Hello everybody,
On 18th and 19th August there will be the Eternal Weekend Asia in Yokohama (Japan).
To prepare for this great event, I would like to talk about Old School. Many people don’t know the rules or even the existence of this format. In this article, you will find the detail, and With the help of the specialist of the format, Pierre Canali, we will try to go deeper and explain popular decks and the metagame.
What Is Old School
Legal Sets
Banned Cards
Restricted (max 1 copy of each in a deck)
American List:
European List Differences:
Other Limited cards
Unlimited cards
Reprinted Cards
Some reprinted versions of cards from these sets are also allowed. In order for a reprint to be allowed, the following must be true:
- It must be a non-foil card
- It must use the pre-8th-Edition border
- It must have art that matches the art of any version printed in the above legal sets
- It must be a legal Magic card (no proxies, no Collector’s edition, etc.)
Allowed to Play
Not Allowed to Play
Cards may be printed in any language so long as they obey the above rules.
Mana Burn
Mana burn still applies in Old School.
Chaos Orb
《Chaos Orb》got an eratta only for this format. The new text is below:
Players are allowed a “fair flip” on 《Chaos Orb》, that means they can move the targeted card to the center of the table for the flip.
You can check the full rules here: Old School Rules
Metagame
Since years, the European Metagame for the Old School Format is dominated by THE Deck. It’s a 5 color control deck which gets advantage with the help of 《Jayemdae Tome》.
THE Deck
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00TheDeck.png)
- THE Deck
1 《Island》
4 《Tundra》
2 《Volcanic Island》
4 《City of Brass》
4 《Mishra's Factory》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (19)- 2 《Serra Angel》
-Creature (2)-
2 《Lightning Bolt》
1 《Ancestral Recall》
4 《Disenchant》
4 《Counterspell》
1 《Demonic Tutor》
1 《Time Walk》
1 《Mana Drain》
1 《Balance》
1 《Regrowth》
1 《Timetwister》
1 《Stone Rain》
1 《Mind Twist》
1 《Recall》
1 《Fireball》
1 《Braingeyser》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Emerald》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Pearl》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Chaos Orb》
3 《Fellwar Stone》
3 《Jayemdae Tome》
-Spell (40)-
3 《Ivory Tower》
2 《Blue Elemental Blast》
2 《Dust to Dust》
1 《Serra Angel》
1 《Circle of Protection: Black》
1 《Moat》
1 《The Abyss》
1 《City in a Bottle》
-Sideboard (15)-
Underworld Dreams
Recently, decks using 《Hymn to Tourach》 and 《Underworld Dreams》 appeared to counter THE Deck.
![]( /cms/media/blog/201805/00UnderworldUB.png)
- Cedric Jarkovsky
- – Black Blue Underworlds
- Eternal Weekend Europe
- – Top 8
4 《Underground Sea》
1 《Urborg》
4 《Mishra's Workshop》
1 《Strip Mine》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
-Land (20)- 3 《Black Knight》
1 《Order of the Ebon Hand》
4 《Hypnotic Specter》
3 《Juzam Djinn》
1 《Sengir Vampire》
-Creature (12)-
1 《Ancestral Recall》
4 《Sinkhole》
4 《Hymn to Tourach》
1 《Demonic Tutor》
1 《Terror》
1 《Time Walk》
2 《Drain Life》
1 《Mind Twist》
3 《Underworld Dreams》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Chaos Orb》
1 《Nevinyrral's Disk》
-Spell (28)-
2 《Terror》
2 《Paralyze》
2 《City in a Bottle》
2 《Icy Manipulator》
2 《Nevinyrral's Disk》
1 《Underworld Dreams》
1 《Black Vise》
-Sideboard (15)-
These 2 decks are the most popular now. For the rest of the metagame we can see:
UR Burn
This is the dream deck we all used to try to build at least once and none of us could achieve it when we were kids. In Old School, the strategy of this deck is great. 8 flying creatures, burn spells and counterspells. You can usually see a copy of this deck in top 8.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00URBurn.png)
- UR Burn
4 《Volcanic Island》
3 《Badlands》
4 《Mishra's Factory》
2 《City of Brass》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (21)- 4 《Flying Men》
4 《Serendib Efreet》
-Creature (8)-
4 《Chain Lightning》
1 《Ancestral Recall》
4 《Counterspell》
1 《Shatter》
1 《Demonic Tutor》
1 《Time Walk》
1 《Mana Drain》
2 《Psionic Blast》
1 《Timetwister》
1 《Wheel of Fortune》
1 《Fireball》
1 《Mind Twist》
1 《Braingeyser》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Black Vise》
1 《Chaos Orb》
-Spell (31)-
3 《Red Elemental Blast》
3 《Energy Flux》
2 《Shatter》
1 《Boomerang》
1 《Earthquake》
1 《Blood Moon》
1 《Giant Shark》
-Sideboard (15)-
UW Sky
It’s the white version of UR Burn. This Aggro / Tempo deck runs 《Savannah Lions》, flyings, 《Swords to Plowshares》 and counterspells. One of the biggest points of the deck is having access to 《Circle of Protection: Red》 in the sideboard and not being too scared to play 《City in a Bottle》. You can play 《City in a Bottle》 in the sideboard against 《Kird Ape》, 《City of Brass》, and 《Serendib Efreet》, assuming sideout of 2 copies.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00UWSky.png)
- UW Sky
2 《Plains》
4 《Tundra》
2 《Underground Sea》
4 《Mishra's Factory》
2 《City of Brass》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (18)- 4 《Savannah Lions》
4 《Serendib Efreet》
2 《Serra Angel》
-Creature (10)-
1 《Ancestral Recall》
4 《Disenchant》
4 《Counterspell》
1 《Balance》
1 《Demonic Tutor》
1 《Time Walk》
1 《Mana Drain》
2 《Psionic Blast》
1 《Timetwister》
2 《Power Sink》
1 《Mind Twist》
1 《Braingeyser》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Pearl》
1 《Mox Emerald》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Chaos Orb》
-Spell (32)-
2 《Maze of Ith》
2 《Divine Offering》
2 《Circle of Protection: Red》
2 《Control Magic》
2 《City in a Bottle》
2 《Black Vise》
-Sideboard (15)-
Disco Troll
Having some other permanents, the deck is mainly counting on 《Sedge Troll》 who can regenerate himself, and this enables to get clear advantage with 《Nevinyrral's Disk》. It is a great control deck but probably less powerful than THE Deck.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00DIscoTroll.png)
- DiscoTroll
4 《Badlands》
4 《Volcanic Island》
4 《Underground Sea》
4 《Mishra's Factory》
2 《City of Brass》
2 《Maze of Ith》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (25)- 4 《Sedge Troll》
1 《Mahamoti Djinn》
1 《Shivan Dragon》
-Creature (6)-
1 《Ancestral Recall》
1 《Twiddle》
3 《Counterspell》
1 《Demonic Tutor》
1 《Time Walk》
1 《Mana Drain》
1 《Mind Twist》
1 《Recall》
2 《Fireball》
1 《Braingeyser》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Chaos Orb》
1 《Mana Vault》
1 《Time Vault》
4 《Nevinyrral's Disk》
-Spell (29)-
3 《Red Elemental Blast》
2 《Shatter》
2 《City in a Bottle》
1 《Maze of Ith》
1 《Sol'kanar the Swamp King》
1 《Sinkhole》
1 《Boomerang》
1 《Ivory Tower》
-Sideboard (15)-
RG Aggro
Probably the fastest deck in the format. Small creatures supported by Burn and Boost spells are like berserks. It’s a great deck but fragile against decks with a lot of removals. It’s possible to splash blue for 《Serendib Efreet》, 《Ancestral Recall》, 《Timetwister》, 《Braingeyser》, and 《Time Walk》 instead of the Boost spells to make it more consistent, but it will decrease the speed.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00RGAggro.png)
- RG Aggro
3 《Mountain》
4 《Taiga》
2 《City of Brass》
2 《Mishra's Factory》
1 《Strip Mine》
1 《Hammerheim》
-Land (19)- 4 《Kird Ape》
3 《Llanowar Elves》
4 《Argothian Pixies》
2 《Elvish Archers》
4 《Erhnam Djinn》
-Creature (17)-
4 《Chain Lightning》
4 《Giant Growth》
3 《Berserk》
1 《Regrowth》
1 《Wheel of Fortune》
1 《Fireball》
2 《Sylvan Library》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Mox Emerald》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Chaos Orb》
-Spell (24)-
3 《Blood Moon》
2 《Whirling Dervish》
2 《Shatter》
2 《Tranquility》
1 《Disintegrate》
1 《Shatterstorm》
1 《Concordant Crossroads》
-Sideboard (15)-
White Weenie
It’s a classic ! Fast and consistent that can win a game just by playing 《Armageddon》at the right moment. The deck is very weak to 《Earthquake》, but this card is only played by UR Burn and Blue Moon.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00WW.png)
- White Weenie
4 《Mishra's Factory》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (17)- 4 《Savannah Lions》
4 《Tundra Wolves》
4 《White Knight》
4 《Thunder Spirit》
1 《Serra Angel》
-Creature (17)-
4 《Disenchant》
1 《Balance》
2 《ハルマゲドン》
1 《Wrath of God》
3 《Spirit Link》
3 《Land Tax》
4 《Crusade》
4 《Black Vise》
1 《Sol Ring》
-Spell (27)-
3 《Circle of Protection: Red》
2 《Preacher》
2 《Divine Offering》
2 《Dust to Dust》
1 《Spirit Link》
1 《Circle of Protection: Black》
1 《Wrath of God》
-Sideboard (15)-
Mono Red Atog
It’s a mono red artifact deck with 《Blood Moon》, 《Mishra's Workshop》, 《Triskelion》, 《Juggernaut》, 《Su-Chi》, and 《Atog》. The deck is nice but missing Blue spoilers.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00MonoRedAtog.png)
- Mono Red Atog
4 《Mishra's Factory》
1 《Strip Mine》
1 《Mishra's Workshop》
1 《Maze of Ith》
-Land (18)- 1 《Atog》
1 《Orcish Mechanics》
4 《Juggernaut》
4 《Su-Chi》
2 《Mountain Yeti》
1 《Shivan Dragon》
1 《Triskelion》
2 《Tetravus》
-Creature (16)-
2 《Disintegrate》
2 《Fireball》
1 《Fork》
1 《Wheel of Fortune》
3 《Blood Moon》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Emerald》
1 《Mox Pearl》
1 《Mox Jet》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Mana Vault》
1 《Black Vise》
1 《City in a Bottle》
2 《Fellwar Stone》
1 《Chaos Orb》
1 《Jalum Tome》
1 《Disrupting Scepter》
1 《Nevinyrral's Disk》
-Spell (27)-
3 《Shatter》
3 《Nevinyrral's Disk》
1 《Diamond Valley》
1 《Lightning Bolt》
1 《Disintegrate》
1 《Blood Moon》
1 《City in a Bottle》
1 《Icy Manipulator》
-Sideboard (15)-
The rest of the metagame is about some interesting combo decks. If you are interested in it, you can find more ideas and details here: Old School Decks
Eternal Weekend Europe 2018 (Paris, France)
During this weekend, 45 players fought for the title of the European Old School Champion. The happy winner was not a nameless one, but the old pro-player Pierre Canali.
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00pedro.jpg)
Image Copyright: MAGIC BAZAR
- Name: Pierre Canali
- Age: 35
- Nationality: France
Occupation / Hobbies outside MTG:
Father of a 2-year old boy / travels and every kind of games.
When did you start MTG? Which set? How did you first meet the game?
In 1995 with Ice Age. My best friend introduced me Magic: The Gathering when I was 13 years old. After my first game with my 《Llanowar Elves》 and 《Craw Wurm》, I thought that I was going to play this game a long time.
Previous achievements:
- Won Pro Tour Columbus 2005
- Rookie of the Year Season 2004/2005
- Top 8 GP Torino 2006
About the Champion’s Old School Deck
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00BlueMoon.png)
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/media/blog/201805/00BlueMoonSB2.png)
- Pierre Canali
- – Blue Moon
- European Championship Old School
- (1st)
2 《Mountain》
4 《Volcanic Island》
4 《Mishra's Factory》
2 《City of Brass》
1 《Library of Alexandria》
1 《Strip Mine》
-Land (21)- 4 《Serendib Efreet》
-Creature (4)-
1 《Ancestral Recall》
4 《Counterspell》
1 《Time Walk》
1 《Mana Drain》
4 《Psionic Blast》
1 《Timetwister》
1 《Wheel of Fortune》
3 《Fireball》
3 《Earthquake》
2 《Power Sink》
1 《Recall》
1 《Braingeyser》
3 《Blood Moon》
1 《Black Lotus》
1 《Mox Ruby》
1 《Mox Sapphire》
1 《Sol Ring》
1 《Chaos Orb》
-Spell (35)-
4 《Energy Flux》
3 《Blue Elemental Blast》
2 《Control Magic》
1 《Earthquake》
1 《Blood Moon》
-Sideboard (15)-
Last year, I reached the 3rd place at the same tournament with a decklist very close to this one but with more red cards. This time I chose to play mainly blue and splash red with 《Blood Moon》 maindeck.
How did the deck work?
Like every 《Blood Moon》 deck in every format, 《Counterspell》, 《Power Sink》, 《Psionic Blast》, and 《Lightning Bolt》 to dominate the early turns. 《Earthquake》 to clean the board. Then, play 《Blood Moon》 to close the game against most of the best decks of the metagame. It’s still possible to cycling the useless 《Blood Moon》 with 《Recall》, 《Wheel of Fortune》, or 《Timetwister》. You finish the game with the help of 《Serendib Efreet》 and 《Fireball》. This deck is running more lands than classic UR Burn Decks (25).
I chose this deck because:
Sideboard Utilization
Against “THE Deck”
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/hareruyalogo_w220.png)
Against “THE Deck”
In
Against “Underworld Dreams ”
![](https://files.hareruyamtg.com/cms/hareruyalogo_w220.png)
Against “Underworld Dreams”
In
The rest of the sideboard is very easy to use. 《Red Elemental Blast》 against Blue decks, 《Blue Elemental Blast》 against Red Decks. 《Control Magic》 and 《Earthquake》 against Aggro. 《Blood Moon》 against decks with many colors. 《Energy Flux》 against Artifact decks.
Any changes
Maybe minus 1 《Fireball》 for 1 more 《Power Sink》.
Tournament TOP 8 decks / matchups:
Quarter Final: Mono Black 《Hymn to Tourach》 Splash Blue.
Semi Final: THE Deck
Final: URG Aggro
Conclusion
Old School is a blast to play and its games are super interactive and interesting.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article,
Jeremy DEZANI
p.s. Special thanks to Pierre Canali
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