While many Magic: the Gathering Arena players are still focused on the Adventures in the Forgotten Realms free codes and events currently in the game, some are looking forward to September's big rotation. As Standard 2022 inches closer, some might be looking to both build and playtest some rotation-proof decks for fall.
What is Standard 2022 in Magic: Arena?
Every September, Magic: the Gathering Arena sees a big rotation of what cards and sets are legal to play in Standard, just like paper Magic. While there is some overlap on what is legal now and what will be in the autumn, many of the current sets, from Throne to M21 will no longer be allowed in Standard play. So whether playing Magic: the Gathering Arena on mobile or not, players will have to find new standard deck lists in just a couple of months.
The internet has been flooded with some ideas for what are called "Rotation Proof" decks, which means players will be able to continue to play them after the rotation in September. This means that deck builders have to focus on Zendikar and forward, ignoring many powerful Throne of Eldraine Legendaries, M21, Ikoria, and Theros.
Ideas for Standard 2022 Decks: Mono-White Prison by Day9tv
While some Magic: the Gathering Arena players don't want to play the long game, a prison deck can be a great way to combat and creature-heavy Standard meta. With the two-card combo that features the land Faceless Haven and The Book of Exalted Deeds, opponents can be locked out of any game-winning strategy without land destruction. Players might also want to add an Emeria's Call or Reidane, God of the Worthy to help slow opponents down and protect the Havens while they are still creatures.
- 4 Revitalize
- 2 Search for Glory
- 2 Shatter the Sky
- 3 Doomskar
- 2 Devastating Mastery
- 2 Portable Hole
- 4 Glass Casket
- 4 Potion of Healing
- 3 The Book of Exalted Deeds
- 4 Arcanist's Owl
- 4 The Birth of Meletis
- 2 Teleportation Circle
- 4 Faceless Haven
- 20 Snow-Covered Plains
Ideas for Standard 2022 Decks: Five-Color Dragons by Lanyr
Who doesn't like dragons? There are tons of great dragons in all of Magic: the Gathering (like Spirit Dragon Ugin for example), but there are ever more in rotation-safe in Standard 2022. Old Knawbone helps to make Treasure tokens while Esika, God of the Tree, helps players to get the mana they need in the combinations they require for all these different colors of dragons.
Not to mention the dragon tutor, Tiamat. Treasure Vault might also be a fun addition to this deck if players are having trouble getting the lands they need, but it shouldn't be too much of an issue with the flip lands in this list.
- 2 Esika, God of the Tree
- 4 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
- 4 Galazeth Prismari
- 1 Adult Gold Dragon
- 4 Goldspan Dragon
- 2 Iymrith, Desert Doom
- 1 Inferno of the Star Mounts
- 1 Old Gnawbone
- 3 Tiamat
- 1 Velomachus Lorehold
- 4 Shatterskull Smashing
- 1 Turntimber Symbiosis
- 4 Dragon's Fire
- 4 Igneous Inspiration
- 2 Treasure Vault
- 4 Orb of Dragonkind
- 1 Barkchannel Pathway
- 4 Cragcrown Pathway
- 2 Mountain
- 4 Riverglide Pathway
- 4 Temple of the Dragon Queen
- 3 The World Tree
Ideas for Standard 2022 Decks: Dimir Control by Winatan
For those who would prefer something a little less Magic: Arena aggro red-style decks and a little more control, Dimir is the color combo for them for Standard 2022. While some might think mono-blue for control, the addition of black gives players access to creature removal like Soul Shatter and Professor Onyx.
- 1 Professor Onyx
- 2 Iymrith, Desert Doom
- 1 Hagra Mauling
- 4 Jwari Disruption
- 1 Disdainful Stroke
- 1 Negate
- 4 Power Word Kill
- 4 Saw It Coming
- 4 Soul Shatter
- 4 Behold the Multiverse
- 3 Shadows' Verdict
- 4 Alrund's Epiphany
- 4 Clearwater Pathway
- 2 Crawling Barrens
- 1 Hall of Storm Giants
- 1 Hive of the Eye Tyrant
- 4 Ice Tunnel
- 9 Island and 6 Swamp basic lands from Magic: the Gathering Arena.
Ideas for Standard 2022 Decks: Simic Midrange by Crokeyz
Anyone looking to play mostly instants, sorceries, and use those to add counters to creatures, this midrange deck will satisfy. This deck calls on the Magic: the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons crossover cards Demilich and Wild Shape to make things even more interesting.
- 4 Dragonsguard Elite
- 3 Quandrix Apprentice
- 4 Sea Gate Stormcaller
- 4 Demilich
- 3 Orvar, the All-Form
- 2 Blizzard Brawl
- 4 Charge Through
- 4 Chilling Trap
- 3 Wild Shape
- 4 Decisive Denial
- 1 Quandrix Command
- 4 Faceless Haven
- 4 Rimewood Falls
- 6 Snow-Covered Forest
- 6 Snow-Covered Island
- 4 Vineglimmer Snarl
Magic: the Gathering Arena is available on PC, Mac, and Mobile.