Izzet Prowess: Standard Sideboard Guide (Current Meta)
Izzet Prowess continues to be a powerhouse in the Standard format. Utilizing cheap spells, Prowess creatures like Monastery Swiftspear , and board-snowballing threats like Cori-Steel Cutter , this archetype is built for both speed and flexibility. This guide breaks down the optimal sideboard strategy against the top Tier 1 meta decks based on real performance data and archetype analysis.
Mono-Red Aggro
Mono-Red uses a flurry of fast creatures like Monastery Swiftspear and Heartfire Hero , combined with burn like Play with Fire and Skewer the Critics. It wins by pushing damage before defenses stabilize.
Sideboard Plan:
- In: 2–3 Torch the Tower , 1 Pyroclasm , 1–2 Witchstalker Frenzy , 1 Sunspine Lynx
- Out: 2 Monstrous Rage , 1 Spell Pierce , 1 Stock Up , 1 Sleight of Hand
Your plan is to kill early creatures, survive, and flip the tempo. Sweepers and cheap removal outclass their threats, while Lynx and Frenzy help stabilize or close.
Mono-Black Midrange
This grindy deck leverages discard, spot removal, and sticky threats like Sheoldred, the Apocalypse . You want to pressure early but have plans for long games.
Sideboard Plan:
- In: 2 Spell Pierce , 1 Into the Flood Maw , 1 Witchstalker Frenzy
- Out: 2 Monstrous Rage , 1 Sleight of Hand , 1 Stock Up
Witchstalker Frenzy and Spell Pierce fight Sheoldred.
Jeskai Oculus
Jeskai Oculus is a tempo-control deck built around Abhorrent Oculus . It abuses graveyard recursion and flying pressure.
Sideboard Plan:
- In: 2 Spell Pierce , 1 Ghost Vacuum , 1 Into the Flood Maw , 1 Ral, Crackling Wit
- Out: 2 Monstrous Rage , 1 Pyroclasm , 1 Torch the Tower , 1 Sleight of Hand
The key is to deny the reanimation window and kill Abhorrent Oculus quickly. Spell Pierce disrupts tempo plays, and Ral, Crackling Wit gives you a grindy wincon.
Domain (Non-Red)
Domain aims to survive early and win late with bombs like Atraxa, Grand Unifier , Herd Migration , and Sunfall . You need to punish their setup turns.
Sideboard Plan:
- In: 2 Spell Pierce , 1 Ghost Vacuum , 1 Into the Flood Maw , 1 Ral, Crackling Wit
- Out: 2 Monstrous Rage , 1 Pyroclasm , 1 Torch the Tower , 1 Sleight of Hand
Spell Pierce disrupts early ramp or sweepers. Ral, Crackling Wit and Ghost Vacuum help you stay ahead if the game drags. Cut dead removal spells for higher-impact cards.
Data sourced from mtg-standard.com. Last updated based on meta and top decklists from the last 7 days.