Table of Contents
Introduction
Discover the best Magic: The Gathering Arena Standard decks and archetypes the players use to climb the ranked ladder and win tournaments. Our MTG Arena Best of Three (Bo3) Standard Meta Tier List regularly reviews and ranks the top decks in the format, carefully curated by Bohe, an old wizard who undoubtedly has a lot to share. We also follow up our choices based on various factors and sources, comprehensively analyzing the available data.
Meta Report
Standard Best of Three (Bo3) Meta Tier List
| Tier | Deck Name |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 5-Color Domain 🔼 |
| Tier 1 | Esper Midrange 🔼 |
| Tier 1 | Boros Convoke |
| Tier 1 | Dimir Midrange 🔼 |
| Tier 2 | Simic Artifacts 🔽 |
| Tier 2 | Golgari Midrange 🔽 |
| Tier 2 | Temur Prowess 🆕 |
| Tier 2 | Mono-Black Skeletons 🆕 |
| Tier 2 | Temur Ramp 🔽 |
| Tier 3 | Boros Heroic 🆕 |
| Tier 3 | Golgari Legends 🆕 |
Tier List Disclaimer
- Tier 1: The most dominant decks of the format since the release of Outlaws at Thunder Junction. This implies the percentage of victories, presence in the meta, and favorable games.
- Tier 2: These will be solid decks with relevant presence in the OTJ Bo3 meta. A good pilot will probably be able to play one of these archetypes and have good results. They usually have at least one difficult match against the Tier 1 meta archetypes.
- Tier 3: In last place, we find decks with little presence, but enough to be considered. In addition to their low popularity, they are decks that present two or more complicated matchups against the meta. This prevents them from standing out until the release of new cards or a meta shift happens. However, players who dedicate themselves to mastering these archetypes usually have the opportunity to obtain good results.
🔼 – The deck has improved its position on the chart. This includes movements within the same tier.
🔽 – The deck has lost positions on the table. This includes movements within the same tier.
🆕 – First appearance in the tier list.
Tier 1
5-Color Domain
5-Color Domain – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Midrange
best of 3
11 mythic
31 rare
9 uncommon
9 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (12)
Enchantments (10)
Lands (26)
60 Cards
$604.32
Sideboard
15 Cards
$56.51
5-Color Domain has been a solid archetype since its first iterations.
What seems unrealistic to me is to think that it will remain alive after the Standard rotation. Replacing Topiary Stomper may be possible soon, however, losing the New Capenna triomes is another story.
Outlaws of Thunder didn’t give us triple lands, or duals efficient enough to play 5-colors midrange or control decks. Nevertheless, Bloomburrow could say otherwise. In any case, it is something that still seems distant.
Only time will tell. Until then, 5-Color Domain will remain solid in Tier 1. Being back at the top of our tier list is strong proof.
Esper Midrange
Esper Midrange – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Midrange
best of 3
9 mythic
36 rare
13 uncommon
2 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (22)
Enchantments (2)
Lands (26)
60 Cards
$361.12
Sideboard
15 Cards
$41.97
After the OTJ release, Esper Midrange is looking more like Esper Legends.
5-Color Domain doesn’t have any new cards. On the other hand, Esper Midrange incorporates a few new tools that work amazingly well with this archetype game plan.
The most interesting of them is Duelist of the Mind. The way this new creature combines with Raffine, Scheming Seer is amazing. Lord Skitter, Sewer King is also there for the same reason. It is the best way to commit a crime every turn without having to attack like Graveyard Trespasser. This legendary rat helps Duelist of the Mind make more attacking creatures, making Raffine connive bigger and triggering Nathan’s second ability.
Combining these early threats exerts pressure, making this deck look more like aggro than Midrange. However, it also has enough tools to fight for the board during attrition games, making this deck a solid choice besides which deck is in front of you.
Boros Convoke
Boros Convoke – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Aggro
best of 3
3 mythic
25 rare
18 uncommon
14 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (28)
Sorceries (4)
Lands (22)
60 Cards
$269.76
Sideboard
15 Cards
$44.57
Boros Convoke is still the best aggro deck in Standard.
The survival of this archetype post-rotation is something not guaranteed. We are going to lose Voldaren Epicure, a central piece of the strategy. The release of Novice Inspector made this archetype have 8 turns 1 plays that can ensure Gleeful Demolition has a target + one more creature on the field, which marked a difference.
Even if it looks like the list doesn’t change with the OTJ release, this is not the case. This last set makes this deck’s openings stronger. With Inspiring Vantage now as part of the equation, Boros Convoke’s early game is more consistent than ever.
Warleader's Call has been a card many players try in the archetype but we could find many lists without it. Do you think is part of this archetype core or just something filling 2 flex slots?
Dimir Midrange
Dimir Midrange – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Midrange
best of 3
6 mythic
29 rare
15 uncommon
10 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (24)
Lands (25)
60 Cards
$443.86
Sideboard
15 Cards
$65.21
Dimir doesn’t play any new cards, nevertheless, as we witnessed a few weeks ago, this archetype emerges as a strong top-tier contender. And let me tell you this is not going to change after rotation.
Replacing Make Disappear and Shipwreck Marsh is not as hard as it looks. The rest of the core of this deck will remain solid and ready to fight for the top spots of this tier list.
As I said a few weeks ago, this deck was one big win away from exploding in popularity. One new key card appearing in Bloomburrow separates this deck from easily taking first place in this Tier 1 archetypes competition.
Tier 2
Simic Artifacts
Simic Artifacts – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Aggro
best of 3
3 mythic
26 rare
17 uncommon
14 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (24)
Sorceries (2)
Artifacts (5)
Enchantments (4)
Lands (22)
60 Cards
$170.12
Sideboard
15 Cards
$82.41
The more I work with Standard tier list updates and meta reports, the more I don’t understand why no more players are choosing Simic Artifacts as their strategy for the current state of the meta.
It doesn’t play new cards and the current decklist doesn’t have any card that looks like the bomb that will seal the games as soon as it resolves.
Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. This archetype is an amalgam of cards that synergy amazingly with each other. The few main Simic Artifact players are still innovating playing one copy of Network Disruptor and Prosperous Thief following the steps of Mono-Blue Tempo.
Unctus, Grand Metatect now claims two slots in this archetype deck list. I ask myself why this creature takes so long to appear as an option for this archetype.
Golgari Midrange
Golgari Midrange – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Midrange
best of 3
8 mythic
33 rare
11 uncommon
8 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (22)
Sorceries (2)
Lands (26)
60 Cards
$544.38
Sideboard
15 Cards
$29.45
This tier list update made me realize how close Tier 2 is to Tier 1. Golgari is the embodiment of that. Even if I said that the Tier 2 archetypes tend to have at least 1 complicated match against the Tier 1, Golgari Midrange has the strength to face anyone and emerge victorious.
On the other hand, it doesn’t feel like it has an easy matchup against a particular strategy. Just like the old times of “The Rock”, Golgari is hard to beat and, at the same time capable of facing meta and non-meta decks alike. The proof is how good this deck is on Bo3 and how non-existent in Bo1. The longer the run, the better Golgari gets.
It doesn’t have new cards, but it doesn’t need it. If you want “New Cards Golgari”, Golgari Legends is also on this tier list.
Temur Prowess
Temur Prowess – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Aggro
best of 3
0 mythic
31 rare
22 uncommon
7 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (18)
Instants (16)
Lands (18)
60 Cards
$192.9
Sideboard
15 Cards
$12.33
A new archetype that is overperforming in both queues Bo1 and Bo3 is Temur Prowess. Slickshot Show-Off is proving that it is the best rare in OTJ.
Playing Temur over other Prowess iterations gives us a solid first turn by adding Elusive Otter to the equation. At the same time, Slick Sequence is gaining terrain as a staple in the archetype, and it is not a surprise. Deal 2 damage and drawing a card for UR is a great deal for decks that cast multiple spells in the same turn.
I will take this deck sideboard as an opportunity to say that respecting graveyard-centered strategies with 3 Unlicensed Harse is shaping the meta in a way where 4-Color Reanimator, Sultai Reanimator, or Squirming Emergence decks are having a hard time trying to compete.
Mono-Black Skeletons
Mono-Black Skeletons – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Midrange
best of 3
9 mythic
23 rare
10 uncommon
18 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (19)
Artifacts (1)
Enchantments (12)
60 Cards
$241.28
Sideboard
15 Cards
$193.43
Another new archetype that is establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Standard metagame is Mono-Black Skeletons.
This archetype was going to be a reality sooner or later. Many cards from the latest sets were anticipating this tribe. With new cards such as Tinybones, the Pickpocket, Forsaken Miner, and Gisa, the Hellraiser, building consistent skeleton decks is finally possible (after almost 30 years!).
Skeletons is the archetype with the highest number of new cards in this tier list which makes it very appealing, and let me tell you it’s fun to play.
I like how the new skeletons on OTJ make Case of the Stashed Skeleton and Corpses of the Lost into playable cards.
The Bo3 iteration plays more creatures than the Bo1 iteration like Vadmir, New Blood, Aclazotz, Deepest Betrayal and Lord Skitter, Sewer King. Having many ways of triggering crime and a wider range of options is the way to go in this queue.
Temur Ramp
Temur Ramp – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Ramp
best of 3
8 mythic
14 rare
6 uncommon
32 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (12)
Enchantments (4)
Lands (30)
60 Cards
$212.14
Sideboard
15 Cards
$30.33
With many creature-aggressive decks in the queue, playing a deck with 6 board sweepers and good blockers is a good idea.
Fallaji Archaeologist and Aftermath Analyst can block well during the early game. This lets us reach the mid-game where Vampires' Vengeance and Ill-Timed Explosion will get rid of any swarm that threatens our life total.
From there, Worldsoul's Rage can explode on any opponent’s face strong enough to finish the game in one turn.
Tier 3
Boros Heroic
Boros Heroic – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Aggro
best of 3
0 mythic
21 rare
22 uncommon
17 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (15)
Instants (12)
Lands (19)
60 Cards
$155.14
Sideboard
15 Cards
$40.75
An old acquaintance in Pioneer is making an appearance in Standard. The strength of Slickshot Show-Off in combination with Demonic Ruckus one of the best uncommon cards in the set makes this iteration of Prowess a viable strategy.
You might think Mono-Red or Temur have more tools for being the best Prowess iterations. However, White had fantastic cards that Temur, Mono-Red, or Gruul couldn’t play. Illuminator Virtuoso, Loran's Escape, and Homestead Courage are reason enough for considering Boros as a valid choice.
Plotting Demonic Ruckus on turn 1 into Illuminator Virtuoso on turn 2 can hit your opponent so hard if you pump Illuminator Virtuoso with your three open mana that the game could be finished on the spot.
Golgari Legends
Golgari Legends – OTJ Standard Bo3
by Bohe
Standard
Aggro
best of 3
10 mythic
30 rare
13 uncommon
7 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (26)
Artifacts (1)
Lands (25)
60 Cards
$533.5
Sideboard
15 Cards
$71.69
This archetype is one that I want to test much more. It reminds me of the first days of Esper Legends.
It has enough differences to consider it a new archetype instead of a different flavor of Golgari Midrange.
The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride hit hard while giving us gas, and in combination with Bristly Bill, Spine Sower + Freestrider Lookout the landfall triggers are everywhere.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Golgari Legends starts its climb to Tier 1 soon.
End Step
Another great update to our tier lists. After revising our Tier 1 Deck List, many new archetypes appear, many others rise, and our Bo3 Tier List is not the exception. Prowess decks are on a quick rise while Mono-Black Skeletons and Golgari Legends give us new existing decks to try.
All of this presents us with a metagame that I find quite enjoyable. The next few weeks will be very interesting. Many new archetypes are emerging and the ones presented in this tier list are just the beginning. In the meantime, see you soon in a new article.
Let us know your thoughts on this and any other MTG-related topics in the MTG Arena Community Discord, on my Twitter, and in the comment section of this article.
Don’t forget that I have started providing personal coaching services for Magic the Gathering and Marvel Snap. If you want to contact me, look for me:
- On Discord as bohettv
- On my Twitter
- Via email at [email protected]
- On Twitch
Thank you so much for reaching this last paragraph and remember; don’t forget to smile every day; it surely makes a difference.
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Bohe
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