Pauper: High aggression maintains metagame diversity.

Pauper is currently operating in a state of stable, if slightly narrow, health. Our Final Health Index sits strong at 79.8, but this stability hides a major meta shift: Pauper is now definitively an aggressive format. Aggro strategies command a dominant 72.1% of the current super-archetype breakdown, far exceeding the historical average of 66.5%, meaning the pace of play is faster and more linear than ever before.

Interestingly, despite the speed, the Metagame Diversity Score (77.6) and Archetype Distribution Score (87.4) remain high, suggesting that while the style of play is unified, the specific deck choices are varied. The main statistical concern is player participation; while Event Growth is positive at 1.5% monthly, Player Growth is lagging at 60.2, driven heavily by a concerning -5.7% monthly decline in MTGO engagement.

The metagame is ruled by speed. Mono Blue Aggro takes the top spot at 11.2%, followed closely by Affinity at 9% and Red Deck Wins at 8%. The vast majority of the top ten are dedicated aggressive strategies. This pressure cooker environment is forcing reactionary meta calls, notably the rise of dedicated land destruction strategies, or "Ponza" variants, which specifically target the non-basic land reliance of artifact-based decks like Boros and Affinity.

The B&R Health Score of 70.0 reflects a period of cautious stability, evidenced by the decision to postpone a ruling on *High Tide*. Nevertheless, community discussion is centered on the pervasive nature of Tier 1 threats. While the format is stable, players are refining strategies to compete. We are seeing a resurgence of Selesnya or Bant value decks using the powerful synergy of *Ephemerate* to out-grind aggressive shells. Furthermore, players are praising the utility of the red card advantage spell, *Wrenn's Resolve*, for allowing aggressive Red decks to replenish their hands and maintain pressure through the mid-game. Meanwhile, cards like *Glint Hawk* and *Kor Skyfisher* are under renewed scrutiny for their role in creating resilient, artifact-fueled card advantage for the Boros archetype.