Magic: the Gathering MID Standard Dimir Control Deck

The current Magic: the Gathering Standard metagame with the inclusion of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt has given the control deck archetypes new tools to work around their build. As reflected in the recent tournament top finishes results, Izzet is the number one choice of the control decks, and next to it is Dimir Control which I think also improved greatly with the new Innistrad cards.

Their build has similar card choices with that of Izzet in terms of Blue card draws and counterspells while having Black for its board control means a solid lineup of spot removals (Infernal Grasp, Bloodchief’s Thirst), and also on the post-sideboard of discard spells against other control decks. The Meathook Massacre is a popular card for the mass removal effect and is efficient in the current metagame. Its bonus lifegain also helps to get you out of reach of direct burn spells.

Sharing below an example Blue-Black Control decklist. Notice the creature choices included in the main deck, and why I would consider them as solid choices.

Maindeck
Creatures
3 Iymrith, Desert Doom
2 Dragon Turtle
1 Xanathar, Guild Kingpin

Enchantment
4 The Meathook Massacre

Sorcery
2 Shadows’ Verdict
2 Bloodchief’s Thirst

Instant
4 Infernal Grasp
4 Siphon Insight
4 Memory Deluge
3 Saw It Coming
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Jwari Disruption // Jwari Ruins
1 Negate

Land
6 Snow-Covered Swamp
5 Snow-Covered Island
4 Field of Ruin
4 Clearwater Pathway // Murkwater Pathway
4 Shipwreck Marsh
2 Hall of Storm Giants
1 Ice Tunnel

Sideboard
4 Duress
2 Lash of Malice
2 Malevolent Hermit // Benevolent Geist
2 Test of Talents
2 Skyclave Shade
1 Disdainful Stroke
1 Flunk
1 Shadows’ Verdict

Reference: https://mtgmelee.com/Decklist/View/168707