I thought it'd be good to have a discussion of Standard staples from the most recent block (i.e., those cards that are most likely to impact standard decks for the next 20+ months). I didn't find anything by searching for key words, so I'm starting this thread...
If you were building a stable of Standard staples for RTR block, what would you include?
Uncommon and Common
I'm assuming, if we're building a comprehensive stable of staples, that we have 4x of all commons and uncommons. This isn't to say that all these cards are staples, but rather that we can assume any common or uncommon staple is already in our stable.
So... What do you think? Anything I included that I shouldn't have? Anything I should include that I didn't?
If you're really looking for a list of staples, I think there are many on here that won't really see competitive play. For example:
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord? (ripe for abuse)
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind? (ripe for abuse
Master Biomancer? (ripe for abuse)
Prime Speaker Zegana - 2x
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - 2x (legend)
Angelic Skirmisher? (6-drop, but effects the field immediately)
Biomass Mutation? (ripe for abuse)
Consuming Aberration? (ripe for abuse)
Corpsejack Menace? (ripe for abuse)
Deadbridge Goliath - 4x
Fathom Mage? (ripe for abuse)
Firemane Avenger - 4x
Glaring Spotlight - 4x
Hypersonic Dragon? (might be deluding myself, but ripe for abuse)
Illusionist's Bracers? (ripe for abuse)
Immortal Servitude - 4x
Merciless Eviction - 4x
Mind Grind? (ripe for abuse)
Mystic Genesis - 4x
Nightveil Specter? (ripe for abuse)
Nivmagus Elemental? (ripe for abuse)
Ooze Flux? (ripe for abuse)
Pithing Needle - 4x
Rubblehulk? (out of all the bloodrush, this seems most ripe for abuse)
Simic Manipulator? (ripe for abuse)
Soul Ransom? (possible major card advantage)
Spark Trooper - 4x
Stolen Identity? (ripe for abuse)
Now, that isn't to say that some of these won't end up as a combo piece in a deck at some point, but until that deck exists, I definitely wouldn't call them a staple. There are also some that are a fine 2 of in the side board, but they generally aren't the only option and would not go main deck. Then I'm not sure what you mean that all commons and uncommons would be staples, there are definitely some good ones, but also some incredibly unplayable ones.
If you're really looking for a list of staples, I think there are many on here that won't really see competitive play.
Now, that isn't to say that some of these won't end up as a combo piece in a deck at some point, but until that deck exists, I definitely wouldn't call them a staple. There are also some that are a fine 2 of in the side board, but they generally aren't the only option and would not go main deck.
This is the conversation I'm trying to start... Which of these cards are or are not staples and why? Are there any cards I'm suggesting or that you would suggest that will become staples?
For the time being, and to limit my list, I've edited the original post to eliminate cards I can't/don't currently see in a deck (i.e., there may be a Simic counter deck out there, but until it sees play and/or success, Fathom Mage and Simic Manipulator aren't staples). I agree with a lot of your input, and have tried to add arguments to some of the ones I disagree with.
I thought it'd be good to have a discussion of Standard staples from the most recent block (i.e., those cards that are most likely to impact standard decks for the next 20+ months). I didn't find anything by searching for key words, so I'm starting this thread...
If you were building a stable of Standard staples for RTR block, what would you include?
If you were building a stable of Standard staples for RTR block, what would you include?
My current list:
Lands
Shocklands (all 10) - 4x
Mythics
Angel of Serenity - 4x
Armada Wurm - 4x
Aurelia, the Warleader - 2x (only 2 b/c she's a legend)
Aurelia's Fury - 4x
Domri Rade - 4x (plays a role similar to Birthing Pod if he's busted)
Duskmantle Seer - 4x
Gideon, Champion of Justice - 2x (legend rule)
Jace, Architect of Thought - 4x (Jace wars more likely to happen)
Master Biomancer? (ripe for abuse)
Obzedot, Ghost Council - 2x (legend)
Prime Speaker Zegana - 2x
Rakdos' Return - 4x
Sphinx's Revelation - 4x
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - 2x (legend)
Vraska the Unseen - 2x (expensive for a PW, legend)
Rares
Abrupt Decay - 4x
Angelic Skirmisher? (6-drop, but effects the field immediately)
Ash Zealot - 4x
Biomass Mutation? (listed for my personal fascination with this card, and the idea of an elf deck built around it)
Blind Obedience - 4x
Boros Reckoner - 4x
Chromatic Lantern - 4x
Consuming Aberration? (ripe for abuse)
Cyclonic Rift - 4x (2x if Unsummon is in M14)
Deadbridge Goliath? (5/5 for 4 seems extremely efficient)
Deathrite Shaman - 4x
Desecration Demon? (6/6 w/evasion for 4 seems efficient, even w/drawback)
Detention Sphere - 4x
Dreadbore - 4x
Firemane Avenger? (seems powerful if batallion can be maintained)
Frontline Medic - 4x
Glaring Spotlight - 4x (sideboard against hexproof)
High Priest of Penance? (ripe for abuse)
Illusionist's Bracers? (ripe for abuse)
Immortal Servitude - 4x
Legion Loyalist? (initially, I thought this would be amazing in aggro, but it isn't seeing play)
Lotleth Troll - 4x
Loxodon Smiter - 4x
Merciless Eviction - 4x
Mystic Genesis - 4x (Mystic Snake was abused, why not this?)
Nivmagus Elemental? (I remember a pro attempting to abuse this previously)
Rest in Peace - 4x (sideboard)
Slaughter Games - 4x (sideboard)
Spark Trooper - 4x
Supreme Verdict - 4x
Uncommon and Common
I'm assuming, if we're building a comprehensive stable of staples, that we have 4x of all commons and uncommons. This isn't to say that all these cards are staples, but rather that we can assume any common or uncommon staple is already in our stable.
So... What do you think? Anything I included that I shouldn't have? Anything I should include that I didn't?
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord? (ripe for abuse)
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind? (ripe for abuse
Master Biomancer? (ripe for abuse)
Prime Speaker Zegana - 2x
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - 2x (legend)
Angelic Skirmisher? (6-drop, but effects the field immediately)
Biomass Mutation? (ripe for abuse)
Consuming Aberration? (ripe for abuse)
Corpsejack Menace? (ripe for abuse)
Deadbridge Goliath - 4x
Fathom Mage? (ripe for abuse)
Firemane Avenger - 4x
Glaring Spotlight - 4x
Hypersonic Dragon? (might be deluding myself, but ripe for abuse)
Illusionist's Bracers? (ripe for abuse)
Immortal Servitude - 4x
Merciless Eviction - 4x
Mind Grind? (ripe for abuse)
Mystic Genesis - 4x
Nightveil Specter? (ripe for abuse)
Nivmagus Elemental? (ripe for abuse)
Ooze Flux? (ripe for abuse)
Pithing Needle - 4x
Rubblehulk? (out of all the bloodrush, this seems most ripe for abuse)
Simic Manipulator? (ripe for abuse)
Soul Ransom? (possible major card advantage)
Spark Trooper - 4x
Stolen Identity? (ripe for abuse)
Now, that isn't to say that some of these won't end up as a combo piece in a deck at some point, but until that deck exists, I definitely wouldn't call them a staple. There are also some that are a fine 2 of in the side board, but they generally aren't the only option and would not go main deck. Then I'm not sure what you mean that all commons and uncommons would be staples, there are definitely some good ones, but also some incredibly unplayable ones.
Card tags.
No, seriously, card tags would make this thread a lot easier on the eyes and the uninformed.
Because we care about facts.
This is the conversation I'm trying to start... Which of these cards are or are not staples and why? Are there any cards I'm suggesting or that you would suggest that will become staples?
For the time being, and to limit my list, I've edited the original post to eliminate cards I can't/don't currently see in a deck (i.e., there may be a Simic counter deck out there, but until it sees play and/or success, Fathom Mage and Simic Manipulator aren't staples). I agree with a lot of your input, and have tried to add arguments to some of the ones I disagree with.
...and now with card tags!
Here, removed the cards that are not considered staples atm for you. Bolded the eternal format cards as they are worthy investments.
Modern: Jund Legacy: RUG Delver EDH: Captain Sisay