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Best Control decks in Vintage

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.

The most powerful format in Magic: The Gathering, where almost every card ever printed is legal and the legendary Power Nine still rule the table.

Staple cards

  • Counterspell
  • Beast Within
  • Mind Stone
  • An Offer You Can't Refuse
  • Solemn Simulacrum
  • Rhystic Study
  • Commander's Sphere
  • Negate
  • Arcane Denial
  • Generous Gift
  • Swan Song
  • Esper Sentinel
  • Boseiju, Who Endures
  • Fierce Guardianship
  • Feed the Swarm
  • The One Ring
  • Garruk's Uprising
  • Mystic Remora