The meta is subtly agitated after the release of Lorwyn Eclipsed. Many "targeted" cards are entering specific deck shells. New strategies are emerging in the format: Elementals seems the most promising. However, perhaps it is by updating the past that the answers for the future will be found. Technical adjustments for U/R Spells and similar decks, but the format's pillar cards barely move.
NUMBER 1: In the week of February 2–8, 2026, the Standard metagame begins to register innovations from the latest expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed (Prerelease start date: January 16, 2026). Elementals Deceit and Wistfulness are performing well, finding their comfort zone in Sultai (B/G/U) Reanimator. Formidable Speaker proves to be a high-impact tutor in the format, with all the right characteristics to become a pillar card. Mana requirements for cheap interaction are being cut: the removal spell Requiting Hex (somewhat reminiscent of Fatal Push) and Spell Snare are entering the format. This is how Lorwyn seeks to respond to the format's increased speed caused by ever-more agile threats, the tendency to keep average mana curve values low in deckbuilding, and the presence of strong archetypes that accelerate the format's natural pacing. Sear is less present, although it maintains a positive outlook should the meta shift towards U/B decks. Oko, Lorwyn Liege is being tested in sideboards, along with other hate-oriented cards like Chomping Changeling.
NUMBER 2: Exploits by some innovative deck brews manage to place high where it counts. Elementals climb the ranks of the Lorwyn Eclipsed Pro Tour with Izzet (U/R) and Grixis (B/U/R) builds, but had already appeared previously in Temur (G/U/R) at the Star City Games Portland event. From the second to the first version, there's a clear change in the entire Elemental package, except for Sunderflock, which declares itself an anti-meta card. It remains to be seen whether the deck's success is due to the overall winning strategy or to the board asymmetries created by Sunderflock's plays, which seem to respond well to Badgermole Cub decks, or Badgermole Cub / Ouroboroid. Honorable mention also goes to Boros (R/W) Dragons, which demonstrates well-thought-out deckbuilding and consistent resilience. It currently has too few matchups to draw reliable statistics, but it seems to be dragged down by strong negative matchups against Izzet (U/R) Lessons, Sultai (B/G/U) Reanimator, or MonoG Landfall. It balances this with positive matchups against Simic (G/U) and Dimir (U/B). A deck to keep an eye on. However, it's possible that the most sensible way to approach the metagame isn't with new meteors, but with re-imagined U/B decks that can benefit, on one hand, from new low-cost interaction spells (Spell Snare and Requiting Hex) and, on the other hand, from a Fate component that could transform them into an efficient tribal deck, finding protection from control directly in the mana base by including Cavern of Souls. The undervaluation of Sultai (B/G/U) Reanimator also seems puzzling, as thanks to Lorwyn Eclipsed, it replaces many mediocre resources with spells "designed" for the deck's strategy.
NUMBER 3: Technical adjustments for Izzet (U/R) Spells and similar decks, which already seem to be losing ground after the Magic World Championship 31. The deck is still very present, despite significant list variances primarily focused on the Stormchaser's Talent option in or out of the deck. Sometimes green splashes appear in the mana base for Origin of Metalbending, among other things useful for providing a boost in mirror matches. Performance, however, remains controversial. Data shows that winrates were certainly not low at the last Pro Tour, but cracks are starting to show: negative downturns for the deck against U/B Midrange, MonoR Aggro, Mono Green Landfall, and other less common decks in the format (such as Omniscience decks, Allies decks, and, it seems, more recent versions of Elementals). It remains to be seen whether this slowly declining trajectory will reverse with the release of Secrets of Strixhaven in April, which will tell us if the deck is a "single-expansion" phenomenon made possible by Avatar: The Last Airbender, or if it can reinvent itself.
NUMBER 4: Badgermole Cub and Stormchaser's Talent remain pillars of the format. The latter retreats unnoticed; the former seems to retreat, but is actually only being opposed. The lower-than-expected winrate percentage for Cub-based decks at the Pro Tour needs interpretation: as the archetype to beat, the general deckbuilding of the tournament was geared towards countering it. We are not facing a struggling card, but a natural cyclical movement of the format. When Cub decks are played less, the rest of the meta will adapt and change its setting. In turn, this will give Cub renewed momentum, unless upcoming expansions introduce disruptive strategic solutions. Formidable Speaker is emerging as a pillar, knocking vigorously to enter. This threat/tutor does everything a new star can do, and does it well: it cleans up the hand by purposefully filling the graveyard, searches the library for what's needed, is an excellent blocker, and, in the background, has a minor ability that allows it to untap a permanent (not exploited yet, but which could lead to future surprises). It has already earned the nickname Depraz thanks to its inspiration; will it succeed in becoming a full-fledged pillar of the format?
Until next time, Francesco.
