The Hobbit was one of the most anticipated Magic: The Gathering sets this year. After all, its predecessor, The Lord of the Rings, was a historic milestone for the game both in sales records and Metagame impact, and players expected the new Middle-earth set to have a similar impact.The design of some cards is creative enough to spark interest in some innovations. Gandalf, Goblins' Bane promotes a Wizard-based deck, The Lord of the Eagles and Desolation of Smaug have obvious homes in Standard, and Elrond, Moon-Reader has the characteristics of a card waiting for the right list to prove capable of taking over the game if not answered in one or two turns.Below, we have listed five Standard lists featuring the main additions from The Hobbit to the format!Five Standard Decklists with The HobbitIzzet WizardsAlthough it looks like a nerfed Vivi Ornitier, I do not believe it is wise to underestimate Gandalf, Goblins' Bane's versatility. Izzet decks already run Flow State, play various cheap spells, and having a mix of Reckless Impulse and half-Vivi Ornitier could demand its own archetype. Fortunately, Slickshot Show-Off and Drake Hatcher are also Wizards, and a twelve-card core is enough to enable Gandalf's Adventure with ease.Wizard's Staff is a notable absence. It creates absurd turns with any of our equipped Wizards, but it does so little outside those situations that it feels more like a win more piece than a necessary card in the current Metagame.Azorius FliersAzorius Momo/Fliers is by far the archetype best qualified to include The Lord of the Eagles. Besides the cost reduction with Momo, Friendly Flier, a combination of Nurturing Pixie for Sage of the Skies already provides six power on the battlefield, and a Quantum Riddler with Daydream already gives five power and makes casting the new bomb easier on the following turn. The Eagles Are Coming! also makes casting it on the following turn for two mana easier, serving as a Nurturing Pixie on steroids, but one that cannot be fetched with Starfield Shepherd.Boros DragonsDesolation of Smaug solves a common problem for Boros Dragons. What good is playing a Midrange plan when Badgermole Cub lists explode faster, or Prowess lists beat you earlier? With the new card, we can "reset" part of the board and cast a threat on the same turn, whether a Magmatic Hellkite for mana disruption or the new Smaug the Magnificent.Mono Black GollumPerhaps Mono Black Aggro is not the best home for Gollum, Riddle Master, but it is a good starting point. Besides the low cost, predicting the opponent's card mana values means that, at worst, he will replace himself in hand if removed, and at best, he will generate card advantage and drain the opponent's life. Combined with Dark Confidant and a low curve, we have the resources to never run out of steam while pressuring the opponent.Simic ElrondWith Badgermole Cub banned, we need to find another card that justifies the benefits of playing with mana dorks, and Elrond, Moon-Reader could be that card. Although he does not double mana, he turns these creatures' ability to accelerate the game into a constant card advantage source.We can no longer rely on the Nature's Rhythm toolbox for high costs, so we cut the toolbox line in favor of consistency, with full sets of Ouroboroid and Quantum Riddler at the top of the curve, plus the synergy between Beorn the Fierce and Leatherhead, Swamp Stalker. A full set of Keen-Eyed Curator protects us from Reanimator while also triggering Elrond each turn, and we have included Floodpits Drowner as a way to remove problems from the board with an activated ability.Wrapping UpThat's all for today!If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!Thanks for reading!
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