Top MTG Standard Decks | Post October Ban Edition

Magic: The Gathering’s Standard format has gone through a major shake‑up following the October 2025 ban update. With Vivi Ornitier and Screaming Nemesis removed from the format, the metagame has shifted dramatically. Players are asking: What are the Top MTG Standard Decks now? Let’s break down the new Tier 1 contenders and why they’re gaining traction.

Dimir Midrange: The New Top Dog

Dimir Midrange has quickly established itself as the deck to beat in Standard. With Screaming Nemesis banned, the hyper‑aggressive Mono‑Red lists that once kept Dimir in check have lost their bite. That shift gave Dimir the breathing room it needed to lean into its natural strengths: efficient removal, hand disruption, and card advantage engines that grind opponents down over time.

The deck thrives in longer games, trading resources one‑for‑one until it pulls ahead with resilient threats and incremental value. In a meta that slowed down after the bans, Dimir Midrange feels perfectly positioned to punish decks that stumble and outlast those that try to go toe‑to‑toe in the late game.

Simic Aggro: Filling the Aggro Void

Aggressive strategies didn’t disappear with the bans; they simply changed colors. Simic Aggro has stepped into the spotlight as one of the format’s premier fast decks, capitalizing on the vacuum left by Mono‑Red. Its game plan is straightforward but powerful: deploy efficient creatures early, grow them quickly with green’s ramp and combat tricks, and protect them with blue’s counterspells.

The result is a deck that can apply relentless pressure while still having the tools to fend off removal or sweepers. In a meta where Dimir Midrange and control decks are trying to slow things down, Simic Aggro punishes hesitation. It forces opponents to answer threats immediately, and if they can’t, the game ends in a hurry.

Sultai Reanimator: Back From the Grave

Reanimator strategies were once considered oppressive thanks to Vivi Ornitier, which enabled broken recursion loops. With Vivi gone, the archetype has returned in a healthier form, and Sultai Reanimator is leading the charge. The deck still does what reanimator decks do best, cheat massive creatures into play far earlier than they should arrive, but now it feels more balanced and interactive.

Green can provide ramp to accelerate into setup, black offers the graveyard recursion tools, and blue adds card selection to smooth out draws. The payoff is enormous threats that can overwhelm opponents once they hit the battlefield. Without Vivi’s dominance, players are more willing to embrace reanimator again, and the deck has proven it can hold its own against both midrange and control strategies.

Other Top MTG Standard Decks

While Dimir, Simic, and Sultai lead the charge, control players haven’t been left behind. Azorius Control and Jeskai Control remain strong Tier 1 options, leveraging sweepers and counterspells to keep aggressive decks in check.

What the October Ban Means for Standard

The October 2025 bans didn’t just weaken dominant decks; they helped reshape the ecosystem.

• Dimir Midrange rose as the control‑leaning predator.

• Simic Aggro filled the aggressive void left by Mono‑Red.

• Sultai Reanimator found new life without oppressive recursion.

  
  

Together, these archetypes form a healthier and more diverse Standard environment.

Standard Marches on

The Top MTG Standard Decks post‑October ban showcase a balanced format where midrange, aggro, and reanimator strategies all thrive. For competitive players, this means more options and fewer oppressive matchups. For Wizards of the Coast, it’s proof that targeted bans can revitalize Standard without stifling creativity.