Non-Oko Standard Decks
At this point, we all know about the Elk in the room, Oko. This single 3 mana Planeswalker has taken over pretty much every Magic format, making food and turning your creatures into Elks. The early landscape of the most recent Mythic Championship appears to be Oko decks representing 69% of the meta. With all these factors, we can hope that with the Ban & Restricted announcement on November 18, Oko gets banned.
While we wait for the next B&R, below are some non-Oko decks I have featured on my channel which are fun, semi-competitive alternatives to the Jersey Shore Trickster.
[ELD] UW Midrange
Main 60 cards (17 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
Main 60 cards (17 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
Main 60 cards (17 distinct)
| Creature (28) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.38€0.360.02 | |||
| $0.25€0.170.03 | |||
| $4.87€3.830.02 | |||
| $0.20€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.35€0.190.02 | |||
| $0.25€0.130.03 | |||
| $6.26€4.970.02 | |||
| $0.33€0.180.02 | |||
| $2.00€1.580.03 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (4) | |||
| $0.20€0.130.03 | |||
| Planeswalker (4) | |||
| $3.95€5.305.39 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
| $0.51€0.600.02 | |||
| $5.53€4.180.15 | |||
| $8.24€9.460.17 | |||
|
7
Island
|
|||
| $0.47€0.480.02 | |||
|
6
Plains
|
|||
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
| $0.490.02 | |||
| $0.20€0.150.03 | |||
| $0.20€0.150.03 | |||
| $0.30€0.210.02 | |||
| $0.20€0.090.03 | |||
| $0.40€0.430.18 | |||
| $0.20€0.170.03 | |||
| $1.00€0.880.02 |
The goal of this deck is to exploit enter the battlefield abilities to draw cards and gain life. You are able to stack a bunch of ETB creatures under a Lumbering Battlement
to create a big beater. It can then either be blinked to recycle the ETB effects, or, if you can chain three battlements together, it creates an infinite loop. Once the loop is established, you can either draw your entire deck, gain a bunch of life or mill out your opponent with Overwhelmed Apprentice
.
[ELD] Abzan Tokens
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
| Planeswalker (6) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.00€1.470.02 | |||
| $38.06€32.4815.22 | |||
| $1.00€0.420.02 | |||
| Creature (17) | |||
| $0.50€0.370.02 | |||
| $0.86€0.570.03 | |||
| $0.39€0.270.20 | |||
| $1.25€0.570.03 | |||
| $0.50€0.590.02 | |||
| $0.45€0.240.02 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (13) | |||
| $0.22€0.150.03 | |||
| $0.20€0.080.03 | |||
| $1.21€0.890.02 | |||
| $0.20€0.090.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
| $3.42€3.472.03 | |||
| $5.53€4.180.15 | |||
| $0.40€0.230.02 | |||
| $11.95€10.240.15 | |||
| $0.40€0.340.02 | |||
| $10.02€9.660.07 | |||
| $0.47€0.480.02 | |||
|
2
Plains
|
|||
|
2
Forest
|
|||
| $10.12€9.740.24 | |||
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
| $4.52€4.220.55 | |||
| $2.97€1.910.13 | |||
|
3
Duress
|
$0.20€0.060.03 | ||
| $0.24€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.56€0.480.02 | |||
| $0.20€0.170.03 |
This is a more “Aristocrats” variant of the tradition GW tokens list. The core of the Selesnya deck remains, using cards like Emmara, Soul of the Accord
, Trostani Discordant
and March of the Multitudes
to assemble a large board state of creatures. Splashing black adds in a couple unique effects in Corpse Knight
to ping the opponent as creatures enter the battlefield, and Cruel Celebrant
to ping as they leave. Finally, a single copy of Garruk, Cursed Huntsman
can continue making tokens, but also threatens a permanent overrun anthem with his ultimate.
[ELD] Esper X & O's
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
Lands - 22
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
Lands - 22
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
| Creature (33) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.25€0.080.02 | |||
| $0.99€0.760.02 | |||
| $1.35€0.950.31 | |||
| $0.200.03 | |||
| $0.50€0.370.02 | |||
| $0.35€0.190.02 | |||
| $0.23€0.110.03 | |||
| $1.25€0.570.03 | |||
| $0.86€0.570.03 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (5) | |||
| $0.56€0.480.02 | |||
| $0.65€0.650.02 | |||
| Land (22) | |||
|
2
Swamp
|
|||
| $8.24€9.460.17 | |||
| $13.50€13.600.29 | |||
|
1
Island
|
|||
|
1
Plains
|
|||
| $0.40€0.340.02 | |||
| $10.02€9.660.07 | |||
| $5.53€4.180.15 | |||
Up next is a bit of a combo deck. For those unaware, the term Cheerios in Magic refers to an old deck archetype that looked to exploit 0 costing artifacts. What we are trying to do with this deck is fill our graveyard with a bunch X costing creatures in stonecoil serpant, Chamber Sentry
and ugin’s conjurant, along with combo pieces Cruel Celebrant and Corpse Knight. From there we can Command the Dreadhorde
back all the creatures, having them all deal damage as they enter and leave the battlefield. Midnight Reaper
can be used to refill our hand, with celebrant offsetting the life loss.
[ELD] Grixis Scion
Main 60 cards (21 distinct)
Lands - 23
Side 15 cards (9 distinct)
Main 60 cards (21 distinct)
Lands - 23
Side 15 cards (9 distinct)
Main 60 cards (21 distinct)
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (21) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
3
Duress
|
$0.20€0.100.04 | ||
| $0.25€0.130.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.140.03 | |||
| $1.03€0.860.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.230.03 | |||
| $0.75€0.670.02 | |||
|
4
Opt
|
$0.25€0.080.03 | ||
|
4
Shock
|
$0.20€0.100.03 | ||
| Creature (13) | |||
| $0.730.02 | |||
| $0.492.25 | |||
| $1.10€1.310.24 | |||
| $0.40€0.370.02 | |||
| Planeswalker (3) | |||
| $0.75€0.710.02 | |||
| Land (23) | |||
| $5.53€4.180.15 | |||
|
2
Mountain
|
|||
| $15.00€14.920.92 | |||
|
2
Swamp
|
|||
| $12.34€11.970.96 | |||
| $0.42€0.240.02 | |||
| $13.50€13.600.29 | |||
|
1
Island
|
|||
Side 15 cards (9 distinct)
|
2
Negate
|
$0.25€0.090.04 | ||
| $0.40€0.430.18 | |||
| $0.39€0.240.02 | |||
| $0.44€0.290.02 | |||
| $0.21€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.24€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.28€0.220.04 | |||
| $0.20€0.090.03 | |||
| $9.40€6.513.57 |
This is more of an aggressive slanted midrange list in Grixis colors. The core of the deck is built around taking advantage of both of the plus abilities on The Royal Scions
. We can fill our graveyard for Dreadhorde Arcanist
, then use the +2/0 ability to give arcanist 3 power to flashblack more expensive spells. Dreadhorde Butcher
is also an early aggressive threat that can take advantage of the bonus power, trample and first strike that The Royal Scions can provide. The rest of the deck is jam-packed with removal and disruption to control the opponents board as our 2 drop creatures help carry us to victory.
Mardu Kaalia
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
Main 60 cards (23 distinct)
| Creature (25) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.00€1.580.03 | |||
| $0.60€0.530.02 | |||
| $1.97€1.800.02 | |||
| $0.50€0.370.02 | |||
| $1.13€1.080.02 | |||
| $0.90€0.960.02 | |||
| $8.00€5.340.02 | |||
| $1.20€0.970.02 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (9) | |||
| $9.88€5.730.17 | |||
| $0.24€0.100.03 | |||
| $1.36€1.260.02 | |||
| $0.34€0.140.02 | |||
| $0.30€0.210.02 | |||
| Planeswalker (2) | |||
| $1.36€1.000.02 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
|
2
Plains
|
|||
| $5.53€4.180.15 | |||
| $0.40€0.340.02 | |||
| $10.02€9.660.07 | |||
| $17.00€14.830.76 | |||
| $0.35€0.220.02 | |||
|
2
Mountain
|
|||
|
2
Swamp
|
|||
| $15.00€14.920.92 | |||
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
| $0.20€0.150.03 | |||
| $0.28€0.130.02 | |||
| $0.24€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.40€0.240.02 | |||
| $1.36€1.260.02 | |||
|
3
Duress
|
$0.20€0.100.04 | ||
| $0.25€0.230.03 | |||
| $1.00€0.880.02 |
The mainboard for this list came from the 785th place deck from GP Lyon. The deck looks to leverage Fires of Invention
to play a bunch of powerful angels, demons and dragons. Kaalia, Zenith Seeker
can refill your hand with these bombs and Embercleave
can surprise finish your opponent. Marauding Raptor
is an interesting inclusion and it allows us to effectively ramp our 4 and 5 drops out a turn early thanks to their higher toughness.
[ELD] Budget Dimir Reanimator
Main 60 cards (15 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (15 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (15 distinct)
| Creature (20) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.25€0.310.03 | |||
| $0.24€0.130.03 | |||
| $5.65€6.480.03 | |||
| $0.200.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.150.03 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (16) | |||
| $0.33€0.270.02 | |||
| $0.45€0.340.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.130.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.140.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.170.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
|
9
Island
|
|||
|
7
Swamp
|
|||
| $0.23€0.110.03 | |||
| $13.50€13.600.29 | |||
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
| $0.32€0.280.03 | |||
| $0.15€0.050.03 | |||
| $0.24€0.100.03 | |||
| $0.40€0.430.18 | |||
| $0.28€0.220.04 | |||
| $0.20€0.090.03 |
Gameplay for Budget Dimir Reanimator
The one thing my channel is known for is my budget builds. Throne of Eldraine along with this being a smaller standard pool of cards has made these decks a bit more expensive, but this was a fun one – 10 rare, sub $100 Dimir Agent reanimator. The deck is pretty straight forward. Self mill yourself with cards like merfolk secret keeper and Wall of Lost Thoughts
then use Blood for Bones
or Connive // Concoct to bring back Agent of Treachery
and steal your opponent’s permanents. You can also create reanimation loops by bring back Scholar of the Ages
which can return the reanimation spell back to your hand along with another spell.
If you have any cool brews or themes you’d like featured on the channel, drop a decklist in the comments below. Now gotta run before Oko finds me and turns this article into a 3/3 Elk!
- MTG_Joe
About MTG_Joe:
MTG_Joe
I am a part time content creator on YouTube playing everything from budget brews to Tier 1 lists. I enjoy focusing on build guides and explaining strategy through my videos to help our newer and returning players. I am also very engaged in the Arena Subreddit community, also happy to chat MTG.
Youtube & Twitch: MTG_Joe
Twitter & Instagram: MTG_Joe2
