This past weekend there was a Standard Premier event on Magic Online (MTGO). From this event, I have a few decks that show signs of innovation that I'd like to share with you this week. Let's get started.

Simic Merfolk

The first deck I'd like to look at came in 20th place at this event. Is Benthic Biomancer the answer that Merfolk decks were looking for to make them viable contenders? Let's take a look at the deck:

Simic Merfolk | RNA Standard | _LENNY_, 20th Place, MTGO Standard Premier

• Creatures (28)
• 4 Benthic Biomancer
• 4 Deeproot Elite
• 4 Kumena's Speaker
• 4 Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca
• 4 Merfolk Mistbinder
• 4 Merfolk Trickster
• 4 Silvergill Adept

• Instants (2)
• 2 Spell Pierce

• Sorceries (4)
• 4 Incubation // Incongruity

• Enchantments (4)
• 4 Deeproot Waters

• Lands (22)
• 5 Forest
• 5 Island
• 4 Breeding Pool
• 4 Hinterland Harbor
• 4 Unclaimed Territory

• Sideboard (15)
• 2 Crushing Canopy
• 2 Dive Down
• 4 Negate
• 2 Shapers' Sanctuary
• 2 Tempest Caller
• 3 Vineshaper Mystic

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One card to consider adding to this deck would be Combine Guildmage. Since it's a Merfolk Wizard, it's on theme for this deck. It also allows you the ability to move the +1/+1 counter away from Benthic Biomancer after it has adapted, so that the adapt ability can be used again. This could be a good way to build up your forces for those games where your opponent has creatures that are bigger than yours usually are.

Naya Midrange

The next deck I have for you is a good-stuff deck. It plays some of the best cards in the three colors of the deck. Let's take a look at it:

Naya Midrange | RNA Standard | JORGE_JUNG, 23rd Place, MTGO Standard Premier

• Creatures (30)
• 2 Legion Warboss
• 2 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
• 2 Skarrgan Hellkite
• 2 Trostani Discordant
• 3 Knight of Autumn
• 3 Rekindling Phoenix
• 4 Gruul Spellbreaker
• 4 Llanowar Elves
• 4 Merfolk Branchwalker
• 4 Pelt Collector

• Planeswalkers (2)
• 1 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
• 1 Huatli, Warrior Poet

• Sorceries (4)
• 4 Lava Coil

• Enchantments (2)
• 2 Ixalan's Binding

• Lands (22)
• 4 Forest
• 2 Clifftop Retreat
• 2 Sunpetal Grove
• 3 Sacred Foundry
• 3 Temple Garden
• 4 Rootbound Crag
• 4 Stomping Ground

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
• 1 Huatli, Warrior Poet
• 1 Vivien Reid
• 2 Lyra Dawnbringer
• 3 Deathgorge Scavenger
• 2 Justice Strike
• 2 Banefire
• 3 Shapers' Sanctuary

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The majority of the creatures in this deck have all proven themselves to be some of the best creatures in Standard. Gruul Spellbreaker and Skarrgan Hellkite are the new kids on the block and still have yet to prove they're among the best (although from my prerelease experiences I have no doubt in their potential). Gruul Spellbreaker makes it really difficult for control decks to wait until your turn to deal with your creatures. While it doesn't provide hexproof to your other creatures, it does make your team immune to Settle the Wreckage since that spell targets you. So, your opponent has to deal with Gruul Spellbreaker on their own time which can limit the amount of mana they have available to use on your turn.

Skarrgan Hellkite has been heralded as the next coming of Glorybringer, but I think that comparison is a little flawed. While Glorybringer was often able to attack with haste and destroy another creature with it's exert ability, Skarrgan Hellkite simply cannot. In fact, the damage that Skarrgan Hellkite can deal out with its activated ability probably can't be used until the turn after Skarrgan Hellkite comes into play due to its mana cost. Plus, the amount of damage it does doesn't compare to Glorybringer. The one advantage it does have though is that it can target an opponent or a planeswalker.

Nexus Gates

The final deck I have for you this week took down the 4th place spot at this Standard Premier event. Let's take a look at the deck:

Nexus Gates | RNA Standard | SKITE, 4th Place, MTGO Standard Premier

• Creatures (4)
• 4 Hydroid Krasis

• Instants (12)
• 4 Expansion // Explosion
• 4 Growth Spiral
• 4 Nexus of Fate

• Sorceries (10)
• 2 Deafening Clarion
• 4 Circuitous Route
• 4 Gates Ablaze

• Enchantments (8)
• 4 Guild Summit
• 4 Wilderness Reclamation

• Lands (26)
• 1 Forest
• 1 Island
• 4 Azorius Guildgate
• 4 Gruul Guildgate
• 4 Izzet Guildgate
• 4 Plaza of Harmony
• 4 Selesnya Guildgate
• 4 Simic Guildgate

• Sideboard (15)
• 4 Archway Angel
• 1 Cindervines
• 2 Disdainful Stroke
• 4 Gatebreaker Ram
• 3 Negate
• 1 Star of Extinction

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I'm looking forward to trying this deck out, although I currently have zero copies of Hydroid Krasis. While I'm not sure the deck will be able to win as consistently, I'm going to try swapping Gate Colossus for Hydroid Krasis. While I'll be missing out on the life gain and card drawing that Hydroid Krasis offers, I'll be getting a recurring threat that won't break my budget.

Wrapping Up

Every time a new set releases, new decks pop up. What do you think of these decks? Do you have any suggestions for improvements? Let me know by leaving a comment below or you can reply to me directly on Twitter (@mikelikesmtg), or email me directly at mikelikesmtg@gmail.com. And be sure to join me here again next week as I continue my search for innovative decks in Standard. I'll see you then!

-- Mike Likes