Table of Contents
Introduction
Welcome to Lorcana.gg's weekly meta report! Each week we analyze the state of the meta using data from the previous week of tournament play. Our tier list is updated with the latest data, while this meta report will go over what it all means, as well as highlighting some particularly strong and interesting decks in each archetype.
The tier list is separated into three tiers. Tier 1 has the strongest decks, usually with multiple top 8 performances in major tournaments. Tier 2 and Tier 3 decks are a notch below the top tier, with these decks usually having one or two weaknesses keeping them from dominating the meta.
Meta Overview
A quiet week for tournaments, with the one exception being the Chicago Challenge event. That official tournament saw almost 1000 players vying for the coveted golden Mickey Mouse - Brave Little Tailor. Emerald/Steel Bucky Discard was the deck that had the most success in that tournament, as there were 3 versions of the list in the top 8, including the tournament winner. For that reason, we've moved Bucky up to the top of the tier list, but it's all very close between that deck and the other two tier 1 options. You can't really go wrong with any of them.
In tier 2, Sapphire/Steel Ramp Wheel and Amethyst/Emerald Tempo both landed a deck in the top 8 at Chicago. And you could argue that both of those decks deserve to be in tier 1. But they lack the multiple top 8 placings of the tier 1 decks, leaving them a notch below, in my opinion.
The rest of the tier 2 are decks have also seen some success in tournaments, as in, they are at least making top 32 cuts. But these decks do look like they will need further refinement to compete with the top decks in the meta.
Down in tier 3, we see the return of the Amethyst/Steel Tempo deck onto the tier list. Some top players have been singing this deck's praises recently and a few even brought it to Chicago. It lives now in tier 3, but could climb higher with some decent results. The other tier 3 decks are still looking for a breakthrough list to really boost them into meta relevance.
And now, the tier list...
Tier List
Tier 1
Emerald/Steel Bucky Discard
The first Ursula's Return Disney Lorcana Challenge event was won by a Bucky deck. That was enough for me to put it on top of the tier list for the week. The deck is very strong and can consistently destroy its opponent's hand by turn 5. And the counters to this are very few since Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor has Ward.
Here is the winning deck list from Lorcana Challenge - Chicago. This deck from Briаn Courtаde "Th3RаT" has become, more or less, the standard Bucky build.
Ruby/Sapphire Sisu on Ice
Sisu on Ice continues to be a very popular and powerful deck, capable of winning most matchups. It's biggest counter right now is probably the Bucky deck and I imagine these two decks will continue to battle for meta supremacy throughout the Ursula's Return meta.
This Ruby/Sapphire deck from Shаne Downey took home the win in a 64-player $5k tournament in Las Vegas. He also won a $1k tournament a couple days later at the same event, so clearly this is a strong list piloted by a strong player.
Amethyst/Ruby Bounce Control
The classic Amethyst/Ruby Control deck can still compete at the highest levels, as two of these lists landed in the top 8 at Lorcana Challenge Chicago. Cards like Flynn Rider - Frenemy allow the deck to compete with Ruby/Sapphire Sisu and the deck's multiple ways of drawing help in the matchup against Emerald/Steel Bucky.
This deck from Kurt Speiss came in 4th place in Chicago. The inclusion of Magic Broom - Illuminary Keeper, even without any broom synergies, just speaks to the power of Bucky. Copious amounts of card draw is crucial in that matchup.
Tier 2
Sapphire/Steel Ramp Wheel
Sapphire/Steel Ramp again tops the second tier and remains a popular option amongst some top players. But the deck does not quite have the consistency of the tier 1 decks. It can be a hard deck to pilot correctly but when played well, it can be very strong. With some time to mature and settle into the meta, it can certainly find itself in tier 1.
Here is a list from Brennan DeCandio, which landed in the top 8 at the Chicago Disney Lorcana Challenge. The inclusion of Magic Broom - Aerial Cleaner is a nice tech choice that is likely there to help deal with Diablo - Devoted Herald.
Amethyst/Emerald Tempo
Amethyst/Emerald Tempo is another solid deck that remains in tier 2, but can certainly hold its own against the top decks in the meta. The deck has a nice mix of tempo tools and disruption with a finisher in Ursula - Mad Sea Witch, that can help control the board while shutting down a lot of Song-based answers.
This deck from Jordyn Moore came in 2nd place in Chicago and showcases the deck's strengths nicely. Jaq - Connoisseur of Climbing is an interesting add to the deck, not only does he quest for 2 lore, but he can oftentimes force our opponent to trigger Cursed Merfolk - Ursula's Handiwork or Flynn Rider - Charming Rogue's discard ability.
Amber/Steel Steelsong
Steelsong is struggling to find its footing in this meta. It struggles from a very bad matchup against Ruby/Sapphire Sisu on Ice, which can easily remove most of its biggest threats thanks to Ice Block + Brawl. Until the deck can improve its win rate against that deck, it is going to be tough for it to compete at the highest level.
The best performance for the archetype this week was this deck from Zach Bivens, which was top 32 in Chicago. Sleepy's Flute feels like a must for the deck right now, as it represents one of the few ways to close out a game against Ruby/Sapphire.
Amber/Ruby Red Mufasa
I'm not sure the Mufasa deck will ever be top tier. The lack of Songs, one of the most powerful card types in Lorcana, and reliance on good RNG rolls are probably too limiting. But it is a fun deck to play and will likely always remain a presence in the meta for that reason.
This Mufasa deck from Wade Wilhelmi made it to day 2 (top 64) of the Lorcana Challenge and represents the best result for the archetype in that tournament. Six action cards may not seem like a lot, but is a sign that the deck can't really compete without some level of interactivity.
Amber/Emerald Discard
Amber/Emerald Discard makes the jump from tier 3 up into tier 2 this week. This is on the back of a solid showing for the deck in Chicago, getting into the top 32. One of the key pieces of synergy of this archetype is Kida - Protector of Atlantis and Under The Sea. Played together, this often represents a total board wipe of your opponent's characters.
Here is the deck that placed in the top 32 at the Lorcana Challenge. The list from Joseph Quigley builds on the discard synergy with a strong tempo gameplan highlighted by The Muses - Proclaimers of Heroes. This card alone, backed by some decent songs, can really fuel a midgame tempo surge.
Tier 3
Amethyst/Steel Tempo
The Amethyst/Steel Tempo deck from last meta has started reappearing once again. Zan Syed played it at Lorcana Challenge Chicago and, while he didn't make it to day 2, he did have a solid enough showing. The deck is still far off from the best decks in the meta, but certainly deserves a spot at the top of tier 3.
Here is Zan's list from Chicago. Interestingly, the deck includes only one card from Ursula's Return in Peter Pan - Shadow Finder. The fact that it still performed admirably in the tournament is a testament to how solid a foundation there is here. This deck might not have enough tools to compete right now, but perhaps some future cards could catapult it right back into contention.
Amber/Ruby Songs
Amber/Ruby is such a perfect ink pairing on paper, but so far in practice it has not yielded any standout results. Outside of the Mufasa decks, only one other Amber/Ruby list made it to the second day in Chicago.
That was this list from Mark Woodin which has less Song synergy, overall, but still utilizes the Ruby self-damage and Amber healing combos that work so well together. Even more surprising is seeing You Have Forgotten Me in a deck that otherwise does not have any discard synergies.
Amethyst/Steel Magic Brooms
The Broom deck remains at the bottom of our tier list and I don't see a way up from here, right now. After much testing and experimentation in the first weeks of Ursula's Return, very few people are now taking Broom decks to competitive events. Currently, it is simply a deck you play for fun.
To that end, here is an interesting take on the Broom archetype from streamer Specimen. Speci's list is not a full-on Broom deck, but looks to abuse Yen Sid - Powerful Sorcerer by bouncing him back to hand for multiple activations of his draw ability while hopefully keeping him alive to quest for 3 lore several times a game. It looks like a fun build.
And that concludes this week's meta report. The meta is starting to solidify around Ruby/Sapphire and Emerald/Steel, with a dash of Amethyst/Ruby for good measure. Will any of the tier 2 decks rise up to challenge these top three? That remains to be seen. But with more Lorcana Challenge events on the way, plus Set Championships, there should be many opportunities for new contenders to arise.
Until then, good luck and have fun!
