[Free Article] The Q1 Vintage Metagame Report

[voltron00x]

Another quarter is in the books, and thus we have the Q1 Metagame Report, now featuring graphs, as requested.  The data is again downloadable as an Excel sheet, which I highly recommend if you want to maximize your value out of the research I did for this. 

This time around, we have 26 Top 8s with 207 decks (one 8th place deck was MIA).  I've included a bunch of tournament winning lists throughout.  I hope you find this useful during Q2!

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/vintage/21723_The_Long_And_Winding_Road_The_Q1_Vintage_Metagame_Report.html

[ Note - I meant to cut/paste the deck distribution through the top 8 after each archetype breakdown, but I only did it for Workshops.  I just noticed that now. You can get that info with the Excel sheet, however.]

[Lemnear]

Thank you very much for the time you put into this, Matt!

Great as always. The revoker shop list is a beast; I tested against it for weeks.

[Smmenen]

Masterful Matt.  Well done. 

[Troy_Costisick]

Terrific report, Matt.  I love your breakdown.  Rits and Fish seem to be having a lot of trouble.  Don't know what to do about that, really.  I like seeing classic control style decks like Vintage Control and The Deck making top 8's.  It's nice to see it for nastolgic reasons.  Anyway, thanks for all the effort, Matt.  It is greatly appreciated and very valuable to the community. 

Peace,

-Troy

[Guli]

I enjoyed going through the article. Was a good read, for me it helped to reshape my perception on the meta.

About fish, I feel the tension too. I am trying to suggest new directions for a long time now but people still stick with the same old strategies and mainstream idea's.

The challenge for Fish decks is finding a strategy that can keep up with Gush, Drains, and Workshops, all of which require different answers.

This is not a new challenge, fish always tried to answer different kind of archetypes. The challenge in my opinion is not to start your deck with 4x Null Rod and see the various possibilities.

[Caron]

very nice and useful job!
thnx
CARONDIMONIO

[Mr. Type 4]

Very good read.  These articles are worth a look just for the data, but I felt that your insights were good and you did a nice job of making the data meaningful. 

[DubDub]

The perspective on the MUD graph makes it look like Workshops were cut in half in the span of three months.  Of course, the actual decline, of 5.6% (from 23% and change to 22% and change) isn't a strong indicator that they're any less weak.  What people are playing to break out of Shops' stranglehold is changing, but I wouldn't conclude they've been any more successful.

The one read of this I've had time for is not enough.  I plan to return to it in more detail when I can, thanks!

[d0rsal]

impressive article Matt, tons of data!  not a critque, just a quick note, the dark depths deck that i played in Durham 3/26 wasnt B/W, it was mono black.  the 1 karakas main & the 1 in the sideboard where only there for iona.  peace

[bisamratte]

Patrick named his deck “Jace Sucks,” and his list certainly shows a hatred for the sculpting of minds.

I think you misunderstood the deckname. He meant, that he doesn't play Jace, because he does not like him. The original list played Jaces.