MTGO
ARENA
5 New Decks to Beat the Phyrexia: All Will be ONE Standard
Intro: A new deck-building scenario.
Phyrexia One will arrive soon. This set brings in some major shifts in deckbuilding for Standard . In my opinion, these are the key changes:
1. The Fastlands Change Everything
Fastlands unlock two/three-color aggro builds that were previously impossible with Slowlands and Triomes.
Fastlands allow decks to be built with fewer lands on average. The Painland/Slowland build required a high number of lands to guarantee an untapped turn 2 land, which is what made midrange so popular in the last format. This time, Fastlands should incentivize players to build more aggressive decks and lighter midrange decks.
2. A Faster Format
2 drops are becoming more important and should define what builds end up being competitive. I think Bankbuster will be less popular in this faster format, and decks should look to find some new, good threats at two mana.
3. Fable is Still a Defining Card
There is no current three-drop that can compete with Fable, the best Fable build is probably going to be Standard's best deck, but there might be many more options for building around it.
This set doesn't have many new answers, but it has a ton of threats that could use new builds, so I will rely on the previous sets for answers.
The new decks!
The following deck ideas are very volatile; I have high hopes for them, but the failure rate might be high. My goal is to find a deck that is 50/50 or better against Grixis and Mono Red, as I believe these decks represent midrange and aggro well.
1. Danitha Reanimator
$383/287.88 Tix
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [22] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| 4 Scrapwork Mutt | $0.39 | |
| 4 Danitha, Benalia's Hope | $0.59 | |
| 4 Skrelv, Defector Mite | $5.49 | |
| 3 Raffine's Informant | $0.35 | |
| 2 Guardian of New Benalia | $0.49 | |
| 1 The Restoration of Eiganjo | $0.79 | |
| Artifact [5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Dragonwing Glider | $0.49 | |
| 1 Sword of Forge and Frontier | $11.99 | |
| Sorcery [3] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Invoke Justice | $0.49 | |
| Enchantment [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Draconic Destiny | $0.99 | |
| Planeswalker [3] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 The Wandering Emperor | $29.99 | |
| 1 Nahiri, the Unforgiving | $0.99 | |
| Land [25] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Battlefield Forge | $0.99 | |
| 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $9.99 | |
| 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 4 Sundown Pass | $12.99 | |
| 4 Jetmir's Garden | $22.99 | |
| 11 Plains | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Lay Down Arms | $0.35 | |
| 4 Wedding Announcement | $12.99 | |
| 3 Skrelv's Hive | $4.49 | |
| 4 Phyrexian Vindicator | $4.99 | |
$83.44 Tix @cardhoarder
$2.09 / Week @cardhoarder
$304.78 @tcgplayer
$446.29 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
I like reanimator decks with a midrange plan because they have the ability to win in a fair game even when they are missing a few combo pieces.
This deck features a lot of efficient looters in an attempt to discard Draconic Destiny and Dragonwing Glider, looking to reanimate them with Danitha or Invoke Justice.
The backup plan is Guardian of Benalia, which serves as a threat that protects itself and is good with equipment and enchantments. The sideboard features a transformational plan, as equipping isn't very effective versus heavy removal decks, so you can sideboard out Danitha and the equipment to become a token midrange deck with some answers.
2. Protect the Sheoldred
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [31] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Melira, the Living Cure | $0.49 | |
| 4 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| 2 Katilda, Dawnhart Prime | $0.69 | |
| 3 Ao, the Dawn Sky | $1.99 | |
| 4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben | $0.79 | |
| 3 Skrelv, Defector Mite | $5.49 | |
| 2 Loran of the Third Path | $4.99 | |
| 2 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar | $12.99 | |
| 2 Phyrexian Missionary | $0.35 | |
| 4 Glissa Sunslayer | $4.49 | |
| 1 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor | $24.99 | |
| Land [29] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Plaza of Heroes | $9.99 | |
| 4 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $9.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 3 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $12.99 | |
| 4 Razorverge Thicket | $2.79 | |
| 4 Shattered Sanctum | $21.99 | |
| 4 Brushland | $3.99 | |
| 4 Caves of Koilos | $0.59 | |
| 1 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tail Swipe | $0.35 | |
| 2 Destroy Evil | $1.99 | |
| 2 The Wandering Emperor | $29.99 | |
| 2 Brutal Cathar | $0.99 | |
| 1 Phyrexian Missionary | $0.35 | |
| 4 Extraction Specialist | $0.69 | |
| 2 The Cruelty of Gix | $4.49 | |
$102.31 Tix @cardhoarder
$2.56 / Week @cardhoarder
$632.03 @tcgplayer
$784.77 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
This new set has Melira and Skrelv, two legendary creatures that can protect Sheoldred the moment she hits the board on turn 4, without requiring any untapped mana, as a counterspell or hexproof spell would.
Having many legendary creatures is a great excuse to play 4 Eiganjo, one of the most underrated cards in the format. It's a land that can even turn into a removal for as little as 1 mana in such a deck.
I think the legendary theme is getting a lot better with this set. This is a build designed around Sheoldred rather than splashing it as a good threat. There are seven ways to protect Sheoldred: three AO's to summon it from your library and three Takenuma's to get it back from the graveyard. Glissa is a backup threat to Sheoldred that is very powerful and can benefit from protection as well.
Sideboard has some reactive cards for clashing with creature decks, and Extraction Specialist, which is really good against cheap removal decks, and especially red aggro.
3. Monogreen Tokens Ramp
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Topiary Stomper | $2.79 | |
| 4 Azusa's Many Journeys | $0.35 | |
| 3 Shigeki, Jukai Visionary | $1.79 | |
| 4 Gala Greeters | $0.79 | |
| 4 Rustvine Cultivator | $0.35 | |
| 2 Jinnie Fay, Jetmir's Second | $0.69 | |
| 2 Zopandrel, Hunger Dominus | $12.99 | |
| Sorcery [7] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Awaken the Woods | $14.99 | |
| 3 Titania's Command | $1.49 | |
| Planeswalker [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Nissa, Ascended Animist | $4.49 | |
| Land [26] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mirrex | $7.99 | |
| 24 Forest | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Thrun, Breaker of Silence | $0.49 | |
| 3 Zenith Chronicler | $0.69 | |
| 2 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.69 | |
| 2 The Filigree Sylex | $0.49 | |
| 2 Workshop Warchief | $0.49 | |
| 2 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
| 2 Cankerbloom | $0.49 | |
$11.08 Tix @cardhoarder
$0.99 / Week @cardhoarder
$103.77 @tcgplayer
$160.41 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
In order for Monogreen Ramp to be fast enough, it needs some acceleration. Rustvine Cultivator might be good enough as a turn-1 play; this deck desperately needs it, and it can be later used by your end-game threats.
This deck is pretty simple; it is ramping through creatures and is looking to resolve one game-winning threat, which is either Nissa, Titania's Command or Zopandrel.
This deck utilizes Nissa really well; it uses creatures to ramp into Nissa, making the ultimate of Nissa +7/+7 trample to all the small creatures you have accumulated in the game, even in the same turn you cast her. The sideboard has many new cards to adapt your deck better versus either aggro or midrange.
4. Rakdos Anvil
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [16] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| 4 Bloodtithe Harvester | $0.35 | |
| 4 Voldaren Epicure | $0.39 | |
| 4 Exuberant Fuseling | $0.35 | |
| Artifact [12] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Transmogrant's Crown | $0.49 | |
| 4 Experimental Synthesizer | $0.99 | |
| 4 Oni-Cult Anvil | $0.35 | |
| 3 Blood Fountain | $0.35 | |
| Instant [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Voltage Surge | $0.35 | |
| Sorcery [5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Annihilating Glare | $0.35 | |
| 3 Gleeful Demolition | $2.49 | |
| Enchantment [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Yotia Declares War | $0.35 | |
| Land [21] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $12.99 | |
| 4 Blackcleave Cliffs | $2.79 | |
| 4 Haunted Ridge | $8.99 | |
| 4 Sulfurous Springs | $1.79 | |
| 3 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| 4 Mountain | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ob Nixilis, the Adversary | $6.49 | |
| 3 Cut Down | $1.29 | |
| 1 Abrade | $0.35 | |
| 4 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 1 Soul Transfer | $0.49 | |
| 2 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.69 | |
| 1 Gleeful Demolition | $2.49 | |
| 1 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
$58.03 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.45 / Week @cardhoarder
$145.63 @tcgplayer
$208.57 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
This is the good old Rakdos Anvil deck looking to make a comeback with some new tools acquired, namely Exuberant Fuseling and Gleeful Demolition (replacing Abrade).
They are looking to make Experimental Synthesizer much better than before; this time, this deck is aiming to kill faster with its one-drops rather than always going deep into the late game versus midrange decks that overpower it.
The big weakness of such a deck is Brotherhood's End two modes, so the four Duress in the sideboard is a lame but mandatory solution to that problem.
5. Naya Legends Aggro
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [33] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feldon, Ronom Excavator | $0.49 | |
| 4 Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard | $1.29 | |
| 4 Melira, the Living Cure | $0.49 | |
| 2 Skrelv, Defector Mite | $5.49 | |
| 4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben | $0.79 | |
| 2 Ognis, the Dragon's Lash | $0.49 | |
| 3 Halana and Alena, Partners | $2.29 | |
| 1 Halana and Alena, Partners | $2.29 | |
| 1 Squee, Dubious Monarch | $1.29 | |
| 3 Risona, Asari Commander | $0.49 | |
| 3 Reckless Stormseeker | $2.79 | |
| 3 Ao, the Dawn Sky | $1.99 | |
| Land [27] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Plaza of Heroes | $9.99 | |
| 4 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 4 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $9.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 4 Razorverge Thicket | $2.79 | |
| 4 Copperline Gorge | $3.99 | |
| 4 Jetmir's Garden | $22.99 | |
| 2 Battlefield Forge | $0.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Extraction Specialist | $0.69 | |
| 2 Strangle | $0.35 | |
| 2 Valorous Stance | $0.35 | |
| 2 The Wandering Emperor | $29.99 | |
| 2 Cankerbloom | $0.49 | |
| 2 Brutal Cathar | $0.99 | |
| 1 Elspeth Resplendent | $4.49 | |
| 1 Arlinn, the Pack's Hope | $2.99 | |
$60.10 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.50 / Week @cardhoarder
$288.20 @tcgplayer
$400.79 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
There is something very powerful about casting channelands cheaply; it justifies playing a high number of lands so you can always get to play Magic.
As you can see, I am really high on Melira, and I think this is the time for Hajar to shine.
This is all possible thanks to the fastlands, there are some hidden synergies in this deck such as Ognis with Hasters/Sokenzan but Halana is the most important creature as it can make your creatures bigger than enemy blockers compensating for the lack of removal.
Giving Haste to Ao is also pretty cool and will happen often considering we got 7 ways to do that. Sideboard tries to cover the deck’s big problem of dying to cheap removal like cut down by having some planeswalkers and of course Extraction Specialist
Final words: predictions about Standard
I think there were two important factors limiting Standard's deckbuilding up to now: one of them was the existence of Fable, and the other was having really slow manabases that promoted heavy midrange decks. With one of these two out of the way, I think this set opens up deckbuilding more than the average set, and there are a lot of new builds to be found.
Sign Up for MTGDecks newsletter
You'll receive a weekly email with more articles like this.
MTGO Grinder
Mogged is one of the MTGO grinders behind many of the top winning decks across formats. He has the most Challenge top8s and wins in 2021, and is currently leading in Challenge wins in 2022. His articles show a deep understanding of the MTG theory and are great for those looking to improve their gameplay, better understanding the game, and learning how the metagame evolves over time.
