Standard: Dimir Control (Dimir Dragons) - Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

Dimir Control is another option available in Standard. It got some decent backup in the last set and now combines the excellent black removal kit with all the value blue creates.

The idea behind this deck, like any Control strategy, is to stabilize the board and make the opponent exhaust their resources until they can't do anything else and the game is under your control.

Scavenger Regent and Marang River Regent show what this deck can do and should do really well. They're both Dragons and have the Omen ability, which, as a mechanic, is very similar to Adventure. You can either cast it as an instant or sorcery and shuffle it back into your deck, or as a creature.

This deck can also be called Dimir Dragons thanks to the two Regents in it that are also its main win conditions. One is a removal, and the other creates card advantage whenever you need it.

As a result, this deck also takes advantage of Dispelling Exhale as its main counter as much as possible.

Another important piece is Consult the Star Charts, which is this list's main way to create card advantage. Early on, it is similar to Impulse, and later on, with its Kicker, it can turn into a Memory Deluge.

Why Play Dimir Control in Standard

Playing Dimir Control is like being the architect of the match. After all, this list combines the best answers (in blue) with the harshest punishments (in black). It is perfect if you don't want to just play Magic: The Gathering but also steer the course of the game all by yourself.

Furthermore, this archetype survived the last rotation quite well and should still see play in the format for quite some time, at least until the next rotation. It is a great option if you want to play something different from what has been seeing play in Standard lately.

Mulligan

This is an excellent opening hand. It has land drops, decent answers, and can create enough card advantage.

This opening hand is great in some situations but dangerous in others. The mana base only has one source that creates colored mana, and this may disrupt you early on against fast decks or if you can't find other colors. You'll have to rely on Demolition Field.

You must mulligan this hand, clearly. It can't do anything for quite some time, and this is dangerous.

This sideboard covers the meta almost entirely. Tishana's Tidebinder is very versatile and fits many matchups. Preacher performs well when you need extra resources, Aclazotz is great against aggro lists, Liliana can be an alternative win condition, and the rest of the sideboard deals with many strategies rather well.

Vs. Izzet Cauldron

In this matchup, you'll need to deal with the board really well and make sure your opponent doesn't create a lot of value. Your removals are all great, particularly the ones that exile cards because they counter the opponent's main strategy directly.

Post-side, you'll have an even bigger advantage with Dimir because you'll have many cards that considerably disrupt the opponent's main game plan.

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Vs. Golgari Midrange

I believe this matchup is great for Dimir. Golgari, like Dimir Midrange, relies too much on its creatures and centers around Mosswood Dreadknight above all else. Dimir Control is well-prepared to deal with this type of deck. All you need to win is the right sequence of cards and trades. Try to be responsive instead of proactive at all times, and don't let them build a solid board.

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Vs. Mono-Red Aggro

This matchup is either very easy or very hard, and everything depends on each player's opening hand and the next cards they draw. Many cards in Dimir Control deal with Red's aggressiveness really well, but you need to know how to use these resources and how to deal with their main threats correctly. You must also use your life points as a resource as best as you can.

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Vs. Izzet Prowess

This matchup is similar to the Cauldron matchup, but you should pay more attention to Prowess' control game plan because they can easily turn to this strategy.

Their Otter tokens can destroy your life points very quickly, so use your removals well and don't let Ral, Crackling Wit stay on the board. It is an incredible source of value and almost as dangerous as Vivi Ornitier.

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Vs. Esper Bounce

I also believe Esper to be a good matchup for Dimir. All you need to do is not let the opponent play their creatures freely, and Dimir can easily do that. Be particularly careful with bouncers and avoid hands that are too greedy or too slow. Lean into your removals and card advantage until you have enough mana to play your threats on the board. Ugin is incredible in this matchup - if you put it in play at the right time, it might win the game for you.

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Dimir Control is currently flying under the radar and could catch many players off-guard, particularly in a meta so centered around creatures, as is the case. You'll need to be cold and consider your options well, but it could reward you considerably.

What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!