Archived Analysis

Legacy is holding strong this week with a Final Health Index of 78.1. While the community describes the format as "vibrant but volatile," that score indicates a generally healthy metagame following major shifts. We are seeing a significant transition in power levels, but the data suggests the format is stabilizing well after recent shakeups.

Looking at the numbers, the Archetype Distribution Score is a massive 94.7, showing that the variety of deck styles is nearly perfect. Metagame Diversity remains solid at 76.9. However, there is a slight cooling in participation trends. Paper play is declining at -0.6% per month, and MTGO has dipped more significantly by -3.6%. While monthly event counts peaked at 187 in November 2025, they settled to 148 this past January, reflecting a "Modern Horizons fatigue" cited by some veteran players who value long-term stability.

When you sit down at a table, Dimir Tempo is the clear deck to beat, commanding 14.1% of the meta. UR Tempo and Eldrazi Aggro follow at 5% each. Aggro currently dominates the super-archetype breakdown at 46.4%, an increase over the five-year historical average of 43.1%. Other contenders like Boros Aggro, Artifacts Blue, and Death & Taxes are keeping the field honest at 3% each.

The recent bans of Entomb and Nadu, Winged Wisdom have been a huge win for format health, reflected in a B&R Health Score of 91.0. These moves dismantled the dominant Reanimator shell and removed a major power outlier. In the community, the talk of the town is Psychic Frog, which has solidified itself as a premier threat in Dimir shells. Eldrazi strategies are also back in force thanks to Ugin's Labyrinth and Nulldrifter. Meanwhile, cards like Vexing Bauble and Consign to Memory are being leaned on to keep the format’s free spells and triggered abilities in check. It is a high-skill environment right now, even as the community navigates these hyper-efficient new lists.