The storm is upon us with the release of Tarkir: Dragonstorm, and with it sweeping changes to the current Standard format. While a lot of the DFT Standard decks are still viable, like Gruul Aggro and Esper Pixie, there are a handful of new decks in the format as well as some key additions to existing strategies. Let's take a look at some of the new decks and cards making waves in TDM Standard.

MADE THE FINALS OF THE STANDARD CHALLENGE WITH ESPER BOUNCE pic.twitter.com/6IUTYZ1s3J

— Lost (@misplacedginger) April 10, 2025

First is MisplacedGinger's Esper Pixie deck he piloted to get 2nd place at the first TDM Standard challenge. While there's only one new card in this deck, Sunpearl Kirin, I wanted to highlight how strong another "pick up" card is for this archetype. I also like that Kirin can pick up your Otter tokens to draw a card, or just use it as another way to reset your Stormchaser's Talents.

This is a perfect example of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" (although we're adding just one new card...). I think Esper Pixie will always just be a dominant deck due to how cheap its cards are, and it's nice to see a new uncommon already doing work in this archetype.

4th in standard challenge with jeskai control @fireshoes
Matches
R1 pixie 2-1
R2 pixies 2-0
R3 golgari (4 annex) 1-2
R4 Rakdos leyline 2-1
R5 pixie 2-1
R6 Mouse 2-1
R7 Grixis prowess 2-0
R8 Dimir midrange (5 lands off stock up) 1-2 pic.twitter.com/4ibKTiRNwy

— KingHairy (@KingHairy_MTGO) April 11, 2025

Next up is Jeskai Control. I've talked a ton already in my last couple of articles about Shiko, Paragon or the Way, and I'm excited to see it perform well so early into the format. I also like that this deck is pretty much just a classic Control deck; it actually has more counter magic than recent Azorius Control decks I've played.

One worry I have playing Jeskai builds is damage-based removal, like Lightning Helix and Ill-Timed Explosion against Screaming Nemesis. So, I appreciate that this list has not only Ride's End and Get Lost, but also a full suite of Split Up as well - did I mention this is a fantastic card to flashback with Shiko?

I also like Rediscover the Way in any Shiko decks, it's a great additional Stock Up effect that you can flash back. Part of me wants to play some Deduces in this list since six three-mana draw spells seems like a lot, but maybe it's just correct given the number of Shiko this deck is playing. All in all, its a treat to see Control putting up results early into the format.

Played Teval all day and landed on this spicy version. It's got answers to everything and plays like a well oiled machine. Super fun deck! @fireshoes pic.twitter.com/Sry7z8NEUH

— AliEldrazi (@AliEldrazi) April 9, 2025

I've been watching Ali play a number of Sultai decks on Arena over the last few days, and I really like the design of this archetype. The point of these Scavenger Regent decks is basically to get into a controlling position of the game where you're thinned your deck so much you just keep casting the Exhale Toxin side of this card to continuously wrath your opponent - while also not decking out!

The only downside to this deck I've seen so far is that it takes a long time to win, if your opponent isn't willing to throw in the towel, so I think I want to play around with some copies of Jace, the Perfected Mind to speed things up. When you're churning through your deck so fast with Rakshasa's Bargain it becomes much easier to find your Jaces fast.

I also really like the inclusion of Ancient Cornucopia, as it gains you three life off Rakshasa's Bargain and Awaken the Honored Dead, which is necessarily to stabilize against Aggro or win the long-game against Midrange. Additionally, because you're a deck with Dragons you can play Caustic Exhale to pick off Heartfire Heroes and Screaming Nemesi without taking damage. I think there's a lot to be explored with these Rakshasa's Bargain/Scavenger Regent decks and I'm excited to see where this archetype goes over the next few weeks.

Just wrapped up a 2-hour playtest with UR Prowess. Went 8-1 facing most of the top meta decks. The deck felt explosive, consistent, and honestly better than I expected going in.

? (1/3) pic.twitter.com/PWpPuLvwZZ

— Thiago Yamaguchi ?? RC BOLOGNA (@TryjapaMTG) April 12, 2025

Lastly, I wanted to showcase how powerful Cori-Steel Cutter is in decks like this. Every other card in this list was Standard legal befor TDM, but Cori-Steel Cutter puts it over the edge here. I really like how Stock Up refuels you after a wrath effect, letting you set up a lethal turn with Slickshot Show-Off and Steelcutter with burn spells.

With the Standard Regional Championship looming on the horizon it'll be interesting to see just how Standard evolves over the course of the next few weeks. While a lot of powerful decks have still stuck around from last season, we're definitely seeing big changes in the metagame with Tarkir: Dragonstorm. While I'm definitely going to test the hell out of Azorius-based Control decks, there's lots to discover over the next month.

Until next time!

-Roman Fusco