If you’re a Pioneer player, or thinking about getting into the format, then you’ll be happy to hear that Wizards of the Coast is releasing Challenger Decks for Pioneer! We talked about them here, and looked at each of the 4 decklists, but now it’s time to talk about upgrades! Each of the decks are not at full power, so here’s the best upgrades for each Pioneer challenger Deck.
UW Spirits
Here’s the list for the UW Spirits deck. This list has some protection inclusions in
Spell Pierce
Spell Pierce
Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays {2}.
,
Brazen Borrower
Brazen Borrower
Flash
Flying
This creature can block only creatures with flying.
, and
Lofty Denial
Lofty Denial
Counter target spell unless its controller pays {1}. If you control a creature with flying, counter that spell unless its controller pays {4} instead.
. These inclusions are honestly fine. If you want to stick with these card choices, the best upgrades here in the mana base.
Hallowed Fountain
Hallowed Fountain
({T}: Add {W} or {U}.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
and
Hengegate Pathway
Hengegate Pathway
{T}: Add {W}.
. For sideboard changes, I’d recommend picking up a few
Rest in Peace
Rest in Peace
When this enchantment enters, exile all graveyards.
If a card or token would be put into a graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
, removing the
Remorseful Cleric
Remorseful Cleric
Flying
Sacrifice this creature: Exile target player's graveyard.
, and add a couple more
Selfless Spirit
Selfless Spirit
Flying
Sacrifice this creature: Creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn.
.
Lotus Field Combo
The Lotus Field Combo deck list is actually pretty darn spot on. Once again, the biggest upgrades are going to be in the mana base. A lot of the other decision points are really what you want to pull from your sideboard to win. Truthfully, the cards in the challenger deck are common choices among top contending lists, so I wouldn’t change much here.
I’d mostly look to pick up
Botanical Sanctum
Botanical Sanctum
This land enters tapped unless you control two or fewer other lands.
{T}: Add {G} or {U}.
and
Barkchannel Pathway
Barkchannel Pathway
{T}: Add {G}.
in place of some of the basic lands.
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Mono Red Burn
This version of the Mono Red Burn list is honestly just fine. To upgrade to this deck would require adding white, and some other very important pieces in addition to lands.
One of the best burn spells ever created is
Boros Charm
Boros Charm
Choose one —
• Boros Charm deals 4 damage to target player or planeswalker.
• Permanents you control gain indestructible until end of turn.
• Target creature gains double strike until end of turn.
. The difference between 3 and 4 damage might not seem like a lot, but it really helps.
Eidolon of the Great Revel
Eidolon of the Great Revel
Whenever a player casts a spell with mana value 3 or less, this creature deals 2 damage to that player.
punishes our opponents for playing cheaper spells, and while we’ll take damage for ours, our damage is usually going up stairs, so we can out race the damage. We’re going to be cutting the
Bonecrusher Giant
Bonecrusher Giant
Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell, this creature deals 2 damage to that spell's controller.
s to be able to play
Lurrus of the Dream-Den
Lurrus of the Dream-Den
Companion — Each permanent card in your starting deck has mana value 2 or less. (If this card is your chosen companion, you may put it into your hand from outside the game for {3} as a sorcery.)
Lifelink
Once during each of your turns, you may cast a permanent spell with mana value 2 or less from your graveyard.
. Lurrus gives us a little bit more reach into the late game if the game goes a little longer than we want. Obviously with the addition of these cards we need to add some Red and White dual lands in
Sacred Foundry
Sacred Foundry
({T}: Add {R} or {W}.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
and
Inspiring Vantage
Inspiring Vantage
This land enters tapped unless you control two or fewer other lands.
{T}: Add {R} or {W}.
.
For the sideboard, we get access to cards like
Rip Apart
Rip Apart
Choose one —
• Rip Apart deals 3 damage to target creature or planeswalker.
• Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
,
Wear // Tear
Wear // Tear
Destroy target artifact.
Fuse (You may cast one or both halves of this card from your hand.)
, or
Chained to the Rocks
Chained to the Rocks
Enchant Mountain you control
When this Aura enters, exile target creature an opponent controls until this Aura leaves the battlefield. (That creature returns under its owner's control.)
. All of these are very worthwhile inclusions.
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BW Auras
This decklist is pretty close to optimal. The biggest thing yet again is updating the lands to include more duals.
Land upgrades are
Godless Shrine
Godless Shrine
({T}: Add {W} or {B}.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
and
Brightclimb Pathway
Brightclimb Pathway
{T}: Add {W}.
, and to round out the sideboard, you’ll want to swap the
Duress
Duress
Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a noncreature, nonland card from it. That player discards that card.
with more
Thoughtseize
Thoughtseize
Target player reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card. You lose 2 life.
.
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These decks all come out on October 15th, so if you’re looking to pick up some of these decks, you have plenty of time to stock up on these upgrades and get ready for Store Championships!