looking at the top 64 from this past event, his "percent dominance" was 78% - with 28/64 decks playing blue, there was the possibility of 112 copies of Jace. There were 87 (source for methodology and numbers - also an interesting read in general). This is just the first of many events, but it doesn't look like Jace will dropping in price anytime soon.

October 5, 2015 2:30 p.m.

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