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Likely decklists and staples of the new Pioneer format

10/23/19, updated 01/27/21, 0 comments

We have some ideas of decks and cards that are likely to be played

The Pioneer format has just been announced to the world of Magic and lots of people are already putting their minds into creating decks to break the format. And even though we don't have a crystal ball to guess about it, we already have a clue of which cards are likely to be played. And some decks that, as they have been strong in the past, should remain strong in this new terrain.

STAPLES

Before talking about the cards that are likely to be played in this format, I would like to talk about a strange movement that occurred.

A bunch of (presumable) Pioneer staples rose in price dramatically, about 9 days before the format was announced.

Which is, I'm sure, a completely normal and coincidental thing to have had happen. pic.twitter.com/bP0gAvdBeB
— April King (@CubeApril) October 21, 2019

Apparently, the likely staple cards of this new format already spiked in price 9 days before the announcement. We don't know if information was leak, but it is important to note that we will not talk about cards that are necessarily cheap, as stores have already raised the prices of most.

STAPLES - LANDS

In a format without Fetchs, shocks + checklands + fastlands will be kings, guarantee them all now. Also make room for some special lands:

Mutavault and Unclaimed Territory will be staples on every tribal deck. Mana Confluence will appear on combo decks of 4 or more colors. We should also see Field of the Dead played on some decks, while we see control decks with Field of Ruin.

STAPLES - ARTIFACTS

Smuggler's Copter and Aetherworks Marvel were oppressors in Standard, so much so that they were banned. Mox Ambar is a strong artifact that we have to closely watch.

STAPLES - BLUE

The blue color is probably the color that Wizards of the Coast will see the most within these next few months. It has 3 key pieces that should come in many decks:

We should also see Opt and Censor played on some decks.

STAPLES - GREEN

Frontier was the predecessor format to this one, and it was reigned by Collected Company. Deathrite Shaman will be really good in a format that have delve + rally decks.

STAPLES - WHITE

Without Path to Exile, I see the white color on this new format more as a support color. The color is still strong and brings cards like the Teferis (Hero of Dominaria and Time Raveler), but should always be accompanied with other colors as well. Some white cards stand out, such as Rally the Ancestors or Blessed Alliance.

STAPLES - BLACK

The efficiency of the black color can make it one of the strongest colors in this new format. Deathrite Shaman, Thoughtseize, Fatal Push, and Stitcher's Supplier are extremely strong cards that are played in other formats.

STAPLES - RED

Red comes with cards like Ramunap Ruins which allows that last damage point in burn decks, Burning-Tree Emissary that is played in almost all formats for being a "free" 2/2 creature who still helps with your mana and Goblin Rabblemaster, a very valuable creature. Red is currently extremely fast and we will have to see how the meta will adapt to it.