MTG Arena Zone’s Limited Tier Lists rank all the cards from the set, to assist with picking cards for your draft deck or building your sealed deck. Full written updates will be recorded in the changelog at the bottom, but Drifter and Raszero regularly makes minor grade changes on the fly as well, so the Tier List will be up to date for as long as Kaldheim is the current set. Make sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to it later!
S: Ridiculous bomb: has a huge immediate impact on the game and threatens to dominate it if unanswered. Always 1st pick. (Baneslayer Angel, Emeria’s Call, Sublime Epiphany)
A: Very powerful card: approaches bomb status, pulls you strongly into its colour. Usually easy 1st pick. (A+: Leyline Tyrant, A: Felidar Retreat, A-: Nullpriest of Oblivion)
B: Great playable: happy to pick early, pulls you into its colour. After the first few picks, a signal. (B+: Bloodchief’s Thirst, B: Emeria Captain B-: Rabid Bite)
C+: Good playable that rarely gets cut. On the wheel, can be a signal, especially in multiples. (Gnarlid Colony, Into the Roil, Thundering Sparkmage)
C: Fine playable, sometimes gets cut. A few in the last picks of a pack can form a signal. (Tajuru Blightblade, Tazeem Raptor, Synchronized Spellcraft)
C-: Mediocre playable or decent filler, gets cut around half the time. (Nimana Skitter-Sneak, Fissure Wizard, Blood Price)
D: Medium to bad filler, gets cut a lot. (D+: Resolute Strike, D: Sneaking Guide, D-: Disenchant in most sets)
F: Mostly to totally unplayable cards. (Roiling Vortex, Forsaken Monument, Negate in most sets)
Notes
This tier list tries to capture “overall power level”. For more details, check out the mission statement.
This tier list is primarily intended for Draft, but should still be useful for Sealed, with some adjustments. For more info, check out my General Sealed Strategy Guide!
Two colour gold cards should be taken lower early on – you won’t be able to play them unless you’re specifically in those colours. The amount lower varies – as a general rule, take them about one grade lower if they’re splashable, or two grades lower if they’re not splashable (so a B-tier card becomes a C+ first pick). C+ is the hard limit for any cards in the B range, since C-level and below cards are very interchangeable, so a B- would still be on the lower end of C+. As always, it’s contextual though!
Colourless cards should be taken about a grade higher early on, because they can go in any deck.
Sideboard-only cards are rated as though they would go in the maindeck i.e. they usually receive bad ratings. Make sure to check out the sideboarding guide if you’re playing best-of-three!
White
D
R
Wings of the Cosmos
12
12
Warhorn Blast
12
12
Valor of the Worthy
10
10
Valkyrie’s Sword
7
6
Usher of the Fallen
6
7
Story Seeker
9
9
Starnheim Unleashed
1
1
Starnheim Courser
8
9
Stalwart Valkyrie
8
9
Spectral Steel
9
9
Sigrid, God-Favored
5
5
Shepherd of the Cosmos
7
8
Search for Glory
13
14
Runeforge Champion
7
8
Rune of Sustenance
7
9
Righteous Valkyrie
5
5
Revitalize
14
14
Resplendent Marshal
4
5
Reidane, God of the Worthy
4
5
Rally the Ranks
7
6
Master Skald
9
10
Kaya’s Onslaught
10
10
Iron Verdict
7
6
Invoke the Divine
14
14
Halvar, God of Battle
2
2
Goldmaw Champion
8
8
Gods’ Hall Guardian
11
10
Glorious Protector
4
4
Giant Ox
12
12
Doomskar Oracle
9
9
Doomskar
2
2
Divine Gambit
10
11
Codespell Cleric
11
12
Clarion Spirit
5
6
Bound in Gold
6
5
Beskir Shieldmate
9
9
Battlefield Raptor
10
13
Battershield Warrior
9
9
Axgard Braggart
8
8
Multicolored
D
R
Maja, Bretagard Protector
4
4
Koma, Cosmos Serpent
1
1
Koll, the Forgemaster
7
7
King Narfi's Betrayal
8
9
Kaya the Inexorable
1
1
Kardur's Vicious Return
7
6
Kardur, Doomscourge
5
5
Invasion of the Giants
11
9
Immersturm Predator
2
3
Harald Unites the Elves
7
8
Harald, King of Skemfar
7
8
Forging the Tyrite Sword
13
13
Firja's Retribution
3
3
Firja, Judge of Valor
5
5
Fall of the Impostor
6
5
The Bloodsky Massacre
6
6
Binding the Old Gods
4
4
The Bears of Littjara
4
4
Battle of Frost and Fire
3
3
Battle for Bretagard
7
7
Ascent of the Worthy
11
11
Arni Slays the Troll
6
5
Aegar, the Freezing Flame
7
7
Moritte of the Frost
6
5
Narfi, Betrayer King
4
4
Niko Aris
3
3
Niko Defies Destiny
12
11
The Raven's Warning
9
7
Sarulf, Realm Eater
5
5
Showdown of the Skalds
4
5
Svella, Ice Shaper
5
5
The Three Seasons
9
12
The Trickster-God's Heist
4
6
Vega, the Watcher
6
5
Waking the Trolls
9
6
Blue
D
R
Undersea Invader
12
12
Strategic Planning
12
12
Saw It Coming
10
9
Rune of Flight
8
8
Run Ashore
8
9
Reflections of Littjara
10
9
Ravenform
13
11
Pilfering Hawk
11
8
Orvar, the All-Form
7
8
Mystic Reflection
11
10
Mistwalker
7
8
Mists of Littjara
10
8
Littjara Kinseekers
9
9
Karfell Harbinger
9
9
Inga Rune-Eyes
8
8
Icebreaker Kraken
12
12
Icebind Pillar
5
5
Graven Lore
6
5
Glimpse the Cosmos
7
8
Giant's Amulet
7
5
Frostpyre Arcanist
8
7
Frostpeak Yeti
10
10
Frost Augur
7
7
Draugr Thought-Thief
10
9
Disdainful Stroke
11
10
Depart the Realm
10
9
Cyclone Summoner
5
4
Cosmos Charger
6
6
Cosima, God of the Voyage
5
5
Brinebarrow Intruder
11
12
Bind the Monster
8
7
Berg Strider
7
7
Behold the Multiverse
8
6
Avalanche Caller
4
4
Augury Raven
7
8
Ascendant Spirit
13
12
Annul
14
14
Alrund's Epiphany
5
5
Alrund, God of the Cosmos
5
3
Artifacts
D
R
Weathered Runestone
14
14
Scorn Effigy
11
9
Runed Crown
7
7
Replicating Ring
7
8
Raven Wings
10
10
Raiders' Karve
10
10
Pyre of Heroes
13
13
Maskwood Nexus
7
6
Goldvein Pick
9
10
Funeral Longboat
13
11
Cosmos Elixir
9
7
Colossal Plow
13
12
Bloodline Pretender
8
8
Black
D
R
Withercrown
9
8
Weigh Down
10
7
Village Rites
10
10
Vengeful Reaper
7
7
Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire
5
5
Valki, God of Lies
2
2
Tergrid's Shadow
9
9
Tergrid, God of Fright
4
3
Skull Raid
9
8
Skemfar Shadowsage
8
7
Skemfar Avenger
5
7
Rune of Mortality
8
9
Rise of the Dread Marn
8
6
Return Upon the Tide
12
12
Raise the Draugr
9
8
Priest of the Haunted Edge
9
8
Poison the Cup
4
4
Koma's Faithful
9
9
Karfell Kennel-Master
10
9
Jarl of the Forsaken
8
8
Infernal Pet
10
9
Haunting Voyage
6
7
Hailstorm Valkyrie
9
9
Grim Draugr
10
9
Feed the Serpent
5
5
Eradicator Valkyrie
3
3
Elderfang Disciple
8
8
Egon, God of Death
7
9
Duskwielder
14
14
Dream Devourer
7
7
Dread Rider
10
9
Draugr's Helm
7
6
Draugr Recruiter
10
9
Draugr Necromancer
3
3
Dogged Pursuit
11
9
Demonic Gifts
11
12
Deathknell Berserker
9
9
Crippling Fear
4
4
Burning-Rune Demon
3
4
Bloodsky Berserker
7
6
Blood on the Snow
2
2
Lands
D
R
Great Hall of Starnheim
6
6
Gnottvold Slumbermound
7
7
Glacial Floodplain
8
8
Gates of Istfell
7
7
Faceless Haven
9
9
Bretagard Stronghold
6
7
Axgard Armory
8
8
Arctic Treeline
8
8
Alpine Meadow
7
7
Highland Forest
8
8
Ice Tunnel
8
8
Immersturm Skullcairn
8
10
Littjara Mirrorlake
7
7
Port of Karfell
6
6
Rimewood Falls
7
7
Shimmerdrift Vale
7
7
Skemfar Elderhall
8
7
Snowfield Sinkhole
8
8
Sulfurous Mire
8
8
Surtland Frostpyre
8
8
Tyrite Sanctum
9
8
Volatile Fjord
8
8
Woodland Chasm
8
8
The World Tree
8
8
Snow-Covered Plains
11
11
Snow-Covered Island
8
8
Snow-Covered Swamp
9
9
Snow-Covered Mountain
10
10
Snow-Covered Forest
8
8
Red
D
R
Vault Robber
11
11
Tuskeri Firewalker
8
8
Tundra Fumarole
8
7
Tormentor's Helm
10
10
Toralf, God of Fury
4
3
Tibalt's Trickery
14
14
Squash
8
6
Smashing Success
14
14
Shackles of Treachery
13
13
Seize the Spoils
11
12
Rune of Speed
10
11
Run Amok
9
12
Reckless Crew
14
14
Quakebringer
5
4
Provoke the Trolls
8
7
Open the Omenpaths
14
14
Magda, Brazen Outlaw
7
6
Immersturm Raider
11
11
Hagi Mob
9
8
Goldspan Dragon
2
2
Frost Bite
7
7
Frenzied Raider
7
6
Fearless Pup
10
11
Fearless Liberator
8
7
Dwarven Reinforcements
8
8
Dwarven Hammer
7
7
Dual Strike
12
13
Dragonkin Berserker
4
3
Doomskar Titan
6
6
Demon Bolt
5
5
Crush the Weak
11
9
Craven Hulk
9
9
Cinderheart Giant
10
9
Calamity Bearer
6
5
Breakneck Berserker
10
9
Birgi, God of Storytelling
4
3
Basalt Ravager
6
5
Axgard Cavalry
8
8
Arni Brokenbrow
7
8
Green
D
R
Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider
5
4
Tyvar Kell
3
4
Toski, Bearer of Secrets
7
8
Struggle for Skemfar
7
6
Spirit of the Aldergard
6
6
Snakeskin Veil
9
9
Sculptor of Winter
7
7
Sarulf's Packmate
6
6
Rune of Might
8
8
Roots of Wisdom
12
12
Rootless Yew
7
6
Realmwalker
7
6
Ravenous Lindwurm
7
8
Path to the World Tree
9
10
Old-Growth Troll
5
5
Masked Vandal
8
8
Mammoth Growth
11
9
Littjara Glade-Warden
6
5
Kolvori, God of Kinship
8
8
King Harald's Revenge
13
11
Jorn, God of Winter
6
5
Jaspera Sentinel
9
11
In Search of Greatness
12
12
Icehide Troll
7
7
Horizon Seeker
8
8
Guardian Gladewalker
10
9
Grizzled Outrider
9
9
Gnottvold Recluse
9
10
Glittering Frost
7
7
Fynn, the Fangbearer
8
8
Esika's Chariot
3
2
Esika, God of the Tree
8
7
Elvish Warmaster
4
4
Elven Bow
7
7
Elderleaf Mentor
9
8
Broken Wings
12
13
Boreal Outrider
7
6
Blizzard Brawl
7
6
Blessing of Frost
7
8
Battle Mammoth
3
2
Arachnoform
12
12
Drifter
I’ve been enthralled by Limited ever since I began playing in New Phyrexia. With a particular fondness for flashback and cube drafts, I’ve drafted more sets than I can count on every platform through wildly different eras. On Arena I draft infinitely, having profited 30k or so gems from it at this point, and have made top 50 mythic several times. Self-reflection and forming good habits are paramount to Limited improvement, and those themes feature in many of my articles and in each session of the Limited coaching service I provide. Consider booking a session today if you’d like specific feedback tailored to you!
Ever since my first draft in New Phyrexia, I’ve been hooked on Limited – there’s no feeling quite like cracking, even virtually, those first packs of a new set to see what deck you can put together. Since then, scarcely a day has passed by in which the game hasn’t been on my mind. Most of my experience has been in paper, where I drafted every set extensively on release, and entered as many competitive events of it as were available, often doing rather well for myself! Online, I’ve scaled the climb to Mythic in Limited and Constructed alike, and earned a fair few trophies over on MTGO. Limited is one of the hardest things to pick up in Magic, given the innumerable deck combinations and the sub-game that is draft itself, but learning it has been the most rewarding experience I’ve had playing the game.
Check out all my articles here or check out my YouTube channel for my latest forays into the realm of content creation.
This tier list is derived from our in-depth limited set reviews and should be accompanied together along with their explanations for each card.
Splashing
Splashing is when you play cards outside your main colours, and adjust your mana base to account for them – such as playing two red cards in your Blue-Green deck. Should I splash? The two cardinal rules:
Is my fixing good enough? The better your fixing, the more you can splash – if you can splash two colours relatively freely, then go nuts – this usually means three or four sources for 1-2 cards; four is better if your main sources aren’t that demanding but you can get away with three. If you have as many as 5 or 6 sources, you can even splash earlier game cards i.e. I would not splash Lightning Strike often on three sources but I would on five. If your mana base is better, then the risk is lesser so you can afford to do greedier things (but remember that playing too many taplands has its own costs, especially for more tempo-oriented decks…). You can only really splash cards with a single cost outside your main colours e.g. it’s impossible to splash 3BB in a Simic deck, but you can splash 3BG, because needing two sources of mana at the same time is incredibly hard while splashing – the number of sources you need on average soars from 3-4 to 6-7 (7-8 in Draft, but Sealed is slower so you can incorporate a little more risk).
Is the card actually worth splashing? Remember that cards you splash likely won’t be played on curve, so they need to be good in the late game and they need to be good enough to incur some risk to your mana base. Is the card you’re splashing significantly better than the card you would be putting in instead? It needs to be, or it needs to fill a hole in your deck i.e. if your Simic deck isn’t good at removing stuff, that makes splashing Secure the Scene, usually just an okay card, a lot more appealing.
Sideboarding
Generally, if you’re playing best-of-three, you should take sideboard cards over D-tier cards, assuming their good case is pretty common and you’re not low on playables. Sideboard cards tend to get worse in multiples, unless the “good case” for them is quite common. You might be surprised at how much can constitute a sideboard card – a 1/3 can be a useful sideboard card against a deck full of 2/1s, for example. Remember that after each game, you can click the top right button to view the board again, and check their graveyard and field for what cards they’ve played.
Drifter has written a whole article on this subject, so for more details or to check out his Limited Spotlight series, click this link!
Drifter is a draft and strategy specialist, with hundreds of articles under his belt! Of special mention are his Limited Reviews and draft coaching service.
