MtG Health Index

Legacy is looking incredibly healthy this week, clocking in with a fantastic Final Health Index of 82.4! This score suggests a vibrant format with strong foundational metrics, promising a great experience for players right now.

Peeling back the layers, the format’s health scores are impressive across the board. Metagame Diversity sits at a solid 77.0, while Archetype Distribution is an outstanding 93.7, indicating a well-balanced spread of strategies. Event Growth is strong at 91.9, and Player Growth is even better at 95.1, showing rising participation in both paper and MTGO. The B&R Health Score also contributes positively at 91.0. Looking at the super-archetype breakdown, Aggro, Control, and Combo are nearly evenly split, standing at 34.3%, 31.2%, and 34.5% respectively, a distribution far more balanced than the historical 5-year average.

When it comes to the top of the pile, Dimir Tempo is clearly leading the charge, making up 7.7% of the metagame. Following that, we see a tight pack with Boros Aggro, Eldrazi Aggro, Artifacts Blue, and UR Tempo all holding 3% each. Death & Taxes, Mardu Aggro, Mono Black Aggro, and Dragon Stompy each represent 2%, with Maverick rounding out the top ten at 1%. This indicates a clear frontrunner but a diverse set of challengers vying for position.

The community pulse on Reddit shows players are still adjusting to the post-Grief meta-game, with the recent bans on Entomb and Nadu, Winged Wisdom aiming to boost diversity. Discussions are heavily focused on the rise of the 'Frog' era, with Psychic Frog appearing in almost every blue-black shell. We're also seeing a resurgence of Eldrazi Stompy, boosted by Modern Horizons 3 additions like Ugin’s Labyrinth and Devourer of Destiny. Control players are experimenting with Tamiyo, Inquisitive Student and the polarizing Vexing Bauble, which serves as a hard check against free spells like Force of Will and Daze. Finance discussions note a climb in prices for Underground Seas and Orcish Bowmasters. Despite some lingering Modern Horizons fatigue, sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with the format feeling more diverse than during the Grief dominance, even as entry costs remain a concern.

Modern is looking exceptionally strong this week, with a Final Health Index of 78.9. This robust score indicates a format currently in a stable and healthy state, reinforcing the recent B&R analysis that expressed high confidence in Modern's ability to self-correct without immediate intervention. We’re definitely in a good spot after navigating recent shifts.

Diving into the numbers, Modern’s Archetype Distribution is a healthy 90.4, showcasing diverse playstyles. Both Event Growth and Player Growth scores are outstanding at 93.4 and 92.1, respectively, with paper participation seeing a 7.8% monthly rise and MTGO up 2.3%. While Metagame Diversity is at 68.0, the B&R Health Score of 88.0 suggests a very solid underlying foundation.

Turning to the battlefield, Boros Aggro is the undisputed deck to beat, dominating with a significant 22.9% of the metagame. Blink follows at 12%, with Affinity at 9%. Aggro strategies as a whole are making waves, now comprising 56.8% of the super-archetype breakdown—a clear uptick from the historical 46.1%. Expect fast, impactful games across the board.

Community discussions highlight intense experimentation after the Nadu, Winged Wisdom ban. Boros Energy, powered by Guide of Souls, Amped Raptor, and Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury, has emerged as the premier aggressive strategy. Phlage, in particular, is drawing comparisons to Uro. Players are also buzzing about Dimir Frog, a Psychic Frog-enhanced Dimir Murktide, and various Eldrazi builds like Through the Breach or those with Devourer of Destiny and Ugin’s Labyrinth. The One Ring remains a contentious but unbanned card. While optimism is cautious post-Nadu, concerns persist about financial barriers due to rising MH3 mythic costs. The recent B&R announcement confirmed no card changes, reflecting confidence in Modern's stability.

Vintage is looking rock-solid this week, posting a healthy Final Health Index of 72.5. The official B&R assessment described the format as "exceptionally healthy and diverse," reflecting a generally vibrant meta, though some underlying shifts are certainly worth noting.

Digging into the numbers, the Archetype Distribution Score is a stellar 97.2, and the B&R Health Score remains strong at 90.0. Event growth is trending positively at 3.4% monthly, and paper participation has climbed by 4.4% per month, even as MTGO player counts dipped by 2.4%. However, the Metagame Diversity Score sits at a concerning 40.0. Historically, overall diversity has seen a decline, from 68.0 in 2023 down to 50.6 in 2026, which contradicts the B&R's "exceptionally diverse" claim somewhat.

For those looking to compete, MUD is undeniably the deck to beat, dominating with a significant 20.2% of the metagame. Esper Control follows at 12%, while Hatebear makes a respectable showing at 7%. The super-archetype breakdown shows a fairly balanced field, with AGGRO at 34.2%, CONTROL at 29.9%, and COMBO slightly ahead at 35.9%.

The community pulse confirms a dynamic landscape, heavily shaped by Modern Horizons 3. Dimir and Grixis Lurrus shells are buzzing, largely due to Psychic Frog emerging as a premier threat and card advantage engine. Vexing Bauble is the week's hot topic, sparking intense debate on r/MTGVintage; some praise it for checking zero-mana spells, while others argue it creates frustrating "non-games" by locking out powerful openers. Notably, the B&R announcement brought no card changes, signaling strong confidence in the format's current stability. However, players are already calling for a Restricted List re-evaluation if Vexing Bauble's impact continues to be so significant.

Pioneer is looking strong this week, landing an impressive Final Health Index of 78.0. This score reflects a format that's not just holding its own but showing significant vitality and adaptation, especially after a recent targeted ban announcement, signaling a healthy, responsive environment.

Looking at the numbers, things are mostly green across the board. Metagame Diversity sits at 61.5, which is a bit lower than historical highs but still respectable. What's truly exciting is the Event Growth Score at 92.4 and Player Growth Score at 90.4, showing consistent expansion. Paper participation is particularly booming, growing at an average of 8.2% per month. The Archetype Distribution is fantastic at 90.9, suggesting plenty of viable strategies despite the diversity dip.

When it comes to the top of the food chain, UR Aggro is dominating with 21% of the metagame. Red Deck Wins follows at 11%, with Selesnya Aggro holding 8%. Overall, aggro decks command a substantial 52.6% of the current super-archetype breakdown. While current aggro is a bit less than its historical 62.9%, combo strategies have increased to 27% compared to their historical 16.6%, indicating a shift in the format's overall composition.

The community discourse is buzzing around the "Big Three": Rakdos Vampires, Amalia Combo, and Izzet Phoenix. Rakdos Vampires is a hot topic, especially its turn-three Vein Ripper via Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord, despite its vulnerability. Amalia Combo is also under a ban watch for Amalia Benavides Aguirre due to frequent unintentional draws, not just power. Meanwhile, Slickshot Show-off is breathing new life into Mono-Red and Boros Heroic, while High Noon emerged as a key sideboard answer. The recent ban of Heartfire Hero was a surgical strike against Mono-Red Aggro's early pressure, intended to improve metagame balance and diversity, and the B&R Health Score is a solid 80.0. Sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with players appreciating the format's non-rotating identity.

Alright, Standard players, let's dive into this week's data. The format is looking robust, with a solid Final Health Index of 78.1. This strong score is clearly buoyed by recent impactful changes and a community eager to explore. The overall sentiment, especially after the latest B&R and rotation, is overwhelmingly positive, pointing to a vibrant and evolving meta.

Drilling into the numbers, our Metagame Diversity Score sits at 60.0, indicating a decent variety, while the Archetype Distribution Score is very healthy at 88.8. Player participation is soaring, with a Player Growth Score of 97.0, showing Paper participation growing at an average of 20.9% and MTGO at 7.3% monthly. Event growth is stable at -0.4%. Interestingly, the current Super-Archetype breakdown shows Aggro at 54.6%, Control at 31.6%, and Combo at 13.8%, a shift from the historical 66% Aggro and 4.3% Combo, suggesting a more diverse strategic landscape.

Looking at the competitive edge, Mono Green Aggro is leading the pack at 16% of the top decks, followed closely by UR Aggro at 13%. Other notable contenders include Dimir Aggro at 6% and Simic Aggro at 5%. It's clear that aggressive strategies, particularly those leveraging green and red, are currently setting the pace in the metagame.

The B&R Health Score of 93.0 speaks volumes about the recent actions. The bans of Vivi Ornitier, Screaming Nemesis, and Proft's Eidetic Memory have successfully dismantled the oppressive Izzet Cauldron and preemptively weakened Mono-Red Aggro, leading to a much healthier environment. On Reddit, the community is buzzing about a midrange-heavy meta, with Golgari and Orzhov variants battling it out. Innkeeper’s Talent is a hot topic, with players debating its late-game value. Boros Mice, featuring Heartfire Hero and Manifold Mouse, is a BO1 ladder staple. Beza, the Bounding Spring is a praised catch-up card, and Mockingbird is highly regarded for its flexibility. Sunspine Lynx is even gaining traction as a necessary sideboard inclusion. Despite minor gripes about Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, the general consensus is that Standard is in a fantastic place.

Pauper is looking solid this week, with a strong Final Health Index of 82.1. This score indicates a robust and engaging format, showing excellent stability and player engagement across the board. It's clear that despite some ongoing discussions, the format remains in a remarkably healthy state.

Diving into the numbers, our Metagame Diversity score sits at a respectable 73.3, while Archetype Distribution is an impressive 91.8. Both Player Growth (94.6) and Event Growth (91.4) scores are high, reflecting strong participation. We're seeing paper participation grow by 5.4% monthly and MTGO by 9.5%, with monthly event counts consistently on the rise, hitting 329 events last month. The current super-archetype breakdown, with Aggro at 64.9%, Control at 26.7%, and Combo at 8.4%, very closely mirrors the historical 5-year averages, suggesting a well-balanced fundamental structure.

When it comes to the top contenders, Affinity continues its powerful run, claiming 16.8% of the metagame. Burn is the next significant player at 10%, followed by Jund, Elves, and Weenie White all tied at 6%. Rounding out the top ten are Mono Blue Aggro (4%), Red Deck Wins (3%), Rakdos Aggro (3%), Gruul Aggro (3%), and Orzhov Aggro (2%). This breakdown clearly shows that Aggro strategies are dominating the landscape, aligning with the 64.9% super-archetype share.

The B&R front saw High Tide banned, a move the AI analysis called a "vital corrective measure" to restore stability and improve player experience by removing a polarizing combo. On Reddit, the primary buzz is still about the "absolute dominance of Grixis Affinity," with Refurbished Familiar now debated as its centerpiece, and many questioning the bridge lands themselves. The rise of the "Basking Broodscale combo" is also a major talking point, prompting players to main-deck interaction like Cast Down and Snuff Out. While there's cautious optimism, a growing consensus suggests Affinity and Broodscale might need further intervention. Despite the meta-game complaints, an uptick in foil staple prices and rising local game store attendance confirms high player engagement.

Premodern is looking exceptionally healthy this week, boasting a superb Final Health Index of 83.0! This strong score signals a format that's not just surviving, but thriving, marked by significant engagement and a robust competitive environment. The community sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with players actively praising Premodern as a refreshing alternative, offering a nostalgic yet strategically deep experience.

Digging into the metrics, the numbers reinforce this positive outlook. Our Metagame Diversity Score sits high at 80.5, alongside an Archetype Distribution Score of 96.4, showcasing a balanced and varied field. Growth is undeniable, with an Event Growth Score of 97.1 and a Player Growth Score of 92.8. Paper participation is expanding by an average of 5.1% monthly, while event counts are surging at an impressive 11.4% monthly rate, culminating in 199 events in March 2026 alone.

When it comes to the top contenders, Goblins leads the charge, claiming 10.4% of the metagame. Mono Black Aggro holds a solid 7%, with Sligh (RDW) right behind at 5%. Other notable decks making the Top 10 include Terrageddon at 4%, and Madness / Threshold and Elves both at 3%, indicating a diverse range of powerful strategies at the top tables.

The Premodern community is buzzing, with Reddit discussions highlighting the current metagame's state. While many discussions focus on Survival of the Fittest as the perceived "deck to beat," players also point to the success of diverse archetypes like Landstill and Goblins as proof of a healthy ecosystem. Experimentation is rife, with 'The Rock' variants finding success and a 'Turbo-Land' resurgence observed. Notably, there have been no recent B&R announcements or specific card changes for the format, ensuring stability as we head into the next quarter.