Introduction
With 《Oko, Thief of Crowns》, 《Veil of Summer》, and 《Once Upon a Time》 recently banned in Standard, the Standard metagame has been shaken up. Powerhouses from when 《Field of the Dead》 was still legal such as 《Fires of Invention》, and recent breakout decks in the form of Sacrifice decks and Izzet Flash have shaped what’s to come in Mythic Championship VII.
Expected Decks at MC VII
Jeskai Fires
- Gobern
- – Jeskai Fires
- Standard PTQ – #12028083
- (Champion)
2 《Island》
2 《Mountain》
1 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
2 《Sacred Foundry》
3 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
3 《Temple of Triumph》
3 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Cavalier of Gales》
2 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
-Creature (17)-
2 《Mountain》
1 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
2 《Sacred Foundry》
3 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
3 《Temple of Triumph》
3 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Cavalier of Gales》
2 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
-Creature (17)-
3 《Shimmer of Possibility》
4 《Deafening Clarion》
1 《Solar Blaze》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (16)-
4 《Deafening Clarion》
1 《Solar Blaze》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (16)-
4 《Legion Warboss》
4 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Aether Gust》
2 《Devout Decree》
2 《Disenchant》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
4 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Aether Gust》
2 《Devout Decree》
2 《Disenchant》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
One of the main contenders for the title of “best deck in the format”, Jeskai Fires ability to play so many filter cards such as; 《Shimmer of Possibility》, 《Sphinx of Foresight》, 《Temple of Epiphany》 and 《Temple of Triumph》 give the deck a consistency that rivals 《Once Upon a Time》. A mid-range strategy with an explosive reach from hand in the form of 《Cavalier of Flame》 or 《Kenrith, the Returned King》, makes the deck attack from all angles, even winning games without the namesake card, 《Fires of Invention》.
Key Cards: 《Fires of Invention》, 《Cavalier of Flame》, 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
Jund Sacrifice
- bnjy99
- – Jund Sacrifice
- Standard PTQ – #12028083
- (3rd Place)
6 《Forest》
3 《Swamp》
4 《Blood Crypt》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
4 《Stomping Ground》
3 《Fabled Passage》
1 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Cauldron Familiar》
4 《Gilded Goose》
4 《Paradise Druid》
4 《Mayhem Devil》
1 《Midnight Reaper》
1 《Wicked Wolf》
1 《Korvold, Fae-Cursed King》
1 《Massacre Girl》
-Creature (20)-
3 《Swamp》
4 《Blood Crypt》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
4 《Stomping Ground》
3 《Fabled Passage》
1 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Cauldron Familiar》
4 《Gilded Goose》
4 《Paradise Druid》
4 《Mayhem Devil》
1 《Midnight Reaper》
1 《Wicked Wolf》
1 《Korvold, Fae-Cursed King》
1 《Massacre Girl》
-Creature (20)-
2 《Assassin’s Trophy》
4 《Trail of Crumbs》
4 《Witch’s Oven》
3 《Vraska, Golgari Queen》
2 《Garruk, Cursed Huntsman》
-Spell (15)-
4 《Trail of Crumbs》
4 《Witch’s Oven》
3 《Vraska, Golgari Queen》
2 《Garruk, Cursed Huntsman》
-Spell (15)-
4 《Duress》
3 《Thrashing Brontodon》
2 《Wicked Wolf》
2 《Disfigure》
2 《Noxious Grasp》
1 《Lovestruck Beast》
1 《Garruk, Cursed Huntsman》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Thrashing Brontodon》
2 《Wicked Wolf》
2 《Disfigure》
2 《Noxious Grasp》
1 《Lovestruck Beast》
1 《Garruk, Cursed Huntsman》
-Sideboard (15)-
At the last Mythic Championship, Sultai Sacrifice snuck under a majority of the field’s radar as one of the best decks of the format. With 《Oko, Thief of Crowns》 being banned, replacing blue for red allows the deck to run 《Korvold, Fae-Cursed King》 and 《Mayhem Devil》. The synergy between 《Mayhem Devil》 and the rest of the deck is unmatched in Standard, enabling huge swing turns with multiple pings. 《Trail of Crumbs》 also acts as an unparalleled value engine which digs through the deck to set up all the combo pieces.
Key Cards: 《Witch’s Oven》, 《Cauldron Familiar》, 《Trail of Crumbs》
Rakdos Knights
- Folero
- – Rakdos Knights
- Standard PTQ – #12028083
- (14th Place)
9 《Swamp》
8 《Mountain》
4 《Blood Crypt》
2 《Tournament Grounds》
2 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Knight of the Ebon Legion》
3 《Gutterbones》
4 《Blacklance Paragon》
4 《Stormfist Crusader》
4 《Rotting Regisaur》
3 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Murderous Rider》
-Creature (29)-
8 《Mountain》
4 《Blood Crypt》
2 《Tournament Grounds》
2 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Knight of the Ebon Legion》
3 《Gutterbones》
4 《Blacklance Paragon》
4 《Stormfist Crusader》
4 《Rotting Regisaur》
3 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Murderous Rider》
-Creature (29)-
3 《Embereth Shieldbreaker》
3 《Cavalier of Night》
2 《Duress》
2 《Epic Downfall》
2 《Legion’s End》
2 《Drill Bit》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Cavalier of Night》
2 《Duress》
2 《Epic Downfall》
2 《Legion’s End》
2 《Drill Bit》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
The premier 《Embercleave》 deck of the format, the combination of 《Rotting Regisaur》 and 《Embercleave》 allows the deck to close the game out fast before opponents are able to piece together their win conditions. The weakness of the deck lies in the vulnerability to an early 《Deafening Clarion》 which hinders 《Embercleave》’s cost reduction. This deck preys on opponents with little interaction and disruption for its aggressive strategy.
Key Cards: 《Rotting Regisaur》, 《Embercleave》
Golgari Adventures
- CLYDE THE GLIDE DREXLER
- – Golgari Adventures
- Standard PTQ – #12028083
- (13th Place)
8 《Swamp》
4 《Forest》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
2 《Fabled Passage》
2 《Temple of Malady》
2 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (22)- 4 《Edgewall Innkeeper》
4 《Knight of the Ebon Legion》
4 《Foulmire Knight》
4 《Order of Midnight》
4 《Smitten Swordmaster》
4 《Midnight Reaper》
4 《Murderous Rider》
2 《Lovestruck Beast》
1 《Rankle, Master of Pranks》
2 《Beanstalk Giant》
-Creature (33)-
4 《Forest》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
2 《Fabled Passage》
2 《Temple of Malady》
2 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (22)- 4 《Edgewall Innkeeper》
4 《Knight of the Ebon Legion》
4 《Foulmire Knight》
4 《Order of Midnight》
4 《Smitten Swordmaster》
4 《Midnight Reaper》
4 《Murderous Rider》
2 《Lovestruck Beast》
1 《Rankle, Master of Pranks》
2 《Beanstalk Giant》
-Creature (33)-
4 《Casualties of War》
3 《Disfigure》
2 《Lovestruck Beast》
2 《Questing Beast》
2 《Reaper of Night》
2 《Duress》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Disfigure》
2 《Lovestruck Beast》
2 《Questing Beast》
2 《Reaper of Night》
2 《Duress》
-Sideboard (15)-
With 《Once Upon a Time》 leaving the format, decks that heavily relied on having 《Edgewall Innkeeper》 on turn 1 lost a lot of power. Golgari Adventures played a much slower game even before the bans, playing a value oriented game that often didn’t need 《Edgewall Innkeeper》 on turn 1. Now with the addition of 《Lucky Clover》, the deck has a few explosive starts with 《Lucky Clover》 into 《Beanstalk Giant》, and much larger reach with 《Smitten Swordmaster》 and the abundance of knights in the deck.
Lately some 3-color 《Lucky Clover》 variantions saw some play, especially Temur with 《Bonecrusher Giant》, 《Brazen Borrower》 and 《Fae of Wishes》. I don’t expect these decks to show up in big numbers at the Mythic Championship as the deck has to prove itself first.
Key Cards: 《Edgewall Innkeeper》, 《Lucky Clover》
Izzet Flash
- Percsalert
- – Izzet Flash
- Twitch Rivals – Throne of Eldraine
- (Top 16)
10 《Island》
4 《Mountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Fabled Passage》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (26)- 4 《Brineborn Cutthroat》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Brazen Borrower》
4 《Gadwick, the Wizened》
-Creature (16)-
4 《Mountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Fabled Passage》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (26)- 4 《Brineborn Cutthroat》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Brazen Borrower》
4 《Gadwick, the Wizened》
-Creature (16)-
3 《Aether Gust》
3 《Lava Coil》
3 《Flame Sweep》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
1 《Negate》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
1 《The Royal Scions》
1 《Ral, Izzet Viceroy》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Lava Coil》
3 《Flame Sweep》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
1 《Negate》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
1 《The Royal Scions》
1 《Ral, Izzet Viceroy》
-Sideboard (15)-
A spicy take of the popular Simic Flash decks, Izzet Flash performed well against the field of 《Fires of Invention》 decks. The large difference between Izzet and Simic, is Izzet has more tools to handle resolved threats. The counterspell strategy of Izzet Flash backed up by aggressive cheap Flash creatures, heavily punishes decks that try to play only one card a turn. Playing the draw-go plan, but also having the reload factor in 《Gadwick, the Wizened》 seals up the mid to late game transition but also allows you to tap your opponents board to swing for lethal.
Key Cards: 《Brazen Borrower》, 《Gadwick, the Wizened》, 《Bonecrusher Giant》
Bonus Deck: Simic Ramp
- Christian Hauck
- – Simic Ramp
- Test Deck
10 《Forest》
6 《Island》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Temple of Mystery》
2 《Castle Garenbrig》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (28)- 2 《Arboreal Grazer》
4 《Leafkin Druid》
4 《Hydroid Krasis》
4 《Risen Reef》
4 《Cavalier of Thorns》
2 《Agent of Treachery》
1 《End-Raze Forerunners》
-Creature (21)-
6 《Island》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Temple of Mystery》
2 《Castle Garenbrig》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (28)- 2 《Arboreal Grazer》
4 《Leafkin Druid》
4 《Hydroid Krasis》
4 《Risen Reef》
4 《Cavalier of Thorns》
2 《Agent of Treachery》
1 《End-Raze Forerunners》
-Creature (21)-
4 《Growth Spiral》
2 《Finale of Devastation》
1 《Quasiduplicate》
4 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》
-Spell (11)-
2 《Finale of Devastation》
1 《Quasiduplicate》
4 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》
-Spell (11)-
4 《Shifting Ceratops》
3 《Lovestruck Beast》
2 《Thrashing Brontodon》
2 《Aether Gust》
2 《Negate》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Lovestruck Beast》
2 《Thrashing Brontodon》
2 《Aether Gust》
2 《Negate》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
-Sideboard (15)-
Simic Ramp has my vote for the surprise deck of the Mythic Championship that no one expects. This is actually the decklist I was about to submit till last second. I am still not sure if this would have been the better choice, what made me change my mind were the lopsided matchups of the deck. I was looking for a deck that beats Golgari Cats while having game against Jeskai Fires for a long time and couldn’t find one, Simic Ramp is that deck.
People forgot about 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》 and 《Risen Reef》 recently, but both are still super powerful and attacking for 100+ trample damage with 《Finale of Devastation》 searching for 《End-Raze Forerunners》 will finish off every Cat/Oven strategy. While being a little soft to 《Embercleave》, the deck is a blast to play and I can only recommend it if you are sick of Golgari Cats.
Key Cards: 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》, 《Risen Reef》, 《Cavalier of Thorns》
Conclusion
With a fresh new Standard meta on our hands, Mythic Championship VII is bound to bring new decks to light. With the forerunners of the format being exploitable, there should be a large diverse field of decks competing for the title.
My personal guess for the most played deck would be Jeskai Fires followed by Jund Sacrifice and Golgari Cat with a little bit of Temur Reclamation and aggressive 《Embercleave》 strategies to round up the field.
