how do i win against the current meta of control?
Standard forum
Posted on Dec. 14, 2014, 7:38 p.m. by shepherdofire
I have faced alot of control decks at my local fnm. Alot of Esper and sultai and Abzan control decks. What kind of deck could I use against them?
Agreed with the above. In a similar but different vein, you could try about an Abzan aggro list utilizing Gather Courage to "counter" detrimental spells such as Bile Blight and Drown in Sorrow/Anger of the Gods. There is a list here that you could use for testing purposes.
December 14, 2014 9:01 p.m.
Hickorysbane says... #4
Heroic may be worth a shot. Land a creature then use stupid amounts of protection spells to keep them alive. Board wipes are what you gotta watch out for, but that's where Stubborn Denial and Negate really shine. I'm not used to having boardwipes I can counter xD (started really playing in RTR standard) and I love it.
December 15, 2014 12:07 a.m.
shepherdofire says... #5
Thanks all. This has been quite enlightening. I will take all of your answers into consideration and report back on my findings. Good luck and happy holidays- SoF
December 15, 2014 1:32 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #6
Speed is key. Mono red is great at getting in for big damage early with creatures. When control kills them all, Stoke the Flames or some other burn should be able to kill them. Kill life-gaining Seeker of the Way with extreme prejudice. Use evasion like Frenzied Goblin or Hammerhand to get around big blockers like Siege Rhino. You'll get there.
December 15, 2014 1:46 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #8
As most people have said, you need to be fast. Mono red can usually do this, and Goblin Rabblemaster is a lot to deal with for them.
December 15, 2014 7:33 a.m.
The problem with mono red is that it will often fall short against the midrange decks. My experience is that U/W Heroic is the best allround aggro deck in the format right now. It cruches the green based decks and has solid MU against control decks. Its also 50-50 ish against the red based decks.
December 16, 2014 2:06 p.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #10
Jeskai Tokens works pretty well against both control and midrange, as it can deal a TON of damage out of nowhere. It almost plays like a combo deck.
December 16, 2014 2:20 p.m.
As someone who's been playing U/B Control for the last month or so, Temur Aggro has the best shot. I can't speak for Sultai or Abzan Control, frankly I didn't even know those existed, but the regular U/B Control decks are build to have a very favorable matchup against most aggro matches. Most include 2-3 bile blights and 2-3 drown in sorrow in the main board. Knuckleblade is a pain to deal with, and Ashcloud Phoenix is a 2-1 unless we have a vault on the table.
Keep in mind that there are a few different versions of U/B control floating around. I've tried a few, and they seemed clunky, but after some tweaks i've arrived at a list I'm very happy with. The point is, one aggro deck might be good against one version of U/B control, while it might be absolutely horrible against another.
Lastly, if you play aggro, just keep in mind you are going to have to fight through four bile blights and four drown in sorrows post sideboard. Don't vomit your opening hand onto the field turns 2-4. or you are just going to get blown out.
Hope this has been somewhat helpful.
P.S. If they are playing Ashiok's mainboard, be fast enough to kill them before he ultimates. If you start attacking him, you quickly start losing the match.
December 16, 2014 6:57 p.m.
I would disagree with the majority on the Mono-Red Aggro deck, since the Abzan control lists will more than likely have 4x Siege Rhino, along with Courser of Kruphix, Sylvan Caryatid and Sorin, Solemn Visitor. If you are going the aggro route, I'd personally go with UW Heroic. It's less trying to squeeze out 20 damage, and more likely to get the job done through minor life gain.
Alternatively, I'd probably try to go over the top with powerful midrange creatures. I'm using 4 colour midrange (No blue), and overpower that way. Anything Whip of Erebos related will be good.
December 21, 2014 6:48 p.m.
The problem with Midrange is that it allows for control to stabilize in many situations. By the time you're able to start winning, control decks are usually ready to go and slow/shut you down. I could see U/W Heroic, but compared to RDW, it's a little slower and punishes control decks less for being control (thanks to Eidolon of the Great Revel, which hits all major counterspells).
December 21, 2014 8:59 p.m.
All I can think of is "bring Erebos, God of the Dead" if you're going Aggro.
December 21, 2014 9:51 p.m.
Opiumtest5 says... #15
@anublet90You're crazy, Erebos is not gonna do anything for you.
By the way, Jeskai control literally wrecks aggro. Currently really the only thing Jeskai Control cannot stop is Temur aggro, but by a hair. I myself am a Mardu Midrange player and there are 2 Jeskai decks in my meta. I lose 0-2 to them so hard it ain't even funny.
December 22, 2014 5:36 a.m.
shepherdofire says... #16
I went even with rabble, the deck isn't up because I'm sick of everyone saying I should take key cards out. I talked with a few of the winners and they gave me great tips. One said to put in a card everyone yells at me for using,Trumpet Blast. But it was fun. I went up against Abzan lifegain lost, Dimir control lost, a horrible red deck won, sidisi whip won. So based on my experience of going even for the first time in a while I think the deck shows good promise. I'd still like suggestions and ideas. Everything helps. Happy holidays.
December 22, 2014 10:28 a.m.
aggro is strong. xD Named_Tawyny says... #18
Who yells at you for using Trumpet Blast? In a weenies/token strategy, it's absolutely brutalising.
December 29, 2014 9:42 a.m.
shepherdofire says... #19
My friends who say it's bad for the deck. I moved on to mill.
JA14732 says... #2
In the classic Rock-Paper-Scissors of games like this, aggro decks usually trump control decks. Consider Burn or some other deck like it, it should be able to beat some decks. Eidolon of the Great Revel demolishes counterspell dependent decks and just burning their face for 20-something before the board stabilizes should help. That's the best I can really say, though.
December 14, 2014 8:28 p.m.