Making an effective sideboard list is usually a hit-or-miss scenario. That is not covering completely all of the specific matchups that you’d expect in an event or tournament. Going with a generic card list may not work all the time, especially in the varying metagame. So I am sharing today how you can get to straightforward sideboarding in your Magic: the Gathering matches.
Here are a few notes:
Know the best decks in the metagame – This is very applicable in the Standard format as the limited number of sets determines the possible deck builds. Of course, it is to be categorized into aggro, midrange, and control but what does each archetype offer best that can defeat you or destroy your main deck strategy? You should identify those specific cards so that you’d know how to sideboard the best cards to counter it.
For example, if playing aggro, you’d know that against control, Shatter the Skies is your mainboard sweep & that basically halts your assault. Know which cards to counter it, either bringing in Negates if you are with Blue or using an Instant spell that makes your creatures indestructible.
Use color-specific hose cards – The old school Magic has these Circle of Protection enchantments that are used to prevent damage from a specific. It was a strong sideboard card at that time, especially against opponents that had no way to destroy the enchantment I.e. Black and Red. Today, Wizards has somewhat eradicated all those color-hose cards but at times print a cycle of it but at a lesser effect. I am not sure if Kaldheim has a new batch of those as I have not fully memorized the spoiler. You know the drill though if you are using cards that reads “Destroy target <color-specific> creature.” or “Counter target <color-specific> spell.”
Check the probability of facing an aggro, or control deck whichever is higher – Applicable in local metagames, you will observe what decks they play based on previous events. Start by taking notes on each of the deck archetypes and then tally them later under three columns, Aggro, Midrange, and Control. You can add another column for Combo if applicable. After identifying which archetype is the highest in the tally, further break it down into color-specific categories. For example in the Standard aggro metagame, we have Mono-Red, Gruul Aggro, Mono White, Black-Red Sacrifice, etc. Analyze then what specific cards that be a problem to them. For aggro, of course, we have the board sweep. If you are using aggro facing another aggro, it is not unusual to board in sweep spells. You will just have them over-commit their board and then wipe them in one swoop.
An example of a straightforward sideboard is this one from the SCG Tour Online tournament. The deck is Boros Cycling Aggro but we decided to have Blue access to counterspells.
1 Lurrus of the Dream-Den (Companion)
2 Mystical Dispute
2 Negate
3 Redcap Melee
2 Roiling Vortex
2 Shatter the Sky
3 Shredded Sails
Reference: https://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=29323&d=430630&f=ST
Mystical Disputes and Negates works well in Ultimatum midrange matchups as well as for Blue-White control decks. Roiling Vortex is also good grinder damage but also gives bonus damage, punishing free-spell decks. Redcap Melee is a cheap removal for Mono-Red matchups but can also be used against other aggro decks with its slight drawback. Shatter the Sky as I’ve mentioned is an efficient aggro board wipe so having two on the list is ideal. Shredded Sails are archetype-specific to Rogues as a way to deal with their flyers.
As a wrap, it is easier to straightforward your sideboard because of the knowledge of the metagame, and the popular decks of that week & the previous ones. Until the next blog post.