Esper Control Ideas
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Oct. 6, 2015, 12:24 p.m. by Slowgod
I've been playing a non-dragon list with great success so far. I'm not exactly looking for "help" but more comments and comparisons to what others are doing. This current version has no creatures at all (jace doesn't count) You can see my latest comment about my concerns with being able to finish off the opponent in time. Fathom Feeder is a card I like a lot but I removed it and will probably remove the Ojutai's commands as well. I think I may need a couple more big threats like Ugin, Silumgar, the Drifting Death, maybe 1 Ojutai (but he doesn't get along with my sweepers) without going to a full dragon build. Any thoughts or builds that have been working for people to compare with? Thanks!Lands are creatures too
Also, consider running Hallowed Moonlight in the sideboard, seriously. It helps out tremendously in standard right now with all the giant Hangerbacks walking around.
October 6, 2015 12:58 p.m.
Thanks, good points... I was running a pure dragons version pre-rotation, but wanted to try something different. I was never sold on Clash of Wills but it's been working pretty well without having Silumgar's Scorn I'm still not certain about Despise cause it can totally miss, but it can also remove their biggest threats and flashback with Jace. I hate how limited Horribly Awry is, but I could see running 1 or 2. Gideon has been really powerful in replacement of the regular Ojutatai's I'd be running and he's immune to all my sweepers which is awesome. Hallowed Moonlight is cool with all the hangarbacks and deathmist raptors going around for sure. Thanks :)
October 6, 2015 1:05 p.m.
Yea, Gideon is like baby Elspeth. So good in control. I just wish he wasn't so expensive right now.
October 6, 2015 1:17 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #6
I'm currently working on an somewhat janky Esper Dragons variation that is more of a tempo plan with Demonic Pact. I have yet to construct a sideboard and run the deck through its paces, but it looks somewhat solid on paper.
October 6, 2015 2:52 p.m.
nobodygaming says... #7
I'm going for an Esper Awaken theme over dragons. I know Ojitai or Silumgar might be strictly better than Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper but I had too much fun playing with awaken at pre release to not at least give it a try.
Right now I'm unsure if Hangarback Walker is worth running considering the amount of exile sideboard material going into other control decks, even a Stasis Snare could be seing play in non-black builds as a removal option that deals with baby thopters. But honestly this is my first time playing control in standard, and my first time working in a 3 colour build - so there is much to test and discover by going to more FNMs
October 6, 2015 4:12 p.m.
@nobodygaming That deck looks cool, I think Noyan could be really good. Surprising nobody has thrown him in an Esper list even as a 1 of... Currently I'm trying to squeeze more cards in my deck, but there's not enough room and figuring out what to cut down on is really difficult.
October 6, 2015 5:02 p.m.
nobodygaming says... #9
@Slowgod I think it's just a case of I came in wanting to make a deck for Noyan in BFZ standard, while others are just looking to maintain their dragon control decks from pre rotation. If you're already invested in dragonlords, a win condition that falls to Languish might be considered a downgrade.
But for what it's worth this isn't the only deck list I've cooked up. At the same time I was cooking up a jeskai combo build feat. Jeskai Ascendency that could house cards that didn't make the cut in the esper build. Mostly Halimar Tidecaller and Narset Transcendent. I'll get around to uploading that list today or tomorrow probably
mpeach1 says... #2
I'd say at least run Silumgar, the Drifting Death, he's too good in control not to. Dragonlord Ojutai is pretty insane in control as well. Ugin, is a really good finisher, but you could get along without him I believe. I also think Despise is a better sideboard option with only 2 copies, that frees up some space for Silumgar. I'm also not sold on Clash of Wills being the low-cost counter of choice in the main board. I did think it was the right choice, but I've seen from playtesting my own control builds that Disdainful Stroke and Horribly Awry are typically better options.
If you want some ideas, check out my current standard deck
Dying is an Art Playtest
Standard mpeach1
SCORE: 10 | 1 COMMENTS | 945 VIEWS
October 6, 2015 12:56 p.m.