Standard: The New Azorius Control (Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide)

Azorius Control is one of the best decks in Standard right now, as well as the main Control archetype in the format. Just like every other version of this list in any other format, Azorius Control wins by manipulating the match well enough to tip the scales in its favor. It will eventually control everything that happens in the game and reach inevitability.

I like to think that all Control decks start out the game at a disadvantage, and have to turn it back around as the match goes on, drastically changing the game state in the process. If you do this well, you'll certainly win.

Azorius Control has seen play in practically all Standard metas, so, naturally, it is seeing play right now as well.

This version plays some of the best cards in the format, and, like any great Control list, only plays a few win conditions. Considering it is full of removals and control pieces, it doesn't really need to play many ways to win the match.

Elspeth, Storm Slayer is this deck's main win condition. She is one of the best Planeswalkers available and lets you not only put bodies on the board, but also interact with them and get a lot of value from them. Anything that creates creature tokens will also be excellent with her. Furthermore, her third ability lets you remove an enemy creature from the game, so she has everything you want in a card. She creates creatures to protect you, and also removes threats.

Overlord of the Mistmoors is exceptional with Elspeth, as it puts more tokens in play. Beza, the Bounding Spring is another token engine that performs really well in this list. It is very versatile, particularly against the aggro decks that dominate this format.

Stock Up is the main way you'll get card advantage with this list. It lets you look at the top 5 cards in your deck and put two of them in your hand, which will nearly always give you a useful tool to work with.

Another interesting win condition this list plays that is often an alternative to Elspeth is Jace, the Perfected Mind. Jace lets you win games outside of combat, something Control decks typically do and that we can only do in Standard nowadays with him. You can use Jace's ultimate to get rid of your opponent's deck, and, as such, make them lose by deck out.

Why Play Azorius Control?

Now that the two best decks in the format nowadays are aggro decks and Final Fantasy is here, Izzet should become an extremely powerful color combination. Azorius Control is a great answer to this trend, as it plays several powerful removals and the best blue can offer. If you enjoy defensive game styles and playing counters, then this deck is perfect for you.

Mulligan

This hand is curious. It has enough lands to develop the game plan, a win condition, and control pieces. Three Steps Ahead can be a way to get more card advantage, as it lets you dig through your deck. You will eventually find something interesting on the top as well. However, it can be quite dangerous against certain decks if you can't find the pieces you need, considering it doesn't have global removals and you'll have to rely on good draws.

This hand is very solid, so you should keep it, particularly against aggro lists. Lockdown is Azorius' main weapon against aggro decks in the first few turns, as it buys you some time to deal with their most obvious threats, and Ride's End can deal with anything that comes next. Stock Up will bring you the answers you need to keep progressing your game plan, and Regent can both draw you another card and win the game for you.

This hand doesn't have enough lands to progress your game plan. You'll have to rely solely on card draw to find your third land, which should be a big problem for UW. You should mulligan it.

This sideboard has great tools to deal with multiple situations, and can even change UW's game style depending on what you need. As I mentioned before, Jace is an extra win condition in this deck. In this version, he is in the sideboard, but, depending on what you need, you can use him in your main deck, just like the extra copy of Overlord.

Vs. Mono-Red Aggro

This is the most popular archetype in the format, and one of the reasons why red is the color we always bring up when we discuss bans. Mono-Red is extremely efficient nowadays for two reasons: Screaming Nemesis and Monstrous Rage. Nemesis is the core of red aggro strategies, as it prevents the opponent from gaining life and is still a strong threat on the board. Monstrous Rage, on the other side, can simply end games if you can't deal with all your opponent's threats because it can go through any blocks and activate Prowess and Valiant, which are common in Red.

Magebane Lizard is very annoying, perhaps just as much as the main drops in Red. You must use Temporary Lockdown and Ultima carefully. Don't rush things and let your opponent think they control the game. That's when you'll get control back again with Azorius. And, once you control the board, the match is yours.

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Vs. Izzet Prowess

Vivi Ornitier should become the most important card in Standard very soon, much because Izzet Prowess is one of the strongest archetypes in the format. With Drake Hatcher and Cori-Steel Cutter, Izzet should dominate the format at least until June 30th, when WotC will once again have an opportunity to ban, unban, and restrict cards. That's when they'll be able to change Standard.

In this matchup, you should do the same thing you did against Mono-Red, but keep in mind that Izzet also uses blue and can play slightly differently. So, be careful, or they'll control you instead of you controlling them.

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Vs. Omniscience Combo

Omniscience Combo is practically an Azorius Control that plays a slightly more fun win condition. In this matchup, you need to worry about the interaction between Abuelo's Awakening and Omniscience, which is what makes this entire list work. You should also watch out for their alternative game plan, which can be quite efficient if they find space to use it. Overall, I consider this a great matchup for Azorius Control, as you'll have more tools to deal with their combo than they have to deal with you.

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Vs. Dimir Midrange

This matchup is complicated. Dimir can create problems for UW in many ways, particularly with their disruption pieces. Dimir's blue side is also quite valuable, as it lets them play around anything UW does.

Save your resources and try to lead your opponent into making a mistake. Never pass a turn without enough mana to interact, and don't let them force you to play something at the end of your turn.

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Vs. 4C Zur

Zur is the current version of Beanstalk Decks, and Up the Beanstalk is at the very center of it. This type of strategy plays like a control deck and uses many ETB effects, particularly Overlords, which are nearly all in this list. Zur, Eternal Schemer is also critical for them, so try to deal with it whenever possible. Get Lost is a valuable removal in this matchup because it can deal with anything your opponent throws at you.

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Azorius Control is one of the most versatile lists in the format right now, and a very strong option if you prefer beating the best decks in the format instead of playing them. We keep adding valuable upgrades to it, and we will probably keep doing it as the next sets come along, so it's quite solid for any type of player.

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Thank you for reading, and see you next time!