What Are the Best Magic: The Gathering Standard Decks Right Now

With the recent Standard rotation and the release of the highly anticipated Bloomburrow set, the Magic: The Gathering metagame has undergone significant changes. This shake-up has revitalized the competitive scene, offering players fresh opportunities to explore new archetypes and rediscover old favorites. In this blog, we'll dive into the best Standard decks right now, analyzing their strengths, key cards, and what makes them top-tier contenders in today’s metagame. Whether you're looking to dominate your local standard weekly or climb the MTG Arena ladder, these decks are your ticket to victory.

Top Tier Decks

1. Golgari Midrange

Key Cards: Deep-Cavern Bat, Mosswood Dreadknight, Innkeeper’s Talent + Vraska, Betrayal’s Sting (combo)

At the top of the Standard metagame sits Golgari Midrange, a deck that combines aggressive creatures with potent removal and a devastating combo. This deck thrives in the mid-game, using cards like Deep-Cavern Bat for repeated disruption and Massowood Dreadknight as an efficient, hard-to-remove threat.

What makes Golgari Midrange stand out right now is the explosive combo of Innkeeper's Talent and Vraska, Betrayal's Sting. This synergy allows you to double the number of counters placed on permanents, which means Vraska enters with 12 loyalty counters—enough to immediately use her ultimate. With the ability to instantly deliver 18 poison counters, Golgari Midrange has become a top threat in the metagame.

2. Boros Tokens

Key Cards: Urabrask’s Forge, Sanguine Evangelist, Knight-Errant of Eos

Boros Tokens is another deck that has recently risen to the top of Standard. Unlike typical aggressive token decks, this archetype excels in defense and long-game strategies. With cards like Urabrask's Forge consistently producing threats every turn and Knight-Errant of Eos providing card advantage, Boros Tokens can control the board while building up a wide army of creatures.

One of the most powerful plays involves using Sanguine Evangelist alongside Urabrask's Forge, generating a formidable board presence. This deck shines in midrange matchups, where its tokens can outvalue opponents over time. However, its primary weakness lies in fast aggro matchups if the deck fails to stabilize early.

3. Domain Ramp

Key Cards: Atraxa, Grand Unifier, Leyline Binding, Herd Migration

Domain Ramp has proven resilient even after the rotation, maintaining its position as one of the strongest late-game decks. Its strategy revolves around utilizing powerful Domain mechanics to fuel massive creatures like Atraxa, Grand Unifier and Herd Migration. Supported by versatile removal spells like Leyline Binding, this deck has the tools to stall the game long enough to unleash devastating threats.

Atraxa, Grand Unifier is the deck’s ultimate win condition. Once resolved, it refills your hand with a variety of card types, making it difficult for opponents to recover. Domain Ramp performs exceptionally well against slower midrange decks but struggles against fast aggro strategies that can pressure it before it sets up its mana base.

Strong Contenders

4. Orzhov Midrange

Key Cards: Sheoldred, The Apocalypse, Deep-Cavern Bat, Aclazotz, Deepest Betrayal

Orzhov Midrange remains a solid contender in Standard, especially after receiving key cards from Bloomburrow. The deck’s game plan revolves around grinding out value with cards like Sheoldred, The Apocalypse and Deep-Cavern Bat, both of which apply consistent pressure while keeping your life total safe.

This deck excels in long, grindy matches, where it can slowly accumulate advantage through card draw and disruption. Aclazotz Deepest Betrayal adds a powerful top-end finisher to this strategy, making Orzhov Midrange a strong choice for players who enjoy a control-oriented midrange game. However, it can be outpaced by hyper-aggressive decks.

5. Gruul Aggro

Key Cards: Heartfire Hero, Monstrous Rage, Questing Druid

Gruul Aggro brings speed and aggression to the forefront of Standard. This deck is built to overwhelm opponents early, using cards like Heartfire Hero and Monstrous Rage to create explosive turns that push through damage quickly. Questing Druid adds card advantage and additional pressure, making Gruul Aggro a relentless force.

This deck is particularly effective against slower, control-oriented strategies, where its fast clock can exploit windows of vulnerability. However, it tends to falter in aggro mirrors or against decks with heavy removal. For players seeking a fast and aggressive playstyle, Gruul Aggro is an excellent choice.

6. Mono Red Aggro

Key Cards: Monastery Swiftspear, Heartfire Hero, Emberheart Challenger

Mono Red Aggro is a timeless favorite in Magic’s Standard format, and the year 2024 is no different. This deck aims to deal massive amounts of damage in the shortest time possible, leveraging cards like Monastery Swiftspear and Heartfire Hero for quick aggression. Emberheart Challenger is another key piece, adding resilience and damage potential to the deck’s game plan.

The main appeal of Mono Red Aggro lies in its consistency and speed. It can close out games before opponents have the chance to stabilize. While it performs well against slower decks, it can struggle in matchups where the opponent has efficient removal or life gain, making it a bit of a glass cannon in certain situations.

Tier 2 Archetypes

7. Rakdos Lizards

Key Cards: Gev, Scaled Scorch, Flamecache Gecko, Hired Claw

Rakdos Lizards is an exciting new archetype that has gained popularity thanks to Bloomburrow. Built around powerful lizard synergies, this deck utilizes creatures like Gev, Scaled Scorch and Flamecache Gecko to build up an aggressive board that becomes increasingly difficult for opponents to handle.

Gev, Scaled Scorch is a standout card, dishing out damage and growing your army of lizards at a rapid pace. The deck’s aggressive game plan, coupled with some removal like Go For the Throat, makes it a tough opponent for midrange decks. However, its reliance on creatures leaves it vulnerable to decks with heavy board wipes.

8. Azorius Control

Key Cards: Sunfall, Lay Down Arms, No More Lies

Azorius Control continues to be a staple in the Standard metagame, despite the recent rotation of key cards. Sunfall remains a potent board wipe, and Lay Down Arms offers efficient removal for early threats. No More Lies provides solid counterspell support, making it difficult for opponents to resolve their biggest threats.

While this control deck excels in the long game, shutting down aggressive strategies and generating card advantage, it is vulnerable to fast aggro decks that can punish it before it sets up its defenses. For players who enjoy a slower, methodical game plan, Azorius Control is an excellent option.

Conclusion

As of September 2024, Magic: The Gathering’s Standard format is incredibly diverse and fluid. The release of Bloomburrow has brought new life to established archetypes while introducing exciting new ones, giving players a variety of decks to choose from. Whether you prefer aggressive strategies, grindy midrange decks, or methodical control, there’s something for everyone in the current metagame. Stay tuned to Amazing Discoveries for the latest insights and updates as the Standard format continues to evolve!