Magic: The Gathering Azorius Control Deck
The Azorius Control deck is considered the best control variant for Pioneer. It utilizes a diverse range of control cards to counter spells and remove threats, making it a formidable opponent. With an abundance of removal and powerful late-game cards, Azorius Control excels in grindy matches, where it can snowball if left unchecked.
Deck List
The best Azorius Control deck for Pioneer is as follows:
This deck list primarily focuses on interaction with your opponent's plays. While these cards can also help you establish a board presence, the main goal is to keep mana up and disrupt your opponent's strategy.
Key Cards
Teferi, Hero Of Dominaria is an exceptional planeswalker in this deck. It allows you to keep mana up for interaction and draw cards. With the majority of cards being instant spells, Teferi can provide multiple uses and help you draw into more interaction. The Wandering Emperor is versatile, serving as removal or a way to build a board presence. Its flash ability catches opponents off-guard.
Supreme Verdict is the best board wipe for Azorius Control. It can handle large creature boards and cannot be countered, making it a valuable inclusion. Memory Deluge offers excellent card advantage, allowing you to see the top cards of your library and draw two cards. It also helps you avoid draws heavily focused on interaction spells. Shark Typhoon provides three cards for four mana, drawing you a card and summoning a creature. Its cycling ability ensures you don't have to worry about discarding it.
Hall Of Storm Giants is a game-closing card that is challenging to remove. With three wards, it can become a 7/7 creature with ward three, making it difficult to deal with. You can even use it as an instant, turning it into a creature before it enters the battlefield. This can be advantageous against fast decks that aim to win before your late game comes into play. Alternatively, you can use it as a finisher in the late game, delivering eight power across two bodies.
This deck heavily relies on instant spells to respond to opponents and disrupt their plays. Each interaction aims for a one-for-one trade until game-winning cards like Teferi and Shark Typhoon enter the field. Counterspells should be reserved for the most threatening creatures, while low-power creatures can be left untouched. An ideal opening hand consists of three lands and early interaction spells like Temporary Lockdown and Memory Lapse. Game-ending cards like Teferi and Shark Typhoon are not necessary in the early stages, but they can single-handedly win games if not countered.
Mulligans should be avoided unless your opening hand has one or fewer lands. Azorius Control relies on one-for-one trades until game-winning cards like Teferi and Shark Typhoon come into play. It is crucial not to lose any of your interaction spells early on, as they are essential to keep your opponent's plays in check.
Sideboard
The sideboard for Azorius Control offers additional options to counter specific matchups:
Disdainful Stroke and Pithing Needle serve as strong counterspells against specific strategies. Rest In Peace is a powerful card that shuts down graveyard-based strategies. Aether Gust and Mystical Dispute provide further options for countering spells.
Azorius Control excels in the late game, turning the tide and securing victory after a long grind. This deck list is relatively inexpensive compared to other blue-based control options, making it an excellent choice for players new to Magic: The Gathering Arena.
