Standard

The Rundown – 1/2/2015

The Rundown is a weekly feature that shows the results of local tournaments in Montreal and interesting decks around the world that we find for you guys to try out at your next FNM. No elaborate discussion, just list after list after list.

It’s been a while… The last time I did this was in 2011 for 32 weeks straight. Let’s jump right back in!

The Online Metagame

People are calling this the most diverse Standard metagame in a long time and if we go by the MTGO stats provided by MTGGoldfish, I would be hard-pressed to disagree.

Abzan Aggro 10.41%
UW Heroic 9.33%
Jeskai Tokens 8.89%
Abzan Midrange 6.72%
Mardu Midrange 6.07%

Despite Whip decks ultimately taking down some of the biggest tournaments in the world these past couple of weekends, the Big Three online consists of Abzan Aggro, UW Heroic, and Jeskai Tokens.

Most people online have adopted the list which is credited to Andrew Tenjum (4 [card]Anafenza, the Foremost[/card] and 4 [card]Wingmate Roc[/card]). Brian Braun-Duin played the following at a recent PTQ and shares his thoughts in his article.

Abzan Aggro – Brian Braun-Duin

[deck]
[Lands]
3 Caves of Koilos
1 Forest
3 Llanowar Wastes
2 Plains
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
3 Temple of Malady
3 Temple of Silence
2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
4 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]
[Spells]
3 Abzan Charm
4 Bile Blight
3 Hero’s Downfall
1 Murderous Cut
4 Thoughtseize
[/Spells]
[Creatures]
4 Anafenza, the Foremost
4 Fleecemane Lion
4 Rakshasa Deathdealer
4 Siege Rhino
4 Wingmate Roc
[/Creatures]
[Sideboard]
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Murderous Cut
4 Drown in Sorrow
2 Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
3 Glare of Heresy
3 Back to Nature
[/Sideboard]
[/deck]

It’s been stated many times that the deck is exceptionally strong when it curves out and that its biggest weakness is its own manabase. Sometimes, it’s not even about getting the right colours. It’s just that in certain cases, you can find yourself losing significant life to your own painlands which can hinder your ability to race.

The Last Sun 2014

According to its website, The Last Sun is an exclusive, invitation-only year-end tournament organized by Hareruya. Over the span of two days, participants play a total of 7 rounds of Standard and 7 rounds of Modern. They have added an extra wrinkle to the top 8. The player who finishes higher in the Swiss standings gets to choose whether the match will be a Standard one or a Modern one.

The tournament attracted some of the biggest names in Japanese Magic, including Hall of Famer Kenji Tsumura and 2014 World Championship participant Yuuki Ichikawa.

RG Monsters is creeping up in popularity online and it is worth noting that out of the eight decks that produced a record of 6-1 or better in the Standard portion of the tournament, two of them were RG Monsters.

RG Monsters – Takeyuki Matsubara

[deck]
[Lands]
7 Forest
2 Mana Confluence
7 Mountain
4 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]
[Spells]
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
3 Crater’s Claws
4 Lightning Strike
[/Spells]
[Creatures]
3 Ashcloud Phoenix
4 Boon Satyr
4 Elvish Mystic
4 Fanatic of Xenagos
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Heir of the Wilds
4 Stormbreath Dragon
[/Creatures]
[Sideboard]
4 Magma Spray
3 Barrage of Boulders
2 Back to Nature
2 Destructive Revelry
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
2 Nissa, Worldwaker
[/Sideboard]
[/deck]

For all the information about the event, click here!

The Local Metagame

Right before Christmas, Maxime Choquette won a PPTQ with GB Constellation in Longueuil, Quebec. Here’s his 75:

GB Constellation – Maxime Choquette

[deck]
[Lands]
5 Forest
2 Jungle Hollow
4 Llanowar Wastes
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Swamp
4 Temple of Malady
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]
[Spells]
2 Commune with the Gods
1 Hero’s Downfall
4 Murderous Cut
2 Thoughtseize
3 Whip of Erebos
[/Spells]
[Creatures]
4 Courser of Kruphix
3 Doomwake Giant
4 Eidolon of Blossoms
2 Elvish Mystic
3 Hornet Queen
2 Pharika, God of Affliction
4 Satyr Wayfinder
4 Sylvan Caryatid
[/Creatures]
[Sideboard]
2 Thoughtseize
3 Hero’s Downfall
4 Arbor Colossus
2 Reclamation Sage
1 Drown in Sorrow
1 Bile Blight
2 Read the Bones
[/Sideboard]
[/deck]

With the help of Ménard Comics and the judges of the event (William Blondon & Kyle Ryc), I was able to assemble a metagame view of the 49-player event.

PPTQ Metagame Breakdown

Jeskai Tokens 9
Abzan Whip 6
Abzan Midrange/Control 6
GB Constellation 3
Mardu Midrange 3
Jeskai Aggro 3
RW Aggro 2
Sultai Whip 2
Temur Midrange 2
UW Heroic 2
5C Chromanticore 1
Abzan Aggro 1
BW Aggro 1
4C Midrange 1
Grixis Control 1
Mono Red 1
Naya Midrange 1
RG Monsters 1
Sultai Constellation 1
UB Control 1
UW Control 1

There was an absurd amount of different decks in the room. It’s a great time to be enjoying Standard Magic, so go out there and play!

Good luck!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments