Official rules state that you are not allowed to use proxy cards in tournaments as they require authentic cards as the prizes usually end up being cash awards
Iconic Cards: Snapcaster Mage, Vendilion Clique, Delver of Secrets, Teferi, Time Raveler Popular Decks: Delver, Spirits, Ponza, Izzet, Mongoose, Prowess 5 Combo Combo decks win by assembling a combination of cards that either win the game immediately, or make it so exceptionally difficult for the opponent to win that they often concede on the spot
Secret Rares feature Raboot, Joltik, Crabominable, Ledian, Lileep, Hydrapple ex, and the Briar Trainer card
Cards that tutor for artifacts, or cheat them into play, tend to be much cheaper than those that do the same for creatures, meaning you can circumvent high mana costs for big threats with this card
Now a lot of those cards are going to be random 1/1 and 2/2 token-making tools
Who Standard is for Players who enjoy a changing metagame and regular deck evolution Anyone trying to play current Magic in a competitive environment People who dont mind updating lists often (or who secretly enjoy it) What it costs Not always cheap, but usually cheaper than older formats The real cost is emotional: your favorite deck will rotate, eventually Pioneer Pioneer is non-rotating and includes sets from Return to Ravnica forward
