A total of 331 Standard decklists were submitted for the Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, showcasing a variety of innovative strategies and card combinations. Among these, a select few decks have emerged as particularly intriguing, utilizing unexpected synergies and introducing novel archetypes to the competitive scene. In this article, we will delve into seven of the most fascinating Standard decks that caught our attention. Each deck features clever uses of cards from Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY and demonstrates real potential for success at the Pro Tour.
The Naya Yuna deck, crafted by Bryan Hohns, stands out with unique card selections including Overlord of the Boilerbilges and The Elder Dragon War. These cards create remarkable synergy with the key player, Yuna, Hope of Spira, forming the backbone of Hohns' strategy. The main game plan revolves around reanimating Overlord of the Boilerbilges from the graveyard, utilizing cards like Fear of Missing Out, Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant, and Esper Origins to discard or mill it. By turn five, Yuna can resurrect the Overlord, establishing a formidable board presence while also providing lifelink through clever interactions.
Hohns humorously describes his deck as a "Naya Burn Reanimator Control Enchantress," highlighting its versatility. In addition to the reanimation strategy, the deck can burn opponents with Screaming Nemesis and Lightning Helix, while maintaining control through spot removal options like High Noon and the first chapter of The Elder Dragon War.
The Izzet Cauldron deck, submitted by innovative players including U.S. Regional Champion Peter Husisian and Hall of Famer Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa, takes a fresh approach by incorporating Agatha's Soul Cauldron instead of the traditional Cori-Steel Cutter. This strategy revolves around discarding Vivi Ornitier using cards like Glacial Dragonhunt and Tersa Lightshatter, then exiling it with Agatha's Soul Cauldron. This powerful combination allows players to utilize Vivi's activated mana ability on creatures that receive +1/+1 counters, enhancing their overall performance.
Damo da Rosa emphasizes the explosive potential of this deck, capable of generating massive amounts of mana and launching surprise attacks. By exiling Voldaren Thrillseeker, players can turn any creature with counters into a direct damage threat, while also gaining valuable graveyard hate to counter popular strategies like Azorius Omniscience.
Seizing the spotlight is the Orzhov Sacrifice deck, which has been revitalized by the inclusion of Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER. This card has inspired two Pro Tour debutants—Luis Monge and Juli Caballero Queralt—to adopt the archetype. While Monge's version explores additional crime synergies, Caballero Queralt has fully embraced the sacrifice theme.
At the core of this deck lies Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, which drains opponents whenever a creature dies, paired with potent card draw options like Dark Confidant and Enduring Innocence. This synergy allows players to rapidly cycle through their library while maintaining a steady stream of threats, ultimately culminating in victories through the powerful Raise the Past card.
One of the most surprising entries in the metagame is the Golgari Roots deck, which emerged from the team Handshake Moxfield. Utilizing the enchantment Insidious Roots, this deck can flood the board with Plant tokens and leverage synergy with Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler and Overlord of the Balemurk. The combination creates a resilient game plan, capable of overwhelming opponents with token generation and powerful board presence.
Simon Nielsen, a Pro Tour champion, expressed excitement about the deck's potential, noting its capability to surprise an unsuspecting field. The synergy between Insidious Roots and graveyard manipulation cards enables explosive turns, particularly with the introduction of Dark Confidant and Dragon Sniper to enhance its strategic depth.
The Jund Roots deck, crafted by a dedicated team, utilizes the newly printed Terra, Magical Adept to create a powerful synergy with Insidious Roots. The deck aims to maximize its graveyard interactions, allowing for explosive plays that can result in infinite mana through clever looping mechanics.
Corey Burkhart explained that while the core pieces for Roots have been available, Terra, Magical Adept serves as the essential glue to tie everything together. Players can execute intricate combos that generate overwhelming board states, making this deck a formidable contender at the Pro Tour.
Lastly, the Selesnya Gearhulk deck, piloted by Josh Morton, showcases a unique approach that incorporates cards like Novice Inspector and Teething Wurmlet alongside the powerful Brightglass Gearhulk. By focusing on artifact tokens and synergistic interactions, Morton crafted a deck capable of aggressive starts and consistent pressure against opponents.
With the inclusion of Phoenix Down, this deck offers crucial utility, allowing for strategic plays that can turn the tide of battle. The combination of token generation and explosive threats positions this deck as a meaningful player in the current Standard meta.
The Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY has highlighted a diverse array of innovative Standard decks, each showcasing unique strategies and card interactions. From the reanimator tactics of Naya Yuna to the explosive synergies of Izzet Cauldron, this event promises to deliver exhilarating matches and unexpected outcomes. Keep an eye on these standout decks as they compete for glory in the Pro Tour!
