The coolest and most memorable aspect of Secrets of Strixhaven is undoubtedly the presence of Power Nine spells attached to Prepared cards. While players do have to put in the work to cast them in the first place, reaching that goal is certainly attainable, and the reward is massive.
Interestingly, now it appears that an Azorius Control deck designed to abuse this mechanic has emerged in Standard. With a Magic Online Challenge win under its belt, this deck could be the real deal.
A Unique Line of Control Finishers
As you might expect from a control deck, this archetype played by Magic Online user jtl005 is looking to prolong the game as long as possible so its finishers can take over. To prevent yourself from getting run over,
Seam Rip
Seam Rip
When this enchantment enters, exile target nonland permanent an opponent controls with mana value 2 or less until this enchantment leaves the battlefield.
and
Get Lost
Get Lost
Destroy target creature, enchantment, or planeswalker. Its controller creates two Map tokens. (They're artifacts with "{1}, {T}, Sacrifice this token: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery.")
serve as efficient answers to creatures. From there,
No More Lies
No More Lies
Counter target spell unless its controller pays {3}. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard.
and
Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead
Spree (Choose one or more additional costs.)
+ {1}{U} — Counter target spell.
+ {3} — Create a token that's a copy of target artifact or creature you control.
+ {2} — Draw two cards, then discard a card.
stop problematic noncreature spells from resolving.
Where this deck starts to get really interesting, though, is with its creature package. While many control decks rely on Planeswalkers to cement their advantage, this deck utilizes full playsets of
Emeritus of Truce
Emeritus of Truce
When this creature enters, target player creates a 1/1 white and black Inkling creature token with flying. Then if an opponent controls more creatures than you, this creature becomes prepared. (While it's prepared, you may cast a copy of its spell. Doing so unprepares it.)
and
Emeritus of Ideation
Emeritus of Ideation
Flying, ward {2}
This creature enters prepared.
Whenever this creature attacks, you may exile eight cards from your graveyard. If you do, this creature becomes prepared.
to dominate the late game. The former provides some solid disruption on a sizeable body, while the latter nets you lots of card advantage at little cost.
Then, to turbocharge these threats even further,
Skycoach Waypoint
Skycoach Waypoint
{T}: Add {C}.
{3}, {T}: Target creature becomes prepared. (Only creatures with prepare spells can become prepared.)
makes it possible to cast their broken Prepared spells every turn! The combination of this land and Emeritus of Truce essentially locks your opponent out of ever getting creatures to stick. Then, once you’ve stabilized, casting
Ancestral Recall
Ancestral Recall
Target player draws three cards.
every turn will negate all hopes of your opponent ever climbing back into the game.
The only downside is that this synergy requires a lot of mana to execute. Luckily,
Bender’s Waterskin
Bender’s Waterskin
Untap this artifact during each other player's untap step.
{T}: Add one mana of any color.
gives you a burst of extra mana, helping you activate Skycoach Waypoint, cast Ancestral Recall, and even protect the beefy Wizard. This mana rock’s untap ability also comes in clutch, enabling you to curve into Emeritus of Ideation on turn four and then cast Ancestral Recall on your opponent’s turn.
Beating the Top Decks
Despite its slightly unorthodox approach, Azorius Control lines up well against a lot of the current top-tier Standard decks, particularly creature decks. Against the best deck out there, Mono-Green Landfall, the Prepared package is a game changer. Emeritus of Truce + Skycoach Waypoint ensures you never get punked by
Mightform Harmonizer
Mightform Harmonizer
Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, double the power of target creature you control until end of turn.
Warp {2}{G} (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
. From there, Mono-Green’s lack of removal or fliers makes it easy for Emeritus of Ideation to turn the corner.
At the same time, against other creature-dense strategies like Mono-Red Aggro or Boros Dragons, these threats also do a great job brickwalling attackers. Emeritus of Ideation outsizes even the likes of
Nova Hellkite
Nova Hellkite
Flying, haste
When this creature enters, it deals 1 damage to target creature an opponent controls.
Warp {2}{R} (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
, and its Ward ability makes it nearly impossible to kill via multiple burn spells.
As innovative as this deck is, though, there are still some matchups where the more traditional Four-Color Control shell would have an easier time. Without access to
Inevitable Defeat
Inevitable Defeat
This spell can't be countered.
Exile target nonland permanent. Its controller loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.
, for example, you have few ways to cleanly answer
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares
Ninjutsu {1}{U}{B} ({1}{U}{B}, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card onto the battlefield from your hand tapped and attacking.)
During your turn, as long as Kaito has one or more loyalty counters on him, he's a 3/4 Ninja creature and has hexproof.
+1: You get an emblem with "Ninjas you control get +1/+1."
0: Surveil 2. Then draw a card for each opponent who lost life this turn.
−2: Tap target creature. Put two stun counters on it.
out of Dimir Midrange. Then, in control mirrors, relying on creatures to close games rather than
Jeskai Revelation
Jeskai Revelation
Return target spell or permanent to its owner's hand. Jeskai Revelation deals 4 damage to any target. Create two 1/1 white Monk creature tokens with prowess. Draw two cards. You gain 4 life.
can be a liability.
With control decks far less popular than creature strategies right now, this deck can certainly make a strong metacall. This isn’t the first brew designed to exploit the recent metagame that’s found success, either, and it’s awesome to see brews flourishing. Following its dominant Challenge win, expect Azorius Control to pop up more in the coming weeks.
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