MTG Challenger Deck Lists Reveal Incredible Value

Looking for an entry point into Magic's Standard format? Challenger Decks might be the perfect doorway.

Wizards of the Coast today announced the Challenger Deck lists, and they look awesome. There are four decks in all, each one a stock list of an existing Standard archetype with a starting MSRP of $29.99. This product will likely remind veteran players of the discontinued Event Deck series.

The first deck, Hazoret Aggro, is essentially Ramunap Red minus the banned components. In addition to playsets of key cards, the deck contains singleton copies of Glorybringer, Chandra, Torch of Defiance, and its namesake, Hazoret the Fervent.

Next is Vehicle Rush, a stripped-down version of current Standard stalwart Mardu Vehicles. Notable cards here include full playsets of Toolcraft Exemplar, Scrapheap Scrounger, and Heart of Kiran. 

The third deck is called Second Sun Control, and it's analogous to the Blue-White Approach decks that we've seen scattered throughout Standard. Standouts here include three Approach of the Second Sun, four Regal Caracal, and a pair of Field of Ruin (that last one should appeal to Modern Blue-White Control players, too).

Lastly, we've got another enduring archetype: Black-Green Constrictor. The Challenger Deck version is named Counter Surge and it contains four Winding Constrictor, four Glint-Sleeve Siphoner, and three Verdurous Gearhulk.

As you can see, these decks offer incredible value. Just take Hazoret Aggro as an example. Chandra, Torch of Defiance is currently worth $30 by itself. Add in all the other cards in the deck and you're getting a ton for your purchase. In fact, if the prices hold at their starting MSRP, this might be one of the best buys Wizards has ever produced.

Of course, that's a big "if." Since each deck contains such valuable cards, that price tag seems likely to soar. 

In any case, expect to see many more copies of these decks at your future FNMs. Or pick one up for yourself when they release on April 6th!

Kyle Massa is a writer and avid Magic player living in upstate New York with his fiancée and their two cats. When he's not writing, you'll find him down at the East Greenbush Flipside store jamming booster drafts. For more of Kyle's work, visit www.kyleamassa.com or follow him on Twitter @mindofkyleam.