Magic: The Gathering is a game defined by its formats: Distinct ways to play that feature cards from different eras in the game's history in order to balance power levels and offer the best possible experience for players.

Explorer is one of the newest formats for Magic, and is described by Wizards of the Coast as a "true-to-paper, non-rotating format" within the digital adaptation, MTG Arena, to accompany Pioneer, a similar format played on tabletops. Want to climb the competitive ranks of the Explorer format? Here are the best decks to play.

MTG Arena Best Explorer Decks

Explorer's meta is a bit different from Alchemy or Standard, as the formats have access to different cards. According to MTGArenaZone, Explorer's best decks for Bo1 (best-of-one) matches are:

3. Boros (WR) Heroic

This deck is somewhat unusual, relying on cheap, aggressive creatures, while simultaneously devoting a large portion of the deck to non-creature spells. The key premise relies on the "Heroic" mechanic, an ability given to creatures that provides additional buffs when they are targeted by allied spells. Essentially, the deck piles on temporary buffs to creatures, quickly turning them into unstoppable threats. Important cards are Illuminator Virtuoso and Gods Willing, the former of which can grow extremely powerful over time and the latter can protect it.

2. Selesnya (WG) Angels

Angels are some of the most iconic creatures in Magic, and this deck is chock-full of them. This deck utilizes Angels to great effect, filling the board with tough, flying creatures and boosting its player's life total at the same time. Righteous Valkyrie and Giada, Font of Hope are two of the most dangerous cards in this deck, capable of powering up already-powerful creatures and creating the opportunity for a single, deadly strike against a defenseless opponent.

1. Mono-Blue Spirits

Mono-Blue Spirits is a Tempo deck, meaning it leverages disruptive spells and abilities to slow down opponents and prevent them from developing a board state capable of contending against its own. The deck is highly aggressive, featuring cheap Spirit creatures like Mausoleum Wanderer and Rattlechains that not only synergize with one another but also pack annoying abilities of their own, as well as a suite of counterspells and bounce spells to hinder opponents.

Here are some sample decks for these strategies, also provided by MTGArenaZone.

MTG Arena Explorer Tier 1 Decklists

Now you have the best decks in the best-of-one Explorer format to choose from. That's not to say other decks can't win games --- All decks have strengths and weaknesses, and those included above are simply the most consistently effective according to win rate and matchup data. A core part of MTG Arena's gameplay is experimentation and creative deckbuilding: Mix and match decks, alter them with your own card preferences and practice with different strategies until you are comfortable with one you like.

This article was originally published on dbltap as Best Explorer Decks MTG Arena.