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
Set Championships are now in full swing and there have been a lot of tournament reports coming in. Most events have been around 30 players, so under our usual minimum player count for adding to our tier list, but there have been a handful of larger Set Championship events.
As for the results, nothing too surprising. Bucky Discard is still the clear best deck but, as we know, its days are numbered. Amethyst/Ruby Bounce Control is a solid second place and does look poised to take the top spot once Bucky's nerf takes effect. Sapphire/Steel Ramp Wheel and Ruby/Sapphire Sisu on Ice round out the tier 1 decks but are a step down from the top two.
Tier 2 has had a couple lists finish in the top 8 of Set Champs this week but definitely not getting as many consistent performances as the tier 1 decks. I would keep an eye on the top two tier 2 decks though, Steelsong and Amethyst/Emerald Tempo. I think both of these stand to gain a lot from the absence of Bucky Discard in the meta.
As for the rest of the decks, not any standout performances from this Set Championships. These decks will need to wait for the Bucky nerf or the upcoming Shimmering Skies release to have a hope of competing in the meta.
Now, the tier list...
Tier List
Tier 1
Emerald/Steel Bucky Discard
Bucky keeps gobbling up top 8s at every turn. I mean, it's probably partially because the deck is real good but also because players know it will be gone soon, and want to utilize it while they can. Either way, the deck was number one this week and top 8s and looks poised to have a dominant DLC in Texas this weekend.
Here was a Bucky deck that was the winner of a 68-player Set Championship in Germany. This list was uploaded anonymously, but looks like a pretty standard Bucky deck.
Amethyst/Ruby Bounce Control
Bounce Control continues to bide its time, waiting for the moment Bucky is gone to retake its crown as top deck in the meta. It's obviously a very strong deck, whether Bucky is around or not, but will immediately become the deck to beat at the launch of Shimmering Skies.
This Amethyst/Ruby Bounce Control deck was second place at the same 68-player Set Championship tournament.
Sapphire/Steel Ramp Wheel
The Sapphire/Steel Ramp deck remains a solid third option for those who don't want to play the top two decks. It can hold its own against Bucky, thanks to numerous ways to reload its hand as well as numerous ways to deal with an unexerted squirrel.
Here was a Sapphire/Steel deck that came in first at a 42-player Set Championship in France. This list from Romponey has an interesting inclusion in Arges - The Cyclops, which seems to be in the deck as a way to keep Amethyst/Ruby from running away with an early lead thanks to Flynn Rider - Frenemy.
Ruby/Sapphire Pawpsicle Control
Enough players are making the switch away from Ice Block and Sisu - Empowered Sibling that I think ths deck archetype could use a renaming. Or rather, a return to its original name. Both versions of the deck are quite similar, just differ in a few key cards, but the play styles are the same. Stall the game until you can burst for a lot of lore with Lucky Dime and a Tamatoa - So Shiny!.
This list from Enrique Escudero took home first place at a 64-player Set Championship tournament in Spain. (Shout out to Spain organizing big tournaments even when the game isn't available in Spanish yet!) As you can see, he's cut Sisu down to only one copy and there is no Ice Block at all.
Tier 2
Amber/Steel Steelsong
Steelsong tops tier 2 this week and had a decent week in Set Championships. Only one top 8 in larger events, but quite a few in mid-sized Set Champs. Definitely a solid deck to bring to locals.
Here was a Steelsong list that bagged a first place in a 48-player Set Championship in the US. The deck from Cade Rusniak, looks pretty optimized, with nearly 4-ofs across the board.
Amethyst/Emerald Tempo
The Amethyst/Emerald Tempo deck is another tier 2 deck that can certainly shine at locals and small to medium sized tournaments. We've even seen it pull in some decent finishes at larger events. And is the deck that I predict will rise the most once Bucky is nerfed.
That same 48-player Set Championship saw this Amethyst/Emerald Tempo list take 2nd place behind the Steelsong deck above. This deck is from Chance Rusniak, which leads me to wonder if this was an brother vs. brother final match?
Amber/Ruby Red Mufasa
Amber/Ruby Red Mufasa deck has seemingly hit its ceiling for now. But we've seen a few cards from Shimmering Skies which could be good fits for the Mufasa deck, so maybe things will improve for the deck starting August 9th.
Here was a Mufasa deck that landed a top 8 spot at a 32-player Set Championship tournament in the US.
Amber/Emerald Discard
Amber/Emerald Discard is still one of the only completely new deck archetypes to emerge from the release of Ursula's Return. And the only one to use any of the Sing Together cards, with Under the Sea being a key part of the deck.
This Amber/Emerald Under the Sea deck from Aretoo managed a top 4 place at a Set Championship in New Hampshire. With so many ways to bounce characters and force discards, this may end up being the premiere discard deck once Bucky is gone.
Tier 3
Amethyst/Steel Tempo
Every time I think Amethyst/Steel has made some headway into the meta, they then struggle the following week. It's debatable that the deck should remain in tier 2, but I don't think it's as good as the other decks right now.
This top 8 deck is from Jacob T. and topped at a 32-player Set Championship tourney in the US. Lawrence - Jealous Manservant seems like a card that is probably slept on a bit. A 4/4 that quests for 2 lore for 3 ink is a very solid stat line.
Amber/Amethyst Hyper Aggro
Amber/Amethyst Hyper Aggro players are already salivating over Daisy Duck - Donald's Date. The card will do a lot to propel this aggro deck to super fast starts that not many decks can slow down. The question is, will it be enough to get this deck out of the tier list basement?
Here was a Amber/Amethyst Hyper Aggro deck by Jaryn T. that came in the top 4 of a 42-player Set Championship event. Miracle Candle does seem to be an important part of getting the deck over the finish line.
And that's it for the meta report this week. A lot of players are counting down the days of the Bucky era, while others are hoping it lasts as long as possible. As for me, I'm excited to see what the meta is like these final weeks, especially at the upcoming DLC events. But then I'm really looking forward to the release of Shimmering Skies, as a lot of those cards look very interesting indeed.
Until next week, good luck and have fun!
