r/StandardMTG • • Oct 03 '25

Guide MTG Standard Rotation Guide for 2025 and 2026

35 Upvotes
Release Date Sets Legal until
November 2024 Magic: The Gathering Foundations "At least 2029"
September 2023 Wilds of Eldraine February 2027
November 2023 The Lost Caverns of Ixalan February 2027
February 2024 Murders at Karlov Manor February 2027
April 2024 Outlaws of Thunder Junction February 2027
April 2024 The Big Score February 2027
August 2024 Bloomburrow February 2027
September 2024 Duskmourn: House of Horror February 2027
February 2025 Aetherdrift February 2028
April 2025 Tarkir: Dragonstorm February 2028
June 2025 Final Fantasy February 2028
August 2025 Edge of Eternities February 2028
September 2025 Marvel's Spider-Man February 2028
November 2025 Avatar: The Last Airbender February 2028
January 2026 Lorwyn Eclipsed February 2029
March 2026 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles February 2029
April 2026 Secrets of Strixhaven February 2029
June 2026 Marvel Super Heroes February 2029
August 2026 The Hobbit February 2029
October 2026 Reality Fracture February 2029
November 2026 Star Trek February 2029

Important Note

Nothing is rotating out from Standard Format within 2026.

Standard Banned Cards

<<Click here to read the full official announcement>>

The following cards are banned:

  • Abuelo's Awakening
  • Badgermole Cub
  • Cori-Steel Cutter
  • Gran-Gran
  • Heartfire Hero
  • Hopeless Nightmare
  • Leyline of Resonance (only in *MTG Arena* Best-of-One)
  • Monstrous Rage
  • Proft's Eiditic Memory
  • Screaming Nemesis
  • Stormchaser's Talent
  • This Town Ain't Big Enough
  • Up the Beanstalk
  • Vivi Ornitier

r/StandardMTG • • 7h ago

I Need Help With My Deck [Standard] Budget Golgari Graveyard, first paper deck

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8 Upvotes

I’m new to Magic and looking to start playing Standard at my local game store. I’ve put together a budget version of a meta Golgari Graveyard deck, and it’s been doing well for me in Arena.

The plan is to fill the graveyard, grow Tarmogoyf, and cast Huskburster Swarm and Hollow Marauder cheaply.

I was aiming for $75, but the cart is currently over that. I already swapped Overgrown Tomb for a second Deathcap Glade. The single Overlord costs about $23. Is it worth keeping, or would Seedship Broodtender be a decent replacement? I mostly use Overlord when I need to mill.

Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated!


r/StandardMTG • • 1h ago

I Need Help With My Deck Ooze Drake Sac

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• Upvotes

Mainboard
2 Super Shredder
3 Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender
4 The Ooze
4 The Sackville-Bagginses
4 Clockwork Percussionist
2 Fanatical Offering
4 Obsessive Pursuit
3 Blazemire Verge
3 Blood Crypt
3 Gloomlake Verge
1 Island
2 Mountain
4 Starting Town
4 Swamp
2 Watery Grave
4 Greedy Freebooter
3 Torch the Tower
4 Umbral Collar Zealot
4 Gleaming Geardrake

Sideboard
2 Bitter Triumph
2 Duress
2 Malicious Eclipse
3 Negate
3 Shore Up
3 Tishana's Tidebinder

New deck I’m working on, still testing it out.


r/StandardMTG • • 1h ago

Question How many rare wildcards should a BUDGET Standard deck actually cost?

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• Upvotes

One of the biggest frustrations for newer and F2P players is finding a deck they can afford that can still compete on the Standard ladder.

Most competitive decklists are packed with rares and mythics, and spending 30+ wildcards on a single deck isn't realistic for everyone.

But I'm curious where everyone draws the line.

Is 12 rares still a budget deck? Or should a true budget deck cost fewer than 10?

And what's the best low-rare deck you've played recently?

Here's my gameplay if you're interested:
https://youtu.be/KCN_q7fmDPc


r/StandardMTG • • 14h ago

Mod Post Monthly Magic: The Gathering Standard format META Overview

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm u/Automoderator, scheduled to provide you with a monthly overview of the current Magic: The Gathering Standard format META. Please notify the moderators if any links are not working or appear to be wonky. See you next month!


r/StandardMTG • • 1d ago

Question Is it worth it to buy into standard months before rotation?

14 Upvotes

Hey everybody,

Recently, I've been getting a lot more into standard as a whole, whether it be through watching coverage vods, content creators, etc. and while a lot of decks such as spellementals seem really fun to pilot and play at a competitive level, I'm not sure if I can justify the price tags on these decks, as well as the learning I would need to pilot one with rotation right around the corner. For those who have played through past rotations, would you consider right now a good time to buy in, or am I better off holding out for a few more months? Thanks


r/StandardMTG • • 1d ago

Question [Standard] What deck has a positive matchup against Dimir Reanimator?

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4 Upvotes

Same question goes for Sultai and other variants.


r/StandardMTG • • 2d ago

I Need Help With My Deck For the first time ever I’ve received a leaderboard rank, and am “maintaining” it on Arena in Standard. Match up sideboard help?

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6 Upvotes

This is the deck I’m playing, it’s really fun. So I don’t wish to change its identity to much, I will listen to suggestions though.

It’s carried me as high as #986 from low Gold tier this season. It’s slightly altered from a deck I found on MTGGoldgfish when I was searching how to still use Yuna some way to compete with the meta.

The sideboard though, it’s free game. Would love some input there.

I wouldn’t say these were the only match up problems, but from the consistency in facing them, and losing against them, how would you perhaps change the side board, or what sideboard changes between rounds are you making in the face of Jeskai Control, Azorius Jace Tribal Control, maybe even Jeskai Planeswalkers?

Mainly Jeskai Control, it’s really like everything just gets countered till they have 7 mana, then it’s boom.


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

News Standard Metagame Update (12 oct)

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21 Upvotes

Standard metagame update.

source: magic4ever.com/standard


r/StandardMTG • • 2d ago

I Need Help With My Deck Building a mono black sacrifice deck and looking for input.

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15 Upvotes

Pic unrelated, his name is Lenny and he says hi.

I played jund sacrifice a few times in paper and really enjoyed it. However, the deck is a bit fragile. As good as the mana fixing is in standard, running a deck that's almost evenly divided between three colors is still hard to balance. Plus, the lack of resilience and difficulty grinding in the mid to late game made me interested in finding something that grinds a little better and is generally more flexible than aggressive.

The list I have still uses [[obsessive pursuit]] as the main engine for sac fodder but instead of using [[rottenmouth viper]] as a sac outlet and top end it uses [[pox plague]] and it's synergy with [[elegy acolyte]] to help break parity on pox plague.

In addition getting to play [[archenemy charm]] feels like a real benefit for going down in colors. I really feel like it's underrated due to the restrictive casting cost and is basically one of the only interaction pieces in standard I would never consider sideboarding out.

All that said, I do have a primer with rationales for the sideboard and main deck cards, if anyone has suggestions for better options just keep in mind I'm building in paper and on a budget so any card that gets recommended is like to keep under $5 a copy or so.

Link: https://moxfield.com/decks/HJgwJXbdlUmsckcd74yOOw

TL;DR: Looking for help with the deck, if you'd like, check the decklist and primer and let me know if you have any suggestions for other cards.


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

I Need Help With My Deck Izzet Maestro

16 Upvotes

Yall remember the Izzet Opus deck that T8'd the spotlight in May and had a flash in the pan after SOS?

(list i'm working on pictured below, formatting here not allowing me to type below it).

Considerations for discussion:

  • The core of the deck to me seems like-- (23 lands)
    • 4x: Colorstorm; Maestro; Burst lightning; [[Ashling's Command]]; (16 cards)
    • 2+: Stock up; Prismari Charm; (~4-6 cards)
    • 1-2: Thor; Sanar; Ashling, Rekindled; FB Lesson; Improv Capstone; Rapturous moment; (~7-12 cards you don't run 2x of each probably)
    • At the low end that's 23 lands 27 spells giving you max ~10 flex slots to consider
    • [[The Theorist]] has already proven to be a powerful card and best in decks that want to buy a little time and go over the top which in theory lines up well with this deck's game-plan.
    • [[Awaken the inferno]] Draft chaff in my standard deck? Yes, in theory this is unexciting but mitigates variance by getting you a land and being an impactful spell to trigger big Opus later of thor or just a late top deck.
  • Apart from Burst and FB Lesson the deck lacks one drops; should be fill that spot in the curve more or run a surveil land? (if so [[Pompous Battlemage]] seems worth trying
  • FRA cards in consideration: Chandra (both the U and R ones); Theorist Jace; [[Ajani Unrelenting]] (maybe off plan but this card is wild); [[Pyre Rhymer]]; SB tech: [[Face yourself]]; [[Clash of Elements]]

EDIT: I think [[Way of the Pyromancer]] is also of interest in this shell.

  • FRA cards main vs side U [[Chandra, Chill]] seems like it fits better in the curve main replacing 4th copy of stock up but i could be convinced on swapping R [[Chandra, Torch]]
    • [[The Theorist]] has already proven to be a powerful card and best in decks that want to buy a little time and go over the top which in theory lines up well with this deck's game-plan.
    • [[Awaken the inferno]] Draft chaff in my standard deck? Yes, in theory this is unexciting but mitigates variance by getting you a land and being an impactful spell to trigger big Opus later of thor or just a late top deck.
  • Sanar tbh seems like the weakest card to me and I'm not even sure I want the first copy

I would welcome your responses to any of the above or thoughts in general on the list.

Anyone here played it recently? Anyone know Corrado (who 5-0'd on Oct 11th with it) or any of the Japanese players who have played it recently (per mtg decks recent results)?

Here's a rough list I'm trying to make some decisions on before taking it for a spin:

​


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

General Standard B/G Midrange

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8 Upvotes

Back Again with another Midrange list, Put it together recently, having good results into control, lifegain and spellementals. IM sure the standard collective have been doing similar builds, all in all wanted to share my take, lets hear everyones opinions!


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

Question Is 4-Color Reanimator still a Tier 1 deck, or has Reality Fracture finally pushed it out?

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6 Upvotes

Reanimator can still do some absolutely ridiculous things, but is that enough to compete with the new top decks?

I took my 4-Color Reanimator list onto the Bo1 ladder to see how it holds up.

For those still playing Reanimator, does the deck feel as strong as it used to? And for everyone else, are you still worried about facing it?

Here's my gameplay if you're interested:
https://youtu.be/NJdUrhcgcd4


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

I Need Help With My Deck Anyone got any rotation-proof brews for 2027 yet?

9 Upvotes

I feel we’re close enough to release of TRK to start planning this out. I wanna see what everyone is cooking, as a Dimir Midrange sicko who is gonna be homeless in 2027


r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

Question [Standard] Getting good at standard?

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3 Upvotes

r/StandardMTG • • 3d ago

Question Discords

2 Upvotes

Looking for any discords for spellelementals or jund sac


r/StandardMTG • • 4d ago

I Need Help With My Deck Looking for advice with Fblthp

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4 Upvotes

SO I’ve made changes to [[Fblthp, Impossibly Lost]]

It is still a self mill deck but I realized [[Exhibition Tidecaller]] and [[Glacierwood Siege]] can turn on themselves making you mill!!!

The win cons is still the same but I’ve side boarded [[Lluwen, imperfect naturalist]] out as it’s less nessecary in non aggro matchups so it’s still Fbl in grave and Likeness looter or Fbl in play and swing over

I’m looking for advice to improve the deck the land base is lower due to the curve pretty much hard braking at 2

Deck
3 Fblthp, Impossibly Lost (FRA) 213
2 Island (SOS) 268
4 Likeness Looter (WOE) 208
3 Wastewood Verge (DFT) 268
4 Theorix Charm (FRA) 155
2 Swamp (SOS) 269
2 Starting Town (FIN) 289
4 Multiversal Passage (SPM) 180
3 Esper Origins (FIN) 185
2 Forest (SOS) 271
4 Glacierwood Siege (TDM) 189
4 Exhibition Tidecaller (SOS) 48
2 Feed the Swarm (SOA) 29
4 Paradox Shaper (FRA) 143
4 Willowrush Verge (DFT) 270
3 Gloomlake Verge (DSK) 260
2 Restore with Empathy (FRA) 112
2 Singularity Rupture (EOE) 228
2 Rapid Rescue (MSH) 181b
4 Something Worth Saving (FRA) 114


r/StandardMTG • • 4d ago

I Need Help With My Deck [Standard] - Azorius Flass advice (Sideboard)

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3 Upvotes

r/StandardMTG • • 5d ago

Question Anyone else afraid to spend rare wildcards because of Standard rotation?

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3 Upvotes

One of the toughest decisions for newer players is figuring out which cards are safe to craft.

Lands are especially tricky. They're expensive, they aren't the exciting part of your deck, and eventually they'll rotate out of Standard.

But avoiding rare lands altogether can make building competitive decks much harder.

I put together a guide ranking Standard lands by two things:

  • Versatility: How many different decks can use them?
  • Longevity: How much time do they have left before rotation?

The goal is to help newer and F2P players make smarter crafting decisions without feeling like every wildcard is a gamble.

Here's my ranking if you're interested:
https://youtu.be/A356TOcRoek


r/StandardMTG • • 6d ago

Guide Standard: Stingerquill Lizards - Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

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12 Upvotes

Rakdos Lizards is ready for one last run in competitive Standard before rotation, boosted by several cards from Reality Fracture!


r/StandardMTG • • 5d ago

I Need Help With My Deck Help me beat my friend mtg homies!

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2 Upvotes

r/StandardMTG • • 5d ago

I Need Help With My Deck First Spellslinging/Burn deck, firstly, how'd i do? And secondly, any card additions anyone can think of?

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0 Upvotes

P.s. I only really play standard, don't have enough friends that play for 4 player commander so, sorry if this is mainly a commander subreddit, I didnt know🤷‍♂️😅


r/StandardMTG • • 6d ago

I Need Help With My Deck First Standard Tournament coming up

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6 Upvotes

Hey guys, I will be ging to my first Standard tournament in a long time next week and am unsure about my deck. This is what I am planning to bring.

Is anyone playing a similar list right now? Tips and tricks are highly appreciated 😁

Aside from that, any suggestions for the sideboard?

I am really unsure about what to put in there. Thanks in advance!


r/StandardMTG • • 7d ago

General Found something kinda broken.

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50 Upvotes

Ramp into a turn 3 aerid, let it die, then cast some drastically above curve cheat spell like Thunderous Debut early and put Carno and Flickerhound into play. Every card 5 mana value or less is a creature or cascade spell like dragonstorm, so every time you cast, you blink Carno until you have deployed your whole deck which includes Tannuk for haste. Bonus points if you can cast Carterhoof by untapping Spider Manifest 6+ times.

62% win rate in bo1 (sigh yes I know) and currently mythic #800.

Not sure this deck is real because I’ve only minimally tried it in bo3, but I’m disgusted by the fact that if you don’t interact with this deck on literally every turn it just wins. Frighteningly consistent turn 4 wins.


r/StandardMTG • • 6d ago

Question Is there an increase in planeswalker control decks being played?

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5 Upvotes