Breaking Formats: A Beginner’s Guide to Standard Singleton

Point Removal

1 CC (9) Path to Exile Deathmark Wretched Banquet Executioners Capsule Burst Lightning Lightning Bolt Harms Way Disfigure Magma Spray 2 CC (7) Terminate Doomblade Punishing Fire Journey to Nowhere Crystallization Pacifism Celestial Purge 3 CC (7) Resounding Thunder Intimidation Bolt Branching Bolt Naya Charm Oblivion Ring Pitfall Trap Maelstrom Pulse 4 CC (1) Resounding Silence 5 CC (1) Bituminous Blast 6+ CC (4) Fiery Fall Vengeful Rebirth Banefire Fireball

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Here we have the first category with some serious options. Red, Black, and White are the clear winners here, as one would expect in the point removal category. There are viable options up and down the casting cost curve with the better ones all at the low end. From this we can tell that the primary way creatures are going to die in this format is either in combat or via point removal. The quality and playability are both very high. This is one reason that threats such as Broodmate Dragon and Bloodbraid Elf are so good in the format. They are nearly always going to generate a 2 for 1 unless your opponent can answer back with their own 2 for 1.

Artifacts and Enchantments

1 CC (1) Trusty Machete 2 CC (3) Luminarch Ascension Mask of Riddles Honor of the Pure 3 CC (1) Behemoth Sledge 4 CC (1) Manabarbs 5 CC (1) Maelstrom Nexus 6+ CC (4) Necromancers Covenant Obelisk of Alara Eternity Vessel Sigil of Distinction

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This may certainly not be a comprehensive list of all artifacts and enchantments that may be played, but rather the ones most likely to be played. Also of note: the four removal spells in the form of enchantments listed above (Oblivion Ring, Journey to Nowhere, Pacifism, and Crystallization), which can be answered with artifact and enchantment removal. This particular list is not very long, which means that artifact and enchantment removal is something that is likely not needed in main decks unless it has a dual function like Maelstrom Pulse or everyone’s favorite two drop Qasali Pridemage. Even creatures like Acidic Slime and Mold Shambler can functionally answer the occasional artifact/enchantment problem. One could even rationalize foregoing sideboard answers altogether. But there are factors to take into consideration. Many of Esper’s creatures are artifacts, all of which can be answered with creature removal.

Land Destruction

1 CC (2) None 2 CC (2) None 3 CC (2) None 4 CC (3) Demolish Goblin Ruinblaster Ajani Vengeant 5 CC (3) Acidic Slime Desecrated Earth Volcanic Submersion 6+ CC (2) Violent Ultimatum Realm Razar

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While this list would indicate that a dedicated Land Destruction strategy is not that entirely viable, there are a few standouts. Acidic Slime and Goblin Ruinblaster are the usual suspects. An honorable Mention goes to Ajani Vengeant which seems to be a nightmare for Control decks if they don’t’ have an immediate answer. Albeit slow, much like Slime, Mold Shambler can knock the greedier decks of their mana.

Planeswalkers

There is no need to list these as every planeswalker available in the format are playable with the exceptions of Chandra Ablaze and Nissa Revane. Of the commonly played removal available the only ones that can deal with these guys are burn cards, Oblivion Ring, and Maelstrom Pulse. Creature combat is the other way to deal with ‘walkers, which can be difficult if you are facing down a high loyalty one such as Elspeth, Knight-Errant that generates roadblocks. Pithing Needle is an answer every deck can pack out of the side. And yet again, Mold Shambler is a slow but direct solution for ‘walkers.

Needless to say, these look to be some of the most resilient threats in the format, especially if you are able to clear the other side of creatures or have some blockers out to prevent your opponent from attacking into them. These guys are also great sources of card advantage or virtual card advantage, especially in a format low on direct card draw.