Is Esper control back? That's what I asked myself after seeing our very own Evan Erwin doing well with an Esper list. I believe the list originally came from a MTGO decklist dump. Unlike traditional Esper Control where you play countermagic and disrupt your opponents by holding up mana, this list is more proactive. It contentiously taps out, playing big answer/threat after big answer/threat.

This is the list.

Time Stamps:

Match 1 - 02:03

Match 2 - 05:40

Match 3 - 23:50

Match 4 - 36:08

Esper Tap Out | THB Standard | Ali Aintrazi

• Creatures (3)
• 1 Archon of Sun's Grace
• 2 Dream Trawler

• Planeswalkers (7)
• 1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General
• 2 Narset, Parter of Veils
• 4 Teferi, Time Raveler

• Instants (1)
• 1 Thirst for Meaning

• Sorceries (9)
• 2 Agonizing Remorse
• 3 Kaya's Wrath
• 4 Thought Erasure

• Enchantments (11)
• 1 Banishing Light
• 3 Elspeth Conquers Death
• 3 Oath of Kaya
• 4 Omen of the Sea

• Artifacts (3)
• 3 Glass Casket

• Lands (26)
• 1 Plains
• 2 Swamp
• 3 Temple of Enlightenment
• 4 Godless Shrine
• 4 Hallowed Fountain
• 4 Temple of Deceit
• 4 Temple of Silence
• 4 Watery Grave

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Archon of Sun's Grace
• 3 Cry of the Carnarium
• 2 Devout Decree
• 2 Sorcerous Spyglass
• 2 Agonizing Remorse
• 2 Davriel, Rogue Shadowmage
• 3 Noxious Grasp

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There's nothing crazy about the deck, it's pretty straightforward. You'll just have to leverage your threats and answers accordingly. When the deck curves out it can be pretty powerful, but I just don't think it's better than Sultai, Bant, or Jeskai (fires) midrange. You miss out too much by not playing Green (Krasis, Nissa) and you don't get a bunch of free spells and burst damage without Red (for Fires of Invention). Still, the deck has potential; and, if you enjoy Esper decks, this is one of the better ones that I've played!

Enjoy, until next time!

Ali Aintrazi

Follow me @AliEldrazi

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