Hello and welcome back to Metagame Mentor, your weekly guide to the top decks and latest Constructed developments on the path to the Pro Tour. This weekend, the next Regional Championship Qualifier season will start, featuring Pioneer as the Constructed format for in-store events. To get you up to speed on Pioneer, today's article provides a overview of the format. I will walk you through the top 15 archetypes in the current Pioneer metagame, and I'll highlight my picks for new March of the Machine cards that may make an impact.

The Pioneer Metagame

Pioneer is a nonrotating format based on expansion sets and core sets from Return to Ravnica forward, with the most notable cards on the ban list being the fetch lands. With over 10,000 cards to choose from, Pioneer features a variety of powerful strategies—and new additions from March of the Machine may soon increase the competitive diversity further.

The next RCQ season, which will take place from April 22 through August 20, introduces format matching. That is, in-store RCQs are required to be either Pioneer or Limited, and they will qualify for a Pioneer Regional Championship later in the year. If you aspire to win an RCQ, then now is the time to dive into Pioneer.

To grasp the latest Pioneer developments, I analyzed over 600 decklists from competitive events over the past month. Specifically, I used all available Magic Online decklists from scheduled Pioneer events held from March 25 through April 17. In addition, I used all MTG Melee decklists with positive net wins from the same date range, as well as Top 8 decklists from large RCQs in Osaka, Japan and Tokyo, Japan. All of them took place before the March of the Machine release date, so this provides a metagame snapshot right before the new set is added.

To obtain a metric that combines popularity and performance, I assigned an archetype label to each deck and awarded a number of points equal to the deck's net wins, i.e., its number of match wins minus losses. For example, a deck that went 5–1 in the Swiss followed by a loss in the quarterfinals was assigned three points. The sum of these numbers for every archetype yields its record-weighted metagame share, which represents its share of total net wins. It may be interpreted as a winner's metagame that you can expect to see at the top tables.

In this table, each archetype name hyperlinks to a well-performing decklist close to the aggregate of that archetype. The "other" category, continuing the descending order, included such deck archetypes as Esper Legends, Grixis Midrange, Mono-Black Discard, Mono-Black Midrange, Selesnya Auras, Esper Greasefang, Esper Control, Selesnya Company, Golgari Midrange, Gruul Stompy, Transmogrify Fires, Golgari Sacrifice, Izzet Prowess, Jeskai Ensoul, Rakdos Transmogrify, Goblins, Mono-Black Aggro, Jund Citadel, Jund Sacrifice, Boros Heroic, Jeskai Transmogrify, Abzan Sacrifice, Izzet Control, Jund Transmogrify, Rakdos Burn, Mono-Red Ramp, Mono-Red Devotion, Mono-White Devotion, Izzet Lutri, Goblin Rally, Bant Humans, and more.

The most-played cards across all main decks and sideboards were Thoughtseize, Fatal Push, and Fable of the Mirror-Breaker. These cards are considered staples of the format and can be found in a variety of decks. In Pioneer, anything can win in the hands of a skilled and experienced pilot. It's mostly a matter of finding a deck you enjoy, building familiarity with its play patterns, and knowing the matchups you might face. The format offers the tools to counter any strategy, and players who came prepared with the right sideboard cards will often emerge victorious.

As indicated by the arrows in the table, the current Pioneer metagame is different from the metagame at last year's Regional Championships or the metagame at Pro Tour Phyrexia. Since then, archetypes like Azorius Control, Abzan Greasefang, Neoform Atraxa, Azorius Spirits, and Enigmatic Fires have waxed, while archetypes like Mono-Green Devotion, Gruul Vehicles, Mono-White Humans, Izzet Phoenix, and Selesnya Angels have waned.

A one-sentence summary of these metagame developments is that combo decks have become more popular. Indeed, at Pro Tour Phyrexia, Izzet Creativity took the trophy, and Abzan Greasefang had the highest overall win rate. These decks have become a big part of the metagame. Moreover, last month, Neoform Atraxa emerged. Given the rise of these combo decks, it would be wise to dedicate more sideboard slots to them. Anti-graveyard cards such as Leyline of the Void, which no one brought to Pro Tour Phyrexia, seem well-positioned again.

The Top 15 Pioneer Deck Archetypes

To take a closer look at the 15 archetypes with the highest record-weighted metagame share, I've used a decklist aggregation algorithm that takes into account the popularity and performance of individual card choices.

Rakdos Midrange, with a 12.2% share of the record-weighted metagame, is a powerful archetype that combines efficient discard, powerful removal, resilient threats, and flexible sideboard options. After Phyrexia: All Will Be One added Blackcleave Cliffs, the mana base has become excellent as well. Rakdos Midrange has strong matchups against many decks, particularly those that are susceptible to removal, such as Mono-White Humans and Azorius Spirits. These matchups improved after Ritual of Soot became a sideboard staple, and March of the Machine will offer Glistening Deluge as an additional option.

Based on last year's Regional Championships and the recent Pro Tour, there are several archetypes that had a good matchup against Rakdos Midrange, including Gruul Vehicles, Rakdos Sacrifice, and Enigmatic Fires. However, the card choices in Rakdos Midrange aren't static. For example, Power Word Kill has largely replaced Dreadbore, which means that vehicles are more easily dispatched. As long you adapt the list to the evolving metagame, Rakdos Midrange has game against anything.

When playing against Rakdos Midrange, It's important to keep in mind that you should mulligan slightly less aggressively than might normally, as you'll need all the resources you can get. Thoughtseize and Power Word Kill can disrupt your plans, and Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger or Liliana of the Veil can deprive you of further resources. Since you need raw cardboard, it's often better to keep a mediocre seven-card hand than a synergistic six-card hand against Rakdos Midrange.

In Explorer, the online true-to-tabletop format featuring all Pioneer-legal cards that appear on MTG Arena, Rakdos Midrange is also one of the most popular choices. Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is the only card from the aggregate decklist that is not online, but it can be easily replaced by a basic Swamp. Overall, Explorer is getting close to Pioneer, which means that RCQ testing on MTG Arena may be imperfect, but it is relevant and useful.

Azorius Control, with a 10.3% share of the winner's metagame, is the premier control deck in Pioneer. It includes a range of standard control elements such as spot removal, countermagic, card draw, sweepers, and planeswalkers. While builds with Yorion, Sky Nomad or Kaheera, the Orphanguard as companions also exist, as do builds involving Lotus Field and Strict Proctor, the more traditional and consistent 60-card builds are more popular.

When playing against this deck, you always have to be wary of sweepers and countermagic. Try not to overextend your threats into Supreme Verdict or Farewell, and consider playing a cheaper but worse spell to play around Censor or Make Disappear. March of the Machine may also add several new cards for Azorius Control to keep in mind, such as Sunfall or Change the Equation.

In Explorer, Azorius Control is fully legal save for the singleton Elspeth, Sun's Champion in the sideboard, and it's one of the most popular choices in the format.

Abzan Greasefang, with a 9.3% share of the record-weighted metagame, is a combo deck with a decent midrange backup plan. Its goal is to put Parhelion II into the graveyard on turn two and to crew it with Greasefang, Okiba Boss on turn three. It has surged in popularity after an excellent delirium build was unveiled at Pro Tour Phyrexia, which has become the default version. Scrapwork Mutt and Vessel of Nascency enable Traverse the Ulvenwald, which cheaply tutors for Greasefang.

The deck's ability to play a midrange game with Esika's Chariot means that anti-graveyard cards are not lights out, but they are still effective. The power of Abzan Greasefang is influenced by the popularity of sideboard cards like Leyline of the Void. You can actually see the enchantment in the sideboard of the aggregate deck, as mirror matches have become more likely. Spot removal or discard spells can also offer relevant disruption, although Abzan Greasefang players could consider Surge of Salvation from March of the Machine to fight back.

When playing against this deck, remember that the best time to kill Greasefang depends on the situation. If the opponent has lots of spare creatures, it's best to kill Greasefang in their main phase before it can trigger. However, if they have no other pilots, then it's best to kill it with the trigger on the stack so that Parhelion II returns to their hand. Also, if you control Unlicensed Hearse after sideboard, then consider leaving a 2-power crew member untapped to counter Witherbloom Command's destroy mode.

In Explorer, Abzan Greasefang is viable and one of the most popular decks, even if Abrupt Decay are not available as a sideboard card.

Mono-Green Devotion, with a 7.6% share of the winner's metagame, is the premier ramp deck in Pioneer. Following a mediocre performance at Pro Tour Phyrexia, it has been on the downswing, but it remains a strong archetype overall. The deck uses mana elves and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx to potentially ramp into a turn-three Storm the Festival, which can put multiple permanents onto the battlefield. The inclusion of Karn, the Great Creator, along with fifteen one-ofs in the sideboard, has made Mono-Green Devotion a formidable force.

When playing against the deck, it's important to be aware that the deck is capable of complex infinite loops. For example, Karn, the Great Creator can grab The Chain Veil and Pestilent Cauldron // Restorative Burst from the sideboard, allowing Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner to potentially untap Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx infinitely often. In tabletop events, it can be helpful to use pen and paper to track your opponent's mana pool, potential land drop for the turn, the number The Chain Veil activations, and the number of times Karn, the Great Creator and Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner have been activated, to help ensure that the game state remains clear and accurate.

From March of the Machine, I have my eye on Polukranos Reborn. Its front side adds three devotion, it's a mana sink for Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, and it even blocks fliers, potentially buying an extra turn against Parhelion II. Tribute to the World Tree may also fit a devotion strategy. In addition, I would be interested to try battles like Invasion of Ixalan or Invasion of Ikoria in this deck. To preempt judge calls: Note that even though back faces of double-faced cards have the mana value of their front faces, they don't actually have a mana cost, so these transformed permanents won't provide devotion.

In Explorer, Oath of Nissa and The Chain Veil are not legal, but the core of the deck is available, making Mono-Green Devotion a fairly popular choice on MTG Arena.

Izzet Creativity, with a 6.2% share of the record-weighted metagame, is the deck that carried Reid Duke to victory at Pro Tour Phyrexia. That build aimed to cast Indomitable Creativity for X=2, putting Worldspine Wurm and Xenagos, God of Revels onto the battlefield. While this version is still around, the most prominent build over the past few weeks uses Atraxa, Grand Unifier instead. She may not win the game right away, but she does make Indomitable Creativity for X=1 very powerful. As a result, Prismari Command gets the nod over Big Score.

When playing against the deck, pay attention to differences across the various builds to anticipate your opponent's plans—Prismari Command means Creativity for X=1; Big Score means Creativity for X=2. In addition, it's important to recognize that this is a control deck first and a combo deck second. Between Fiery Impulse, Fire Prophecy, Make Disappear, and so on, there is a lot of cheap interaction. So the deck's play style resembles Izzet Phoenix, albeit with a different win condition. Since it's not a single-minded combo deck, don't mulligan overly aggressively in search of interaction.

From March of the Machine, Volcanic Spite could be a good upgrade. It's a strict upgrade over Fire Prophecy, and it also allows you to run as many as eight virtual copies. Into the Fire provides a similar effect. With these new cards to put unwanted cards on the bottom of your library, perhaps the archetype will switch back to Worldspine Wurm and Xenagos, God of Revels.

In Explorer, the aggregate Atraxa version is fully legal, save for the singleton Dig Through Time.

Lotus Field Combo, with a 5.0% share of the winner's metagame, is a combo deck that can generate a lot of mana in a single turn. The plan is to find Lotus Field, get another copy via Thespian's Stage, and untap those lands with Hidden Strings and Pore Over the Pages. Through a combination of Emergent Ultimatums, wishes, and tutors, you generally put Omniscience into play, grab Approach of the Second Sun from your sideboard, and cast it twice to win the game.

When playing against this deck, time your Boseiju, Who Endures well. Its channel ability can destroy their Thespian's Stage, but don't let them copy the hexproof Lotus Field in response. In tabletop events, it can be helpful to use pen and paper to track your opponent's mana pool and potential land drop for the turn to keep the game state clear and accurate.

On MTG Arena, this archetype is missing Thespian's Stage, Hidden Strings, Sylvan Scrying, Dark Petition, Behold the Beyond, Dragonlord Dromoka, and Voyaging Satyr. As a result, it's not a viable strategy, and this is one of the biggest differences between Explorer and Pioneer.

Neoform Atraxa, with a 4.6% share of the record-weighted metagame, is the newest deck on the block. The plan with this hot new Pioneer deck is to fill your graveyard, delve out a six-cost creature, sacrifice it to Neoform, and put Atraxa, Grand Unifier onto the battlefield. You can do this as early as turn three! Even if Atraxa dies, she will grant 4.2 cards in expectation, and your follow-up creatures and efficient interactive spells can close out the game. A key card in the deck is Founding the Third Path, which sets up delve, casts Neoform from your graveyard, and makes the whole strategy more consistent.

When playing against this deck, remember that sideboard cards like Leyline of the Void, Rest in Peace, or Unlicensed Hearse are very effective against them, so make sure you come prepared and don't skimp on graveyard hate. Weathered Runestone is also a valuable sideboard option against Neoform, even if it doesn't help against Indomitable Creativity due to the way it is worded.

From March of the Machine, I might look into Invasion of Amonkhet. Three mana may be a lot, but mill fuels delve, and the back side can enter the battlefield as Atraxa if you milled her.

In Explorer, Neoform Atraxa misses Hooting Mandrills; Tasigur, the Golden Fang; Stubborn Denial; and Abrupt Decay. Accordingly, it's not viable, which marks the second biggest difference between Explorer and Pioneer.

Gruul Vehicles, with a 4.2% share of the winner's metagame, is a midrange deck that uses Llanowar Elves or Elvish Mystic to ramp into Reckless Stormseeker on turn two. The Werewolf can grant haste to Esika's Chariot or Skysovereign, Consul Flagship, allowing Gruul Vehicles to dominate the battlefield quickly. The vehicles also allow you to tap a stolen creature in response to the third chapter of The Akroan War. Migloz, Maze Crusher and Copperline Gorge have been solid additions from Phyrexia: All Will Be One.

When facing this deck, keep a close eye on their companion and their lands, as there are various builds going around. If they don't reveal Jegantha, then they may be running a more aggressive build with Werewolf Pack Leader and Embercleave. It's not as popular, but it's the version I personally prefer. If they play Ramanuap Ruins, then they may have Warping Wail after sideboard, which is a new innovation to counter sorceries like Indomitable Creativity, Neoform, or Emergent Ultimatum. As such, it has wider applications than a hate piece like Damping Sphere. I would suggest one or two Thought-Knot Seer as well if you have enough colorless-producing lands.

From March of the Machine, I would be interested in trying out Invasion of Tarkir along with dragons like Glorybringer. Especially now that Rakdos Midrange has moved to Power Word Kill, Skysovereign, Consul Flagship is easily destroyed, whereas Dragons are harder to kill. In addition, Sandstalker Moloch might provide a bunch of value against blue or black decks.

In Explorer, apart from Warping Wail spice, the entire deck is legal, and it's fairly popular.

Azorius Spirits, with a 3.8% share of the record-weighted metagame, is a popular home for Mausoleum Wanderer, Rattlechains, Shacklegeist, and Supreme Phantom, and it dips into white for Spell Queller. After Phyrexia: All Will Be One introduced Seachrome Coast, Azorius has become the most prominent color combination for Spirits. March of the Machine offers Errant and Giada as an interesting option as well.

When playing against this deck, be cautious of Spell Queller when they have at least three untapped mana. Think twice before playing your best spell on turn three into open mana. Also, remember that Rattlechains can counter your spot removal spells and can grant flash to Supreme Phantom.

In Explorer, this deck is fully legal.

Enigmatic Fires, with a 3.4% share of the winner's metagame, is a toolbox deck that aims to cast Leyline Binding on turn two or turn three, followed by Enigmatic Incarnation on turn four. This allows you to turn your six-mana enchantment into Titan of Industry on turn four. The deck is also capable of powerful turns involving Fires of Invention and the companion Yorion, Sky Nomad.

From Phyrexia: All Will Be One, Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines has been a sweet addition, supercharging all of your enters-the-battlefield triggers. From March of the Machine, I see potential in Heliod, the Radiant Dawn as a tutor target. Chrome Host Seedshark may be a spicy option as well because it will produce a 6/6 token if you cast Leyline Binding, while Fires of Invention leaves your lands available to transform Incubators. Finally, blinking battles like Invasion of Alara with Yorion, Sky Nomad could be sweet.

In Explorer, Chained to the Rocks and Oath of Chandra are not legal, but with alternatives like Temporary Lockdown, Enigmatic Fires remains a reasonably popular deck choice.

Mono-Blue Spirits, with a 2.6% share of the record-weighted metagame, has many cards in common with Azorius Spirits, but it doesn't use Spell Queller. Instead, it has Ascendant Spirit and Slip Out the Back, which make it more likely to stick Curious Obsession with protection on turn two.

When playing against this deck, remember that their most-played piece of interaction is Geistlight Snare. Before deciding which spell to cast, check to see if they control a Spirit and an enchantment. If they might be able to play Geistlight Snare, consider sequencing your most important spells around a Mana Leak effect.

In Explorer, the entire deck is legal.

Mono-White Humans, with a 2.5% share of the winner's metagame, is an aggro deck that focuses on curving out with powerful Humans on turns one, two, and three, using Thalia's Lieutenant to boost them all. One advantage of staying mono-color is that it allows you to easily fit Mutavault and Castle Ardenvale into your mana base, and you have enough basic lands to support Ossification. Following Takumi Matsuura's Top 8 at Pro Tour Phyrexia, many decks have shaved Brave the Elements to fit in Ossification. In addition, Skrelv, Defector Mite has proven to be a good addition from Phyrexia: All Will Be One.

From March of the Machine, I have my eye on Elesh Norn as a main deck powerhouse, as well as several sideboard options: Knight-Errant of Eos for grindy matchups, Phyrexian Censor against combo decks, and Invasion of Gobakhan against sweepers. Although Mono-White Aggro has been on the downswing as of late due to poor performance at Pro Tour Phyrexia, perhaps these new additions can revitalize it.

When facing this deck, be aware of the possibility of surprise lethal via Brave the Elements. If possible, leave blockers of different colors untapped and attack with your multicolored creatures. Colorless creatures, such as Mutavault or tokens created by Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance, will always be able to block as well.

In Explorer, the entire deck is legal save for the singleton Kytheon, Hero of Akros.

Izzet Phoenix, with a 2.3% share of the record-weighted metagame, aims to put multiple Arclight Phoenix into the graveyard, typically using Pieces of the Puzzle or Lightning Axe, and then recur them by chaining together three cheap spells in a single turn. Izzet Phoenix can also use Galvanic Iteration to copy Treasure Cruise or Temporal Trespass, which can be a game-winning play. In recent weeks, the most successful builds have adopted Thing in the Ice over Ledger Shredder.

When playing against Izzet Phoenix, try to avoid casting spells that can be countered by Spell Pierce if possible. It's usually only a two-of, but if your opponent is conspicuously holding a blue mana open, then consider casting a noncreature spell instead.

Possible additions from March of the Machine, either main deck or sideboard, include Urabrask and Baral and Kari Zev. The main appeal of Baral and Kari Zev is the synergy with delve spells like Treasure Cruise. Imagine casting Treasure Cruise, triggering Baral and Kari Zev, and casting Alrund's Epiphany from your hand for free. This may require the deck to be constructed differently, but it could be quite powerful.

In Explorer, Treasure Cruise and Temporal Trespass are not available, so the deck doesn't really exist in this form.

Rakdos Sacrifice, with a 2.3% share of the winner's metagame, is centered around Mayhem Devil, Cauldron Familiar, and Witch's Oven, which create a once-per-turn loop that drains your opponent, deals two damage, and allows you to block for free.

When playing against this deck, be wary of Claim the Firstborn. If you leave a single large three-mana creature untapped, then that's not a safe proposition. In a racing situation where the opponent may have Claim the Firstborn, it can be better to leave behind a tiny chump blocker or a large four-drop.

From March of the Machine, I might be interested to try out Invasion of Azgol. It can be defeated via Mayhem Devil pings, and its back side fits naturally into a sacrifice deck.

In Explorer, apart from Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth, the entire deck is legal.

Omnath to Light, with a 2.1% share of the record-weighted metagame, is a five-color midrange deck that was unveiled at Pro Tour Phyrexia. It uses Omnath, Locus of Creation instead of Niv-Mizzet Reborn, resulting in better card quality and a superior mana base. The key card in the deck is Bring to Light, which is a tutor that can immediately cast the card it finds.

When playing against this deck, make a mental note of their prominent tutor targets. Valki, God of Lies is a big one, since the rules allow casting the seven-mana Tibalt, Cosmic Impostor with Bring to Light. Another important tutor target, newly introduced in Phyrexia: All Will Be One, is Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines. She doubles the effectiveness of her controller's Leyline Binding while reducing the potency of opposing Esika's Chariot or Cavalier of Thorns. From March of the Machine, Omnath to Light may be interested to try out Thalia and The Gitrog Monster as a sweet tutor target that would be strong to draw naturally.

In Explorer, Bring to Light, Sylvan Caryatid, and Chained to the Rocks are not available, so the deck cannot be build in the same way.

Looking Ahead

The top 15 decks showcase a wide variety of archetypes, but there are many other competitively viable strategies, and the metagame continues to evolve. In addition, March of the Machine could enable brand new decks or boost fringe options. For example:

• Rona, Herald of Invasion enables an infinite-mana combo with Retraction Helix and Mox Amber. Perhaps this could slot into Esper Legends?
• Wrenn and Realmbreaker provides a hexproof creature that taps for mana, which may be interesting for Transmogrify combo decks or Jeskai Ascendancy combo decks.
• Ghalta and Mavren is a Vampire, so it may be particularly sweet to put onto the battlefield on turn three with Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord. Dusk Legion Duelist is also a Vampire that synergizes with Sorin, so perhaps an Abzan Vampires deck might emerge. Mono-Black Vampires posted a positive record at the U.S. Regional Championship last year, so there is potential.
• Faerie Mastermind and Halo Forager have the right creature type to slot into Dimir Rogues. Dimir Rogues had already been on the rise as a fringe competitive deck with several decent finishes in recent weeks, and the new set may give it a substantial boost.
• Halo Hopper could be good friends with Ornithopter, so it may fit into Jeskai Ensoul.
• Ozolith, the Shattered Spire might enable a Hardened Scales deck.
• Djeru & Hazoret is reminiscent of the banned Winota, Joiner of Forces. Given its power, I could imagine Djeru and Hazoret in a brew with Generator Servant and Ilharg, the Raze-Boar.
• Urabrask and Khenra Spellspear might enable a spicy Mono-Red Storm deck.
• Omen Hawker feeds into Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx for a potential Mono-Blue Devotion brew, although I can't think of many other powerful activated abilities.
• Saiba Cryptomancer is a hexproof creature or protection spell, which could revitalize blue Auras decks.

The new set is brimming with potential, and I am looking forward to seeing all the innovations. There are plenty of options for deck builders to show their skills as the RCQs for the first cycle of the 2023-24 season are about to kick off.

Remember that this season introduces format matching: in-store RCQs will be either Pioneer or Limited, and they will qualify for a Pioneer Regional Championship later in the year. You can find Regional Championship Qualifiers near you via the Store & Event Locator or your regional organizer's website. The following infographic provides a visual overview of all Regional Championships and their qualifying seasons in 2023.

So if you win an RCQ in the coming months, then you'll qualify for the corresponding Regional Championship in the fall. For example, the one in Europe will be held in Lille, France on September 30, and the one in the U.S. will be held in Atlanta, GA on December 16.

Right in the middle of this RCQ cycle, the Regional Championships for the previous cycle will kick off. On June 3-4, there will be Regional Championships in five regions, including the U.S., whose results will surely shake up the format. The next few months will be an exciting time for Pioneer players!