Hey everyone and welcome to our 6th meta report,
The Syndicate patch pro rank meta has settled down and so we are bringing you a grand total of 17 competitive decks.
Under each faction, you can find optimized decklists, their power rating and a brief summary of strengths, weaknesses and various considerations. If you have more questions, please join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/uSUSJZr
Enjoy the meta report and see you again when the meta shifts! -Wusubi
King of Burgers
4.5 stars
With the addition of Syndicate, King of Beggars has quickly become the Midrange leader of choice, granting more adaptibility than the other leaders. Always able to activate your coin-spender, combined with the Bounty package, you can completely decimate the opponent's board. While Gudrun plays for pure value and Whoreson focuses on direct removal, King of Beggars offers a versatile middle ground. Write-up by Spyro, decklist provided by wusubi.
Strengths:
- The Bounty package often spirals out of control and wins you the match
- Due to his flexibility, King of Beggars can outvalue other Midrange decks
Weaknesses:
- KoB offers a lower ceiling than Gudrun and less removal than Whoreson
Considerations:
- Tamara Strenger → Adalbertus Kalkstein
- Sewer Raiders, Coerced Blacksmith and Horst Borsodi
- Swindle → 2nd Eavesdrop and Tamara Strenger → Tunnel Drill
Old Fart Crimes
4.5 stars
This list omits Sigi Reuven and combines a threatening swarm package with Intimidate engines and crime cards. Contrary to popular belief, this deck isn't easy to bleed, nor weak in a shorter round. It offers a massive burst of points with Sacred Flame and Helveed combined with leader. In a long round, you can rely on Novigradian Justice into Bare-Knuckle Brawlers and Portal into Lackeys. Write-up and decklist provided by Green-Knight and Pajabol.
Deck guide by Pajabol: http://teamleviathangaming.com/hemmelfart/
Strengths:
- Potent Intimidate engines will easily carry you in long and medium rounds
- Very powerful short round with Sacred Flame, Helveed and leader charges
- Resilient to a bleed, many ways of catching up and gaining card advantage
Weaknesses:
- Relatively draw dependent, as the deck consists of two different packages
- Vulnerable to row punishment (which however isn't prevalent in the meta)
Considerations:
- Horst Borsodi, Imke, Sir Skewertooth, Kalkstein and Tunnel Drill
Wholesome Junior
4.5 stars
Whoreson can be considered as the perfect leader for a dedicated Bounty deck. While his leader ability can easily remove a crucial threat, he doesn't offer reliable access to coins. The majority of Whoreson decks thus depend on Royal Decree and Renew to play Sigi in two rounds. Write-up by OrphanTears614 and decklist provided by wusubi.
Strengths:
- Dedicated Bounty package combined with Whoreson just kills everything
- As such, the deck is very flexible and can adapt to various round lengths
Weaknesses:
- More reliant on finding Royal Decree or Sigi Reuven than the other leaders
Considerations:
- Horst Borsodi, Kalkstein, Tamara Strenger and Tunnel Drill
Gudrun Bincy
4.25 stars
Gudrun has established herself as the overall greediest Syndicate leader, due to offering the highest value ceiling. Her leader ability directly enables the most powerful coin-spenders within the faction, on top of offering amazing synergy with Bincy and The Flying Redanian. Write-up by Andasama and Yangtse42, decklist provided by wusubi.
Strengths:
- Many ways of effectively spending coins: removal, going tall, going wide etc.
- Bincy and leader ability provide either a great Round 3 or a potent R2 bleed
- Gudrun reliably summons The Flying Redanian while enabling Philippa Eilhart
Weaknesses:
- Somewhat reliant on draws, you need coin-spenders and the Bounty package
- Tall removal, it's very difficult to avoid giving value to cards like Geralt of Rivia
Considerations:
- Renew, Tatterwing, Kalkstein and Tamara Strenger
Harald Pointslam
4.5 stars
With the release of Syndicate, Harald ended up cutting Olaf to play around Bounty. This deck is still very powerful in a variety of matchups and should be your first choice when playing Skellige. It offers a dominant mix of control tools and an incredible amount of raw points. Write-up by OrphanTears614 and decklist provided by Green-Knight.
Strengths:
- Strong and flexible removal options
- Ridiculous power play with Dagur Two Blades + leader ability
Weaknesses:
- Even after cutting Olaf, Syndicate can outvalue you with their Bounty package
Considerations:
- Regis: Bloodlust → Geralt of Rivia OR Carlo Varese
- Royal Decree, Frenzied D'ao, Donar an Hindar and Djenge
Big Svalblod
4.25 stars
Svalblod can comfortably secure Round 1 in most matchups and then bleed his opponent. The added tempo from Roach will often allow you to win on even cards when going second. This playstyle makes Svalblod very annoying. Royal Decree was replaced with Renew to increase the value ceiling. Geralt of Rivia generally finds value and with Renew you can replay him in particular matchups. Write-up by Hippo and wusubi, decklist provided by BeardyBog.
Strengths:
- Very powerful finisher and you can adapt to any matchup and round length
- Similarly to Gernichora, you usually take control over the game in Round 1
Weaknesses:
- Tall removal
- If you fail to win Round 1, some decks can outvalue you in a long Round 3
Considerations:
- Carlo Varese, Skjall and Frenzied D'ao
- Hjalmar → Cleaver and then Disgraced Brawler → 2nd Dimun Light Longship
- Renew → Decree, Roach → Skjall, Fanatic + Marauder → Djenge + Longship
Crach Control
4 stars
Crach is still a respectable control deck, capable of utterly disrupting most opponents. With the addition of Derran and Morkvarg, you have another proactive play at your disposal, making the otherwise reactive deck much better. Write-up by Andasama and Yangtse42, decklist was provided by wusubi.
Strengths:
- Very threatening on red coin and/or when going second in Round 3
- Can easily shut down various strategies, from engines to tall units
Weaknesses:
- Struggles with proactivity, unitless decks and Immune cards are a problem
Considerations:
- Professional → Geralt of Rivia and Donar → Vabjorn OR Hen Gaidth Sword
- Carlo Varese for more tempo, Frenzied D'ao if you face too many artifacts
Brouver Midrange
4.5 stars
The inclusion of Novigradian Justice makes Brouver even stronger than he used to be. On top of having an extra proactive power play, Cleaver's Muscle represent two extra shielded bodies for The Great Oak, while also helping you with thinning Volunteers. Brouver still relies on Milva and The Great Oak in long rounds, but also packs a few very potent short round plays in Sheldon Skaggs and Vrihedd Brigade. Write-up and decklist provided by Pajabol.
Strengths:
- Great Oak, Milva, Sheldon and Vrihedd Brigade make the deck adaptable
- Novigradian Justice can often save you from losing Round 1 on even cards
Weaknesses:
- You can have a hard time on blue coin, as a lot of your cards are low tempo
Considerations:
- Geralt of Rivia, Saesenthessis, Carlo Varese, Mahakam Defender and Lacerate
Francesca
4.25 stars
Francesca has a low amount of provisions, but one of the best leader abilities in the game. With the addition of Novigradian Justice, she now has another powerful special card to use. This build focuces on achieving as much value as possible from Harmony. The deck has a superb long round due to Water of Brokilon and The Great Oak. Francesca's leader ability offers you a great shorter round, where you can use her to replay Novigradian Justice, making her "at least" a 10 point leader. Write-up and decklist provided by Pajabol.
Strengths:
- Water of Brokilon and The Great Oak make up for an incredible long round
- You never struggle with proactive plays and outvalue other proactive decks
- This deck is resilient to a bleed and very solid in a short round with Justice
Weaknesses:
- Lack of control, making it nearly impossible to answer opponent's engines
- Draw dependent and has a hard time against SY and SK when on blue coin
Considerations:
- Ida, Ciaran and Dryad's Caress
Eithné Control
4 stars
Eithné is still a decent control deck, but her main weakness is Syndicate. If the meta is short on it and heavy on other factions, Eithné can be a great leader. 168 provisions is a lot to work with, granting you plenty of room for various meta adaptations. Write-up by SirLoathing and wusubi, decklist provided by BeardyBog.
Strengths:
- Can handily disrupt the opponent by answering engines and tall units alike
- Similarly to Crach, very oppressive on red coin, especially due to carry-over
Weaknesses:
- Bad matchup against Syndicate
- Eithné is awkward on Blue coin, your cards are either reactive or low tempo
Considerations:
- Justice and 2x Muscle → Dol Blathanna Archer, Ciaran and Hen Gaidth Sword
Portal Arachas
4.25 stars
This consume deck grants you a higher value ceiling than the usual Arachas. Since it gets extremely greedy with Portal, artifacts and Caranthir to support Dettlaff, some of your threats will often go unchecked. Kikimore Warrior is a nice addition, offering another potent engine. Write-up by Shadowplayred, decklist provided by Green-Knight.
Strengths:
- When your artifacts and/or engines stick to the board, you just win the game
- Crones, Glusty and Dettlaff: Higher Vampire can carry the game on their own
Weaknesses:
- If you fail to secure Round 1, you're prone to being bled due to the artifacts
- Very difficult to pilot properly, especially because row limit is an actual issue
Considerations:
- Naglfar, Manticore Venom, Parasite and Nithral
- If you run into too much artifact removal, consider playing the Pugo version
Pugo Arachas
4 stars
Another decent take on Arachas would be ignoring the artifacts entirely and throwing in Pugo, Griffin and Ozzrel. This variation still utilizes the Dettlaff package and Crones, resulting in a very respectable Midrange mix that will usually generate too much raw value to handle. Write-up by Shadowplayred, decklist provided by Green-Knight.
Strengths:
- This deck is more flexible, resilient to a bleed and doesn't have to win Round 1
- Every card can play above the curve, resulting in a very potent pointslam deck
Weaknesses:
- With the inclusion of high base power units, you're more vulnerable to Bounty
Considerations:
- Adda: Striga, Parasite and Nithral
- Naglfar → Royal Decree and Northern Wind → Arachas Nest
- If you don't see a lot of artifact removal, consider playing the artifact version
Gernichora Pugo
3.75 stars
The addition of Pugo Boom-Breaker breathes new life into the Big Monsters archetype. Due to high-end removal, Thrive engines and tall units, Gernichora can consistently pressure the opponent and take control over the game. This allows you to choose a favorable length of Round 3. Write-up by SirLoathing, decklist provided by BeardyBog.
Strengths:
- The sheer amount of raw power often forces the opponent out of Round 1
- Your Round 2 bleed is extremely effective and can punish plenty of decks
Weaknesses:
- The Cyclops nerf leaves the deck less versatile in terms of control options
- As a deck reliant on Dominance, Gernichora always plays into tall removal
Considerations:
- One Drowner → Wyvern if you don't face a lot of Syndicate
- Add more removal if necessary - Adda: Striga, Parasite, Cyclops, Nithral
- Naglfar → Old Speartip: Asleep for more power at the cost of consistency
Foltest Draug
4.25 stars
Foltest can utilize Draug in the most effective way. He also has the best removal options within the faction, which can be crucial in the current meta. If you get your combo and manage to create multiple Commando's in Round 1 and then shuffle them back with Pavetta, you're pretty much playing a Tier 1 deck. The main reason why this list fares a lot better than the greedier "full Commando" version is because rather than trying to improve the chances of getting the combo suboptimally, it tries to increase your chances of winning when the combo doesn't work out. It also focuses on dealing with the Round 2 bleed. Greedy and often ineffective cards such as Operator, Circle and Necromancy were replaced with Saesenthessis, Anséis and Eyck. Write-up and decklist provided by Green-Knight.
Strengths:
- Very flexible removal options make the deck potent in a variety of matchups
- Draug wins you long rounds and your short round is great with Commando's
Weaknesses:
- Poor opening hand can make the first round difficult, especially on Blue coin
- Muzzle, Philippa and decks that can bleed you without going tall (e.g. Crach)
Considerations:
- 2x Temple Guard → 2x Cintrian Enchantress
- Eyck of Denesle and Síle de Tansarville → Prince Anséis and Vincent Meis
- Alzur's Double-Cross, Síle and Sabrina → Prince Anséis, Vincent and Lacerate
Henselt Highroll
3.5 stars
This greedy version of Henselt plays Portal, Roche and Hen Gaidth Sword, giving you enough highroll potential to have a chance against the meta. But if you're seeing too much removal on the ladder, we suggest playing Foltest.
Strengths:
- When you highroll on Vernon Roche, you can sometimes win a match
Weaknesses:
- Weak against majority of decks in the meta, most notably SY and SK
Considerations:
- Prince Anséis and Síle → Draug and 2nd Kaedweni Sergeant
Usurper Shupe
3.75 stars
With the meta currently favouring leaders that rely on their leader abilities to execute their game plans, we have witnessed the swift rise of Usurper. On top of rocking the sexiest bald man look thanks to his correct head shape, Usurper can grant you some free wins due to having a few favoured matchups. Despite having 7 fewer provisions to work with than Jan Calveit, you can easily compensate for it by cutting the infamous Roach and Assire combo. The power of Shupe alone can often tip the scales in your favour. Write-up and decklist were provided by wusubi.
Strengths:
- Good matchup vs popular leaders such as Gudrun, Harald, Crach and Arachas
- You have enough control to answer every engine presented by your opponent
Weaknesses:
- Scoia'tael can be a difficult matchup, especially when you don't draw Shilard
- Like any NG deck, Usurper is draw dependent and your bronze cards are bad
Considerations:
- Regis: Bloodlust → Leo Bonhart OR Carlo Varese
Emhyr Midrange
3.5 stars
Pajabol's creative variant of Emhyr Midrange combines the control offered by Muzzle, Sweers and the witcher trio with proactive points provided by the soldier package. This makes the deck very flexible and it also allows you to get more value with Emhyr's leader ability than usual. The nerf to Gimpy Gerwin certainly made this deck better, however Syndicate can obviously be a serious problem. Write-up by Spiderchicken9, decklist provided by Pajabol.
Strengths:
- The soldier package represents a lot of proactive value and can carry matches
- Flexible game plan, can adapt to multiple strategies and various round lengths
Weaknesses:
- Relies on soldiers sticking to the board which can be rough against SY or SK
- Very draw dependent due to the inclusion of witcher trio and soldier package
Considerations:
- Leo Bonhart and False Ciri
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