When Adventures in the Forgotten Realms released on Magic Arena last week, Wizards of the Coast implemented the “Standard 2022” play queues. These new queues are designed to give players a test Standard almost post rotation. The sets that are legal in these queues are:
- Zendikar Rising
- Kaldheim
- Strixhaven
- Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
–
Very quickly, this game mode was met with a lot of positivity! Many pro players and personalities tweeting that they love the change to the format, and that there should be a best of 3 queue implemented, since right now, it’s only best of 1. Jeff Hoogland even decided to host his “Hooglandia Open” tournament this past weekend with the format to a lot of success. I’ve taken a chance to play this format, and here’s the 3 decks that you should be trying out in the Standard 2022 queues
Izzet Dragons
The first deck is Izzet Dragons. This deck is already a power house deck in the current iteration of standard, and a lot of the pieces are still legal post rotation. This control decks looks to play counter magic and removal, and then sticks
Goldspan Dragon
Goldspan Dragon
Flying, haste
Whenever this creature attacks or becomes the target of a spell, create a Treasure token.
Treasures you control have "{T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Add two mana of any one color."
and
Galazeth Prismari
Galazeth Prismari
Flying
When Galazeth Prismari enters, create a Treasure token.
Artifacts you control have "{T}: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast an instant or sorcery spell."
to punch in for damage. They close out the game with
Alrund’s Epiphany
Alrund’s Epiphany
Create two 1/1 blue Bird creature tokens with flying. Take an extra turn after this one. Exile Alrund's Epiphany.
Foretell {4}{U}{U} (During your turn, you may pay {2} and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)
. If you’ve played Izzet Dragons in the current standard, definitely give this one a shot.
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Simic Ramp
The next deck is Simic Ramp. This list was made by Autumn Burchett. This deck looks to ramp pretty aggressively to play some big threats.
Iymrith, Desert Doom
Iymrith, Desert Doom
Flying
Iymrith has ward {4} as long as it's untapped.
Whenever Iymrith deals combat damage to a player, draw a card. Then if you have fewer than three cards in hand, draw cards equal to the difference.
can be played on turn 4 to start the beat down and keep the board at bay, and you quickly top out at
Koma, Cosmos Serpent
Koma, Cosmos Serpent
This spell can't be countered.
At the beginning of each upkeep, create a 3/3 blue Serpent creature token named Koma's Coil.
Sacrifice another Serpent: Choose one —
• Tap target permanent. Its activated abilities can't be activated this turn.
• Koma gains indestructible until end of turn.
and
Cyclone Summoner
Cyclone Summoner
When this creature enters, if you cast it from your hand, return all permanents to their owners' hands except for Giants, Wizards, and lands.
. The deck takes advantage of the Learn mechanic as well, which has fallen by the wayside since it’s release. If you like ramp and playing big stompy creatures, definitely try this out.
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Mono Green Aggro
The last deck we’ll talk about, and the one that I think is the best in the format is Mono Green Aggro. While this deck loses quite a bit of powerful cards from the rotation, it gained a lot from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
Ranger Class
Ranger Class
(Gain the next level as a sorcery to add its ability.)
When this Class enters, create a 2/2 green Wolf creature token.
{1}{G}: Level 2
Whenever you attack, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature.
{3}{G}: Level 3
You may look at the top card of your library any time.
You may cast creature spells from the top of your library.
and
Werewolf Pack Leader
Werewolf Pack Leader
Pack tactics — Whenever this creature attacks, if you attacked with creatures with total power 6 or greater this combat, draw a card.
{3}{G}: Until end of turn, this creature has base power and toughness 5/3, gains trample, and isn't a Human.
really bring the pain early on. We get to follow that up with some creatures that are definitely a bit above the curve stats wise. This deck breaks a steady stream of power to overwhelm the board very quickly and it doesn’t let up. If you’re looking to play a tournament, or climb the ladder ranks in this queue, I highly recommend that you try this deck out.
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The new standard format is shaping up to be really exciting. When we remove the powerful, pushed sets that were Throne of Eldraine, Theros Beyond Death, and Ikoria, Land of Behemoths, the format feels fresh and fun. What’s your favorite deck for this new world of standard? Let us know in the comments!