Historic - Esper Sorin: Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

Esper Sorin is a tier 1 list in Historic, but it rarely has the highest win rate in the format because it is very complex and difficult to master.

Today, we'll show you all the ways you can use this deck to win!

About Esper Sorin

In the last month, Historic became more competitive. It used to be a casual format, but now the most competitive decks dominate the queue. In fact, many used to play this format to climb ranks more easily, precisely because competitive players preferred other formats.

However, now that WotC announced a Qualifier for this format, it's a new day! So, let's get competitive and explore Esper Sorin, an incredible list.

It can win the game in three different ways:

- You can use Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord to put Saint Elenda in play on turn 3, which, most times, will be enough to end the game.

- You can use Emperor of Bones to get Ulamog, the Defiler back from your graveyard on turn 4. This strategy is deadly. If your opponent can't answer it immediately, it's over for them.

- You can take the midrange approach and lean on Psychic Frog and Diviner of Fates. It might seem less "lethal" at first, but it is extremely efficient.

The idea behind the midrange game plan is to play Psychic Frog on turn 2 and put pressure on the opponent from very early on. If they can't answer it, Psychic Frog will give you one extra card each turn when it deals damage to the opponent. On turn 3, you'll put Diviner of Fates in play and pressure them even more.

You can only use Diviner of Fates' ability once per turn, but, with Psychic Frog's ability, you can use it on your turn and the opponent's. This will give you so many cards your opponent won't be able to play around it, and, meanwhile, you might just find one of the two combos we mentioned above. This means, in one way or another, this list is extremely aggressive and can attack in multiple ways.

Decklist

Why Play Esper Sorin

There are many versions of this deck you can play, but, personally, I believe this is the most consistent one. As we mentioned, it doesn't rely on a single specific combo to win. Furthermore, to control the game, it plays Juggernaut Peddler. It might not seem that efficient at first because it gives a 5/3 creature to your opponent. However, in most matches, if your opponent needs to play a 5/3 creature without any abilities on their board to go on, then they're probably already losing.

This list also includes a powerful interaction. If you play Overlord of the Balemurk on turn 2, and Dedicated Dollmaker on turn 3, you'll be able to create a lot of value with Overlord of the Balemurk's ability. The idea is to return Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord or another creature to the board, and also put a 5/5 in play on turn 3. Most of the time, your opponent won't be able to deal with this.

So, this list is a great option if you want to play Historic competitively. Without a question, it demands respect - if your opponent underestimates it, they'll lose (often without even realizing how!)

Mulligan

This mulligan is delicate. Your opening hand must be able to put in motion at least one of the game plans we mentioned above. You can mulligan to 4 cards, particularly if you know what you're up against. However, if you don't know, cutting down to 5 or even 4 cards is complicated because Historic is full of Thoughtseizes. They could easily stop you.

Avoid hands like these:

This hand clearly can't put any of our game plans in motion and will have to rely on luck completely. Cutting this hand down to 6 cards is totally acceptable because, particularly in this format, if you don't start the game with a good strategy, you'll probably struggle. You simply can't rely on your topdeck for too long.

Let's see another example.

This could be a decent 5-hand card. You'd have 2 lands, including all 3 available colors, Overlord of the Balemurk on turn 2, Dedicated Dollmaker on turn 3 returning Overlord of the Balemurk to the board, and Psychic Frog on turn 4, even if you didn't draw anything else. You might draw one of your combo pieces and put the other in the graveyard, then return it with Overlord of the Balemurk. This would be our "weakest" game plan, and, still, it is clearly quite powerful!

Now, imagine an exceptional hand, one that your opponent can't answer it directly:

Please note that I added 6 cards to this "ideal" hand, and that it could be 4, considering the Saint Elenda game plan. This deck is quite strong when you first mulligan, particularly in games 2 and 3, and when you know what you're up against. Use this to win games as fast as possible!

This deck's sideboard should be very consistent and only focus on the main matchups in the format. You must be very careful to not mess with the main structure. In very rare cases, you can remove the Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord + Saint Elenda game plan to focus on the midrange game plan and/or Emperor of Bones + Ulamog, the Defiler.

We'll focus on the main matchups, that is, those that should pop up more frequently.

Vs. Boros Auras

You'll definitely see this matchup every day. Boros is the most popular tier 1 list in the format right now, but I have been able to deal with it rather well with this sideboard:

Side In

Side Out

Vs. 4-Color Samwise

4-Color Samwise plays a very effective combo. You must focus on removing all of their pieces before you move forward, and the best part is that you'll have the best cards to do this.

Post-side, I believe this matchup is favorable, as you'll have 6 extremely strong cards against them, and you can easily 3 to 1. If they don't remove Stone of Erech, they simply won't be able to play their combo. But, please note: they can also just focus on their aggro game plan and leave their combo behind.

Side In

Side Out

Vs. Simic Eldrazi

You'll also probably see this matchup every day. Last month, a few streamers started to play this archetype, so it's very popular right now.

It is a bit difficult. Sometimes your opponent will be able to play Karn, the Great Creator on turn 2... and, believe me, they can do that. This will be really difficult to deal with, but you'll have a few ways to handle them post-side. Keep an eye on Ugin's Binding, as it can ruin your plans. Play around it whenever possible.

Side In

Side Out

Vs. Lotus Field

This is a combo vs combo matchup, but this opponent will interact very little with you. Instead of doing that, they'll focus on playing their combo as fast as possible, so you should do the same: focus on your combo and keep in mind that, usually, they won't interact with you at all.

Post-side, you'll be able to interact with your opponent's hand by discarding their main cards.

Side In

Side Out

Vs. Boros Energy

A while ago, this was the most popular deck in Historic, but now it isn't as popular. However, I always end up against it on the ranked queue, and you must respect it. The good news is that you'll have a very efficient game plan against it post-side.

Boros Energy focuses on aggression, and is, in a way, quite similar to Mardu Sacrifice. Against these types of decks, there's only one answer... Temporary Lockdown! This card is simply devastating for them. Mulliganing after them is often a good idea, particularly if your opening hand isn't the best.

Side In

Side Out

This Esper Sorin list is, undoubtedly, incredible. But I must warn you: it is very complex, and you'll have to make decisions all the time with it. The more options you have, the more complex it is. At first, making the best decision possible will be a challenge, and this could affect your overall win rate.

Take some time to learn it and you'll see it is insane. You'll constantly be able to get free wins, but, in grindier games, the best pilot will win. So, there's no other choice: play with it for a while, and don't expect to win before you really master it. If you haven't gotten to Mythic yet, this is one of the decks that can get you there!

What did you think of this list? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!