Image via WotC

MTG Innistrad Championship Standard meta is all about Control and Aggro

Can an underdog meta deck take down the overperformers?

Wizards of the Coast revealed the Standard metagame breakdown today for the Innistrad Championship, showcasing a majority of players competing with Izzet Epiphany and Mono-White Aggro.

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Birds, extra turns, and cheap aggressive creatures are the decks to beat within the Standard format at the Innistrad Championship this weekend. Revealed by WotC today, 58.3 percent of the 252 competitors are playing either Mono-White Aggro or Izzet Epiphany. Coming in at 9.9 percent of the field is Mono-Green Aggro, followed by Orzhov Control at 5.2 percent. 

  • Izzet Epiphany: 96 players at 38.1 percent
  • Mono-White Aggro: 51 players at 20.2 percent
  • Mono-Green Aggro: 25 players at 9.9 percent
  • Orzhov Control: 13 players at 5.2 percent
  • Izzet Control: Nine players at 3.6 percent
  • Izzet Dragons: Nine players at 3.6 percent
  • Esper Control: Seven players at 2.8 percent
  • Grixis Control: Seven players at 2.8 percent
  • Jund Aggro: Five players at two percent
  • Jeskai Dragons: Four players at 1.6 percent
  • Dimir Control: Three players at 1.2 percent
  • Mono-Black Zombies: Three players at 1.2 percent
  • Rakdos Vampires: Three players at 1.2 percent
  • Grixis Epiphany: Two players at 0.8 percent
  • Mono-Black Control: Two players at 0.8 percent
  • Naya Aggro: Two players at  0.8 percent
  • Orzhov Midrange: Two players at 0.8 percent
  • Azorius Control: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Azorius Tempo: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Dimir Delver: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Jund Treasures: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Mono-Blue Tempo: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Mono-Red Aggro: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Orzhov Sacrifice: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Selesnya Lifegain: One player at 0.4 percent
  • Selesnya Ramp: One player at 0.4 percent

Orzhov Control, a WB deck using the VOW legendary creature Edgar, Charmed Groom in conjunction with multiple board wipes, has recently been rising in popularity. Esper Control is another rising Standard Control deck, packed with removal and counterspells. Grixis Control is similar to the builds that were played at the Magic World Championship, while Dimir Control relies upon removal and Lier, Disciple of the Drowned. 

Mono-White has been the best Aggro deck so far within the Standard meta, but some players are attempting to buck that trend. Two players are bringing Naya Aggro while five are on Jund Aggro. But the MTG deck to keep an eye on is Mono-Red Aggro. 

Midrange decks have had a hard time within the VOW meta, but some players are willing to take the risk of playing them. Azorius Tempo and Midrange decks have potential, while a surprise appearance of Selesnya Lifegain could throw everyone off.  

Fans can check out how the Standard meta unfolds at the MTG Arena Innistrad Championship this weekend, streaming via Twitch from Dec. 3 to 5.


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Danny Forster
Lead Magic: The Gathering/Teamfight Tactics scribe and staff writer for Dot Esports. Danny is a gamer beach bum residing in Spacecoast Florida and has been a journalist for seven years, of which five have been at Dot Esports. Prior media outllets Danny wrote for were Screen Rant and TheGamer. You can typically catch Danny playing TCGs and a variety of strategic games. He also hangs out on Twitter @Dannyspacecoast.