Ready to dive headfirst into the thrilling world of Pioneer Magic: The Gathering without the deck-building hassle? Wizards of the Coast has you covered with the latest Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022, hitting shelves on November 4, 2022! These pre-constructed decks are your express ticket to competitive Pioneer play, offering four distinct strategies right out of the box. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for a new format entry point or a newcomer eager to jump into the Pioneer fray, these Challenger Decks are engineered to ignite your competitive journey.
Unboxing the Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022: What’s Inside?
Each mtg pioneer challenger deck is meticulously assembled to provide a complete and ready-to-play experience. Forget about spending hours poring over card lists and fine-tuning your mana curve – these decks are primed for action. Inside each box, you’ll find everything you need to start battling at your local game store or kitchen table:
- A Powerful 60-Card Deck: The core of your arsenal, built for strategic gameplay and designed to compete.
- A Strategic 15-Card Sideboard: Customize your game plan between matches and adapt to your opponent’s strategies.
- Essential Accessories: 5 double-sided tokens and 6 double-faced helper cards to manage in-game mechanics.
- Durable Deck Box: Keep your cards protected and organized in a box that holds 75 sleeved Magic cards.
With four unique Mtg Pioneer Challenger Decks to choose from, you can select the playstyle that best suits your preferences. And for our international players, these decks will be available worldwide in English, German, French, and Japanese, ensuring everyone can join the Pioneer fun.
Meet the Decks: Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022 Lineup
Let’s explore each of the mtg pioneer challenger decks in detail, giving you a glimpse into their strategies and key cards.
Izzet Phoenix: Rise from the Ashes (Blue-Red)
Izzet Phoenix Deck Box
Embrace the speed and spell-slinging prowess of the Izzet Phoenix deck! This aggressive strategy is all about controlling the early game with efficient spells and then unleashing a torrent of non-creature spells to awaken the fearsome Arclight Phoenix. Watch as your Phoenixes soar from the graveyard to relentlessly attack your opponent, backed by powerful creatures like Crackling Drake that grow with each spell you cast.
Izzet Phoenix Decklist Highlights:
- Key Creatures:
- 2 Arclight Phoenix
- 2 Thing in the Ice
- 4 Crackling Drake
- Spell Powerhouse:
- 2 Expressive Iteration (Note: While listed, this card is banned in Pioneer. See notes below.)
- 4 Chart a Course
- 4 Treasure Cruise
- 3 Pieces of the Puzzle
- Instant Speed Control & Utility:
- 3 Izzet Charm
- 3 Lightning Axe
- 2 Fiery Impulse
- 2 Flame-Blessed Bolt
- 4 Consider
- 4 Opt
- Mana Base: A mix of dual lands like Sulfur Falls and Shivan Reef to ensure smooth access to both blue and red mana.
Izzet Phoenix Tokens: This deck includes 5 Treasure // Clue tokens, fueling card draw and mana acceleration.
Treasure Token
Clue Token
Important Note on Expressive Iteration: The published decklist for the Izzet Phoenix mtg pioneer challenger deck includes two copies of Expressive Iteration. It’s crucial to note that Expressive Iteration is currently banned in the Pioneer format. For tabletop play, the deck is legal as is, meaning you can play with the banned card in casual settings or events that allow it. However, for official Pioneer tournaments, you would need to replace Expressive Iteration.
For Magic Online, the Izzet Phoenix Challenger Deck automatically substitutes the two copies of Expressive Iteration with one Pieces of the Puzzle and one Fiery Impulse, ensuring online legality.
Dimir Control: Answers in the Dark (Blue-Black)
Dimir Control Deck Box
If you enjoy outmaneuvering your opponents and dictating the pace of the game, Dimir Control is your perfect match. This mtg pioneer challenger deck excels at disrupting your opponent’s plans with counterspells and removal, patiently grinding them down before unleashing a powerful finisher like Torrential Gearhulk. Control the board, sculpt your hand, and then deliver the final blow with overwhelming force.
Dimir Control Decklist Highlights:
- Planeswalker Power:
- 2 Narset, Parter of Veils – Shut down opposing card draw and maintain control.
- Late-Game Threats:
- 2 Torrential Gearhulk – Flash threat that reuses your instants and sorceries from the graveyard.
- 2 Murderous Rider – Versatile creature that doubles as removal.
- Control Magic:
- 3 Dig Through Time – Deep card selection to find the perfect answer.
- 2 Drown in the Loch – Counterspell and removal in one powerful card.
- 4 Censor – Early game disruption and late-game counterspell.
- 3 Sinister Sabotage – Hard counter with added scry for deck manipulation.
- 4 Fatal Push – Efficient removal for early threats.
- 1 Mystical Dispute – Sideboard staple mainboarded for blue matchups.
- 2 Heartless Act – Flexible removal for creatures of any size.
- 2 Negate – Dedicated counterspell for noncreature spells.
- 4 Consider – Card selection and graveyard filling.
- Enchantment Advantage:
- 1 Shark Typhoon – Creates flying Shark tokens and provides a late-game mana sink.
- Mana Base: Temple of Deceit, Drowned Catacomb, and Watery Grave provide a stable Dimir color base.
Dimir Control Tokens: This deck generates 5 Shark // Shark tokens, representing the creatures created by Shark Typhoon.
Shark Token
Gruul Stompy: Unleash the Beast Within (Red-Green)
Gruul Stompy Deck Box
For players who prefer a direct and impactful approach, Gruul Stompy delivers raw power and aggression. This mtg pioneer challenger deck focuses on fast mana acceleration with creatures like Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic to deploy massive threats ahead of schedule. Overwhelm your opponent with Dragons and Beasts, leaving subtlety at the door and embracing brute force.
Gruul Stompy Decklist Highlights:
- Mana Ramp and Acceleration:
- 4 Llanowar Elves
- 4 Elvish Mystic – Classic mana dorks for explosive starts.
- Powerful Mid-Range Threats:
- 2 Questing Beast – A multi-faceted threat that pressures opponents on multiple fronts.
- 4 Glorybringer – Flying threat with an exert ability to burn down creatures or opponents.
- 4 Scavenging Ooze – Graveyard hate and a creature that grows over time.
- 4 Lovestruck Beast – Efficient and aggressive early threat.
- Planeswalker Support:
- 2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance – Provides card advantage, mana acceleration, and direct damage.
- Removal and Interaction:
- 4 Bonecrusher Giant – Creature and removal combined in one card.
- 4 Mizzium Mortars – Board wipe potential in the late game.
- 3 Abrade – Versatile removal for artifacts or creatures.
- Mana Base: Karplusan Forest, Stomping Ground, and Rockfall Vale ensure consistent red and green mana.
Gruul Stompy Tokens: This deck comes with 5 Human // Human tokens, representing the Human created by Lovestruck Beast.
Human Token
Orzhov Humans: Strength in Numbers (White-Black)
Orzhov Humans Deck Box
If you believe in the power of unity and overwhelming numbers, Orzhov Humans is the mtg pioneer challenger deck for you. This deck focuses on swarming the battlefield with an army of Humans, then enhancing their strength with anthem effects and synergistic creatures. Go wide, go strong, and claim victory through sheer force of numbers and coordinated attacks.
Orzhov Humans Decklist Highlights:
- Human Synergies and Anthem Effects:
- 4 Rally the Ranks – Anthem effect that boosts all your creatures.
- 4 Thalia’s Lieutenant – Grows larger as you play more Humans, and buffs other Humans.
- Efficient Human Creatures:
- 4 Luminarch Aspirant – Pumps your creatures each turn.
- 4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben – Disrupts noncreature spells and is a resilient threat.
- 4 Bloodsoaked Champion – Recursive threat that keeps pressure on the opponent.
- 4 Kitesail Freebooter – Hand disruption on a creature body.
- 4 Dauntless Bodyguard – Protects your key creatures.
- 4 Thraben Inspector – Early game creature that provides card draw.
- 2 Giant Killer – Early interaction and late-game threat.
- Removal and Interaction:
- 2 Bloodchief’s Thirst – Efficient removal spell.
- 2 Dire Tactics – Powerful removal that synergizes with your Human theme.
- Mana Base: Caves of Koilos, Concealed Courtyard, Godless Shrine, Mutavault, Unclaimed Territory, and Secluded Courtyard provide a robust mana base for Human tribal strategies.
Orzhov Humans Tokens: This deck includes 5 Human // Clue tokens, representing versatile tokens for various game situations.
Human Token
Clue Token
Why Choose Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022?
Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022 are designed to be more than just pre-constructed decks; they are your springboard into the Pioneer format. Here’s why they are an excellent choice for players of all levels:
- Ready to Play: Unbox and play immediately! No need for complex deck-building or card acquisition.
- Competitive Edge: These decks are built with competitive play in mind, featuring strategies and cards seen in successful Pioneer decks.
- Excellent Value: Get a powerful and format-ready deck at a fraction of the cost of building one from scratch.
- Perfect Entry Point: Ideal for players new to Pioneer or those wanting to explore different strategies within the format.
- Upgradeable: While powerful out of the box, these decks provide a solid foundation for further customization and upgrades as your collection grows.
Get Your Pioneer Challenger Decks Today!
The mtg pioneer challenger decks for 2022 are set to release on November 4th. Don’t miss your chance to jump into the Pioneer format with these incredible ready-to-battle decks. Head to your local game store, your favorite online retailer like Amazon, or wherever Magic: The Gathering products are sold to secure your Pioneer Challenger Decks 2022 and start your competitive journey today!
