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Best Control decks in Standard

Counterspells and removal to outlast the opponent and win in the late game.

Control decks trade one-for-one (or better) until the opponent runs out of threats, then close with a small number of powerful finishers or card-advantage engines.

Good control play is about knowing which threats to answer and which to ignore, and sequencing your mana so you always hold up the right interaction.

Magic's flagship rotating format, where only the newest sets shape an ever-evolving metagame.

Staple cards

  • An Offer You Can't Refuse
  • Solemn Simulacrum
  • Negate
  • Feed the Swarm
  • Garruk's Uprising
  • Phyrexian Arena
  • Assassin's Trophy
  • Abrade
  • Stroke of Midnight
  • Opt
  • Inspiring Call
  • Untimely Malfunction
  • Withering Torment
  • Reclamation Sage
  • Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar
  • Demolition Field
  • Tatyova, Benthic Druid
  • Mortify