Pro Tour March of the Machine Top 8 Standard Decklists

Hi! My name is Vertyx and I will go over the top 8 decklists from Pro Tour March of the Machine that took place in Minneapolis over the weekend featuring 252 players and a $500,000 prize pool! Lets take a look at the players and decklists that will compete in the top 8 bracket – you can also see the top 32 decks in our database here and the metagame breakdown here.

Top 8 Decks

We can see a lot of familiar names in this one. Nathan Steuer, the last World Champion and 2 times MOCS champion with his second Pro Tour top 8 in a row now! Javier Dominguez, is another World Champion this time from the year 2018! Simone Nielsen, is the winner of 2014 Worlds, and Autumn Burchett, the first Mythic Championship winner!

Half of the top 8 players are from team Handshake that completely crushed it with Rakdos Midrange! Then we got Yiwen Chen with a single copy of Azorius Soldiers. Another interesting list is Autumn Burchett’s Orzhov Midrange, a Mono-White midrange shell splashing black for Breach the Multiverse. The last 2 lists are also quite remarkable. First being Rakdos Reanimator by Cain Rianhard with some interesting non-standard card choices and second being David Olsen with Domain Ramp!

Rakdos Midrange by Nathan Steuer

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $462.38

Buy on Card Kingdom $547.07

Standard

best of 3

5 mythic

30 rare

12 uncommon

13 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 (9)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

2

Graveyard Trespasser

$3.58

3

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$239.97

Instants (8)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

1

Abrade

$0.35

4

Go for the Throat

$2.76

Sorceries (7)

2

Duress

$0.70

1

Light Up the Night

$0.49

4

Invoke Despair

$5.16

Artifacts (4)

4

Reckoner Bankbuster

$15.96

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

1

Mountain

$0.35

10

Swamp

$3.50

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

2

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$8.98

60 Cards
$501.04

Sideboard

2

Liliana of the Veil

$39.98

2

Razorlash Transmogrant

$1.38

1

Rotten Reunion

$0.35

1

Cut Down

$0.79

1

Abrade

$0.35

2

Duress

$0.70

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Obliterating Bolt

$0.59

1

Soul Transfer

$0.49

2

Glistening Deluge

$0.70

15 Cards
$46.03

Winner of the March of the Machine Pro Tour is Nathan Steuer with Rakdos Midrange! He has been proving how good of a player he is with mulltiple top finishes chained together. All of the Rakdos Midrange lists in the top 8 are from team Handshake. They are mostly similiar with only a few card choices being different for each player. They completely crushed it in this event managing to take up half of the top 8 and also the first place! We can see some new cards from March of the Machine. Those being Chandra, hope's beacon (a strong top end against fair decks) and Light Up The Night in the maindeck (a very versatile removal spell and also potentially a finisher in the late game), and Lithomantic Barrage with Glistening Deluge providing strong sideboard cards against white decks.

Rakdos Reanimator by Cain Rianhard

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $301.5

Buy on Card Kingdom $371.03

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

33 rare

11 uncommon

10 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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

Creatures (12)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

2

Atsushi, the Blazing Sky

$13.98

3

Phyrexian Fleshgorger

$20.97

2

Etali, Primal Conqueror

$13.98

1

Atraxa, Grand Unifier

$27.99

Instants (7)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

4

Go for the Throat

$2.76

Sorceries (3)

3

Invoke Despair

$3.87

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (8)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

1

The Elder Dragon War

$0.49

3

The Cruelty of Gix

$5.37

Lands (27)

1

Mountain

$0.35

9

Swamp

$3.15

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Xander’s Lounge

$10.99

2

Ziatora’s Proving Ground

$18.98

1

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$4.49

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

60 Cards
$338.6

Sideboard

1

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$9.99

1

Cut Down

$0.79

2

Abrade

$0.70

4

Duress

$1.40

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Invoke Despair

$1.29

2

Gix’s Command

$1.58

1

Reckoner Bankbuster

$3.99

1

Unlicensed Hearse

$11.99

15 Cards
$32.43

At second place we have a popular strategy of using The Cruelty of Gix to reanimate big creatures with a few interesting card choices. Those being mostly in the creature slots (Atsushi, the blazing Sky and Phyrexian Fleshgorger), providing stabilization against aggro decks while also being able to provide some value and pressure against midrange and control. A very well built list

Orzhov Midrange by Autumn Burchett

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $268.88

Buy on Card Kingdom $328.77

Standard

best of 3

6 mythic

23 rare

13 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 (6)

3

The Wandering Emperor

$77.97

3

The Eternal Wanderer

$5.37

Creatures (9)

3

Ambitious Farmhand

$2.97

1

Spirited Companion

$0.49

2

Loran of the Third Path

$17.98

3

Serra Paragon

$28.47

Instants (1)

1

Destroy Evil

$0.69

Sorceries (7)

4

Lay Down Arms

$2.76

1

Sunfall

$1.99

2

Breach the Multiverse

$7.98

Artifacts (4)

4

Reckoner Bankbuster

$15.96

Enchantments (9)

3

Ossification

$1.47

4

Wedding Announcement

$63.96

2

The Restoration of Eiganjo

$1.58

Lands (24)

10

Plains

$3.50

2

Swamp

$0.70

1

Caves of Koilos

$0.59

1

Field of Ruin

$0.35

2

Roadside Reliquary

$0.98

4

Obscura Storefront

$1.96

4

Raffine’s Tower

$59.96

60 Cards
$297.68

Sideboard

1

Loran of the Third Path

$8.99

2

Archangel of Wrath

$0.98

2

Cut Down

$1.58

1

Surge of Salvation

$1.29

1

Go for the Throat

$0.69

1

Destroy Evil

$0.69

1

Sheoldred’s Edict

$1.49

4

Duress

$1.40

1

Sunfall

$1.99

1

Invasion of Gobakhan

$11.99

15 Cards
$31.09

A Mono-White Midrange based deck splashing black for a few removal spells in the sideboard and for Breach the Multiverse as a strong top end that provides immediate value.

Domain Ramp by David Olsen

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $337.02

Buy on Card Kingdom $460.59

Standard

best of 3

4 mythic

37 rare

8 uncommon

11 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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

Creatures (14)

4

Topiary Stomper

$7.96

4

Archangel of Wrath

$1.96

2

Etali, Primal Conqueror

$13.98

4

Atraxa, Grand Unifier

$111.96

Sorceries (6)

2

Sunfall

$3.98

4

Herd Migration

$1.96

Artifacts (2)

2

Reckoner Bankbuster

$7.98

Enchantments (8)

4

Ossification

$1.96

4

Leyline Binding

$55.96

4

Invasion of Zendikar

$1.40

Lands (26)

4

Forest

$1.40

1

Island

$0.35

2

Mountain

$0.70

3

Plains

$1.05

1

Swamp

$0.35

4

Spara’s Headquarters

$39.96

4

Jetmir’s Garden

$51.96

2

Mirrex

$4.98

4

Ziatora’s Proving Ground

$37.96

1

Boseiju, Who Endures

$42.99

60 Cards
$390.8

Sideboard

4

Tyrranax Rex

$25.96

4

Lithomantic Barrage

$1.40

1

Sunfall

$1.99

2

Vanquish the Horde

$11.98

2

Unlicensed Hearse

$23.98

1

Temporary Lockdown

$1.99

1

Mirrex

$2.49

15 Cards
$69.79

A fairly new deck that wants to ramp and stabilize early in the game and then cast big threats in the late game that also provide immediate card advantage. It has been on the rise in the past few weeks being a good counter to all the midrange decks that dominate the format.

Rakdos Midrange by Javier Dominguez

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $462.85

Buy on Card Kingdom $547.07

Standard

best of 3

5 mythic

30 rare

12 uncommon

13 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 (9)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

2

Graveyard Trespasser

$3.58

3

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$239.97

Instants (8)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

1

Abrade

$0.35

4

Go for the Throat

$2.76

Sorceries (7)

2

Duress

$0.70

1

Light Up the Night

$0.49

4

Invoke Despair

$5.16

Artifacts (4)

4

Reckoner Bankbuster

$15.96

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

1

Mountain

$0.35

10

Swamp

$3.50

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

2

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$8.98

60 Cards
$501.04

Sideboard

2

Liliana of the Veil

$39.98

2

Razorlash Transmogrant

$1.38

1

Rotten Reunion

$0.35

1

Cut Down

$0.79

1

Abrade

$0.35

2

Duress

$0.70

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Obliterating Bolt

$0.59

1

Soul Transfer

$0.49

2

Glistening Deluge

$0.70

15 Cards
$46.03

Rakdos Midrange by Karl Sarap

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $397.24

Buy on Card Kingdom $467.43

Standard

best of 3

5 mythic

30 rare

12 uncommon

13 common

0

1

2

3

4

5

6+

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

Planeswalkers (3)

1

Liliana of the Veil

$19.99

2

Chandra, Hope’s Beacon

$19.98

Creatures (9)

1

Razorlash Transmogrant

$0.69

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

2

Graveyard Trespasser

$3.58

2

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$159.98

Instants (8)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

1

Abrade

$0.35

4

Go for the Throat

$2.76

Sorceries (7)

2

Duress

$0.70

1

Light Up the Night

$0.49

4

Invoke Despair

$5.16

Artifacts (3)

3

Reckoner Bankbuster

$11.97

Enchantments (4)

4

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

$87.96

Lands (26)

1

Mountain

$0.35

10

Swamp

$3.50

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

2

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$8.98

60 Cards
$437.74

Sideboard

1

Liliana of the Veil

$19.99

1

Razorlash Transmogrant

$0.69

1

Rotten Reunion

$0.35

1

Cut Down

$0.79

1

Abrade

$0.35

2

Duress

$0.70

1

Dreams of Steel and Oil

$0.35

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Obliterating Bolt

$0.59

1

Soul Transfer

$0.49

2

Glistening Deluge

$0.70

1

Reckoner Bankbuster

$3.99

15 Cards
$29.69

Rakdos Midrange by Simon Nielsen

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $461.28

Buy on Card Kingdom $547.97

Standard

best of 3

5 mythic

31 rare

11 uncommon

13 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 (10)

4

Bloodtithe Harvester

$1.56

3

Graveyard Trespasser

$5.37

3

Sheoldred, the Apocalypse

$239.97

Instants (7)

3

Cut Down

$2.37

1

Abrade

$0.35

3

Go for the Throat

$2.07

Sorceries (8)

2

Duress

$0.70

2

Light Up the Night

$0.98

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

Mountain

$0.70

9

Swamp

$3.15

4

Sulfurous Springs

$15.96

4

Blackcleave Cliffs

$17.96

4

Haunted Ridge

$63.96

1

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

$9.49

2

Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance

$8.98

60 Cards
$498.64

Sideboard

2

Liliana of the Veil

$39.98

1

Razorlash Transmogrant

$0.69

1

Rotten Reunion

$0.35

1

Cut Down

$0.79

1

Abrade

$0.35

2

Duress

$0.70

2

Lithomantic Barrage

$0.70

1

Obliterating Bolt

$0.59

1

Soul Transfer

$0.49

2

Glistening Deluge

$0.70

1

Reckoner Bankbuster

$3.99

15 Cards
$49.33

The other Rakdos midrange lists by team Handshake that completely crushed it in the event. Most card choices are the same in all lists only with small differences.

Azorius Soldiers by Yiwen Chen

by Vertyx

Buy on TCGplayer $187.85

Buy on Card Kingdom $257.63

Standard

best of 3

1 mythic

39 rare

13 uncommon

7 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

The Wandering Emperor

$25.99

Creatures (27)

4

Recruitment Officer

$2.76

2

Skrelv, Defector Mite

$12.98

2

Faerie Mastermind

$21.98

4

Resolute Reinforcements

$1.56

2

Zephyr Sentinel

$0.70

4

Valiant Veteran

$3.16

2

Dennick, Pious Apprentice

$1.38

3

Harbin, Vanguard Aviator

$1.47

4

Skystrike Officer

$1.96

Instants (6)

3

Make Disappear

$3.87

2

Protect the Negotiators

$0.70

1

Destroy Evil

$0.69

3

Invasion of Gobakhan

$35.97

Lands (23)

3

Plains

$1.05

4

Adarkar Wastes

$17.96

4

Seachrome Coast

$11.16

2

Deserted Beach

$17.98

1

Secluded Courtyard

$2.99

1

Plaza of Heroes

$10.99

4

Fortified Beachhead

$1.96

2

Mirrex

$4.98

1

Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire

$8.99

1

Otawara, Soaring City

$17.99

60 Cards
$211.22

Sideboard

3

Brutal Cathar

$16.47

1

Loran of the Third Path

$8.99

2

Surge of Salvation

$2.58

1

Negate

$0.35

2

Lantern Flare

$0.98

3

Destroy Evil

$2.07

3

Tocasia’s Welcome

$14.97

15 Cards
$46.41

Soldiers have been slowly on the decline but Yiwen Chen still managed to top 8 the Pro Tour with it! A lot of interesting card choices in the deck. Some of them also being from March of the Machine. Faerie Mastermind, the showcase card of Yuta Takahashi for winning the 2021 World Championship and Invasion of Gobakhan slows down the opponent and further develops your aggro gameplan.

Thanks for reading the article! Nathan Steuer has been proving how strong he is as a player and i can’t wait to see which events he will conquer again! He has reached the point where he is competing with PVDDR to be the best player to ever play the game!

All Top 32 Decklists