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Angel of Destiny Art by Ryan Pancoast

Zendikar Rising Standard Wildcard Crafting Guide and Tier List

How to use this guide

Howdy, everyone. If you’re looking to construct a new Standard deck, having an understanding of not just the new cards, but all the playable cards in Standard and their relative power levels is very important. Lucky for you, I love you enough to spend hours making this.

Remember, these are rough classifications and will likely not completely conform to how strong you believe a card is, but this is where me and my testing partner MPL member Chris Kvartek think each card roughly lies. Again, we’re talking GENERAL power levels, if you think that a card I rated should be higher or lower, that’s fine. Certain decks or synergies can make a card better or worse, just use this guide to help guide you in what you have available to you.

The card order in each section is just by card age, not power level within the tier. The best Standard decks tend to utilize as many S Tier and Role Player cards as possible so that’s an easy way to get baseline powerful decks in new metas. Delve deeper to see if you can interlock good cards for powerful synergies and cool stuff like that. 

If you don’t see a card on the list, despite me being overly generous on what is Standard playable, I did not find it playable enough to include. This is largely the case for Commons and Uncommons as I believe functionally every Rare and Mythic in Standard is placed here somewhere.

If you don’t follow me, please do at DoggertQBones on Twitch!

Happy brewing!

THE S TIER “Best Cards in Standard”

White

  • Elspeth Conquers Death

Blue

  • Brazen Borrower
  • Shark Typhoon

Black

  • Murderous Rider

Red

  • Embercleave
  • Bonecrusher Giant

Green

  • Questing Beast
  • The Great Henge
  • Edgewall Innkeeper
  • Elder Gargaroth
  • Scavenging Ooze
  • Lotus Cobra

Multicolor

  • Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath
  • Winota, Joiner of Forces

Colorless

  • Lucky Clover
  • Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

THE ROLE PLAYERS “Not the Absolute Best but Powerful”

White

  • Shatter the Sky

Black

  • Rankle, Master of Pranks
  • Woe Strider
  • Extinction Event
  • Heartless Act
  • Massacre Wurm
  • Nighthawk Scavenger
  • Bloodchief’s Thirst
  • Nullpriest of Oblivion

Red

  • Robber of the Rich
  • Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
  • Storm’s Wrath
  • Anax, Hardened in the Forge
  • Terror of the Peaks
  • Nahiri’s Lithoforming (Synergy with Ancient Greenwarden)

Green

  • Lovestruck Beast
  • Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse
  • Ancient Greenwarden (Synergy with Nahiri’s Lithoforming)

Multicolor

  • Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger
  • Dream Trawler
  • Chevill, Bane of Monsters
  • Zenith Flare
  • Fiend Artisan
  • Lurrus of the Dream Den
  • Yorion, Sky Nomad
  • Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
  • Omnath, Locus of Creation

THE ROLE FILLERS “Solid Cards that you’ll see often or integral cards in some strategies”

White

  • Realm-Cloaked Giant
  • Kenrith, the Returned King
  • Acclaimed Contender
  • Charming Prince
  • Giant Killer
  • Worthy Knight
  • Shepherd of the Flock
  • Venerable Knight
  • Faerie Guidemother
  • Heliod, Sun-Crowned
  • Archon of Sun’s Grace
  • The Birth of Meletis
  • Banishing Light
  • Luminous Broodmoth
  • Lavabrink Venturer 
  • Flourishing Fox
  • Valiant Rescuer
  • Basri Ket
  • Baneslayer Angel
  • Basri’s Lieutenant 
  • Glorious Anthem
  • Seasoned Hallowblade
  • Selfless Savior
  • Emeria’s Call
  • Archon of Emeria
  • Archpriest of Iona
  • Luminarch Aspirant (I think this card is very good, but probably not Role Player good)
  • Ondu Inversion
  • Skyclave Apparition 
  • Maul of the Skyclaves

Blue

  • Fae of Wishes
  • Gadwick, the Wizened
  • Opt
  • Thassa, Deep-Dwelling
  • Kiora Bests the Sea God
  • Thassa’s Intervention
  • Omen of the Sea
  • Thirst for Meaning
  • Sea-Dasher Octopus
  • Boon of the Wish-Giver
  • Neutralize
  • Essence Scatter
  • Of One Mind
  • Teferi, Master of Time
  • Barrin, Tolarian Archmage
  • Stormwing Entity
  • Sublime Epiphany
  • Jace, Mirror Mage
  • Sea Gate Stormcaller
  • Jwari Disruption
  • Inscription of Insight
  • Silundi Vision

Black

  • Ayara, First of Locthwain
  • Blacklance Paragon
  • Foulmire Knight
  • Order of Midnight
  • Tymaret Calls the Dead
  • Eat to Extinction 
  • Agonizing Remorse
  • Mire Triton
  • Hunted Nightmare
  • Bastion of Remembrance
  • Call of the Death-Dweller
  • Liliana, Waker of the Dead
  • Demonic Embrace
  • Eliminate
  • Grasp of Darkness
  • Agadeem’s Awakening
  • Scourge of the Skyclaves
  • Skyclave Shade 
  • Hagra Mauling
  • Thwart the Grave
  • Acquisitions Expert

Red

  • Fervent Champion
  • Claim the Firstborn
  • Slaying Fire
  • Rimrock Knight
  • Scorching Dragonfire
  • Phoenix of Ash
  • The Akroan War
  • Ox of Agonas 
  • Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast
  • Everquill Phoenix
  • Fire Prophecy
  • Chandra, Heart of Fire
  • Shock
  • Leyline Tyrant
  • Magmatic Channeler
  • Kargan Intimidator
  • Shatterskull Charger
  • Roil Eruption

Green

  • Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig
  • Gilded Goose
  • Wicked Wolf
  • Beanstalk Giant
  • Trail of Crumbs
  • Wolfwillow Haven
  • Vivien, Monsters’ Advocate
  • Gemrazer
  • Migration Path
  • Garruk, Unleashed
  • Garruk’s Harbinger
  • Primal Might
  • Cultivate
  • Llanowar Visionary
  • Kazandu Mammoth
  • Inscription of Abundance
  • Tajuru Paragon
  • Swarm Shambler
  • Tangled Florahedron
  • Skyclave Pick-Axe

Multicolor

  • The Royal Scions
  • Garruk, Cursed Huntsman
  • Dance of the Manse
  • Doom Foretold
  • Escape to the Wilds
  • Stormfist Crusader
  • Improbable Alliance
  • Inspiring Veteran
  • Maraleaf Pixie
  • Ashiok, Nightmare Muse
  • Klothys, God of Destiny
  • Polukranos, Unchained
  • Atris, Oracle of Half-Truths
  • Bronzehide Lion
  • Gallia of the Endless Dance
  • Haktos the Unscarred
  • Kunoros, Hound of Athreos
  • Staggering Insight
  • Vadrok, Apex of Thunder
  • Genesis Ultimatum
  • Inspired Ultimatum
  • Mythos of Snapdax
  • Mythos of Illuna
  • Mythos of Nethroi
  • Mythos of Vadrok
  • Narset of the Ancient Way
  • General Kudro of Drannith
  • Rielle, the Everwise
  • Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
  • Song of Creation
  • Slitherwisp
  • General’s Enforcer
  • Sprite Dragon
  • Skull Prophet
  • Dire Tactics
  • Gyruda, Doom of Depths
  • Jegantha, the Wellspring
  • Kaheera, the Orphanguard
  • Cunning Nightbonder
  • Radha, Heart of Keld
  • Conclave Mentor
  • Nissa of Shadowed Boughs
  • Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager
  • Akiri, Fearless Voyager
  • Phylath, World Sculptor
  • Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate
  • Orah, Skyclave Hierophant
  • Zareth San, the Trickster
  • Soaring Thought-Thief
  • Verazol, the Split Current

Colorless

  • Stonecoil Serpent
  • Witch’s Oven
  • Shadowspear
  • Solemn Simulacrum 
  • Crawling Barrens

THE SIDEBOARD TECH & NICHE PLAYERS “Generally not good enough main, part of niche strategies, or cards that are on the cusp of playability”

White

  • Linden, the Steadfast Queen
  • Glass Casket
  • Elspeth, Sun’s Nemesis
  • Heliod’s Intervention
  • Taranika, Akroan Veteran
  • Alseid of Life’s Bounty
  • Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
  • Omen of the Sun
  • Flicker of Fate
  • Karametra’s Blessing
  • Sentinel’s Eyes
  • Fight as One
  • Mangara, the Diplomat
  • Containment Priest
  • Idol of Endurance
  • Pack Leader
  • Speaker of the Heavens
  • Angelic Ascension
  • Basri’s Solidarity
  • Faith’s Fetters
  • Griffin Aerie
  • Vryn Wingmare
  • Defiant Strike
  • Feat of Resistance
  • Revitalize
  • Swift Response
  • Angel of Destiny
  • Felidar Retreat
  • Squad Commander
  • Legion Angel
  • Fearless Fledgling
  • Kitesail Cleric
  • Makindi Stampede
  • Sejiri Shelter
  • Skyclave Cleric
  • Dauntless Unity
  • Canyon Jerboa
  • Kor Blademaster
  • Resolute Strike

Blue

  • Emry, Lurker of the Loch
  • Merfolk Secretkeeper
  • Vantress Gargoyle (Higher if Rogues is good)
  • Faerie Vandal
  • Into the Story
  • Mystical Dispute
  • Witching Well
  • Nadir Kraken
  • Ashiok’s Erasure
  • Thryx, the Sudden Storm
  • Wavebreak Hippocamp
  • Alirios, Enraptured
  • Threnody Singer
  • Voracious Greatshark
  • Pollywog Symbiote
  • Pouncing Shoreshark
  • Reconnaissance Mission
  • Discontinuity 
  • See the Truth
  • Shacklegeist
  • Miscast
  • Rewind
  • Riddleform
  • Teferi’s Tutelage
  • Unsubstantiate 
  • Waker of Waves
  • Frantic Inventory
  • Sea Gate Restoration
  • Glasspool Mimic
  • Master of Winds
  • Confounding Conundrum (Higher if Ramp OP)
  • Coralhelm Chronicler
  • Maddening Cacophony (Higher if Mill is a viable archetype) 
  • Thieving Skydiver
  • Roost of Drakes
  • Concerted Defense
  • Lullmage’s Domination (Really good if Rogues/Mill is good)
  • Ruin Crab
  • Field Research
  • Negate
  • Into the Roil
  • Merfolk Windrobber

Black

  • Oathsworn Knight
  • Epic Downfall
  • Reaper of Night
  • Smitten Swordmaster
  • Erebos, Bleak-Hearted
  • Aphemia, the Cacophony
  • Erebos’s Intervention
  • Gravebreaker Lamia
  • Nightmare Shepherd
  • Treacherous Blessing
  • Tymaret, Chosen from Death
  • Elspeth’s Nightmare
  • Drag to the Underworld
  • Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • Hateful Eidolon
  • Mire’s Grasp
  • Mogis’s Favor
  • Pharika’s Libation
  • Dirge Bat
  • Easy Prey
  • Zagoth Mamba
  • Dead Weight
  • Memory Leak
  • Serrated Scorpion
  • Whisper Squad
  • Hooded Blightfang
  • Kaervek, the Spiteful
  • Liliana’s Standard Bearer
  • Necromentia
  • Thieves’ Guild Enforcer
  • Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • Archfiend’s Vessel
  • Kitesail Freebooter
  • Liliana’s Devotee
  • Malefic Scythe
  • Pestilent Haze
  • Silversmote Ghoul
  • Duress
  • Village Rites
  • Drana, the Last Bloodchief
  • Shadows’ Verdict
  • Inscription of Ruin
  • Soul Shatter
  • Taborax, Hope’s Demise
  • Blackbloom Rogue
  • Demon’s Disciple
  • Mind Carver (Better if Rogue’s is good)
  • Pelakka Predation
  • Malakir Blood-Priest
  • Mind Drain
  • Feed the Swarm
  • Taste of Death

Red

  • Irencrag Pyromancer
  • Embereth Shieldbreaker
  • Redcap Melee
  • Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded
  • Purphoros’s Intervention
  • Tectonic Giant
  • Omen of the Forge
  • Thrill of Possibility 
  • Underworld Rage-Hound
  • Yidaro, Wandering Monster
  • Blitz of the Thunder-Raptor
  • Footfall Crater
  • Reptilian Reflection
  • Weaponize the Monsters
  • Blazing Volley
  • Cathartic Reunion
  • Drannith Stinger
  • Forbidden Friendship
  • Chandra’s Incinerator
  • Conspicuous Snoop
  • Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner
  • Volcanic Salvo
  • Bolt Hound
  • Chandra’s Pyreling
  • Heartfire Immolator
  • Soul Sear
  • Traitorous Greed
  • Crash Through
  • Goblin Arsonist
  • Moraug, Fury of Akoum
  • Shatterskull Smashing
  • Valakut Exploration
  • Relic Robber
  • Roiling Vortex
  • Valakut Awakening
  • Thundering Rebuke
  • Cinderclasm
  • Kazuul’s Fury
  • Rockslide Sorcerer
  • Spikefield Hazard
  • Molten Blast
  • Ardent Electromancer
  • Fireblade Charger (Way better Equipment Aggro is good)

Green

  • Syr Faren, the Hengehammer
  • Wildborn Preserver
  • Oakhame Adversary
  • Nylea, Keen-Eyed
  • The First Iroan Games
  • Nyxbloom Ancient
  • Arasta of the Endless Web
  • Destiny Spinner
  • Setessan Champion
  • Dryad of the Ilysian Grove
  • Nessian Hornbeetle 
  • Nessian Wanderer
  • Setessan Petitioner 
  • Ilysian Caryatid
  • Setessan Training
  • Warbriar Blessing
  • Kogla, the Titan Ape
  • Auspicious Starrix
  • Lead the Stampede
  • Adventurous Impulse
  • Humble Naturalist
  • Migratory Greathorn
  • Ram Through
  • Heroic Intervention
  • Sporeweb Weaver
  • Fierce Empath
  • Fungal Rebirth
  • Garruk’s Uprising
  • Quirion Dryad
  • Thrashing Brontodon
  • Drowsing Tyrannodon
  • Ranger’s Guile
  • Ashaya, Soul of the Wild
  • Turntimber Symbiosis
  • Oran-Rief Ooze
  • Scute Swarm
  • Cragplate Baloth
  • Vastwood Fortification
  • Bala Ged Recovery 
  • Roiling Regrowth
  • Broken Wings

Multicolor

  • Lochmere Serpent
  • Arcanist’s Owl
  • Deathless Knight
  • Drown in the Loch (better if Rogues is good)
  • Grumgully, the Generous
  • Calix, Destiny’s Hand
  • Improbable Alliance
  • Steelclaw Lance
  • Enigmatic Incarnation
  • Acolyte of Affliction
  • Hero of the Nyxborn
  • Rise to Glory
  • Slaughter-Priest of Mogis
  • Snapdax, Apex of the Hunt
  • Illuna, Apex of Wishes
  • Nethroi, Apex of Death
  • Brokkos, Apex of Forever
  • Ruinous Ultimatum 
  • Eerie Ultimatum
  • Emergent Ultimatum
  • Mythos of Brokkos
  • Skycat Sovereign 
  • Necropanther
  • Lore Drakkis
  • Boneyard Lurker
  • Regal Leosaur
  • Trumpeting Gnarr
  • Savai Thundermane
  • Parcelbeast
  • Obosh, the Preypiercer
  • Niambi, Esteemed Speaker
  • Alpine Houndmaster
  • Experimental Overload
  • Obsessive Stitcher
  • Watcher of the Spheres
  • Nahiri, Heir of the Ancients
  • Zagras, Thief of Heartbeats
  • Kaza, Roil Chaser
  • Yasharn, Implacable Earth
  • Kargan Warleader (Cards very good if there’s enough Warriors, doesn’t seem to be the case yet)
  • Brushfire Elemental
  • Cleric of Life’s Bond
  • Murasa Rootgrazer
  • Spoils of Adventure

Colorless

  • Sorcerous Spyglass
  • Heraldic Banner
  • Gingerbrute
  • Nyx Lotus
  • Soul-Guide Lantern
  • Mazemind Tome
  • Tormod’s Crypt
  • Myriad Construct

THE WILDCARDS “Potentially Powerful Cards that would need very specific conditions to be played”

White

  • Harmonious Archon
  • The Circle of Loyalty
  • All That Glitters
  • Eidolon of Obstruction
  • Idyllic Tutor
  • Heliod’s Pilgrim
  • Nine Lives
  • Runed Halo
  • Tazri, Beacon of Unity

Blue

  • Folio of Fancies
  • Midnight Clock
  • Protean Thaumaturge
  • Thassa’s Oracle
  • Ghostly Pilferer
  • Teferi’s Ageless Insight
  • Charix, the Raging Isle
  • Nimble Trapfinder

Black

  • The Cauldron of Eternity
  • Wishclaw Talisman
  • Grim Tutor
  • Peer into the Abyss
  • Coveted Prize

Red

  • Underworld Breach
  • Unpredictable Cyclone
  • Fiery Emancipation
  • Brash Taunter
  • Double Vision
  • Gadrak, the Crown-Scourge
  • Transmogrify 
  • Wayward Guide-Beast
  • Deathbellow War Cry
  • Cleansing Wildfire

Green

  • Feasting Troll King
  • Rosethorn Halberd
  • Titanoth Rex
  • Azusa, Lost but Seeking
  • Feline Sovereign

Multicolor

  • Back for More
  • Rin and Seri, Inseparable
  • Chulane, Teller of Tales
  • Knights’ Charge

Colorless

  • Crystalline Giant
  • The Ozolith
  • Sanctum of All
  • Chromatic Orrery
  • Forsaken Monument
  • Lithoform Engine

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DoggertQBones
DoggertQBones

Robert "DoggertQBones" Lee is the content manager of MTGAZone and a high ranked Arena player. He has one GP Top 8 and pioneered popular archetypes like UB 8 Shark, UB Yorion, and GW Company in Historic. Beyond Magic, his passions are writing and coaching! Join our community on
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