I'll analyze the Izzet Cauldron archetype in Standard from August 15th, splitting the data based on whether decks include Artist's Talent or not.
The split analysis of Izzet Cauldron based on Artist's Talent presence shows a clear performance difference. Out of 692 Izzet Cauldron entries since August 15th, only 50 decks (7.2%) included Artist's Talent, while the vast majority (642 decks, 92.8%) did not run the card.
The performance gap is significant: decks without Artist's Talent achieved a 56.5% winrate, compared to just 49.1% for builds including the card. This 7.4 percentage point difference suggests that Artist's Talent may not be optimal for the archetype's game plan, despite being a potentially synergistic red enchantment that could theoretically support the deck's noncreature spell strategy.
The low adoption rate combined with poor performance indicates that most successful Izzet Cauldron pilots have determined Artist's Talent doesn't pull its weight in the current meta, likely due to the mana investment required for leveling and the fact that the deck already has efficient card selection and damage amplification through its core engine pieces.
Sources: Data from 57 tournaments: 64.9% MTGO, 35.1% Melee.
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/standard-challenge-32-2025-09-1412814295
https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/b03deb93-1430-4c47-9665-b35800a44333
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/standard-challenge-32-2025-09-1312814276
Esper Midrange in Pioneer is a value-oriented midrange deck that leverages the powerful three-color combination of white, blue, and black. The archetype centers around Raffine, Scheming Seer as a 4-of cornerstone, providing card selection and a growing threat. Typical builds run a full playset of Thoughtseize for disruption, Fatal Push for removal, and Cecil, Dark Knight // Cecil, Redeemed Paladin as a versatile threat that provides both early pressure and late-game value.
The manabase relies heavily on Plaza of Heroes (4 copies in every list) alongside Darkslick Shores, Concealed Courtyard, and shock lands. Most builds include utility lands like Otawara, Soaring City and Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire for additional flexibility. The creature suite often features Nashi, Searcher in the Dark in 73% of lists for card advantage, with some builds incorporating newer cards like Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber and Shiko, Paragon of the Way.
Top performing entries since August 1st include Game_Night's 6-2-0 finish for 2nd place on August 26th, and steamgunner's multiple 3-0 tournament wins in smaller events. The most active pilot has been kanara38204 with consistent Challenge appearances, though with mixed results ranging from 5-3-0 to 2-4-0 records.
Sources: Data from 23 tournaments: 69.6% MTGO, 30.4% Melee.
https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/a85c1259-4b43-4a50-8a4c-b352009753c6
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2025-08-3012812790
https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/2dd5c0f1-90bb-4cec-b28d-b34800c5713b
Black Demons in Pioneer is a mono-black aggressive midrange deck that leverages the tribal synergy of demon creatures alongside efficient black removal and disruption. The core of the deck revolves around Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber (4-of in every list), which provides both ramp and card advantage by turning demons into mana sources and drawing cards. Key creatures include Graveyard Trespasser (4-of) for both aggression and graveyard hate, Gifted Aetherborn (3-4 copies) as an efficient early threat, and Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (3 copies average) as a late-game finisher.
The removal package is universal across builds: 4 Fatal Push and 4 Thoughtseize for early interaction, supplemented by Go for the Throat (2 copies) and Archenemy's Charm (3-4 copies) for versatility. Blade of the Oni appears in most lists as a recurring threat that synergizes with the demon theme. The manabase runs basic Swamps (15 average), 4 Mutavault for additional threats, Castle Locthwain (3 copies) for late-game card draw, and Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth as a utility land.
Top performing entries since August 1st include Venom1's dominant run with two 1st place finishes (7-1-0 records on September 14th and September 5th), ZendicardGames with consistent top 4 appearances including a 6-1-0 3rd place on September 12th, and CrazyMorango's 6-1-1 3rd place finish on September 4th. Arianne has also shown consistent performance with multiple top 8 finishes throughout the period.
Sources: Data from 33 tournaments: 93.9% MTGO, 6.1% Melee.
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2025-09-1412814294
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2025-09-1412814289
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2025-09-1312814281