In the world of competitive Magic, there are few things more exciting than a breakout deck. Not only is it great to see new strategies perform well, but such decks often cause a fallout that, in turn, shifts the entire format. This past weekend, we saw a prime example of this theory in action, as Izzet Demilich absolutely dominated the MTG Arena Historic Qualifier. By combining an established archetype with spicy digital tech, this list is poised to take the format in a new direction.
Izzet Demilich Breaks The MTG Historic Qualifier
This new Historic Demilich brew is the brainchild of MTG player Jitse Goutbeek, and it made a hell of a first impression this weekend. Not only did it carry Goutbeek to a flawless 15-0 finish in the Arena Qualifier, but it allowed their six teammates to qualify for the Arena Championships as well. Overall, according to teammate Jonny Guttman, the win rate for the deck was around 77.6% in the event.
That’s an insane figure for any deck, but doubly so for what is essentially a newcomer to the format. While it’s reminiscent of Izzet Phoenix decks in both Modern and Pioneer, Izzet Demilich is brand-new for Historic. The deck relies on the titular Skeleton Wizard, as well as Arclight Phoenix, as its core value and tempo engines. Alongside this duo, it runs many of the best cantrips in MTG history, to help get the best out of these core cards.
Between Faithless Looting, Ponder, Thought Scour, and Consider, the deck is replete with one-mana ways to dig. It also runs a full playset of Manamorphose, which costs more up front but refunds your mana to fuel more spells afterwards. These cards do an excellent job of getting Demilich and Phoenix into your ‘yard, while also fulfilling the conditions necessary to ‘cheat’ them out.
Running so many cantrips also powers up the deck’s other big payoffs, Treasure Cruise and Deem Inferior. Both of these cards can easily be discounted to just one mana, at which point they’re some of the best draw and removal that Magic has ever seen. Cruise helps the deck keep pace and avoid burning out, while Deem Inferior handles tricky Historic threats like Barrowgoyf and Atraxa, Grand Unifier.
Evolve Or Die
What’s really interesting about Izzet Demilich, as Goutbeek outlined in his comprehensive deck guide, is how flexible it is. For the most part, the list is geared towards Midrange play, with Demilich and Phoenix being resilient threats that perform well over time. Constant cantrips keep the resources flowing, allowing you to recur your creatures and out-value your opponent.
Thanks to a few key inclusions, however, the deck can also pivot to an Aggro/Tempo plan if so inclined. Chain Lightning is the clutch card here, dealing with Guide of Souls or Mother of Runes early while also going face if you’re pushing. In a similar vein, Swiftspear’s Teachings is another cantrip for the deck’s core plan, but it also lets you run out Demilich with Haste for an immediate swing-and-copy.
Because the deck is so dense with cantrips, it’s capable of playing both of these strategies with ease. Typically, you’ll spend the first turn or two setting up with cantrips, before exploding into a combination of removal and threats around turn three. While this sounds slow, the deck can swing things so effectively with Deem Inferior and Demilich/Phoenix that you can easily seize the driver’s seat. From here, it can manage the game in a manner befitting the matchup.
A Flash In The Pan?
Izzet Demilich put on a stellar performance in the MTG Arena Historic Qualifier, and its position in the format is looking quite strong already. The deck performs extremely well against two of the biggest lists in Historic right now, in Jund Midrange and Dimir Psychic Frog.
Jund’s pricey threats make easy targets for Deem Inferior, and Demilich outperforms it cards-wise thanks to all of its cantrips. While Jund can fight back with Surgical Extraction on Demilich, Noxious Revival gives you an easy out to that. For Psychic Frog, the deck struggles to get threats past Arclight Phoenix, and all your graveyard interaction makes their Counterspells awkward.
The deck isn’t perfect, mind you, and it does have some rough matchups in Jeskai Auras and Azorius High Noon. Jeskai Auras is tough because it outclasses your threats with stacked-up creatures of its own. It can also shut you down entirely with its four-of Rest in Peace, which is a brutal post-board play. As for High Noon, being limited to one spell a turn really hurts Demilich’s game plan, forcing you to dig for a way to remove it. Even post-sideboard, this can be a tricky task to accomplish.
Overall, Izzet Demilich feels like a strong new contender in Historic. While it has its weaknesses, it also has plenty of play in the format, as its results over the weekend prove. Moving forward, this is an up-and-comer to watch to be sure, especially if Wizards lets certain new Mystical Archive cards into the format without pre-bans.
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