Can These 5 Control Decks 'Breach' the Standard Meta?

Ah yes, control. Sometimes considered as the mood killer build, theoretically making midrange decks more or less a good match, midrange sizes up control decks by building up and playing bigger over time.

Unfortunately, such build type has been shafted from recent card set releases for quite some time, perhaps due to its inherently prickly nature. This means, either the newer toys (of recent Standard sets) meant for control aren’t spicy enough, or the cards feel like they’re designed to be less effective.

But that doesn’t mean that you can no longer have creative fun with control decks. And by fun, we mean playing at the very edge. Spoiling your opponent’s play just enough to prevent any effective setup, but still providing ample tease that the opponent tries to endure everything anyway.

Don’t forget, the flexibility of these decks is always a double-edged sword. You do not have a set pattern or immediate win condition. But that also makes every move prone to misplays.

Superfriends Reloaded: Mardu Strikes Thrice

At this point, there isn’t really anything surprising about most superfriends builds in current Standard right now. But at least, you still have an ample degree of variance when it comes to mixing and matching, and knowing what works and what does not.

For this particular brew, the key is getting Ob Nixilis, the Adversary to collaborate with the rest of the planeswalkers. Both his first and second loyalty abilities serve well the objectives of cards like Liliana the Veil and Sorin the Mirthless, while still being partially synergistic to other staples such as The Wandering Emperor.

The amazing Urza Assembles the Titans + Vraska, Betrayal's Sting combo is also utilized to great effect in this deck. It offers Ob Nixilis an even better chance of progressively increasing his loyalty counters, leaving him alive the next turn to keep up the life-loss pressure.

Breach the Multiverse is a particularly painful card to be used against this deck, as some of the higher-rated planeswalkers in this deck are pretty versatile across most builds. The deck also tends to stumble hard at the slightest mistake, so always carefully consider your choices among the value generators you have on board.

Gameplay Video

Featured Cards:

🌚😈😄 THIS DECK WILL SURPRISE YOU

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Main 60 cards (24 distinct)

Lands - 25

Main 60 cards (24 distinct)

Lands - 25

$€Tix

Main 60 cards (24 distinct)

Planeswalker (15)
3 Liliana of the Veil			$15.00
4 Ob Nixilis, the Adversary			$9.99
3 Vraska, Betrayal's Sting			$7.320.52
2 The Wandering Emperor
2 Sorin the Mirthless			$7.98
1 Elspeth Resplendent			$3.00
Creature (4)
4 Ambitious Farmhand // Seasoned Cathar			$0.25€0.210.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (16)
3 Fateful Absence			$0.95
2 Farewell			$5.53€5.643.94
1 Depopulate			$0.49
4 Urza Assembles the Titans			$0.30€0.160.01
2 Sunfall			$8.000.55
3 Cut Down
1 March of Otherworldly Light			$0.89€1.575.19
Land (25)
6 Plains			$0.34€0.180.04
3 Caves of Koilos			$2.36
1 Mirrex			$3.470.53
1 Blast Zone			$1.20
4 Haunted Ridge			$6.46
4 Shattered Sanctum			$10.00
2 Sundown Pass			$7.00
1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire			$6.99
1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire			$7.13€8.980.72
2 Sulfurous Springs			$4.85€3.650.83

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Respond to Threats, Generate Bonus Value

Chrome Host Seedshark, even without getting too deep into the meta, has already established itself as a reliable incubator generator whenever your control deck responds to something. This deck is something of a distilled version of this capability, but is enhanced with proliferation, further increasing the inherent value of each token generated.

One small, but nifty combo is Chrome Host Seedshark + Experimental Augury, allowing for a small deck filtering effect while getting a triple counter incubator token (and proliferating the rest if you have more). Kaya, Intangible Slayer is also an interesting addition, though it is more intended as an enchantment stealer during grindy games than just securing a better victory.

And, of course, Vraska, Betrayal's Sting once again showcases her best specialties here, as it can also combo with Chrome Host Seedshark the same way as Augury.

One thing to note here is that Void Rend is almost always exclusively reserved for the opponent’s key support cards, instead of casting it for immediate advantage. Balancing the use of this deck’s double copy of Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus also needs very careful consideration.

Gameplay Video

Featured Cards:

Shark control

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Main 60 cards (25 distinct)

Lands - 25

Main 60 cards (25 distinct)

Lands - 25

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Main 60 cards (25 distinct)

Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (19)
4 Sunfall			$8.000.55
4 Drown in Ichor			$0.82€0.390.03
3 Void Rend			$1.49
4 Experimental Augury			$0.78
2 Negate			$0.25€0.080.04
2 Memory Deluge			$2.22
Creature (6)
4 Chrome Host Seedshark			$2.000.02
2 Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus			$4.990.02
Planeswalker (10)
3 Vraska, Betrayal's Sting			$7.320.52
3 The Wandering Emperor
2 Kaya, Intangible Slayer			$0.49€0.320.02
2 Kaya, Geist Hunter			$2.58
Land (25)
1 Plains			$0.34€0.180.04
1 Swamp			$0.98€0.490.04
2 Island			$0.40€0.160.03
1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire			$6.99
1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire			$7.13€8.980.72
1 Otawara, Soaring City			$16.04€18.304.24
3 Raffine's Tower			$10.00
2 Shipwreck Marsh			$4.96
3 Seachrome Coast			$3.230.09
2 Deserted Beach			$4.40
3 Shattered Sanctum			$10.00
2 Caves of Koilos			$2.36
3 Darkslick Shores			$5.140.52

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Mindsplice Control Jeskai Edition

Initially thought as a sort of niche card for comfy jank builds, Mindsplice Apparatus eventually found a name for itself as the control “everyman-card”. Once in a while, it will pop out its ugly head in matches where you least expect them. It gets a flashy entrance, and always has weird ways of cheapening unlikely varieties of spells.

Being of Jeskai color identity means you only need one or two turns before this wacky artifact returns the favor (if you are still alive on turn five). This also makes Depopulate easily replaceable by Path of Peril Brotherhood's End, which is probably a better response to Selesnya Enchantment and Mono-Red Aggro decks with its crucial turn-early mana curve.

To be honest, though, a manually-cased Silver Scrutiny, and well-placed Flame-Blessed Bolts are probably the heavier players of this deck during times when your defensive plays pay off. Mindsplice is most just a convenient bonus. The timing to use them has to be very well-calculated though. There’s also a surprise Chandra, Hope's Beacon here by the way, if you ever feel like doubling your control pieces per turn.

Gameplay Video

Featured Cards:

Jeskai Devious Wish Control

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Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Lands - 27

Side 7 cards (7 distinct)

Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Lands - 27

Side 7 cards (7 distinct)

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Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Other (1)
1 Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders			$0.35€0.220.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (31)
2 Farewell			$5.53€5.643.94
2 Sunfall			$8.000.55
2 Brotherhood's End			$4.34
2 White Sun's Twilight			$2.160.02
2 Devious Cover-Up			$0.15€0.070.03
3 Fires of Victory			$0.18€0.130.02
1 Volcanic Spite			$0.20€0.140.03
3 Mindsplice Apparatus			$1.020.02
4 Silver Scrutiny			$0.39
2 Union of the Third Path			$0.20€0.140.03
3 Syncopate			$0.15€0.120.03
4 Flame-Blessed Bolt			$0.15€0.050.03
1 Faithful Mending			$0.55€0.640.03
Planeswalker (1)
1 Chandra, Hope's Beacon			$2.970.17
Land (27)
1 Otawara, Soaring City			$16.04€18.304.24
1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire			$6.99
1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance			$2.17€3.941.58
2 Seachrome Coast			$3.230.09
3 Shivan Reef			$2.45
2 Mirrex			$3.470.53
2 Adarkar Wastes			$7.00€7.440.81
3 Battlefield Forge			$2.75
4 Deserted Beach			$4.40
4 Stormcarved Coast			$5.89
4 Sundown Pass			$7.00

Side 7 cards (7 distinct)

1 Farewell			$5.53€5.643.94
1 Alchemist's Gambit			$0.50
1 Galvanic Iteration			$1.67
1 Negate			$0.25€0.130.03
1 Disdainful Stroke			$0.18€0.070.03
1 Light Up the Night			$0.40
1 Sunfall			$8.000.55

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Either You Burn, or You Mill

This deck mainly drops with the good ol’ combo of turn-four Big Score to ramp Chandra, Hope's Beacon the very next turn (without interruptions). Though, before all of her good stuff happens, you need to navigate your way defensively through the first few turns in classic control style.

Keep in mind that although this deck can pressure the opponent with Burn Down the House, it is somewhat better utilized defensively. Because as few of them are in the deck, the planeswalkers will still make the most significant plays within reach of your win condition.

Jace, the Perfected Mind + Breach the Multiverse is a rather unholy combo in the late game. Not synergy isn’t broken enough. But when combined, they allow you to push two completely different win conditions in a single go. Though, of course, a double Breach with Chandra can be just as frustrating to deal with. Equally devastating for this deck if your opponent happens to take off with a Breach stealing your Chandra as well.

Gameplay Video

Featured Cards:

🌚🥶😈 ONE TURN MILL

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Main 60 cards (31 distinct)

Lands - 26

Main 60 cards (31 distinct)

Lands - 26

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Main 60 cards (31 distinct)

Creature (3)
3 Graveyard Trespasser // Graveyard Glutton			$0.50€0.892.73
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (23)
1 Galvanic Iteration			$1.67
1 Pilfer			$0.18€0.110.03
3 Go for the Throat			$1.25€0.880.03
2 Burn Down the House			$0.99
1 Siphon Insight			$1.08
1 Sheoldred's Edict			$4.68
1 Duress			$0.39€0.370.04
2 March of Wretched Sorrow			$0.45€0.570.50
4 Big Score			$0.99€0.850.01
2 Cut Down
2 Breach the Multiverse			$6.500.02
1 The Celestus			$1.25
1 Negate			$0.22€0.110.03
1 Memory Deluge			$2.22
Planeswalker (8)
3 Chandra, Hope's Beacon			$2.970.17
2 Liliana of the Veil			$15.00
3 Jace, the Perfected Mind			$5.491.24
Land (26)
1 Island			$0.40€0.160.03
4 Xander's Lounge			$8.56
1 Swamp			$0.98€0.490.04
1 Mountain			$0.37€0.180.03
2 Shivan Reef			$2.45
3 Stormcarved Coast			$5.89
3 Shipwreck Marsh			$4.96
2 Underground River			$5.10€4.910.27
3 Haunted Ridge			$6.46
3 Sulfurous Springs			$4.85€3.650.83
1 Otawara, Soaring City			$16.04€18.304.24
1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance			$2.17€3.941.58
1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire			$7.13€8.980.72

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Break the Meta With Naughty Sultai

This Sultai combination control deck has a rather peculiar set of card choices. There are, of course, typical removal and counter staples. At least one Teferi is present, and we have other updated goodies such as Sheoldred's Edict and strangely enough, two copies of Invasion of Fiora // Marchesa, Resolute Monarch. Curiously, Dig Up and Contagious Vorrac are present, making the late-survival objective of this deck even more apparent.

Although there are only two copies of Tamiyo, Compleated Sage in this deck, it is considered as its secondary win condition (both its second loyalty ability and ultimate). Though, it is likely that you simply gain advantage through deck filtering consistency, preferably aided by either Sheoldred, the Apocalypse or Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim (both surviving for at least two turns).

Oh, and you have to kind of play Silver Scrutiny conservatively here. Unlike the aforementioned Jeskai version, manipulate the board so that your opponent eventually empties their hand… and then, refresh your entire hand with the Scrutiny. In about 1-out-3 games, your opponent will simply scoop.

Gameplay Video

Featured Cards:

Sultai Control Meta Breaker

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Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Lands - 26

Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Lands - 26

$€Tix

Main 60 cards (26 distinct)

Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (25)
3 Go for the Throat			$1.25€0.880.03
4 Path of Peril			$1.75
1 Negate			$0.25€0.130.03
1 Silver Scrutiny			$0.39
2 Memory Deluge			$2.22
4 Syncopate			$0.15€0.120.03
2 Joint Exploration			$0.39€0.190.02
1 Sheoldred's Edict			$4.68
1 Disdainful Stroke			$0.18€0.070.03
2 Dig Up			$0.66
2 The Celestus			$1.25
2 Cut Down
Creature (4)
2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
2 Contagious Vorrac			$0.15€0.050.04
Planeswalker (3)
1 Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim			$5.03
2 Tamiyo, Compleated Sage		{G/U/P}
Other (2)
2 Invasion of Fiora // Marchesa, Resolute Monarch			$0.79€0.570.02
Land (26)
1 Island			$0.40€0.160.03
4 Raffine's Tower			$10.00
1 Swamp			$0.98€0.490.04
4 Dreamroot Cascade			$4.20
3 Yavimaya Coast			$1.81
4 Deathcap Glade			$11.31
4 Llanowar Wastes			$4.72
4 Shipwreck Marsh			$4.96
1 Forest			$0.56€0.350.04

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