It was nice to see one or two of the 2019 Challenger decks being played at the Standard Showdown last Saturday.

I’ve already mentioned in a previous post that there was a couple of upgraded mono red aggro decks being played. And that I nearly went that route myself.

However there was a young lad there taking part playing with an unmodified United Assault, the mono white Challenger deck.

The young lad came last. I think the only win he got was the bye in the final round. The other games were losses I believe. Which gave them last place (and the Standard Showdown pack that goes with being last).

I think they are pretty new to MtG, so they don’t have the experience, card pool etc of the majority of players taking part.

I like the United Assault deck. It shares a few common cards as far as I remember with the mono white deck that Michael was playing in the previous Standard Showdown season.

Below is the deck list from WotC for the United Assault deck.

But how would you upgrade it?

WotC make the suggestion of splashing red or blue. But let’s stick with keeping it mono white. For staying with that restriction WotC recommend the following cards.

Now what follows is my thinking allowed about cards I’d consider from War of the Spark (legal in Standard longer) , and the look of our local meta based on the opening weekend.

Speaking of the local meta, we did have some new players taking part in this opening weekend. My friend being one of them. It just so happens that the 2 red aggro decks were from those new players. So we have to see if they turn up regularly. I know my friend can’t make every week. Although finishing second and getting a Standard Showdown pack may provide the inspiration needed to get along on a regular basis.

For the sideboard and a way to nerf, slowdown the aggro decks I’d consider sideboarding one or two copies of these 2 new Planeswalkers.

Having said I’m looking at War of the Spark cards, the following 3 are worth considering despite a shorter Standard legal life.

I’m not a Gideon fan! But you have to consider them. I don’t think Blackblade fits in with the game plan. However the more costly to play (and buy I’m sure) Oathsworn does. Mainly his ongoing ability that can make Pridemate even bigger, or any creature really as long as we meet that triggering condition.

I like proliferate as a mechanic. So once you start pumping up the likes of Pridemate additional ways to make them bigger is always handy. I like all these 2 CMC flyers. War Screecher would be the least likely to be selected out of the 3.

Apart from a lovely touching back story to the cat in Charmed Stray, I like this card a lot. Love the art and it’s etb. Martyr and Populace (below) help give us a nice value loop from our creatures dying. I like that additional synergy/combo.

That’s my thinking of cards I’d consider to upgrade this Challenger deck from War of the Spark. I’ve not mentioned the new Oketra. If budget allowed I’d definitely add a couple of her.

What cards would you use from War of the Spark? Are there any you would use from the two Ravnica sets?