MtG Health Index

Legacy is looking incredibly healthy this month, folks, with a robust Final Health Index of 78.0! The format feels dynamic and vibrant, clearly adapting well to recent shake-ups and new card introductions. This score suggests a balanced and engaging play experience, with plenty of room for both established strategies and exciting new innovations to thrive. It’s a great time to be shuffling up in Legacy.

Digging into the numbers, our Metagame Diversity Score sits at a solid 76.6, backed by an excellent Archetype Distribution Score of 94.0. Consistent growth is evident, with paper participation up 3.6% monthly, MTGO at 5.1%, and events increasing by 3.5%. The super-archetype breakdown shows a healthy balance of Aggro (39%), Control (29.5%), and Combo (31.5%), aligning well with historical trends and keeping the format diverse.

When it comes to the top of the metagame, Dimir Tempo is clearly leading the pack, making up 10.5% of the field. Boros Aggro holds a strong second at 6%, with UR Tempo and Death & Taxes tied for third at 5% each. Eldrazi Aggro follows at 3%. Other notable decks include Mardu Aggro, Initiative Stompy, Artifacts Blue, Dragon Stompy, and Maverick, adding to a competitive but varied landscape.

Community discussions are buzzing, largely due to Modern Horizons 3. The breakout star is undoubtedly "Nadu Combo" with Nadu, the Wielder, quickly becoming a focal point. New Eldrazi variants utilizing cards like Nethergoyf are also showing promise, alongside Flare of Denial, which is finding homes in blue-based decks. While players are excited by these new strategies, concerns around power creep and the financial barrier are also part of the conversation. Importantly, there were no recent B&R announcements or card changes for the format this month.

Alright Modern fanatics, let's dive into this month's data! The format is flashing green across the board, boasting a strong Final Health Index of 80.6. This isn't just a number; it tells us Modern is in a vibrant, engaging state, humming along nicely with plenty of action.

Looking at the nitty-gritty, the numbers are truly impressive. We're seeing massive Player Growth, with paper participation up 12.5% and MTGO up a whopping 15.0% monthly. Event Growth is also surging at 10.3% per month, indicating a booming scene. Our Metagame Diversity Score sits at a healthy 74.3, and Archetype Distribution is an excellent 93.0, showing a well-rounded mix of strategies.

So, who's at the top of the heap? Blink slightly edges out UR Aggro this month, both dominating at around 11% of the metagame. Affinity holds a solid third at 5%, with Boros Aggro, 4/5c Aggro, and Jeskai Aggro all making their presence felt at 3% each. The super-archetype breakdown reveals a nearly even split between Aggro (40.5%) and Combo (39.8%), with Control holding its own at 19.7%. This shows a slightly higher presence of Combo than historical averages.

Community discussions are still very much dominated by the impact of Modern Horizons 3. The Nadu, Winged Wisdom combo is clearly the leading new strategy, sparking intense debate over its power and consistency, with some players even calling for a ban. Beyond Nadu, various Eldrazi strategies are seeing a resurgence. Cards like Flare of Denial, Flare of Cultivation, Phlage, Titan of Fire's Heart, and Nethergoyf are also hot topics, reshaping how we think about interaction, ramp, and threats. There have been no recent B&R changes, so the format is evolving organically as players continue to innovate with these powerful new tools.

Vintage is clocking in with a solid 57.8 Final Health Index this month, indicating a format that’s holding its own and presenting plenty of engaging gameplay, even if it's not experiencing explosive growth. The metagame continues to shift and adapt, offering unique challenges that keep players coming back for more.

Delving into the numbers, Metagame Diversity sits at a moderate 45.6, suggesting room for more variety, but a fantastic Archetype Distribution Score of 92.5 shows the established archetypes are well-represented. Player Growth at 62.6 is decent, though it's a tale of two worlds: paper play is growing at 3.2% monthly, while MTGO participation is declining by 6.3%. Event growth is also slightly down at -3.5% monthly. We’re seeing a slight dip in overall diversity from historical peaks like 2023. Aggro now accounts for 41.9% and Control 34.2%, both up from historical averages, with Combo settling at 23.9%.

Looking at the top contenders, MUD is clearly the deck to beat, dominating with a 19.4% share. Close behind are Dimir Control at 12% and Hatebear at 10%. Gifts Control and BUG Midrange also hold significant spots, showing a robust top tier. The "Big Three" archetypes — Mishra's Workshop aggro-prison, Bazaar of Baghdad strategies, and blue-based control/combo — are still defining the format's core interactions.

No B&R changes were announced this month, so the metagame is evolving naturally. Community discussions echo the data, highlighting the constant interplay between Workshop, Bazaar of Baghdad strategies, and various blue-based control and combo decks. Players are consistently optimizing existing builds; Urza's Saga remains a potent card, and there's renewed interest in blue combo strategies like Paradoxical Outcome and Doomsday. Orcish Bowmasters continues to be a format-defining card, while The One Ring sparks ongoing debate in blue control shells. Despite concerns about accessibility, the passion for Vintage’s unique, high-powered interactions remains strong.

Pioneer is looking incredibly strong this month, boasting a fantastic Final Health Index of 84.1. This isn't just a number; it reflects a format that's robust and thriving. Players are actively engaged, and the competitive scene feels vibrant, indicating a very healthy landscape for everyone picking up their decks.

Digging into the metrics, we see strong performances across the board. The Metagame Diversity Score comes in at a solid 70.8, showing good variety. Archetype Distribution is even better at 86.1, suggesting a balanced spread of strategies. Crucially, Event Growth (91.3) and Player Growth (93.3) scores are excellent, with paper participation alone surging by 13.5% monthly. Even online play on MTGO is seeing a steady 2.1% monthly increase, while overall events are growing by 3.8%.

Looking at the current metagame, UR Aggro is clearly the deck to beat, commanding a significant 14% of the top tables. Other strong contenders include Devotion to Green at 5%, and a cluster of other aggro strategies like Dimir Aggro and Selesnya Aggro, both at 4%. Interestingly, while aggro strategies still form the largest super-archetype at 44.8%, combo decks are making a strong showing at 32.8%, a notable increase compared to the historical 16.2%. This suggests a shift towards more diverse threats beyond just pure aggression.

The community pulse aligns with a dynamic format. Reddit discussions highlight the meta's evolution, with Abzan Amalia Combo consistently drawing attention for its explosive potential, alongside Lotus Field Combo sparking debates about interactive play. While no recent B&R changes were announced this month, players are keeping an eye on the power level of cards like Sheoldred, the Apocalypse and Fable of the Mirror-Breaker, which remain staples. Boros Convoke and Gruul Vehicles are also gaining traction, offering fresh angles. Overall sentiment is positive, with players appreciating the format's depth, even as they scrutinize powerful combo decks and individual cards, always seeking a balanced environment.

Standard is holding a moderately healthy Final Health Index of 62.3 this month, but digging into the data reveals a clear story: aggro is king, and participation numbers are a concern. While our Archetype Distribution is robust at 90.1, indicating good spread among deck types, the overall picture suggests a format struggling with engagement.

Looking at the numbers, Metagame Diversity sits at a decent 69.0, but the low Event Growth (27.6) and Player Growth (32.1) scores are hard to ignore. We’re seeing significant declines in paper play especially, which is definitely a worrying trend. On the brighter side, the B&R Health Score is a strong 90.0, indicating a positive response to recent interventions, despite historical diversity trending downwards to 55.8 this year.

If you’re stepping into the metagame, be prepared for speed. Aggro decks now make up a staggering 68.8% of the format, a bump up from the historical 65.7%. Mono Green Aggro is currently leading the charge at 23.2%, with Dimir Aggro close behind at 12%. Mardu Aggro and Boros Aggro round out the top contenders, making it clear that fast, efficient strategies are ruling the day.

Community discussions echo this sentiment, with Boros Convoke frequently cited for its efficiency and explosive power, often enabled by Slickshot Show-Off. Players are actively discussing its consistency and rapid game-closing ability, while also exploring new tech like Pillage the Bog in slower Dimir Midrange or Jund/Golgari builds. Sheoldred, the Apocalypse remains a powerful presence in many discussions, and cards like Tinybones, the Pickpocket, and Oko, the Ringleader are generating buzz. The recent decisive bans, reflected in the high B&R Health Score, aimed to slow dominant archetypes and foster diversity, and while Boros Convoke's strength is a hot topic, the community remains cautiously optimistic about the format's evolution.

Pauper is looking exceptionally healthy this month, boasting a strong Final Health Index of 79.9. This score reflects a format that's not just alive, but thriving, indicating a dynamic environment for players looking to battle with commons. We're seeing robust participation and a lively metagame, painting a bright picture for the format's future.

Delving into the numbers, our Metagame Diversity Score sits at a respectable 74.6, showcasing a good range of viable strategies. The Archetype Distribution Score is an impressive 91.9, meaning our super-archetypes are quite balanced despite Aggro currently holding 60.3% of the pie. Growth is where Pauper truly shines, with an Event Growth Score of 85.3 and an excellent Player Growth Score of 94.0. Player numbers are climbing, especially on MTGO, which is up a staggering 14.8% monthly.

When it comes to the battlefield, Mono Blue Aggro is the undisputed leader at 14.2% of the metagame. Right on its heels are Burn at 12% and Affinity at 7%, confirming that aggression is king right now. Other strong contenders rounding out the top include Red Deck Wins, Gruul Aggro, Elves, and Jund. It's clear that if you're not playing a fast, proactive game, you'll need a solid plan against these dominant forces.

Community discussions reflect a meta shaped by established powerhouses like Dimir Terror and the explosive potential of Kuldotha Red. Players are actively exploring new tech from recent sets, subtly refining decks like Izzet Faeries and Boros Synthesizer with new cantrips or removal. There's significant buzz around Tolarian Terror, with some advocating for a ban due to its efficiency, while cards like Lightning Bolt remain foundational. Experimental Synthesizer in red decks also sparks frequent scrutiny. Despite a vocal segment expressing frustration with perceived stagnation at the top and calls for bannings, the passion for Pauper and its brewing spirit remains incredibly high.

Premodern is looking exceptionally healthy this month, folks! Our Final Health Index stands strong at 81.0, signaling a robust and engaging format. It’s clear from the data that Premodern continues to hit that sweet spot between nostalgia and competitive play that we all love, maintaining a vibrant community and a well-balanced metagame.

Digging into the numbers, we see a superb Archetype Distribution Score of 95.6, showing an impressive balance between Aggro (36%), Control (30.3%), and Combo (33.7%) strategies. Metagame Diversity is solid at 78.8. Event Growth is booming at a 90.4 score, with events consistently increasing month over month. However, a Player Growth Score of 66.1 suggests we need to keep an eye on paper participation, which has seen a slight decline, even as overall event numbers grow.

When it comes to the metagame, Aggro continues to lead the pack, with Goblins at 9.7% and Sligh (RDW) at 8% being the decks to beat. Landstill (UW Control) is a strong contender at 7%, followed closely by Mono Black Aggro at 6% and Terrageddon at 5%. These top players define the format, but the high archetype diversity means you can't just prepare for one strategy.

Community discussions consistently highlight Premodern’s skill-intensive gameplay, with players praising the intricate dance between archetypes. There’s been a notable uptick in refined aggro-control strategies, with U/G Madness variants, often leveraging cards like Merfolk Looter for card selection, and R/G aggro-control builds gaining traction. The resilience of traditional control decks, utilizing Counterspell and Wrath of God, also remains a constant benchmark. We’ve seen no recent B&R announcements or card changes for the format, meaning the meta continues to evolve naturally through player innovation and strategic adaptation.