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Vein Ripper Art by Bastien L. Deharme

Pioneer Metagame Tier List and Rankings

Our Pioneer metagame tier list. Learn about the best archetypes in depth. 11 archetypes with updated decklists post Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor!

Introduction

The latest Pro Tour has ended. The best players in the world have given a twist to Pioneer’s current metagame. This format has well-defined archetypes. However, that last high-level tournament has redefined the format with new archetypes, tweaks to frequent archetypes, and has brought back some others that were certainly forgotten.

Our Pioneer Tierlist regularly reviews and ranks the top decks in the format, carefully curated by Bohe, an old wizard who undoubtedly has much to share. We also follow up our choices based on various factors and sources, comprehensively analyzing the available data.

Pioneer Murders at Karlov Manor Pro Tour Meta Tier List

TierDeck Name
Tier 1Dimir Control
Tier 1Boros Burn
Tier 1Quintorius Combo
Tier 1Rakdos Vampires
Tier 1Jeskai Control
Tier 1Izzet Phoenix
Tier 1Amalia Combo
Tier 1Boros Convoke
Tier 2Enigmatic Fires
Tier 2Boros Heroic
Tier 2Abzan Greasefang

Tier List Disclaimer

  • Only decks that have a win rate greater than 51% in this raked queue have been considered.
  • No deck with less than 900 games has been considered.
  • More than 95,000 games registered from February 6 to date.
  • This includes all ranks, from Bronze to Mythic.
  • Tier 1: 55.0%+
  • Tier 2: 52.5% – 54.9%
  • Tier 3: 51.0% – 52.4%

On this occasion, no deck was positioned in Tier 3 since there were no archetypes with a winning percentage between 51.0% and 52.4%. If I had to place archetypes in Tier 3 I would have to make an exception and place two archetypes that maintained an exact 50.0% win rate, leaving all the rest of the archetypes with negative win rates off the table. The two archetypes that achieved parity in their victories and defeats were Rakdos Sacrifices (20-20) and Mono Black Vampires (5-5).

We must take into account the difference between a tier list and a meta report.

In the Tier list, we must order the archetypes by their winning percentage. This is a direct reflection of the deck’s power at a specific time against the environment. A meta-report takes into account not only the winning percentage and effectiveness of the deck but also its popularity and presence. Would you like a meta report of this format monthly? I read you in the comments box of this article.

Tier 1

Dimir Control

Dimir Control – Gabriel Nassif PTMKM 8-2
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $280.55
Pioneer
best of 3
4 mythic
30 rare
13 uncommon
13 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Planeswalkers (1)
Creatures (1)
Instants (23)
1
Cling to Dust
$0.35
4
Fatal Push
$7.96
4
Deduce
$1.40
3
Censor
$1.47
3
Negate
$1.17
2
Memory Deluge
$1.98
Sorceries (6)
3
Thoughtseize
$50.97
3
Deadly Cover-Up
$5.37
Enchantments (3)
3
Shark Typhoon
$28.47
Lands (26)
3
Island
$1.05
3
Swamp
$1.05
4
Field of Ruin
$1.96
4
Shipwreck Marsh
$25.96
3
Undercity Sewers
$38.97
4
Watery Grave
$59.96
60 Cards
$293.68
15 Cards
$132.41

There are many doubts about this archetype. I have read and heard comments from various players or content creators who talk about the unfeasibility of this deck in the format.

Gabriel Nassif made it clear that he was prepared for the tournament and showed that the archetype has the right tools to be a serious contender. The three copies of Deadly Cover-Up and the Deduce playset are the most recent additions to the archetype. This should be a clear sign that the deck is not the same as what many might think.

Time will tell us if this archetype that achieved a surprising 80% win rate proved to be at the level of Tier 1 will remain on the table.

Boros Burn

Boros Burn – Benjamin Stark PTMKM 7-3
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $270.76
Pioneer
best of 3
0 mythic
31 rare
24 uncommon
5 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (15)
4
Soul-Scar Mage
$5.16
Instants (12)
4
Play with Fire
$17.96
4
Boros Charm
$21.96
4
Lightning Helix
$1.40
Sorceries (8)
Enchantments (4)
Lands (21)
1
Mountain
$0.35
4
Ramunap Ruins
$3.96
4
Sacred Foundry
$87.96
60 Cards
$232.78
15 Cards
$73.53

The members of the Hall of Fame never cease to amaze. With only one more defeat than Grabiel Nassif, Ben Stark took an alternative route to the classic Mono Red, and boy did it work.

There is no doubt that certain reprints, such as in this case the Lightning Helix, may be able to give a twist to the format or archetypes in particular.

Playing Lightning Helix and Boros Charm is not only strong, it ultimately makes the deck feel like Modern’s Boros Burn. Additionally, playing white opens up sideboard possibilities like playing Get Lost or Loran of the Third Path, which means direct answers against Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, and annoying artifacts or enchantments that we wouldn’t always have an answer to playing red. By the way, having both players draw an additional card with Loran when the opponent is at 3 or 4 life is quite favorable and the drawback is practically nil when we seek to kill that turn.

Another 1 player deck, but with an outstanding 70% win rate in 10 matches that we have to consider.

Quintorius Combo

Quintorius Combo – Przemyslaw Olszewski PTMKM 7-3
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $369.52
Pioneer
best of 3
4 mythic
41 rare
4 uncommon
11 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Planeswalkers (4)
4
Quintorius Kand
$9.16
Creatures (15)
4
Spark Double
$23.96
3
Greater Tanuki
$1.05
4
Beanstalk Giant
$1.40
Instants (6)
Sorceries (4)
4
Herd Migration
$1.96
Enchantments (4)
4
Leyline Binding
$59.96
Lands (27)
2
Forest
$0.70
1
Island
$0.35
2
Mountain
$0.70
2
Plains
$0.70
1
Swamp
$0.35
1
Fabled Passage
$6.49
4
Ketria Triome
$55.96
1
Steam Vents
$16.99
3
Stomping Ground
$44.97
2
Sacred Foundry
$43.98
4
Indatha Triome
$79.96
1
Overgrown Tomb
$13.99
1
Blood Crypt
$18.99
60 Cards
$467.94
15 Cards
$135.15

The first Tier 1 deck with more than 1 player on this list is Quintorius Combo, an archetype that was recently born during the release of Lost Caverns of Ixalan.

A combined score of 13-7 between two players is certainly something to note. This 65% win rate for a 2+ player archetype makes it clear that the strategy was very well positioned against the Pro Tour metagame.

While it may vary slightly in MTGO or paper tournaments, these large tournaments are a reflection of the future. Pay attention to this deck, as it seems to me this combo is considered to be competing for the title of the best combo deck in the format because Lotus Field did not have very good results despite being one of the most played decks of the tournament.

Rakdos Vampires

Rakdos Vampires – Sam Pardee PTMKM 9-1
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $585.21
Pioneer
best of 3
15 mythic
32 rare
5 uncommon
8 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Planeswalkers (4)
Creatures (15)
4
Vein Ripper
$91.96
Instants (5)
4
Fatal Push
$7.96
1
Bitter Triumph
$2.29
Sorceries (5)
1
Duress
$0.35
4
Thoughtseize
$67.96
Artifacts (2)
Enchantments (4)
Lands (25)
3
Swamp
$1.05
3
Cavern of Souls
$128.97
4
Mutavault
$43.96
4
Blood Crypt
$75.96
60 Cards
$728.18
15 Cards
$151.17

The winning archetype of the tournament. I placed Sam Pardee’s list since, although Seth Manfield was the winner of the tournament, Sam had a better result in rounds, going 9-1, and achieving 27 points (Seth was 25).

The difference is minimal, but I think those details are what matters. Sam plays 1 less Duress and 1 less Sheoldred, the Apocalypse. In exchange, he carries the complete Dusk Legion Zealot set.

It may seem like a small thing and at first glance, Sheoldred’s singleton may be better, but let me tell you that Sam’s decision exponentially increases the chances of making Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord on turn 3 + Vein Ripper on turn 4.

It is precisely this play that at first glance kept UW Control at bay in this event. Who would have thought that the Vein Ripper would stand out? The reality is that not many, but putting it on the board on turn 3 thanks to Sorin means that, thanks to his creature sacrifice ward, control decks have very little time to solve the problem by finding a Wrath effect. A pressure that was undoubtedly something that made a difference in this Pro Tour.

Of all the decks with 3+ drivers, Rakdos Vampires was the 1st place in terms of performance with a monstrous 60.2% win rate. 59-39 to be exact.

Jeskai Control

Jeskai Control – Talia Bael PTMKM 6-4
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $399.29
Pioneer
best of 3
5 mythic
52 rare
11 uncommon
12 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Planeswalkers (5)
Creatures (2)
2
Regal Caracal
$2.98
Instants (24)
2
Torch the Tower
$0.70
4
Get Lost
$31.96
4
Dovin’s Veto
$17.96
4
Lightning Helix
$1.40
1
Absorb
$0.49
4
Memory Deluge
$3.96
Sorceries (3)
2
Supreme Verdict
$4.58
1
Farewell
$6.99
Enchantments (12)
4
Omen of the Sea
$1.40
Lands (34)
2
Island
$0.70
1
Mountain
$0.35
3
Plains
$1.05
2
Sulfur Falls
$1.58
3
Field of Ruin
$1.47
3
Steam Vents
$50.97
4
Raugrin Triome
$75.96
1
Elegant Parlor
$5.99
2
Sacred Foundry
$43.98
80 Cards
$568.76
Sideboard
2
Regal Caracal
$2.98
1
Supreme Verdict
$2.29
1
Farewell
$6.99
3
Rest in Peace
$4.47
15 Cards
$33.95

This is an archetype we have to take with a grain of salt. 6-4 is certainly a very good result at this level of play. However, 5 UW Control players finished with a better record than Talia’s Jeskai.

This doesn’t mean that playing Jeskai is worse than UW or vice versa. Azorius was one of the most played archetypes in the Pro Tour. Now, their combined results leave a lot to be desired. With a 47.2% win rate and a 109-122 win-lose ratio, it should be clear that UW, although it can stand out as 5 players demonstrated, is not so solid as to be successful in the hands of the crowd in the Pro Tour meta.

If I could, I think combining UW and Jeskai Control in this section would be the right thing to do leaving this section as UWr Control.

Izzet Phoenix

Izzet Phoenix – Jean-Emmanuel Depraz PTMKM 10-0
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $212.81
Pioneer
best of 3
5 mythic
21 rare
10 uncommon
24 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Creatures (12)
4
Ledger Shredder
$67.96
4
Arclight Phoenix
$11.96
Instants (20)
4
Consider
$3.16
4
Opt
$1.56
4
Fiery Impulse
$1.96
4
Lightning Axe
$1.40
2
Spell Pierce
$1.58
Sorceries (9)
3
Sleight of Hand
$1.05
1
Chart a Course
$0.35
4
Treasure Cruise
$1.96
Lands (19)
2
Island
$0.70
1
Mountain
$0.35
4
Spirebluff Canal
$55.96
4
Steam Vents
$67.96
60 Cards
$324.36
Sideboard
3
Crackling Drake
$1.05
1
Rending Volley
$2.29
1
Aether Gust
$0.39
2
Negate
$0.78
1
Test of Talents
$0.49
15 Cards
$22.93

The deck that came out as the favorite to win the tournament with 17.4% of total meta presence. And boy, despite not winning the tournament, they did not disappoint.

Only three archetypes managed to place two players in the top 8. Rakdos Vampires, Lotus Field yes, the archetype has the power of Tier 1, but it does not appear on this list because outside of a few players who achieved good results, it generally disappointed, and Izzet Phoenix.

This archetype did not manage to sneak into the semifinals but with a 57.5% win rate and 169-125 wins and losses, it was positioned as the second-best deck in the tournament if we take into account archetypes with 3 or more players; only behind Rakdos Vampires

It’s easy to say, but a 10-0 by Jean-Emmanuel Depraz, two 9-1s by Masahide Moriyama and Ryan Mullens, and one 8-2 by Javier Dominguez make a solid statement of the power of this archetype.

Amalia Combo

Amalia Combo – Christoffer Larsen PTMKM 8-2
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $163.82
Pioneer
best of 3
6 mythic
37 rare
13 uncommon
4 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Instants (6)
4
Chord of Calling
$23.96
Sorceries (5)
1
Thoughtseize
$16.99
Artifacts (1)
Lands (22)
1
Plains
$0.35
3
Blooming Marsh
$25.47
4
Mana Confluence
$171.96
3
Temple Garden
$44.97
2
Godless Shrine
$27.98
3
Overgrown Tomb
$41.97
60 Cards
$533.78
15 Cards
$63.51

This combo archetype left no doubt that it’s here to stay. Being able to win on turn 3 is no small feat. In this Pro Tour, Amalia Benavides Aguirre and company achieved a very respectable 55.9% of victories, 76-60 in total games.

Christoffer Larsen managed to take the archetype to the semi-finals. I even think that if he had not had to face the Boros Heroic of his fellow Dane Simon Nielsen (who played Heroic), it’s likely that this archetype would have reached the final and probably won the whole tournament against Rakdos.

The reason for this is because, in addition to Simon knowing the matchup very well, thanks to his protection spells like Loran's Escape, and +1 Defiant Strike he could cause the loop to continue unbound by making the Wildgrowth Walker indestructible, or use Defiant Strike on Amalia to skip the 20-power trigger.

This made the Pro Tour semifinal, which is decided by the first person to win 3 games, go to 7 games thanks to Nielsen forcing two ties. What moments that the Magic gives us.

Boros Convoke

Boros Convoke – Josep Sanfeliu PTMKM 7-3
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $196.4
Pioneer
best of 3
0 mythic
33 rare
14 uncommon
13 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
60 Cards
$247.52
15 Cards
$47.83

One of the youngest archetypes in the format continues to show that it wasn’t just a deck of the moment.

When this archetype began to appear, leagues on MTGO and paper tournaments were flooded with this deck. Today its popularity has decreased slightly. However, with a 55.6% winning percentage and a total of 45-36 in games, it’s clear that the pressure it can exert is still enough to close games in the blink of an eye.

In addition, little by little cards that are part of its version in Standard begin to be part of Pioneer. Case of the Gateway Express is a clear example.

Tier 2

Enigmatic Fires

Enigmatic Fires – Peter Greig PTMKM 7-3
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $426.22
Pioneer
best of 3
4 mythic
51 rare
3 uncommon
2 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+

Enigmatic Fires was certainly not the most popular deck in the tournament, but those who decided to play this archetype were able to keep it afloat in a rather complicated metagame.

It is important to note that in this statistic we are including the conventional versions and the versions with Yorion, which certainly also played a fairly redeemable role.

Krenko's Buzzcrusher is the only recent addition. However, I think it generates certainly favorable situations. Its double evasion causes it to put a significant clock on the field, and its effect can take certain archetypes with very greedy mana bases very badly while fixing us. The classic “Basic check” on a body.

With 19 wins and 16 losses, a 54.3% win rate It makes it feel like the archetype may have struggled a bit in the tournament metagame. However, I don’t think it’s an archetype we can stop considering. Many times he stops being popular and suddenly wins tournaments with many players on a streak.

Boros Heroic

Boros Heroic – Simon Nielsen PTMKM 8-2
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $114.73
Pioneer
best of 3
1 mythic
16 rare
25 uncommon
18 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Instants (18)
2
Reckless Rage
$2.58
4
Defiant Strike
$1.40
4
Monstrous Rage
$3.96
1
Gods Willing
$0.35
1
Sejiri Shelter
$1.49
Sorceries (8)
4
Ancestral Anger
$1.96
Lands (18)
1
Plains
$0.35
1
Mana Confluence
$42.99
4
Sacred Foundry
$87.96
60 Cards
$228.44
15 Cards
$31.23

And here is the deck that I would have liked to win the tournament. While Simon is one of my favorite players in the scene, Boros Heroic is an archetype that I strongly believed in mid-last year for Pioneer and Explorer.

It certainly hasn’t been the most popular in recent months but it seems to me that it is a meta call more than a meta deck, and in this particular case it seems to me that it paid off greatly.

53.7% winning percentage and a total of 44-38 in games. This means that beyond the great role of Simon Nielsen, the rest of the pilots of the archetype did not have a bad time at all and that for what is expected from the Pioneer metagame today, Boros Heroic is a good choice.

We can’t help but notice that Monstrous Rage, a card that recently came out, is a great addition to the archetype. It gives a permanent buff to our creatures in addition to Trample, something super important to finish off opponents who have already established a presence on the table.

Below I leave you the guide I made at the time for Explorer. I think it would be a good time to update it, don’t you think?

Abzan Greasefang

Abzan Greasefang – Zer Shiuan Peng PTMKM 6-4
by Bohe
Buy on TCGplayer $314.87
Pioneer
best of 3
11 mythic
36 rare
2 uncommon
11 common
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Planeswalkers (1)
Instants (4)
4
Grisly Salvage
$1.40
Sorceries (12)
2
Duress
$0.70
4
Thoughtseize
$67.96
Artifacts (11)
4
Parhelion II
$3.16
Enchantments (2)
Lands (21)
1
Swamp
$0.35
2
Blooming Marsh
$16.98
3
Darkbore Pathway
$26.97
2
Mana Confluence
$85.98
2
Temple Garden
$29.98
2
Godless Shrine
$27.98
2
Overgrown Tomb
$27.98
60 Cards
$523.48
15 Cards
$58.51

Another archetype that seemed to have fallen into oblivion and that continues to be defended as a valid option is Abzan Greasefang.

I understand why many pros may prefer not to choose this deck as their tournament archetype. Of all the combo decks in the format, I think it is one of the most fragile, if not the most fragile. There are many ways to stop it.

Now, as a Storm player in Modern, I can say that Greasefang is this type of deck where, if it’s caught you without being even minimally prepared, it takes you two games on turn 3 and you are out in 10 minutes or less.

This reasoning makes me think that Greasefang is entering a state where he becomes a danger. It’s just when people forget about these types of decks that they start winning again. The problem is that other combos in the format can be fought with cards similar to those that would be used to eliminate Greasefang, so it is an archetype that is all about momentum.

For now, it gave an honorable role with a 16-14, which translates into a 53.3% winning percentage.

End Step

It’s been a pleasure to analyze the Pioneer metagame with you, dear readers. While the Pro Tour sample may be small compared to the format’s largest tournaments, I think it’s clear that tournaments at this level are a window to the future.

Many competitive or even local store players turn to look at the results of big events and take in knowledge and archetypes that little by little begin to shape the general environment.

Without a doubt, we will see you soon with an update and some meta reports of the format. In the meanwhile let us know your thoughts on this and any other MTG-related topics in the MTG Arena Community Discord, on my Twitter, and in the comment section of this article.

Don’t forget that I have started providing personal coaching services for Magic the Gathering and Marvel Snap. If you want to contact me, look for me:

Thank you so much for reaching this last paragraph and remember; don’t forget to smile every day; it surely makes a difference.

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Bohe
Bohe

A full time MTG content creator. Started playing Magic in 99’ with the release of Urza’s Destiny, 3 times Grand Prix attendant (1 as a player ending #78 and 2 as a judge). Mexican, lover of coffee, Korean culture, languages and ex-LoL coach.
Follow me on Instagram, Twitch, or Twitter.

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