October 2021 Arena Open Day 1 Standard Decklists

The first day of the October 2021 Arena Open tournament is now underway! In this iteration of the tournament, players can reach 7 wins before 3 losses in a best-of-one (BO1) Standard format or 4 wins before 1 loss in best-of-three (BO3) to receive a token to compete in the second day for their chance to win up to $2000 USD in cash prizes. The format is post-rotation Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Standard.

For this article, we will be changing the format slightly from previous iterations. We will sample a deck from different archetypes that saw success in the tournament and list them all at the end. This is partly due to the lack of diversity leading up to the release of Innistrad: Crimson Vow in less than a month.

Mono White

Mono White Aggro by Urlich (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $51.22

Buy on Card Kingdom $78.95

Standard

Aggro

best of 1

4 mythic

27 rare

10 uncommon

19 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (33)

4

Stonebinder's Familiar

$1.40

4

Usher of the Fallen

$1.40

4

Luminarch Aspirant

$1.96

4

Intrepid Adversary

$7.16

4

Sungold Sentinel

$1.96

4

Elite Spellbinder

$1.96

2

Brutal Cathar

$1.98

3

Skyclave Apparition

$7.47

3

Adeline, Resplendent Cathar

$38.97

1

Legion Angel

$0.49

Artifacts (4)

2

Portable Hole

$1.98

2

Maul of the Skyclaves

$0.98

Lands (23)

19

Snow-Covered Plains

$7.41

4

Faceless Haven

$2.36

60 Cards
$77.48

Sideboard

3

Legion Angel

$1.47

3 Cards
$1.47

Mono White Magecraft by Kevin Antonio (7-2)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $10.15

Buy on Card Kingdom $29.55

Standard

Aggro

best of 1

0 mythic

10 rare

17 uncommon

33 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (25)

4

Battlefield Raptor

$1.40

4

Monk of the Open Hand

$1.40

1

Kitesail Cleric

$0.35

4

Usher of the Fallen

$1.40

4

Leonin Lightscribe

$2.36

4

Luminarch Aspirant

$1.96

4

Clarion Spirit

$1.40

Instants (2)

2

Blessed Defiance

$0.70

Sorceries (8)

4

Guiding Voice

$1.40

4

Homestead Courage

$1.40

Artifacts (4)

4

Portable Hole

$3.96

Lands (21)

19

Snow-Covered Plains

$7.41

2

Faceless Haven

$1.18

60 Cards
$26.32

Sideboard

1

Academic Probation

$0.49

1

Environmental Sciences

$0.35

1

Inkling Summoning

$0.35

1

Spirit Summoning

$0.35

2

Expanded Anatomy

$0.70

1

Mascot Exhibition

$0.99

7 Cards
$3.23

One of the most popular decks in the current metagame, Mono White is fast, linear and can be great for beginners. The first version by Urlich is the more traditional approach where the curve is slightly higher with some interaction, whereas Kevin Antonio opted for a super aggressive “second spell” theme that only has 10 rares just as effective (if not more) in best of one.

Mono Green

Mono Green Aggro by Simon Nielsen (7-2)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $53.97

Buy on Card Kingdom $89.19

Standard

Aggro

best of 1

0 mythic

31 rare

5 uncommon

24 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (25)

1

Tangled Florahedron

$0.35

4

Werewolf Pack Leader

$9.96

4

Lotus Cobra

$15.96

4

Sculptor of Winter

$1.40

4

Kazandu Mammoth

$1.96

4

Old-Growth Troll

$3.16

4

Gnarled Professor

$1.96

Instants (2)

2

Snakeskin Veil

$0.70

Sorceries (4)

4

Blizzard Brawl

$1.40

Artifacts (4)

4

Esika's Chariot

$17.96

Enchantments (2)

2

Unnatural Growth

$8.98

Lands (23)

18

Snow-Covered Forest

$17.82

1

Lair of the Hydra

$1.99

4

Faceless Haven

$2.36

60 Cards
$85.96

Sideboard

1

Environmental Sciences

$0.35

1

Pest Summoning

$0.35

1

Expanded Anatomy

$0.35

1

Containment Breach

$0.35

1

Basic Conjuration

$0.49

1

Introduction to Annihilation

$0.35

1

Mascot Exhibition

$0.99

7 Cards
$3.23

Mono Green is almost as popular as Mono White, with bigger and resilient creatures. Simon Nielsen, who has cashed in every Arena Open so far (a remarkable feat), opted for this version on day 1 that can lead to more explosive starts with Lotus Cobra and Sculptor of Winter.

Izzet

Izzet Dragons by El_Gran_Boa (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $188.36

Buy on Card Kingdom $211.01

Standard

Control

best of 3

12 mythic

17 rare

16 uncommon

15 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (8)

4

Smoldering Egg

$2.76

4

Goldspan Dragon

$83.96

Instants (20)

2

Fading Hope

$3.58

2

Spikefield Hazard

$1.58

4

Dragon's Fire

$1.40

2

Jwari Disruption

$0.70

2

Cinderclasm

$0.70

4

Divide by Zero

$1.40

4

Memory Deluge

$5.16

Sorceries (12)

4

Shatterskull Smashing

$37.96

4

Expressive Iteration

$2.36

4

Alrund's Epiphany

$19.96

Lands (20)

8

Island

$2.80

3

Mountain

$1.05

4

Riverglide Pathway

$33.96

2

Hall of Storm Giants

$6.98

3

Frostboil Snarl

$1.47

60 Cards
$207.78

Sideboard

1

Mercurial Transformation

$0.35

1

Environmental Sciences

$0.35

1

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.49

1

Start from Scratch

$0.35

1

Introduction to Annihilation

$0.35

1

Elemental Summoning

$0.35

1

Mascot Exhibition

$0.99

7 Cards
$3.23

Izzet Epiphany by Seth Manfield (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $98.19

Buy on Card Kingdom $100.33

Standard

Control

best of 1

4 mythic

21 rare

21 uncommon

14 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Instants (25)

3

Spikefield Hazard

$2.37

3

Fading Hope

$5.37

3

Jwari Disruption

$1.05

4

Galvanic Iteration

$2.36

3

Cathartic Pyre

$1.17

3

Divide by Zero

$1.05

2

Prismari Command

$1.98

4

Unexpected Windfall

$3.96

Sorceries (10)

4

Expressive Iteration

$2.36

2

Burn Down the House

$2.98

4

Alrund's Epiphany

$19.96

Enchantments (2)

2

Battle of Frost and Fire

$0.98

Lands (23)

4

Island

$1.40

6

Mountain

$2.10

2

Field of Ruin

$0.98

4

Riverglide Pathway

$33.96

4

Frostboil Snarl

$1.96

3

Hall of Storm Giants

$10.47

60 Cards
$96.46

Sideboard

2

Environmental Sciences

$0.70

1

Start from Scratch

$0.35

1

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.49

1

Elemental Summoning

$0.35

2

Mascot Exhibition

$1.98

7 Cards
$3.87

Izzet Lier by Brad Nelson (7-1)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $135.34

Buy on Card Kingdom $143.13

Standard

Control

best of 3

10 mythic

13 rare

20 uncommon

17 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (7)

4

Smoldering Egg

$2.76

3

Lier, Disciple of the Drowned

$20.97

Instants (21)

4

Spikefield Hazard

$3.16

4

Fading Hope

$7.16

2

Jwari Disruption

$0.70

2

Galvanic Iteration

$1.18

4

Divide by Zero

$1.40

1

Prismari Command

$0.99

4

Unexpected Windfall

$3.96

Sorceries (13)

2

Thundering Rebuke

$0.70

4

Expressive Iteration

$2.36

3

Shatterskull Smashing

$28.47

4

Alrund's Epiphany

$19.96

Lands (19)

7

Island

$2.45

6

Mountain

$2.10

4

Riverglide Pathway

$33.96

2

Hall of Storm Giants

$6.98

60 Cards
$139.26

Sideboard

2

Environmental Sciences

$0.70

1

Introduction to Prophecy

$0.35

1

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.49

1

Introduction to Annihilation

$0.35

2

Mascot Exhibition

$1.98

7 Cards
$3.87

Izzet is of course another contender in the current metagame, thanks to Alrund’s Epiphany. The build can vary, from the “Dragons” build with Goldspan Dragon, “Turns” with Galvanic Iteration, and now a hybrid version with Lier, Disciple of the Drowned. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, but their performance shouldn’t deviate too much from each other.

Mono Black

Mono Black Aggro by Brandon (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $159.2

Buy on Card Kingdom $204.23

Standard

Aggro

best of 1

5 mythic

18 rare

9 uncommon

28 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Planeswalkers (2)

2

Lolth, Spider Queen

$13.98

Creatures (19)

4

Eyetwitch

$1.40

4

Shambling Ghast

$1.96

4

Skyclave Shade

$1.96

1

Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia

$4.49

3

Sedgemoor Witch

$10.47

3

Graveyard Trespasser

$2.97

Instants (7)

1

Flunk

$0.35

4

Deadly Dispute

$5.96

2

Infernal Grasp

$4.58

Sorceries (5)

4

Eaten Alive

$1.40

1

Bloodchief's Thirst

$0.35

Enchantments (3)

3

The Meathook Massacre

$119.97

Lands (24)

16

Snow-Covered Swamp

$15.84

3

Hive of the Eye Tyrant

$11.97

1

Field of Ruin

$0.49

4

Faceless Haven

$2.36

60 Cards
$200.5

Sideboard

2

Environmental Sciences

$0.70

1

Necrotic Fumes

$0.35

1

Pest Summoning

$0.35

1

Containment Breach

$0.35

2

Mascot Exhibition

$1.98

7 Cards
$3.73

Mono Black Zombies by Ken Yukuhuro (7-1)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $156.42

Buy on Card Kingdom $173.62

Standard

Aggro

best of 1

13 mythic

19 rare

6 uncommon

22 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (22)

4

Champion of the Perished

$5.96

4

Tainted Adversary

$13.96

4

Wight

$1.96

3

Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia

$13.47

4

Morbid Opportunist

$1.96

3

Ebondeath, Dracolich

$14.97

Instants (8)

4

Rotten Reunion

$2.36

4

Infernal Grasp

$9.16

Sorceries (4)

2

Bloodchief's Thirst

$0.70

2

Inscription of Ruin

$0.98

Enchantments (2)

2

The Meathook Massacre

$79.98

Lands (24)

18

Snow-Covered Swamp

$17.82

2

Hive of the Eye Tyrant

$7.98

4

Faceless Haven

$2.36

60 Cards
$173.62

Urlich, who popularized Mono Black Control, recommended a Mono Black variation deck prior to the event. Many players would have picked it up and found success, to combat the aggro and Izzet decks that are popular right now. Ken Yukuhiro also found success with Mono Black Zombies for a more aggressive build.

Control Decks

Azorius Control by JS2 (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $110.84

Buy on Card Kingdom $144.83

Standard

Control

best of 3

9 mythic

26 rare

14 uncommon

11 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Planeswalkers (4)

4

Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset

$21.96

Instants (15)

4

Fateful Absence

$3.16

4

Jwari Disruption

$1.40

4

Divide by Zero

$1.40

3

Memory Deluge

$3.87

Sorceries (13)

2

Sunset Revelry

$0.70

4

Doomskar

$3.96

2

Devastating Mastery

$0.98

2

Emeria's Call

$15.98

3

Alrund's Epiphany

$14.97

Artifacts (3)

3

Strixhaven Stadium

$2.37

Lands (25)

4

Island

$1.40

7

Plains

$2.45

2

Cave of the Frost Dragon

$0.98

4

Deserted Beach

$25.96

4

Hengegate Pathway

$37.96

4

Field of Ruin

$1.96

60 Cards
$141.46

Sideboard

1

Academic Probation

$0.49

1

Environmental Sciences

$0.35

1

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.49

1

Reduce to Memory

$0.35

1

Spirit Summoning

$0.35

1

Introduction to Prophecy

$0.35

1

Mascot Exhibition

$0.99

7 Cards
$3.37

Dimir Control by Jee Dhillon (7-1)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $215.64

Buy on Card Kingdom $264.91

Standard

Control

best of 3

7 mythic

20 rare

20 uncommon

13 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (3)

2

Iymrith, Desert Doom

$4.58

1

Xanathar, Guild Kingpin

$5.49

Instants (24)

1

Negate

$0.35

3

Jwari Disruption

$1.05

4

Infernal Grasp

$9.16

4

Siphon Insight

$1.96

4

Flunk

$1.40

4

Divide by Zero

$1.40

4

Memory Deluge

$5.16

Sorceries (4)

2

Bloodchief's Thirst

$0.70

2

Shadows' Verdict

$0.98

Enchantments (4)

4

The Meathook Massacre

$159.96

Lands (25)

5

Island

$1.75

6

Swamp

$2.10

3

Field of Ruin

$1.47

4

Clearwater Pathway

$27.96

2

Hall of Storm Giants

$6.98

4

Shipwreck Marsh

$27.96

1

Ice Tunnel

$0.49

60 Cards
$260.9

Sideboard

1

Confront the Past

$0.49

2

Environmental Sciences

$0.70

1

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.49

1

Pest Summoning

$0.35

2

Mascot Exhibition

$1.98

7 Cards
$4.01

Players found success in the more off-meta control decks, with Azorius and Dimir. JS2 built his around Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset and Strixhaven Stadium whereas Jee Dhillon saw the value of Black removal and Siphon Insight.

Midrange Decks

Simic Ramp by jahcronin (7-0)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $92.58

Buy on Card Kingdom $143.67

Standard

Ramp

best of 3

14 mythic

17 rare

16 uncommon

13 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Planeswalkers (3)

3

Wrenn and Seven

$22.47

Creatures (15)

4

Prosperous Innkeeper

$5.16

4

Rootcoil Creeper

$1.40

4

Spectral Adversary

$5.16

3

Koma, Cosmos Serpent

$14.97

Instants (10)

4

Fading Hope

$7.16

4

Divide by Zero

$1.40

2

Memory Deluge

$2.58

Sorceries (4)

4

Alrund's Epiphany

$19.96

Artifacts (4)

4

Esika's Chariot

$17.96

Lands (24)

7

Forest

$2.45

6

Island

$2.10

4

Vineglimmer Snarl

$1.96

4

Barkchannel Pathway

$25.96

2

Hall of Storm Giants

$6.98

1

Lair of the Hydra

$1.99

60 Cards
$139.66

Sideboard

2

Environmental Sciences

$0.70

2

Teachings of the Archaics

$0.98

1

Introduction to Annihilation

$0.35

2

Mascot Exhibition

$1.98

7 Cards
$4.01

A ramp deck is always excellent for best of one, as its linear game plan and the top end win conditions that other decks cannot do much about. There’s no Ugin, Spirit Dragon anymore in Standard, but Alrund’s Epiphany and Koma, Cosmos Serpent is good enough.

Mardu Tempo by Taylor Slow (7-1)

by MTG Arena Zone

Buy on TCGplayer $106.84

Buy on Card Kingdom $144.34

Standard

Tempo

best of 3

1 mythic

45 rare

6 uncommon

8 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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Creatures (24)

4

Stonebinder's Familiar

$1.40

4

Luminarch Aspirant

$1.96

1

Intrepid Adversary

$1.79

4

Sungold Sentinel

$1.96

4

Elite Spellbinder

$1.96

1

Brutal Cathar

$0.99

4

Graveyard Trespasser

$3.96

2

Reidane, God of the Worthy

$1.38

Instants (2)

2

Vanishing Verse

$0.98

Sorceries (6)

2

Duress

$0.70

2

Bloodchief's Thirst

$0.70

1

Can't Stay Away

$0.49

1

Angelfire Ignition

$0.99

Enchantments (4)

4

Showdown of the Skalds

$7.16

Lands (24)

6

Plains

$2.10

4

Brightclimb Pathway

$17.96

4

Blightstep Pathway

$27.96

4

Needleverge Pathway

$25.96

2

Hive of the Eye Tyrant

$7.98

4

Haunted Ridge

$35.96

60 Cards
$144.34

Taylor Slow’s deck selection is not a conventional one as they looked to build a hybrid of Mono White Aggro splashed for some extra cards to augment the deck. The deck looks to have a track record, refined from climbing the Mythic ranks up to #54 and for best of one play.

BO1 7 Win Standard Decklists

More decks will be added here as the event progresses, check back soon!

Bo1 Azorius Control by JS2 – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-1

Bo1 Dimir Control by Jee Dhillon – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-1

Bo1 Izzet Dragons by El_Gran_Boa – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-0)

Record:

7-0

Bo1 Izzet Epiphany by Seth Manfield – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-0)

Record:

7-0

Bo1 Izzet Lier by Brad Nelson – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-1

Bo1 Mardu Tempo by Taylor Slow – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-1

Bo1 Mardu Vampires by Ashlizzlle – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-2)

Record:

7-2

Bo1 Mono Black Aggro by Brandon – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-0

Bo1 Mono Black Zombies by Ken Yukuhuro – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-1)

Record:

7-1

Bo1 Mono Green Aggro by Simon Nielsen – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-2)

Record:

7-2

Bo1 Mono White Aggro by Urlich – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-0)

Record:

7-0

Bo1 Mono White Magecraft by Kevin Antonio – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-2)

Record:

7-2

Bo1 Simic Ramp by jahcronin – October 2021 Arena Open – Day 1 (7-0)

Record:

7-0