Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here.
A few weeks ago I started my first watch of Avatar: The Last Airbender with my son and I’d like to now say that yeah, I get it. The set is true to the show while also feeling like authentic Magic. After the awkward rollout and horrible reception of Spider-Man, seeing the Avatar cards hit differently – they pass the smell test.
As for Pauper, well, the cards are just starting to make their mark. Badgermole has seen some play as a top end in Gruul Ramp builds while Abandon Attachments is yet another way to cheat Sneaky Snacker into play but unlike Grab the Prize, this one can see play in blue decks. But these are niche applications and are far from the top of the standings.
There were four Challenges to kick off Avatar season and it appears this will be the case moving forward. While this has provided a bounty of data, it also means the run down of the decks has grown long. While annoying for Yours Truly it does mean we have a much better idea of what the best decks are at any given time.
Last week I wrote the following:
Outside of Thraben Charm, I am also very bullish on Crypt Rats and Pestilence. Being able to apply pressure to your opponent’s board development while also holding your finger over an “I Win” button is powerful.
Would it come as a shock, then, that both of the winning Golgari Gardens lists (from the same pilot, no less) featured Crypt Rats? Gardens had a strong week with an average finish in the Top 16 to go along with its pair of wins. The strategy also had the second best Adjusted Meta Score Above Replacement at 1.41, just 0.18 points behind the leader but a whopping 0.60 points ahead of third place. Gardens takes many forms, and while the two most successful lists skewed towards the control end of the spectrum the archetype is decidedly midrange.
As for the best deck from the four Challenges, why that would be Grixis Affinity. Another format stalwart, this is the archetype with the AMSAR of 1.69. The Machine had an average finish closer to the Top 8 than Top 16 and racked up an impressive five Top 8s (with a win). Grixis Affinity is a midrange deck with another gear – one that can end the game in a flurry of Galvanic Blasts or feeding grist to the Makeshift Munitions mill.
My Thraben Charm prediction did not bear the same fruit. While white had some sporadic success it lacked the staying power of Golgari. I am personally not as high on Glint Blade these days – board position feels incredibly important and resetting your side of the battlefield for incremental advantage feels risky – I could see Orzhov Ephemerate or other proactive builds pick up the Thraben Charm banner.
In fact, I think white could be a key color next week thanks to Revoke Existence. Hitting key artifacts and enchantments remains important and Revoke Existence, while not as backbreaking as Dust to Dust, can get the job done. The problem is what do you pair with white to keep up? Glint Hawk and Kor Skyfisher are staples but if board position matters – as I believe – resetting it turn after turn for an extra card may be a bridge too far. What do you think white needs to make the jump? What under the radar cards could be out there just waiting to be uncovered?
Power Rankings
Dropped from rankings: Caw Gate, Mono White Aggro
10. Rakdos Madness (Not Ranked)
9. Spy Walls (-6)
8. Faeries (Not Ranked)
7. Jund Wildfire (-6)
6. Elves (+3)
5. Rally Red (Not Ranked)
4. Blue Terror
3. Madness Burn (+4)
2. Golgari Gardens (+4)
1. Grixis Affinity (+5)
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