Example cards: Duress, Meddling Mage, Daze.Attempts have been made to classify the more controlling versions into a completely different archetype, known as midrange. These decks attempt to deploy quick threats while protecting them with light permission and disruption long enough to win. Aggro-control is well-typified by Blue-Green Madness and Threshold. Mono-Black Control, which uses cards like Phyrexian Arena, Mutilate, Mind Sludge and Consume Spirit.Īggro-Control (often referred to as "Tempo") is a hybrid archetype that contains both aggressive creatures and control elements.The Rock, which uses Genesis, Eternal Witness, Living Wish and Pernicious Deed.Slide, which uses Astral Slide ( create), Wrath of God, Eternal Dragon and Decree of Justice.Psychatog, which uses Psychatog with card advantage like Fact or Fiction and a number of disruptive spells.Blue-White Control, which is similar to Mono-Blue Control, but features more board control with cards like Wrath of God and Holy Day.Mono Blue Control (Draw-Go), which uses a heavy suite of counterspells with card advantage like Ophidian or Jushi Apprentice ( create) and a finisher like Morphling or Meloku ( create).Example cards: Counterspell, Wrath of God, Fact or Fiction, Pernicious Deed.Blue and White together are the classic Control colors, though Black is also more than capable. Most control decks exercise the concept of card advantage that is, gaining more cards than the opponent, or making uneven card-for-card trades. Control decks require a large amount of mana over many turns to build up control over the game, and eventually become unbeatable via an academic win condition (a resilient creature) or through inevitability (recursion). They are reactionary and often extremely disruptive to the opponent, protecting their resources and prolonging the game at all costs. Control decks seek to enforce the pace and rules of the game.