Despite being removed as a filter, the Stanard Pauper community survives.
You can join the cheapest format on Magic Online at http://pdcmagic.com/ . This site offers two weekly free tournament with free prices supported by bot chains.
How cheap is the format? Well, a playset of all the cards (commons legal in Standard) costs about 2 tickets.
Here is a recent winning deck by the excellent player rrmedio1:
Standard Pauper, is as you may know, the ultimate budget format. It is Standard but only commons are allowed. The format is surprisingly deep and competetive.
Every week there are two free tournaments with real prizes on the site pdcmagic.com.
I do a Standard Pauper video once a week for the MagicGatheringStrat YouTube channel and this deck will be featured by me and VaultBoyHunter in the upcoming two weeks (it will become obvious that I had not received the deck strategy notes given below when I played those matches). We discussed this list on the MagicGatheringStrat podcast this week.
Amnaremotoas was kind enough to share some insight about the deck with us.
I thought I would give your readers and you a break down/deck tech for Air Support. The deck started off as a mono W human deck. I moved to W/G because of W/G humans in SoI draft. I also love True-Faith Censer in draft so I wanted an aggro deck to utilize it. On a human it's a bonesplitter with vigilance.
4x Makindi Aeronaut/Territorial Roc - Bread and butter for the deck. Evasion, good blocker and cheap.
4x Thraben Inspector - Pure value. Almost all white decks run it. Good early and good late. Also human synergy.
4x Topan Freeblade - Call him the punisher. Miss a land drop against a turn 2 Freeblade and you will hurt. More human synergy.
3x Saddleback Lagac - Love this guy. Fun to play and fun to say.Can cause some really nice mana curves and you don't mind chump blocking with it since the real value is the Support. You never want 2 in the opening hand. You can support on one, two, or zero creatures if you desperately need to cast a Lagac.
3x Servant of the Scale - Modular! Against non-Black decks this guy does work! He can double the value of your supports. Against Black removal, the always try to use an exile spell to get rid of this one. It helps you keep an eye on opposing removal and plan your supports. You have 26 white and only 10 green spells, that's why you don't run 4. Also human synergy.
3x Stalwart Aven - The 3 drop spot has always changed. I still haven't settled on a permanent resident. This guy usually draws removal, but with renown and only one other buff he can attack thru any other flyer in the format. Sometimes I run Dauntless Cathar, sometimes more removal.
4x Shoulder to Shoulder - The namesake of the deck (Fun-fact: I wanted to call it "Bear Force One," but I couldn't count a 1/3 as a bear.) This and Lagac help you avoid removal. Red and Black removal is usually situational. With this and Inspector you have 8 card draw spells. More like cantrips.
2x Lead by Example - Used to run 4 of. I think 0-2 is the correct number. It is instant speed, which allows for some interesting combat tricks. ALWAYS REMEMBER, you don't have to choose a creature to Support. The mechanic says put two +1 counters on UP TO two guys.
Pacifism/Rabid Bite - The removal is all 2 cost for more speed and the ability to cast 2 things a turn. Don't run too much removal. I run 2 to 5 removal. Because of all the removal other decks are running you want around 24 creatures in the deck. Any less and you run the risk of only drawing removal and buff spells. You need to draw more creatures then they have removal.
2x True-Faith Censer - I love this card. I don't think there are enough good humans to make a tribal deck. Vigilance stops Murderous Compulsion from hitting your guys. I usually put it on a human over non-human, just for extra damage. Put this on a Servant of the Scale and he become a 3 power that gives another creature +1/+1.
22 Lands - I normally look at a deck list and the first thing I do is add a land. I hate losing games to mana screw. I started this deck with 23 lands. You want to play Turn 1: Inquisitor Turn 2: Aeronaut Turn 3: Shoulder Turn 4: Lagac. It's hard to get a turn 4 lagac with less lands.
I built this deck to fill the aggro void this PDC season. White weenie was close to being a strong deck, but lacked a way to punch through the late game or just deal those last few points of damage. After being defeated by Sandcrafter Mage in the mirror match I thought maybe Bolster was the answer. Turns out Support is better. All black removal is either kill power 3 or less, destroy tapped creature, -4/-4 or Red direct damage for 3 or less. If you can make a creature a 4 power it dodges Complete Disregard. Censer helps stop Disregard and vigilance stops Complusion. Most GB decks only run 2 Grasp of Darkness. Play a Topan Freeblade first so they use a removal spell on that, leaving your turn 3 flyer safe. GB usually has 2/2 or less for blockers. They take many turns to set up a Nantuko Husk or Ruin Processor. If you can get out a 2/3 on the ground you can constantly apply pressure. The only fliers people run are Vulturous Aven and Pilgrim's Eye. Try to space out your Supports. If you put all the counters on one guy you can be swept away by Oblivion Strike. A 3 toughness and block a lot of the format and a 3 power can kill most Std Pauper creatures.
The sideboard is pretty easy, but I know how Dan loves his SB guides! My belief is that play style, card preferance, and metagame knowledge should be used to make your own SB.
2x Netcaster Spider - These swat Avens out of the sky. Side them in versus other flyers.
2x Rabid Bite - With support and equipment you can take out most creatures. Draw a slow hand or face a ton of removal and these are worthless. Side these in vs. non-Black decks, usually white based ones. Black decks have too much recursion. These replace Pacifism
2x Felidar Cub - These are for opposing Pacifism or if you need more creatures against removal heavy decks.
2x Enshrouding Mist - Bring in against Red burn.
2x Celestial Flare - For any deck that attacks with only one creature. Used most on Husks and Ruin processors. These replace Rabid bite since that card can rarely kill a Processor.
2x Aerial Volley - For controlling the skies. Kills tokens and stops Avens. If they have more then one blocking creature with flying it's hard for you to close out the game.
2x Angelic Purge - Sometimes you need hard removal. In a pinch this can get rid of opposing Pacifism. GB only runs 2 Husks, so you can Purge something annoying and it usually stays gone. Can replace Pacifism or Rabid Bite.
1x Natural State - The mirror breaker. Duels vs white weenie decks can be decided by equipment. This can hit a Censer or a Pacifism.
MATCHUPS
vs. GB control - Keep and eye on their removal. Once a creature has 4 toughness Support something else. You want to negate as much removal as possible. A 2/3 Inspector can attack thru and block most of the GB deck. The only flyers they run are Aven and EYE. Mulligan a hand that can't play 2 creatures before turn 4. It's ok to keep most 2 land hands. Keep applying pressure. Your Servants are terrible when exiled.
-3 Servant -2 Bite -1 Pacifism, +2 Purge +2 Spider +2 Flare
vs BW Allies - They have a lot of abilities that still work whille Pacified. Try to control the air and watch out for Spawnbinder Mage. After SB you have removal that can take out annoying Cohort creatures. They can play a lot of ground blockers.
- 3 Pacifism -1 Freeblade -1 Servant, +2 Rabid Bite +1 Angelic Purge +2 Felidar Cub
vs RB Madness - Things can get hairy if they run Zada's Commando. Pacifism is bad versus Cohort cards but good against the version that runs Twins of Maurer Estates and Sanitarium Skeleton.
-3 Pacifism, +2 Mist +1 Purge
vs Control - Bring out your removal and replace it with more creatures. If they run Ruin Processor keep Pacifism or use Purge or Celestial Flare. If they use Ojutai's Summons don't bring in Volley.
-3 Pacifism -2 Bite, +2 Felidar Cub +2 Spider +1 Purge
I have done very well. I went 4-1 in the first half, barely missing the top 8 and I am playing my top 8 match for the second half (after 4-1 again) on Friday. If I win I might run into my friend Brennon for the semifinal. That will be epic.
The principle idea is to get out a Prowess creature, tempo-control the board and just win as the Prowess creature gets gigantic. Land creatures is the backup win plan. Whirlwind Adept is the king in the deck but I am not sure when I sideboard in the fourth one. It should probably be 2+1 and not 2+2.
I have seen versions that are faster but I can't let go of Whirlwind Adept. He is just so brutal. I am still playing around with the correct number of Temur Battle Rages, Anticipates and Titan's Strength.
There seems to be some interesting cards in Oath of the Gatewatch for this deck. I think it will become even stronger! More about that later.
Don't Let WotC Take the Standard Pauper Filter Away!
Wizards announced today that they are retiring the Standard Pauper filter from Magic Online along with several other formats. Don't let them do it! Standard Pauper has a commited community that loves the format. Tournaments are run weekly on pdcmagic.com.
If you're on Twitter, contact @mtg_lee @mtgworth @wizards_magic @MagicOnline and tell them not to.
You can directly E-mail those responsible for making decisions on Magic Online:Chris.Kiritz@wizards.com; Michael.Turian@wizards.com; Worth.Wollpert@wizards.com;Lee.Sharpe@wizards.com.
In your E-mail, please be calm, rationale, polite, but heartfelt and passionate about the format. It doesn't have to be long. Just tell them why you like the format and ask them to keep the Standard Pauper filter. If you want, tell them that George Leonard / gwyned gave you their contact info.
Let's blow up their E-mail and social media with support for the format. Let's show them just how important Standard Pauper is.
Spread the word, make your voice heard. Do not let them do this!
(content copied and adapted from George Leonard / gwyned via http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2015/10/dont-let-wotc-take-standard-pauper.html)
If you follow my Standard Pauper career you know that I am in love with all decks featuring Gray Merchant of Asphodel and Treasure Cruise. Those decks were earlier called Gary's Cruise but with the introduction of the Exploit mechanic the decks turned even better - and changed name.
Here is a video of me playing the latest iteration of my list.
The master of these decks is rrmedio1. He won MPDC 30.03 with a new take on Blue Black, featuring Grave Titan Jr. = Grave Servant.
Sideboard 2 Reave Soul 2 Sidisi's Faithful 1 Vulturous Aven 1 Mnemonic Wall 3 Festergloom 3 Disciple of Phenax 3 Negate Here is the final results of the tournament and all the decks mentioned below: http://pdcmagic.com/gatherling/eventreport.php?event=MPDC+30.03
Roberto kindly offered to explain his deck and these are his words:
"Well, the main idea was to have a black deck that would abuse Nantuko Husk, specially for the interaction with Dutiful Attendant and for keeping my creatures from being exiled. Added blue because I love Grumag Drowner and because Peel From Reality is usually great with black creatures. Also, I would be able to play Treasure Cruise, which is maybe a good card, not sure.
The original list had Artificer's Epiphany for ditching creatures in the graveyard, but in the last minute I replaced it with Sign in Blood because the deck doesn't have that many card draw and I was afraid of running out of gas.
The list is not very polished, specially the sideboard, which probably lacks Duress, Disdainful Stroke, and probably some other cards. Black Cat is not great as it used to be because it basically only works against heroic. Undead Servant floats between MVP and useless very easily, since the deck is not designed around it. I was very lucky not to face green decks, since I had no Deathtouch creatures.
The matches
I was late but gwyned was nice enough to allow me to join the tournament with a bye.
First match (2nd round) was against an interesting UB Control by Erwiddan deck which was controlling me very effectively. First game he did not give me much air to breath and he was almost stabilized in the second game, when his time ran out. I guess he was into really awful lag.
Second match was against SFlaren's Izzet Control, with main deck Hexproof creatures, and game 1 let me hopeless after being crushed so easily. But the deck worked very well after siding in the Disciples and Negates. In both games 2 and 3 it looked like he would win with early Hexproof fatties, but all the recursion was too much for him to keep 1 for 1'ing me. I have to say that this was an awesome and crazy match.
Top 4 was against Malum's Boros Tokens which also crushed me in game 1 with Magmatic Chasm. He almost got me in game two but a timely Festergloom saved the day. In game 3 he didn't got the aggressive start and we traded creatures until the card advantage gave me upper hand. Despite many mistakes and misclicks, I ended up winning.
The finals were against JogandoPelado, aka PlayingNaked, and his Mono Black deck. It was very similar to my deck (but no Cruises for him), also based on the Nankuto-Attendant engine. In the first game he got 3 Garies very soon, I dragged the game a bit recasting my single Gary a few times until he finally killed me. Game 2 was a bit odd: I slowed him down with the Disciples of Phenax but he was attacking me in the air. Then Gary landed and I won out of nowhere attacking back when some of his creatures were tapped. In game 3 he had some mana problems and it was my time to draw early Garies, who finished the game when he was starting to develop his board.
Sideboard
Reave Soul was good against the tokens deck and not bad against the Mono Black deck.
Sidisi's Faithful was also good against the tokens deck
Aven was good in all matches
Wall was never cast (sided it in against the Izzet deck, I think, then sided it out again)
Festergloom won me a game against tokens
Disciple was the better card in the finals and also good against Izzet. The UB Control deck never let it be resolved
Negate was great in all matches, not counting the finals, where I did not use it."
Thank you, Roberto!
BTW, if you are at all interested in Standard Pauper check out the free touranments with real prizes runing at pdcmagic.com. They are the best.
As I have mentioned before, there are two free Standard Pauper tournaments with real prizes going on at pdcmagic.com.
This week the SPDC 29.07 was won by the talented DrChrisBakerDC playing Mono Blue Control and MPDC 29.07 runner-up was davbricar with Bad Aggro Boros (Boros Tokens).
We discussed the result and the deck lists on the MagicGatheringStrat show ep 14
I personally felt that the Mono Blue Control deck could not really handle a deck like Boros Tokens. The conventional choice is to play Izzet Control in Standard Pauper right now as you need removal and the Mono Blue list has a real lack for removal. So the question this week is "How does Mono Blue Control handle Boros Tokens?"
In fact, DrChrisBakerDC defeated davbricars Boros Tokens deck in his 6-0 run as davbricar played both tournaments.
The basic idea with this deck is the classic Mono Blue Control idea. Counter whatever your bounce and creatures can not handle. Win through Card Advantage.
How do you sideboard with the Mono Blue Control deck in this matchup?
My initial idea was something like
- 1 Rise of Eagles (too expensive)
- 1 Cancel (keeping up three mana is hard)
- 4 Nullify (too few targets)
- 2 Divination (too slow)
+4 Coral Barrier (we need blockers)
+2 Voyage's End (we will get card disadvantage this way but at least we can kill a token)
+2 Negate (it seems absolutely necessary to counter those Triplicate Spirits and Trumpet Blasts)
What do you think?
Testing the matchupI did a test run against ShiftingShadwos. I was playing the Mono Blue Control deck and he was playing Boros Tokens. I struggled in this matchup and I am sure I made plenty of mistakes. Please point them all out. When you do, give me the min:sec for the situation you are commenting so I can quickly review it, please.
Many magic players start out playing green decks with big monsters. Eventually we all learn that is not a very efficient strategy but there are sometimes exceptions to this rule. Now is the time of such an exception.
Meet Formidable Green, a Standard Pauper deck by Gq1rf7 (yes, that is a player's online name).
Play mana. Play big monsters. Swing for the win. OK, you have to use some combat tricks but this deck is surprisingly efficient.
Sample matches
Here are three matches I played with the deck. I have not yet figured out how to sideboard, but I am enjoying the list very much.
First a match vs a heroic deck. The heroics decks are falling out of favor, possibly because of new, better removal at common.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago there are now infinite combos in Standard Pauper. In this second match I run into one of them ... but the green guys provide a pretty fast clock!
Can Formidable Green be contained? Well, if it can, I bet a UR Control deck would be the one deck to be able to. What about a Grixis Control deck? Well, lets see:
The combo is Midnight Guard + Ornithopter + Retraction Helix + Impact Tremors.
Resolve Retraction Helix on Midnight Guard. Return Ornithopter to hand. Play Ornithopter. Midnight Guard untaps. Impact Remors does 1 damage to the opponent. Return Ornithopter to hand with Midnight Guard. Rince and repeat. Voila! 1.000.000 damage!
Combo #2
Forli placed second in SPDC 29.01 with his deck "Scribe Combo".
This time the combo is Spidersilk Net + Retraction Helix + Zephyr Scribe + Elusive Spellfist
Zephyr Scribe and Elusive Spellfist need to be in play. Play Retraction Helix on Zephyr Scribe. Play Spidersilk Net. Zephyr Scribe untaps. Elusive Spellfist grows bigger. Return Spidersilk Net to hand. Play it again. Rince and repeat. 1.000.000 unblockable damage. Pray that the opponent does not have removal or protect your Spellfist with Glint.
These combos will not be around for long as Retraction Helix is rotating this fall. Use them when you have them!
Go visit pdcmagic.com now for great free tournaments with real prizes!
As stated before, you can find the free Standard Pauper player run tournaments at pdcmagic.com. Great site with great people!
I played this match as part of the Pauper Gauntlet:
This started a twitter storm and it turns out that the Pauper and the Standard Pauper formats are broken in the sense that anything that has ever been common is legal in both formats, which should not be the case.
This leaves two formats filled with problems until a fix is delivered by Wizards (the same people who promised leagues in 2011) at some unknown date. So what do you do as a player?
Well, if someone else plays this card against you in a sanctioned tournament you will be reinbursed.
The Pauper Gauntlet has started. So far 29 decks have played. Most of them have won. The first two rounds are double elimination so a deck needs to lose both round 1 and round 2 to get eliminated. After that, it gets more serious.
The above link also contains information about how you can win free prizes (including an Elspeth, Sun's Champion and two foil Shocklands).
The weekly show about the Gauntlet
I have joined The Standard Pauper Show as a host for the duration of the Pauper Gauntlet. The second half of the show will be dedicated to the Pauper Gauntlet.
Here is the first episode. I come in at the 45 minute mark.
The existence of this show means that I will report the progress of the Gauntlet on Wednesdays here on mtgolibrary instead of Sundays as originally planned (the show airs on Tuesdays and will soon be on itunes as well if you prefer a podcast version).
On episode 141 of the podcast Pauper to the People I was part of a Standard Pauper Review of the commons in Born of the Gods. These cards will shake up the format!
Here is the show:
The Standard Pauper Show For your reference, here is the latest episode of the Standard Pauper show, running every week on youtube.com/MagicGatheringStrat
We are getting closer to the Standard Pauper Gauntlet and I am looking forward to reviewing some of the decks for the Gauntlet here.
What is Standard Pauper? Standard Pauper is the cheapest possible format - you can play only with the commons that are currently in Standard.
Control
1st
by 
Aggro-Combo
2nd
by 