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 two weekends, nearly 1,500 players clashed across four different Regional Championships held around the globe, with 53 coveted Pro Tour invitations and five World Championship seats hanging in the balance.

While Izzet Prowess dominated the field in raw numbers, several other archetypes delivered even more remarkable performances. In this article, I'll break down the evolving Standard metagame, spotlight the breakout decks that rose to the top, and highlight the strategies that came out ahead. But first, a well-deserved congratulations to the four newly crowned Regional Champions.

Jennifer-Rose Holloway Triumphs Down Under with Dimir Midrange

Congratulations to Jennifer-Rose Holloway, who captured 1st place at the Regional Championship for Australia and New Zealand with a commanding run on Dimir Midrange!

With her breakout victory, she earned an invitation to Magic World Championship 31, where the world's elite players will battle for the game's ultimate prize on December 5–7, 2025. Additionally, the Top 10 players who had not yet qualified for Pro Tour Edge of Eternities earned their spots at that event, which is set to take place during MagicCon: Atlanta on September 26–28.

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

Dimir Midrange is an archetype that balances disruption with efficient, evasive threats. At first glance, its unassuming 1/1 fliers may not look like much, but they fuel Enduring Curiosity and enable the ninjutsu ability of Kaito, Bane of Nightmares. Together, these cards form the beating heart of the deck's game plan.

In the current Standard metagame, Dimir Midrange struggles against Izzet Prowess—the most popular archetype by a wide margin—but it excels against nearly everything else. Sometimes, the best move is not to beat the deck on top but to outmaneuver the decks trying to take it down. Since Izzet Prowess made up "only" about a third of the metagame, most opponents were playing a different strategy. As a result, Dimir Midrange was in a favorable position, despite its unfavorable matchup against Izzet Prowess.

The overall numbers support this. Across all four Regional Championships, Dimir Midrange posted an impressive 54.2% match win rate against the field (excluding mirrors, byes, and draws). Holloway made a sharp metagame call and walked away with a trophy to prove it.

Yuxuan Zhang Victorious in China with Azorius Omniscience

Congratulations to Yuxuan Zhang, who won China's Regional Championship with the explosive power of Azorius Omniscience. His 1st-place finish not only secured him the trophy but also earned him an invitation to Magic World Championship 31. Additionally, the Top 8 unqualified players locked in their seats at Pro Tour Edge of Eternities.

4 Abuelo's Awakening 1 Mistrise Village 1 Founding the Third Path 4 Moment of Truth 4 Floodfarm Verge 3 Seachrome Coast 3 Adarkar Wastes 4 Island 1 Cavern of Souls 4 Roiling Dragonstorm 4 Temporary Lockdown 2 Spell Pierce 4 Meticulous Archive 1 Confounding Riddle 4 Stock Up 3 Plains 4 Omniscience 4 Ephara's Dispersal 4 Marang River Regent 1 Blast Zone 2 Change the Equation 1 Cathar Commando 2 Get Lost 1 Ghost Vacuum 2 Beza, the Bounding Spring 2 Overlord of the Mistmoors 1 Negate 2 Clarion Conqueror 2 Voice of Victory

Ever since the addition of Marang River Regent and Roiling Dragonstorm from Tarkir: Dragonstorm, Azorius Omniscience has surged into the Standard spotlight. The deck is as elegant as it is deadly; Abuelo's Awakening puts Omniscience onto the battlefield, letting you cast Marang River Regent, bounce another Regent, and draw your entire deck with Roiling Dragonstorm. From there, you can bounce Founding the Third Path over and over to mill your opponent into oblivion.

This streamlined combo strategy accounted for a notable 10% of the metagame across the four Regional Championships. While its matchup spread is roughly even against both Izzet Prowess and the rest of the field combined, the deck's true strength lies in the hands of a skilled pilot. As the second Azorius Omniscience player to claim a Regional Championship trophy this round, Yuxuan Zhang has cemented the archetype's place as the combo connoisseur's weapon of choice in Standard.

Samuel Chang Takes Trophy in Taipei City with Izzet Prowess

Congratulations to Samuel Chang, who blazed his way to victory at the MIT Championship with Izzet Prowess! His 1st-place finish not only netted him the trophy but also an invitation to Magic World Championship 31. Additionally, the Top 3 unqualified players earned spots at Pro Tour Edge of Eternities.

6 Island 4 Opt 4 Stormchaser's Talent 1 Abrade 4 Monstrous Rage 3 Torch the Tower 3 Into the Flood Maw 3 Mountain 4 Cori-Steel Cutter 4 Stock Up 4 Drake Hatcher 4 Riverpyre Verge 4 Spirebluff Canal 4 Shivan Reef 4 Sleight of Hand 4 Monastery Swiftspear 1 Torch the Tower 1 Unable to Scream 2 Get Out 1 Ghost Vacuum 1 Witchstalker Frenzy 2 Enduring Curiosity 1 Into the Flood Maw 2 Spell Pierce 2 Ral, Crackling Wit 2 Lithomantic Barrage

Throughout this entire Regional Championship cycle, Izzet Prowess has solidified its status as the undisputed frontrunner in Standard. Across the last four events, it made up a staggering 33.6% of the metagame and posted a strong 53.0% non-mirror win rate. "This Standard deck felt like it had Modern-level power!" said Samuel Chang.

While Cori-Steel Cutter remains the deck's core threat, Izzet Prowess has continued to evolve. A growing number of successful pilots—including Chang—swapped Slickshot Show-Off for Drake Hatcher, a more resilient threat against damage-based removal. The Hatcher becomes especially menacing when supercharged by Monstrous Rage. In response, many lists have started to shave copies of Burst Lightning in favor of Torch the Tower, likely as a more reliable answer to opposing Drake Hatchers.

On the spicier side, Chang's sideboard featured two copies each of Enduring Curiosity and Get Out—savvy inclusions that may have helped him get out of the format's more difficult matchups.

Percy Fang Claims US Regional Championship with Mono-Red Aggro

Congratulations to Percy Fang, who scorched the competition in Hartford to win the United States Regional Championship! Piloting a Mono-Red Aggro list, finely tuned for the metagame, Fang triumphed over more than 900 competitors and clinched the title with a decisive finals victory over Chris Botelho, who was running Azorius Control with main-deck Authority of the Consuls.

Both finalists earned invitations to Magic World Championship 31. Since Fang had already locked up a Worlds invite thanks to his 2nd-place finish at Arena Championship 8—also with Mono-Red Aggro—the slot passed down to 3rd-place finisher Julian Korfine. In addition, the Top 32 unqualified finishers secured seats at Pro Tour Edge of Eternities.

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

Fang chose Mono-Red not just because of his familiarity with the deck but also because he liked its matchup against Izzet Prowess. The numbers backed up his choice: across the past four Regional Championships, Mono-Red Aggro posted a 55% win rate against Izzet Prowess, which is strong evidence of a favorable matchup.

The breakout tech in Fang's list was Magebane Lizard, a deceptively powerful addition that can shut down entire game plans. Izzet Prowess relies on chaining cantrips like Opt and Sleight of Hand, but Magebane Lizard punishes that strategy severely. Most of the top Mono-Red lists ran three or four copies of Magebane Lizard in the main deck, and for Fang, it proved to be the perfect call.

I also appreciate the inclusion of a basic Mountain in the sideboard. It's a subtle but effective adjustment when raising your curve by bringing in Sunspine Lynx. As it brings the land count up to 23, adding it to the deck can improve curve-out consistency when on the play. To me, a land in the sideboard signals a carefully refined and well-tuned decklist.

The Standard Metagame and Win Rates

A total of 1,467 Standard decklists from the past four Regional Championships were available for analysis. After setting archetype names based on the contents of each deck, I compiled the overall metagame share and match win rates for each deck archetype (excluding mirror matches, byes, and draws). These metrics are provided in the table below, where each archetype name is linked to a top-performing decklist that best represents its aggregate build.

The "Other" category encompassed a wide range of archetypes such as Dimir Control, Gruul Leyline, Boros Monument, Abzan Pixie, Azorius Bunnicorn, Temur Otters, Gruul Prowess, Orzhov Control, Simic Terror, Golgari Roots, Selesnya Tokens, Selesnya Cage, Rakdos Leyline, Selesnya Gearhulk, Temur Prowess, Abzan Midrange, Selesnya Enchantments, and more.

The Standard metagame and top-tier decks continue to crystallize, with only minor changes compared to the preceding four Regional Championships. The most significant development was the rise of Azorius Omniscience, which jumped from 5.9% to 10% of the field. Izzet Prowess, meanwhile, maintained its position at the top, making up 33.6% of the field, up from 30.7%.

In terms of win rate, Izzet Prowess remained a top performer with a 53% win rate in non-mirror, non-bye, non-draw matches. This number closely mirrors its 52.4% win rate from the previous quartet of Regional Championships.

But dominance does not imply invincibility. As I've discussed in my earlier articles—both from the first RC and the subsequent wave—decks like Orzhov Pixie, Boros Monument, Gruul Delirium, and Abzan Pixie all boast favorable matchups against Izzet Prowess. This was confirmed by the results from the last four RCs. These decks are solid elsewhere, too, as each of their win rates against the field have remained comfortably above 50%. Hence, all of these decks are excellent choices.

Other successful metagame adaptations have emerged as well. Last weekend in the United States, Mono-Red Aggro and Azorius Control ran main-deck copies of Magebane Lizard and Authority of the Consuls, respectively. Those decks both proved to be well-positioned against the Standard metagame as a whole and as effective answers to Izzet Prowess in particular. If you're looking to beat the top decks, there's no shortage of viable strategies.

Based on the performance numbers from all Standard RCs in this cycle thus far, the real breakout star of the format isn't Izzet Prowess—it's Gruul Delirium. Among all archetypes with at least a dozen players across all events, Gruul Delirium has posted the most impressive win rates, both against Izzet Prowess and across the field. For now, it stands as my top data-driven recommendation for the remaining RCs and any other upcoming Standard tournaments. If players could freely switch decks and leave behind underperformers like Golgari Midrange, Esper Pixie, or Mono-White Tokens, then Gruul Delirium might well reshape the Standard metagame entirely.

A Theoretical Analysis of the Standard Format

Using all recorded match results from the nine Regional Championships held during this cycle so far, I constructed a win-rate matrix for the most popular Standard archetypes. To smooth out the effects of small sample sizes in a Bayesian sense, I applied a Beta (10, 10) prior to each matchup. Based on this resulting win-rate matrix, there exists only one metagame equilibrium.

In game theory, a metagame equilibrium is a distribution of decks where each archetype from that distribution has an expected win rate of exactly 50% against this field, while there is no deck that can exceed 50%. As proven by John von Neumann in 1928, such an equilibrium always exists. Rounded to the nearest percentage point, the unique equilibrium in the current Standard format would consist of 8% Izzet Prowess, 1% Azorius Omniscience, 20% Mono-Red Aggro, 26% Domain Overlords, 21% Dimir Midrange, 9% Orzhov Pixie, and 15% Gruul Delirium. Within this equilibrium metagame, each of these decks would have an expected win rate of 50%, with any other archetype falling short of that. Any metagame other than this equilibrium, including the current one at the RCs, is exploitable and unstable.

Of course, this theoretical model has limitations. It relies heavily on a matchup matrix based on low sample sizes and a finite set of archetypes, which can't fully capture the richness and granularity of Standard. For instance, Boros Monument and other fringe archetypes were excluded from the set of options. I also didn't account for the full range of anti-aggro or anti-midrange control variants that can target different corners of the metagame. Furthermore, some of the matchup win rates were based on only a handful of matches, and Izzet Prowess could improve its performance against the broader field if it didn't have to be tuned for the mirror. Additionally, real-world deck selection isn't frictionless: players are constrained by experience, personal preference, and card availability.

Still, despite these limitations, my quantitative model suggests that the current Standard metagame is far from equilibrium. This means that we could continue to see dynamic shifts in the weeks ahead.

This analysis represents my perspective as a contracted writer, Pro Tour Hall of Famer, and game theorist. I am not a member of the Play Design team and am not involved in any decisions on bans or restrictions. The next such announcement is scheduled for June 30, and the Play Design team will be looking closely at Standard, and changes to format's banned list are possible. I look forward to hearing Play Design's insights at that time and trust them to shape the format into a vibrant, balanced, and enjoyable competitive environment.

That announcement will arrive just weeks before rotation. Barring any reprints, cards like Shivan Reef, Temporary Lockdown, Seachrome Coast, and Cut Down will exit the format on Edge of Eternities's Prerelease weekend, starting on July 25. One way or another, Standard is headed for a major shake-up in just two months.

Five Standout Decks That Earned a Pro Tour Invitation

Across the ANZ Super Series, MTG China Open, MIT Championship, and United States Regional Championship, nearly 1,500 players battled for Pro Tour invites. Among the 53 decklists that earned a Pro Tour invitation, five stood out for their innovation and clever deck building. These are the five decks that I wanted to highlight from the past two Regional Championship weekends.

2 Swamp 1 Coalstoke Gearhulk 4 Inti, Seneschal of the Sun 3 Phyrexian Dragon Engine 2 Torch the Tower 2 Demolition Field 1 Harvester of Misery 2 Go for the Throat 2 Duress 2 Mishra, Claimed by Gix 4 Blackcleave Cliffs 2 Trumpeting Carnosaur 1 Wild Ride 4 Mountain 4 Tinybones, the Pickpocket 4 Fear of Missing Out 1 Raucous Theater 4 Blazemire Verge 2 Sulfurous Springs 2 Anoint with Affliction 2 Restless Vents 4 Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate 4 Deep-Cavern Bat 1 Blast Zone 2 Dreams of Steel and Oil 2 Dreadmaw's Ire 1 Agatha's Soul Cauldron 1 Ghost Vacuum 2 Duress 2 Withering Torment 2 Anoint with Affliction 1 Case of the Crimson Pulse 2 Brotherhood's End

Of nearly 1,500 competitors in the last four Regional Championships, only one registered Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate. But that one player, Benjamin Graves, piloted the deck all the way to 2nd place at the Australia and New Zealand RC, finishing with a 9-2 record in Standard.

This red-black midrange deck features a deep roster of creatures costing two mana or less, all of which can be revived the turn Alesha hits the board. Once Alesha becomes a 3/3, either by attacking or gaining a +1/+1 counter from Inti, Seneschal of the Sun, she can even return Phyrexian Dragon Engine, enabling you to discard your hand and draw three cards. With a bit of luck, you might even draw into Mishra, Claimed by Gix, which can eventually meld into Mishra, Lost to Phyrexia—a spectacular and stylish finish.

This surprise success story shows that Standard still has space for innovation. Rakdos Alesha isn't just powerful; it's a blast to play.

3 Swamp 4 Cache Grab 3 Snarling Gorehound 1 Agatha's Soul Cauldron 1 Curious Forager 4 Molt Tender 5 Forest 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Llanowar Wastes 4 Wastewood Verge 4 Blooming Marsh 1 Voldaren Thrillseeker 3 Osteomancer Adept 1 Dredger's Insight 4 Insidious Roots 4 Rubblebelt Maverick 4 Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler 2 Haywire Mite 4 Overlord of the Balemurk 1 Skyfisher Spider 1 Disruptive Stormbrood 2 Obstinate Baloth 1 Qarsi Revenant 2 Harvester of Misery 1 The Swarmweaver 2 Scavenging Ooze 2 Cankerbloom 1 Haywire Mite 1 Great Arashin City 1 Dredger's Insight

Only four players sleeved up Golgari Roots across the last four Regional Championships, but Jesse Piland was among the best of them with a stellar 12-3 run, finishing in 10th place at the United States RC. Across all pilots, the archetype delivered a strong 28-16 combined record (63.6% win rate).

At the core of the deck is Insidious Roots, an enchantment capable of flooding the battlefield with Plant tokens. It thrives on repeated exile effects from cards like Molt Tender, Osteomancer Adept, and Agatha's Soul Cauldron.

While some builds lean toward a more traditional midrange shell, Piland's version leans hard into synergy, incorporating Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler, Snarling Gorehound, and Rubblebelt Maverick to fuel the graveyard and maximize Insidious Roots. This results in a powerful, synergistic package that many opponents weren't prepared for.

4 Cache Grab 4 Eddymurk Crab 4 Botanical Sanctum 4 Willowrush Verge 4 Bushwhack 2 Forest 4 Stormchaser's Talent 4 This Town Ain't Big Enough 2 Stock Up 2 Ephara's Dispersal 4 Up the Beanstalk 4 Tolarian Terror 2 Analyze the Pollen 4 Hedge Maze 4 Seed of Hope 4 Island 4 Unsummon 1 Obstinate Baloth 3 Pick Your Poison 3 Get Out 3 Heritage Reclamation 2 Ghost Vacuum 3 Ringing Strike Mastery

Ryan Donkin's dedication to Simic Terror paid off with an 11-3-1 finish and 18th place at the United States RC—good for a well-earned Pro Tour invite. Donkin has been refining and championing the fringe archetype since last fall, and his mastery showed. Sometimes, it's best to stick with a deck you know inside and out, one that opponents may not be ready for.

The deck's headline threats, Tolarian Terror and Eddymurk Crab, can have their costs reduced after you fill up your graveyard with Seed of Hope and Cache Grab. Both 5/5 creatures trigger Up the Beanstalk, generating card advantage along the way. Meanwhile, tempo tools like Unsummon and This Town Ain't Big Enough help delay opposing threats until you can dominate the board.

Several upgrades from Tarkir: Dragonstorm have bolstered the sideboard. Heritage Reclamation offers unparalleled versatility as an answer to Cori-Steel Cutter, Abuelo's Awakening, and more, while Ringing Strike Mastery shuts down even the most troublesome threats, at least temporarily. If you're looking for a tempo deck that's under the radar but overperforms, Simic Terror is worth a second look.

1 Soul Partition 4 Elegant Parlor 4 Battlefield Forge 4 Inspiring Vantage 4 Burst Lightning 4 Phyrexian Dragon Engine 4 Sheltered by Ghosts 1 Scrapwork Mutt 1 Torch the Tower 2 Mountain 4 The Mycosynth Gardens 4 Recommission 4 Monument to Endurance 4 Fear of Missing Out 3 Tersa Lightshatter 1 Plains 4 Guardian of New Benalia 3 Screaming Nemesis 4 Sunbillow Verge 3 Destroy Evil 3 Ghost Vacuum 2 Loran of the Third Path 2 Chandra, Spark Hunter 3 Pyroclasm 2 Voice of Victory

Benton Madsen piloted Boros Monument to an 11-4 finish, landing 33rd place and earning a Pro Tour invite due to a pass down. The archetype already did great at the first RC in Europe, and it has kept up its momentum ever since. Just six players brought it across the four most recent RCs, but they combined for a 38-24 record (61.3% win rate), including a solid 11-8 result against Izzet Prowess.

The deck's namesake, Monument to Endurance, turns discards into a potentially devastating sequence of card draw, Treasure generation, and life loss for the opponent. The Mycosynth Gardens can copy Monument to Endurance, ensuring the triggers stack up quickly. Meanwhile, discard outlets like Guardian of New Benalia, Fear of Missing Out, Tersa Lightshatter, and Phyrexian Dragon Engine keep the engine running. You can even recur Phyrexian Dragon Engine with Recommission for extra value. This intricate archetype demands some finesse, but its power should not be underestimated.

3 Anointed Peacekeeper 4 Concealed Courtyard 1 Sheltered by Ghosts 2 Qarsi Revenant 2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse 1 Intimidation Tactics 3 Archfiend of the Dross 3 Go for the Throat 1 Pest Control 4 Duress 4 Caves of Koilos 4 Cruelclaw's Heist 8 Swamp 2 Shadowy Backstreet 4 Bleachbone Verge 1 Shoot the Sheriff 4 Soulstone Sanctuary 3 Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber 3 Preacher of the Schism 3 Cut Down 1 Gix's Command 1 Legions to Ashes 1 Lord Skitter, Sewer King 2 Pest Control 1 Exorcise 2 Ghost Vacuum 1 Loran of the Third Path 2 Beza, the Bounding Spring 1 Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber 2 Caustic Bronco 1 Sheoldred's Edict

This Orzhov Demons list placed 3rd at China's Regional Championship, and the archetype is quickly gaining traction. From existing in virtual obscurity to 2.6% of the metagame across the past four Regional Championships, it's a new contender with serious potential. In the United States, players like Gavin Meagher also found success with the archetype.

Essentially, Orzhov Demons is an evolution of Mono-Black Demons, using Duress to preemptively strip problematic cards like Cori-Steel Cutter and leveraging Unholy Annex with Archfiend of the Dross or Soulstone Sanctuary to drain life each turn. The white splash provides access to Anointed Peacekeeper, premium removal, and an improved sideboard. While the splash can make the deck more vulnerable to Sunspine Lynx, the mana remains consistent enough to support the power boost. All in all, it results in a refined variation that demands respect.

What's Next for Standard?

Despite four different decks hoisting trophies over the past four Regional Championships, Izzet Prowess has only deepened its grip as the premier deck to defeat. Although Standard offers plenty of answers—including Gruul Delirium, Orzhov Pixie, Mono-Red Aggro, Azorius Control, Boros Monument, and Abzan Pixie—the metagame has yet to pivot decisively against the format's defining archetype.

That evolution may yet come. Over the next few weeks, players will vie for those coveted Pro Tour and World Championship invites in the final three Regional Championships. Here's the upcoming schedule:

• May 24–25: Canada
• May 31–June 1: South America and Mexico/Central America/Caribbean

Then, all attention will shift to MagicCon: Atlanta. From June 20–22, Standard will be featured at Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™, boasting a $500,000 prize pool and the world's top competitors. Expect intense drama, incredible innovations, and, of course, one triumphant champion that will claim the trophy.