Playing against aggro is tough, and since Jeskai is so popular, that matchup is not an easy one. Post-sideboard, with access to Nyx-Fleece Ram and Prognostic Sphinx to block all their creatures and not die (unless they attack then burn, but then ol' Proggy still doesn't die). This is the only matchup where I wish I had more Negate in the sideboard.

Abzan is a good matchup, as we're loaded with removal here. They can't win if all their dudes are dead. Lists that run Ajani, Mentor of Heroes are tougher to beat because they can turn an empty board into something fairly easily. Still, with Disdainful Stroke in the side, and us already full of removal and boardwipes, the match becomes easier. I often side in Nyx-Fleece Ram here too, because it can block Siege Rhino ;)

Mono-Green and Temur variants are similar to Abzan, but if they play Crater's Claws , they can win even if they keep hitting land so just need to be careful about that.

Boss Sleigh is very tough. Seriously, that deck is FAST. Bile Blight , Drown in Sorrow , and Nyx-Fleece Ram are needed. To win. Short of a perfect hand, game 1 almost cant be won.

More and more Madru midrange-control decks have been showing up, and I havn't played much against them, but they're loaded with removal so sideboard Prognostic Sphinx is good, as long as you're careful about Crackling Doom . That card is the shit.

Looking over the deck again, I think I'd switch the two Prognostic Sphinx in the sideboard with the two Perilous Vault in the mainboard. The sphinx lets you scry 3 for each attack, and absent a boardwipe your opponent plays, it's damn near invulnerable. (Especially in a deck like this where you have so many ways to keep your hand full of cards)

I'll think about that but I think I'd rather have the extra sweepers in the main. Their interaction with Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver is very strong. Being able to -x Ashiok, activate Perilous Vault in response, and drop a creature onto a 100% empty board has won a lot of games in testing.

You commented on my Esper deck, so I'm returning the favor!

I like Last Breath as something you can play on turn 2. I need some better 2 mana answers because right now I'm basically waiting until turn 3 before I can do much.

Also, how do you like Pearl Lake Ancient ? I was never sure about it, hence putting Prognostic Sphinx in my deck.

I like your take on the Esper archetype in this standard, and wish you the best of luck! +1

@JustJoshin56

Thanks so much for taking a look! I'm loving Last Breath . It is amazing against any deck that runs Goblin Rabblemaster and Courser of Kruphix . Oh wait, thats basically every deck! It doesn't matter if they gain a little bit of life - we want to win in the long game.

Pearl Lake Ancient is superb. It hits the field at instant speed as a surprise blocker, or ready to attack on your turn. Sure they can cast a removal spell on it. No biggie, return 3 of your lands and he's almost untouchable.

The best thing about ancient is returning scry lands, and recasting them for value. That is huge in the dimir version of this deck, especially because it allows the player to gain life.

Yeah. I don't have the luxury of playing Radiant Fountain here but I wish I could. The mana base is janky as it is.

Not sure if you've considered it, but upping your fetch count, maybe to 3 each, would be beneficial not only as a way to thin your deck and fix your colours, but also a good way to fill the yard for your full 4 Dig Through Time

A) I don't have more of each lol

B) I've found their fixing to be only ok in 3 colour decks when all I can fetch are basics. If my opening hand is 3 fetches (2 Delta 1 Strand), and I have both Dissolve and Hero's Downfall , which one do I want to have the mana for by t3? I could get lucky and topdeck something that would allow it, but overall the fetches have proven to only be meh in all shard color decks I've been testing (strictly as fixing, interactions with delve and Courser are phenomenal).

If you could upgrade Despise to Thoughtseize it would be good.Gainsay could help you in the mirror match.Mana Confluence could help you on the mana.I actually like Prognostic Sphinx more than Pearl Lake Ancient . The scry 3 is really good!It looks like a very fun deck to play. :) +1

I like Despise better than Thoughtseize here honestly. The life loss is too much between it and land against most decks, and 90% of the time they're hitting the same card.

Gainsay could be good. I'll need to test it in the sideboard.

I think Mana Confluence would just hurt me too much. Without access to a tri-land though, it may be necessary.

I'm playing Pearl Lake Ancient over Prognostic Sphinx for 2 reasons. First of all, it avoids all my boardwipes, if I need to use one while it is out. More importantly though, it avoids Crackling Doom , and Mardu decks are very common at my LGS. Otherwise I would most likely mainboard Prognostic Sphinx instead - it simply fits better with my local meta.

very cool I went with a little more discard and mill for my deck but yours is really nice +1 you seem to be doing really well I would appreciate your input if you have time. Esper control- Take and Take

Giving +1 because I'm still not good with sideboards. Never had one.

@luffy007

Thanks! Do you think you could help with my sideboard a little? I'm not sure I need another Silence the Believers , but I side it in so often I can't cut it. I have been thinking about Suspension Field in its place, but I'm not convinced thats a good idea.

@PartyGoat

No problem man, thanks! As for the above comment, do you have anything to say? Sideboards are my least favorite part of Magic. They're so hard to figure out well. DX

Mom my only suggestion might he -2 Prognostic Sphinx and instead +2 of the leonin king guy.

Brimaz, King of Oreskos is good, but Prognostic Sphinx is very good against all fliers in standard right now, as it can block them all and not die. Between Mantis Rider , Stormbreath Dragon , Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker , Wingmate Roc , and even other Prognostic Sphinx 's, there are definitely enough to make it worth having.

It really depends on what your meta is around your area. I find a bomb like Empty the Pits can have some pretty explosive results. I think you're right to want Silence the Believers in your side especially in a control shell you should have enough mana at some point to maybe use it for the seven cost which will turn around a late game which is where a control deck like yours will really shine. I can also feel the allure of Suspension Field because of Siege Rhino and Courser of Kruphix , but i might look at something along the discard route. It's my own personal bias but why wait for a creature to come out onto the field if you can take it out of their hand. Especially if you can do it for one mana instead of two or more. So I would suggest a looking at Thoughtseize which will take care of creatures very efficiently and early but will also give you a look at what they are holding in their hands plus give you a choice between a creature or anything but a land. However I also realize you have a set of Despise so maybe some AEtherspouts or Singing Bell Strike s?

I also have a question about you putting two Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth in your deck is it useful enough to want two? I mean after you draw your first your second will almost always be a dead draw. Do you think you would prefer another land and just a one of? or is there a reason you have two?

really like the deck, pretty solid build and satisfying playout. mind checking out my gimick mill cantrip deck milltrips! and see when i can make some improvements? id love to hear any you would have! XD

@luffy007

Two Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is definitely not necessary. I've dropped one for a Swamp. Thanks for catching that - I thought I only had one. Must have added another by mistake.

As for Empty the Pits , I have yet to test it out but has seemed good since it was spoiled. I hasn't seen much play in any tournaments though, and I can't help but wonder why not. It seems awfully good. I'll definitely consider it as a SB option.

AEtherspouts was here originally, but took out when I decided to add Perilous Vault . I really don't need that many boardwipes. The synergy with Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver is really good though. I'll think about putting it back in.

I won't add Singing Bell Strike ...I'd rather just have hard kill spells instead.

With a full set of Despise , I'm essentially running 2 full sets of Hero's Downfall . It is amazing, and I personally think it is better than Thoughtseize because over 90% of the time, it will hit the same card.

@darklord241

Thanks! Your deck looks fun :)

How about using 2 Thoughtseize & 2 Despise instead of 4 Despise ?? Looks like mine Esper Control in Khans of Tarkir deck!! Great deck idea, +1 by me!!!

With a full set of Despise , I'm essentially running 2 full sets of Hero's Downfall . It is amazing, and I personally think it is better than Thoughtseize in the current meta, because over 90% of the time, it will hit the same card.

I saw this deck many times but still I forgot to +1 it, Imo it's the best esper deck around ;)+1!

@MarlukTheWise

Thanks a lot! I appreciate hearing that. I'm really stoked its made it to rank 18 on the site this past week. I'd like to make it higher, and need all the +1's I can get :D

Playtesting this against my Grixis, you were always mana flooded.

We went to turn twenty and beyond but you were still pulling out only responses, my burn spells really took the game over.

Run less land and plenty more creatures. I'd even run Empty the Pits just because of the sheer availability of mana sources. ...so you go do that.