Standard is such a frustrating format right now. It feels like there is a wide swath of fun, playable decks lurking below the surface of the meta. But the top, is just too strong, consistent, and fast to allow them to struggle to the top.

We've got a couple weeks before the next ban list announcement, and while I'm not usually a fan of banning cards (and I'm sure WOTC hates the idea after the massive banning last time), the format really needs a breath of fresh air. Marvel's Spider-Man is only a few weeks old, but the cards don't really seem to be gaining much traction with the top decks.

10. Jeskai Revelation

The closest thing the format has to an Ultimatum. Jeskai decks (and the Jeskai Black decks that keep popping up) just need to survive long enough to cast this thing and they can usually and the game in short order afterward, turning the tokens into 3/3's or better over a couple of turns. I just love the way this functions as a catch-up card and a win condition. I wasn't a believer in this card until I had it stomp me in the face a few times.

9. Azure Beastbinder

Probaly the most annoying creature in the format. It's not threatening (unless it gets a few counters from Ouroboroid) in-and-of-itself, but it makes blocking a chore and gives Blue aggressive decks (both Dimir and Simic) a functional removal spell for some of the more complicated cards to interact with (such as Screaming Nemesis). One of those unsung heroes of the format, so I wanted to give it some spotlight.

8. Quantum Riddler

This card has slowly grown to be a multi-format all-star, seeing extensive play in a variety of Standard decks as well as Modern, and it would probably see more Pioneer play if WOTC ever remembered that Pioneer was a format. It's not hard to get a ton of value from this, as many decks can run themselves out of cards prior to dropping it on turn five. Then, it becomes a must answer threat as it will drown your opponent in card advantage if left unchecked.

7. Enduring Curiosity

Yes, it's still here (with that triggered ability, of course it's hard to get rid of), and yes, it's still very, very good. I wouldn't mind seeing this card take a hike out of the format too.

6. Soulstone Sanctuary

Probably the most ubiquitous non-basic land in Standard. I held out for a long time on the Fountainport train, but Soulstone Sanctuary is just seeing more play across the board. It fits into any Kindred deck (which will only grow in importance with Lorwyn Eclipsed on the horizon) it a great way to fight the control decks, and is just a decent-sized body on a land for a minimal investment.

5. Superior Spider-Man

I guess this really is the Superior card from Marvel's Spider-Man! The way this triggers the "cast" trigger on Bringer of the Last Gift really adds a fun, Living End-esque interaction for the format, but it's also great just copying an Ardyn, the Usurper. As a creature, it interacts favorably with the best mill cards in the format in a way that Zombify doesn't, as cards like Overlord of the Balemurk can both fill your graveyard and find your reanimation spell. And, this is before Formidable Speaker arrives and makes this a very easy turn four combo (though, Lively Dirge does a similar job now for five mana).

4. Kona, Rescue Beastie

Kona's ability is so easy to trigger now that we have the station lands, that I anticipate it'll be a Standard staple until it rotates. The interaction with Lost in the Maze was a great catch, and Omniscience was always the end game because... well, if there's a way to cheat in Omniscience, you should probably always choose that route (it's the main reason I wouldn't mind seeing Omniscience banned, it's always the end game for this type of effect). But, I've there are decks combining this with Yuna, Hope of Spira for a sort of double-header, super cheaty deck. Either way you choose, this is a great, "change of speed" deck for the format, and Kona continues to be a foundational part of the meta.

3. Ouroboroid

I wasn't sold on this card initially, even though I listed it in the top 3 of my last article as well. But, it continues to show up, as the foundation of the Simic Aggro deck, but also in various Golgari decks. And yet, I think the card is still underexplored. Give it time, we'll get to Gruul Ouroboroid and Selesnya Ouroboroid before this rotates.

2. Screaming Nemesis

The core of any Red deck in Standard. This doubles as the best aggressive creature in the deck AND the best defensive creature. In fact, it may be the best defensive creature in the format. It makes turning the corner against the Red deck very difficult (or almost impossible if you're running a big creatures deck).

1. Vivi Ornitier, Proft's Eidetic Memory, and Agatha's Soul Cauldron

Okay, I'm going to cheat and put more than one card here. Mainly, because I don't think all of these cards will still be legal when I write my Top Ten Cards for Avatar Standard article in a couple months.

Now, arguments aside about how WOTC should have banned this weeks ago to save not one, but two RCQ seasons, I think it's pretty much a given that the Izzet deck is going to take a hit.

I think the choice for bannings here has to come down to either Vivi by itself, or Proft's AND Cauldron. Vivi + either Proft's or Cauldron is still too strong for the format, and risks the.

And, to me, the choice is probably Vivi. Banning Proft's and/or Cauldron hits a wider swath of decks (a deck like Roots, always lurking at the edge of the format) whereas banning Vivi only weakens the Izzet deck down to a manageable level.

You can find more of my Magic musings on Twitter/X @travishall456 and on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/anakinsdad.bsky.social