Standard: 5 Decks with Wilds of Eldraine

In my last article, I discussed Wilds of Eldraine's main cards for Standard, analyzing which cards would potentially impact the format and which strategies would benefit from them.

It is still hard to say for sure which cards in Wilds of Eldraine will indeed see play and which won't, at least not without further testing. But with that in mind, I built and/or analyzed five lists with some of the cards that have stood out the most to me in Standard!

Dimir Midrange

We'll start with one of the best decks in the format currently. Dimir Midrange has proved to be extremely resilient and consistent in the metagame, and should remain as such with the release of Wilds of Eldraine, which will bring even more techs for the archetype. This deck is essentially a pile of good cards which work really well individually.

This list brings an alternative game plan to the deck, leaning on the synergy between Cruel Somnophage, Jace, the Perfected Mind and Virtue of Persistence, and attacking the opponent's resources at the same it takes advantage of these resources and puts pressure on the board.

Cruel Somnophage is a card that fits this list well, considering that the format is dominated by creature-based strategies. Virtue of Persistence's role is similar, taking even more advantage of the opponent's threats. This list's weak spot might be decks such as Esper Control, which use zero creatures.

The End is the supreme hate tool against Esper and other decks which count on just a few win conditions. Exiling The Wandering Emperor against Esper Control is practically lethal.

Atraxa Ramp

Recently, I wrote an article about Up the Beanstalk and its potential in certain strategies which take advantage of heavier spells. In Standard, this card will be a great addition in Ramp decks.

A card that comes in already creating value and keeps creating it each time you cast a 5-cost spell or higher will be quite strong in the deck, and will be able to fight for the slot which is usually occupied by Courier’s Briefcase. I still don't know if Beanstalk will put Briefcase in early retirement, as both cards are good in their own way, but it will certainly find its space.

Simic Lands

We have here a deck which might be off the radar, but also might conquer some space with the release of WOE. Blossoming Tortoise is a good addition to this list, as I discussed in the article I wrote highlighting this card.

The idea here is to ramp lots, but, unlike Atraxa Ramp, Simic Lands leans on Tatyova, Steward of Tides and on the power of the lands themselves. You'll transform your lands into creatures, give them power buffs with the tortoise or with Nissa, Ascended Animist, remove your opponent's creatures with Consuming Tide and attack with your lands.

Orzhov Midrange

This list has popped up in the Magic Online's Challenges and Leagues' metagame, obtaining good results. It's a more reactive deck than other Midranges, and it might appreciate cards such as Beseech the Mirror and The Irencrag more. This is the perfect opportunity to test the synergy between these two cards and finally play The Wandering Emperor on turn 3.

Orzhov Midrange has a build which naturally supports using the new mechanic in the set, Bargain, and the two-mana artifact which ramps will likely become a staple in the format.

Dimir Faeries

To close this list, I bring a special deck, whose inspiration comes straight from Pauper. Dimir Faeries might not seem the most solid option to venture into the Wilds of Eldraine's Standard metagame, but the deck only needs the right cards to work.

This list closely resembles the Tempo strategies which molded Faeries in Pauper, but, at the same time, it has a Midrange plan for the later stages of the game.

What you want to do with this deck is to put some Faeries in play, draw cards using Ninjutsu with Moon-Circuit Hacker, while you feed a Faerie Vandal with counters and drain your opponent's health with Obyra, Dreaming Duelist.

To support this plan, we lean on an efficient removal package and counters such as Spell Stutter. Sheoldred is only in this list because it is one of the best cards in the format currently, and there is no reason not to use it.

Wilds of Eldraine marks the return of the plane to the Standard format, and with the release of the set in Arena and Magic Online, we have officially entered its phase of testing. I believe there's much to be explored in this set, and that this is the perfect moment to venture into the format with new ideas.

I hope you have enjoyed the read. Leave your questions, suggestions, and critiques in the comment section, and I'll try to answer all. See you next time.