I decided to do some note taking while we do our Standard playtest with the current trending Tier 1 decks in the metagame. I have asked Ace to initiate the playtest session to familiarize ourselves with the recent deck build’s interaction as well as selecting the right sideboard option as based on our current local meta which I think is weekly updated. That is most players also check on the newest builds online and on the recent major tournaments that happened in the past weekend.

Match One: Bant Ramp versus Jund Warriors

Here is the recap of the games of the first matchup between Bant Ramp and Jund Warriors from Grand Prix Taipei.

Game 1: My familiarity with Red-Green based deck was already my advantage on what kind of starting hand to keep. However, I kept a moderate hand with two and three drops while also having a late game Hellkite and was hoping for my fifth land to arrive. It was too late though as my opponent was able to hold the line and ramped into an 8/8 Hydroid Krasis which I didn’t have an answer. The win goes to Bant Ramp.

Game 2: I curved with two 3 drops on Goblin Chainwhirler killing his Llanowar Elf and followed it with Gruul Spellbreaker. Bant had difficulty setting up its mana base and was overwhelmed a few turns later. The win goes to Jund Warriors.

Game 3: Again, the lesson here is having a slow start get you punished by aggro decks. Bant probably had that hand again with a mana dude but short on lands. The elf got shocked and the Jund Warrior opened the board state with guardian into a phoenix. Bant missed a few land drops and that was it. Win to Jund Warriors.

Game 4: It was the other way around as the Jund deck got stuck on Black and Red mana. No other relevant info as Bant Ramp just did its thing and won. Win to Bant Ramp.

Game 5: Jund on the opening with guardian and spellbreaker while Bant is on the usual mana dudes and lands. Jund’s Phoenix was countered by Frilled Mystic which somewhat holds the board. Jund tried to get some dudes but a timely Timewipe reset the board. Jund’s follow up was Domri which dug for more creatures and Skarrgan Hellkite while for Bant, it got Teferi and the mana druid. The Riot ability of Domri pedaled the pressure of Jund while Bant struggled to keep a decent board presence. A few turns later, Hellkite airforce flew over the blockers for the win. Winner, Jund Warriors.

Overall result: Jund Warriors 3, Bant Ramp 2.

Match Two: Esper Control vs Jund Warriors

Ace already updated the Esper list to that of the Top 8 deck from Grand Prix Taipei. I am expecting this matchup to be grindy and having more threats than answers is the key to winning.

We had three longs games in this playtest and the results was 2-1 in favor of the Esper deck. Just to summarize and have a few notes:

– Sticking a threat early dealing damage is essential.

– Haste creatures are the Esper’s bane especially the Spellbreaker as they can’t kill it on your turn.

– Play around mass removals like Kaya’s Wrath. That means having at least two threats at a time.

– Maximize your Growth-Chamber Guardian. If needed to play it on turn five for open mana activation, do it. I don’t usually cast it on turn two unless there is no other play and have an open mana on turn three for Adapt activation if you have no 3CC creature drop.

– More planeswalkers on the board for Jund as it is hard to be dealt with and Esper needed to have answer to them and your creatures. Be wary though of the Elderspell as it can two-for-one your superfriends.

That is a wrap for now. I hope you had learned a few insights on these two matchups and if ever you have a few similar combat scenarios to share, please do so in the comment box below. For the complete decklist reference, you can check it here.

Stay tuned for the next playtest recap blog post and until next time.