All Articles

How to Beat Green in Aetherdrift

Data used in this analysis is sourced from 17Lands, which aggregates draft data to provide insights into Magic: The Gathering limited formats. The information cited here does not imply endorsement by 17Lands.

Green has established itself as the boogeyman of Aetherdrift, boasting absurdly high win rates in the early weeks of the format. By now, enough players have caught on, and drafters are competing for the premium Green cards. This self-correcting mechanism has led to a healthier meta where Green remains strong but no longer unbeatable, allowing non-Green archetypes a chance to shine.

Nevertheless, a well-built Green deck remains a force to be reckoned with, making it crucial to understand how to beat it. This article presents the results of a data analysis on card win rates in matchups against Green decks.

Methodology

To identify cards that work well against a certain color, we can compute win rates only from games where the opponent played that color. Win rates are always game-in-hand win rates and are only computed when at least 1000 data points (games) were available.

To achieve this, we use the recently published dataset available on 17Lands. The dataset for Premier Draft contains records of 655,453 games. Of those, 211,014 were played against two-color Green decks. These games will be the foundation of our analysis.

The table below shows the number of games per green archetype, as well as the average win rate when playing against them. Therefore, the lower the win rate, the better the archetype in question. So Golgari is the strongest and Gruul the weakest Green archetype.

Opponent Archetype Games Win Rate
Green 211,014 53.3%
Selsnya (WG) 45,607 53.8%
Simic (UG) 50,852 53.2%
Golgari (BG) 70,920 52,6%
Gruul (RG) 43,635 54.3%

These win rates serve as a baseline for a fair comparison of individual card performance. For instance, a 56% win rate against Gruul is less impressive than achieving the same win rate against Golgari.

Terrian, World Tyrant

Comparing differences between card win rates and baselines further allows us to get an unbiased picture of card performances.

Let's look at a concrete example - Terrian, World Tyrant. This vanilla uncommon creature has an overall win rate of 57.1%, which is 2.2% higher than the average win rate.

Against Green decks Terrian has a win rate of 59.5%, compared to the Green baseline this is 5.2% higher. Instead of simply comparing win rate differences, we examine the difference in their deltas.

Biased: 59.5% - 57.1% = 2.4%
Unbiased: 5.2% - 2.2% = 3.0%

This adjustment accounts for the fact that playing against Green is inherently more challenging, making a high win rate against Green even more impressive. In the following sections this unbiased delta value will simply be called delta.

High absolute delta values indicate that something interesting is going on. If the value is high, we know the card works better against Green than in general. If the value is negative, the card performs worse against Green than in general.

Be cautious when interpreting delta values alone, as a weak card can still have a high delta if it performs slightly less poorly against Green. Always consider the win rate and the delta value together.

White

Gallant Strike

White’s best tool against Green is its removal suite, which aligns well against Green’s creatures. Ride's End and Gallant Strike are both cheap answers and will often give you a mana advantage.

Not surprisingly Gallant Strike is performing quite a bit better against Green than in general with a delta of 1.1%.

Interestingly, the two white mythic vehicles, Valor's Flagship and Salvation Engine, perform well in this matchup despite being underwhelming overall. Both are big enough to block most problematic Green creatures and can take over the game if not answered. Still they are vehicles that must be crewed, so they come with the usual downsides, and therefore are not bomb-level.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
Perilous Snare 62.0% 62.2% 0.9%
Valor's Flagship 56.0% 57.4% 2.1%
Salvation Engine 55.3% 56.6% 2.0%
Guardian Sunmare 58.4% 56.5% -1.2%
Spectacular Pileup 56.0% 56.1% 0.8%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Gloryheath Lynx 59.4% 58.1% -0.7%
Gallant Strike 57.0% 57.4% 1.1%
Ride's End 57.3% 56.8% 0.2%
Detention Chariot 56.0% 55.6% 0.3%
Broadcast Rambler 56.0% 55.0% -0.3%

Delta Analysis

The delta ranking of all white cards with a positive win rate offers not much additional insight. All removal options that hit high toughness creatures are doing better here than in general.

Creatures that need to attack for extra value like Gloryheath Lynx and Guardian Sunmare are doing a bit worse. Getting in multiple hits is unlikely when the opponent has some chunky Green creatures on the board.

Name All Green Delta
Valor's Flagship 56.0% 57.4% 2.1%
Salvation Engine 55.3% 56.6% 2.0%
Gallant Strike 57.0% 57.4% 1.1%
Perilous Snare 62.0% 62.2% 0.9%
Spectacular Pileup 56.0% 56.1% 0.8%
Detention Chariot 56.0% 55.6% 0.3%
Ride's End 57.3% 56.8% 0.2%
Voyager Quickwelder 55.2% 54.3% -0.1%
Voyager Glidecar 56.1% 55.2% -0.2%
Broadcast Rambler 56.0% 55.0% -0.3%
Nesting Bot 55.8% 54.8% -0.3%
Gloryheath Lynx 59.4% 58.1% -0.7%
Basri, Tomorrow's Champion 57.8% 56.0% -1.1%
Guardian Sunmare 58.4% 56.5% -1.2%

Blue

Spikeshell Harrier

Just like in White, Blue’s top-performing cards are removal spells that effectively answer Green’s big creatures at a mana advantage. Possession Engine and Spikeshell Harrier are top performing cards in this regard, but Flood the Engine is also seeing a positive delta.

Despite being the fifth best-performing rare, Riverchurn Monument performs considerably worse against Green compared to other matchups. We will later see however that it is doing well against Simic and Golgari, the more late game-oriented Green archetypes.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
Mu Yanling, Wind Rider 65.6% 65.4% 0.5%
Possession Engine 60.3% 60.9% 1.3%
Mindspring Merfolk 59.5% 59.6% 0.8%
Thopter Fabricator 59.6% 59.4% 0.5%
Riverchurn Monument 60.0% 56.5% -2.8%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Spikeshell Harrier 59.3% 59.3% 0.6%
Stock Up 59.6% 58.7% -0.2%
Transit Mage 59.1% 58.3% -0.1%
Rangers' Refueler 59.3% 57.9% -0.8%
Flood the Engine 56.4% 56.1% 0.4%

Delta Analysis

Cheap interaction and tempo plays are working well against decks with expensive creatures. So Bounce Off and Roadside Blowout are two more cards in that category we haven't seen in the previous tables.

Keep in mind that a negative delta doesn't mean the card is bad. Value cards like Transit Mage, Stock Up or Rangers' Refueler still have very good win rates against Green. Their negative delta just implies that they are even better against other archetypes.

Name All Green Delta
Possession Engine 60.3% 60.9% 1.3%
Mindspring Merfolk 59.5% 59.6% 0.8%
Bounce Off 55.9% 55.9% 0.7%
Spikeshell Harrier 59.3% 59.3% 0.6%
Mu Yanling, Wind Rider 65.6% 65.4% 0.5%
Thopter Fabricator 59.6% 59.4% 0.5%
Flood the Engine 56.4% 56.1% 0.4%
Roadside Blowout 56.3% 55.7% 0.1%
Memory Guardian 56.2% 55.5% -0.0%
Transit Mage 59.1% 58.3% -0.1%
Stock Up 59.6% 58.7% -0.2%
Spectral Interference 56.0% 54.9% -0.4%
Rangers' Refueler 59.3% 57.9% -0.8%
Scrounging Skyray 56.4% 54.8% -0.9%
Riverchurn Monument 60.0% 56.5% -2.8%

Black

Back on Track

Black is one of the best-equipped colors for dealing with Green. This is of course because of its access to catch-all removal like Spin Out but also to deathtouch.

Engine Rat and Maximum Overdrive are both performing exceptionally well against Green with a delta of 1.4% and 1.2% respectively.

Recursion also proves to be an effective strategy against Green. Cursecloth Wrappings and Back on Track are top cards in this regard.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
The Speed Demon 60.8% 61.0% 0.9%
Cursecloth Wrappings 59.2% 59.7% 1.2%
Gonti, Night Minister 58.2% 57.8% 0.3%
Quag Feast 58.4% 57.8% 0.1%
Demonic Junker 57.0% 56.7% 0.3%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Back on Track 58.1% 59.1% 1.7%
Engine Rat 57.9% 58.7% 1.4%
Spin Out 57.4% 57.2% 0.5%
Grim Bauble 57.6% 56.9% -0.0%
Maximum Overdrive 56.4% 56.9% 1.2%

Delta Analysis

Leading the delta ranking are deathtouch and recursion.

The widely beloved Wreckage Wickerfolk, however, struggles against Green, likely due to the prevalence of reach creatures.

Name All Green Delta
Back on Track 58.1% 59.1% 1.7%
Engine Rat 57.9% 58.7% 1.4%
Cursecloth Wrappings 59.2% 59.7% 1.2%
Maximum Overdrive 56.4% 56.9% 1.2%
The Speed Demon 60.8% 61.0% 0.9%
Wretched Doll 55.4% 55.4% 0.6%
Spin Out 57.4% 57.2% 0.5%
Gas Guzzler 56.3% 56.0% 0.4%
Gonti, Night Minister 58.2% 57.8% 0.3%
Demonic Junker 57.0% 56.7% 0.3%
Quag Feast 58.4% 57.8% 0.1%
Carrion Cruiser 56.9% 56.3% 0.1%
Grim Bauble 57.6% 56.9% -0.0%
Gastal Raider 55.5% 54.8% -0.1%
Pactdoll Terror 57.6% 56.5% -0.4%
Momentum Breaker 57.0% 55.8% -0.5%
Wreckage Wickerfolk 57.9% 56.1% -1.1%

Red

The situation for Red looks dire to the point that there is not a single card to highlight here.

Red’s removal does not align well against Green’s creatures, and it lacks a way to go under them There are only two non-rares that have a positive win rate Greasewrench Goblin and Thunderhead Gunner and even they perform better against other archetypes.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
Howlsquad Heavy 61.7% 60.2% -0.9%
Draconautics Engineer 61.6% 60.1% -0.8%
Boommobile 58.4% 58.0% 0.3%
Chandra, Spark Hunter 59.1% 57.8% -0.6%
Burnout Bashtronaut 59.1% 57.0% -1.4%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Greasewrench Goblin 57.4% 55.1% -1.7%
Thunderhead Gunner 55.9% 54.7% -0.5%
Road Rage 55.9% 53.9% -1.3%
Outpace Oblivion 55.1% 53.8% -0.6%
Marauding Mako 55.9% 53.7% -1.5%

Delta Analysis

Looking at this short list, it’s clear that Red heavily relies on its secondary color to stand a chance against Green.

Name All Green Delta
Boommobile 58.4% 58.0% 0.3%
Thunderhead Gunner 55.9% 54.7% -0.5%
Chandra, Spark Hunter 59.1% 57.8% -0.6%
Hazoret, Godseeker 58.2% 56.8% -0.7%
Gastal Thrillroller 55.8% 54.3% -0.7%
Draconautics Engineer 61.6% 60.1% -0.8%
Howlsquad Heavy 61.7% 60.2% -0.9%
Burnout Bashtronaut 59.1% 57.0% -1.4%
Greasewrench Goblin 57.4% 55.1% -1.7%

Green

Agonasaur Rex

Finally, let’s examine which Green cards perform best in mirror matches.

Among the top-performing cards with a positive delta, it’s clear that bigger creatures tend to perform better.

Agonasaur Rex, Terrian, World Tyrant and Autarch Mammoth all shine. Special mention goes to Terrian, which boasts an impressive 59.5% win rate against Green. Having 7 toughness is critical as it can single-handedly block threats like Migrating Ketradon.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
Agonasaur Rex 64.6% 65.6% 1.7%
Lumbering Worldwagon 65.5% 64.6% -0.2%
March of the World Ooze 62.8% 61.4% -0.7%
Afterburner Expert 59.4% 59.1% 0.4%
Webstrike Elite 57.8% 56.9% -0.2%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Terrian, World Tyrant 57.1% 59.5% 3.0%
Autarch Mammoth 58.6% 58.6% 0.7%
Stampeding Scurryfoot 58.8% 58.2% 0.1%
Greenbelt Guardian 58.3% 57.3% -0.3%
Run Over 57.5% 57.1% 0.2%

Delta Analysis

As short as the list of above-average cards was for Red, the longer it is for Green. For completeness sake, they are all listed here.

In terms of delta values, the top three creatures were already discussed. The rest of the list is not as interesting, besides the two cards at the bottom.

March of the World Ooze, while still having a very strong win rate is loosing a little bit since a bunch of 6/6 might not be as devastating for a Green deck. District Mascots ability to blow up artifacts is not very relevant against Green deck who play very few of them.

Name All Green Delta
Terrian, World Tyrant 57.1% 59.5% 3.0%
Agonasaur Rex 64.6% 65.6% 1.7%
Autarch Mammoth 58.6% 58.6% 0.7%
Earthrumbler 55.9% 55.8% 0.5%
Elvish Refueler 55.6% 55.4% 0.5%
Venomsac Lagac 56.1% 55.9% 0.5%
Pothole Mole 56.9% 56.7% 0.4%
Fang Guardian 56.8% 56.5% 0.4%
Afterburner Expert 59.4% 59.1% 0.4%
Run Over 57.5% 57.1% 0.2%
Bestow Greatness 55.9% 55.4% 0.2%
Stampeding Scurryfoot 58.8% 58.2% 0.1%
Plow Through 55.5% 54.9% 0.1%
Dredger's Insight 57.6% 57.0% 0.1%
Molt Tender 57.5% 56.8% -0.0%
Veloheart Bike 55.4% 54.7% -0.1%
Beastrider Vanguard 56.5% 55.7% -0.1%
Hazard of the Dunes 57.0% 56.2% -0.1%
Lumbering Worldwagon 65.5% 64.6% -0.2%
Thunderous Velocipede 57.6% 56.7% -0.2%
Jibbirik Omnivore 55.4% 54.5% -0.2%
Migrating Ketradon 57.8% 56.9% -0.2%
Webstrike Elite 57.8% 56.9% -0.2%
Greenbelt Guardian 58.3% 57.3% -0.3%
Fang-Druid Summoner 57.9% 56.9% -0.4%
Regal Imperiosaur 57.8% 56.6% -0.5%
March of the World Ooze 62.8% 61.4% -0.7%
District Mascot 58.3% 55.1% -2.5%

Multicolor

Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied

The top performing multicolor cards are dominated by Green cards. Leading the table with an absurd win rate of 71.9% against Green is Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied. A 6/6 value engine with indestructible is hard to deal with for most decks even when it only can attack and block half the time.

Riptide Gearhulk is another bomb that is especially effective against Green.

As a more realistically obtainable option during a draft we see Skyserpent Seeker having a positive delta. Again deathtouch on a small creature is key in these matchups.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied 68.2% 71.9% 4.4%
Riptide Gearhulk 63.1% 66.2% 3.8%
Sita Varma, Masked Racer 60.6% 61.6% 1.7%
Aatchik, Emerald Radian 58.3% 61.5% 3.9%
Debris Beetle 61.6% 61.3% 0.3%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Thundering Broodwagon 61.3% 60.7% 0.1%
Veteran Beastrider 59.8% 59.2% 0.2%
Skyserpent Seeker 59.5% 59.2% 0.4%
Embalmed Ascendant 59.3% 58.0% -0.6%
Haunt the Network 59.5% 57.8% -1.0%

Delta Analysis

Again the full list is displayed here, but only the top and bottom might be of interest.

Far Fortune, End Boss is performing well, her 5 toughness body has for sure something to do with it. Gastal Thrillseeker - another Rakdos gold card - on the other hand is not doing so well against Green.

Name All Green Delta
Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied 68.2% 71.9% 4.4%
Aatchik, Emerald Radian 58.3% 61.5% 3.9%
Riptide Gearhulk 63.1% 66.2% 3.8%
Far Fortune, End Boss 59.2% 60.6% 2.1%
Sita Varma, Masked Racer 60.6% 61.6% 1.7%
Broodheart Engine 57.2% 57.6% 1.0%
Mendicant Core, Guidelight 55.6% 55.9% 1.0%
Oildeep Gearhulk 58.8% 59.0% 0.9%
Brightglass Gearhulk 60.0% 60.2% 0.9%
Skyserpent Seeker 59.5% 59.2% 0.4%
Debris Beetle 61.6% 61.3% 0.3%
Guidelight Pathmaker 57.0% 56.5% 0.2%
Veteran Beastrider 59.8% 59.2% 0.2%
Thundering Broodwagon 61.3% 60.7% 0.1%
Zahur, Glory's Past 56.7% 56.0% -0.1%
Winter, Cursed Rider 55.6% 54.7% -0.2%
Captain Howler, Sea Scourge 58.3% 57.3% -0.3%
Embalmed Ascendant 59.3% 58.0% -0.6%
Caradora, Heart of Alacria 58.0% 56.6% -0.7%
Voyage Home 55.8% 54.3% -0.8%
Broadside Barrage 58.0% 56.5% -0.9%
Haunt the Network 59.5% 57.8% -1.0%
Pyrewood Gearhulk 60.9% 59.1% -1.0%
Gastal Thrillseeker 60.0% 57.2% -2.1%

Colorless

Marshal's Pathcruiser

For colorless card the one that needs to be praised is Marshals' Pathcruiser. Fetching a land on turn three and then having the option of crewing a 6/5 for the rest of the game is huge and can make attacking for a Green deck difficult.

Marketback Walker is also doing work and falls into the category of value cards we've already seen in Blue that perform well.

Top Rares and Mythics

Name All Green Delta
The Aetherspark 61.0% 60.1% -0.1%
Marketback Walker 56.9% 57.4% 1.2%
Willowrush Verge 55.8% 56.1% 1.0%
Wastewood Verge 55.9% 55.8% 0.6%
Riverpyre Verge 54.4% 54.0% 0.3%

Top Commons and Uncommons

Name All Green Delta
Marshals' Pathcruiser 58.5% 58.6% 0.8%
Thornwood Falls 56.3% 56.1% 0.5%
Jungle Hollow 55.7% 55.3% 0.3%
Wild Roads 55.7% 55.0% -0.0%
Night Market 55.4% 54.7% -0.0%

Delta Analysis

The delta ranking for colorless cards doesn’t reveal any surprises, as it’s mostly land cards.

Name All Green Delta
Marketback Walker 56.9% 57.4% 1.2%
Willowrush Verge 55.8% 56.1% 1.0%
Marshals' Pathcruiser 58.5% 58.6% 0.8%
Wastewood Verge 55.9% 55.8% 0.6%
Thornwood Falls 56.3% 56.1% 0.5%
Jungle Hollow 55.7% 55.3% 0.3%
Dismal Backwater 55.3% 54.6% -0.0%
Night Market 55.4% 54.7% -0.0%
Foul Roads 55.3% 54.6% -0.0%
Tranquil Cove 55.1% 54.4% -0.0%
Wild Roads 55.7% 55.0% -0.0%
Reef Roads 55.1% 54.3% -0.1%
The Aetherspark 61.0% 60.1% -0.1%
Scoured Barrens 55.3% 54.5% -0.2%

Green Archetype Deep Dive

So far we only looked at average win rates against any two-color Green deck. Of course, we can break it down even further and only look at which cards are particularly good against each of the Green archetypes.

Since there will be a lot of overlap with the previous tables, we will take a look at cards that have a high absolute delta between their win rates against all Green vs. the archetype.

White/Green - Selesnya

Broken Wings

Good against Selesnya decks are artifact and vehicle removal. Broken Wings, Plow Through and Collision Course all have much higher win rates here than against the average Green deck.

Also cheap flyers like Skyserpent Seeker and Diversion Unit perform well. Silken Strength and Draconautics Engineer are also on the list, providing protection in the air.

On the second table nothing of high relevance sticks out. Of course a card like Wreck Remover is going to be worse here than against a graveyard-centric deck like Golgari. As for the remaining cards, the win rate differences are negligible.

Name Green WG Delta
Broken Wings 53.1% 57.4% 4.3%
Sundial, Dawn Tyrant 53.6% 57.5% 4.0%
Plow Through 54.9% 58.4% 3.5%
Scrap Compactor 52.8% 56.2% 3.3%
Skyserpent Seeker 59.2% 62.4% 3.2%
Diversion Unit 53.9% 57.1% 3.2%
Intimidation Tactics 54.0% 57.2% 3.2%
Silken Strength 53.1% 56.2% 3.1%
Draconautics Engineer 60.1% 63.2% 3.1%
Collision Course 51.7% 54.7% 3.0%
Name Green WG Delta
Wreck Remover 51.3% 49.4% -2.0%
Dynamite Diver 49.9% 48.0% -1.9%
Gearseeker Serpent 52.0% 50.4% -1.6%
Blossoming Sands 53.1% 51.9% -1.2%
Midnight Mangler 53.0% 52.0% -1.1%
Pactdoll Terror 56.5% 55.5% -1.0%
Ticket Tortoise 54.0% 53.0% -1.0%
Tranquil Cove 54.4% 53.4% -1.0%
Gonti, Night Minister 57.8% 56.8% -1.0%
Haunted Hellride 52.9% 51.9% -1.0%

Blue/Green - Simic

Demonic Junker

When scanning through the list, it is easy to notice that Red cards seem to be better against Simic decks (high delta). Looking at their win rates however shows that they are still doing pretty bad.

We see two high mana-value vehicles, Demonic Junker and Possession Engine performing well. Both remove an opposing creature when they enter.

Being in the negative list against Selsnya, here we see Haunted Hellride as a good card. An explanation could be that against Simic you want to be the beatdown and giving your creatures deathtouch is an effective way of attacking into huge creatures. Against Selesnya however you probably want to take the control role. This could also be the reason that Riverchurn Monument is doing well in this matchup.

Interestingly in the negative delta list we see a lot of big green threats like Aatchik, Emerald Radian and Autarch Mammoth doing noticeably worse. Probably these cards don't align well against Blue interaction that Simic has at its disposal.

Name Green UG Delta
Demonic Junker 56.7% 59.9% 3.3%
Skycrash 51.1% 53.9% 2.8%
Road Rage 53.9% 56.6% 2.7%
Haunted Hellride 52.9% 55.3% 2.4%
Pedal to the Metal 48.8% 51.1% 2.3%
Burner Rocket 48.3% 50.4% 2.1%
Riverchurn Monument 56.5% 58.6% 2.1%
Burnout Bashtronaut 57.0% 58.9% 1.9%
Gastal Blockbuster 48.0% 49.8% 1.8%
Possession Engine 60.9% 62.5% 1.7%
Name Green UG Delta
Aatchik, Emerald Radian 61.5% 55.7% -5.8%
Ooze Patrol 53.8% 49.0% -4.9%
Howlsquad Heavy 60.2% 55.9% -4.3%
Terrian, World Tyrant 59.5% 55.2% -4.3%
Intimidation Tactics 54.0% 49.7% -4.3%
Agonasaur Rex 65.6% 61.5% -4.1%
Marketback Walker 57.4% 53.6% -3.8%
Broodheart Engine 57.6% 53.7% -3.8%
Autarch Mammoth 58.6% 54.9% -3.7%
Daring Mechanic 49.0% 45.6% -3.4%

Black/Green - Golgari

Riverchurn Monument

Golgari is considered the best performing archetype in the format and has proven its effectiveness in the early weeks.

It wants to play the long game, so cards like Riverchurn Monument and Aether Syphon are doing well by attacking on a non-combat axis. Also, Golgari plays self-mill cards like Pothole Mole, making a mill strategy even more appealing.

Since there are a lot of graveyard synergies in this archetype, removal is at a disadvantage. Spectacular Pileup sees a big drop in win rate against Golgari decks to the point of being unplayable.

Other removal spells that don't look too attractive are Plow Through, Road Rage and Lightning Strike. These are not only often not able to deal with big Green threats but negated by recursion effects.

Name Green BG Delta
Aatchik, Emerald Radian 61.5% 64.8% 3.3%
Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied 71.9% 75.0% 3.1%
Riverchurn Monument 56.5% 59.4% 2.9%
Rover Blades 47.4% 49.2% 1.8%
Dune Drifter 53.9% 55.6% 1.8%
Wreck Remover 51.3% 53.0% 1.7%
Guidelight Pathmaker 56.5% 58.0% 1.5%
Aether Syphon 53.8% 55.2% 1.5%
Marshals' Pathcruiser 58.6% 60.0% 1.4%
Memory Guardian 55.5% 56.7% 1.2%
Name Green BG Delta
Spectacular Pileup 56.1% 49.3% -6.8%
Plow Through 54.9% 50.5% -4.4%
Road Rage 53.9% 49.9% -4.0%
Gastal Blockbuster 48.0% 44.1% -3.9%
Kalakscion, Hunger Tyrant 52.8% 49.1% -3.7%
Broken Wings 53.1% 49.6% -3.6%
Lightning Strike 52.6% 49.1% -3.6%
Wild Roads 55.0% 51.6% -3.4%
Silken Strength 53.1% 49.7% -3.4%
Skycrash 51.1% 47.7% -3.4%

Red/Green - Gruul

Ooze Patrol

At last, we take a look at the other aggressive Green deck - Gruul.

Two creatures stand out as being a particular problem for Red/Green: Ooze Patrol and Terrian, World Tyrant. Both have high toughness which makes it a problem for green and red removal.

On the other hand, Aether Syphon and Haunted Hellride are better left in the sideboard against Gruul. It's likely that you have to desperately defend your life total in the early turns and need to affect the board in a defensive way.

Name Green RG Delta
Ooze Patrol 53.8% 60.3% 6.5%
Terrian, World Tyrant 59.5% 65.8% 6.3%
Alacrian Jaguar 49.6% 55.1% 5.5%
Blossoming Sands 53.1% 58.5% 5.4%
Earthrumbler 55.8% 61.1% 5.3%
Pothole Mole 56.7% 61.8% 5.1%
Autarch Mammoth 58.6% 63.6% 5.0%
Defend the Rider 54.1% 59.1% 5.0%
Jibbirik Omnivore 54.5% 59.3% 4.8%
Silken Strength 53.1% 57.9% 4.7%
Name Green RG Delta
Aether Syphon 53.8% 50.1% -3.7%
Haunted Hellride 52.9% 49.6% -3.3%
Haunt the Network 57.8% 55.5% -2.3%
Hulldrifter 54.0% 51.7% -2.3%
Diversion Unit 53.9% 51.8% -2.1%
Rangers' Refueler 57.9% 56.0% -1.8%
Memory Guardian 55.5% 53.8% -1.6%
Thopter Fabricator 59.4% 57.7% -1.6%
Mindspring Merfolk 59.6% 58.2% -1.4%
Demonic Junker 56.7% 55.6% -1.1%

Pick Value

Knowing which cards are good against Green decks is one thing, but having access to them during the draft might be a whole different story.

The following list shows the top 10 cards that score highest in a trade-off between win rate and ALSA. So they have a high win rate against Green decks compared to how highly they are picked on average. These are good cards to look out for picking up late.

Name Win Rate ALSA
Marshals' Pathcruiser 58.63 5.57
Engine Rat 58.69 5.13
Thundering Broodwagon 60.71 3.62
Maximum Overdrive 56.89 6.11
Bestow Greatness 55.38 7.03
Back on Track 59.09 4.11
Veteran Beastrider 59.24 3.99
Foul Roads 54.58 7.33
Embalmed Ascendant 57.99 4.76
Terrian, World Tyrant 59.46 3.66

Final Thoughts

Analyzing win rates against specific colors or archetypes can significantly improve your drafting skills.

The most immediate takeaway is gaining a deeper understanding of the current format and correctly evaluating situational cards.

If you’re playing best-of-three matches, it has even more applications as you can sideboard in answers to your opponent’s deck.

Lastly, it enhances your understanding of how certain game mechanics interact, providing valuable insights into Limited Magic as a whole. Understanding that cheap deathtouch creatures or bounce spells are good cards in formats where big green creature decks are good is a valuable lesson that transcends the current set. While such insights can be gained by playing a vast number of games across different formats, analyzing data accelerates the learning process significantly.

If you found this analysis helpful, consider subscribing to our free newsletter to stay updated with new articles and meta insights.

Impressum
Deactivate Google Tracking