Exploring the Bloomburrow Standard Meta Trends
Greetings, and welcome to Metagame Mentor, your go-to source for the latest developments in the Standard format as we navigate the path towards the Pro Tour. With the release of Bloomburrow, Standard players are gearing up for new adventures and exciting gameplay. As the oldest four sets – Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, Innistrad: Crimson Vow, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, and Streets of New Capenna – have rotated out, a fresh format has emerged, offering a wide range of possibilities and diversity.
Post-Rotation Standard Metagame Analysis
Standard, a dynamic 60-card format that currently includes expansion sets from Dominaria United onwards, has seen significant changes post-rotation. To understand the current metagame, I delved into the results of the first four Standard Challenges on Magic Online and a 111-player event on Melee. While the sample size of 239 decklists may be small, it provides valuable insights into the emerging trends.
Each deck in the analysis was assigned points based on its number of match wins minus match losses, capturing its popularity and performance in a single metric. By interpreting each archetype’s point share as its share of the winner’s metagame, we can gain a deeper understanding of the evolving Standard landscape.
In a previous article titled “Winners and Losers from Standard Rotation,” I highlighted the impact of the rotation on key decks such as Esper Midrange, Four-Color Legends, and Temur Analyst. These decks have now faded from competitive Standard, paving the way for new strategies to shine.
Deck Spotlight: Golgari Midrange
In the post-rotation Standard environment, Golgari Midrange has emerged as a dominant force, showcasing a blend of powerful black and green cards. Unaffected by the rotation, this deck continues to leverage efficient black interactive spells and resilient threats like Mosswood Dreadknight and Glissa Sunslayer. With a flexible mana base featuring Restless Cottage and Bloomburrow’s Fountainport, Golgari Midrange offers versatility and strength.
The deck seamlessly adapted to the rotation, replacing key cards with new additions from Bloomburrow such as Preacher of the Schism and Glistening Deluge. By adjusting its composition to suit the evolving meta, Golgari Midrange has maintained its position as a top contender in Standard.
Orzhov Bats: A Rising Contender
Despite the rotation impact on Orzhov Midrange, the archetype has found renewed strength in Bloomburrow with the introduction of Zoraline, Cosmos Caller. This legendary Bat brings additional life gain and recursion potential to the deck, enhancing its late-game capabilities. Paired with cards like Beza, the Bounding Spring and Season of the Burrow, Orzhov Bats has established itself as a formidable presence in post-rotation Standard.
With solid performances in Magic Online Challenges, Orzhov Bats showcases the resilience and adaptability necessary to thrive in the evolving metagame. By leveraging new synergies and strategic advancements, this deck has positioned itself as a force to be reckoned with.
Domain Ramp: Surprising Resilience
Despite initial concerns surrounding the rotation’s impact on domain decks, Domain Ramp has successfully rebuilt itself post-rotation. Utilizing new cards from Bloomburrow like Lush Portico and Heaped Harvest, this archetype maintains its ability to enable full domain for powerful plays. With a focus on ramping into potent threats like Archangel of Wrath and Atraxa, Grand Unifier, Domain Ramp remains a competitive option in the current Standard meta.
By leveraging synergies and efficient mana fixing, Domain Ramp showcases its adaptability and resilience in the face of rotation changes. As one of the prominent decks in Week 1 of Bloomburrow Standard, it will be intriguing to see how this archetype evolves in the coming weeks.
Gruul Prowess: A Dynamic Aggro Option
Gruul Prowess has emerged as a prominent deck in the post-rotation Standard meta, showcasing the potency of new Bloomburrow cards like Heartfire Hero and Emberheart Challenger. With a focus on aggressive strategies and efficient pump spells, this deck offers a blend of speed and versatility. Across Magic Online Challenges, Gruul Prowess has demonstrated its potential with impressive results, highlighting the impact of Bloomburrow on red aggro decks.
By leveraging the strengths of the Mice theme and new card synergies, Gruul Prowess embodies the dynamic nature of aggro strategies in the evolving Standard format. As players explore different variations and adaptations, this archetype remains a compelling option for competitive play.
Rakdos Lizards: A Reptilian Contender
Rakdos Lizards has emerged as a surprising contender in the post-rotation Standard meta, showcasing the potency of new Bloomburrow cards like Flamecache Gecko and Valley Flamecaller. With a focus on aggressive gameplay and efficient damage output, this deck offers a unique playstyle that can catch opponents off guard. By maximizing the damage potential of Lizard spells and leveraging synergies within the theme, Rakdos Lizards presents a formidable presence on the battlefield.
As players continue to explore the possibilities of this archetype, Rakdos Lizards stands out as a competitive option with the potential to disrupt established strategies in the evolving Standard meta. With strategic adaptations and innovative card choices, this deck exemplifies the diversity and creativity of the post-rotation format.
Mono-Red Aggro: A Resilient Option
Mono-Red Aggro has proven its staying power in the post-rotation Standard meta, showcasing the adaptability of red aggro strategies in the face of rotation changes. By incorporating new Bloomburrow cards like Hired Claw and Sunspine Lynx, this deck maintains its aggressive edge while adapting to the evolving meta. With a blend of speed and versatility, Mono-Red Aggro offers a dynamic playstyle that can shift between aggro and midrange roles as needed.
By leveraging the strengths of new card synergies and versatile win conditions, Mono-Red Aggro remains a competitive option for players seeking a fast-paced and impactful deck in the current Standard format. As players refine their strategies and explore new card choices, this archetype continues to showcase its resilience and adaptability in the evolving meta.
Orzhov Sacrifice: A Unique Approach
Orzhov Sacrifice has emerged as a unique and innovative deck in the post-rotation Standard meta, showcasing the power of new Bloomburrow cards like Bandit’s Talent and Rottenmouth Viper. With a focus on generating value through sacrificing permanents and leveraging synergies within the deck, Orzhov Sacrifice offers a strategic and engaging playstyle. By combining efficient removal spells and disruptive elements, this deck presents a formidable presence on the battlefield.
As players explore the intricacies of this archetype and fine-tune their strategies, Orzhov Sacrifice stands out as a compelling option for competitive play in the evolving Standard format. With a focus on resource management and strategic decision-making, this deck exemplifies the depth and complexity of the post-rotation meta.
Conclusion
As the Standard meta continues to evolve in the wake of the Bloomburrow release, players are presented with a diverse array of deck options and strategic possibilities. From established archetypes like Golgari Midrange to innovative newcomers like Orzhov Sacrifice, the post-rotation format offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and discovery. By leveraging the strengths of new Bloomburrow cards and adapting to the changing meta, players can navigate the competitive landscape with creativity and ingenuity. As the journey towards Magic World Championship 30 unfolds, the evolving Standard meta promises excitement, challenge, and endless possibilities for competitive play.