Table of Contents
Hey everyone! Outlaws of Thunder Junction has launched on MTG Arena and we’ve already spent a couple days down in the trenches. I know I usually get this article out before launch, but life gets crazy busy sometimes so I fell a bit behind. No worries though as I’ve got a moment to catch back up and discuss the archetypes of OTJ draft while providing archetype skeletons for you to check out.
For those of you new to this, archetype skeletons are example lists of what a good (but not great) version of that deck would look like. They are built with limitations to ensure they are realistic because when you’re in the wide-open bomb filled lane, you really don’t need much help. These are the type of decks that could trophy, but aren’t guaranteed to.
The outline that we are using for this exercise will exclude all mythics. It will be one rare from the base set, one rare and one uncommon from the breaking news set, four base uncommons, and not more than 2 of any base common.
For simplicities sake, the mana bases are going to be static with eight of each basic land and one of the ping deserts. These are not necessarily the proper mana base, but we’re just keeping it simple here.
Azorius
Azorius is all about not casting a spell from your hand during your turn to get a bonus. You can do this through plotting or holding up instants. This deck has plenty of early defensive plays along with ways to deal with large threats until you win through the air.
OTJ Skeleton Azorius
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (15)
Instants (6)
Enchantments (2)
40 Cards
$15.18
Orzhov
Orzhov is doing its usual Aristocrats thing with ways to take advantage of sacrificing cheap tokens and creatures. Nezumi Linkbreaker is a star here by letting you sacrifice it twice as well as get a token trigger out of it.
OTJ Skeleton Orzhov
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (16)
Instants (2)
Enchantments (1)
40 Cards
$21.58
Boros
Did you know that Boros is an aggro deck? I know, right? I am also baffled by this shocking turn of events. This version is built around mercenaries. Who doesn’t enjoy a good beatdown?
OTJ Skeleton Boros
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (15)
Instants (6)
Sorceries (1)
Enchantments (1)
40 Cards
$14.56
Selesnya
Selesnya is once again a beatdown deck, but this time it specializes in mounts. You want to load up on the powerful ones and smash the face in before they know what happened to them.
OTJ Skeleton Selesnya
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (14)
40 Cards
$15.78
Dimir
The dimir deck is all about living that criminal lifestyle. That’s right, you get bonuses for committing crimes. It’s a bit of a grind, but you can’t start out at the top of the underworld. I would love to add some extra ping deserts to this, but the rules are the rules.
OTJ Skeleton Dimir
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (12)
Instants (7)
Enchantments (1)
40 Cards
$19.78
Izzet
Izzet a spells deck? It sure is. This time it is focused around double spelling which, coincidently enough, is one of my favorite things to be doing in limited. This deck is packed with both payoffs and easy ways to enable them.
OTJ Skeleton Izzet
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (14)
Instants (6)
40 Cards
$14.7
Simic
Simic has been on a bit of a downturn in limited for a while, but it appears they may be plotting something to flip the script. Basically, just plot some cards and profit.
OTJ Skeleton Simic
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (16)
Sorceries (5)
40 Cards
$15.78
Rakdos
Rakdos is on the outlaw plan. That fits in pretty well flavor wise and you can expect plenty of illegal activities form the triggers.
OTJ Skeleton Rakdos
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (14)
Enchantments (1)
40 Cards
$14.7
Golgari
Golgari is doing some graveyard shenanigans where it slowly grinds things out. If you’re looking for a long attrition game, then this is your deck.
OTJ Skeleton Golgari
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (18)
40 Cards
$14.82
Gruul
Gruul likes big fronts and they cannot lie. It loves having creatures with power four or greater to get some fun triggers and smash the face in.
OTJ Skeleton Gruul
by j2sjosh
Limited
best of 1
0 mythic
2 rare
5 uncommon
33 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (20)
40 Cards
$14.58
Wrap Up
Thanks for reading! I’ll be back in a few days with my combos and synergies guide. Until then, stay classy people!
I’m always open to feedback, let me know what you loved, what you hated, or just send dog pics. You can contact me at:
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j2sjosh
Articles: 303More Articles
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Breaking News
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Tier List
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: The Big Score and Special Guests
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Multicolor
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Artifacts and Lands
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Green
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Removal Guide
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Sealed and Prerelease Guide
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Red
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Black
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: Blue
Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) Limited Set Review: White
