Vintage Magic: The Gathering - A Look at the Best Decks & Eternal Weekend
, by Shopify API , 7 min reading time
, by Shopify API , 7 min reading time
The world of vintage magic the gathering is a realm of unparalleled power, strategy, and history. It's a format where iconic cards like Black Lotus and Time Walk still reign supreme, and where the sheer breadth of options can be both exhilarating and daunting. As we approach the end of 2025, let's delve into the current state of the format, explore the top decks, and analyze the forces shaping the vintage power rankings.
Eternal weekend vintage events are the pinnacle of competitive Vintage play. This year, these prestigious tournaments are spanning the globe, offering players a chance to test their skills and showcase their meticulously crafted decks. With events in Pittsburgh, PA, USA (October 9-12), Lucca, Italy (November 27-30), and Yokohama, Japan (December 13-14), the vintage eternal weekend promises to be a thrilling spectacle for players and fans alike. The competition will be fierce as players fight to prove their mastery of the format. Beyond the tabletop, vintage mtgo events have also provided crucial testing grounds and opportunities for players to hone their strategies.
In a format defined by powerhouses like Black Lotus, the influence of Lurrus of the Dream-Den might seem unexpected. Yet, this companion card has undeniably left its mark. The ability to essentially start the game with an extra card has proven to be a significant advantage. Many players are actively seeking ways to incorporate Lurrus into their decks, even if it means sacrificing other potentially powerful options. A large percentage of successful vintage mtg decks now feature Lurrus as a companion, showcasing its impact on the metagame. This has led to the rise of specific archetypes, such as the highly ranked dimir lurrus vintage deck. However, some strategies, such as mishras workshop vintage and bazaar of baghdad vintage, opt for different paths to victory. The debate over Lurrus's place in the format continues, with some arguing that its consistent value overshadows the inherent risks of deckbuilding constraints.
Let’s break down some of the most powerful and popular decks currently shaping the vintage power rankings:
Tinker vintage deck epitomizes the explosive potential of Vintage. This archetype leverages the namesake card to cheat powerful artifacts like Bolas's Citadel into play, often leading to a swift victory. While incredibly potent, the deck's inability to utilize Lurrus has contributed to its slight decline in the rankings.
Paradoxical outcome vintage is a combo-centric deck that excels at generating card advantage and mana through the repeated casting of Paradoxical Outcome. By targeting multiple free artifacts, the deck can quickly snowball into an overwhelming position, drawing its entire deck and securing the win. While paradoxical outcome vintage can function as a midrange or control deck, its primary goal is to assemble the combo and overwhelm the opponent.
Sultai midrange vintage offers a more grounded approach to Vintage, relying on powerful creatures and disruptive spells to control the board and grind out victories. While not as explosive as some other archetypes, Sultai Midrange can be surprisingly effective, especially against opponents unprepared for a fair, creature-based strategy. The debate between including Lurrus or sticking with powerful threats like Leovold, Emissary of Trest and Oko, Thief of Crowns continues.
The vintage doomsday deck is a dedicated combo deck that aims to win the game as quickly and efficiently as possible. By resolving Doomsday, the deck sets up a game-winning sequence involving Thassa's Oracle and other key cards. The speed and directness of Doomsday make it a formidable force in the Vintage metagame. Some pilots are experimenting with a vintage doomsday deck build that utilizes Lurrus.
Bazaar of baghdad vintage decks are a classic pillar of the format. These decks, primarily Dredge and Squeevine, leverage the unique ability of Bazaar of Baghdad to fuel their graveyard-centric strategies. Dredge focuses on overwhelming the opponent with a relentless stream of creatures, while Squeevine utilizes manaless Vengevines and Hollow Ones to create a similar effect. Vintage dredge deck and Squeevine tend to perform better at paper events than online.
Underworld breach vintage decks are known for their explosive combo potential, leveraging the powerful Underworld Breach to generate card advantage and mana, eventually leading to a game-winning Brain Freeze. The underworld breach vintage strategy is potent and versatile. As referenced in "Ep 3 - Beating Underworld Breach and Tournament Prep", "Underworld Breach Decks Break Modern AND Legacy!", "Dominaria's Judgment 156: Once More Unto the Breach", "Rograkh & Tevesh Rakdos Storm | Underworld Breach / Ad Nauseam / PITA | MTG cEDH Commander Deck Tech", and "Serum Visions: Episode 26 - Has Dr. Combo Cracked Grinding Breach?", the namesake card and its surrounding archetypes can be volatile and require specific strategies to counter.
Mishras workshop vintage decks are a cornerstone of Vintage. By utilizing Mishra's Workshop, these decks can generate an overwhelming amount of mana, allowing them to deploy powerful artifacts and lock the opponent out of the game. Variants range from aggressive builds featuring hard-hitting threats to prison decks focused on disruption and control. This archetype has made a notable comeback to the competitive scene.
Oath of druids vintage decks have been a consistent presence in Vintage for years. These decks aim to cheat powerful creatures like Atraxa, Grand Unifier into play via Oath of Druids, overwhelming the opponent with their size and abilities. This strategy has seen a resurgence in recent years and is expected to perform well at upcoming Eternal Weekend events.
Esper lurrus vintage is designed to maximize the value of Lurrus of the Dream-Den. By including efficient removal spells like Swords to Plowshares and disruptive creatures like Lavinia, Azorius Renegade, this deck aims to prolong the game and leverage Lurrus's card advantage to secure the win.
Blue workshops vintage combines the mana-generating power of Mishra's Workshop with the card advantage and control of blue spells. This archetype aims to deploy powerful artifacts and overwhelm the opponent with a combination of disruption and aggression. Also known as "Jewel Workshops", this variant is highly popular and effective.
White initiative vintage has seen a monumental rise in popularity and effectiveness. This aggressive creature deck aims to quickly venture into the Undercity, gaining powerful abilities and overwhelming the opponent. While White Plume Adventurer is banned in Legacy, it remains a key component of this potent Vintage strategy.
Dimir lurrus vintage consistently ranks among the best decks in Vintage. By structuring the deck to consistently access Lurrus of the Dream-Den, while also including powerful cards like Wasteland, psychic frog vintage, and Orcish Bowmasters, this archetype combines disruption, card advantage, and a resilient creature-based game plan. The synergy between Lurrus and the deck's other components makes it a formidable force in the format. The vintage mana drain is a useful and powerful card in this meta.
Navigating the complexities of Vintage requires a deep understanding of the format's intricacies, the nuances of each archetype, and the strategic considerations that can swing a game in your favor. Consulting a comprehensive vintage format guide can prove invaluable for both newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. Resources such as "Don’t Sleep On These Decks! – feat. Max Gilmore | EP.77" can provide additional insight.
Vintage continues to evolve, shaped by new card releases, innovative deckbuilding, and the ever-shifting metagame. Understanding these trends and adapting your strategies accordingly is crucial for success in this dynamic and challenging format. Whether you're a seasoned Vintage player or a curious newcomer, the world of Vintage offers a unique and rewarding experience.
Visit Ultima Supply to explore more collectibles.