Pauper Meta After the High Tide Ban in 2025: Best Decks & League Results
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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.
Table of Contents
Pauper Meta After the Unban and Before the re-Ban
Looking at Pauper League data from March 31 to November 10 while [card]High Tide[/card] was legal, the top decks were a mix of fast aggro and tempo — Burn, Madness Burn, and Mono-Blue Terror. [card]High Tide[/card] itself sat in the mid-tier, around four percent of the meta.
But right after the ban — November 10 to November 27 — things shifted.
Mono-Red Madness jumped to number one, Jund Wildfire climbed into top-tier status, and Pauper Elves gained more room to breathe. Combo faded away, and strategies that want to grind suddenly look a lot more appealing.
Mono-Red — The Biggest MTGO League Winner
If you love turning creatures sideways and throwing [card]Lava Spike[/card]s at your opponent’s face, this is your time. When [card]High Tide[/card] left, the format slowed just enough for red decks to push harder. Mono-Red Madness and Mono-Red Rally now combine great card advantage engines with fast clocks. They punish lazy keeps, stumble hands, and decks that think they can take turn four off. Right now, if you want a strong ladder deck without overthinking, this is probably the best choice.
Jund Wildfire — Midrange is Better than Ever
The biggest improvement came for slower midrange decks like Jund Wildfire. When combo existed, you needed specific answers or you’d just lose out of nowhere. Now that those matchups are rare, Jund gets to focus on what it does best: remove threats, survive early pressure, then win the late game with powerful value cards. It’s still not favored vs. the fastest red decks, but it no longer feels like you need a lucky draw just to keep up.
Elves — Loving the Lack of Combo
Pauper Elves has always been a feast-or-famine deck. It wants time to set up, and [card]High Tide[/card] used to cut those games short. With that gone, Elves converts its explosive turns into more consistent wins. It still struggles against sweepers and hyper-aggressive decks, but overall its position improved. Expect many green creatures tapping for way too much mana in your near future.
Terror — Still a Pillar
Mono-Blue Terror and Dimir Terror didn’t change much. They were good before, and they’re still good now. They have early threats, cheap interaction, and free wins when [card]Gurmag Angler[/card] or [card]Tolarian Terror[/card] hits the board too soon. But with red decks rising, they aren’t the clear best decks anymore — just reliable, steady performers that you always need to be prepared for.
Did Banning High Tide Help the Meta?
Based on the results we’ve seen so far, the answer is yes. [card]High Tide[/card] wasn’t dominating the format by numbers, but it did create a situation where many decks had to race to win before the combo came online. By removing that pressure, the game has shifted back toward more interaction and more chances for players to influence the outcome through smart plays and sideboarding decisions.
We’re also seeing more strategies succeed at the top level. Midrange decks have especially benefited from longer games, and the overall diversity at the top of the meta looks healthier than before. Instead of one powerful combo deck forcing the pace, we now have a mix of aggressive, grindy, and tempo-based options that can all compete.
What Should You Play Now?
The best part about the current meta is that you can choose a deck that fits your playstyle and still feel confident climbing the ranks. If you enjoy fast kills and direct pressure, Mono-Red Madness or Mono-Red Rally are the strongest options right now. If you like going long and winning through resource advantage, Jund Wildfire is in a great spot. Players who enjoy explosive creature turns will feel right at home with Pauper Elves, while fans of tempo strategies with big finishers should look at Mono-Blue Terror.
No matter what you pick, the format feels open and fair. You don’t have to choose the “best deck” to be competitive, which is a great sign for Pauper’s overall health.
Final Thoughts
Removing [card]High Tide[/card] wasn’t about killing a top deck — it was about helping the format breathe. And so far, it’s working.
I didn't wanted to include past and current challenge data as the latter is just very small sample size.
That said, regardless if you’re a grind-lover, a burn enjoyer, or a combo scientist waiting for the next big thing, Pauper is in a fun place to be right now. Shuffle up, queue in, and enjoy the healthier meta!
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