http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=12997&writer=Adam+Yurchick

Abzan Aggro

PLAY
Out: -3 Silkwrap, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Self-Inflicted Wound, +1 Wingmate Roc

DRAW
Out: -1 Silkwrap -1 Dromoka's Command, -1 Warden of the First Tree, -1 Anafenza, the Foremost -1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
In: + 3 Self-Inflicted Wound, + 2 Transgress the Mind

On the play, you want to take on the aggressive role and put the opponent on the back foot as much as possible. Your priority is to develop your board and take advantage of being the proactive player. We are less reliant on creature removal and, because Silkwrap has limited targets and is exploitable by Dromoka' Command, we cut it for a more well-rounded removal spell in Self-Inflicted Wound. When on the play post sideboard be aware of Planar Outburst, which some opponents sideboard two copies of on the draw.

It's easy to fall behind on the draw, so assume a more controlling role with less threats and more disruption. Anafenza, the Foremost, Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, and Wingmate Roc are all best when being the aggressor, so their numbers can be trimmed on the draw. On the draw removal spells are more important, so the risk of Dromoka's Command on Silkwrap is a risk that has to be taken. Matching their creatures with creatures of your own allows them to cast removal and keep attacking, so your priority is to Remove their creatures rather than developing your own board. It's especially important to leave them creatureless before the threat of Wingmate Roc on turn five because the first player to resolve one is likely to win the game. Transgress the Mind makes the control plan more effective against Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and Wingmate Roc, and the best way to use Transgress the Mind is as a tempo play that disrupts their ability to efficiently use their mana on a specific turn.


Atarka Red

Out: -4 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, -2 Wingmate Roc, -2 Den Protector
In: +3 Duress, +2 Surge of Righteousness, +2 Ultimate Price, +1 Dromoka's Command

Atarka Red is the only major deck in Standard that's faster and more aggressive than Abzan Aggro, so it's the only matchup where Abzan Aggro assumes the control role on the play and on the draw. Gideon, Ally of Zendikar is too slow in establishing a board presence, and its loyalty is constantly at risk, so it's an easy cut. Wingmate Roc is a decent card, but it's too slow and clogs up opening hands. Den Protector is a very poor blocker, and card advantage isn't very important in the matchup, so a pair of them can be cut.

While Abzan assumes the control role, it's important to turn the corner as soon as possible and finish the opponent expediently. Look for any opportunity to safely get in damage, but beware of their dash creatures. Be vigilant at preventing them from winning with Temur Battle Rage and Become Immense, which discard, along with Surge of Righteousness and Ultimate Price, help to contain. Abzan Charm is surprisingly effective as a removal spell, and because their deck doesn't play a lot of burn, it can sometimes be used to draw cards to help beat them in a war of attrition.


Esper Dragons

Out: -2 Wingmate Roc, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -2 Murderous Cut, -1 Dromoka's Command, -1 Silkwrap, -1 Windswept Heath
In: +3 Duress, + 2 Transgress the Mind, + 2 Ultimate Price, + 2 Self-Inflicted Wound

Jace, Vryn's Prodigy is their most important card in the matchup, and that means Silkwrap and Ultimate Price are necessary to contain it. Ultimate Price also stops any Tasigur, the Golden Fang or Monastery Mentor that some players board in the matchup. Discard is of course important, and is often aimed at Dig Through Time and Crux of Fate. A pair of Self-Inflicted Wound punishes them for casting Dragonlord Ojutai.

Wingmate Roc is poor against their Counterspells, sweepers, and dragons, and Heir of the Wilds doesn't hit hard because you won't often have Ferocious enabled. In this matchup I think the best plan is to actually cut a land, which reflects your lowered mana curve without Wingmate Roc, but also helps to make the deck more threat-dense in extended games.


Jeskai Black

Out: -2 Abzan Charm, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Transgress the Mind

They sideboard in Disdainful Stroke and, combined with Ojutai's Command, it means the third Wingmate Roc is an unnecessary risk. The matchup is fast-paced and tempo-based, so there is little time for drawing cards with Abzan Charm, but it remains a fine removal spell for Mantis Rider and a late-game card advantage tool. Many players have been cutting Tasigur, the Golden Fang, so Abzan Charm is even less important. The discard is critical for disrupting their Counterspells and removal, which clears the way for our threats, especially Gideon, Ally of Zendikar to take over the game. Once the opponent has six lands Dragonmaster Outcast becomes the biggest threat in the matchup, so keeping it off the battlefield is of the utmost importance. Be judicious with your Silkwrap, which are important for keeping creatures out of the graveyard, and thus out of Ojutai's Command's reach.


Mardu

Out: -3 Silkwrap, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Transgress the Mind, +1 Wingmate Roc

Mardu decks tend to take on a very controlling role after sideboard, and they cut Hangarback Walker so Silkwrap is of little use. Discard becomes very valuable, especially for containing their planeswalkers and Pia and Kiran Nalaar. They typically board up to four Self-Inflicted Wound, so your first priority is to resolve Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and build a buffer of white Knight Ally Tokens to sacrifice. Be careful not to attack with Gideon, Ally of Zendikar when the opponent has three mana open because of the risk of Crackling Doom. Mardu does have a lot of removal to contain raid, but without Counterspells to punish you for spending five mana, the third Wingmate Roc becomes a great tool for pulling ahead on the battlefield.


Four-Color Rally

Out: -4 Abzan Charm, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Ultimate Price, +1 Hallowed Moonlight, + 1 Wingmate Roc

Abzan Charm doesn't Remove anything but a pumped Nantuko Husk and, because they have little disruption, there isn't much need for drawing cards. Cut it for the more effective removal spell, Ultimate Price. Duress cuts off their access to Collected Company, and it is important for discarding their Murderous Cut to protect Anafenza, the Foremost. Hallowed Moonlight counters Rally the Ancestors and Collected Company, so it's a great preventative measure that leaves the opponent in a very bad situation whenever you draw it.
Your first priority is to keep Jace, Vryn's Prodigy off of the table, and your second priority is to build up your clock as quickly as possible and be extremely aggressive. Otherwise, this matchup is all about Anafenza, the Foremost, which fits right into the aggressive plan. Leaving up Murderous Cut or Ultimate Price to counter the exploit of Sidisi's Faithful is a great play at your disposal.


Ramp Decks

Out: -2 Wingmate Roc, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -2 Murderous Cut, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Transgress the Mind, +2 Ultimate Price

Wingmate Roc is trumped by their top-end threats and isn't an efficient way to develop the board, so it can be cut. Discard is important for containing their two major threats, Ugin, the Spirit Dragon and Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger. It is sometimes possible to contain their mana and kill them before they play their big spell, look for opportunities to target cards like Nissa's Pilgrimage and Hedron Archive. It's great having a lot of cheap removal to contain their mana acceleration creatures and Jace, Vryn's Prodigy against the blue versions that play it. Your goal in the matchup is to develop your clock and kill your opponent as fast as possible, so in the early game it's rarely correct to play discard or removal instead of playing a threat. It's definitely possible to win through one of their big plays, and the more damage you deal before they resolve one, the easier this becomes.


Esper Tokens

Out: -2 Abzan Charm, -2 Murderous Cut, -2 Heir of the Wilds, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Transgress the Mind, +1 Wingmate Roc, +1 Hallowed Moonlight

They are light on creatures and heavy on spells, especially after sideboard when they assume a more controlling role, so cut removal spells for discard to reflect this. Hallowed Moonlight is a great way to stop Secure the Wastes. If at all possible you want to stop them from triggering Raid for Wingmate Roc, but because this is difficult the best plan is usually to simply overpower Wingmate Roc and beat it in a damage race, or hopefully choose it with Transgress the Mind.


Bring to Light Control

Out: -2 Heir of the Wilds, -2 Murderous Cut, -1 Dromoka's Command
In: +3 Duress, +2 Transgress the Mind

Five-Color Bring to Light is notable because it has a strong game plan against Abzan Aggro. It's not heavily played, but I expect it to grow more popular as the metagame continues to develop. This opponent has plenty of disruption, but also plenty of creatures that are important to kill. Bringing in all of the discard disrupts their plans, but it's important to keep in plenty of creature removal to contain their creatures.