During its debut, Phyrexian Obliterator was not a dominant force. Still, as years passed, new cards were printed and finally, at no other than Pro Tour Aetherdrift, this crazy Golgari Phyrexian Obliterator build managed to go 9-1 during the Standard portion at the hands of Christoffer Larsen. TODAY I will go over the key cards in the deck and uncover the main plan behind it!
Golgari Midrange Standard Deck Overview
For those who may not know, Phyrexian Obliterator is a four -mana 5/5 with a crazy ability: whenever it's dealt damage, the source controller sacrifices that many permanents. Not only does this mean that it can bypass burn spells, but also combat damage, and this deck is centered on maximizing its potential, along with a sneaky and clever card that will help us do devastating damage to our opponents. Let's find out how.
Best Card Choices for Golgari Midrange in Standard
Golgari Midrange is not a new deck in Standard, but one that needed a much-needed facelift, and recent sets have provided it the tools to compete among the best decks in Standard.
The plan is simple, yet effective: put pressure on your opponents and disrupt their board state.
The Creatures in Golgari Midrange
We've already touched on Phyrexian Obliterator, so I won't go into too much detail again. But let's be real—this card is an absolute powerhouse. Paying four black mana might seem difficult at first, but in this deck, every single land produces black mana, making it much easier to cast than you'd think.
To apply early pressure, Mosswood Dreadknight and Caustic Bronco are key players. Both creatures provide extra card advantage in different ways, ensuring you maintain momentum throughout the game.
One of the standout aspects of Golgari Midrange in Standard is that nearly every creature in the deck functions as a two-for-one, giving you extra value as the game progresses.
Take Obstinate Baloth and Sentinel of the Nameless City, for example—both provide immediate value as soon as they hit the battlefield. Meanwhile, Preacher of the Schism and Caustic Bronco generate ongoing value whenever they attack.
Mosswood Dreadknight is especially tough to deal with, as it can keep coming back while drawing you an extra card. And let's not forget Harvester of Misery, which doubles as both a board wipe for smaller creatures and a pinpoint removal spell that opponents will struggle to counter.
The sheer amount of value packed into this deck makes it incredibly powerful. On top of that, it thrives in an environment full of removal—every creature in Golgari Midrange either replaces itself, comes back, or demands an answer. With so much built-in resilience and disruption, it's no wonder this archetype is a strong contender in Standard.
Speaking of removal, let's now talk about our ways of handling opposing threats.
The Removal of Golgari Midrange
Ideally, you want to use Bushwhack to force Phyrexian Obliterator into a fight, no matter how big the opposing creature is. In fact, the bigger, the better—because the more damage Obliterator takes, the more your opponent suffers.
That said, in most games, Bushwhack functions more as an efficient removal spell with an upside. Against aggro decks, it can be especially devastating, potentially forcing your opponent to sacrifice multiple lands if you've been keeping their board in check early on.
This is where removal like Cut Down and Go for the Throat come into play. These spells efficiently handle nearly every early-game threat your opponent throws at you, ensuring you don't fall behind on tempo.
There’s always a bit of a debate about when to play a creature versus using removal, but in most cases, it’s smarter to clear the board first. If you commit too early, your opponent might simply remove your creature and keep pressuring you with whatever they already have.
Maelstrom Pulse is the go-to removal option for dealing with tokens and noncreature permanents. This is crucial against decks running Up the Beanstalk or Domain Overlords—the latter can be a nightmare if you let their enchantments stick around.
Lastly, Gix's Command is like a reset button for the game, helping you get back on track by clearing the board and giving you plenty of options. Depending on what you need, it can wipe out smaller creatures, power up your own, or even replenish your resources—making it a super flexible tool in Standard Golgari Midrange.
Optimizing Your Golgari Midrange Sideboard
This sideboard gives Golgari Midrange all the tools it needs to handle any matchup in Standard. Whether you're up against control, aggro, or combo decks, these cards help you adjust your game plan and stay in control.
We run three copies of Duress in the main deck, but there are matchups where you'll want to bring in the fourth—especially with Azorius Control rising in popularity after its strong performance at the Aetherdrift Pro Tour.
Tear Asunder is a no-brainer against Domain Control, offering a clean answer to key threats. It's also great for exiling problematic creatures like Enduring Curiosity, ensuring they don't generate long-term value.
Against control decks, Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber shines by giving you a Phyrexian Arena-style effect with the added bonus of a 5/5 Demon that can apply pressure. This forces control opponents to deal with multiple threats at once.
Extra copies of Obstinate Baloth and Gix's Command are crucial against creature-heavy decks. Baloth is particularly brutal against Liliana of the Veil, making it an excellent sideboard inclusion.
For aggressive matchups, Archfiend of the Dross is a fantastic four-mana creature that stabilizes the board while applying pressure. Choking Miasma is another strong option, acting as a board wipe against token strategies and decks reliant on small creatures.
The Stone Brain helps shut down decks that rely on a single win condition, making it a great tech piece against combo strategies.
Tranquil Frillback is a flexible answer to multiple threats in the format, offering graveyard hate, artifact/enchantment removal, and life gain all in one package.
Tips and Tricks for Playing Golgari Midrange in Standard
Playing Golgari Midrange in Standard can be a lot of fun, but it requires smart decisions and careful timing. Here are a few tips to help you navigate some of the more common matchups:
- It might be tempting to use Bushwhack when your opponent is tapped out, but be careful when facing blue-based decks like Jeskai Oculus or any blue tempo deck. These decks often run bounce spells like Into the Flood Maw, which will send your green spell back to your hand and make your big creature useless for the turn.
- When facing Mono-Red Prowess, it's usually better to block first and use your removal spells later. If you use Cut Down too early, your opponent can easily escape it by casting a noncreature spell, which will make your removal ineffective. Keep in mind that Gruul versions often run Snakeskin Veil, which can also protect their creatures from removal.
- Against Orzhov Blink decks—especially those running Liliana of the Veil and Hopeless Nightmare—Obstinate Baloth is your best friend. This creature can punish your opponent's strategies, and it's worth mulliganing for a chance to get one in your starting hand. Getting Baloth early can really disrupt their plans and turn the game in your favor.
Thanks for reading!
