A Standard deck built around Catharsis leans naturally into a Kithkin tokens–aggro hybrid, blending efficient tribal bodies with explosive combat turns. The core idea is to establish a wide board of small creatures early, pressure the opponent through incremental damage, and then convert that presence into a decisive swing using Catharsis as either a finisher or value play.

In the current Avatar Standard and upcoming Lorwyn Eclipsed environment, this approach is well-positioned against both slow control decks and creature-based midrange mirrors that struggle to answer wide boards efficiently.

The early game focuses on cheap Kithkin creatures and token producers that curve out smoothly and maintain board density. One- and two-drop Kithkin that generate additional bodies, provide anthem-style bonuses, or reward attacking help ensure constant pressure while insulating the deck from spot removal. Token-producing enchantments and creatures allow the deck to rebuild quickly after sweepers, which is critical in a format where board wipes are common answers to aggressive strategies.

In the midgame, the deck transitions into a focus on board enhancement and combat dominance. Kithkin tribal payoffs—such as creatures that scale with the number of Kithkin you control or grant team-wide bonuses—turn otherwise modest tokens into legitimate threats. This is where Catharsis begins to shine, either entering with green-white mana to add even more bodies or being cast with red-red to immediately pump the team and grant haste, punishing opponents who tap out or misjudge lethal ranges.

Catharsis functions as both a pressure valve and a closing engine. When cast normally, it stabilizes the board while setting up future lethal turns; when evoked, it becomes a surprise finisher that converts a wide but stalled board into instant damage. Because the deck naturally commits to multiple colors and creature density, Catharsis rarely feels awkward in hand and often forces opponents to respect open mana at all times.

Overall, this Kithkin token–centric Standard build plays a resilient, proactive game that thrives on synergy rather than raw card power alone. By combining early tribal aggression, consistent token generation, and Catharsis as a flexible payoff, the deck can pivot between grinding value and delivering sudden, overwhelming combat steps. In a format defined by tempo swings and board-based interaction, this strategy strikes a balance between stability and explosiveness—an ideal combination for competitive Standard play.

I have yet to come up with a Boros Standard deck version, so just stay tuned for that blog post. Thanks for reading.