The article discusses the potential rise of the Merfolk archetype in Magic: The Gathering’s Standard format with the release of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan set. The set introduces several powerful new Merfolk cards that could make the strategy more competitive. The article highlights some of these new cards, such as Cenote Scout, Nicanzil, Current Conductor, Sentinel of the Nameless City, and Tishana’s Tidebinder, and explains how they can contribute to a strong Merfolk deck.
The article also mentions the importance of sticking to one Creature type, which restricts the range of cards available but offers excellent payoffs. Vodalian Hexcatcher is highlighted as a powerful Merfolk that can counter board wipes and buff other Merfolk. Deeproot Pilgrimage is another card that pairs well with Hexcatcher, generating Merfolk tokens and making it difficult for opponents to resolve non-Creature spells.
The article acknowledges that the Merfolk archetype may struggle against certain midrange decks that have elite blockers, but it suggests that cards like Vodalian Mindsinger and Make Disappear can help overcome these challenges. The consistency of the deck is also emphasized, thanks to the Exploring mechanic that helps with card selection and hitting land drops.
Overall, the article suggests that the Merfolk archetype has the necessary tools to compete against top cards and decks in Standard. While the lack of lord effects is a downside, the article believes that the other strong Merfolk cards and the power of Hexcatcher can make up for it. The article concludes by providing a sample decklist for players interested in trying out the Merfolk archetype.
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