Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
MTG Duelist of the Mind featuring World Champion Nathan Steuer
Image via WotC

MTG Pro Tour Thunder Junction meta may impact best deck in Standard

Over 60 players are on Esper Midrange.

Players have chosen their Magic: The Gathering decks for Pro Tour Thunder Junction, going with either the Esper Midrange build or a variety of decks that could dethrone the most popular build in Standard. 

Recommended Videos

The first MTG Pro Tour featuring Standard as the main format will take place through Thunder Junction from April 26 to 28, featuring a total prize pool of $500,000 and over 200 players. More cards than ever are legal to play within the Standard format since changes to rotation were initiated for the 2023-2024 season. The meta, however, appears lopsided as 65 of the 207 players decided to bring Esper Midrange to the second Pro Tour. But despite the limited data available heading into the major MTG tournament, Esper Midrange might not be the best deck.

MTG Pro Tour Thunder Junction meta breakdown
Sleeper decks have a chance to upset the meta. Image via WotC

Official decklists for MTG Pro Tour Thunder Junction won’t drop until April 26, but one card many are expected to add to the slew of Esper Midrange builds is Duelist of the Mind. The MTG card honoring world champion Nathan Steuer synergizes with Crimes, a new mechanic from Thunder Junction, and card draw. Boros Convoke, the second most popular deck at Pro Tour Thunder Junction, received a boost from potentially one of the best OTJ cards in the set, Slickshot Show-Off. And the third most popular build, Temur Analyst, is a sleeper deck that could overtake the Standard meta. 

Decks like Four-Color Legends and Domain Ramp, along with Mono-Red Aggro and Golgari Midrange are also showing potential heading into MTG Pro Tour Thunder Junction. Standing out from the Pro Tour meta are 15 individual decks that range from Mono-Blue Cauldron and Mono-Black Bloodletter to Jeskai Artifacts and Grixis Reanimator. 

Draft rounds at the MTG Pro Tour Thunder Junction will start on April 26 at 11am CT and Standard decklists are expected to be released later that day at around 2pm CT. 


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Danny Forster
Danny Forster
Danny has been writing for Dot Esports for over five years, first as a freelancer and now as a staff writer. He is the lead beat writer for Magic: The Gathering and Teamfight Tactics. Danny is also a solid Monopoly GO player, having beaten every main event without spending a dime. When Danny isn't writing or gaming, he's chilling by the water in Spacecoast Florida with his family and friends. He's always got a tan, because touching grass is important, and loves playing strategic digital and tabletop games. Past outlets Danny has written for include TheGamer and ScreenRant.