I couldn't do these breakdowns for the past two months, and I am sorry about that. Although I addressed why I couldn't in my previous post. After the Core Set Refresh (CSR), it has taken the cake from the Genesis set as having the most nature cards in a set at 47 cards. As the newer cards haven't had time to marinate in the meta, I kept my commentary to a minimum, mainly the Amazon cards (trust me, I am actively trying new decks with them). You could find the spreadsheet with all the stats at the bottom. There is a lot to go through so let us get to it.
A card that got reworked in the CSR is seeing some play in the lower ranks. Although I cannot justify adding this card as it is highly situational. It might give you a make-or-break turn, though I am betting against it; thus, it will still be on my "no go" list.
Our friendly Marsh Walker keeps its crown as the undisputed one drop even after the CSR. It is used in every nature variant, and thus, it shows in play and win rates all around.
The amazon bandwagon seems not to have left the station. Even with the rework, it is seeing poor play all around. It may change if and when the player base figures out a zoo amazon variant. Which I am trying out as well.
It had a minor rework in the CSR that hasn't helped with its play rates. with other better one drop units available for nature players, it has fallen to the wayside.
I wasn't sold on the rework as I said it was more of an adjustment and neither buff nor nerf. It seems to have sat true with the player base as well, as it hasn't seen any significant change either way.
A new addition to the nature core cards, it is still finding its footing mainly in amazon decks. When and if a working amazon deck shows up, we will know how this card is to fair.
Another new addition after the CSR time will tell if it is a good or a bad addition. My opinion is that it could work in early/zoo deck variations where you need lower mana cards.
Being only a couple of weeks old, the pup needs time to find its footing as the other new additions. Could it replace the likes of wild boar or other one mana cards is yet to see?
The Tribal Orc got a name change and a trait change to Amazon; other than that, the card still retains its text. I see it slotting in Amazon Zoo decks; it is also used in nature zoo decks in lower-tier play.
The beetle is fairing better after the CSR. As it is taking the place of wild boar in nature regen decks. I am not 100% sold on it yet, although the play rates look positive.
Another new amazon card which neets time to find its place. As of right now I see it being slotted in amazon deck variations.
An interesting new addition to the Amazons, it will be a must-play in Amazon decks. I have seen a few of them slotted into nature variants as well. Most likely due to the prevalence of Magic decks.
The mini version of opalized roots. It is yet to see play in a major way. Card draw options for nature players are abundant, and due to that fact, the groove summon has not found its footing yet.
Canopy Barrage to Canopy Sniper, a removal baked into a creature, is always a good thing to see. It would be a menace if you could keep this card alive (there are 101 buffing creatures for Amazons). I am seeing this card as a staple for Amazon zoo decks.
I love the change to this card, and the mana change is a god-sent. Slotting this card into amazon decks was painful as there are many good five mana Amazons "Myrtos Daughter/ Ferocius Rougarou." This will shoot this card up the ranks due to being a staple in all forms of Amazon decks. 2/3, +1/+1 two drop
Black jaguar is standing strong even after the CSR. It is a must have in almost all nature decks and it shows in the play rate and win rates.
The slinging monkey has taken the cake for the most played card across the board. For a good reason, as it is a convenient early game removal, the only downside is its randomness. Although most nature players are used to the randomness and RNG factors.
The blade saw no drawback even after its changes. It boasts the highest win rate in mythic from all the core cards. It is a staple in most high-rated decks, and for a good reason.
I like that the card got more utility with +1/+1 instead of +3 at the end of each turn. It is neither a buff nor a nerf; in my opinion, it's more of a direction change as it will fit exceptionally well in the Amazon decks. People have also been slotting this in their nature decks, although the play rate in mythic tier begs to differ.
I predicted that this card would slot in better than faeflame blade in nature variants, and that is yet to see. Although there is an uptick of play in mythic tier after the CSR changes have gone through.
This shaman got a much-needed buff, and I welcome the change. Now it being essentially wide 4/4 and putting more bodies on the board, and it can be an option over cards like "Rabid Bear ."It gives nature players more options in the three mana slot. Although it is yet to be seen in both play and win rates in all tiers of play.
A new card very similar to "Wiccan Warrior" is just the three-cost version of that. Getting hidden with 3/3 is nothing to scoff at, and it will have a place in most variations of Amazon decks. As the jury is still out on the Amazons, we will have to wait for next month to see how it holds up.
Another self buffing Amazon which by now is not surprising, I will be slotting this card 100% in my Amazon zoo decks. As it is a powerful early-mid game card, and if you have a few Amazons on the board, it will give you significant value. Card is yet to find its place after the CSR.
There is some song but no dance; the 2/2 to 3/3 change is good, but with how many options nature players have for four mana cards, it has got lost in translation.
This card got a much-needed buff, although it hasn't caught on to the player base as of yet. I won't be surprised to see an uptick in play rate next month.
This card is a must have removal spell for nature decks and it shows in its play rate. It seems to have taken a backseat to canapoy barage after its adjustment.
Even after its slight buff, Managarmr has had a better time getting into mythic decks. I have always had a soft spot for this wolf and thus it will always have a place in my decks.
Another no-brainer for the Amazon decks. Although it is yet to see fruition as the CSR is still only a couple of weeks in. I won't be surprised to see a higher play rate in the coming months.
One of my favorite Nature Wild cards will still retain its superiority as a board control monster even after the CSR. It is in good standing in all tiers of play; slot this four cost wild in your deck without fear.
As big beast decks fall out of the meta, this card, too is seeing bad times. Although its play and win rate has plummeted this month, it is still played in lower tiers with good effect.
As a key card for the nature regen variations, this card holds strong and sees play in all tiers. Unless and until nature regen is overthrown, we will not be seeing this card go anywhere anytime soon.
The premier relic remover for us nature players shows in both its play rate and win rate. I am still a little surprised that you only find this card in 41.3% of mythic decks because I would guess a relic remover is a must-play in higher tiers.
Even though it got a slight buff with the CSR it is yet to see significant play in any tier. It is more or less the poor mans wildfire.
This lion got a big buff with the CSR. It isn't showing in the play rate as of now, although I won't be surprised to see its play rate jump in the coming months. Another four mana card is vying for your deck.
I am unsure as to why this card was pushed out in the CSR as there are better frontline options for nature decks. Also, guild enforcer is still on the table, and I would say a better card than this Hippo.
Another frontline card although its an amazon, I will most likely slot this card or agrodor protector for fronlines in amazon decks. Again the jury is still out on this princess.
Better card draw options are present in the current meta for nature players. It has taken a beating in play rate in higher tiers. Thus I won't be surprised to see it slip in tiers below mythic as well.
This minotaur went from an afterthought to a must-have after the CSR. It is by far the best five mana card for nature players barring Avatar of nature. Getting a heal and a seven-cost draw is nothing to scoff at, and it's showing in all tiers of play.
A card that has been lost in transit, I won't be surprised to see more play in the future with players figuring out new decks with amazons. I will keep an eye on this card in the coming months.
As the Giant Pangolin is still reigning supream in the six mana cost nature cards. It is hard to see play rate going up in the future.
It gets hidden and a strength buff; it went from a 6/6 to 9/6 board wide. It will definitely be a good late-game option for Amazon decks it depends on players adopting the amazon lifestyle.
Another staple nature remova spell, it is holding strong and is another must have in nature decks. I don't see this changing any where in the future.
With the downfall of big beasts, so has the green giant. It is showing low levels of play in all tiers. Another card that has been put to the wayside because of the pangolin.
This card is so hard to slot in, and if you do, it would most likely be a controlled nature deck. The meta is not favorable to this card, and it is showing in all tiers of play.
Even though low play rate <i still hesitate to write this card off as it could easily be a finisher for zoo deck variants of nature. Will it rise to power next month? I will let you know.
The grim reaper himself has been given to the nature domain. It is in my opinion a great finisher and most likely will take the place of cards such as Guerilla Gardner. It is yet to see higher play rate due to it being a new card and that it is not circulating widely. You could get one of them for $69 in ETH; if you're trying to buy it in Gods, it will cost you a cool $160+.
There were no changes to the card in the CSR, and in my opinion, it needed a buff or at least an adjustment to push it into seeing more play. Although there are better eight costs in the nature domain, you could slot in as a finisher in decks.
After the CSR, it has yet to show if it has affected the current meta; I believe it will take some time before we see significant changes. One of the key things I took away from doing this is the prices of care cards, which have plummeted. I believe it is due to God's token taking a nosedive and the addition forging. That is it for this month of the Nature Core Set Breakdown. I hope everyone's ranked weekend is going well.
Play rate - Canopy Barrage
Win rate - Staff of Roots
Price - Hevner Grim Shuck
Play rate - Canopy Barrage
Win rate - Faeflame Blade
Play rate - Curious Wisp
Win rate - Guerilla Training
Price - Opalised Roots
Play rate - Curious Wisp
Win rate - Oliphaunt Mount
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk5gEjyViDin-yJhifJHyWtTkqMfs8PjVruKxa_WsX0/edit#gid=0
Images
https://market.x.immutable.com/
Data
https://cardsunchained.com/
https://gudecks.com/
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