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Simic Ritual Optimal Deck Deviations

1 requestsStarted 9/17/2025, 8:52:47 PM
what deviations from the average modern simic ritual list show the best winrate?

I'll analyze Simic Ritual deviations and their winrate impact. Let me start by getting the archetype overview and then examine card variations.

Now let me get the standard card list for Simic Ritual to establish the baseline:

🛠️Get Archetype Cards

Now let me analyze the performance of decks with specific card deviations. I'll look at some key flex spots and their impact on winrate:

🛠️QuerySimic Ritual Deck Card Performance Analysis

Let me also check mana base variations and their performance:

🛠️QuerySimic Ritual Deck Mana Fetch Performance Analysis

Let me get sources for this analysis:

Based on the data analysis of 78 Simic Ritual tournament entries, here are the key deviations from the average list that show the best winrate:

Highest Impact Positive Deviation:

Brazen Borrower // Petty Theft shows the strongest positive correlation:

  • +16.7% winrate difference (57.6% vs 40.9%)
  • Played in 36% of decks at ~1.3 copies average
  • Provides versatile interaction and pressure

Negative Deviations to Avoid:

Creature Package Changes:

  • Aether Channeler: -18.5% winrate (32.7% vs 51.2%)
  • Pond Prophet: -13.1% winrate (36.2% vs 49.3%)
  • Fblthp, the Lost: -12.3% winrate (42.0% vs 54.3%)
  • Shardless Agent reduction: -15.1% winrate when excluded

Mana Base Considerations:

  • Simpler fetch bases perform better: Low off-color fetch decks (0-2) average 49.9% vs 46.4% for high fetch counts (3+)
  • Avoid Verdant Catacombs: Decks without it average 49.6% vs 45.1% with it

Key Takeaway:

The most successful Simic Ritual lists stick closer to the core package (Shardless Agent, standard creature suite) while adding Brazen Borrower as a key flex slot. Overcomplicated mana bases and creature package substitutions consistently underperform.

Sources:
Data from 32 tournaments: 84.4% MTGO, 15.6% Melee
Modern Challenge 64 | Modern Challenge 32 (Sept 7, 11:00) | Modern Challenge 32 (Sept 7, 01:00)