MTGO Standard Challenge – April 29, 2023 – Top 8 Decklists

Hi! My name is Vertyx and I will go over the top finishes of the Magic Online Standard Challenge that took place on April 29, 2023, two weeks into the release of March of the Machine. With rotation looming and 8 set worth of cards looking for spots in the most competitive decks, there aren’t too much room for change until then.

standard challenge 32 #12545366

29 April, 2023 - standard - 32 players

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Top 8 Decks

We have a very midrange dominated top 8. Four Copies of White-based midrange decks including the winner, 3 copies of RBx midrange decks and a single copy of Mono Red Aggro that has taken over from Soldiers as the aggro deck of choice for now.

Mono White Midrange by Venom1

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $272.84

Buy on Card Kingdom $321.05

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

21 rare

15 uncommon

18 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (9)

4

The Wandering Emperor

$103.96

2

Elspeth Resplendent

$13.98

3

The Eternal Wanderer

$5.37

Creatures (3)

3

Ambitious Farmhand

$2.97

Instants (4)

2

March of Otherworldly Light

$5.58

2

Destroy Evil

$1.38

Sorceries (4)

4

Lay Down Arms

$2.76

Artifacts (4)

4

Reckoner Bankbuster

$15.96

Enchantments (12)

4

Ossification

$1.96

4

Wedding Announcement

$63.96

4

The Restoration of Eiganjo

$3.16

Lands (24)

16

Plains

$5.60

4

Roadside Reliquary

$1.96

3

Mirrex

$7.47

1

Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire

$8.99

60 Cards
$245.06

Sideboard

3

Loran of the Third Path

$26.97

2

Fateful Absence

$3.58

4

Sunset Revelry

$1.40

3

Depopulate

$2.07

3

Farewell

$41.97

15 Cards
$75.99

Pretty stock Mono White Midrange list. As the person said on their Twitter, they felt so confident with this exact decklist that they chose to not add any new cards from March of the Machine.

Grixis Midrange by katubuta

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $467.68

Buy on Card Kingdom $602.27

Standard

best of 3

5 mythic

35 rare

15 uncommon

5 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (2)

2

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$19.98

Creatures (11)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

4

Corpse Appraiser

$1.40

3

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$239.97

Instants (10)

2

Cut Down

$1.58

2

Abrade

$0.70

3

Go for the Throat

$2.07

3

Make Disappear

$3.87

Sorceries (4)

4

Invoke Despair

$5.16

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

2

Swamp

$0.70

2

Sulfurous Springs

$7.98

2

Shivan Reef

$1.98

3

Blackcleave Cliffs

$13.47

3

Darkslick Shores

$10.47

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

3

Shipwreck Marsh

$17.97

1

Stormcarved Coast

$19.99

4

Xander’s Lounge

$43.96

1

Otawara, Soaring City

$17.99

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

60 Cards
$584.18

Sideboard

2

Razorlash Transmogrant

$1.38

2

Cut Down

$1.58

2

Negate

$0.70

2

Disdainful Stroke

$0.70

3

Duress

$1.05

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

2

Brotherhood’s End

$11.98

15 Cards
$18.09

Grixis still continues to be one of the best decks in the format. Here we can see the inclusion of Chandra, Hope's Beacon which acts as a very strong finisher in grindy matchups.

Boros Midrange by pepeisra

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $314.81

Buy on Card Kingdom $376.41

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

24 rare

11 uncommon

19 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (3)

3

The Wandering Emperor

$77.97

Creatures (19)

3

Ambitious Farmhand

$2.97

4

Spirited Companion

$1.96

4

Guardian of Ghirapur

$1.96

2

Loran of the Third Path

$17.98

3

Serra Paragon

$28.47

3

Etali, Primal Conqueror

$20.97

Sorceries (4)

4

Lay Down Arms

$2.76

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (7)

3

Ossification

$1.47

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (24)

1

Mountain

$0.35

10

Plains

$3.50

4

Sundown Pass

$37.96

1

Roadside Reliquary

$0.49

4

Cabaretti Courtyard

$1.56

4

Jetmir’s Garden

$51.96

60 Cards
$352.26

Sideboard

4

Anointed Peacekeeper

$2.76

1

Loran of the Third Path

$8.99

3

Surge of Salvation

$3.87

2

Destroy Evil

$1.38

1

Depopulate

$0.69

3

Sunfall

$5.97

1

Ossification

$0.49

15 Cards
$24.15

Here we have a white-based midrange deck splashing red for Etali, Primal Conqueror and Fable of the Mirror-Breaker (one of the best cards in the format). We can also see the inclusion of Guardian of Ghirapur. Being able to flicker permanents in your deck with a lot of enter the battlefield triggers is a nice way to gain an advantage on the opponent.

Mono Red Aggro by Swiftclaw_

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $106.79

Buy on Card Kingdom $111.05

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

11 rare

19 uncommon

24 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Creatures (18)

4

Monastery Swiftspear

$2.76

4

Phoenix Chick

$3.16

3

Khenra Spellspear

$1.05

4

Bloodfeather Phoenix

$3.16

3

Bloodthirsty Adversary

$17.97

Instants (8)

4

Play with Fire

$11.96

4

Lightning Strike

$1.40

Sorceries (5)

2

Strangle

$0.70

3

Nahiri’s Warcrafting

$1.47

Artifacts (3)

3

Sword of Once and Future

$35.97

Enchantments (4)

4

Kumano Faces Kakkazan

$1.56

Lands (22)

18

Mountain

$6.30

2

Mirrex

$4.98

2

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$8.98

60 Cards
$101.42

Sideboard

4

Furnace Punisher

$1.40

3

End the Festivities

$1.77

4

Lithomantic Barrage

$1.40

1

Obliterating Bolt

$0.59

3

Pithing Needle

$4.47

15 Cards
$9.63

Mono Red Aggro got a lot of new cards in MOM. Two strong creatures (Khenra Spellspear and Bloodfeather Phoenix), a new removal spell Nahiri's Warcrafting, and Sword of Once and Future.

Mono white control by Tulio_Jaudy

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $201.27

Buy on Card Kingdom $226.33

Standard

best of 3

4 mythic

22 rare

10 uncommon

24 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (6)

4

The Wandering Emperor

$103.96

2

The Eternal Wanderer

$3.58

Creatures (4)

2

Ambitious Farmhand

$1.98

2

Spirited Companion

$0.98

Instants (6)

2

Fateful Absence

$3.58

2

Destroy Evil

$1.38

2

Union of the Third Path

$0.70

Sorceries (12)

4

Lay Down Arms

$2.76

2

White Sun’s Twilight

$5.98

4

Sunfall

$7.96

2

Farewell

$27.98

Artifacts (2)

2

The Mightstone and Weakstone

$5.98

Enchantments (4)

4

The Restoration of Eiganjo

$3.16

Lands (26)

18

Plains

$6.30

4

Field of Ruin

$1.40

4

Mirrex

$9.96

60 Cards
$187.64

Sideboard

2

Sanctuary Warden

$4.98

2

Surge of Salvation

$2.58

1

Fateful Absence

$1.79

2

Knockout Blow

$0.70

2

Union of the Third Path

$0.70

2

Vanquish the Horde

$11.98

4

Reckoner Bankbuster

$15.96

15 Cards
$38.69

A more controlling take on the Mono White Midrange decks, this list plays 8 board wipes and a lot of removal spells instead of the usual midrange creature cards.

Boros Midrange by solomonwolf

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $314.81

Buy on Card Kingdom $376.41

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

24 rare

11 uncommon

19 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (3)

3

The Wandering Emperor

$77.97

Creatures (19)

3

Ambitious Farmhand

$2.97

4

Spirited Companion

$1.96

4

Guardian of Ghirapur

$1.96

2

Loran of the Third Path

$17.98

3

Serra Paragon

$28.47

3

Etali, Primal Conqueror

$20.97

Sorceries (4)

4

Lay Down Arms

$2.76

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (7)

3

Ossification

$1.47

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (24)

1

Mountain

$0.35

10

Plains

$3.50

4

Sundown Pass

$37.96

1

Roadside Reliquary

$0.49

4

Cabaretti Courtyard

$1.56

4

Jetmir’s Garden

$51.96

60 Cards
$352.26

Sideboard

4

Anointed Peacekeeper

$2.76

1

Loran of the Third Path

$8.99

3

Surge of Salvation

$3.87

2

Destroy Evil

$1.38

1

Depopulate

$0.69

3

Sunfall

$5.97

1

Ossification

$0.49

15 Cards
$24.15

Very similar Boros Midrange list to the one we saw before. Splashing red for Etali, Primal Conqueror, Fable of the Mirror-Breaker and also playing Guardian of Ghirapur as a strong flicker effect.

Grixis Midrange by _IlNano_

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $409.21

Buy on Card Kingdom $522.17

Standard

best of 3

4 mythic

35 rare

15 uncommon

6 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (1)

1

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$9.99

Creatures (13)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

4

Corpse Appraiser

$1.40

2

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$159.98

2

Hidetsugu and Kairi

$0.98

1

Sheoldred

$22.99

Instants (10)

2

Cut Down

$1.58

2

Abrade

$0.70

3

Go for the Throat

$2.07

3

Make Disappear

$3.87

Sorceries (4)

1

Brotherhood’s End

$5.99

3

Invoke Despair

$3.87

Artifacts (2)

2

Reckoner Bankbuster

$7.98

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

1

Island

$0.35

2

Swamp

$0.70

1

Sulfurous Springs

$3.99

3

Shivan Reef

$2.97

3

Darkslick Shores

$10.47

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

3

Shipwreck Marsh

$17.97

4

Xander’s Lounge

$43.96

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

60 Cards
$482.74

Sideboard

1

Liliana of the Veil

$19.99

1

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$9.99

2

Razorlash Transmogrant

$1.38

1

Negate

$0.35

2

Disdainful Stroke

$0.70

2

Duress

$0.70

3

Lithomantic Barrage

$1.05

1

Gix’s Command

$0.79

1

Breach the Multiverse

$3.99

1

Invasion of Karsus

$0.49

15 Cards
$39.43

Another Grixis Midrange list upgraded with some of the new cards from MOM. Here on top of Chandra, Hope's Beacon, we also see the inclusion of Hidetsugu and Kairi and Sheoldred // The True Scriptures.

Rakdos Midrange by trukanshii

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $501.23

Buy on Card Kingdom $597.35

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

32 rare

11 uncommon

11 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Generate hand save deck (mtgo/arena) copy to clipboard (arena) Visual view Copy URL

Planeswalkers (2)

2

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$19.98

Creatures (13)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

4

Graveyard Trespasser

$7.16

1

Archfiend of the Dross

$0.49

4

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$319.96

Instants (7)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

1

Abrade

$0.35

3

Go for the Throat

$2.07

Sorceries (5)

4

Invoke Despair

$5.16

1

Gix’s Command

$0.79

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

2

Mountain

$0.70

9

Swamp

$3.15

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Mirrex

$2.49

1

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$4.49

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

60 Cards
$578.02

Sideboard

1

Archfiend of the Dross

$0.49

1

Cut Down

$0.79

4

Duress

$1.40

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Soul Transfer

$0.49

1

Brotherhood’s End

$5.99

2

Glistening Deluge

$0.70

1

Gix’s Command

$0.79

1

Breach the Multiverse

$3.99

1

Reckoner Bankbuster

$3.99

15 Cards
$19.33

At the bottom we have a pretty stock Rakdos Midrange list also playing 2 copies of Chandra, Hope's Beacon.

It is still very early into the format since MOM released but we can already see that people are trying to innovate with new cards. I am looking forward to see what the format brings to us in the upcoming weeks and if we will see a new archetype emerge with some of the new cards from March of the Machine: The Aftermath!