The Modern Metagame in Early December 2024

Modern, a nonrotating 60-card format introduced in 2011, encompasses cards from expansion sets, core sets, and straight-to-Modern sets from Eighth Edition forward, save for cards on the banned list. The next banned and restricted announcement is slated for Monday, December 16.

To provide a clear metagame snapshot, I analyzed 448 decklists from recent Modern Challenge events and other scheduled tournaments on Magic Online alongside decklists from the 155-player Spanish Championship, the 111-player $20,000 RCQ at MXP Houston, and the 308-player Destination Qualifier at Eternal Weekend Europe.

The most played cards across main decks and sideboards were The One Ring; Arid Mesa; Consign to Memory; Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury; and Guide of Souls. Remarkably, 59% of the field featured at least one copy of The One Ring in their main deck or sideboard, underscoring its dominance in the current Modern landscape.

617076 522320 616933 Consign to Memory 662349 662274

To gauge which decks are likely to dominate the top tables of Modern tournaments right now, I assigned points to each deck based on its rectified number of net wins (calculated as the number of match wins minus losses, with negative values adjusted to zero). By combining these points across all events, each archetype's share of the total rectified net wins provides a comprehensive metric that blends both popularity and performance, offering a snapshot of the winner's metagame.

The "Other" category included Merfolk, Azorius Martyr, Bant Martyr, Mono-Green Eldrazi, Domain Valakut, Simic Woodland, Selesnya Blink, Orzhov Blink, Four-Color Omnath, Hardened Scales, Neobrand, Izzet Breach, Golgari Yawgmoth, Izzet Prowess, Golgari Soultrader, Jeskai Energy, Hammer Time, Samwise Gamgee Combo, Jund Midrange, Izzet Though the Breach, Heliod Combo, and more.

The last time I analyzed Modern in a Metagame Mentor article was back in September. At the time, my format primer identified Boros/Mardu Energy as the deck to beat. These decks combine aggressive creatures with efficient interaction, boasting a level of card quality that eclipses other midrange contenders. Since then, Guide of Souls and Amped Raptor have gained more traction, solidifying Boros Energy as the dominant build. Even the Mardu variants have edged closer to their Boros counterpart, trimming black cards to accommodate The One Ring, a shift aimed at improving the mirror matchup. Nevertheless, Boros Energy remains on top, as evidenced by its victory at the Destination Qualifier during Eternal Weekend Europe.

I WON THE MODERN MAIN EVENT AT ETERNAL WEEKEND!
307 opponents, but the ring comes home with me.
Deck is good pic.twitter.com/PkRUo0Oy7z

— Timo Bertram (@BertramTimo) December 9, 2024

In September, I also noted that fast combo decks could exploit a favorable matchup against Boros Energy, highlighting various spicy options. Since then, combo strategies like Mono-Blue Belcher and Grinding Breach have gained considerable popularity. Yet the biggest development has been Mono-Green Broodscale. It climbed to an impressive 7.7% of the winner's metagame in recent weeks, and it won the latest Modern Showcase Qualifier on Magic Online.

4 Ancient Stirrings 4 Basking Broodscale 4 Blade of the Bloodchief 2 Boseiju, Who Endures 3 Delighted Halfling 4 Eldrazi Temple 4 Forest 4 Glaring Fleshraker 2 Grove of the Burnwillows 1 Haywire Mite 4 Kozilek's Command 2 Llanowar Reborn 4 Malevolent Rumble 1 Pithing Needle 4 Prismatic Vista 1 Springleaf Drum 4 The One Ring 4 Urza's Saga 3 Walking Ballista 1 Wastes 3 Damping Sphere 2 Dismember 1 Pithing Needle 1 Soul-Guide Lantern 1 Soulless Jailer 3 Thief of Existence 3 Veil of Summer 1 Vexing Bauble

This deck centers around the infinite combo of Basking Broodscale and Blade of the Bloodchief. Each time an Eldrazi Spawn is sacrificed for mana, Blade of the Bloodchief places a +1/+1 counter on Basking Broodscale, triggering its ability to generate another Eldrazi Spawn. The result? An infinitely large Broodscale and unlimited mana. For finishing power, Glaring Fleshraker or Walking Ballista can transform this loop into infinite damage.

The combo can come online as early as turn three, and the deck is packed with tools to reliably assemble it. Ancient Stirrings and Malevolent Rumble dig through the deck for key pieces, while Urza's Saga ensures access to Blade of the Bloodchief. Meanwhile, The One Ring and Kozilek's Command provide resilience, allowing the deck to recover from early disruption by drawing cards and buying time. Altogether, this combo deck is fast, consistent, and perfectly suited to thrive in the current metagame.

The Impact of Duskmourn: House of Horror

Duskmourn: House of Horror introduced a host of powerful cards for Modern, revitalizing both established archetypes and emerging strategies. The table below highlights the ten most played new-to-Modern cards from Duskmourn: House of Horror in the decklists I analyzed.

Many of these new additions have bolstered Boros Energy. For instance, Exorcise excels at exiling problematic permanents like The One Ring; Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury; or Static Prison, making it an invaluable tool in mirror matches. Meanwhile, Ghost Vacuum is as a new colorless sideboard option to exile graveyards, and Untimely Malfunction has emerged an amusing way to deflect a Goblin Charbelcher activation back at the opponent. Some Boros Energy decks have also adopted Screaming Nemesis, which counteracts the life gain from Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury.

Beyond Boros Energy, Duskmourn: House of Horror has delivered impactful upgrades to several other archetypes. Let's dive deeper into these innovations.

4 Abhorrent Oculus 2 Bloodstained Mire 3 Consider 4 Counterspell 4 Fatal Push 2 Flooded Strand 3 Force of Negation 2 Graveyard Trespasser 2 Island 2 Murktide Regent 1 Otawara, Soaring City 4 Polluted Delta 4 Psychic Frog 2 Shoot the Sheriff 2 Sink into Stupor 1 Snapcaster Mage 3 Spell Snare 1 Swamp 4 Thought Scour 2 Undercity Sewers 4 Unearth 2 Watery Grave 1 Gloomlake Verge 1 Verdant Catacombs 4 Consign to Memory 3 Harbinger of the Seas 2 Mystical Dispute 1 Stern Scolding 1 Surgical Extraction 2 Toxic Deluge 2 Thoughtseize

Abhorrent Oculus has proven to be such a powerhouse that I've relabeled this archetype, formerly known as Dimir Frogtide, as Dimir Oculus. This 5/5 flier dominates the battlefield, quickly amassing an army of face-down creatures to overwhelm opponents. With enablers like Consider and Thought Scour, the deck efficiently fills its graveyard, often allowing Abhorrent Oculus to be cast naturally, in which case it can fulfill a role reminiscent of Murktide Regent.

That said, the most explosive plays often come from milling or discarding Abhorrent Oculus—usually with Psychic Frog—and reviving it with Unearth for just a single black mana. In games where Oculus doesn't make an appearance, Unearth still provides value by either cycling for a new card or returning Psychic Frog, but its ability to return Abhorrent Oculus is why the deck runs four copies.

Dimir Oculus has claimed 8.4% of the winner's metagame over the past few weeks. While it struggles against Boros Energy, it boasts strong matchups against much of the field. The sample list above also includes Gloomlake Verge in its mana base, but Abhorrent Oculus is undoubtedly Duskmourn: House of Horror's most impactful contribution to Modern for this deck, unlocking fresh synergies and powerful lines of play.

3 Beyeen Veil 4 Disrupting Shoal 4 Fallaji Archaeologist 1 Pact of Negation 4 Goblin Charbelcher 4 Hydroelectric Specimen 3 Jwari Disruption 4 Lotus Bloom 3 Spell Snare 4 Sea Gate Restoration 4 Sink into Stupor 4 Thundertrap Trainer 4 Suppression Ray 4 Tameshi, Reality Architect 2 Waterlogged Teachings 4 Whir of Invention 4 Flare of Denial 1 Commandeer 3 Consign to Memory 1 Spell Snare 2 Harbinger of the Seas 2 Mystical Dispute 3 Unable to Scream 1 Pact of Negation 2 Force of Negation

Mono-Blue Belcher is a new combo deck that emerged in recent months, gaining a powerful sideboard option in Unable to Scream from Duskmourn: House of Horror. For a deck that rarely plans to attack, this one-mana Aura acts like Swords to Plowshares, granting mono-blue strategies an invaluable removal tool. Mateo Ferreira showcased its potential with a second-place finish at the Spanish Championship using the list shown above.

Mono-Blue Belcher would not have been competitively viable without the modal double-faced cards from Modern Horizons 3. Hydroelectric Specimen and Sink into Stupor enable a mono-blue mana base to support cards like Whir of Invention and Flare of Denial, all without the need for actual lands. This ensures that a Goblin Charbelcher activation is instantly lethal. The deck also includes a secondary combo involving Tameshi, Reality Architect and Lotus Bloom, which together can generate three mana for each land you control. If one of the returned lands is Sea Gate Restoration, you can cast it, draw into Goblin Charbelcher, and win on the spot.

Traditionally, Belcher decks relied on Irencrag Feat and Recross the Paths, but the mono-blue variant offers greater consistency and potent disruption. Unable to Scream has further enhanced its post-sideboard games, addressing key vulnerabilities and reinforcing the deck's competitive prospects.

4 Bloodstained Mire 1 Arid Mesa 1 Scalding Tarn 1 Marsh Flats 1 Wooded Foothills 3 Blood Crypt 3 Arena of Glory 1 Swamp 2 Mountain 1 Raucous Theater 1 Violent Urge 1 Claim /// Fame 1 Goblin Lore 2 Fatal Push 2 Tarfire 4 Hollow One 4 Nethergoyf 4 Orcish Bowmasters 4 Dragon's Rage Channeler 3 Mishra's Bauble 4 Detective's Phoenix 4 Fear of Missing Out 4 Street Wraith 4 Burning Inquiry 3 Thoughtseize 3 Rough // Tumble 3 Leyline of the Void 1 Surgical Extraction 1 Dreams of Steel and Oil 3 Obsidian Charmaw 1 Molten Collapse

Fear of Missing Out serves as a formidable enabler for Hollow One decks, allowing you to discard Detective's Phoenix while reducing the cost of Hollow One. In addition, its powerful delirium ability is easily unlocked. With the deck's abundant discard effects, achieving four different card types in the graveyard is a straightforward task, and the extra attack can prove to be incredibly impactful.

As a result, Hollow One strategies have regained competitive viability. The list shown above posted a positive record at the recent Spanish Championship.

1 Windswept Heath 1 Boggart Trawler 4 Orcish Bowmasters 4 Ephemerate 4 Marsh Flats 4 Overlord of the Balemurk 2 Godless Shrine 1 Shadowy Backstreet 2 Flooded Strand 4 Skyclave Apparition 4 Aether Vial 4 Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire 1 Swamp 4 Plains 4 Solitude 3 Flickerwisp 4 Recruiter of the Guard 3 Concealed Courtyard 2 Witch Enchanter 1 Emperor of Bones 1 Wasteland Strangler 1 Aven Interrupter 4 White Orchid Phantom 1 Suncleanser 2 Orzhov Pontiff 1 Sanctum Prelate 1 Phyrexian Revoker 3 Thoughtseize 1 Nihil Spellbomb 2 Drannith Magistrate

The final Duskmourn: House of Horror card that I want to highlight is Overlord of the Balemurk, which was fully utilized in the deck that Alberto Andaluz piloted to a 7-2-1 record at the Spanish Championship, ultimately falling to reigning World Champion Javier Dominguez in the semifinals. Overlord of the Balemurk can hit the battlefield on turn two or three with five time counters, allowing you to grab a utility creature from your top four cards. However, the true value of the Overlord shines when it's blinked with Flickerwisp; Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd; or Ephemerate. It returns as a new game object with no time counters. This results in an undercosted threat that can attack on the next turn, replenishing your hand in the process.

With this value engine generating card advantage each turn, you'll soon find yourself constrained by your available mana, which is where Aether Vial comes in. The artifact can put two-drops and three-drops onto the battlefield effortlessly, helping you maintain parity on board while disrupting your opponent with cards like Skyclave Apparition or Aven Interrupter. When the deck does its thing, it runs like a well-oiled machine, and this list is undoubtedly a blast to play.

The Impact of Magic: The Gathering Foundations

Magic: The Gathering Foundations features several reprints of cards that have become Modern staples, such as Soul-Guide Lantern or Expedition Map. However, the set also adds a handful of exciting new cards. Two in particular—Sire of Seven Deaths and Kiora, the Rising Tide—have demonstrated their potential with strong tournament performances.

3 All Is Dust 1 Cavern of Souls 3 Chalice of the Void 4 Devourer of Destiny 1 Dismember 4 Eldrazi Temple 4 Expedition Map 4 Karn, the Great Creator 4 Kozilek's Command 3 Mind Stone 4 Sire of Seven Deaths 1 Swamp 3 The One Ring 4 Thought-Knot Seer 4 Ugin's Labyrinth 4 Urza's Mine 4 Urza's Power Plant 4 Urza's Tower 1 Wastes 1 All Is Dust 1 Cavern of Souls 1 Chalice of the Void 1 Cityscape Leveler 1 Disruptor Flute 2 Emrakul, the Promised End 1 Ensnaring Bridge 1 Liquimetal Coating 1 Pithing Needle 1 Sundering Titan 1 The Filigree Sylex 1 The One Ring 1 Tormod's Crypt 1 Trinisphere

A total of 77 copies of Sire of Seven Deaths appeared across the Modern decklists I analyzed, underscoring its serious competitive potential. Approximately 2.4% of the field included the card, with its most notable home being Eldrazi Tron. In this archetype, the combination of Urza's Mine, Urza's Power Plant, and Urza's Tower enables you to cast Sire of Seven Deaths as early as turn three.

Once it hits the battlefield, Sire of Seven Deaths will quickly dominate the damage race. It's nearly impossible for most creature-based decks to race a 7/7 lifelinking creature with vigilance capable of both attacking and blocking effectively. Moreover, its first strike makes it nearly invulnerable in combat. Unlike Wurmcoil Engine, Sire of Seven Deaths is an Eldrazi for Eldrazi Temple and a seven-drop for Ugin's Labyrinth, adding another layer of synergy. Sire of Seven Deaths is the real deal, and Scooby_Snacks piloted the list shown above to a 4th-place finish at a recent Modern Challenge.

4 Atraxa, Grand Unifier 3 Emperor of Bones 4 Ephemerate 2 Flooded Strand 4 Force of Negation 1 Godless Shrine 4 Goryo's Vengeance 1 Hallowed Fountain 1 Island 2 Kiora, the Rising Tide 4 Marsh Flats 1 Meticulous Archive 1 Plains 4 Polluted Delta 3 Prismatic Ending 4 Psychic Frog 1 Shadowy Backstreet 2 Solitude 1 Swamp 4 Tainted Indulgence 2 Ulamog, the Defiler 1 Undercity Sewers 1 Watery Grave 4 Fallaji Archaeologist 1 Underground Mortuary 3 Consign to Memory 3 Mystical Dispute 2 Solitude 1 Wrath of the Skies 2 Teferi, Time Raveler 2 Toxic Deluge 2 Damping Sphere

Kiora, the Rising Tide was included in 2.4% of players' decks, with a total of 38 copies registered. Her most prominent homes were in Esper Goryo's and Simic Woodland, where she seamlessly enables graveyard synergies. In the Esper Goryo's list shown above, which posted a 6-2-1 record, Kiora helps you discard Atraxa, Grand Unifier, setting up a devastating Goryo's Vengeance.

Kiora can also discard Ulamog, the Defiler. If Emperor of Bones puts Ulamog onto the battlefield from exile, then Ulamog will count itself as a 10–mana value exiled card, becoming a hasty 17/17 with annihilator 10. Beyond that, if you've already used Force of Negation and Prismatic Ending to disrupt your opponent, Kiora can win the game on her own. Fallaji Archaeologist and Tainted Indulgence make it easy to hit threshold, and 8/8 Octopus tokens will close out the game in short order.

Conclusion

While Boros Energy and a range of combo decks currently dominate the Modern metagame, the recent releases from the latest two sets have introduced several exciting new options, enriching the metagame. As we approach the Modern Regional Championships slated for January through March 2025, the next banned and restricted announcement is scheduled for December 16, 2024, this coming Monday.