Azorius Midrange Reaches the Legacy Challenge Top Eight With Back to Basics

Waves1 finished eighth at 4–3 in the November 10 Legacy Challenge 32, according to MTGO’s event results. The published decklist pairs the familiar Tamiyo, Inquisitive Student and Quantum Riddler plan with two Back to Basics. That enchantment appeared in just 6.7% of 30 other Azorius Midrange lists from the preceding six weeks; the top eight’s other seven lists did not play it. Waves1 also used Flow State, Prismatic Vista, Spell Snare and Lórien Revealed, while skipping Polluted Delta and Wasteland.

Back to Basics costs and keeps nonbasic lands from untapping. Waves1’s six basics, four Islands and two Plains, let the deck disrupt opposing mana while its threats and countermagic apply pressure. The run included wins over Lands, , LED Dredge and Artifacts, all 2–1; the losses were to Azorius Control and two opponents recorded only as “G,” including quarterfinalist Elves.