All right, this week we get to return to Standard! With Emrakul, the Promised End and Smuggler's Copter being banned, my top pick is G/W Tokens. This deck gets to play a threat dense beat down plan with old hay-makers like Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and new hay-makers like Rishkar, Peema Renegade. What makes this deck a cut above the rest is it is not one dimensional. There is a lot of value and card advantage embedded in the threat base so you can play a long controlling game if you are against another aggressive strategy. Walking Ballista and Archangel Avacyn are great at killing small creatures and make combat a nightmare for your opponent. Quarantine Field allows you to interact in unique ways and with Rishkar, Peema Renegade you can sometimes find yourself with a boatload of mana. This deck has a ton of flexibility and you can really adapt it to beat any deck.

Deck Tech

AER G/W Tokens ? Aether Revolt Standard | Andrew Boswell

• Creatures (18)
• 2 Lambholt Pacifist
• 2 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
• 3 Archangel Avacyn
• 3 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
• 4 Sylvan Advocate
• 4 Walking Ballista

• Planeswalkers (9)
• 1 Ajani Unyielding
• 4 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
• 4 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar

• Instants (1)
• 1 Blossoming Defense

• Enchantments (6)
• 2 Quarantine Field
• 4 Oath of Nissa

• Artifacts (1)
• 1 Heart of Kiran

• Lands (25)
• 7 Plains
• 9 Forest
• 1 Westvale Abbey
• 4 Canopy Vista
• 4 Fortified Village

• Sideboard (15)
• 3 Take Down
• 3 Natural State
• 3 Stasis Snare
• 2 Fumigate
• 1 Descend Upon the Sinful
• 1 Nissa, Vital Force
• 1 Ajani Unyielding
• 1 Linvala, the Preserver

Buy This Deck

Match 1: U/B Control

Match 2: G/W Tokens

Match 3: B/G Counters

Match 4: 4-Color Walkers

Match 5: 4-Color Saheeli

This deck is so good. We get to do all the things. We get to be aggressive, defensive, have card advantage, tricks and have consistency. I am excited to see what the Pro Tour brings us, but I can't imagine a world where something like this isn't kicking serious butt. If you are interested in playing this deck at upcoming events, there are a few ways you can customize it. If you are expecting a lot of Saheeli Combo, you can consider playing more Stasis Snares in the main. If you expect a lot of the mirror and control decks, you can consider the 4th Avacyn in the main. If you expect a lot of aggro decks like B/G Counters, you can consider playing a Fumigate in the main and more in the sideboard. Angelic Purge is another card I have liked having access to. If you are looking to cut something, I would suggest trimming the Natural States and Take Downs. Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will do great.

Until next week, GLHF friends. May you smite thy enemies with a Golden Axe!

— Andrew Boswell