As we get closer and closer to the new year, it’s important to reflect back on all that’s happened in 2024. With regards to our beloved game, 2024 brought a lot of change. From the arrival of play boosters to the debut of the all-powerful MTG set known as Modern Horizons 3, the world of Magic would never be the same.
From a Constructed standpoint, 2024 has been one of the most impactful years in recent memory when it comes to shaking up various formats. Obviously, Modern Horizons 3 played a big role, but this wasn’t the only set to give rise to some incredible archetypes.
Today, we’re going to look back on the strongest new strategies that premiered this year. Multiple of these shells required bans, as they proved to be too format warping. Now, without further delay, here are the best new MTG decks of 2024.
#5 | Leyline Zoo
Kicking things off, we have Leyline Zoo. Zoo is not really a new archetype by any means, but the presence of Leyline of the Guildpact completely changed how the deck operates. Prior to the release of Murders at Karlov Manor, Zoo decks entirely relied on Fetchlands and Triomes to set up various Domain payoffs. This includes Leyline Binding and Territorial Kavu.
When Leyline entered the format, players quickly realized how absurd the combination of Leyline and Scion of Draco was. With Leyline in play, Scion of Draco became a guaranteed turn two play. You could choose to even fetch basic lands if you wanted to play around Blood Moon effects.
Most importantly, though, once Scion came into play, it would have a slew of abilities because it itself was all five colors. A 4/4 flier on turn two is solid, but a 4/4 with flying, lifelink, vigilance, trample, first strike and HEXPROOF is amazing.
There were plenty of players clamoring for bans soon after this deck took over the format. The only reason it isn’t higher on the list is because some other broken archetypes would enter the spotlight later in the year.
#4 | Temur Analyst
Next up, we have Temur Analyst. This Standard combo deck also came to fruition thanks to Murders at Karlov Manor. Prior to rotation and Bloomburrow entering Standard, Temur Analyst was a force to be reckoned with.
The goal with this deck was to utilize the Streets of New Capenna sacrifice lands (such as Brokers Hideout) to your advantage. All these lands naturally go to the graveyard. This enables you to use Aftermath Analyst and Worldsoul’s Rage as enormous bursts of ramp.
In conjunction with Nissa, Resurgent Animist, you’re able to generate a boatload of mana to use on the same turn. All of this excess mana can be used to fuel Worldsoul’s Rage, and you can simply Fireball your opponent to death. Thankfully, this deck disappeared after the Streets of New Capenna lands rotated out of Standard.
#3 | Rakdos Vampires
Coming in at number three, we have Rakdos Vampires. Rakdos midrange has been a staple of the Pioneer format for quite a while. With efficient interaction in the form of Thoughtseize and Fatal Push alongside Fable of the Mirror-Breaker, it’s hard to go wrong playing Rakdos in Pioneer.
What made the deck far too strong, though, was the addition of Vein Ripper (once again in Murders at Karlov Manor). As a Vampire, Vein Ripper was the perfect card to put into play off of Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord turn three. It’s enormous, it’s hard to kill, and it’s a reasonable card to hard cast in grindy games. What more could you want?
A group of 11 players registered Rakdos Vampires for Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor soon after the set’s release, and all 11 made day two! The deck’s pure domination would continue for many months until Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord eventually got banned in August.
#2 | Boros Energy
Our penultimate deck on this list is Boros Energy. It should come as no surprise that this deck made the cut. Boros Energy has been an absolute menace in Modern since Nadu, Winged Wisdom got the axe in August. With a ban announcement set for this Monday, it seems inevitable that something from this deck will join Nadu on the banlist.
Made up almost entirely of cards from MH3, Boros Energy puts a ton of pressure on the opponent. Guide of Souls and Ocelot Pride will take over games if left unchecked. From there, Phlage, Titan of Fire’s Fury and The One Ring give the deck a surprisingly robust long game.
According to MTGGoldfish, Boros Energy represents over 26% of the Modern metagame, which is just wild. Guide of Souls and Ocelot Pride have already been nerfed on MTG Arena, and a Modern ban cannot come fast enough.
#1 | Bant Nadu
Last but certainly not least, we have Bant Nadu. Nadu was arguably the biggest MTG mistake of 2024, and this deck showcased why.
Nadu is a weird card that lets you generate value whenever any of your creatures becomes the target of a spell or ability. Sure, Nadu has a restriction of triggering twice each turn, but this ability is given to every creature you control! As such, you can simply choose to pair Nadu with a card like Shuko that has a free equip cost and move Shuko from creature to creature at will.
If you also have Springheart Nantuko in the mix, every land you put into play off Nadu’s ability lets you create another creature to target with Shuko. It’s trivial to churn through your whole library at that point and win the game.
Notably, Nadu may have quickly bit the dust in Modern in the August ban announcement just like Vein Ripper in Pioneer, but that hasn’t stopped the card from terrorizing Legacy. Legacy Nadu decks get access to some tools not available in Modern, such as Nomads en-Kor and Green Sun’s Zenith.
Bant Nadu is both the most powerful deck and most iconic deck to emerge this year. So, it without a doubt earns the title of the best new MTG deck of 2024.
