Mono White Control is, by far, the most removal-focused archetype in Pioneer today. The deck is an amalgamation of the best spot interaction and sweepers the format has to offer, plus a few sources of card advantage and the use of 1/1 tokens from Castle Ardenvale and Fountainport to close out games.
The deck has gained traction in recent months due to a mix of a Metagame that's gradually more based on permanent power — influenced by how individual threat quality has grown over the last decade — combined with the wide range of interaction white cards provide, often able to handle enchantments, artifacts, Planeswalkers, and creatures all with the same spell.
The Decklist
Maindeck
No joke. Our win condition is the 1/1 tokens from Fountainport and Castle Ardenvale. Together, they also form a card advantage engine that guarantees an extra draw each turn, letting us stay ahead no matter how much removal we cast.
Manlands are troublesome for any deck running many sweepers. Demolition Field and Field of Ruin deal with them, while Blast Zone handles cheap permanents like Stormchaser's Talent or mana dorks from a land slot.
Early on, we try to set up more draws and top-end filtering using Candy Trail and Mazemind Tome.
Sunset Revelry does a little bit of everything for two mana, letting us hold the game until we reach four mana for the first sweeper.
Spot removal prioritizes versatility. Get Lost and March of Otherworldly Light handle three permanent types for a low cost and don't lose usefulness as the game goes long. Emergency Eject is the "least bad" of the white card cycle that destroys permanents and gives something in return to the opponent.
The sweepers. 12 is the ideal number, but you could go up to 16 if you prioritize Temporary Lockdown for the Prowess matchup.
Day of Judgment is the cheapest unconditional sweeper in white, and Settle the Wreckage serves as a complement while also answering indestructible creatures from the Orzhov Greasefang, Okiba Boss version.
Farewell deals with anything when it resolves, but it's a common side out in more aggressive matches or Tempo games where you might expect Spell Pierce.
Sideboard
Even though 1/1 tokens are our win condition, we can't dismiss a Companion so easily, and Kaheera, the Orphanguard does a good job pressuring the board for a low cost once the opponent's resources are exhausted.
Rest in Peace is the ideal graveyard hate. Its slots are flexible in the sideboard, but I recommend running more than four answers against Greasefang, Okiba Boss and Arclight Phoenix on Magic Arena.
Kutzil's Flanker handles graveyards, gains life, and becomes a chump blocker without giving up the Kaheera, the Orphanguard slot.
Temporary Lockdown comes in when Farewell is too expensive and the opponent has a bunch of cheap permanents on board, or when you need more sweepers to hold off a more aggressive start.
Stroke of Midnight does the opposite: replacing sweepers in matches where answering individual threats at instant speed is more important.
Sideboard Guide
Mono Red Aggro
IN
OUT
Izzet Prowess
IN
OUT
Orzhov Greasefang
IN
OUT
Abzan Greasefang
IN
OUT
Golgari Midrange
IN
OUT
Niv to Light
IN
OUT
Azorius Control
IN
OUT
Izzet Phoenix
IN
OUT
Wrapping Up
That's all for today!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!
Thanks for reading!
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