Izzet Prowess Deck Tech – Standard (May 2025)Deck Tech 

Lightning-fast, spell-fueled beatdown — when every cantrip is a combat trick, and every draw might just be lethal.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Early Game

Turns 1-2 are all about laying the foundation and starting the beatdown. Ideally, you want to open with a one-drop creature like Monastery Swiftspear on turn one. A Swiftspear attacking on turn 2 can immediately put pressure, especially if you follow up with a cheap spell to pump it. Don’t be afraid to play a tapped land like Spirebluff Canal or Riverpyre Verge on turn 1 if you don’t have the one-drop; it’s usually better to fix your mana early than to hold up an Opt with nothing to trigger. On turn 2, you have a few options depending on your hand – drop another threat (like Drake Hatcher or a second creature) or start firing off spells to push damage through. Often the correct play is to deploy a second threat if you have one, especially Drake Hatcher whose prowess and future token-generation can dominate longer games. Establishing two creatures by turn 2 sets up bigger turns later once you start casting spells; each spell could buff both of your creatures’ prowess, effectively doubling the impact.

Mulligan Tip (Early Game Priorities): Aim for at least one creature in your opening hand. A hand full of only spells with no creatures to cast them on is often a mulligan – you want a threat that actually benefits from those spells. One-drops like Monastery Swiftspear or a two-drop like Drake Hatcher are ideal keeps. It’s usually fine to keep one creature plus a mix of spells and lands. If you have no creature by turn 2, the deck’s damage output drops drastically, so mulligan those creature-less sevens. Also, watch your land count – the deck runs 21 lands, which is a bit higher than some aggro decks because it wants to hit at least 3 lands consistently (to double-spell or use class levels later). A one-land hand is risky unless you have multiple one-drop cantrips to draw into more. Two lands plus action is a snap keep. Three lands is okay if you have good spells to cast; more than three lands in your opener is often too many (unless one is a utility land and the rest of hand is golden). Mulligan aggressively to ensure you have a fast start – this deck can recover from going to six or even five cards because cards like Stock Up and Opt help dig you out, and each spell effectively replaces itself with damage. A hand with Swiftspear + cheap spells is often better than a hand with 3 lands, no threats.

Mid Game

Once you hit turns 3-5, you should already have some damage dealt and a board presence – now your plan is to turn up the heat even more. The mid game is where Izzet Prowess really shines, often delivering the decisive blows. During this phase you’ll be looking to chain multiple spells in one turn to trigger prowess (and other abilities) repeatedly, creating huge swings. This is where Cori-Steel Cutter and Stormchaser’s Talent start to play a big role as well. Let’s talk about those:

Stormchaser’s Talent provides a different kind of mid-game boost. On its surface, for just {U} you get an enchantment Class that creates a 1/1 blue-red Otter token with prowess when it enters. So right away on turn 3 or so, Talent gives you another body to attack or block with. But as the game progresses, you can invest mana to “level up” this Class. At Level 2 (activated for 3U), Stormchaser’s Talent lets you return an instant or sorcery from your graveyard to your hand when it levels up. Think of this as a one-time flashback or regrowth effect – you can get back a key spell like a burn spell or a card draw spell to keep the chain going. At Level 3 (activated for 5U), things get really spicy: whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, you create another 1/1 prowess Otter token. In long games, hitting level 3 essentially turns every spell into a free creature (much like Cori-Steel Cutter’s effect, but now for every spell, not just the second one). While 5U is a lot of mana, in a drawn-out match you absolutely will take over the board if you reach this point – imagine casting an Opt and getting a free 1/1 prowess creature, which can then attack that same turn or next. In many games, you won’t need to go to level 3, but even level 2 can be impactful: getting back a spell (say a removal spell or a pump spell) can swing things in your favor and provide that extra bit of reach to close out the game.

During the mid game, your early creatures start hitting harder thanks to multiple prowess triggers. A Monastery Swiftspear or Drake Hatcher left unchecked by turn 4 might be attacking as a 4/5 or 5/6 after two spells are cast – that’s half your opponent’s life total in one swing! It’s important to calculate your damage and identify when you have lethal or can set up lethal next turn. For example, if you have two prowess creatures and a couple of burn spells in hand, consider if pointing them at the opponent’s face (and pumping your creatures) would end the game immediately. This deck often can present surprise lethals from seemingly low damage positions. A classic scenario: Opponent is at 8 life, you have a Swiftspear (1/2) and a Prowess token (1/1). Cast Opt (each creature gets +1/+1), cast Monstrous Rage targeting the token (token gets +2/+0 and a permanent +1/+1 from Monster Role, plus both creatures get another prowess bump). Suddenly Swiftspear is 3/4 and token is 5/3 trampling (1/1 base +1 role +2 prowess buffs, started 1/1) – that’s 8 damage swinging out of nowhere, even without counting Monstrous Rage’s immediate buff falling off later. Recognizing these burst damage combos is key to success. Sometimes the correct line is to go face with everything and trust your deck’s explosive potential to finish the job. Other times, if you suspect you can’t kill them this turn, you might hold a burn spell to use on a blocker at instant-speed on their turn (or to enable an extra prowess trigger defensively).

Removal timing in mid game is crucial. Since your spells can pump your creatures, using a spell like Abrade or Rebel Salvo to kill a blocker during combat can act as a combat trick – not only removing the blocker but also making your attackers larger before damage. For instance, attack with your team, and when your opponent declares blockers, cast Abrade to kill one blocker and buff your attackers’ prowess. That can turn an already favorable attack into a devastating one. Keep an eye out for opportunities to play at instant speed for surprise buffs. Cards like Into the Flood Maw can bounce a key blocker mid-combat (and if you promised the Fish gift, you could even bounce an enchantment or planeswalker that might be troublesome instead). The deck’s instant-speed interaction allows for flexible and often unexpected lines of play.

In summary, the mid game is where you overwhelm the opponent or set them up to be burned out. Use your life total as a resource – you’re the beatdown deck, so you usually don’t want to trade one-for-one or play defensively unless absolutely necessary. If you started strong, keep turning creatures sideways every turn. Leverage Cori-Steel Cutter and Stormchaser’s Talent if they’re in play – they will ensure you don’t run out of gas by continuously adding creatures and value. And if the opponent isn’t almost dead by the end of turn 5, you should be positioning yourself to finish the game shortly after, or pivot to a slightly longer game plan using your card advantage tools.

Late Game

Ideally, games won’t go super long – but we have to plan for the ones that do. In a late-game scenario (turn 6 and beyond), you’ll typically be facing opponents who have stabilized a bit: perhaps they answered your early threats, gained some life, or deployed bigger blockers that are harder to punch through. The good news is that Izzet Prowess has more reach and staying power than a typical all-in aggro deck, thanks to its draw spells and engines. In late game, your focus shifts to squeezing every extra point of damage out of your deck and leveraging any permanent advantages you’ve built.

If you have a Stormchaser’s Talent on board, reaching Level 3 becomes a top priority in very late stages. At six or more lands, don’t be afraid to invest mana to level it up (cast as a sorcery). Once it hits Level 3, each instant or sorcery is another creature – which can very quickly rebuild a board after sweepers or push through a stalled board state. Even level 2 (the spell recursion) might be what gets you the crucial burn spell from your graveyard to finish an opponent. Check your graveyard: is there a Monstrous Rage or a Torch the Tower you could use again? Grabbing it with Stormchaser’s Talent level-up might swing lethal. Late game, you’re less concerned with preserving resources for later – there might not be a later! So, it’s okay to spend 4 mana to level up if it immediately provides a benefit or sets up a win next turn.

By late game, Drake Hatcher (if alive) could have accumulated some incubation counters from hitting the opponent. If so, remember you can cash in 3 counters at any time to create a 2/2 flying Drake token. It’s usually best to do this at end of opponent’s turn (so you have the Drake ready to attack on your turn). Those Drakes provide evasion to close out a game, especially useful if ground combat is clogged. A fun trick: if you have multiple Drakes stored up, you can remove counters one batch at a time across turns to keep spawning a flying army. Don’t hesitate to swing Drake Hatcher into slightly larger creatures mid game to try to get some damage through – even 1 point of combat damage to a player gives it a counter (and with prowess triggers, Drake Hatcher often isn’t small for long). Late game, a single Drake Hatcher hit followed by spawning a 2/2 flyer might be the difference in pushing final damage. Vigilance on Drake Hatcher means it can attack without leaving you defenseless on blocks – which in a close race scenario is extremely valuable.

When you’re in a protracted game, consider if you need to pivot roles. Although usually you are the aggressor, sometimes against even faster decks you might have taken a more controlling stance and now the game has dragged on. If you find yourself low on life but with more cards or board presence, you might play more cautiously – e.g., keep a Spell Pierce or Disdainful Stroke up to stop a devastating late-game spell from the opponent (like a sweeper or big bomb). The sideboard plan often tailors to late-game play (as we’ll detail below), bringing in counterspells or higher-impact threats. In the main deck, Ral, Crackling Wit from the sideboard can be an example of a card that shines in slower scenarios – it’s a planeswalker that can ping damage and draw cards, giving you reach and advantage. We generally don’t include those slower cards main deck, but know that your sideboard can transform the deck to handle drawn-out battles.

To boil it down: late game Izzet Prowess still has game, mostly due to its engines (Stormchaser’s Talent, Cori-Steel Cutter) and card draw (Stock Up, Sleight, Opt). Use every resource to eke out damage – even a measly 1/1 token might poke in the last point or two. And always count your potential damage from hand + board before making decisions. It’s a great habit to, each turn, tally “If I attack with everything and cast all my spells, how much damage can I deal?” You’d be surprised how often the answer is lethal, even from what looks like a losing board state. The deck can truly play the role of the finisher in the late game, top-decking that critical spell to seal a victory. Nothing beats the thrill of ripping a burn spell off the top when your opponent is at 3 life and you’re both in topdeck mode – except, maybe, casting that burn spell and watching two or three prowess triggers stack up simultaneously for the win!

Mulligan decisions with Izzet Prowess can be tricky, but a few guidelines will help you make the right call:

Always look for a creature in your opener. The deck’s spells do very little by themselves; they shine in combination with creatures. An opening hand with 5 spells and 2 lands might seem okay, but if none of those spells actually produces a threat (like a token) and you have no creature, you’re likely in trouble. A hand with even a single Monastery Swiftspear or Drake Hatcher is usually keepable if the rest of the hand supports it.

Ideal hand composition: One or two creatures, at least two lands (with access to both colors), and some mix of cantrips/pump or removal. For example, Swiftspear + Swiftspear + Opt + Mountain + Island + Monstrous Rage is a fantastic six-card hand (tons of early pressure). On the other hand, 4 lands + Cori-Steel Cutter + Stock Up + Stormchaser’s Talent might be too slow despite having powerful cards – that hand doesn’t do anything meaningful until turn 3. Don’t be afraid to mulligan that to find a faster start.

Lands and colors: You need blue mana early for cantrips and class, and red mana early for creatures and removal. The mana base is pretty smooth, but be mindful: Riverpyre Verge won’t tap for colored mana on turn 1 (you need an Island or Mountain already in play to activate it). If your only land is Riverpyre Verge and the rest of hand is one-drops, that hand might stumble – consider a mulligan or hope to draw a basic. Generally, a one-land hand should have an Opt or Sleight of Hand to even consider keeping, and even then it’s risky on the play. The deck can operate on two lands for a while, but hitting the third land by turn 3-4 is important for double-spelling and using sideboard cards or class levels. So, a hand with one land + cantrips can be kept on the draw if you’re feeling lucky, but on the play I would aggressively ship one-landers unless they are godly (like 1 land, double Swiftspear, Opt, Opt, Monstrous Rage… even then, you miss a land drop and you’re sad).

Card synergies to look for: Having Monstrous Rage in your opener is great if you also have a creature to put it on – a turn 2 Rage on Swiftspear often forces a blowout amount of damage through. Cori-Steel Cutter in your opener is strong if you have at least two other cheap spells to cast by turn 3; if the rest of your hand is creatures and lands, Cori might be slow. Similarly, Stormchaser’s Talent is fine in an opener as your “spell,” since it replaces itself with a token on turn 2 or 3. Just be aware you typically want an actual creature alongside it to maximize pressure.

In summary, mulligan for speed and a creature. This deck is at its best when it’s setting the tempo, not reacting. A hand that can play something on turn 1 and turn 2 is almost always a keeper. Don’t worry too much about having the perfect mix; as long as you have one threat and a way to trigger it, you’re in business. The beauty of Prowess is that even a suboptimal hand can suddenly become great with one timely draw or by chaining a couple of spells. Mulligan to the point where you have that baseline ability to enact your game plan. From there, trust the deck to do what it does best – explode with incremental advantages and bury the opponent in a flurry of spells!

Full rules text: Haste; Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) – simple and deadly. In gameplay, Monastery Swiftspear forces opponents to consider every single spell you might cast, because blocking it is a nightmare – they never know if you’ll suddenly pump it out of burn range. Many games are won on the back of an unchecked Swiftspear dealing incremental damage early, then delivering a final huge swing with pump spells. It’s also a great target for roles like the Monster Role from Monstrous Rage, since giving Swiftspear permanent +1/+1 (and trample) makes it an even bigger long-term threat. In short, always happy to see this gal in your hand – she’s the kind of card that makes you say “oh yeah, it’s go time” on turn one. Your opponent will quickly learn to fear the Swiftie!

Cori-Steel Cutter – This card is the secret sauce that turned Izzet Prowess from a good archetype into a great one in Standard. Cori-Steel Cutter is an artifact Equipment for {1}{R} with a very special ability: Flurry — “Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, create a 1/1 white Monk creature token with prowess. You may attach this Equipment to it.” That Monk token gains all the Equipment’s bonuses (+1/+1, trample, and haste) automatically! In other words, the first spell you cast in a turn might buff your existing creatures, but the second spell literally gives you a free creature to join the fray. And not some vanilla token either – a prowess token, meaning it will also get buffed by any further spells. The fact that Cori-Steel Cutter also gives that token haste and trample via the Equipment is absurdly good. It essentially reads: “Every turn you play two spells, you get a free attacking 2/2 trampling creature (at minimum).” In practice, this lets you flood the board without even using cards from your hand – you naturally want to cast multiple cheap spells in prowess decks, and Cori rewards you by refilling your board with Monks. Those tokens, being 1/1s with prowess, can quickly become huge if not dealt with.

 For example, if you cast your second spell and get a Monk, then cast a third spell, that Monk is immediately a 2/2 (and any Swiftspears or Drakes also got pumped further). The equip cost of Cori-Steel Cutter is {1}{R}, but you rarely pay it – it auto-equips to the new tokens. You could equip it to another creature manually in slower scenarios (to give, say, a Drake token haste to block or attack), but generally you cast spells and let Cori do its thing. Note that Flurry cares about each turn – you can also make a Monk on the opponent’s turn if you cast two instants on their turn. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes you might Opt and then Abrade on their turn, and surprise! Another Monk appears ready for your next turn assault. Beyond the raw power, Cori-Steel Cutter provides resilience: it keeps churning out threats even if your opponent spent removal on your early creatures. It’s a must-kill artifact for many opponents, but being an artifact means traditional creature removal doesn’t hit it. Many games see Cori stick on board and just take over – it feels a bit like having a mini-Young Pyromancer (from older formats) that makes better tokens. When playing with Cori, plan your turns to maximize it: try to sequence so you cast exactly two spells on a key turn to ensure you get that Monk. And remember, the second spell doesn’t have to be cheap – you could cast a 4-mana spell as your second spell and still get the token. But our deck is mostly cheap spells, so it triggers quite naturally. Full text excerpt: “Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has trample and haste. Flurry — Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, create a 1/1 white Monk creature token with prowess. You may attach this Equipment to it.” Cori-Steel Cutter turns your spell-slinging into a one-card army. It’s absolutely a core card and often the difference-maker in grindy matchups. Plus, it’s just satisfying to say “I cast my second spell… trigger Cori, make a Monk” – it feels like you’re raining monks onto the battlefield, Jackie Chan style!

This can overwhelm opponents in a long game – each cantrip or removal spell is another creature joining the battle. Now, it’s important to note that paying 6 mana (total) to fully level this Class is a significant commitment, so it’s usually something you do when you have spare mana or in matchups that go longer (like vs control). However, even at Level 1, this enchantment gave you a free creature for 1 mana, which is extremely efficient. Often you’ll play Stormchaser’s Talent on turn 2 (maybe alongside another 1-drop spell) to get that token and start attacking or chump blocking as needed. The token having prowess means it synergizes like all your other creatures. A common line is to drop Stormchaser’s Talent early, get the token, and then later when you draw excess lands, level it up to grab a key spell back. Full relevant text: (Gain the next level as a sorcery to add its ability.) Level 1 — When Stormchaser’s Talent enters, create a 1/1 blue and red Otter creature token with prowess. Level 2 (3{U}): When this Class becomes level 2, return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand. Level 3 (5{U}): Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, create a 1/1 blue and red Otter creature token with prowess. In practical terms, Stormchaser’s Talent provides early board presence and late-game inevitability – a perfect fit for a deck that sometimes needs to play into turn 6-7. If one copy of this sticks on the board, you can play a more patient game, knowing that eventually you can flood the board with tokens and recursion. Also fun: If you have Stormchaser’s Talent and Cori-Steel Cutter out together, a second spell in a turn will trigger both – you’ll get a Monk and an Otter token, plus whatever the spells do. It’s a glorious shower of tokens! Many opponents will try to remove this enchantment, but few decks pack main-deck enchantment hate. That means against some strategies, Stormchaser’s Talent will quietly sit there generating value turn after turn, and your opponent will groan, “How many tokens can one card make?!” Answer: A lot.

Drake Hatcher – A new addition from the Foundations set, Drake Hatcher has quickly proven its worth as a core creature for Izzet Prowess. For {1}{U} you get a 1/3 Human Wizard with vigilance and prowess – already a solid rate. Vigilance means it can attack and still block, which helps in racing situations (we can swing with it and not worry about leaving ourselves defenseless). But Drake Hatcher’s special ability is what sets it apart: “Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, put that many incubation counters on it.” and then “Remove three incubation counters from this creature: Create a 2/2 blue Drake creature token with flying.” This effectively gives Drake Hatcher a mini-game: every time it hits the opponent, it starts to “hatch” a Drake. After dealing a total of 3 damage over time, it can cash in for a 2/2 flyer. Notably, the damage it deals is counted in counters, so hitting for 2 and then 1 (or 1 then 1 then 1) all accumulates. With prowess, Drake Hatcher can hit quite hard – imagine you pump it to a 4/5 one turn and get 4 counters in one swing, immediately hatching a Drake (you only needed 3 counters). That Drake token it creates has flying, giving the deck more evasive reach. Essentially, Drake Hatcher rewards you for connecting with the opponent by increasing your board presence. 

 Even if the Hatcher dies eventually, the Drakes it left behind stick around to keep pecking at the opponent’s life total from above. Having a few flying tokens can be crucial to finish games against decks that clog up the ground or make chump blockers. Also, don’t underestimate that 1/3 statline – it blocks opposing small creatures well, especially with vigilance letting it stay back on defense after attacking. It survives many common damage-based removal spells (like opposing Shock-style effects). It’s essentially our “value creature,” generating extra resources (in the form of tokens) over time. Strategic use: often you’ll prioritize buffing Drake Hatcher’s power when you can to speed up the Drake production. For instance, if you have a Monstrous Rage, putting it on Drake Hatcher not only makes it hit harder right now but might immediately yield enough counters to spawn a Drake. The vigilance on Hatcher also means you can attack, get counters, then post-combat activate the removal of counters to make a Drake, and still have Hatcher untapped to block if needed. Full text summary: Vigilance, prowess. Whenever Drake Hatcher deals combat damage to a player, put that many incubation counters on it. Remove three incubation counters from Drake Hatcher: Create a 2/2 blue Drake creature token with flying. This card embodies the deck’s ability to go wide – while your other creatures are getting taller (buffing in power), Drake Hatcher is multiplying your threats. Opponents often face a dilemma: kill the Hatcher or the presumably bigger threat like Swiftspear? If they leave Hatcher alone, it will take over a long game by flooding the skies with drake tokens. At 2 mana, it’s a steal for what it provides. In matches where removal is abundant, Hatcher ensures you’re still getting value even if it only sneaks in a hit or two. And if removal is scarce, Hatcher unchecked is often game over for the opponent. It’s kind of ironic that a deck called “Prowess” features a creature that literally sits there hatching eggs – but hey, all the better to unleash an aerial assault when the time is right!

The result is effectively +3/+1 and trample on that turn (because +2/+0 plus the +1/+1 from the Role), and then the creature keeps +1/+1 and trample afterward. This spell often enables our biggest swings and helps our smaller creatures punch above their weight (trample means those prowess buffs won’t be chump-blocked effectively). It’s not a creature or permanent card, but it’s a key synergy piece that deserves the shout-out. Casting Monstrous Rage on a Monastery Swiftspear or Drake Hatcher often turns them into long-term monsters (pun intended). Plus, since it’s instant, you can use it as a combat trick to blow out blocks. While not every version of Izzet Prowess runs pump spells (some lean more on burn or counters), this version leverages Monstrous Rage to full effect – and you’ll feel pretty monstrous yourself when your 1/1 token suddenly smashes in as a 4/2 trample and survives as a beefier 2/2 for later!

n summary, the core cards above are the pillars of the deck’s strategy: fast efficient creatures (Swiftspear, Hatcher), spell-driven token/value engines (Cori-Steel Cutter, Stormchaser’s Talent), and cheap spells to tie it all together and trigger everything. Mastering how these pieces interact – like knowing when to hold a spell to get a Cori token vs. casting it immediately for damage, or when to level Stormchaser’s Talent vs. keep mana for a burn – will elevate your prowess (both figuratively and literally!). Each highlighted card brings a unique strength to the deck, and together they form a cohesive and lethal machine. And perhaps most importantly, they make the deck incredibly fun to play. You’ll often feel like a genius piecing together lethal from seemingly thin air – and these cards are the tools enabling that magic.

Every deck has its strengths and weaknesses, and part of being a skilled Izzet Prowess pilot is knowing how to adjust your game plan (and deck configuration) depending on what you’re up against. Below, we’ll go through common matchups and archetype categories in the current Standard meta (as of May 2025), discuss how the games typically play out, and detail how to use the sideboard to improve your odds. The sideboard cards are chosen to address specific needs: counterspells for big late-game spells, specialized removal for certain colors, additional threats for grindy games, etc. After each matchup overview, you’ll find a suggested sideboard plan with Ins and Outs. Of course, you should always adjust based on what you actually see from your opponent (not every “Mono-Red” or “Control” deck is identical), but these guidelines will serve you well as a starting point. Let’s dive in!

One of the great things about Izzet Prowess is that it’s relatively affordable as competitive decks go – it’s mostly built from commons/uncommons and a few key rares. But we understand that some cards might be out of reach for budget players, or maybe you’re missing a few pieces and want to know substitutes. Conversely, if you have a bigger budget or want to bling the deck out with even more power, we’ll discuss “upgrades” or variations that can take the deck to the next level. This section will cover both budget-friendly swaps and some high-impact upgrades if you’re willing to invest a bit more.

Budget Alternatives

If you’re looking to trim the deck’s cost, focus on replacing the most expensive cards with cheaper counterparts that fulfill similar roles. As of May 2025, the priciest cards in the list tend to be the rare lands and a couple of mythic rares like Cori-Steel Cutter (yes, ironically an uncommon-looking Equipment is a chase rare in Standard right now!). Here are some budget considerations:

Mana Base: The current mana base uses playsets of rare dual lands (Spirebluff Canal, Riverpyre Verge, Shivan Reef). To save money, you can substitute more basics or less expensive duals. For example, Stormcarved Coast (the Blue-Red “slow land” from Innistrad) is often cheaper than Spirebluff Canal and provides similar function (enters untapped mid-game). You could run 4 Coast instead of 4 Riverpyre Verge, for instance. Additionally, Swiftwater Cliffs (the common land that enters tapped and gains 1 life) is a serviceable budget land – gaining 1 life isn’t irrelevant either in races. You don’t want too many tapped lands, but a couple won’t hurt terribly if it fixes your colors on a budget. Another option: Painlands like Shivan Reef are already relatively cheap, but if not, you could use Volatile Fjord (a Snow dual that counts as Island+Mountain but enters tapped) – it’s fetchable with anything that looks for basic types (not relevant in this deck, but it is an Island/Mountain for Riverpyre’s condition, interestingly). Overall, aim for ~12 blue sources and ~12 red sources minimum. If you replace expensive duals with basics, just be mindful to keep enough of both colors. Playing extra Islands and Mountains costs nothing (except slightly more variance in drawing the right color).

Cori-Steel Cutter: This is a unique card and central to the deck’s power, but suppose it’s out of budget (it spiked in price as a multi-format star). What could fill its shoes? The closest budget replacement for generating tokens might be Third Path Iconoclast. Iconoclast (from The Brothers’ War, uncommon) is a 2-mana creature (Blue-Red 1/2) that says “Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, create a 1/1 colorless Soldier artifact creature token.” Sound familiar? It’s like a creature version of what Cori does, though without automatically granting haste/trample or +1/+1. Iconoclast’s tokens don’t have prowess either. But it does consistently create tokens for every spell, not just the second, so there’s a tradeoff. The downside is you need both blue and red mana to cast it, which can be a tad harder on budget mana. Still, it’s likely your best bet if you can’t play Cori-Steel Cutter. Another option some budget builds use is Saheeli, Sublime Artificer – a 3-mana planeswalker (hybrid UR mana) that also makes 1/1 Servo tokens whenever you cast noncreature spells. Saheeli’s a bit slow and was from War of the Spark (not Standard-legal unless reprinted in something like Foundations?), so maybe not legal depending on format (check Standard legality on that – she might not be Standard legal right now, likely not). If not, Iconoclast is your go-to. The deck’s power will dip a bit without Cori’s haste-equipped tokens, but you can compensate by playing aggressively with what tokens you do get.

Stormchaser’s Talent: If this rare enchantment is a budget concern, there isn’t an exact replica – but you could try other card-advantage engines. A budget option could be Of One Mind (a sorcery that can draw 2 cards for {U} if you have a human and non-human – note: Swiftspear is a Human Monk, Drake Hatcher is Human, but tokens from Cori are Monks (human?) and Otters are beasts, so often you’ll have human + non-human, making Of One Mind cost 1. It’s not a permanent engine but a one-shot draw that’s very cheap). Or simply run an extra Stock Up in its place (Stock Up is uncommon, not too pricey). Another angle: include an extra creature threat instead, like a 3rd copy of Slickshot Show-Off main deck or a Bloodthirsty Adversary. Bloodthirsty Adversary (from MID) is a great budget(ish) creature that doubles as late-game value: it’s a 2/2 haste for 2, and you can pay {2}{R} extra any number of times to exile instants/sorceries from grave and cast them (one per time). So for 5 mana total, it becomes a 3/3 haste that flashes back one of your spells (say, recast a Monstrous Rage or Opt); for 7 mana, flash back two spells, etc. Adversary might not be super cheap (it’s a rare, a few dollars maybe), but if you have them or can trade for them, it’s a strong inclusion in grindy matches and gives you some of the recursion Stormchaser’s Talent provided. It doesn’t give you tokens, but a scaled-up Adversary is itself a big threat. If you’re going real budget, you might skip fancy card advantage and just load up on another cheap burn or pump spell in the Stormchaser slot, aiming to kill faster rather than out-value. For example, Light Up the Stage (if still legal via reprint) could be a draw spell alternative – Spectacle cost {R} to exile 2 cards for next turn, though that was rotated unless reprinted in Foundations. If not, maybe Treasure Cruise if that’s legal in Standard via some injection (likely not). So yeah, likely stick to extra threats or Of One Mind.

Lands that hurt (like painlands) vs. basics: On a tight budget, running more basics is fine – the deck is only two colors and many spells are single-colored in cost. You might run into slightly more awkward draws but overall it won’t break the bank or the deck’s functionality. If you do run basics heavily, note that Riverpyre Verge becomes weaker (since it needs an Island or Mountain in play to activate for colored). If you cut Riverpyres for cheaper options, maybe include an extra basic or two to maintain 20-21 lands. The fastlands (Spirebluff) and slowlands (Stormcarved) might be mid-price – if you have them use them; if not, it’s workable without. Also, Training Center (from Commander, red-blue “if 2 or more opponents, enters untapped”) won’t help in 1v1 Standard, so skip that. Cheap duals from recent sets like [c]Volcanic Spire">Wilds of Eldraine]’s common dual (comes in tapped, scry 1) – oh yes, [c]Volcanic Spire from Wilds is a common ETB tapped land that scrys 1. Scry 1 is actually pretty nice for smoothing draws. That could be a solid budget include, running 2-4 of those.

Other Creatures: Let’s say you don’t have Drake Hatcher (maybe you’re playing on Arena and it’s not available if Foundations wasn’t on Arena?). You’d need a replacement 2-drop creature. Some ideas: Ledger Shredder (if you happen to have it – from Streets of New Capenna, rare, known powerhouse in older formats). Ledger Shredder isn’t cheap money-wise but if you own them, it’s strong – a 1/3 flyer for 2 that connives (draw/discard + grows) whenever players cast their second spell each turn. It triggers off you or opponent double-spelling, which in this deck you do all the time (Flurry same condition actually!). It doesn’t have prowess but it can grow to a huge flyer and filters cards. It could slot in place of Drake though you lose vigilance and token spawning, but gain a flyer that can become 3/5 etc. If Shredder is too expensive or not legal (it is legal in Standard until at least rotation due to extension I think?), an uncommon could be Sprite Dragon (from Ikoria, a 1/1 Flying haste that gets a +1/+1 counter whenever you cast a noncreature spell). Sprite Dragon was a staple in older Prowess builds – it permanently grows rather than temporarily like prowess, and it has evasion. It’s fantastic, frankly. However, it’s only Standard legal if reprinted or included via some anthology (it was in Historic on Arena but not sure about Standard). If you can play it, definitely consider it as an alternative threat. It’s usually cheap to acquire too. If none of those are options, you could use Electrostatic Infantry (from Dominaria United, a 1R 1/2 dwarf with trample that gets a +1/+1 counter whenever you cast an instant/sorcery). It’s similar to Sprite Dragon but on ground with trample. It doesn’t start with haste, but it grows permanently like Sprite does. Some early versions of Prowess in Standard used it. It’s common or uncommon (cheap). It could fill the 2-drop slot decently if Drake Hatcher isn’t available.

Pump/Removal spells: Luckily, our instants/sorceries are mostly budget already. Monstrous Rage (uncommon) might be a bit in demand since it’s strong, but it’s not a mythic or anything. If you needed a replacement pump, something like Infuriate ( +3/+2 for R) or Tamiyo’s Safekeeping (G, but we’re not green here, just an example of protective spell). But I’d stick to red pump – maybe Reckless Charge (if somehow in format – gives +3/+0 and haste with flashback) but that’s older. Or Surge of Strength style cards. Honestly, Monstrous Rage is unique with that role creation. If budget, just play the full 4 Rage if you have them, or even add a 4th if you were running 3, since they end games. Torch the Tower and Opt are commons – easy. Stock Up is uncommon but should be inexpensive (unless it spiked due to competitive play – even then, maybe a dollar or two). If you absolutely needed a budget draw alternative, there’s Inspiration (4 mana draw2) – no thanks – or Consider (like Opt, but if not available, any cheap cantrip). Or simply increase threat density rather than draw if you had to.

In summary, a budget build might look like:

• Creatures: 4 Swiftspear, 4 Electrostatic Infantry (budget Drake replacement), 2-3 Iconoclast (budget Cori replacement), 2 Sprite Dragon (if you have or none if not), maybe 2 Bloodthirsty Adversary if affordable or more Infantry.

• No Cori, no Stormchaser: instead maybe +1 Iconoclast, +1 land or +1 Of One Mind.

• Lands: more basics, 4 Swiftwater Cliffs, 4 Stormcarved Coast (if you can, they might be a few bucks each but still cheaper than Spirebluff maybe), rest basics.

• The deck will be a bit more straightforward burn/beatdown without Cori/Talent engines, but still functions as a prowess deck.

Even on a tight budget, the core concept of “play cheap creatures and sling spells” remains strong. You might goldfish a turn 5 kill instead of turn 4, but you’ll still be competitive at your local store or on ladder in Arena Bo1. And as you acquire the key rares over time, you can slot them in one by one.

Suppose you’ve got some extra wildcards or cash and you want to level up the deck beyond the base 75. What high-impact additions or changes can be made? Here are some thoughts:

Splashing a Third Color (Jeskai Prowess): One common upgrade path is to splash white to go Jeskai. Why white? White offers some sideboard tools and powerful spells. For instance, Mentor of the Meek or Seeker of the Way style cards (though Seeker is an older card – lifelink prowess effectively). In current Standard, one huge draw is Expressive Iteration – except that’s banned in older formats, but in Standard maybe it’s not present anyway (since it was in Strixhaven, rotated or banned?). Another card might be Clarion Spirit (makes flying tokens when you double-spell – somewhat redundant with our game plan though). More relevantly, white splash gives access to sideboard cards like Burn Down the House or Temporary Lockdown if you needed mass removal (though we usually don’t want that) or Protective Spells** like [c]Lauren’s Escape (one mana give hexproof, indestructible to a creature – nice vs removal heavy decks). It also could let you play Azorius Charm type cards if any exist (like draw or lifelink something). Honestly, the deck doesn’t gain a ton from white main deck except perhaps Lurrus of the Dream-Den in older formats (not Standard legal). However, some Jeskai builds run Oculus Whelp (I saw “Jeskai Oculus” in meta lists – that might refer to Oculus of the Inspired or something? If there’s a strong white or multicolor card named Oculus). Possibly they utilize Ojer Taq, Deepdweller or some white creature with prowess or double-spell synergy. If you do splash, the mana gets more expensive (you’d need Jeskai tri-lands or more duals), so it’s not strictly an “upgrade” unless the cards payoff big.

Alternative Win-Cons: If you want a surprise finisher, you could try a couple copies of Crackle with Power or a big spell like that as a one-of finisher. Crackle (5 mana minimum, deals 5 to X targets) could close a game where combat can’t. But 5 mana is a lot – probably not worth diluting the lean game plan. Some players consider a transformative sideboard plan – like boarding into a slower controlling build with Hullbreaker Horror or Arcane Bombardment. But that might be overkill and off-theme.

Increasing Resilience: If you find yourself against a lot of removal or grind, one could consider The One Ring (if it were in Standard, which it’s not – but fun thought for other formats) or Bitter Reunion type cards (to give haste and cycle, but we already have haste mostly). For Standard specifically, maybe adding an extra Ral, Crackling Wit main deck if you expect slower meta – giving you more oomph in long games. Or even Chandra, Dressed to Kill (from VOW, a red planeswalker that adds mana and can ping damage/draw – she could be an interesting include for card advantage and reach). Chandra is mythic and might be pricey, but is an upgrade that some red decks use. She’s not as synergy with prowess except she’s an extra noncreature spell per turn that deals damage.

Big Meta Calls: If the meta shifts and some card becomes problematic (say a 7-toughness creature or a combo), you adjust accordingly. For example, if there’s a planeswalker heavy meta, maybe main deck a Spell Pierce or Negate. If graveyard became relevant, maybe Roast//Toast or something. Upgrades can also mean having a more flexible sideboard: you could add an extra Negate or Supreme Will to catch noncreature spells if control is prevalent. Or Rending Flame as a removal that also deals planeswalker damage (I think Rebel Salvo covers that already well).

Foil Bling! – If money isn’t an issue, pimp it out! Get those alternate art Monastery Swiftspear promos, the foil etched Cori-Steel Cutter, etc. While not a power level upgrade, showing up with a fully foiled deck does add +10 intimidation factor. (Kidding… mostly).

In a broader sense, one “upgrade path” is that this Standard Izzet Prowess deck has a lot of overlap with Pioneer and even Modern prowess/arclight decks. Cards like Monastery Swiftspear, Sprite Dragon, Ledger Shredder, Opt, etc., are played in older formats. So investing in those pieces can pay off if you want to transition to those formats later. For instance, adding Arclight Phoenixes and Treasure Cruise could turn this into a Pioneer Izzet Phoenix deck. Or adding Lightning Bolt and Manamorphose plus Soul-Scar Mage can make it Modern-worthy. Thus, an “upgrade” might be looking at those formats and seeing if you can port the core over and what you’d need. If you’re strictly Standard-focused though, Izzet Prowess is already near the top of the power curve; there’s not some mythic $50 card that automatically makes it way better. It’s more about tuning to the meta and refining play.

One powerful mythic I will mention: Sheoldred, the Apocalypse herself. Hear me out – no, we’re not going to splash black in our aggressive spellslinging deck… normally. But there is a world where someone might brew a Grixis Prowess that uses Sheoldred as a curve-top to punish opposing draw spells and stabilize your life while you continue to cast cheap spells (which trigger her lifegain). It’s not traditional and likely worse than sticking to UR, but if you just love Sheoldred and have them, it could be a fun twist. You’d need to alter mana a lot though.

Recommended Upgrades (tl;dr): The first things I’d add if budget allows:

• Full playset of Cori-Steel Cutter (if you haven’t already – it’s that good, and the deck really sings with all 4 copies available).

• Full playset of Stormchaser’s Talent (again, engine piece, worth it).

• Ledger Shredders as extra threat (especially if Drake Hatcher is inaccessible, Shredder will carry games by growing huge).

• The best lands you can get your hands on: Spirebluff Canals and Stormcarved Coasts for speed, maybe the new Mystic Duals from Tarkir set if any (e.g., some lands come in untapped if you reveal a spell, etc. – keep an eye on new sets).

• Expressive Iteration (if it ever becomes legal/unbanned again in Standard – one of the strongest card draw spells for UR tempo, and an auto-include upgrade if available).

Finally, consider upgrading your sideboard as needed:

• If a certain combo deck arises, slot in a couple of Negates or Duress (if splash black) to hate it out.

• If graveyard decks pop up, Unlicensed Hearse or Lithomantic Barrage (for specifically Esper legends maybe).

• If lifegain or fog effects become common, Leyline of Punishment (not Standard-legal, just example) or more Sunspine Lynxes.

The great thing is the core concept remains – no matter what fancy cards you add, you’re still playing a sleek, explosive strategy that rewards both good deckbuilding and tight gameplay. Make the upgrades that suit your meta and playstyle, and you’ll keep opponents on their toes. And never forget: sometimes the best “upgrade” is simply mastering the deck. Knowing when to hold that Spell Pierce or how to sequence triple spells in one turn is priceless and can win you games even more than a pricey mythic might. So invest in practice, too!

Izzet Prowess is a deck that scales well with both budget and skill. You can start fairly inexpensive, have a blast, and then gradually enhance it with key pieces (most of which also happen to be great investments for broader Magic play). Whether you stick to this exact 75 or tweak it with new cards and foils, the core idea of turning cheap spells into big damage will always be a thrill. Happy upgrading, and may your topdecks be ever in your favor!