Modern: Underworld Breach ban improves balance

Modern is in a demonstrably healthy state, offering diverse gameplay and positive community engagement. Recent changes to the banned and restricted list are anticipated to further improve the format.

Modern's metagame shows a strong level of diversity, with a wide array of viable archetypes making their mark. The format's adherence to its historical identity is particularly strong, suggesting a stable and familiar environment for returning and new players alike. Boros Aggro leads the charge as the most played deck, followed by Death and Taxes, and then several different 4/5 color and UR Aggro decks. While Aggro strategies currently hold a larger portion of the meta compared to the 5-year historical average, Combo decks maintain a steady presence, and Control decks are slightly underrepresented, allowing for a balanced play experience.

Player growth is trending positively across both paper and online platforms, indicating a healthy and engaged player base. This growth is mirrored in the organized play scene, with event counts also on the rise. The consistent increase in monthly events over the past year further solidifies the format's popularity and competitive appeal, with May seeing the highest event count.

The latest Banned & Restricted announcement, specifically the banning of Underworld Breach, is predicted to have a beneficial impact on the format. The expectation is that this change will curb the dominance of specific strategies, leading to an even wider range of competitive decks and enhanced strategic options. Overall sentiment surrounding these adjustments is optimistic, pointing towards a more balanced and dynamic Modern metagame.