MTG Arena Budget Standard and Alchemy Decks for Beginners

If you’re new to MTG Arena, building a cheap budget competitive deck can be challenging, especially if you’re looking to spend as little real-world gold as you can! Magic’s myriad different cards can be overwhelming, and Wildcards are a precious resource that you can’t always afford to waste on the wrong decks, no matter how enticing! Placing small bets on crafting and gradually opening cards until you find an expensive deck you’re sure you’ll love is the best way to go, at least while your resources are so limited.

Innistrad Standard post-rotation has been an absolute blast to play, but admittedly, it’s not the easiest on the Wildcards. It’s much better than previous Standard environments in my opinion, but for those who don’t have large collections, it could still be a struggle. Well fret not! I spent hours upon hours making a large amount of budget decks that can be easily made no matter your collection size and the most competitive version of the deck you can make as well!

In this guide, you’ll find our exclusive curated list of some fantastic budget Standard decks from various archetypes, with a brief explanation of the deck, an upgrade guide, and sample decklists for each one. Visit our Standard deck page if you’d like to see what some of the finished products look like. You can also go straight to the Budget deck section itself for the complete list, and for more ideas, be sure to visit our Standard Artisan section (a format where you are only allowed commons and uncommons).

Historic is a format where your cards never rotate out, but has a much wider card pool and can be intimidating for players that wish to start out. Click here for our dedicated guide to Historic Budget decks!

If you need any help, you can always join the MTG Arena Zone Discord server, leave a question in the comments, or follow the site’s Twitter to catch up on any updates!

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Budget Deck Aims

Here’s a set of parameters we build our budget Standard decks around, to ensure they’re at their most useful to you:

• The base deck will aim to have as few rares as possible, but if one or two different cards are exceptionally important to the archetype and there’s no easy replacement, then you might see them. For each deck, we provide pathways or a link to upgrade into more competitive versions. Upgrades depend on your collection and Wildcard availability, so we’ll provide different options to tailor to your specific needs!

• Each deck is geared towards best-of-one, and players can now have up to seven cards in their sideboard. This makes the new Learn mechanic and Lesson cards quite powerful – include them where you can! For best-of-three, do check out our budget sideboard guide at the end to help you build a sideboard.

• Here are the sets in Standard right now, which all these cards come from:
  • Arena Base Set (legal in BO1 only)
  • Zendikar Rising
  • Kaldheim
  • Strixhaven: School of Mages
  • Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
  • Innistrad: Midnight Hunt
  • Innistrad: Crimson Vow
  • Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty

• Alchemy sets:
  • Alchemy Rebalanced Cards
  • Alchemy: Innistrad
  • Alchemy: Kamigawa

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How Do I Decide What To Craft?

This is a great question that doesn’t have a concrete answer, but I believe there’s an order you should upgrade your decks in. In totality, you should look to craft the most ubiquitous cards first and then keep going until you’re crafting highly specific cards to finish your particular deck. With that in mind, we can go even more specific.

1. Lands

Lands should always be your first priority as those are generally going to be the most ubiquitous cards in Standard. The Pathways are all excellent and invaluable moving forward so crafting 4 of each is an extremely safe craft.

The creature lands from AFR, the Channel lands, and the new Innistrad duals are also extremely safe crafts. However, these don’t always need 4 depending on what deck you’re building, so keep that in mind.

The last in the lands are the Snarls which unfortunately are pretty weak. For the most part you can avoid crafting these entirely for now as they see play in so few decks, but making a specific Snarl to make your deck run a bit more smoothly is perfectly fine as well.

2. Ubiquitous Rares

This is a pretty general category, but what I mean here is to next craft Rares you see in multiple decklists. Examples of this could include Esika's Chariot or Luminarch Aspirant as they see play in functionally any deck that can cast them. Furthermore you want to start with Rares as Mythics are going to be much harder to stockpile.

3. Ubiquitous Mythic Rares

Although you generally want to avoid crafting Mythics if you’re just upgrading budget decks, there are plenty of Mythics that see so much play they are very safe crafts. The most popular ones that come to mind are something like The Meathook Massacre or Goldspan Dragon cards that have literally no replacement.

4. Specific Rares

These are Rares that may see minimal play or some small amounts of play, but are really just for the deck you are making such as Werewolf Pack Leader or Orcus, Prince of Undeath.

5. Specific Mythic Rares

These are mythics that see minimal or small amounts of play. These are definitely the last thing you want to craft if you’re on a budget as these will be hard to use in other strategies like Galazeth Prismari or Turntimber Symbiosis.

This is more or less the strategy to go by. If you’re unsure where something lies, you can check out lists here to get an idea of what cards see the most play, but I’ll also give you my opinions as well. With that, let’s get into the decks.

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Budget Standard Decks

Mono White Aggro

Mono White is one of the cornerstones of the format and even without the rares you can still make a really powerful deck. Use your small creatures to curve out and quickly overrun the opponent. If you’re looking to make upgrades to this deck, you can check out the list below.

• The Wandering Emperor – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Hopeful Initiate – Specific Rare
• Thalia, Guardian of Thraben – Ubiquitous Rare
• Intrepid Adversary – Specific Mythic
• Sungold Sentinel – Specific Rare
• Reidane, God of the Worthy – Specific Rare
• Brutal Cathar – Specific Rare
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar – Ubiquitous Rare
• Luminarch Aspirant – Ubiquitous Rare
• Elite Spellbinder – Ubiquitous Rare
• Skyclave Apparition – Ubiquitous Rare
• Legion Angel – Specific Rare

Mono Black Zombies

Although less popular than the other aggro options, Mono Black can still pack a punch with it’s combination of a quick clock with solid interaction. If you’re looking to upgrade this deck, you can look to build toward this version which uses Zombies as the main fighting force.

• Lolth, Spider Queen – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Champion of the Perished – Specific Rare
• Tainted Adversary – Specific Mythic
• Headless Rider – Specific Rare
• Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia – Specific Rare
• Invoke Despair – Specific Rare
• Agadeem's Awakening – Ubiquitous Mythic
• The Meathook Massacre – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Hagra Mauling – Specific Rare

Mono Black Midrange

Black based Control has been a mainstay in Standard and you can start with this base for the most simple form of it. Control the opponent’s board, hand, and kill them with Dogged Pursuit. If you’re looking to upgrade, you can go for my build below.

• Lolth, Spider Queen – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Sorin the Mirthless – Specific Mythic
• Agadeem's Awakening – Ubiquitous Mythic
• March of Wretched Sorrow – Specific Rare
• Invoke Despair – Specific Rare
• Blood on the Snow – Specific Rare
• The Meathook Massacre – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Mascot Exhibition – Ubiquitous Mythic

Mono Red Burn

Like Mono Black, Mono Red has mostly been out shined by it’s White and Green counterpart. Nevertheless, the deck is still relatively solid if you really enjoy playing Red aggro. If you’re looking to upgrade, I would look towards my build below.

• Ogre-Head Helm – Specific Rare
• Bloodthirsty Adversary – Specific Mythic
• Kargan Intimidator – Specific Rare
• Reckless Stormseeker – Ubiquitous Rare
• Atsushi, the Blazing Sky – Specific Mythic

Mono Red Bombardment

Similar to the previous list, Mono Red Bombardment takes advantage of the powerful Raid Bombardment to quickly overrun the opponent. Also like the other Mono Red list, if you want to make this as competitive as possible I would look towards the build above.

Mono Green Aggro

Mono Green Aggro is one of the best decks in 2022 and even completely budget versions of it can still be potent. If you’re looking to make this as competitive as possible, you can check out the list below.

• Ascendant Packleader – Specific Rare
• Kazandu Mammoth – Ubiquitous Rare
• Werewolf Pack Leader – Specific Rare
• Old-Growth Troll – Specific Rare
• Invoke the Ancients – Specific Rare
• Unnatural Growth – Specific Rare
• Esika's Chariot – Ubiquitous Rare
• Ranger Class – Ubiquitous Rare

Selesnya Magecraft

One of my favorite Bo1 decks, Magecraft is both powerful and extremely budget friendly, even for the most competitive version of the deck! If you’re looking to make this entirely competitive, you can check out the list below.

• Leonin Lightscribe – Specific Rare
• Dragonsguard Elite – Specific Rare
• Mavinda, Students' Advocate – Specific Mythic
• Academic Probation – Specific Rare
• Mascot Exhibition – Ubiquitous Mythic

Selesnya Enchantments

One of the newest decks in Standard, Enchantments utilizes the many Enchantment payoffs from Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty for a powerful and synergistic deck. If you want to make this as competitive as possible, the list below is a great base.

• Kami of Transience – Specific Rare
• Weaver of Harmony – Specific Rare
• Katilda, Dawnhart Martyr – Specific Rare
• Wedding Announcement – Specific Rare

Boros Warriors

A tribe always close to breaking out, Warriors has a lot going for it and just needs a little push to vault it into prevalence. The competitive deck does use a lot of Rares and Mythics, but you can definitely get a solid base starting from just commons and uncommons. If you wan to upgrade it, you can check out the list below.

• Hopeful Initiate – Specific Rare
• Thalia, Guardian of Thraben – Ubiquitous Rare
• Sungold Sentinel – Specific Rare
• Reidane, God of the Worthy – Specific Rare
• Brutal Cathar – Specific Rare
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar – Ubiquitous Rare
• Luminarch Aspirant – Ubiquitous Rare
• Elite Spellbinder – Ubiquitous Rare
• Skyclave Apparition – Ubiquitous Rare
• Legion Angel – Specific Rare
• Showdown of the Skalds – Specific Rare
• Fateful Absence – Specific Rare
• Shatterskull Smashing – Ubiquitous Mythic

Boros Artifact Aggro

Utilizing the many new Artifact creatures from Kamigawa and a few powerful payoffs, this aggro deck is both punishing and synergistic. If you’re looking for the best version of this deck, you can check out the list below.

• Shatterskull Smashing – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Angelfire Ignition – Specific Rare
• Emeria's Call – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Maul of the Skyclaves – Specific Rare
• Showdown of the Skalds – Specific Rare

Rakdos Anvil

Using the new Oni-Cult Anvil and the many Blood producers, you have a powerful and grindy midrange deck. If you want to upgrade this deck to it’s full potential, check out the list below.

• Lolth, Spider Queen – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Anje, Maid of Dishonor – Specific Rare
• Immersturm Predator – Specific Rare
• Shatterskull Smashing – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Agadeem's Awakening – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Shatterskull Smashing – Ubiquitous Mythic
• The Meathook Massacre – Ubiquitous Mythic

Rakdos Sacrifice

Rakdos Sacrifice has been a popular choice in many Standard formats and this is no exception. You have a lot of early game and plenty of late game to grind through any opponent. If you’re looking to upgrade this deck, I would opt for the Rakdos Anvil deck right above this.

Golgari Pests

Rakdos isn’t the only deck that can be a sacrifice deck! Golgari has plenty of tools to work with as well to make a deck capable of grinding through many of the format’s top decks. Furthermore, the competitive version of this is easily one of the most budget friendly decks out there! If you’re looking to upgrade this, I would check out this version.

• Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia – Specific Rare
• Sedgemoor Witch – Specific Rare
• Hagra Mauling – Specific Rare
• The Meathook Massacre – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Mascot Exhibition – Ubiquitous Mythic

Dimir Control

Dimir Control is one of the most classical Control archetypes around. You can get started with this version for those who like to grind opponents into the dirt, or you can look more towards a tempo oriented game plan. If you are looking to upgrade this deck, you can check out the list below

• Hullbreaker Horror – Specific Rare
• Memory Deluge – Specific Rare
• Shadows' Verdict – Specific Rare
• The Meathook Massacre – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Siphon Insight – Specific Rare

Dimir Ninjas

With cheap threats and disruption, Dimir Ninjas looks to tempo out the opposition! If you want to most upgraded version of this deck, check out the list below!

Kaito Shizuki – Specific Mythic
Thousand-Faced Shadow – Specific Rare
Biting-Palm Ninja – Specific Rare
Glasspool Mimic – Specific Rare
Agadeem's Awakening – Specific Mythic

Izzet Tempo

Izzet is one of the most popular guilds and for good reason, it can be fast, disruptive, and extremely proactive. If you want to upgrade this deck, you can check out the list below.

• Goldspan Dragon – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Hullbreaker Horror – Specific Rare
• Prismari Command – Specific Rare
• Memory Deluge – Specific Rare
• Burn Down the House – Specific Rare
• The Celestus – Specific Rare
• Battle of Frost and Fire – Ubiquitous Mythic

Simic Ramp

There aren’t many Ramp decks represented in Standard, but Simic is likely the best of them. With a combination of solid ramp, good late game, and interaction, this deck is a force to be reckoned with. If you’re looking to upgrade this deck, the most competitive version would likely look something like the list below.

• Tamiyo, Compleated Sage – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Wrenn and Seven – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Lotus Cobra – Specific Rare
• Storm the Festival – Specific Rare
• Esika's Chariot – Ubiquitous Rare

Gruul Aggro

If you like to go fast, Gruul aggro looks to capitalize on the power of the Red and Green creatures. With a fast curve and really solid interaction, this deck is looking to under the competition. If you’re looking to upgrade, it would look something like the list below.

• Swarm Shambler – Specific Rare
• Shatterskull Charger – Specific Rare
• Oran-Rief Ooze – Specific Rare
• Thundering Raiju – Specific Rare
• Goldspan Dragon – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Shatterskull Smashing – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Esika's Chariot – Ubiquitous Rare
• Ranger Class – Ubiquitous Rare

Azorius Midrange

Azorius is looking to take advantage of all the ETB creatures in those colors to produce an extremely satisfying midrange deck. Spirits is still fighting to gain popularity, but if you like the play style, you can upgrade to the list below.

• The Wandering Emperor – Ubiquitous Mythic
• Luminarch Aspirant – Specific Rare
• Intrepid Adversary – Specific Mythic
• Spectral Adversary – Specific Mythic
• Elite Spellbinder – Ubiquitous Rare
• Skyclave Apparition – Ubiquitous Rare
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar – Ubiquitous Rare
• Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa – Specific Rare
• Maul of the Skyclaves – Specific Rare

Orzhov Sacrifice