In Magic: The Gathering‘s Standard format, tribal creature decks—built around creature types like Elves, Goblins, or Merfolk—can be potent forces if assessed and built strategically. Understanding their potential requires more than just checking which tribes are currently popular.

You need to look deeper: at synergy within the tribe, support from the broader card pool, and how well it aligns with the metagame. Here are three key ways to gauge whether a tribal deck has what it takes to compete in Standard.

First, analyze the internal synergy of the tribe. Strong tribal decks aren’t just about loading up on creatures of the same type—they thrive when those creatures amplify each other’s strengths. Look for lords (creatures that boost all others of the same type), cost reducers, or cards that scale based on how many of that tribe you control. If the tribe has a self-reinforcing engine—like card draw, token generation, or combat bonuses tied to their numbers—it’s a solid sign the tribe has internal fuel for a viable deck.

Second, check the available support cards outside the tribe. Sometimes a tribe may be underwhelming on its own, but becomes powerful with the right tools. Are there efficient removal spells, protection effects, or enchantments that enhance tribal strategies? Does the color combination of the tribe give access to powerful interaction or ramp? A tribal deck that pairs synergy with strong generic support can punch well above its weight.

Third, assess how the tribe matches up against the current metagame. A tribal deck might look good on paper but flop if it can’t handle the speed, removal, or dominant win conditions of top-tier decks. You’ll want to see if your tribe can race aggressive threats, go wide enough to resist spot removal or grind through control decks. A tribe with versatile game plans—say, swarming fast and having a fallback value engine—has more staying power in a shifting meta.

Ultimately, the potential of a tribal deck in Standard depends on how well it functions as a whole system. It’s about more than just a group of matching creatures—it’s about synergy, support, and matchup strength. When all three align, you’ve got a tribal build that’s not just thematic, but competitive.