Mtg Deck Tech: U/G Tempo in Ixalan Standard (Miracle Grow is Back!)

[@VeronicaFernandez9109]

This is the deck I will be playing for a LONG time. thanks dev. This is my ideal MTG deck for standard. I'm tapped out.

[@TimTheMustache]

Veronica Fernandez can you suggest upgrades for this deck? I dont have any Censor, so i sunbed in 1 unsummon and 3 dissalow

[@Vardaris]

You are so right about tempo decks requiring a good player to really shine. I played a tempo deck for first time playing Bant CoCo, I then played spirits and WU flash. I feel those days made me a better player at MtG. I hope they keep printing good tempo cards because this archetype really helps you improve as a player.

[@HANKYpanky-sw6fk]

Vardaris fuck yeah, love me WU spirits.

[@fartface8918]

Vardaris Look at hearthstone's meta right now All high roll Agro tempo it sucks I like tempo but moderation is key

[@swolegolisopod7340]

fartface8918 that's because hearthstone doesn't give the defender a choice unless they play a lot of taunt. Hunter is definitely the most egregious offender because of his hero power but pirates were cancer the second patches happened

[@willtech312]

I usually don't post on here, but I have to say thanks! This deck is so fun and really strong when it comes together. I built it on MTGO for like 5 Tix and am having a great time playing with it.

[@chrissimosley250]

You rock dude forreal thx. I commented on ur Merfolk deck asking for this on one of my accounts

[@IAmKingTony]

Looks good. This deck is about 45 tix online, 41 of which is Botanical Sanctum.

[@juanc.3372]

anyway we can replace botanical sanctum >?

[@Aaron-sv4zx]

You can play basics and hope for the best. That's the only other real option if you can;t get them

[@KevinKirchman]

This made me lol.

[@MojoVince]

And WOTC can"t see there's something wrong with those lands.

[@houseofshadow6380]

jim maurice probably because there's nothing wrong with those lands. The problem is supply vs. demand.

[@HANKYpanky-sw6fk]

Dude I'm so happy you made a tempo deck. They are the most rewarding deck to play. I'm looking forward to testing this thing out.

[@samclemens549]

I got the deck on mtgo and it's super sick. Keep up the good work dev! love your videos

[@Kraigroll]

I love these standard deck tech videos. Going to try them out next Friday.

[@GrimJokes]

Damnit Dev, why must you make all these cool budget decks? I'm getting the Standard itch, it might be time to get back into Magic. This Standard rotation looks really fun.

[@Shadow298]

Great deck, Dev. Really want to try the Temur version for all the burn.

[@silverfangmoonhunter]

Shadow298 I think for that I'd up the land count a little bit and play Enigma Drake because it's sort of the reverse Deeproot Champion plus evasion. If your Champion gets killed, you probably don't have the time to build another one back up again but you can always drop a flying Drake that's just as big as he was.

[@Shadow298]

Silver Fang you're very much correct on the Drake & land count. Lots of tinkering to do.

[@Shadow298]

Corey will definitely have to give it a try them. Do love the enigma Drake & have been looking for something unique to use it in.

[@Shadow298]

Corey will definitely keep that in mind. Play it more like an aggro tempo than a control tempo. Overrun & evade whilst protecting & having things that they can't steal or externalise with scarab or taker.

[@Shadow298]

Corey cheers for that. Will definitely look up that one too. Search only seems good in decks where you need answers like Approach or Control. Looking at this the deck seems much more reactive spell slinger style, where you hit spells & then hit face. A lot to work & play with.

[@FlatEarthTalk]

Awesome Dev, wondering how this will hold up, really dig the cub in the sideboard with the addition to energy. These decks really get blown out if your one deeproot champion bites the dust so the extra creatures in the sideboard makes sense bro. I would love to see these decks of yours in action! Excited to play the mono black improvise when my cards arrive from tcgplayer

[@geoffreyenglin9787]

Love this deck! made it the day after I saw this video and it is incredibly fun to play! I replaced the energy components of it with some other cards like "One with the wind" just because giving it +3/+3 and flying makes it so much more of a game closer. Not sure how it compares to the original deck with energy, but its fun either way. Great deck!!

[@mralkaline42]

Love this deck man! great tech vids keep it up 👍

[@michaelroywright9975]

I was talking about building the temur version of this deck last night too.

[@nicholasgonzalez7429]

You always do a great job

[@mikeljorgensen298]

Mtg goldfish has a Temur list, it's pretty dope too.

[@Janniebaksmurfje]

Looking good D! Love your video’s

[@thekids5432]

Ya look great dude!!! Long time watcher, first time commenter. I think i am going to build something like this so I definitely appreciated this video

[@JediMasterRevenantMADNESS]

Hey, man, was wondering if you could come up with a cool deck tech involving Fleet Swallower and Fraying Sanity. I have a mono-blue deck made, but I feel like it's a little too slow and needs more creatures. It has two potential ways to win, but one is very situational and the other isn't exactly fool proof. I'd like to make the combination as frightening as possible; preferably while still on a budget. Thanks, and appreciate it in advance!

[@Kaytoyaj]

I love this decklist. I made something close to this but I added pirate Jace in. You’re such a great deck builder why don’t you make mtgo videos and show us a few gameplay?

[@WillArtie]

Thanks Dev!

[@envysart797]

Saffron Olive did make a temur version of this deck but splashed for both soul scar mage and enigma drake. I made a u/g tempo deck myself but went the exact opposite direction with nearly all creatures, pummeller and 4 copies of Rhonas' monument .D

[@CaptMDKirk]

Cartouche of Knowledge helped lift my 9/9 Champion over all the tokens last night

[@Xenodude2000]

This deck looks awesome. :D

[@Eggyism]

Definitely diggin the shirt.

[@KurouchiKen]

Thank you Dev,

[@nicholaslott4575]

Oh yeah, Cryptic Serpent us beast here.

[@Ultimaodin]

So I've been running a similar deck but I don't play rogue refiners instead choosing to opt (pun intended) for Dynavolt Towers. as they help remove anything that blocks and also act as another win condition.

[@MemoryLaneWizard]

Simic is offering so many options in Standard now: Merfolk tribal, tempo, ramp

[@ValanceJ]

I'm definitely planning on picking up some variation of this deck, but I keep wondering if red is worthwhile for being able to include red removal for the reasons you mention but also for Firebrand Archer. Seems like it might be a little nice having the extra couple points of damage. And then Open into Wonder which is a little bit of a pet card since it's both card draw and evasion for a little final push.

[@Freezingfist1]

I know it pushes into that 3cmc slot, but Dynavolt Tower seems like it could give this a bit more reach, without pushing another color.

[@gabemcgrew8912]

Freezingfist1 isnt that banned in standard?

[@Freezingfist1]

Gabe Mcgrew I think the only cards presently banned in standard are Smuggler's Copter, Felidar Guardian, and Aetherworks Marvel

[@nick14braun14]

yup. shirt looks good.

[@GoldRaven12]

This looks soooo sick. Gotta try and put it together. Have you looked into any Temur decklists involving tempo, ramp, and card draw alongside the Locust god? I've been brewing with the idea, and I think it's got some gas.

[@aidanwright9656]

did you consider adding Rashmi, Eternities Crafter, basically a card draw/cascade engine that would draw you a bunch of cards if left undealt with or if they kill her she gets some removal out of the opponent's hand. Might need to bumb up a land or two to include her though.

[@justwantawholename]

18 lands is right, but you want one more forest and one less island because of attune. You want 14 green sources for turn one green play, and there is no reason you need that many islands

[@justwantawholename]

Also good deck and I love your channel

[@T_Peazy]

Updated mono-black discard deck tech?

[@Yurikan]

Is it worth it to throw in maybe a single Glyph keeper in the deck? Just feels like having that extra way to swing in might help in case champion dies and it does have pseudo hexproof. Also, this might be the deck that Kefnet can actually work in.

[@silverfangmoonhunter]

Pissed Off Crusader Tell that to my Esper Trials list.

[@geesegoose6174]

Yurikan it's a 5UU 😅😅😅 that's a bit too much for a deck like this

[@geesegoose6174]

Yurikan 3***

[@Yurikan]

Glyph keeper is 3UU. It's still a bit high on curve, though, that's why I swapped to Kefnet.

[@michaelmendez3572]

Kefnet is a good card but I feel it fits better in a u/g ramp fog deck. Kefnet can't be the center piece. Just an awesome role player. Nothing shite about kefnet. Everything has their place SOMEWHERE

[@nicolletsertos5992]

Where do you get your t-shirts Dev?

[@Alexhandre13]

i built this deck and it's pretty good, deeproot champion is the real deal. I'm playing dive down instead of blossoming defense, it makes the deck even cheaper.

[@runepedro]

Hey, what about a UR tempo with ixalan? Soul-scar, riddleform, chart a course, opt, enigma drake, shock, lightning strike... those seem amazing together

[@honkytonk300]

I ran something similar last FMN that had red splashed in it for enigma Drake and swept all 5 rounds

[@Chunkyh1]

Did you try heroic intervention in sideboard?

[@gsmastermike]

I thought of that as well against sweepers, maybe a two of post board.

[@geesegoose6174]

I don't think this is the best because of the fact that Hour of Devastation and the exiling sweeper are in the format. If you're against UW Approach, they're going to be running a few of the exile sweeper and the indestructible does nothing and devastation ignores indestructible anyways. I don't think it's a strong card in the meta honestly even with fumigate, you should be able to counter it if you're worried about it

[@golfjacket]

love this - is there room for one or two rashmis? big bonus for card draw (and sorceries on opponents turn)

[@Dan_D380]

18 lands? come on bro. That's pushing it lol I got mana starved 7 out of 11 games and lost. Can't cast spells and play the deck strategy with no mana! Upped it to 19 lands with one in the side (to experiment with) and it worked wonders! seems like 19-20 is the sweet spot. Once that was dealt with and I got to see how the deck performs when it starts rolling I was very impressed! It's a fun deck!

[@meownezz]

Is cartouche of knowledge a viable sideboard for go wide strategies?

[@CaptMDKirk]

Reed Lee I played a couple Cartouches last night and it was money

[@blakksheepz]

I feel like a one or two of open into wonder would be a nice finisher

[@samouflage99]

SIMIC DECK? Merfolk?! Dev's video?? Yes! View 252, let's GO!!!

[@solomonshemano7885]

Have you tested with driven to despair? 1) triggers and applies to riddleform pre combat 2) allows your deeproot champion to punch through blockers 3) you can flash it back with the aether hub I found it to be better than strategic planning and often better than chart a course. Tell me what you think

[@FishHookEXE]

I saw the words "Tempo" and "Simic" and was immediately sold

[@DVS57REBEL]

Bebop n Rocksteady 👍👍👍

[@LiftedLegend2000]

You should post a bit where you're actually using these decks against the other top tiers

[@TARDIS915]

Any chance of seeing a tempo/midrange Grim Captain's Call deck on this channel? I think Dimir would be the best colors to make it work without getting to clunky.

[@OftenAlwaysFresh]

What about sideboarding Rivers Rebuke for the go wide strats/Temur energy when they've sort've stabilized'/rebuilt? It doesn't target so Hydra can't hexproof to make life easier for it? I know it's hella high on the curve, but I think just having that option would be huge?

[@monesstos]

Search for Azcanta can see a place there? He filter the top of our deck and when its transformed, can use the extra mana to pick what we need from the top of our library...

[@ishu5112]

In addition to mage and burn by going temur you get Enigma drake and Insult//Injury. :)

[@nicholaslott4575]

I have created this deck in both Temur and Sultai. They are both very competitive. I have been thinking about trimming to just UG and wondering how it'd work. Well, Def have a list now I will try.

[@fishguruaquatics5967]

I saw the temur build on mtggofish it was a lot more aggressive but this looks more consistent

[@HarryW83]

Hey Dev Did you consider cartouche of Knowledge instead of Strategic Planning? Would also Draw you a card and help you to Fly over nasty jumpblocker Keep On the good work

[@nihilozero]

Your deck tech videos really are the best. But I'm really curious if you've ever explained how you calculate your power rankings that you show toward the end of your videos? Is there an actual science behind that or are you basically just giving numbers to your basic assessment of the deck?

[@Gondor80]

already build this deck damn i like it

[@simple-sheeps]

Would you slot in "Selected for Inspection"? And just return before damage instead of unsummon?

[@kuldahar44]

Key to the city to get through big deeproots?

[@Yeshyouwa]

Dev can you make at red/white Dino deck profile that revolves around the w/r Dino plainswalker?

[@alessandroverrecchia5763]

AYYYYYYY LETS GO

[@Zaknyfein]

Great deck! Sounds like a fun deck to play...how blue should be used...

[@fezaru33]

key to the city .. sounds good ?

[@cpaoi88]

New player so forgive me if this is a silly question.What answer does this list have to a token deck generating an army of chump blockers and keeping your Champion from ever getting in? Could you slot in some instants that give trample, or maybe slot in 2 copies of Herald of Secret Streams? With all the card draw you could probably pick one up pretty consistently, although it's definitely above the curve you outlined.

[@thejoriath]

I really like the Idea of Temur. It opens you up to Sweltering Suns which Riddleform CAN avoid(May become a 3/3) it probably won't kill a Deeproot Champ or Enigma Drake but sadly it does kill Soul Scar. So maybe Sideboard of a Temur for go wide strategies.

[@joshhoward1898]

Ser1ous R3troGaM3r Double red though. Its gonna be hard to produce that.

[@thejoriath]

Josh Howard Yeah You're right completely see that. But from my testing you don't really play it on turn 3 anyway. So I mean by turn 5 you should have double red. If not rethink you mana base.

[@zeroravager4379]

would it be better to 0lay deep root in a deck with noose constrictor and /or metallic memic?

[@MisterSpicy95]

Hi Dev, big fan of your work. Quick question - with all of the noncreature spells in the deck, and the U/R synergies with that archetype (such as Bloodwater Entity and Enigma Drake), do you think that there is a Temur Version of this deck that will be viable in standard? Its one of my favorite archetypes to play, but I feel like you have a ton to gain by adding red and reworking some of the cards. Is this something that you considered at some point or do you feel like this is the final iteration of this style of deck? Thanks! Edit: I'm a moron. You addressed this question at the end of the video. My B!

[@arran2264]

If I build temur can refiner be replaced by enigma drake?

[@chapelstadium1430]

Why not also add fling to toss 7/7 deeproots alongside the drakes?

[@PlaneswalkerTARDIS]

Drake is a beater, Refiner is card draw. You'd be better off dropping Riddleform instead.

[@joshhoward1898]

Watch MTGGoldfishs gameplays. He runs this deck but temur featuring Enigme Drake

[@sepeterson86]

I sleeved up Jeff Hoogland's Sultai version with Driven//Dispair and fatal push. Got wrecked. There's too much good removal in this current standard to resolve a 2 drop.

[@efraincampos7382]

Where can I listen the whole intro music?

[@nicholassalamone770]

Could 'Search for Azcanta' fit in this deck?

[@TheRRage]

What is sideboard plan? Ie what to take out? Thanks!

[@y3tti627]

Can u make a red burn list?

[@maxpheby7287]

Can I finally use my foil Rashmi, Eternities Crafter in this deck? What, still no use you say!? God dam it.

[@tanista8617]

Nice deck. But why not just go for sultai? you can go crazy with constrictor, glint sleeve and fatal pushes. Or am i missing something? PS havent finished the vid while typing this.

[@jadendotcom]

Wassup early love the deck

[@anthonymentalewicz5143]

OMG before I start the video I'm brewing this right now

[@diniguan33]

I'm gonna try Dynavolt Tower in here.

[@TeamTrollJk]

i want to see you play some games with this the deck seems sweet

[@benjaminhellmann400]

What would those out there suggest to replace Botanical Sanctum as it is the most expensive card?

[@andrewsparkes8829]

Benjamin Hellmann Get an MtG app, then search for X card type with Y color identity in Z format - it's what I do for replacing any card in a deck! In all seriousness, Survivor's Encampment (tap a token merfolk, get ' any colored' blue or green mana) or Unclaimed Territory (target merfolk, effectively get blue or green, though shooting in price) seem like good bets in this deck, as opposed to trying to go for a different blue/green dual land. Good luck! (PS - Any decent dual lands are cost-ineffective in Standard usually, since the dual lands are sought for any Modern/Eternal/Commander (formats needing general dual/tri-land fixing for any mixed color deck), whereas the options offered by Standard lands like the current creature-tap lands and tribal lands are less pricey but deal just as well with the specific mana-fixing needed for Standard decks like these.) Edit - oops forgot I wasn't in the merfolk deck tech I just watched, I'm an idiot. Same advice though. Basically don't go blue/green, think other options with the help of an app! Try that Ixalan flip land that doubles your spells? 2x Primal Amulet/Primal Wellspring and up extra Island and Forest, maybe? 4 mana, but the artifact pays for 1 of any instant/sorcery so effectively is already in comparison to an 'extreme slow land' in this deck before it even flips to be an actual land. Any other blue/green cheap tapped land is fine though, since you're exploring and tutoring-into-hand for basic untapped lands already.

[@TheBattleDwarf]

Crash Through and Enigma Drake are another red reason to go Temur

[@puhbrox]

What is the song name from the intro? Is it a sample?

[@cameroncrone1655]

I really want to see a cool U/B control revel in riches and treasure!!! I think that'd be really fun!!

[@Moffatt966]

Yoooo can you do the simic version of this deck that you mentioned?

[@WesTheGiant]

What, no Cryptic Serpent? I think it's worth a consideration over Rogue Refiner.

[@MickeysEvilTwin]

Please PLEASE do something with Nest of Scarabs and Soul-Scar Mage; I giggle at the thought of a SSM causing a Sweltering Suns to spawn like a jillion scarabs off of a Nest into a clean board

[@joshhoward1898]

MickeysEvilTwin 3 card combo in non blue colors? Good luck with that

[@alicedenightmare]

Don't forget fiery canonade

[@enurdat]

Dev, can you include replacement cards for the banned cards in your lists?

[@TheBigIntellectual]

Are there any cards like riddleform for modern

[@TreefrogOriginal]

The Big Intellectual Delver of secrets

[@JLPicard1648]

Could you make a budget version of this?

[@TheCobaltJay]

Ben Hamilton just remove the botanical sanctum and it's like

[@JLPicard1648]

Fair enough

[@brianwilson6287]

Why not play perilous voyage? Another bounce spell that sometimes lets you fix your draw

[@Eeveesevolutions]

Too bad Slip Through Space rotated out.

[@T_Peazy]

The Alicorn there's a merfolk from XLN that makes creatures with +1/+1 unlockable.

[@zedekuszule963]

Thomas Peace Herald of secret streams

[@silverfangmoonhunter]

Thomas Peace I don't really think you want to be playing a 4 drop creature in a tempo deck unless it works by itself and makes a big impact when it does and as much as I like my boy Herald he doesn't do either of those things.

[@ronmarshall1566]

Herald of sercret streams would go good in this deck

[@NinjaAlchemist3050]

Too expensive, only works with the champion, and does nothing on its own.

[@xBeauGaming]

Hot as fuck intro music buddy!

[@kevinbecker3436]

can you make a video about merfolk please i started to build me one so i need help

[@elizakleinman1332]

Mtggoldfish made a temur version with Enigma Drake and Cryptic Serpent but without Riddleform and Refiner

[@warloklightnin150]

Duuuuuuude I've been playing Grixis improvise, it's fucking amazing

[@grizzlymanverneteil4443]

I want a growatog version!