This week I made a mistake. I thought that I should write something that tried to summarize the winning probability of the major archetypes in Eternal. There are a lot of conversations that I have where someone will ask what a given match up is like, or what deck beats A, B and C decks. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a resource that summarizes all this information? And maybe give a brief intro to each match up?

I realized at the time this would be a large undertaking, but I hugely underestimated the commitment. Between considering the actual match up percentages, polishing the visuals, setting up Straw Polls to get input from the community, and writing match up descriptions, this has been a lot of work. I really hope you all like it! If this is a popular piece I may build on it in the future to include different match up information as new decks go in/out of tier 1 and tier 2.

Quick shout out to those that gave me data or answered questions to get match up estimates (Unearthly, mgoetze, Kirushi, RugHooper and LighteningBall to name a few). These numbers may change as I get data from the Straw polls and feedback from comments.

Match up overview:

Numbers on the graph represent the % chance of winning for the deck on the left versus the deck at the top. I assume both players are of equal skill and experience over infinite number of games, and are each playing a relatively stock list without special technology to combat the opponent. The “Too build dependant” classification is for match ups that specific card choices are important enough to greatly influence the balance of the match up.

Overall win rate:

These numbers assume an equal distribution of decks in the metagame. This is obviously not a good assumption, but it is difficult to correct for this without significantly more data.

Below in the match up summaries I have a Straw Poll for every pairing. Please respond with your estimate of the match up based on personal experience from either side (the same poll is listed for both the X vs. Y version and the Y vs. X version). Obviously specific card choices can help or hurt a match up, but please only select “Too dependant on build” if you feel specific card choice has a major impact on the expected win rate. When answering assume both players are playing relatively generic versions, and have similar experience in the match up.

4F Control

4F Control 40/60 Control Armory https://strawpoll.de/3g169wd

Summary: 4F Control like many control decks is somewhat weak to Relic Weapons, though they have the tools to grind out the opponent with Combrei units. Armory is going to try and beat down with Weapons, keep the board clear, and grind out the late game with Smuggler’s Stash. Azindel’s Gift can help attack Armory’s hand.

Important cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Armory: Sword of the Sky King, Smuggler’s Stash

4F Control 60/40 Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/1bx7424

Summary: The combination of big midrange threats and good removal puts 4F ahead of Combrei Aggro, allowing them to usually take over in the late game. Combrei Aggro has the capacity to steal games with cards like Stand Together, or if their opponent has an awkward draw.

Important cards for 4F Control: Harsh Rule, Scorpion Wasp

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Stand Together, Vanquish

4F Control 60/40 Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/c4zwd4e

Summary: This match up revolves around Azindel’s Gift. If 4F Control is able to control the game and land Gift, the game will usually end shortly thereafter. If not, Combrei Midrange is essentially just a better Combrei deck than 4F Control. Combrei must try and beat 4F Control before they find Gift.

Important cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Siraf, Stand Together

4F Control 60/40 Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/x59gw9b

Summary: There are usually more answers in the 4F Control deck than threats in the Elysian deck, as well as enough silences to stop Dawnwalker loops. 4F control can usually 1-for-1 and Harsh Rule them out of the game, but without silence effects it is possible for Elysian to make enough progress with Dawnwalkers.

Important cards for 4F Control: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Elysian: Dawnwalker, Cirso

4F Control 40/60 Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/bdya5cr

Summary: Feln Midrange can pressure 4F Control in a number of ways, such as early game curves, or Scouting Parties, as well as burst damage from Champion of Cunning. Harsh Rule helps control the aggression while Sandstorm Titan stops Champion of Cunning alpha strikes.

Important cards for 4F Control: Harsh Rule, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Champion of Cunning, Annihilate

4F Control 40/60 Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/wfe26w3

Summary: Icaria Blue is a Weapon based deck, which is something 4F Control can struggle with. Ambush creatures can help protect real threats from Relic Weapons, while Gift decimates the hand. Icaria Blue can of build up a hand through Staff of Stories, and use sweepers/point removal to answer threats. Gift can attack this plan.

Important Cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Sandstorm Titan

Important Cards for Icaria Blue: Sword of the Sky King, Staff of Stories

4F Control 50/50 Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/wcry8bg

Summary: The increased number of Aegis units from Rakano Plate, as well as a compliment of Relic Weapons help attack 4F Control. Cards such as Scorpion Wasp and Vanquish can 2-for-1 the opponent. Ambush units are also helpful in deflecting Relic Weapon attacks.

Important cards for 4F Control: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Rise to the Challenge

4F Control 60/40 Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/fr3e5y2

Summary: The 4F Control deck has the upper hand here from the combination of Combrei cards such as Vanquish, Scorpion Wasp and Sandstorm Titan as well as Lightning Storm being effective in the early game. Warcry can leverage its Aegis units and large equipment to push take punish slow starts from the opponent.

Important cards for 4F Control: Scorpion Wasp, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Vanquish

4F Control 70/30 Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/yr6z84c

Summary: Jito struggles against Lightning storm decks, and this is no exception. 4F also has access to Combrei Healers to take them out of burn range. Jito must get off to a fast start, hoping to avoid Lightning Storm. If Jito can avoid Storm long enough, it can pile on enough damage such that it can steal a game.

Important cards for 4F Control: Lightning Storm, Combrei Healer

Important Cards for Stonescar Jito: Frontier Jito, Bandit Queen

4F Control 60/40 Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/4cgw3e8

Summary: Xenan Killers is very vulnerable to both silence effects such as Desert Marshall, which 4F Control has access to, although not as many as true Combrei decks. If these Silence effects can be used up, Xenan should be able to grind out their opponent with Dawnwalkers and Dark Returns. If not, the Xenan deck will flounder.

Important cards for 4F Control: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Armory

Armory 60/40 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/3g169wd

Summary: 4F Control like many control decks is somewhat weak to Relic Weapons, though they have the tools to grind out the opponent with Combrei units. Armory is going to try and beat down with Weapons, keep the board clear, and grind out the late game with Smuggler’s Stash. Azindel’s Gift can help attack Armory’s hand.

Important cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Armory: Sword of the Sky King, Smuggler’s Stash

Armory 40/60 Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/4d6yd5w

Summary: Combrei Aggro utilizes a combination of oversized and Aegis units to beat down opponents, two things that Armory can struggle with. Strong draws from Armory can give them enough removal and Relic Weapons to beat back Combrei Aggro’s threats, while a well timed Stand Together or redirect of a Relic Weapon attack can often cripple the Armory deck.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehamer

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Copperhall Elite, Stand Together

Armory 40/60 Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/er968xs

Summary: Combrei Midrange presents a parade of must-answer, oversized threats, which will tax the Armory deck’s weapons. If the premier threats can be answered, the support creatures from Combrei are less exciting. Although Armory is at a disadvantage, a well timed Harsh Rule, or surviving until a high value Smuggler’s Stash can win them the game.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Rise to the Challenge

Important cards fro Combrei Midrange: Mystic Ascendant, Siraf

Armory 50/50 Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/6b2ybrb

Summary: Armory is a board control deck, and Elysian tends to play to the board in a fairly honest fashion, giving Armory the edge in many games. That being said, Dawnwalker recursion is particularly frustrating for Armory to deal with because of the minimal number of silence effects and the nature of Relic Weapons. Dawnwalkers really define the match up.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Elysian: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Armory 40/60 Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/8w47dzx

Summary: Feln Midrange utilizes two angles of attack that are difficult for Armory to handle – go wide in the form of scouting party, and Charge threats in the form of Champion of Cunning. If Armory is able to handle these threats effectively, the rest of the Feln deck is somewhat lackluster in this match-up.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Starsteel Daisho

Important card for Feln Midrange: Scouting Party, Champion of Cunning

Armory 50/50 Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/16a2xes

Summary: This semi-mirror is defined by who is forced to act first because of the nature of Relic Weapons. Icaria Blue has better early game draw to smooth out power needs, while Armroy has better late game draw in the form of Smuggler’s Stash. Patience is key.

Important cards for Armory: Sword of the Sky King, Smuggler’s Stash

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Sword of the Sky King, Icaria

Armory 50/50 Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/d17s721

Summary: Relic Weapons are effective at clearing Aegis Units, but if they become too large to attack down the Armory deck is often in trouble. Rakano Plate must carefully pace threats to pressure Armory effectively, without being blown out by Harsh Rule or Vanquish.

Important cards for Armory: Auric Runehammer, Vanquish

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Crownwatch Paladin, Gilded Glaive

Armory 60/40 Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/ae4729r

Summary: If Armory is able to trade Relic Weapons efficiently with all your creatures, you will eventually be killed by the long-term value Armory accrues, or just buried by a Smuggler’s stash. Rakano must get off to an early develop an early threat that Armory cannot deal with, and hope to ride it to victory. Torch can help clearing the Armory’s weapons.

Important cards for Armory: Sword of Icaria, Auric Runehammer

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Torch

Armory 30/70 Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/sg3587f

Summary: Armory has a very difficult time with go-wide style decks. Relic Weapons excel at clearing one threat at a time, making it very difficult to keep up with the Grenadin swarms from Jito. Armory’s best chance of survival is playing multiple Armorsmiths for free off a Rolant’s Favor.

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Shadowlands Guide

Important cards for Armory: Armorsmith, Harsh Rule

Armory 40/60 Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/9xdb7c1

Summary: As stated in other places, Armory has difficulty with Dawnwalker loops, and the Xenan Killers deck is another Dawnwalker deck. Umbren Reapers can be very good for the Xenan Deck when the Armory deck does not have an Auric Runehammer, but can be very poor if they do. Xenan decks can eventually run out of gas, allowing Armory to quick shut the door.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Combrei Aggro

Combrei Aggro 40/60 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/1bx7424

Summary: The combination of big midrange threats and good removal puts 4F ahead of Combrei Aggro, allowing them to usually take over in the late game. Combrei Aggro has the capacity to steal games with cards like Stand Together, or if their opponent has an awkward draw.

Important cards for 4F Control: Harsh Rule, Scorpion Wasp

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Stand Together, Vanquish

Combrei Aggro 60/40 Armory https://strawpoll.de/4d6yd5w

Summary: Combrei Aggro utilizes a combination of oversized and Aegis units to beat down opponents, two things that Armory can struggle with. Strong draws from Armory can give them enough removal and Relic Weapons to beat back Combrei Aggro’s threats, while a well timed Stand Together or redirect of a Relic Weapon attack can often cripple the Armory deck.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehamer

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Copperhall Elite, Stand Together

Combrei Aggro 30/70 Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/93eb836

Summary: This is a classic example of wanting to be the bigger midrange deck. Combrei Aggro’s units will often be brick walled by opposing monsters, or gobbled up by Harsh Rules and Scorpion Wasps. It is possible for Copperhall Elite with Gilded Glaive to run over a slow draw from Combrei Midrange, but the match up strongly favors the midrange version.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Gilded Glaive, Stand Together

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Vanquish

Combrei Aggro 40/60 Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/dr5yf9e

Summary: Elysian Midrange has access to a few cards the really punish Combrei Aggro, such as Permafrost to shut down an enemy attacker for cheap, False Prince to set up early initiative, and Cirso to mess up combat. Without cards like this, the match up could be described as a semi-mirror match. Board stalls will favour the Elysian deck, as crystallize can steal games.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Cirso, False Prince

Combrei Aggro 60/40 Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/wzfe4fs

Summary: Feln Midrange relies on being able to remove the most pressing threats through spot removal, but Combrei Aggro tends to have a high density of Aegis threats. If Feln can clear key threats in time it can leverage the power of cards like Champion of Cunning to finish the game, but this is difficult to accomplish.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Crownwatch Paladin, Silverwing Familiar

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Combrei Aggro 60/40 Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/bz44xyr

Summary: The Eye of Winter/Harsh Rule combo is very strong against most creature heavy decks, but almost every creature in Combrei Aggro is resistant to this in some way. A well timed Harsh Rule can make up a lot of lost ground, but a Stand Together in response will often end the game.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Copperhall Elite, Stand Together

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Combrei Aggro 40/60 Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/fcxa196

Summary: These decks are structurally similar in many ways, attempting to go over-top one another with big dumb monsters. Rakano has a slight edge because of the Quickdraw units and possibility of setting up 2-for-1s with Relic Weapons. The most important card on both sides is probably Vanquish.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Gilded Desert Marshall

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Champion of Glory

Combrei Aggro 50/50 Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/3z983s8

Summary: Combrei Aggro has larger base units, with fewer weapons, while Warcry has smaller units but more weapons. This ultimately is a very well balanced match up, defined by who can assemble the biggest monster. Vanquish is very important on both sides.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Elder’s Feather

Combrei Aggro 40/60 Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/sb68az7

Summary: Any deck that is looking to block as its method of defense is going to have a rough time against Jito. With that said, a Silverwing Familiar plus Weapon draws from Combrei is difficult to race. Combrei will need multiple early blockers to survive into the mid game.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Silverwing Familiar, Awakened Student

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Pyroknight, Rapid Shot

Combrei Aggro 40/60 Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/sb3w97w

Summary: Combrei Aggro has a good number of silence effects to slow down the Xenan deck, but Combrei Aggro is especially weak to the Predatory Instinct loop shenanigans. If Xenan is able to get set up in these types of loops Combrei Aggro will be buried.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Desert Marshall, Valkyrie Enforcer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Predatory Instinct

Combrei Midrange

Combrei Midrange 40/60 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/c4zwd4e

Summary: This match up revolves around Azindel’s Gift. If 4F Control is able to control the game and land Gift, the game will usually end shortly thereafter. If not, Combrei Midrange is essentially just a better Combrei deck than 4F Control. Combrei must try and beat 4F Control before they find Gift.

Important cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Siraf, Stand Together

Combrei Midrange 60/40 Armory https://strawpoll.de/er968xs

Summary: Combrei Midrange presents a parade of must-answer, oversized threats, which will tax the Armory deck’s weapons. If the premier threats can be answered, the support creatures from Combrei are less exciting. Although Armory is at a disadvantage, a well timed Harsh Rule, or surviving until a high value Smuggler’s Stash can win them the game.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Rise to the Challenge

Important cards fro Combrei Midrange: Mystic Ascendant, Siraf

Combrei Midrange 70/30 Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/93eb836

Summary: This is a classic example of wanting to be the bigger midrange deck. Combrei Aggro’s units will often be brick walled by opposing monsters, or gobbled up by Harsh Rules and Scorpion Wasps. It is possible for Copperhall Elite with Gilded Glaive to run over a slow draw from Combrei Midrange, but the match up strongly favors the midrange version.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Gilded Glaive, Stand Together

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Vanquish

Combrei Midrange 40/60 Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/dfrg33f

Summary: The cards in the Combrei deck generally do not line up well against the threats from Elysian. The silence effects are overworked, there are few spells that punish False Prince’s downside, and trying to block Cirso is often a disaster. Combrei generally needs a high value Harsh Rule to win.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Harsh Rule, Desert Marshall

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Cirso, Crystallize

Combrei Midrange 40/60 Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/3egdxcc

Summary: Feln midrange plays enough removal to clear the most important threats from Combrei, and can often draw multiple cards off a single Scouting Party. An overly aggressive Feln deck can be blown out by Harsh Rule, and Desert Marshall can counter a Champion of Cunning, but generally the Combrei deck struggles to efficiently interact with everything Feln Midrange is doing.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Harsh Rule, Desert Marshall

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Scouting Party, Champion of Cunning

Combrei Midrange 50/50 Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/e531ary

Summary: Icaria Blue, at its core, is about combining Eye of Winter with Harsh Rule. Almost every threat in Combrei Midrange are weak to this combination of cards. With that said, almost any major threat in Combrei Midrange can win the game all by itself. Ambush creatures out of Combrei are important for redirecting Relic Weapons. Games are often determined by who draws the fewest dead cards.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Sandstorm Titan, Scorpion Wasp

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Eye of Winter, Harsh Rule

Combrei Midrange 50/50 Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/y1se627

Summary: Combrei is famous for being the “answer” to Rakano, but the most recent versions are not as favourable of a match up as before. A higher concentration of removal such as Vanquish and Obliterate can give it more time to operate freely. If Combrei is overload this removal with cards like Sandstorm Titan, it is possible to brick wall Rakano’s progress, allowing Combrei’s late game to take over.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Obliterate

Combrei Midrange 60/40 Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/brre3ee

Summary: The combination of large blockers, Scorpion Wasp, and silence effects is very punishing to Rakano Warcry decks. With the proper combination of disruption and a difficult to answer threat can put Combrei too far behind, but Rakano must draw very well for this to be possible.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Valkyrie Enforcer

Combrei Midrange 30/70 Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/1572yg3

Summary: Combrei Midrange is generally too slow to interact effectively with Stonescar Jito. They often spend several turns developing power, while the Jito deck may already have an entire board by the time Combrei plays its first unit. Rapid shot is also a complete blow out in many situations. The only chance for Combrei to win is to survive until a turn 5 Harsh Rule.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Combrei Healer, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Rapid Shot, Lurking Sanguar

Combrei Midrange 60/40 Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/xg7a1dr

Summary: Combrei’s infinite silence effects paired with Harsh Rule pair up well against a deck that is vulnerable to both those things. With that said, if Combrei does not find these cards, it is possible for Xenan to get out to an early lead where Umbren Reapers and Copper Conduits can “burn out” the opponent.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Elysian Midrange

Elysian Midrange 40/60 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/x59gw9b

Summary: There are usually more answers in the 4F Control deck than threats in the Elysian deck, as well as enough silences to stop Dawnwalker loops. 4F control can usually 1-for-1 and Harsh Rule them out of the game, but without silence effects it is possible for Elysian to make enough progress with Dawnwalkers.

Important cards for 4F Control: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Elysian: Dawnwalker, Cirso

Elysian Midrange 50/50 Armory https://strawpoll.de/6b2ybrb

Summary: Armory is a board control deck, and Elysian tends to play to the board in a fairly honest fashion, giving Armory the edge in many games. That being said, Dawnwalker recursion is particularly frustrating for Armory to deal with because of the minimal number of silence effects and the nature of Relic Weapons. Dawnwalkers really define the match up.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Elysian: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Elysian Midrange 60/40 Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/dr5yf9e

Summary: Elysian Midrange has access to a few cards the really punish Combrei Aggro, such as Permafrost to shut down an enemy attacker for cheap, False Prince to set up early initiative, and Cirso to mess up combat. Without cards like this, the match up could be described as a semi-mirror match. Board stalls will favour the Elysian deck, as Crystallize will end the game.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Cirso, Crystallize

Elysian Midrange 60/40 Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/dfrg33f

Summary: The cards in the Combrei deck generally do not line up well against the threats from Elysian. The silence effects are overworked, there are few spells that punish False Prince’s downside, and trying to block Cirso is often a disaster. Combrei generally needs a high value Harsh Rule to win.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Harsh Rule, Desert Marshall

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Cirso, Crystallize

Elysian Midrange 60/40 Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/69yeyfr

Summary: Elysian has more threats than Feln has removal spells, and Elysian has a faster clock. In addition, with a higher density of Overwhelm threats it is much more difficult to buy time with Scouting Party. It is possible for Feln to run Elysian out of threats, or drop a fast Champion of Cunning to steal a game.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: False Prince, Champion of Wisdom

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Deathstrike, Champion of Cunning

Elysian Midrange 50/50 Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/113gec5

Summary: Elysian Midrange struggles against control decks when it doesn’t draw Dawnwalkers, and is a lot more potent when it does. Each individual threat can end the game quickly, so it is important for Elysian to not overextend into Harsh Rule. If Icaria Blue is able to develop Eye of Winter, it should slow down the aggression.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Vanquish

Elysian Midrange (?) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/de4gg9c

Summary: The build of Elysian Midrange is generally determines the balance of the match up. Versions that play Lightning Storm have difficulty combating the Rakano Plate deck, while those that play Scorpion Wasp have a much better match up. Rakano Plate can often go overtop of Elysian with the correct combination of Weapons and units if Elysian doesn’t draw any of its limited answers, although one answer card can be very devastating.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Permafrost

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Silverwing Familar, Deepforge Plate

Elysian Midrange (50/50) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/das4245

Summary: Rakano Warcry has a faster clock than Elysian Midrange, and Elysian Midrange has few removal spells to deal with these oversized threats, if Elysian is able to connect with any of these removal spells it will often buy Elysian enough time to close out the game. This match up is all about racing.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Permafrost

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Gilded Glaive, Vanquish

Elysian Midrange (?) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/f4gwe5w

Summary: The specific build of Elysian Midrange makes a very big difference in this match up. Versions with multiple Lightning Storms can usually slow down Jito long enough to take down the game, but those opting for more copies of Scorpion Wasp and Permafrost will be struggle. This match up will often come down to racing.

Important cards for Elysian: Lightning Sorm, Storm Lynx

Important cards for Jito: Rapid Shot, Fontier Jito

Elysian Midrange (60/40) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/9ddg99c

Summary: This match up is very much about racing, with each player trying to run the other over with evasive threats. Elysian has a slight edge due to its access to Permafrost and Cirso. If Xenan is able to establish some Killer shenanigans, it can over take down the Elysian Deck.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Permafrost, Cirso

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Deathstrike

Feln Midrange

Feln Midrange (60/40) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/bdya5cr

Summary: Feln Midrange can pressure 4F Control in a number of ways, such as early game curves, or Scouting Parties, as well as burst damage from Champion of Cunning. Harsh Rule helps control the aggression while Sandstorm Titan stops Champion of Cunning alpha strikes.

Important cards for 4F Control: Harsh Rule, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Champion of Cunning, Annihilate

Feln Midrange (60/40) Armory https://strawpoll.de/8w47dzx

Summary: Feln Midrange utilizes two angles of attack that are difficult for Armory to handle – go wide in the form of scouting party, and Charge threats in the form of Champion of Cunning. If Armory is able to handle these threats effectively, the rest of the Feln deck is somewhat lackluster in this match-up.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Starsteel Daisho

Important card for Feln Midrange: Scouting Party, Champion of Cunning

Feln Midrange (40/60) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/wzfe4fs

Summary: Feln Midrange relies on being able to remove the most pressing threats through spot removal, but Combrei Aggro tends to have a high density of Aegis threats. If Feln can clear key threats in time it can leverage the power of cards like Champion of Cunning to finish the game, but this is difficult to accomplish.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Crownwatch Paladin, Silverwing Familiar

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Feln Midrange (60/40) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/3egdxcc

Summary: Feln midrange plays enough removal to clear the most important threats from Combrei, and can often draw multiple cards off a single Scouting Party. An overly aggressive Feln deck can be blown out by Harsh Rule, and Desert Marshall can counter a Champion of Cunning, but generally the Combrei deck struggles to efficiently interact with everything Feln Midrange is doing.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Harsh Rule, Desert Marshall

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Scouting Party, Champion of Cunning

Feln Midrange (40/60) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/69yeyfr

Summary: Elysian has more threats than Feln has removal spells, and Elysian has a faster clock. In addition, with a higher density of Overwhelm threats it is much more difficult to buy time with Scouting Party. It is possible for Feln to run Elysian out of threats, or drop a fast Champion of Cunning to steal a game.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: False Prince, Champion of Wisdom

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Deathstrike, Champion of Cunning

Feln Midrange (60/40) Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/1z6r26w

Summary: Feln Midrange being able soften up Icaria Blue, followed by setting up a big Champion of Cunning turn will often win the game. Icaria Blue is particular weak to these combos as they are light on Fast removal. With that said, if Feln draws multiple pieces of removal in the early game, they may lack the juice to finish out the game.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Champion of Cunning, Argenport Instigator

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Lightning Storm

Feln Midrange (40/60) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/3x8c9fg

Summary: Feln relies on one-for-one removal so as not to get behind, and Rakano Plate uses creatures such as Crownwatch Paladin to tax these removal spells. Rakano can usually leverage any one threat to win the game, but a strong draw from Feln can run Rakano out of threats. Scouting Party can often buy multiple turns via chump blocking.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Silverwing Familar

Feln Midrange (40/60) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/dw7f3g6

Summary: Feln relies on one-for-one removal so as not to get behind, and Rakano Warcry uses creatures such as Crownwatch Paladin to tax these removal spells. Rakano can usually leverage any one threat to win the game, but a strong draw from Feln can run Rakano out of threats. Scouting Party can often buy multiple turns via chump blocking.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Champion of Glory

Feln Midrange (?) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/617yd5e

Summary: This match up is defined most by the specific build of Feln Midrange. Lists with Lightning Storms or Plague will be favored in the match up, and those without those tools will struggle. Early blockers out of Feln can help slow down the beatings, but Bandit Queen produces enough punch to close out the game without serious crowd control.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Lightning Storm, Midnight Gale

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Bandit Queen, Frontier Jito

Feln Midrange (40/60) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/zsc2ybs

Summary: Xenan is often a little faster than Feln, and mitigates Feln’s removal from threats such as Dawnwalker or Umbren Reaper. Steward of the Past is a very important tool in mitigating Xenan’s value engines, allowing Feln to run Xenan out of threats. As always, Champion of Cunning is important for racing.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Steward of the Past, Annihilate

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Icaria Blue

Icaria Blue (60/40) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/wfe26w3

Summary: Icaria Blue is a Relic Weapon based deck, which 4F Control tends to struggle with. Ambush creatures can help protect real threats from Relic Weapons, while Gift decimates Icaria Blue’s hand. Icaria Blue can of build up a hand through Staff of Stories, and use sweepers/point removal to answer threats.

Important Cards for 4F Control: Azindel’s Gift, Sandstorm Titan

Important Cards for Icaria Blue: Sword of the Sky King, Staff of Stories

Icaria Blue (50/50) Armory https://strawpoll.de/16a2xes

Summary: This semi-mirror is defined by who is forced to act first because of the nature of Relic Weapons. Icaria Blue has better early game draw to smooth out power needs, while Armroy has better late game draw in the form of Smuggler’s Stash. Patience is key.

Important cards for Armory: Sword of the Sky King, Smuggler’s Stash

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Sword of the Sky King, Icaria

Icaria Blue (40/60) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/bz44xyr

Summary: The Eye of Winter/Harsh Rule combo is very strong against most creature heavy decks, but almost every creature in Combrei Aggro is resistant to this in some way. A well timed Harsh Rule can make up a lot of lost ground, but a Stand Together in response will often end the game.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Copperhall Elite, Stand Together

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Icaria Blue (50/50) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/e531ary

Summary: Icaria Blue, at its core, is about combining Eye of Winter with Harsh Rule. Almost every threat in Combrei Midrange are weak to this combination of cards. With that said, almost any major threat in Combrei Midrange can win the game all by itself. Ambush creatures out of Combrei are important for redirecting Relic Weapons. Games are often determined by who draws the fewest dead cards.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Sandstorm Titan, Scorpion Wasp

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Eye of Winter, Harsh Rule

Icaria Blue (50/50) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/113gec5

Summary: Elysian Midrange struggles against control decks when it doesn’t draw Dawnwalkers, and is a lot more potent when it does. Each individual threat can end the game quickly, so it is important for Elysian to not overextend into Harsh Rule. If Icaria Blue is able to develop Eye of Winter, it should slow down the aggression.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Vanquish

Icaria Blue (40/60) Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/1z6r26w

Summary: Feln Midrange being able soften up Icaria Blue, followed by setting up a big Champion of Cunning turn will often win the game. Icaria Blue is particular weak to these combos as they are light on Fast removal. With that said, if Feln draws multiple pieces of removal in the early game, they may lack the juice to finish out the game.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Champion of Cunning, Argenport Instigator

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Harsh Rule, Lightning Storm

Icaria Blue (30/70) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/rf134g4

Summary: The combination of Aegis, Relic Weapons, Obliterate and a fast clock really put Icaria Blue in a pinch. Lightning Storm, which is serviceable against Warcry decks is essentially dead here. If Icaria Blue can stabilize the in the mid game Eye of Winter can do some heavy lifting.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Vanquish, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Crownwatch Paladin, Obliterate

Icaria Blue (40/60) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/bwxgda4

Summary: Icaria Blue struggles against any Aegis heavy deck, and this is no exception. If it is able to pull off an early 2-for-1 with Lightning storm or Relic Weapons it should be able to take the game, but if Warcry is able to dodge Icaria Blue’s answers the game will end quickly.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Vanquish, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Gilded Glaive

Icaria Blue (70/30) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/c2rre67

Summary: As always, Jito struggles against decks with 4 Lightning Storm. Icaria has additional tools such as Harsh Rule as a secondary sweeper, Torch for cheap interaction, and Relic Weapons which double as life gain. Jito’s most explosive draws are difficult to beat without a Storm, so it is obviously best to resect this match up still.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Lightning Storm, Torch

Important cards for Jito: Frontier Jito, Bandit Queen

Icaria Blue (60/40) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/gfz8c73

Summary: The Eye of Winter/Harsh Rule board control plan out of Icaria Blue is very effective. Dawnwalkers are a pain, as they cannot be easily cleared, but can be managed. Umbren Reaper can be annoying, but is effectively cleared with an Auric Runehammer.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Eye of Winter, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalkers, Umbren Reapers

Rakano Plate

Rakano Plate (50/50) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/wcry8bg

Summary: The increased number of Aegis units from Rakano Plate, as well as a compliment of Relic Weapons help attack 4F Control. Cards such as Scorpion Wasp and Vanquish can 2-for-1 the opponent. Ambush units are also helpful in deflecting Relic Weapon attacks.

Important cards for 4F Control: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Rise to the Challenge

Rakano Plate (50/50) Armory https://strawpoll.de/d17s721

Summary: Relic Weapons are effective at clearing Aegis Units, but if they become too large to attack down the Armory deck is often in trouble. Rakano Plate must carefully pace threats to pressure Armory effectively, without being blown out by Harsh Rule or Vanquish.

Important cards for Armory: Auric Runehammer, Vanquish

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Crownwatch Paladin, Gilded Glaive

Rakano Plate (60/40) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/fcxa196

Summary: These decks are structurally similar in many ways, attempting to go over-top one another with big dumb monsters. Rakano has a slight edge because of the Quickdraw units and possibility of setting up 2-for-1s with Relic Weapons. The most important card on both sides is probably Vanquish.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Gilded Desert Marshall

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Champion of Glory

Rakano Plate (40/60) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/y1se627

Summary: Combrei is famous for being the “answer” to Rakano, but the most recent versions are not as favourable of a match up as before. A higher concentration of removal such as Vanquish and Obliterate can give it more time to operate freely. If Combrei is overload this removal with cards like Sandstorm Titan, it is possible to brick wall Rakano’s progress, allowing Combrei’s late game to take over.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Obliterate

Rakano Plate (?) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/de4gg9c

Summary: The build of Elysian Midrange is generally determines the balance of the match up. Versions that play Lightning Storm have difficulty combating the Rakano Plate deck, while those that play Scorpion Wasp have a much better match up. Rakano Plate can often go overtop of Elysian with the correct combination of Weapons and units if Elysian doesn’t draw any of its limited answers, although one answer card can be very devastating.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Permafrost

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Silverwing Familiar, Deepforge Plate

Rakano Plate (60/40) Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/3x8c9fg

Summary: Feln relies on one-for-one removal so as not to get behind, and Rakano Plate uses creatures such as Crownwatch Paladin to tax these removal spells. Rakano can usually leverage any one threat to win the game, but a strong draw from Feln can run Rakano out of threats. Scouting Party can often buy multiple turns via chump blocking.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Silverwing Familar

Rakano Plate (70/30) Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/rf134g4

Summary: The combination of Aegis, Relic Weapons, Obliterate and a fast clock really put Icaria Blue in a pinch. Lightning Storm, which is serviceable against Warcry decks is essentially dead here. If Icaria Blue can stabilize the in the mid game Eye of Winter can do some heavy lifting.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Vanquish, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Crownwatch Paladin, Obliterate

Rakano Plate (60/40) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/wrd7944

Summary: One card that influences this matchup more than any other is Silverwing Familiar. This little bird is impossible to race, especially when loaded up with oversized equipment. All builds of Plate have it, while Warcry does now. If this card doesn’t make an appearance Plate still has more Relic Weapons to control the board, but can be rushed down by good early development.

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Silverwing Familiar, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Sword of Icaria

Rakano Plate (40/60) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/fr6xc96

Summary: Rakano Plate can be greatly slowed by the Jito deck through chump blocking. The threats in Rakano Plate are often evasive, or utilize Lifesteal, which can race, but given a higher curve than Rakano Warcry they are more prone to stumbling.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Silverwing Familiar, Deepforge Plate

Important card for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Lurking Sanguar

Rakano Plate (40/60) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/2a2ac61

Summary: Xenan’s Predatory Instinct synergies have an inherent advantage against Aegis-heavy decks. Rakano Plate’s slightly larger units than other Aegis heavy decks make this weakness slightly less pronounced, but Xenan will take over given enough time. Rakano can combat Xenan with Valkyrie Enforcer and Vanquish

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Valkyrie Enforcer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Predatory Instinct, Umbren Reaper

Rakano Warcry

Rakano Warcry (40/60) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/fr3e5y2

Summary: The 4F Control deck has the upper hand here from the combination of Combrei cards such as Vanquish, Scorpion Wasp and Sandstorm Titan as well as Lightning Storm being effective in the early game. Warcry can leverage its Aegis units and large equipment to push take punish slow starts from the opponent.

Important cards for 4F Control: Scorpion Wasp, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Vanquish

Rakano Warcry (40/60) Armory https://strawpoll.de/fr3e5y2

Summary: If Armory is able to trade Relic Weapons efficiently with all your creatures, you will eventually be killed by the long-term value Armory accrues, or just buried by a Smuggler’s stash. Rakano must get off to an early develop an early threat that Armory cannot deal with, and hope to ride it to victory. Torch can help clearing the Armory’s weapons.

Important cards for Armory: Sword of Icaria, Auric Runehammer

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Torch

Rakano Warcry (50/50) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/3z983s8

Summary: Combrei Aggro has larger base units, with fewer weapons, while Warcry has smaller units but more weapons. This ultimately is a very well balanced match up, defined by who can assemble the biggest monster. Vanquish is very important on both sides.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Vanquish, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Elder’s Feather

Rakano Warcry (40/60) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/brre3ee

Summary: The combination of large blockers, Scorpion Wasp, and silence effects is very punishing to Rakano Warcry decks. With the proper combination of disruption and a difficult to answer threat can put Combrei too far behind, but Rakano must draw very well for this to be possible.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Sandstorm Titan

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Valkyrie Enforcer

Rakano Warcry (50/50) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/das4245

Summary: Rakano Warcry has a faster clock than Elysian Midrange, and Elysian Midrange has few removal spells to deal with these oversized threats, if Elysian is able to connect with any of these removal spells it will often buy Elysian enough time to close out the game. This match up is all about racing.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Scorpion Wasp, Permafrost

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Gilded Glaive, Vanquish

Rakano Warcry (60/40) Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/dw7f3g6

Summary: Feln relies on one-for-one removal so as not to get behind, and Rakano Warcry uses creatures such as Crownwatch Paladin to tax these removal spells. Rakano can usually leverage any one threat to win the game, but a strong draw from Feln can run Rakano out of threats. Scouting Party can often buy multiple turns via chump blocking.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Annihilate, Steward of the Past

Important card for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Champion of Glory

Rakano Warcry (60/40) Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/bwxgda4

Summary: Icaria Blue struggles against any Aegis heavy deck, and this is no exception. If it is able to pull off an early 2-for-1 with Lightning storm or Relic Weapons it should be able to take the game, but if Warcry is able to dodge Icaria Blue’s answers the game will end quickly.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Vanquish, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Crownwatch Paladin, Gilded Glaive

Rakano Warcry (40/60) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/wrd7944

Summary: One card that influences this matchup more than any other is Silverwing Familiar. This little bird is impossible to race, especially when loaded up with oversized equipment. All builds of Plate have it, while Warcry does now. If this card doesn’t make an appearance Plate still has more Relic Weapons to control the board, but can be rushed down by good early development.

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Silverwing Familiar, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Vanquish, Sword of Icaria

Rakano Warcry (40/60) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/6rz684c

Summary: Rakano Warcry can be greatly slowed by the Jito deck through chump blocking, Rakano’s units are also not designed to block, and it difficult to handle go-wide threats. If Rakano is able to pants up a Flyer (especially Silverwing Familiar) Rakano can easily steal a game.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Silverwing Familiar, Elder’s Feather

Important card for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Lurking Sanguar

Rakano Warcry (30/70) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/berbb49

Summary: Aegis units are very weak to Killer synergies. Recurring Killer Dawnwalkers and Copper Conduits is very difficult for Rakano Warcry to battle through. Warcry is obviously a very power deck that can race Xenan with a strong draw, but it is a challenge.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Gilded Glaive, Valkyrie Enforcer

Imortant cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Predatory Instinct

Stonescar Jito

Stonescar Jito (30/70) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/yr6z84c

Summary: Jito struggles against Lightning storm decks, and this is no exception. 4F also has access to Combrei Healers to take them out of burn range. Jito must get off to a fast start, hoping to avoid Lightning Storm. If Jito can avoid Storm long enough, it can pile on enough damage such that it can steal a game.

Important cards for 4F Control: Lightning Storm, Combrei Healer

Important Cards for Stonescar Jito: Frontier Jito, Bandit Queen

Stonescar Jito (70/30) Armory https://strawpoll.de/9xdb7c1

Summary: Armory has a very difficult time with go-wide style decks. Relic Weapons excel at clearing one threat at a time, making it very difficult to keep up with the Grenadin swarms from Jito. Armory’s best chance of survival is playing multiple Armorsmiths for free off a Rolant’s Favor.

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Shadowlands Guide

Important cards for Armory: Armorsmith, Harsh Rule

Stonescar Jito (60/40) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/sb68az7

Summary: Any deck that is looking to block as its method of defense is going to have a rough time against Jito. With that said, a Silverwing Familiar plus Weapon draws from Combrei is difficult to race. Combrei will need multiple early blockers to survive into the mid game.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Silverwing Familiar, Awakened Student

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Pyroknight, Rapid Shot

Stonescar Jito (70/30) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/1572yg3

Summary: Combrei Midrange is generally too slow to interact effectively with Stonescar Jito. They often spend several turns developing power, while the Jito deck may already have an entire board by the time Combrei plays its first creature. Rapid shot is also a complete blow out in many situations. The only chance for Combrei to win is to survive until a turn 5 Harsh Rule.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Combrei Healer, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Rapid Shot, Lurking Sanguar

Stonescar Jito (?) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/f4gwe5w

Summary: The specific build of Elysian Midrange makes a very big difference in this match up. Versions with multiple Lightning Storms can usually slow down Jito long enough to take down the game, but those opting for more copies of Scorpion Wasp and Permafrost will be struggle. This match up will often come down to racing.

Important cards for Elysian: Lightning Sorm, Storm Lynx

Important cards for Jito: Rapid Shot, Fontier Jito

Stonescar Jito (?) Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/617yd5e

Summary: This match up is defined most by the specific build of Feln Midrange. Lists with Lightning Storms or Plague will be favored in the match up, and those without those tools will struggle. Early blockers out of Feln can help slow down the beatings, but Bandit Queen produces enough punch to close out the game without serious crowd control.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Lightning Storm, Midnight Gale

Important cards for Stonescar Jito: Bandit Queen, Frontier Jito

Stonescar Jito (30/70) Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/c2rre67

Summary: As always, Jito struggles against decks with 4 Lightning Storm. Icaria has additional tools such as Harsh Rule as a secondary sweeper, Torch for cheap interaction, and Relic Weapons which double as life gain. Jito’s most explosive draws are difficult to beat without a Storm, so it is obviously best to resect this match up still.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Lightning Storm, Torch

Important cards for Jito: Frontier Jito, Bandit Queen

Stonescar Jito (60/40) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/fr6xc96

Summary: Rakano Plate can be greatly slowed by the Jito deck through chump blocking. The threats in Rakano Plate are often evasive, or utilize Lifesteal, which can race, but given a higher curve than Rakano Warcry they are more prone to stumbling.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Silverwing Familiar, Deepforge Plate

Important card for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Lurking Sanguar

Stonescar Jito (60/40) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/6rz684c

Summary: Rakano Warcry can be greatly slowed by the Jito deck through chump blocking, Rakano’s units are also not designed to block, and it difficult to handle go-wide threats. If Rakano is able to pants up a Flyer (especially Silverwing Familiar) Rakano can easily steal a game.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Silverwing Familiar, Elder’s Feather

Important card for Stonescar Jito: Assembly Line, Lurking Sanguar

Stonescar Jito (70/30) Xenan Killers https://strawpoll.de/zydx1d3

Summary: Many of Xenan’s creatures are poor at blocking, and most Xenan builds do not play Plague, meaning there are no sweepers. This leaves it very vulnerable to go-wide strategies. If Jito gets off to a slow start Umbren Reaper and Sandstorm Titan can help catch up, but Xenan basically has no answer to Jito’s fastest draws.

Important cards for Jito: Frontier Jito, Assembly Line

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Sandstorm Titan, Argenport Instigator

Xenan Killers

Xenan Killers (40/60) 4F Control https://strawpoll.de/4cgw3e8

Summary: Xenan Killers is very vulnerable to both silence effects such as Desert Marshall, which 4F Control has access to, although not as many as true Combrei decks. If these Silence effects can be used up, Xenan should be able to grind out their opponent with Dawnwalkers and Dark Returns. If not, the Xenan deck will flounder.

Important cards for 4F Control: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Xenan Killers (60/40) Armory https://strawpoll.de/sg3587f

Summary: As stated in other places, Armory has difficulty with Dawnwalker loops, and the Xenan Killers deck is another Dawnwalker deck. Umbren Reapers can be very good for the Xenan Deck when the Armory deck does not have an Auric Runehammer, but can be very poor if they do. Xenan decks can eventually run out of gas, allowing Armory to quick shut the door.

Important cards for Armory: Harsh Rule, Auric Runehammer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Xenan Killers (60/40) Combrei Aggro https://strawpoll.de/sb3w97w

Summary: Combrei Aggro has a good number of silence effects to slow down the Xenan deck, but Combrei Aggro is especially weak to the Predatory Instinct loop shenanigans. If Xenan is able to get set up in these types of loops Combrei Aggro will be buried.

Important cards for Combrei Aggro: Desert Marshall, Valkyrie Enforcer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Predatory Instinct

Xenan Killers (40/60) Combrei Midrange https://strawpoll.de/xg7a1dr

Summary: Combrei’s infinite silence effects paired with Harsh Rule pair up well against a deck that is vulnerable to both those things. With that said, if Combrei does not find these cards, it is possible for Xenan to get out to an early lead where Umbren Reapers and Copper Conduits can “burn out” the opponent.

Important cards for Combrei Midrange: Desert Marshall, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Umbren Reaper

Xenan Killers (40/60) Elysian Midrange https://strawpoll.de/9ddg99c

Summary: This match up is very much about racing, with each player trying to run the other over with evasive threats. Elysian has a slight edge due to its access to Permafrost and Cirso. If Xenan is able to establish some Killer shenanigans, it can over take down the Elysian Deck.

Important cards for Elysian Midrange: Permafrost, Cirso

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Deathstrike

Xenan Killers (60/40) Feln Midrange https://strawpoll.de/zsc2ybs

Summary: Xenan is often a little faster than Feln, and mitigates Feln’s removal from threats such as Dawnwalker or Umbren Reaper. Steward of the Past is a very important tool in mitigating Xenan’s value engines, allowing Feln to run Xenan out of threats. As always, Champion of Cunning is important for racing.

Important cards for Feln Midrange: Steward of the Past, Annihilate

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan

Xenan Killers (40/60) Icaria Blue https://strawpoll.de/gfz8c73

Summary: The Eye of Winter/Harsh Rule board control plan out of Icaria Blue is very effective. Dawnwalkers are a pain, as they cannot be easily cleared, but can be managed. Umbren Reaper can be annoying, but is effectively cleared with an Auric Runehammer.

Important cards for Icaria Blue: Eye of Winter, Harsh Rule

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalkers, Umbren Reapers

Xenan Killers (60/40) Rakano Plate https://strawpoll.de/2a2ac61

Summary: Xenan’s Predatory Instinct synergies have an inherent advantage against Aegis-heavy decks. Rakano Plate’s slightly larger units than other Aegis heavy decks make this weakness slightly less pronounced, but Xenan will take over given enough time. Rakano can combat Xenan with Valkyrie Enforcer and Vanquish

Important cards for Rakano Plate: Vanquish, Valkyrie Enforcer

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Predatory Instinct, Umbren Reaper

Xenan Killers (70/30) Rakano Warcry https://strawpoll.de/berbb49

Summary: Aegis units are very weak to Killer synergies. Recurring Killer Dawnwalkers and Copper Conduits is very difficult for Rakano Warcry to battle through. Warcry is obviously a very power deck that can race Xenan with a strong draw, but it is a challenge.

Important cards for Rakano Warcry: Gilded Glaive, Valkyrie Enforcer

Imortant cards for Xenan Killers: Dawnwalker, Predatory Instinct

Xenan Killers (30/70) Stonescar Jito https://strawpoll.de/zydx1d3

Summary: Many of Xenan’s creatures are poor at blocking, and most Xenan builds do not play Plague, meaning there are no sweepers. This leaves it very vulnerable to go-wide strategies. If Jito gets off to a slow start Umbren Reaper and Sandstorm Titan can help catch up, but Xenan basically has no answer to Jito’s fastest draws.

Important cards for Jito: Frontier Jito, Assembly Line

Important cards for Xenan Killers: Sandstorm Titan, Argenport Instigator

Conclusion: As you can see, this took a lot of work to put together and PLEASE fill in the Straw Polls and give comments on any of these match ups. There are many of these pairings that I will admit I am not totally familiar with, and your input will help evolve this resource for new players. As I said above, if this is popular I will continue to update it as new decks go in/out of tier 1 and 2 play. Hope this was useful!

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