Meta Snapshot #7
Patch Overview
Published: 6 April 2019 (Game version: 2.0.0.66_562).
Changelog:
- 24 April 2019: Added Bran Control and Burst Henselt decklists.
Contributors
Consultants: Adzikov, Damorquis, Jamedi, JMJWilson23, Kochua, Kolemoen, Molegion, Santtu2x, Sergi2Vamos.
Editors: Apero, Kochua
Manager: JMJWilson23
Tier 1
Decks in this tier have favourable matchups against the majority of lower tier decks and some favourable matchups against other Tier 1 lists. Another criterion is that these decks should be able to win against lower-tier decks on blue coin most of the time.
Tier 2
Decks in this tier can beat Tier 1 decks if the player can access its full potential, or are strong decks with a clear counter; in addition, these decks should win consistently against lower tiers.
Tier 3
While decks in this tier remain good laddering options that can successfully achieve high winrates, they can struggle to achieve the same winrate when matched up against decks we place in higher tiers. They may make for strong tournament options.
Honorable Mentions
Decks here aren't strong or popular enough to be tiered, but have enough potential to be better with the adequate support cards. They may win against unsuspecting opponents and can make for interesting tournament options, but are otherwise worth just keeping an eye on.
Written by Jamedi; Consultation: Damorquis, JMJWilson23 and SwanDive
What is a Meta Snapshot?
A Meta Snapshot is a comprehensive list of the decks which are played in a CCG. The decks are ordered by criteria, accounting for their power level through a tier (used by Team Aretuza & Team Nova), star or numerical system. If you would like to discuss our current Meta Snapshot, you can join our Discord server.
Which kind of criteria are used to classify a deck into a tier?
While the list of criteria is extensive, here are the most important aspects:
- Power level is the amount of points a deck can output in comparison to others in the meta. In general, decks of higher tiers tend to have a greater number of unconditional points without depending on what rival decks do.
- Consistency is focused on the draw dependency of a deck and the amount of thinning this deck has. Better thinning means more consistency, which usually means easier access to higher-value cards. If a deck is too dependent on drawing one or two certain cards but runs no thinning, it lacks consistency.
- Counterability is the difficulty that other decks have to tech for the matchup against a certain deck and how much they need to sacrifice to improve the matchup. In Gwent, there are a lot of ways to prepare a deck for a concrete matchup and we can expect players to tech against the strongest/most popular decks of the metagame. The capability of a deck to win despite teching plays a role in its tier placement.
The data are collected by the players in several hundred matches and is then translated into the Snapshot. While the normal ladder experience can be different, tiered decks are good to climb the ladder to Pro Rank with relative ease.
What is the meaning of the different tiers?
- Tier 1: Decks in this tier are the strongest, the most difficult to counter and heavily influence how decks in other tiers adapt.
- Tier 2: Usually this tier covers decks which are still good, but due to some reason, they cannot be qualified as Tier 1. They usually have less strength than Tier 1 decks or have another factor that makes them slightly worse than top tier decks. In some particular metagames, a deck can be Tier 2 due to how easy it is to tech against it.
- Tier 3: Decks in this category are still viable for climbing the ranked ladder, but they encounter more difficulty at high fMMR. They can still be used as tournament picks (in formats in which you can ban). They may still have favorable matchups versus some Tier 1 decks, but they are usually unfavored. Decks which are inconsistent or too draw-dependent also fall into this category.
- Honorable Mentions: Here, we put decks whose strength is not enough to be tiered, but which have the potential to be much better with some support. These decks are always worth keeping an eye on. A deck which has been discovered recently and has not been played enough to be tiered can also fall into this category.
My experience differs from what you describe in the Snapshot. Does this mean that the Snapshot is not accurate?
Short answer, no. Long answer, there are a huge number of factors that can influence the development of a matchup between two players with their respective decks, which includes player skill, knowledge of the matchup and the respective decks, cards drawn and how they have played the match. Also, it is worth noting that a meta snapshot represents a picture of how the meta is in a particular moment. “Tiers” as defined above are never rigid constructs. In any given day, the meta can shift dramatically.
In general, inexperienced players tend to play worse and with more unpredictable lists. As we move up on the ladder, decklists tend to be more optimized, sometimes influenced by content creators such as popular streamers or the most recent meta snapshot. Reaching Pro Rank, we can expect to face the best possible players with the most optimized decklists.
I have a different list from the one shown in the Snapshot. Does this mean that one of the lists is incorrect?
Lists provided in our snapshots are usually stock lists, which are supposed to be a base to be modified according to the meta you are currently facing and your own playstyle. The tech section provides some card replacement options which may be more effective within a particular meta. This normally does not affect a deck’s overall consistency.
I haven’t seen this deck which appears in the Snapshot / I play this list or this archetype and it isn’t in the Snapshot.
The Snapshot tries to be as accurate and complete as possible. We release an initial snapshot as soon as the meta has settled after a game patch and make as many updates as possible afterwards. If a deck is not included, it will most likely be added in one of the next updates, as we try to prioritize the most popular and relevant decks. Despite that, we have to skip some decks which are unpopular or are very similar to existing ones. If you would like to be informed about our updates, feel free to check our website regularly or follow Team Aretuza or Team Nova on Twitter or Discord.
Are you just including the most popular decks/FOTM lists? Do you keep the best lists for yourselves?
No. While it is true that part of our work is to try and create a representation of the meta that is as accurate as possible and this, of course, includes the popularity of decks, popularity has no impact on how decks are tiered. We do not keep the best lists for ourselves. We are creating meta snapshots to share our collective knowledge of this game and provide players of all levels with a more enjoyable Gwent experience.
Do you have more questions? Join the discussion on Discord!
Tier 1
Tier 2
Overview
After the Mulligan Update, Eithné was viewed as a leader with a lot of potential due to its high provision bonus. At the time, a lackluster ability was a major detriment because the card pool did not lend itself well to Eithné’s ability. Now with the addition of several powerful cards that become stronger based upon the Deathblow mechanic, Eithné’s ability to set units to specific value thresholds is in high demand. This and the existing ability for Scoia’tael to generate premium carryover value combines to potent effect. The relatively weak leader ability in terms of raw points is compensated by providing removal value and also the state of the meta. When most competing decks are also midrange in nature, a long final round will often ensue and the loss of points from the leader ability is less impactful when spread across 10 cards.
Essential Cards
- One of the primary enablers for the Deathblow archetype is Gregoire de Gorgon, as it adds a tempo burst play to a deck already filled to the brim with control options. With Eithné's ability, the condition of a 1-point opponent unit is relatively trivial and results in a straightforward 11-point card for only 9 provisions.
- It is widely accepted that the single most powerful card in Scoia’tael is Sheldon Skaggs and this deck is no exception. Ithlinne Aegli, Dwarven Agitators, and Sirssa all are capable of boosting Sheldon in the hand, allowing it to come down as a massive tempo play with removal potential on top of that. It is difficult for many decks to recover from the situation where we trade up on any play by as much as 9 or more points.
Pros
- Plenty of strong removal options combined with Eithné
- Flexible deck that can succeed in many different round lengths
Cons
- Can be weak to a bleed if Sheldon Skaggs is forced out in Round 2
- Relatively few proactive plays can make leading the last round difficult
Tech Choices
- Fauve, Water of Brokilon ⇒ Hen Gaidth Sword, Gabor Zigrin
Unlike Dana Méadbh, Eithné has no way to protect the Dryad Fledglings Spawned by Water of Brokilon from Gimpy Gerwin. If Gimpy is a popular card in the meta, it is recommended to cut this package from the deck in favor of more tempo-oriented options. Hen Gaidth Sword is another card that has a high payoff from setting up Deathblow effects. It can easily reach value over its provision cost, essentially representing any opponent card plus 2 points. Gabor Zigrin is another proactive play that can also serve as an effective form of carryover that sets up an engine in Round 3, albeit a slightly weaker one.
0
25
24
169
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19Eithné
Order: Damage a unit by 1.
Charge: 4.
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813The Great Oak
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by the number of cards to the left of Great Oak, then boost self by the number of cards to the right of Great Oak.
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511Ithlinne Aegli
Deploy: Boost a Scoia'tael unit in your hand by 4.
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610Barnabas Beckenbauer
Deploy: Boost an allied Elf, Dwarf, and Dryad unit by 2.
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9Water of Brokilon
Spawn and Summon a Dryad Fledgling to an allied row.
If you control a Dryad, Spawn 2 Dryad Fledglings and Summon them to an allied row instead.
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49Gregoire de Gorgon
Deploy (Melee): Damage an enemy unit by 1.
Deathblow: Boost self by 6 and gain a Shield.
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49Milaen
Deploy (Melee): Damage an enemy unit by 4.
Deploy (Ranged): Damage 4 enemy units by 1.
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49Regis: Bloodlust
Deploy: Damage a unit by 4.
Deathblow: Banish it.
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29Fauve
Deploy: Play a Nature card from your deck.
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68Paulie Dahlberg
Order: Boost the unit to the left by 2, or give the unit to the right a Shield.
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48Sirssa
Harmony.
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by 2.
Deathblow: Boost a unit in your hand by 2.
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38Sheldon Skaggs
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by this unit's power.
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37Milva
Immunity.
Boost self by 1 whenever you play a Scoia'tael unit.
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35Dol Blathanna Archerx2
Deploy (Melee): Damage an enemy unit by 2.
Deploy (Ranged): Damage 2 units by 1.
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35Mahakam Volunteersx2
Deploy: If there is a Dwarf on this row, Summon a copy of this unit from your deck to this row.
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25Brokilon Sentinelx2
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by 2.
Deathblow: Summon a copy of this unit from your deck to this row.
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25Dol Blathanna Bowman
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by 1 for each row that separates it from this unit.
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44Vrihedd Dragoonx2
Deploy (Melee): Move an enemy unit to their other row.
Deploy (Ranged): Move an allied unit to your other row.
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24Dwarven Agitatorx2
Deploy (Ranged): Boost a Dwarf in your hand by 2.
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14Dwarven Skirmisherx2
Deploy: Damage an enemy unit by 3. If it survives, boost self by 1.
