Standard - Esper Control

6 31 23
8 23 4 25
Control

UPDATE: looks like original UB control list is still better, so I advice you to look into it too: https://aetherhub.com/Deck/Public/188077 

 

Throne of Eldraine has given lots of new toys for control decks. Namely, Drown in the Lochimage, Into the Storyimage, Murderous Riderimage, Vantress Gargoyleimage (not presented here). This deck uses small bias towards mill to utilize those new powerful cards. It is not a mill deck, it is a classic draw-go control deck.

Previously I had straight UB version of this deck with Vantress Gargoyleimage and Didn't Say Pleaseimage, but Teferi, Time Ravelerimage is still OP and solves few important issues. Current decklist works fine even against Simic Food and I expect that archetype to take its place as tier-1 deck after next bans.

About card selection:

Murderous Riderimage, Noxious Graspimage, Disfigureimage and Drown in the Lochimage are quite obvious.

Overwhelmed Apprenticeimage is a small buddy who fills few roles: he serves as an Optimage digging you for the certain cards; he fills opponent's graveyard to activate your Drown in the Lochimage and he slows down fast agro. Merfolk Secretkeeperimage is fine in a dedicated mill deck, but this is not the one. Merfolk does nothing expect for mill 4, and this deck should be able to activate Drown in the Lochimage and Into the Storyimage without sacrificing a whole card to it.

Into the Storyimage is one of the best drawing engines in years. It is even better than Fact of Fiction. But with only 4 copies of it as card drawing engine you often will run out of cards. That's why there are two additional Bond of Insightimage. In a deck with lots of instant and sorceries Bond of Insightimage is a more reliable Drawn from Dreamsimage, which also contributes to milling the opponent.

Epic Downfallimage is a nod to the Wicked Wolfimage.

Enter the God-Eternalsimage suprisingly works fine as the main wincon. Especially given the fact you can return it with Bond of Insightimage.

The sole purpose of Thought Erasureimage is disarming Hydroid Krasisimage before it will give cards to opponent. But even in the opposite case, Into the Storyimage still yields you more cards for a cheaper price + drawing a lot of cards brings opponent closer to decking himself.

Teferi, Time Ravelerimage is not necessary in this deck, but he is a great tool for fighting vs Veil of Summerimage, Mystical Disputeimage and other counterspells. Plus recharges Murderous Riderimage, converts Overwhelming Apprentice into Serum Visionsimage and late game Thought Erasureimage into a good topdeck, and bounces problematic artifacts and enchanments back to the hand to be countered later.

 

In the sideboard Cry of the Carnariumimage comes vs mardu knights and adventure decks; Sorcerous Spyglassimage shuts down Witch's Ovenimage, different superfriends as well as Oko and Wicked Wolfimage. Drowned Secretsimage is additional wincon vs other control decks which can handle with 4/4 zombie army. Thought Distortionimage is a mise card vs same control decks and Esper Stax.

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2 comments

Namestaken
Fun deck :)
AviatorWelsh
Good write-up! I am a long time fan of Epser Control and am sad to see its state in the current meta. I am exited to try this build as I see it addresses the meta pretty well.
rx303
Last Updated: 15 Nov 2019
Created: 13 Nov 2019
2781 391 2

Mainboard - 60 cards (21 distinct)

Creature (8)
$0.25€0.130.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (23)
$0.46
$0.25€0.210.03
$0.24€0.100.03
$1.07€0.860.03
$0.25€0.170.03
$0.24€0.060.03
Land (25)
$13.36€13.600.29
$1.02
$0.22€0.110.03
Planeswalker (4)

Sideboard - 15 cards (9 distinct)

$0.24€0.060.03
$0.24€0.100.03
$0.88€0.520.02
$0.21€0.100.03
$0.27€0.220.04
$0.25€0.160.03
$0.46

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Main/Sideboard Rarity Count
8 25 27 0 0
0 10 5 0 0