Hello and welcome back to Metagame Mentor, your weekly guide to the top decks and latest Constructed developments on the path to the Pro Tour. Over the past few weeks, the latest cycle of Standard Regional Championships has drawn to a close, handing out numerous invitations to Pro Tour Edge of Eternities and Magic World Championship 31.

First, congratulations are in order for the three newest Regional Champions. On May 25, Linden Koot took the trophy in Canada with Azorius Omniscience. Then, on June 1, Guillermo Sulimovich triumphed in South America, also piloting Azorius Omniscience, while Mario Flores emerged victorious in Central America with a fiery Mono-Red Aggro deck. Congratulations to all the winners!

Since then, Magic: The Gathering?—FINAL FANTASY? has entered Standard, and the format will take center stage next week at Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, boasting a $500,000 prize pool and the world's top competitors. It will be exciting to watch these elite players showcase their Standard deck-building and gameplay skills. Be sure to check out the viewer's guide for all the details on the event.

To give an early indication of what to expect at the Pro Tour, today's article presents a snapshot of the Standard metagame from the last three Regional Championships, held just before the release of Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY. Along the way, I'll share my first thoughts on some of the promising cards from Magic's newest set.

Standard Before Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY

Standard, a rotating 60-card format, currently includes expansion sets from Dominaria United onward. To understand the format ahead of Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, I analyzed 731 decklists from the last three Regional Championships in Canada, South America, and Central America.

After categorizing decks by archetype based on their card composition, I compiled overall metagame shares and match win rates for each archetype (excluding mirror matches, byes, and draws). These metrics are provided in the table below, with each archetype linked to a top-performing decklist that best exemplifies its aggregate build.

The "Other" category collects decks with less than one percent metagame share, including Esper Pixie, Golgari Roots, Rakdos Leyline, Selesnya Tokens, Gruul Mice, Azorius Bunnicorn, Temur Otters, Azorius Artifacts, Boros Mice, Sultai Terror, Golgari Midrange, Selesnya Cage, Boros Prowess, Orzhov Sacrifice, Izzet Hellraiser, Naya Legends, and more.

The Standard metagame and its top-tier decks look to have crystallized, although some notable shifts occurred compared to the preceding four Regional Championships. Izzet Prowess, though still dominant, ceded some ground, dropping from 33.6% to 25.6% as players adapted to the dominance of Cori-Steel Cutter. Jeskai Oculus, following middling results, also declined in popularity. These trends are reflected by the arrows in the table.

Meanwhile, the top two deck archetypes from the United States Regional Championship held on May 17 in Hartford jumped in prominence. At that tournament, Percy Fang scorched the competition with a Mono-Red Aggro list featuring Magebane Lizard in the main deck, defeating Chris Botelho's Azorius Control deck in the finals. Both these strategies have seen a clear rise in popularity since then.

Mono-Red Aggro not only climbed the ranks in popularity but also demonstrated strong results: it posted a 54.2% win rate in non-mirror, non-bye, non-draw matches across the last three Regional Championships—significantly over the 50% baseline.

Stock Up Monstrous Rage Stormchaser's Talent Cori-Steel Cutter

Across all main decks, the most-played nonland cards were Stock Up, Monstrous Rage, Stormchaser's Talent, and Cori-Steel Cutter. These staples are central to Izzet Prowess—the format's most prevalent deck—but they also appear in various other archetypes. Their prevalence underscores that Standard is driven by cheap permanents, prowess creatures, card draw, and pump spells. If you plan to compete in the format, you'll need a strategy that can answer Cori-Steel Cutter and remove Monstrous Rage's targets.

To reflect the metagame's breadth, I've constructed aggregate lists for the top-performing strategies using an algorithm that weighs popularity, success, and individual card synergies. Let's take a closer look at the ten most prominent archetypes, each holding at least a 3% share of the metagame at the last three Regional Championships. For each, I'll also spotlight a promising card from Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY that could be added to the deck.

1. Izzet Prowess (25.6% of the metagame)

6 Island 4 Opt 4 Stormchaser's Talent 4 Cori-Steel Cutter 4 Stock Up 4 Riverpyre Verge 4 Spirebluff Canal 4 Shivan Reef 4 Sleight of Hand 4 Monstrous Rage 4 Monastery Swiftspear 3 Mountain 3 Into the Flood Maw 3 Torch the Tower 3 Drake Hatcher 1 Slickshot Show-Off 1 Spell Pierce 2 Ral, Crackling Wit 1 Ghost Vacuum 1 Abrade 1 Spell Pierce 1 Disdainful Stroke 1 Lithomantic Barrage 1 Unable to Scream 1 Enduring Curiosity 1 This Town Ain't Big Enough 1 Drake Hatcher 1 Rebel Salvo 1 Slickshot Show-Off 1 Into the Flood Maw 1 Get Out

Throughout the entire Regional Championship cycle, Izzet Prowess has firmly cemented its status as the undisputed frontrunner in Standard. True to its name, the deck showcases its prowess by applying relentless pressure with Stormchaser's Talent, Monastery Swiftspear, Drake Hatcher, Cori-Steel Cutter, and Slickshot Show-Off. Across the last three events, Izzet Prowess commanded a massive 25.6% share of the metagame, posting a strong 52.1% non-mirror win rate. Many players even describe its power level as approaching that of Modern.

At the heart of the deck is Cori-Steel Cutter. When powered by a flurry of one-mana spells and efficient card draw, this card floods the battlefield with Monk tokens. The relentless tide of ever-growing Monks can rapidly overwhelm opponents before they can react.

But dominance does not mean invincibility. Izzet Prowess is vulnerable to Temporary Lockdown, the premier answer to Cori-Steel Cutter and its army of tokens. Mono-Red Aggro, especially after adopting Magebane Lizard in the main deck, also has a favorable matchup against Izzet Prowess. Less common strategies, such as Gruul Delirium, have put up solid results against Prowess. At the upcoming Pro Tour, Izzet Prowess is the clear deck to beat, but smart opponents will come prepared with ways to do so.

Vivi Ornitier

One intriguing new candidate for Izzet Prowess from Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY is Vivi Ornitier. Although technically a three-drop, Vivi Ornitier shines brightest on turns four and five. On turn four, you can cast Vivi Ornitier, follow up with Monstrous Rage to pump him to 4 power, activate his ability, and have four mana available to cast additional spells. Vivi Ornitier is reminiscent of Sheoldred, the Apocalypse—being vulnerable to removal but capable of winning the game. The card's potential for explosive turns is only strengthened alongside Monstrous Rage and Agatha's Soul Cauldron.

2. Mono-Red Aggro (11.8% of the metagame)

16 Mountain 4 Manifold Mouse 4 Emberheart Challenger 4 Burst Lightning 4 Monstrous Rage 4 Rockface Village 4 Witchstalker Frenzy 4 Heartfire Hero 4 Screaming Nemesis 4 Hired Claw 4 Magebane Lizard 2 Soulstone Sanctuary 2 Monastery Swiftspear 4 Sunspine Lynx 3 Torch the Tower 2 Lithomantic Barrage 2 Scorching Shot 2 Ghost Vacuum 1 Case of the Crimson Pulse 1 The Filigree Sylex

Mono-Red Aggro is a classic strategy that leverages aggressive creatures and burn spells to deliver explosive, fiery victories. Central to the deck's power are Heartfire Hero and Emberheart Challenger, whose valiant abilities can be triggered every turn thanks to Manifold Mouse. When Manifold Mouse grants double strike to a creature, Monstrous Rage transforms it into a trampling, double-striking powerhouse. Another clever way to burn down opponents is by targeting your own Screaming Nemesis with Witchstalker Frenzy, dealing a swift 5 damage directly to your opponent.

The deck's mono-red mana base supports multiple copies of Rockface Village and Soulstone Sanctuary, both of which help maintain relentless pressure. Soulstone Sanctuary doubles as a Mouse for Manifold Mouse and a Lizard for Hired Claw, adding versatility. And by packing plenty of basic Mountains, Sunspine Lynx from the sideboard gets even better.

The hottest new addition is Magebane Lizard, a deceptively powerful card that can shut down entire game plans. Izzet Prowess depends heavily on chaining cantrips like Opt and Sleight of Hand, but Magebane Lizard punishes that strategy severely. To make room for it, many decks have trimmed Lightning Strike and Tersa Lightshatter. These tweaks have pushed Mono-Red Aggro into a favorable position against Izzet Prowess and Azorius Omniscience, though it still struggles against Orzhov Pixie.

Self-Destruct

From Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, Self-Destruct stands out as a promising new addition. Imagine this sequence: on turn three, you cast Screaming Nemesis and attack, knocking your opponent down to seventeen. Turn four, you pump the Nemesis with Monstrous Rage, swing for six, then follow up with Self-Destruct. This deals six damage to your opponent and six to your Nemesis, who hurls another six damage at your opponent. That's eighteen total damage, enough to end the game on the spot.

Self-Destruct functions much like the adventure half of Callous Sell-Sword, which already found a home in alternative red aggro builds with pump spells and sacrifice fodder like Heartfire Hero or Cacophony Scamp. However, its synergy with Screaming Nemesis and the potential to turn Monastery Swiftspear into removal makes Self-Destruct an enticing addition for such combo-oriented builds. It could either be a replacement for Callous Sell-Sword or, for consistency's sake, go alongside it.

3. Azorius Omniscience (10% of the metagame)

4 Abuelo's Awakening 4 Floodfarm Verge 4 Island 4 Roiling Dragonstorm 4 Temporary Lockdown 4 Omniscience 4 Ephara's Dispersal 4 Marang River Regent 4 Meticulous Archive 4 Stock Up 3 Adarkar Wastes 3 Plains 3 Seachrome Coast 2 Scrollshift 2 Fallaji Archaeologist 1 Cavern of Souls 1 Founding the Third Path 1 Blast Zone 1 Fabled Passage 1 Moment of Truth 1 Oracle of Tragedy 1 Spell Pierce 4 Overlord of the Mistmoors 2 Beza, the Bounding Spring 2 Voice of Victory 2 Get Lost 1 Negate 1 Kutzil's Flanker 1 No More Lies 1 Surge of Salvation 1 Clarion Conqueror

Azorius Omniscience has firmly established itself as the premier combo deck in today's Standard metagame. The goal is to mill or discard Omniscience early on, then return it to the battlefield by turn four with Abuelo's Awakening. Once Omniscience is on the board, the deck launches its signature infinite loop: casting Marang River Regent, bouncing a second Regent, and repeating the cycle endlessly. With Roiling Dragonstorm in play, this loop draws your entire deck. From there, Founding the Third Path becomes a win condition that you endlessly recast to mill out the opponent.

The deck is rounded out with robust card selection to consistently find the combo pieces and Temporary Lockdown to keep aggressive decks in check. Azorius Omniscience also boasts a transformative sideboard plan, capable of swapping out combo elements for a suite of creatures to shift gears. Overall, the deck is particularly potent against slower strategies like Jeskai Control or Domain Overlords, but it struggles against disruptive, pressure-heavy decks like Dimir Midrange.

A recent refinement involves incorporating the Fallaji Archaeologist and Scrollshift combo, trimming Moment of Truth to fit them in. This addition enhances the deck's battlefield presence and value generation. Notably, both Linden Koot, Canada's latest Regional Champion, and Guillermo Sulimovich, South America's newest Regional Champion, piloted versions featuring this tweak to their championship titles.

Swallowed by Leviathan

Swallowed by Leviathan from Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY looks like a promising option. It is akin to Confounding Riddle, a modal card occasionally used in the deck's flex slots, but Swallowed by Leviathan does double duty: it simultaneously puts a card into your graveyard and counters a spell. This dual utility makes it a promising card worth testing.

4. Dimir Midrange (7.7% of the metagame)

5 Swamp 4 Floodpits Drowner 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Underground River 4 Preacher of the Schism 4 Gloomlake Verge 4 Spyglass Siren 4 Deep-Cavern Bat 3 Go for the Throat 3 Island 3 Enduring Curiosity 3 Soulstone Sanctuary 3 Cut Down 2 Restless Reef 2 Kaito, Bane of Nightmares 2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse 2 Duress 1 Spell Pierce 1 Phantom Interference 1 Gix's Command 1 Faerie Mastermind 2 Tishana's Tidebinder 2 Ghost Vacuum 2 Faerie Mastermind 1 Anoint with Affliction 1 Duress 1 Gix's Command 1 Disdainful Stroke 1 The Filigree Sylex 1 Negate 1 Kaito, Bane of Nightmares 1 Cut Down 1 Spell Pierce

Dimir Midrange is an archetype that balances disruption with efficient, evasive threats. Though many of its creatures are small, their evasive abilities fuel Enduring Curiosity and Kaito, Bane of Nightmares—two of the deck's defining cards.

In the current Standard format, Dimir Midrange finds itself at a disadvantage against Izzet Prowess but shines against nearly every other archetype. Rather than confronting the top deck head-on, Dimir Midrange tries to outmaneuver the rest of the metagame. It boasts strong matchups against both Azorius Omniscience and Azorius Control.

Cecil, Dark Knight

Looking ahead to Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, several cards could bolster Dimir Midrange. Chief among them is Cecil, Dark Knight: a powerful one-drop creature with an impressive upside for the late game. With deathtouch, Cecil can take down any red creature, regardless of how many copies of Monstrous Rage they cast. After transforming, the 4/4 Knight with lifelink can win a damage race and stabilize your life total.

Additionally, Dark Confidant could synergize beautifully with Cecil, enabling a more aggressive curve for black midrange decks. After all, Dark Confidant reduces your own life total, helping Cecil transform. This combination might well redefine how black midrange decks can approach both early aggression and long-term resilience.

5. Jeskai Control (5.3% of the metagame)

4 Floodfarm Verge 4 Meticulous Archive 4 Lightning Helix 4 Sunbillow Verge 4 Shiko, Paragon of the Way 4 Stock Up 3 Elegant Parlor 3 Get Lost 3 Plains 3 Riverpyre Verge 3 Thundering Falls 3 Temporary Lockdown 3 Beza, the Bounding Spring 2 Marang River Regent 2 Three Steps Ahead 2 Dispelling Exhale 2 Roiling Dragonstorm 1 Island 1 Cori Mountain Monastery 1 Split Up 1 Day of Judgment 1 Rediscover the Way 1 Abrade 1 Jeskai Revelation 2 Negate 2 Authority of the Consuls 2 Kutzil's Flanker 2 Tishana's Tidebinder 2 Ghost Vacuum 1 Exorcise 1 Temporary Lockdown 1 Beza, the Bounding Spring 1 Wilt-Leaf Liege 1 Split Up

Jeskai Control is designed to dictate the flow of the game through removal and countermagic. Its primary goal Is to answer threats in the early game and then stabilize with Shiko, Paragon of the Way. This five-mana powerhouse offers both flexibility and card advantage, presenting an enormous Dragon alongside a free spell like Stock Up or Lightning Helix.

However, recent Regional Championship results suggest that control strategies in today's Standard face somewhat of an uphill battle. The format's diverse macro-strategies make it challenging to assemble the perfect blend of answers that can effectively counter aggro, combo, midrange, and other control decks. As currently built, the aggregate control deck appears to struggle against Azorius Omniscience, Dimir Midrange, and Orzhov Demons. Still, with careful tuning, they can carve out a small edge against Izzet Prowess and Mono-Red Aggro.

Battle Menu

Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY introduces several compelling options for Jeskai Control, including Memories Returning, Battle Menu, Fire Magic, and Ultima. To me, Battle Menu stands out with its remarkable versatility. Its four distinct modes offer a toolbox of options; the destruction and 2/2 token modes will likely be used most often, but the other two modes could be useful. This card might add even more flexibility to Shiko, Paragon of the Way!

6. Azorius Control (5.1% of the metagame)

4 Floodfarm Verge 4 Get Lost 4 Meticulous Archive 4 Stock Up 3 Three Steps Ahead 3 Demolition Field 3 Fountainport 3 Island 3 Beza, the Bounding Spring 3 Plains 3 No More Lies 3 Marang River Regent 3 Seachrome Coast 2 Restless Anchorage 2 Temporary Lockdown 2 Elspeth's Smite 2 Adarkar Wastes 2 Authority of the Consuls 1 Day of Judgment 1 Ride's End 1 Overlord of the Mistmoors 1 Negate 1 Split Up 1 Change the Equation 1 Elspeth, Storm Slayer 2 High Noon 2 Jace, the Perfected Mind 2 Wilt-Leaf Liege 2 Tishana's Tidebinder 2 Kutzil's Flanker 1 Beza, the Bounding Spring 1 Overlord of the Mistmoors 1 Change the Equation 1 Rest in Peace 1 Elspeth, Storm Slayer

Azorius Control has many cards in common with Jeskai Control, but it features a smoother two-color mana base with Demolition Field and Fountainport. The deck's classic game plan of countering spells with No More Lies and sweeping the board with Temporary Lockdown is a time-tested strategy. Azorius Control aims to dictate the pace of the match, answering early threats while gradually pulling ahead through overwhelming card advantage or imposing late-game power.

Main deck copies of Authority of the Consuls helps to slow down the momentum of aggressive red decks. Its trigger even gives you a window to disrupt Abuelo's Awakening decks, as you can cast Get Lost on their reanimated Omniscience before they can cast a second copy from their hand.

Ultima

From Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, Ultima could be a good addition to the deck. While a five-mana board wipe may feel a bit slow in today's Standard—even Sunfall isn't seeing much play anymore—Ultima has a distinct edge: it removes both Cori-Steel Cutter and the accompanying Monk tokens, addressing one of the format's key threats. While Temporary Lockdown is the cheapest answer to Cori-Steel Cutter, it is weak to Into the Flood Maw. Ultima, on the other hand, is a decisive answer, providing a more reliable path to stabilizing the game.

7. Jeskai Oculus (4.8% of the metagame)

4 Inspiring Vantage 4 Seachrome Coast 4 Abhorrent Oculus 4 Fear of Missing Out 4 Spirebluff Canal 4 Shivan Reef 4 Helping Hand 4 Proft's Eidetic Memory 4 Steamcore Scholar 4 Torch the Tower 4 Marauding Mako 2 Battlefield Forge 2 Adarkar Wastes 2 Tersa Lightshatter 2 Spell Pierce 1 Mountain 1 Island 1 Sheltered by Ghosts 1 Winternight Stories 1 Abrade 1 Glacial Dragonhunt 1 Into the Flood Maw 1 Spyglass Siren 2 Ghost Vacuum 2 Sheltered by Ghosts 2 Destroy Evil 2 Chandra, Spark Hunter 1 Disdainful Stroke 1 Loran of the Third Path 1 No More Lies 1 Negate 1 Abrade 1 Get Lost 1 The Filigree Sylex

Jeskai Oculus aims to cheat out Abhorrent Oculus by first getting it into the graveyard, then reanimating it with Helping Hand to bypass its steep additional cost. Once it lands, Abhorrent Oculus takes over the game by flooding the board with manifested creatures. Red adds discard enablers, removal spells, and aggressive creatures.

A key card in the deck is Proft's Eidetic Memory. Thanks to the deck's abundant card draw, it's easy to trigger the card. Fear of Missing Out synergizes particularly well with Proft's Eidetic Memory, as the additional combat step grants a second opportunity to dish out +1/+1 counters. Another particularly explosive line involves Marauding Mako on turn one, followed by Proft's Eidetic Memory and Tersa Lightshatter. This lines up for a 3/3 Mako and a 5/5 Tersa with haste on turn three.

Starting Town

From Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, Starting Town is an interesting mana-fixing option. It's worse than a pain land or a fast land in a two-color deck, but it can significantly improve color consistency of three-color aggro decks. It can make decks like Jeskai Oculus stronger, and it also benefits other three-color aggro decks, such as Temur Prowess, Esper Pixie, and Abzan Pixie.

Another card worth considering for Jeskai Oculus is Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant. Though Tersa Lightshatter's haste gives her an edge when you're on the offensive, Joshua's transformation ability and extra toughness shine in longer, grindier games when you need to adopt a control role. Joshua looks like a solid option.

8. Orzhov Pixie (4.7% of the metagame)

4 Concealed Courtyard 4 Sunpearl Kirin 4 Caves of Koilos 4 Nowhere to Run 4 Bleachbone Verge 4 Plains 4 Hopeless Nightmare 4 Nurturing Pixie 4 Temporary Lockdown 4 Preacher of the Schism 3 Swamp 3 Momentum Breaker 3 Soulstone Sanctuary 3 Unholy Annex 2 Restless Fortress 1 Get Lost 1 Loran of the Third Path 1 Shadowy Backstreet 1 Go for the Throat 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse 1 Beza, the Bounding Spring 4 Duress 2 Kutzil's Flanker 2 Rest in Peace 1 Get Lost 1 Loran of the Third Path 1 Beza, the Bounding Spring 1 Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber 1 Destroy Evil 1 Elenda, Saint of Dusk 1 Invasion of Gobakhan

Orzhov Pixie can be an excellent metagame call in a field dominated by Izzet Prowess. Thanks largely to Temporary Lockdown—one of Standard's most potent answers to Cori-Steel Cutter—the archetype has been posting good numbers. It further thrives on the synergy between enchantments with enters effects, such as Hopeless Nightmare and Nowhere to Run, and creatures to return it, such as Nurturing Pixie and Sunpearl Kirin. Repeated Nowhere to Run triggers keep aggressive decks at bay, while looping Hopeless Nightmare grinds control decks into submission.

The deck is also capable of recursive loops. Picture this: You control a Temporary Lockdown that has exiled your own Hopeless Nightmare and Nurturing Pixie alongside several of your opponent's permanents. Your opponent, out of cards, draws for their turn and tries to move to their main phase, but you stop them. During their draw step, you flash in Sunpearl Kirin, bouncing Temporary Lockdown and returning everything to the battlefield. Hopeless Nightmare immediately forces your opponent to discard the card they just drew, and Nurturing Pixie returns the Kirin to your hand. On the following turn cycle, you repeat the sequence, effectively locking your opponent out of all non-instant cards. It's a devastating lock.

Ambrosia Whiteheart

From Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, a potential addition could be Ambrosia Whiteheart. Though this Bird lacks flying and is almost certainly a step behind Nurturing Pixie and Sunpearl Kirin, there's a case for including more than eight self-bounce effects in the deck. Depending on how many self-bounce cards players want, two copies of Ambrosia Whiteheart might earn a place in Orzhov Pixie.

9. Domain Overlords (4.5% of the metagame)

4 Lush Portico 4 Up the Beanstalk 4 Overlord of the Hauntwoods 4 Hushwood Verge 4 Overlord of the Mistmoors 4 Zur, Eternal Schemer 4 Leyline Binding 3 Hedge Maze 3 Floodfarm Verge 3 Shadowy Backstreet 3 Ride's End 3 Temporary Lockdown 2 Beza, the Bounding Spring 2 Analyze the Pollen 2 Wastewood Verge 2 Razorverge Thicket 2 Day of Judgment 2 Get Lost 1 Forest 1 Island 1 Plains 1 Swamp 1 High Noon 2 High Noon 2 Negate 2 Authority of the Consuls 2 Obstinate Baloth 1 Rest in Peace 1 Heritage Reclamation 1 Nissa, Ascended Animist 1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines 1 Atraxa, Grand Unifier 1 Elspeth's Smite 1 Beza, the Bounding Spring

Matt Nass won Pro Tour Aetherdrift with this four-color deck, and it remains a potent contender in Standard. The strategy leans on Zur, Eternal Schemer to transform its Overlords into lifelinking threats with devastating attack triggers. Chief among them is Overlord of the Hauntwoods, which also triggers Up the Beanstalk and enables full domain for Leyline Binding.

Up the Beanstalk continues to be one of Standard's most powerful draw engines, letting Domain Overlords go over the top in drawn-out battles against control and midrange. However, the archetype does have vulnerabilities: Domain Overlords can struggle against fast aggro decks and explosive combo strategies.

Yuna, Hope of Spira

Yuna, Hope of Spira is a promising addition from Magic's latest set. Like Zur, she grants lifelink to your enchantment creatures. More importantly, Yuna's reanimation ability lets you bring back an Overlord from the graveyard. Even as a one-of target for Analyze the Pollen, Yuna could provide a powerful mid-game boost.

10. Orzhov Demons (3.1% of the metagame)

8 Swamp 4 Concealed Courtyard 4 Go for the Throat 4 Duress 4 Caves of Koilos 4 Bleachbone Verge 4 Soulstone Sanctuary 4 Preacher of the Schism 4 Unholy Annex 4 Cruelclaw's Heist 3 Archfiend of the Dross 3 Cut Down 2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse 2 Shadowy Backstreet 2 Legions to Ashes 2 Qarsi Revenant 1 Gix's Command 1 Get Lost 2 Ghost Vacuum 2 Pest Control 2 High Noon 2 Destroy Evil 2 Beza, the Bounding Spring 1 Elenda, Saint of Dusk 1 Liliana of the Veil 1 Outrageous Robbery 1 Anointed Peacekeeper 1 Dreams of Steel and Oil

Orzhov Demons is a textbook midrange strategy, featuring strong hand disruption and creature removal. Duress and Cruelclaw's Heist let you snatch key cards like Cori-Steel Cutter before they ever hit the battlefield while Cut Down and Go for the Throat keep the board in check. Another key card in the deck is Unholy Annex, which turns into a life-draining powerhouse when paired with Archfiend of the Dross or Soulstone Sanctuary.

The white splash is minor, sprinkling in a few premium removal spells and sideboard options. Hence, Orzhov Demons is quite similar to Mono-Black Demons, which would have been the eleventh archetype in this overview.

Summon: Primal Odin

Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY introduces Saga creatures, which are seriously powerful and flashy threats. In Orzhov or Mono-Black Demons, Summon: Primal Odin looks like a promising addition. You only get one attack with Odin, but if it connects, it ends the game on the spot. The challenge, of course, is getting through, but that's where spot-removal spells and Rogue's Passage come in. Odin provides value even without the killing blow, and since Rogue's Passage can cleanly slot into Mono-Black Demon's manabase, this combo could offer a spicy win condition for slower matchups.

What's Next for Standard?

Based on the final three Regional Championships, the Standard metagame is dominated by Izzet Prowess and Mono-Red Aggro. Monstrous Rage continues to supercharge Drake Hatcher into a token-slinging engine, and it'll transform Manifold Mouse into a double-striking behemoth just as well. So right now, aggressive red strategies are the ones to beat. Fortunately, Standard offers plenty of tools to fight back, including Gruul Delirium and Orzhov Pixie.

With the arrival of Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, the format is getting various upgrades for a wide array of decks. I've already highlighted promising additions to existing archetypes, but the new set also introduces numerous build-arounds that may enable the creation of brand-new decks.

Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER Tifa Lockhart Cloud, Midgar Mercenary Terra, Magical Adept Choco, Seeker of Paradise

There are numerous iconic characters that bring both power and potential. Some highlights:

• Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER could be the missing piece for a sacrifice deck, paying you off for having your creatures die.
• Tifa Lockhart, when followed up with Titanic Growth and Fabled Passage, unlocks a turn-three kill in Gruul Aggro, ending the game out of nowhere.
• Cloud, Midgar Mercenary and Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo might finally give Boros Equipment the consistency it needs to break into the spotlight.
• Terra, Magical Adept opens up a graveyard-centric enchantment shell, perhaps even enabling Yuna, Hope of Spira to reanimate Summon: Knights of Round.
• Choco, Seeker of Paradise could turn Birds into a viable Standard deck. This spicy deck is supported by Sazh's Chocobo, Sidequest: Raise a Chocobo, Traveling Chocobo, and Bartz and Boko.

All told, Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY opens the floodgates for creativity. I can't wait to see what the Pro Tour competitors will brew up, and we won't have to wait long to find out.

Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY takes place June 20–22. You can follow the action live on YouTube or Twitch, or experience the excitement in person at MagicCon: Las Vegas. With a $500,000 prize pool on the line and the best players in the world battling for glory, expect bold innovations, razor-sharp gameplay, and one triumphant champion.