January 2026 gave Pauper a nice mix of stability and fresh testing. The big decks stayed on top, but Lorwyn Eclipsed still managed to sneak a few new tools into early lists. In this recap, we will use MTGO Challenge and League data from PauperBrews to break down what people played, what actually performed, and what trends are worth watching next.

Lorwyn Eclipsed introduced one of the most infamous artifacts to hit MTG Arena, so powerful that it enabled a two-card combo and was even pre-banned in Historic. The good news is that it is completely legal in Historic Brawl. Today, we are breaking down a deck that can utterly abuse that artifact to its fullest potential. Let’s dive in.

Every new set brings fresh Limited archetypes to explore, and figuring them out early can make a big difference in your draft success. Today, we’re taking a look at some early draft skeletons with help from our friend Mathcorejay. Huge thanks to them for pointing out the key cards that make each archetype tick. Let’s get right into it!

Pauper just went through a big shake-up. High Tide got a second chance earlier this year, only to be banned again in November. Now that the dust has settled, we can finally look at what changed — and what it means for the decks you’ll face on MTGO. The short version? The format looks healthier, but also a little meaner. Mono-Red got stronger, midrange is rising, and we’re settling into a new, more interactive battlefield.

One of the new commanders from Avatar: The Last Airbender, quickly rising in popularity in Historic Brawl, is Aang, at the Crossroads. Today, I’ve got not one, but two different builds you can explore and borrow ideas from. Intrigued? Let’s dive in!

Strip Mine leaving Arena was the right call for Historic Brawl, even if a few decks will miss it. One of those was Soul of Windgrace — a deck I managed to pilot to around a 75% win rate on ladder. But as the saying goes, Arena takes, and Arena gives. With recent updates, we’ve gained new win conditions that feel strong and a lot fairer to play against. Intrigued? Let’s dive in!

One of the most hyped commanders from the recent Avatar: The Last Airbender set is Fire Lord Azula. I’ll admit, I wasn’t very impressed at first… until I actually played her. After a few games, I quickly realized how fun and powerful she can be! Curious what this control-focused build looks like? Let’s dive in!

Slimefoot and Squee has quickly become one of my favorite commanders in Historic Brawl. The deck is fast, flexible, and packed with clever graveyard tricks that make every game feel exciting. So today, I’m breaking down my main build, how to play it, and the best tips and interactions you’ll want to look out for if you’re planning to pilot the fungus and the goblin yourself. Intrigued? Let’s dive in!

If you like playing fast and reacting to everything your opponent does, [card]Aang, Swift Savior[/card] is an awesome commander for Historic Brawl. This deck keeps the board small and uses flash creatures and flyers to stay ahead. It’s fun, tricky, and perfect for players who enjoy thinking one step ahead.