MtG Health Index

Legacy's meta is feeling dynamic this month, clocking in with a Final Health Index of 61.5. This score suggests a format that's generally healthy but facing some headwinds. The big story is a vibrant, evolving metagame contrasting with a noticeable dip in player engagement across the board.

Delving into the numbers, Metagame Diversity sits at a healthy 77.1, and Archetype Distribution is an impressive 94.8. These high scores indicate a wide variety of strategies are viable, preventing any single approach from dominating. However, Event Growth at 50.1 and Player Growth at 40.1 are clear concerns. We're seeing declines of -3.7% in events monthly, alongside player drops of -6.0% in paper and -4.6% on MTGO.

Looking at the battlefield, Boros Aggro and Dimir Tempo are neck and neck as current top contenders, both claiming 7% of the metagame share. UR Tempo isn't far behind at 6%, with Eldrazi Aggro at 4%. Overall, Combo strategies currently lead the super-archetype breakdown at 40.3%, slightly ahead of Aggro at 36.5% and Control at 23.2%. So, expect to see a lot of people trying to combo you out!

The community pulse confirms this dynamic state, heavily influenced by the recent *Modern Horizons 3* set. Players are buzzing about new powerhouses like Nadu, Winged Wisdom, which enables explosive combo wins with zero-cost equipment like Shuko. Ugin's Labyrinth is supercharging colorless strategies, while Nethergoyf is making a splash as a resilient threat, often paired with Delver of Secrets. Flare of Denial offers free interaction, changing how games play out. There haven't been any recent B&R changes for Legacy, so all these shifts are purely organic meta adjustments to the new card pool. The format feels unsettled, with active brewing pointing to an exciting, though challenging, future.

Modern is showing a strong pulse this month, kicking off with a solid Final Health Index of 78.2! This suggests a robust and engaging format, though digging deeper reveals a metagame constantly evolving and sparking passionate debate. Players are still reeling from Modern Horizons 3's impact, actively refining strategies, leading to a vibrant, albeit contentious, battleground.

Looking at the numbers, Modern’s Metagame Diversity sits at a healthy 73.3, and Archetype Distribution is an impressive 94.7. This indicates a good spread of different playstyles despite some community concerns. While Event Growth is declining slightly at -3.7% monthly, player engagement is soaring! Paper participation is up a massive 11.0% per month, and MTGO player counts are growing at 1.6% monthly, pushing the Player Growth Score to an excellent 92.5. So, more players are diving in, even if event counts are dipping.

Right now, Rakdos Aggro is clearly the deck to beat, dominating with 14.5% of the metagame. Other top contenders include Affinity at 7%, Boros Aggro at 6%, and both UR Aggro and 4/5c Aggro at 5% each. This leans heavily into an aggressive playstyle, with Aggro super-archetypes making up 46% of the current breakdown. This marks a shift from historical trends, as Aggro and Combo strategies have gained ground compared to the historical average, while Control has seen a notable decrease.

The community buzz is palpable, largely centered around the continuous refinement of strategies following MH3. We're seeing top decks like Murktide Regent, Four-Color Omnath piles, and refined Nadu combo decks consistently making deep runs, sparking debates about perceived dominance and the power level of efficient threats. Innovation isn't slowing down either, with Tron variants, Burn adapting, and cards like Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury or Nethergoyf finding niches. Flare of Denial is praised for its efficiency, while Nadu, Wondrous Mentor and various Eldrazi threats remain focal points in power discussions. There haven't been any recent B&R announcements, so the format's dynamism is purely player-driven, a testament to its complexity and endless possibilities.

Vintage is sitting at a moderately healthy 56.8 Final Health Index this month, a score that tells a story of both dynamic evolution and some underlying concerns. While the format remains incredibly powerful and engaging for its dedicated players, we're seeing some shifts that bear watching.

Looking at the numbers, Metagame Diversity is a bit low at 42.7, suggesting fewer unique strategies are consistently topping events. However, the Archetype Distribution is excellent at 92.5, meaning the *types* of decks – Aggro, Control, Combo – are still broadly well-represented, even if specific builds are fewer. The biggest red flags are in participation: Event Growth is a concerning 25.5, with events declining at 8.4% monthly. Player Growth is also trending downwards, with both Paper and MTGO participation seeing monthly drops. We've seen diversity scores decline steadily since 2023.

Currently, Dimir Control leads the pack at 15.5% of the meta, followed by MUD at 11%, and Esper Control and Hatebear both at 10%. The super-archetype breakdown shows Control firmly in charge at 41.3%, a significant jump from its historical 27.4%, while Aggro has receded. It seems like blue-based strategies are dictating the pace more than ever.

Community discussions reflect this dynamic meta, buzzing about the impact of Modern Horizons 3. Nadu, Winged Wisdom, is sparking innovative combo decks, and Flare of Denial is a critical new free counterspell for blue strategies. There’s continuous talk about the dominance of blue-based control-combo, especially Doomsday and Paradoxical Outcome, as well as Bazaar of Baghdad archetypes like Dredge and Hogaak. Bazaar of Baghdad itself remains a hot topic, with players debating its power. The One Ring and Urza's Saga also see regular discussion. While players love the strategic depth, there's apprehension about power creep and a desire for more diversity at the absolute top tiers. No recent B&R changes were announced for Vintage, leaving the meta to evolve organically with these new cards.

Pioneer is cruising along this month with a Final Health Index of 57.1. It's a middling score, suggesting the format is stable but definitely has room to improve and grow. There's a solid foundation, but some areas show significant pressure.

Digging into the numbers, we see a mixed bag. Metagame Diversity (74.7) and Archetype Distribution (88.5) are looking strong, telling us there's a good variety of decks and strategies. However, the growth metrics are a concern: Event Growth is at a low 17.9, and Player Growth sits at 31.7. Both paper and MTGO participation, along with overall event counts, have been declining, with September showing a noticeable dip in events and players compared to previous months.

Looking at the battlefield, Devotion to Green is undeniably the top dog, grabbing a commanding 17.7% of the meta. UR Aggro is holding strong in second with 11%, followed by Red Deck Wins at 6%. Aggro strategies continue to dominate the overall landscape, making up 57.2% of the current super-archetype breakdown, though this is slightly down from the historical average. Control has seen a bump, while Combo is less prevalent than historically.

Over on Reddit, the community's pulse is a mix of appreciation and active debate. Rakdos Vampires, fueled by Vein Ripper, is a hot topic, often cited as a top-tier contender but also drawing scrutiny over its power level. Similarly, Amalia Combo continues to spark discussion, with players noting its consistency but also the non-interactive nature of some of its wins. Staples like Thoughtseize, Fatal Push, and Leyline Binding remain crucial. While there's general appreciation for the format's depth, calls for potential bannings around cards like Amalia or Vein Ripper pop up, showing a desire for an even more balanced field. No recent B&R changes have shaken things up, keeping the meta in its current state.

Standard presents a mixed picture this month, with a Final Health Index of 69.2. While the metagame's internal balance appears robust, participation trends reveal significant headwinds. We're seeing good diversity, but player and event engagement are clearly struggling.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Metagame Diversity (71.8) and Archetype Distribution (91.6) are strong, showing a healthy spread of super-archetypes. Aggro remains dominant at 64.7%, in line with its 5-year average. However, Player Growth (13.8) and Event Growth (55.2) are concerning, reflecting declining paper and MTGO participation – the biggest red flag. The B&R Health Score sits high at 90.0, indicating positive reception to recent changes.

On the battlefield, aggressive strategies dominate. Mono Green Aggro leads at 13.4%, followed by Dimir Aggro (13%), and Jund Aggro (10%). With Aggro super-archetypes comprising 64.7% of the metagame, it's clear that efficient, fast strategies are paramount. Orzhov, Boros, and Azorius aggro variants also hold significant shares.

Community discussions show players grappling with the meta. Consistent Boros Convoke and Dimir Control strength leads some to feel the format is "solved." Yet, brewing is active; Jund and Temur midrange gain traction, leveraging Slickshot Show-Off and the Plot mechanic. Sheoldred, the Apocalypse and The Wandering Emperor are often discussed, while Tinybones, the Pickpocket surprises with its efficacy. The high 90.0 B&R Health Score reflects recent decisive bans targeting dominant archetypes to slow the format and foster diversity. This intervention was positively received, though player counts haven't fully recovered.

Pauper is holding strong this month, landing a solid Final Health Index of 71.6. This signals a generally healthy and engaging format, showing resilience despite some underlying trends. It's clear the community is passionate, even as the meta continues to evolve.

Looking at the numbers, we're seeing good metagame diversity with a score of 76.0 and an excellent Archetype Distribution Score of 91.3, indicating a varied play experience. Growth is a bit of a mixed bag, though; while Paper participation is declining, MTGO players are on a healthy upward trend. Overall Event Growth is also declining, but the Archetype Distribution score suggests the format itself is adapting well.

When it comes to the top of the food chain, Aggro clearly reigns supreme, making up over half of the current super-archetype breakdown. Burn leads the charge at 11%, followed closely by Affinity at 9%, and Red Deck Wins at 6%. We're also seeing strong showings from Mono Blue Aggro, Aura Aggro, and Gruul Aggro. These decks define the competitive landscape right now.

Community discussions reflect this aggressive tilt, with Kuldotha Red, powered by cards like Monastery Swiftspear, Kuldotha Rebirth, and Galvanic Blast, generating a lot of buzz for its explosive starts and quick game ends. Dimir Faeries and various Tron builds are holding their ground, adapting to the fast pace. Players are also keen on Boros Synthesizer variants leveraging Ephemerate and Kor Skyfisher for value. While there’s no new B&R announcement this month, discussions about format speed and the impact of Kuldotha Red's key pieces are ongoing, showing a community invested in Pauper's future.

Premodern is looking strong this month, holding a solid Final Health Index of 74.5. The community's mood is overwhelmingly positive, with players consistently praising the format's engaging gameplay, diverse meta, and nostalgic appeal. This vibrant environment continues to attract new players, which is a fantastic sign for the format's long-term health.

Diving into the numbers, our Metagame Diversity Score sits at a healthy 77.9, while the Archetype Distribution Score is an impressive 94.3, showing excellent balance between Aggro, Control, and Combo strategies. Player growth is particularly strong, increasing at an average of 1.6% monthly, pushing our Player Growth Score to 88.1. While Event Growth is declining slightly at -2.0% monthly (scoring 63.6), the overall player base is clearly expanding, indicating sustained interest. Historically, 2025's diversity score of 78.0 is a recent high point.

Looking at the battlefield, aggressive strategies are definitely making their presence felt. Mono Black Aggro leads the pack at 8%, closely followed by Goblins, Terrageddon, and Sligh (RDW), all sitting at 7%. Madness / Threshold and Elves round out the top contenders with 3% and 2% respectively. This dominance of aggro has been a hot topic in community discussions, with players discussing its impact on the format's balance.

The community pulse confirms these trends, buzzing about the "perceived dominance of aggressive strategies" like Sligh and Goblins. However, innovation is clearly thriving. We're seeing a resurgence of 'The Rock' (BG Midrange) featuring Spiritmonger and Ravenous Baloth, and 'UW Standstill' is gaining traction. Cards like Rishadan Port and Wasteland remain constant discussion points for their impact on mana, while Pernicious Deed and Engineered Plague are being lauded as essential sideboard answers. There have been no recent B&R announcements or specific card changes to report this month, so the current meta shifts are purely organic.