A lot of people are saying Standard is a two deck format and I think it is pretty clear that B/G Delirium is the better of the two. B/G Delirium operates like a midrange deck in some ways and a ramp deck in other ways. Finding the best way to build it is difficult and quite frankly, unclear. To save us from this dilemma, Brad Nelson plays savior and delivers us a truly great build of this popular archetype. He had it on full display at the Knoxville Open where he tore through the swiss in dominating fashion and crushed the Top 8, taking the trophy for himself. If you were looking for the evolution of Standard to complete, then we have reached it with Emrakul, the Promised End.

Deck Tech

B/G Delirium ? Kaladesh Standard | Brad Nelson, 1st at the Knoxville SCG Open

• Creatures (15)
• 1 Emrakul, the Promised End
• 1 Noxious Gearhulk
• 1 Tireless Tracker
• 2 Pilgrim's Eye
• 3 Ishkanah, Grafwidow
• 3 Mindwrack Demon
• 4 Grim Flayer

• Planeswalkers (4)
• 4 Liliana, the Last Hope

• Instants (9)
• 2 Murder
• 3 Grapple with the Past
• 4 Grasp of Darkness

• Sorceries (6)
• 1 Ruinous Path
• 1 Transgress the Mind
• 4 Traverse the Ulvenwald

• Enchantments (3)
• 3 Vessel of Nascency

• Lands (23)
• 7 Forest
• 7 Swamp
• 1 Evolving Wilds
• 4 Blooming Marsh
• 4 Hissing Quagmire

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Tireless Tracker
• 2 Dead Weight
• 3 Natural State
• 2 To the Slaughter
• 1 Emrakul, the Promised End
• 1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
• 1 Ob Nixilis Reignited
• 2 Pick the Brain
• 2 Transgress the Mind

Buy This Deck

Match 1: Grixis Graveyard

Match 2: Red/White Vehicles

Match 3: R/G Aetherworks

Match 4: The Mirror

Match 5: B/G Aetherworks

This deck really has a lot going for it. It is very good at avoiding missed land drops, which is the easiest way for any deck to lose. It is very good at not dying because of Ishkanah, Grafwidow. It is very good at winning long games because it can grind someone out and, oh yeah, there is Emrakul, the Promised End. In short, it is very good at not dying and winning later. It is actually a lot like Jund in Modern, but in Standard you don't have to worry about anything unfair . . .  unless it is with Aetherworks Marvel. If your opponent is doing anything with that card, you are dead. Super dead. So dodge the Marvel decks and you can l win your tournament too like Brad Nelson and I! Marvel is the one bad matchup and if you expect to face it I would add more Transgress the Minds and some copies of Lost Legacy.

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

— Andrew Boswell