Pioneer Deck of the Week: Lutri Control

Every Tuesday Insight is taking a quick look at one of the top-performing, most peculiar, or simply sweetest Pioneer decks among recent results. Control players aren't traditionally supposed to surprise opponents with their answers. But you know how the saying goes: Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you!

Classic Magic theory holds that, if anyone's, it's the aggressors job to surprise the opponent. Defensive strategies by contrast are challenged to always supply the right reply at the right time. One side tries to catch the other off guard, and one side employs the best, ideally catch-all, counterplay available to make sure not to be caught on the wrong foot.

Classic Magic theory also holds that, while it's great for your deck to surprise the opponent, it should not surprise you. You have a game plan, and your tools are supposedly doing their best to turn plan into game, set, match. Reliability, consistency, redundancy. All deck design optimizes for that.

But classic Magic theory also assumes that everyone starts with seven cards and not, say, with an eighth card that is guaranteed to be a relevant spell. Most importantly classic Magic theory knows that Magic is a comparative game. Asking if a card is "good" is pointless. You have to ask: Is this option better than its alternative?

So is it better to run an optimized, more consistent main deck than to have as a companion in the sideboard? Does it matter whether you fix your early draw with or ? Do you mind whether you catch an early spell with , , or ? Does it make a difference whether you destroy an early creature with , , , or ? Do you care whether you refill with or ? Whether you counter with or ?

Sure, everything matters. But does it matter more than Lutri? Jpsn54's recent success suggests the answer may be no, and that's pretty cool. Let's hope otters will follow!

Lutri Control by Jpsn54, Top 8 at Pioneer Showcase Challenge, March 12
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