Challenger decks
Standard forum
Posted on Feb. 23, 2018, 12:05 p.m. by Argy
There's a new Standard product on the horizon.
Challenger decks.
They are a good start, but I think they'd need to be tweaked quite a bit to really compete at FNM.
The value in them I think is the fact that you get a cheaper way of procuring some of the staples for the deck you choose.
Spirit_Logan says... #3
Hazoret the Fervent and Chandra, Torch of Defiance alone are $55 in a $30 deck. Is WoTC trying to make them more accessible to lower their price$?
February 23, 2018 1:07 p.m.
Does WotC have any influence over the secondary market once the cards are released into the wild? I assume they at least keep an eye on demand and supply, but how much can they affect retail or resale beyond MSRP?
February 23, 2018 1:18 p.m.
DeathByDesign says... #5
The value of the decks seems surprisingly "insane" and I hope the prices on Hazoret and Chandra do plummet. It's odd to see 4 of mythics like Heart of Kiran and 3 of Verduous Gearhulk. Honestly the only failure I see is not including Vraska's Contempt over Hour of Glory in the GB counters one. With that said though, all of these challenger decks rotate in the fall (Kaladesh and Amonkhet blocks rotate, just like BFZ and Innistrad blocks both rotated last fall, the only set that has 2 years of value are fall sets).
February 23, 2018 1:19 p.m.
I suppose it speaks to the breadth of my knowledge of Standard that I do not know how rotation works. I am certain I shall promptly forget this knowledge once I safely retreat to discussing Commander and Modern.
In light of my newfound learning, I shall offer a repudiation on the last paragraph of my previous post. If all the challenger decks will effectively be obsolete, I think that actually makes them a better product, as it keeps any one challenge deck from being disproportionately useful. The short period before rotation seems quite beneficial to me. Players can use these decks to get an introduction to the format and their meta, but will shortly be pushed into the deep end of deckbuilding for themselves.
February 23, 2018 1:36 p.m.
Until they make more Challenge decks to buy.
The decks HAD to be made like this as they are all known archetypes.
Red Aggro
Mardu Vehicles
Approach of the Second Sun
Energy
Wizards won't be able to build more types of decks until the Pros show them what will be played.
The only thing that's a bit sad about this development is that Standard is quite diverse in many shops, at the moment.
There is a small chance that this might take some of that away.
February 23, 2018 2:26 p.m.
Wow these look super sweat. Kinda wish they put in atleast 1 ixilan block deck. These look like huge improvements over the event decks
Caerwyn says... #2
I am pleasantly surprised at these decklists. Wizards has a history of running only 1-2 copies of cards in their pre-constructed decks--I was a tad worried they would do the same here, making the decks neigh unplayable in any competitive format. I think some of the numbers could be adjusted some, but I am thankful these decks are not completely worthless.
I agree there are some power problems, but they should serve as a decent starting point for newer players. I hope they prove successful in their quest to get more people into the game.
I am a bit concerned about the Vehicle Rush and Counter Surge decks. Both rely heavily on Kaladesh cards, which will be rotating out in a couple of months. Unlike the other decks, which only require a few substitutions, these two will become almost entirely irrelevant. With Vehicles, it is unlikely the deck's basic premise will even be feasible after rotation.
February 23, 2018 1:01 p.m.