The meta report only shows one "lotus strings" archetype. Let me check if there's a second variant and look at the archetype more carefully.
The database has two Pioneer Lotus archetypes. The Azorius Lotus Control variant has only 1 recorded deck and just 6 matches total, so the data is far too thin to meaningfully compare. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of what the data actually supports:
The primary "lotus strings" deck (WUG) is the proven, well-represented variant in Pioneer. Over the last two months it logged 50 decks across 30 tournaments, posting a 51.3% non-mirror winrate on 226 matches. The core engine is locked in across 100% of lists: 4 Lotus Field, 4 Hidden Strings, 4 Pore over the Pages, 4 Thespian's Stage, and 1 Lier, Disciple of the Drowned. The combo goes off by untapping Lotus Field repeatedly with Hidden Strings and cycling through Vizier of Tumbling Sands (80% presence) to generate mana for a kill via Emergent Ultimatum into Omniscience (both at 72%), followed by Peer into the Abyss or Atraxa as finishers. The green splash adds Arboreal Grazer and Sylvan Scrying for speed and consistency. The deck's peak was the weeks of May 4-17, where it ran at 65-71% winrate, showing genuine ceiling when it gets going.
The "Azorius Lotus Control" variant (WU) is a completely different fringe idea, swapping the green combo shell for a classic control package: Strict Proctor (to prevent Lotus Field from sacrificing lands), Teferi Hero of Dominaria, Shark Typhoon, Farewell, and Discontinuity. With only 1 recorded deck, 6 total matches, and a 2-4 record, there is simply no statistical basis to evaluate its strengths relative to the main build. It's a one-off experiment, not a tested archetype.
In short, @motow, the data really only supports one well-developed Lotus deck in Pioneer right now: the WUG Strings/Ultimatum combo build with a solid 51% winrate and growing presence (from under 3% in April to 4-5.5% in late May). The Azorius control variant is too fringe to draw real conclusions from.
Sources: Data from 35 Pioneer tournaments (91.4% MTGO, 8.6% Melee). Recent events with Lotus Strings entries:
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2026-06-0712843814
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2026-06-0612843805
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-challenge-32-2026-06-0512843782