So, I'm mentally torn between 4 decks currently which I've bothered to build. You guys hopefully are going to help and in turn I help you by revealing my top 4 decks.

Mardu Vehicles
_This is essentially copy and pasted from the PT winning deck with a few alterations because of rarity restrictions. Cards being played in the sideboard were moved over into the main. Basically, 20 creatures, 5-8 vehicles, 3-4 walkers and 6-8 removal. I'm trying not to give away too much so I won't post these list. Statistically, WR and BR vehicle variants have been the most dominating decks on ladder shortly before AER dropped. It seems that based off of that data, the results of the last 2 NGA tournaments, and at the PT that this deck would be the very best option.

Izzet Tutelage
_This deck surprised me the most as the #3 deck on ladder before AER as no one considers playing it in our tournaments. When you don't draw the Tutelage it sucks because your deck is built around it but there are other fast ways to win that also compliment this deck. I feel like most people build this the wrong way by adding "wheeling" effects and I've also grown to heavily dislike Galvanic Bombardment/Take Inventory. I'm very comfortable with this deck and I think it's the best combo deck in the game.

_Esper-R
Thats right. A control deck. A four color one at that. I decided to take a piece of paper and come up with reasons for each color in control and realized that I kept running back to Esper as the best with there being a tie between Grixis and Jeskai. I decided to splash the 4th color and tweek my lands a bit and things worked out. Grixis is fine as I've heard its been prevalent on ladder lately but it lacks W to hate Copters, PWs and Tutelages. I have been torn between 2 slots currently and thats my way to win the game. Disciple/Gearhulk OR both Chandras OR Planar Bridge/Ulamog?

_BantTempo
This is a deck I've identified with. Its won me my very first Swiss NGA tournament against who I consider to be the best player on the Xbox platform - CGB. Eventually, I have not added a single card to this list from AER and with Blossoming Defense, Blessed Alliance, and Spell Shrivel; I've felt as though I've given this deck legs to walk on. It only losses to Vehicles and sometimes to burn heavy decks however. Perhaps I'm being too cocky with playing this deck and should probably choose something new. It is after all running the banned Reflector Mages!

_Should I choose based on data and raw power level? Should I choose the deck I know no one else will be playing? Should I hope to properly predict the meta and answer it with the perfect control deck? OR is it time to move on from a deck I feel sentimental towards?

I voted for Bant, based purely on personal bias - you'll get no meta calls out of me.

I haven't used it as much this season, but Bant Tempo is still my favourite duels deck, hence it gets my vote.

You should play BR vehicles. It's what I would be playing in the tournament, but for the fact I'm not willing to drop cash right now in order to enter (I have all cards on iOS, but not Xbox currently).

Its so difficult.

I have data on mostly everyone joining in these tournaments. I've kept note of their deck styles, biases, win percentages. I have data on the meta on steam ladder and on the last 2 NGA tournaments. Then I should probably be choosing a deck based on data. But there is also my personality to consider when I've already won a Swiss tournament by making a metagame call.

I can choose to be different, play the meta, answer the meta, or play my favorite deck.

Now i understand who was spying me through the window yesterday

Play the best deck, or play the deck that has the best chance against the best deck. There are only two options. Me? I always choose the best deck.

You should play elves.

I've already submitted my deck so i'm not going to change it based on what you pick.

I think Mardu Vehicles is a big risk cuz I think people will tech against this the most.

Esper Control is boring as balls and everyone is playing aggro

You always do Bant Tempo, i think you should try something different (I sure am trying something new this time).

Izzet Tutelage woudl be totally out of left field. There's no sideboards so it's much safer to play this and you woudl frustrate the hell out of people.

So in order of most recommended to least:

1. Izzet Tutelage - no one voted for it above (except me) cuz no one wants you to play it against them. That's a sign.
2. Mardu Vehicles - even with people teching against it, it'll be so damn strong. If Vert plays his stupid lifegain ally orzhov, you're in trouble though
3. Bant Tempo - ol' reliable
4. Esper Control - this stuff is going to get wrecked this time out I think. i can't WAIT. I'm teching against control myself so don't say I didn't warn you I don't care if i lose to aggro

Will you play the same deck in both tourneys?

I do not have every card unlocked on Steam so I will be choosing to play a deck limited by SOI/EMN cards.

I have over 80,000G on Xbox and I can play anything. I haven't reactivated my Live subscription as yet either.

Planar Bridge/Ulamog

Since you've already proven your skills by winning a tournament: reach for the stars and try to win a tourney with a card people have made fun of since it was confirmed for AER.

Play Jeskai Elves CGB made a pretty decent list recently

The best player is obviously BB. No one is better, and he doesn't even build his own decks. He has now, on multiple occasions, taken a pile of very questionable cards all the way to the top, or near top. I keep trying to feed him solid lists, and he keeps refusing to play them. I just want to see what happens when he plays a deck devoid of poor choices. Personally, I think he likes the challenge.

Too OP for duels.

I voted for Izzet Tutelage, partly because that is one of my preferred playstyles, but mostly because it includes the sound 'toot' which makes me think of farts and I think farts sound funny.

You deserve my honesty.

DJ, i'm playing your last deck like crazy! I just don't have enough experience with it yet to bring it to a tournament. But it's obviously undefeated in testing so far, and it's great at banging out quests! Love that list. I didn't know you were giving it to me for the tournament tho! You should have said so

I've actually decided to bring a solidly-built deck for once. I ALMOST brought a joke list this time. I was playtesting both last night (all week actually) just to see which one would lose first but they've both gone undefeated all week so that didn't help me decide

i should probably have brought the joke deck Maybe next time. I figured you'd want me to bring a decent list so I am.


and yeah Gem is right, CGB is much better than me. It takes all my concentration to try and play optimally. CGB can be ironing a shirt and stirring risotto WHILE streaming and he still plays perfectly. I also have a horrible record versus him on the ladder.

Gem, obviously play different decks in both tournaments, it'll be more fun for you and you'll have less regret. If you bring your choice down to two, bring the stronger one to Steam cuz two reasons:
1. steam showdown is way tougher to win than Fight Club
2. Black Barney is in fight club and prefers you bring a softer deck to that one

Any deck I give you is always for the tournaments. But, tbf, if I really wanted you to play it, I'd have built you a deck with tons of fliers/evasion. I just don't like my options at 2 CMC for that deck at this time.

Play what you feel.. that you pilot the best. They're all fine IMO except Izzet Tutes, which I give a 0% chance of winning the tourney bc of aggro's speed.. and bc all the vehicle hate cards hit your Tutes.

I should've been more clear. You're not the best. CGB's not the best.

Because I'm the best.

Dimir vehicles aggro