Nice! The great thing about this deck is you really can play any top-end finishers you like. I ran into a deck on the Arena ladder recently using Xanathar and it was pretty sweet. :)
@@AffinityforMTG did you see the tolarian community college video about the precons? He mentioned the gruul was usually run as temur, but I've never seen it
@@guilhermemelo3760 Yeah, I already have that guide recorded and I mention that deck. It only splashes blue for a couple counterspells, but I'll be keeping the deck gruul because the manabase will be too expensive.
Weird to see these standard decks and their prices in paper. being able to play all decks for free on Arena changes the dynamic so much. Cool upgrade! I like pairing hunt for specimens with the magecraft cards but its a bit slow in some matchups.
Yeah, there is a tier 1 Esper Control deck that has risen to the top of the meta over the past couple weeks. It adds white for Wandering Emperor, Doomskar, March of Otherworldly Light, and Vanishing Verse. :)
The overall value of the cards was much higher this time around, and most of them were very close to actual tier 1 decks, with the exception of this Dimir Control list. Overall I think they're much better this year, although it's a little awkward that the Mono White deck has a banned card in it. 🤣
Can you maybe recreate this video now that the decks are releasing soon? I'm thinking of buying the Dimir one, but feel like the meta in Pioneer already shifted a bit.
Yeah, I'll be upgrading the Pioneer versions when they release next month. I already have gameplay videos up on the channel if you're interested in seeing how they play. If you mean upgrading this standard deck into a pioneer deck, I've been meaning to do that since Pioneer became a format but still haven't committed to it. :P
@@AffinityforMTG Yes sorry, I was unclear and I meant the pioneer decks. I have to admit that I was not aware of the fact that this is a video about the Standard Challenger Dimir Control deck, so I was a bit confused :D I would love to start with Pioneer, because Modern keeps rotating with the Horizons sets and I would like to play an eternal format that is cheaper. I am a bit afraid that the Dimir Control deck is simply too weak to win with in a LGS, even if upgraded from the Challenger deck.
Good video. I don't think the catgeist is a particularly good card. If it cost 1, I still don't think it would be meta. I think its there for control matchups where they don't have creatures. It baits out spot removal kill spell, then enchants the Graveyard trust passer. Maybe its an early blocker? I couldn't figure out what to do with Confounding Conundrum in last years control challenger deck either.
Yeah, it's weird, it's good against decks without removal because it draws cards...but you want to draw cards the most in control matchups, which are full of removal. Feels awkward to me. Confounding Conundrum was a sideboard card for the Omnath deck, but Omnath got banned before the deck was released so it became pointless. 😂
@@AffinityforMTG I just got back into MTG after 20 years and really enjoy the game both in paper and arena once again also thanks to yours videos :) Keep it up! :)
In control matchups your spot removal and board sweepers become weaker, as they don't have many creatures to target. For example, if 2 of these challenger decks played against each other, most of the black cards would be stuck in both players' hands. So typically in game 2 against control you side out weak spot removal and bring in extra threats. Bloodvial Purveyor is a little sketchy since it can feed the opponent blood tokens, but it's a must-answer threat for the opponent since it ends the game by itself in a few turns. This is why you see a lot of control decks play big creatures or planeswalkers in the sideboard. And if you don't like the vampire, you can replace it with basically any big creature or planeswalker.
Another banger! Thanks guys!
I got this one, it looks fun. Hoping to see how it runs out of the box and adjust from there. I hope it comes before Friday!
Nice! I played it on the channel a couple months ago and it held up pretty well without any changes, actually! :)
@@AffinityforMTG yeah, I saw that vid too. I really like your channel for these types of 60 cardreviews and upgrades. Keep it up!
Thanks for the upgrade ideas! Very excited to see how it turns out!
I bought this one, been having fun with it, I added another hullbreaker and onyx in place of the desert doom
Nice! The great thing about this deck is you really can play any top-end finishers you like. I ran into a deck on the Arena ladder recently using Xanathar and it was pretty sweet. :)
@@AffinityforMTG did you see the tolarian community college video about the precons? He mentioned the gruul was usually run as temur, but I've never seen it
@@guilhermemelo3760 Yeah, I already have that guide recorded and I mention that deck. It only splashes blue for a couple counterspells, but I'll be keeping the deck gruul because the manabase will be too expensive.
@@AffinityforMTG I am playing that gruul deck now in the event , 6 straight losses, deff not buying that one 🤣
Nice, not sure where I'll take this one but this build is a good starting point.
Great guides! Looking forward the Gruul Stompy one.
Weird to see these standard decks and their prices in paper.
being able to play all decks for free on Arena changes the dynamic so much.
Cool upgrade! I like pairing hunt for specimens with the magecraft cards but its a bit slow in some matchups.
Yeah, Magic Arena can be expensive, but it's also nice to be able to play with cards like Meathook Massacre without having to pay $200 for a playset.
Grabbed this one and absolutely love it. Loved the video btw! Gonna be playing a pod of 4 all using just challenger decks.
Yeah, I see a lot of people buying these just to play them against each other. Sounds fun! :)
I was thinking of adding white for Doomskar and a single copy of The Wandering Emperor
Yeah, there is a tier 1 Esper Control deck that has risen to the top of the meta over the past couple weeks. It adds white for Wandering Emperor, Doomskar, March of Otherworldly Light, and Vanishing Verse. :)
I will try with 2x Mordekainen and +1 Hullbreaker Horor in place of some of the removal.
Just bought this. I just started playing MTG Arena and looking to play IRL both standard and commander. Also bought Buckle up precon
Nice! These are definitely a great way to get into paper fast. :)
A new set of Challenger decks for 2022. How do these compare to last year's challenger decks in your opinion? Also of the 4 which is your favorite?
The overall value of the cards was much higher this time around, and most of them were very close to actual tier 1 decks, with the exception of this Dimir Control list. Overall I think they're much better this year, although it's a little awkward that the Mono White deck has a banned card in it. 🤣
the 4x marsh dual lands alone are the price of the whole product.
Yeah, this deck has a lot of value out of the box! :)
Hi, could you make a Pioneer upgrade for this one? Would be great😁
Can you maybe recreate this video now that the decks are releasing soon? I'm thinking of buying the Dimir one, but feel like the meta in Pioneer already shifted a bit.
Yeah, I'll be upgrading the Pioneer versions when they release next month. I already have gameplay videos up on the channel if you're interested in seeing how they play.
If you mean upgrading this standard deck into a pioneer deck, I've been meaning to do that since Pioneer became a format but still haven't committed to it. :P
@@AffinityforMTG Yes sorry, I was unclear and I meant the pioneer decks. I have to admit that I was not aware of the fact that this is a video about the Standard Challenger Dimir Control deck, so I was a bit confused :D
I would love to start with Pioneer, because Modern keeps rotating with the Horizons sets and I would like to play an eternal format that is cheaper. I am a bit afraid that the Dimir Control deck is simply too weak to win with in a LGS, even if upgraded from the Challenger deck.
Good video.
I don't think the catgeist is a particularly good card. If it cost 1, I still don't think it would be meta. I think its there for control matchups where they don't have creatures. It baits out spot removal kill spell, then enchants the Graveyard trust passer. Maybe its an early blocker?
I couldn't figure out what to do with Confounding Conundrum in last years control challenger deck either.
Yeah, it's weird, it's good against decks without removal because it draws cards...but you want to draw cards the most in control matchups, which are full of removal. Feels awkward to me.
Confounding Conundrum was a sideboard card for the Omnath deck, but Omnath got banned before the deck was released so it became pointless. 😂
@@AffinityforMTG Thanks for clarifying that. I knew it must've hated on something, but I never knew what exactly.
Awesome video. Any more guidelines for modifying it for Lier as the main piece?
Great vid! Can you show how to upgrade this deck into pioneer deck?
Yeah! I get asked all the time to upgrade these into Pioneer decks and I haven't found the time, but I plan to eventually.
@@AffinityforMTG I just got back into MTG after 20 years and really enjoy the game both in paper and arena once again also thanks to yours videos :) Keep it up! :)
What is the purpose for Bloodvial Purveyor in the sideboard? I’m not sure what kind of deck I would bring that in against
In control matchups your spot removal and board sweepers become weaker, as they don't have many creatures to target. For example, if 2 of these challenger decks played against each other, most of the black cards would be stuck in both players' hands.
So typically in game 2 against control you side out weak spot removal and bring in extra threats. Bloodvial Purveyor is a little sketchy since it can feed the opponent blood tokens, but it's a must-answer threat for the opponent since it ends the game by itself in a few turns.
This is why you see a lot of control decks play big creatures or planeswalkers in the sideboard. And if you don't like the vampire, you can replace it with basically any big creature or planeswalker.
Awesome! I’m relatively new to 1v1 magic outside of draft so thanks for the in depth response
Thanks =)
Happy to help! :)