I'll analyze the performance of Affinity decks with and without Memnite and Ornithopter. Let me start by getting the relevant card and archetype information.
Now let me analyze the performance of Affinity decks with and without these specific creatures over the last 60 days.
Let me also get the sources for this analysis:
Based on analysis of 128 Modern Affinity tournament entries over the last 60 days, Affinity decks without Memnite and Ornithopter actually perform better than those playing both creatures. Decks without either card achieved a 48.1% winrate across 24 entries, while decks playing both Memnite and Ornithopter managed only a 40.9% winrate across 100 entries.
The data shows that the majority of Affinity pilots (100 out of 128 entries) are playing both zero-cost creatures, but this appears to be suboptimal. Interestingly, the single deck playing only Memnite achieved a 66.7% winrate, though this is based on just one entry. The three decks playing only Ornithopter performed poorly at 26.7%.
This suggests that modern Affinity builds focusing on other synergies like Urza's Saga and Kappa Cannoneer may be more effective than the traditional approach of maximizing zero-cost artifact creatures for explosive starts.
Sources:
Data from 80 tournaments: 86.2% MTGO, 13.8% Melee. Recent events include Modern Challenge and Showcase Challenge tournaments.
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2025-09-1512814298
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-showcase-challenge-2025-09-1412814234
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2025-09-1412814287