With Field of the Dead banned Control decks can breathe again!
I’ve tried to make Esperone work, although didn’t quite find a list that satisfied me, so today I’ll show you the one from another popular streamer: Mystmin, who’s rocking the Mythic ladder with his own version of Esper Control
Historic Esper Control Deck List – Mystmin – Top100 Mythic Ladder
Companion
Planeswalker (11)
Artifact (3)
Land (26)
Since Amonkhet Remastered came into Historic I worked on Control decks that were mainly UB, splashing just a tiny bit of White for Kaya, Orzhov Usurper and Teferi, Hero of Dominaria.
Although, Mystmin’s approach here is very different as he chooses to go full-Esper with 4 copies of Wrath of God over the other options: Languish or Extinction Event.
White doesn’t only give you one of the best sweeper ever printed, but also grants some great sideboard options, mainly Timely Reinforcements, which was an addition in Historic Anthology 3 and it’s amazing in this format where Red Aggro deck seem to be one of the most popular decks.
Amonkhet Remaster is also bringing some great counter magic.
Censor is showing in more and more copies around the Control decks and it’s perfect as an early play to be cycled when needed to hit land drops or it’s too late and your opponent will likely not get caught by it.
Commit // Memory is also another great addition. Serviceable answer as well as win condition when paired with Narset, Parter of Veils. The existence of Commit // Memory in your deck will mean that you have to make sure to hit all your land drops to make the Timetwister effect always better.
Two of the cards that didn’t make the cut in Mystmin’s Esper are Search for Azcanta and Kaya, Orzhov Usurper.
I’m actually surprised a lot by that and don’t really know what to say. They are both fantastic, especially the first who proved to be amazing in every single Control decks I put it on, especially when paired with Teferi, Hero of Dominaria.
Kaya, Orzhov Usurper is a great metagame call right now. RB Lurrus and graveyard decks in general are all over the places, as well as being a great cheap play to snipe a Llanowar Elf or a Soul-Scar Mage. I’d definitely consider a couple of Kaya at least in the sideboard.
I’m not sure if Control decks are back on the menu in Historic, but I can say that Mystmin is definitely trying to make it work!
