Standard: Dimir Midrange Post-Banlist - Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

In this article, we'll go over the new Dimir Midrange in Standard, which many have called a "dolphin" list because it goes up and down in the meta as it changes. Now, it is once again at the top of the ranks.

Below, we'll show you how it changed and adapted to the current meta, and even teach you everything you need to know about its sideboard. Let's go!

Currently, Dimir Midrange is my favorite deck because it answers diverse metas really well, and that's basically what Standard is like now, after the most recent bans. Most people are still looking for the ideal, perfect answer, but I got a solid deck that is ready to beat anything they come up with.

Today, we'll show you how you can use this list to get to Mythic and start dominating the current meta!

Decklist

This new Dimir Midrange version is one of my own creations. I built it specifically for the current meta, which is a lot more diverse than before. In this format, I believe we can be more aggressive and focus on the main game plan with Kaito, Bane of Nightmares and Enduring Curiosity.

Our main addition is Cecil, Dark Knight, which, today, I consider to be one of the best 1-drops in the format. As it has deathtouch, the opponent will have a hard time blocking it, but, on the other side, it will be a great blocker for you in the early game. And that's not all: it can also transform into a 4/4 with lifelink, so it's extremely well-rounded and relevant.

I also included 3 copies of Faerie Mastermind for mirror matches and to take advantage of any card the opponents draw, particularly in control matchups. As for the 3 Floodpits Drowner, they are still a core part of this list: they're versatile, defensive and aggressive, and work really well with this fast-paced game plan.

I decided to only use 1 copy of Saiba Cryptomancer, but it's for a good reason. If you play it right, it is often decisive, either to protect an important removal, your game plan, or even end the game on the offense. Another piece we brought back into this deck is Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor. It had become a bit unpopular, but now it has regained space as another way to create value, particularly because now this list plays 4 copies of Enduring Curiosity. With these cards, this deck is even more consistent in longer matches, particularly against control archetypes.

Kaito, Bane of Nightmares is still at the very center of this list. Ideally, the main game plan is playing a 1-drop or 2-drop on the first few turns and then play Kaito as your 3-drop. This will open a straight path to Enduring Curiosity, and this sequence by itself is frequently already enough to win the game, particularly if the opponent can't answer it properly. Actually, even when they have a strong hand, they typically won't be able to handle this early pressure. Another relevant new addition is Sheoldred's Edict in the main deck. It has been efficient, namely against planeswalkers, which are now popping up in control decks again, and, of course, in the mirrors.

Sideboard

Your sideboard should be able to deal with any weak spots you find along the way. Though I can't really think of a clear bad matchup for this list (which, by the way, is one of the reasons why I like it so much), you'll still have great answers for nearly everything. Duress will deal with control decks, Ghost Vacuum is a graveyard hate, and Disdainful Stroke will support value plays in the late game. Negate is also critical, considering it will be a lot of help against any relevant noncreatures.

I also included another copy of Sheoldred's Edict to make mirror matches and matches centered around planeswalkers even better. Then, I added 2 copies of Tishana's Tidebinder, which is great in the mirrors and against many key creatures in the meta you can "counter" with it.

Preacher of the Schism was in the main deck, but it is now in the sideboard, two copies. It is very useful against more aggressive strategies. Considering two particular cards that have been disrupting our main game plan, Caretaker's Talent and Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber, I added 2 copies of Withering Torment, which could be quite useful against other enchantments as well.

Finally, I decided to keep only 1 copy of Gix's Command in the sideboard. We used to play it both in the main deck and the sideboard, but now it only has space against aggressive decks. That is, when you need a powerful way to reset the board and retake control of the game. It also fits our lower mana curve.

Why Play Dimir Midrange?

Ever since its win rate briefly went down, right after the big tournaments earlier in the year, Dimir Midrange once again started climbing the ranks and reestablishing itself as one of the most solid and versatile options in the format. The main reason behind this is how diverse the meta is right now. Now that some extremely linear archetypes, like Izzet Prowess and Monored, are less powerful, players have started to explore other strategies. This opened space for decks that can adapt to different kinds of matches, like Dimir.

This time, we're not trying to beat a "dominant deck" directly, but rather stay well-positioned in a wide open field. Many decks nowadays are trying to find a balance between aggression and value, and that's precisely where Dimir Midrange shines. Its main game plan, centered around Kaito, Bane of Nightmares + Enduring Curiosity, is aggressive and difficult to deal with. Your opponent will also have to answer it straight away. At the same time, we can also grind through the game by creating a lot of value with the card advantage this list's key cards will give us.

Another great thing about this new version is its structure, as it has efficient tools to deal with any situation. It can remove creatures in the early game with Cut Down and Go for the Throat, and put pressure with creatures with flash. It can also protect your game plan with spot interactions and well-defined synergies, such as Kaito, Bane of Nightmares + Enduring Curiosity or Cecil, Dark Knight on turn 1 as a great blocker, among many others. These are just a few of the tools this deck can use to adapt to any matchup.

Finally, the most important reason to play Dimir Midrange today is how consistent it is. It isn't the type of deck that wins just by catching the opponent off-guard. It rewards wise decisions, knowing how to manage the mana curve and how each matchup plays out, as well as knowing how to read the most various game states with pinpoint precision. So, if you're looking for a competitive list with multiple lines of play and that wins in a fair, smart way, Dimir is, without a question, one of the best choices right now.

Just don't forget: you'll still have to invest a lot of time into learning how to play it. You'll have to make multiple decisions per turn, deal with "sort of" playable hands that need a lot of skill to work, and matches that you could win or lose based on the smallest decisions. However, once you master it, Dimir Midrange is one of the most rewarding and well-rounded decks in the format.

Mulligan

Mulligans are, unquestionably, one of the most delicate parts of any matchup, particularly for a deck like Dimir Midrange. Overall, I don't recommend you mulligan aggressively in game 1, unless you already know how to play this list and what you're looking for. You won't have to do this in most cases because this deck has a very balanced mana base and a consistent early curve, with many 1-drops and 2-drops. Nonetheless, you should still review your opening hand carefully, as it can always define the outcome of your match.

Overall, keep hands that have at least some interaction early on or a clear plan. Reactive hands, that is, hands that control the board, or hands that have a great sequence of aggressive cards, are usually the best options for game 1.

Avoid hands like these:

This hand clearly can't play anything on the first few turns, nor offensively or reactively. This means you shouldn't keep it under any circumstances, even though it is a bit balanced in terms of spells and lands.

Let's see another example:

This hand might not be spectacular, but it can play something on turn 1. Then, even if you don't get any 2-drops, you can use the Map token to manipulate the top of your deck, and go for a value-based play on turn 3 with Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor. You also have enough lands until turn 4 for a possible Enduring Curiosity in the future.

Keep in mind that you must use Spell Pierce primarily to protect your creatures so they can deal damage after Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor is in play. That's how you'll create enough value to win the match. But it is still an average hand.

Now, imagine an exceptional hand, with an incredible sequence of cards:

This type of hand is perfect for Dimir Midrange because it has a clear game plan. Keep in mind that you want to put Kaito, Bane of Nightmares in play on turn 3, so you should play Spyglass Siren on turn 1, then Duress and the Map token on turn 2. That's how you'll be able to stick Kaito, Bane of Nightmares on the board on turn 3. Remember that you must look for a balanced hand, with both spells and lands, and, overall, stick to your mana curve.

A great example would be a reasonably flooded hand, with 4 or even 5 lands, but with a Duress or Go for the Throat. These two cards will be your answers to the main threats in the format and you'll also have enough land drops, which is precisely what this archetype wants. Clearly it's not ideal, but keep in mind that, if your mulligan can't give you enough land drops until turn 4, you'll fall behind.

When I built this sideboard, I wanted to cover a few specific meta matchups, but I also wanted to keep it versatile and consistent at the same time.

• The 2x Tishana's Tidebinder are great for mirror matches and creatures with triggered effects. It is extremely efficient if you play it at the right time.

• The 2x Preacher of the Schism, which used to see play in the main deck, are now sideboard answers to more aggressive strategies. They're an excellent way to hold off pressure and create value.

• The 2x Ghost Vacuum are your hates for graveyard strategies, which are still relevant in the format.

• The 2x Duress are essential against control lists and slower strategies. They'll disrupt the opponent's game plan quite heavily, particularly early on.

• The 1x Gix's Command resets aggro boards, and gives you valuable options in grindy matches.

• The 1x Sheoldred's Edict will deal with planeswalkers and unique creatures that can dodge traditional removals, such as hexproof creatures. It is particularly useful in the mirror.

• The 2x Withering Torment are your spot answers for certain threats, such as Caretaker's Talent and Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber. Nonetheless, they're still very flexible.

• The 1x Anoint with Affliction is another low-cost removal. It is great against resilient creatures or creatures that return from the graveyard.

• The 1x Negate is a must against decks that play many noncreature spells. So, it's excellent against control.

• The 1x Disdainful Stroke is the final piece of this puzzle. It is a direct answer to expensive spells, and very effective against decks that want to win through value in the late game.

This group of cards covers the current meta pretty well. With it, you can be aggressive, control, or grindy - whatever the matchup needs.

Vs. Dimir Midrange (Mirror)

Just a reminder: keep an eye out for Kaito on turn 3. In this matchup, whoever is playing first has a significant advantage. If you're drawing first, look for hands that have at least one removal to prevent them from playing Kaito clear out on the board.

Side In

Side Out

This is your training grounds. Each micro decision matters a lot, so play it slow, and carefully.

Vs. Mono White Tokens

You'll bump into this matchup a lot in the current meta. This deck creates a lot of value throughout the entire game. In game 1, your best strategy is being aggressive and putting pressure on them as fast as possible. Don't hesitate before playing your cards, considering that, in the late game and without your sideboard, you'll hardly be able to compete with the value they'll create with their global removals and card advantage. Furthermore, Elspeth, Storm Slayer can win the match by itself.

Post-side, look for ways to interact with Caretaker's Talent. It can also create a lot of value by itself if the opponent can't answer it in time.

Side In

Side Out

Vs. Jeskai Oculus

This is still a very popular matchup, even more so after the recent banlist. It is one of the most popular decks and also has one of the best win rates. You must be ready for this matchup.

Side In

Side Out

Vs. Jeskai Control

This is a tough matchup, and you'll usually have to grind it out. Get ready for long, highly competitive turns. However, if you play it well, you can remain slightly ahead at all times.

Our greatest strength is Kaito, Bane of Nightmares on turn 3. If the opponent can't answer it immediately, you might just be able to create such a wide advantage that you'll win the game already in the first few turns.

Side In

Side Out

Ghost Vacuum has won me many matches against Jeskai Control. Their strongest strategy is Shiko, Paragon of the Way. If you can break it, you'll be ahead.

Vs. Gruul Aggro

Yes, Aggro is still around, and has already been performing well with this Gruul version, so you should keep an eye out for it. By the way, they also play the Screaming Nemesis + Self-Destruct combo. A few adventurers have already shown up with Monored lists as well, so be prepared to deal with them.

Side In

Side Out

These lists are still evolving, so they may vary a lot. Nonetheless, try to remember what's less effective in aggro matchups, and you should be good. You can only play Kaito, Bane of Nightmares if you have protection, so you'll probably struggle to find a good time to stick it to the board against this archetype.

Dimir Midrange is still demanding, but now it is more aggressive and sharp, as well as ready to punish any enemy mistake.

If you have just picked it up, remember that mistakes are part of the learning process. They'll be a natural part of your first matches, after all, piloting Dimir well requires timing, experience, and knowing how to read game states pretty well. But you'll be highly rewarded for it: very few decks in the format can control the match as much as Dimir Midrange can, or are as flexible as it is.

In the current meta, Dimir Midrange is very well-positioned. It has a solid base, efficient removals, a well-adjusted curve, and an explosive game plan with Kaito, Bane of Nightmares + Enduring Curiosity. These are your main ways of putting pressure on the opponent, and also grinding against value decks. Furthermore, with a great sideboard, you can easily adapt to nearly all matchups in the format.

If you're looking for a competitive deck that is also versatile and rewarding, can play at a high level and compete with the best meta decks, this new Dimir version could be perfect for you. But keep in mind: you'll have to dedicate a lot of time to it. The more you practice, the more you'll learn about it, including how to make the right decisions with it. This will inevitably put you closer to Mythic.

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

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!