It's been a while since I've written a meta-type article. With the combination of school and personal life, things have become quite busy. However, I am back with this season's Infinite Watch, so let's get to the decks that are giving players the best chance to reach Infinite.
Good Card Midrange
Surge Good Cards
The most popular deck in the past week is worth considering, especially if you haven't already tried Surge. This deck has the potential to snowball quickly with both Surge and Galacta driving its strategy. Furthermore, given that Surfer and Thanos dominate the current meta, this deck stands out due to its consistency and ability to perform well even with suboptimal draws. Unlike Surfer and Thanos, which can sometimes struggle to function, this deck maintains a fighting chance in most matches, regardless of the specific cards drawn. However, as a midrange deck, it does have vulnerabilities against combo decks like Negative and Move Bounce, which are quite common in the early weeks of the season.
Negative
Negative 1
Negative 2
This season, combo decks are making a comeback, and the Negative deck is stronger than ever, especially with Esme as a valuable addition to help mitigate awkward draws. There are two different versions of the Negative deck: one focuses more on destruction, while the other emphasizes plays with Sage and Taskmaster. Although Negative isn't always the most reliable deck for climbing due to potential streaks of bad luck, it's an excellent choice against bots that typically yield 8 cubes. Surprisingly, many players tend to stay in games even after a successful Negative plus Jane combo, often risking 4 or more cubes when they really shouldn't.
If you didn't buy the season pass, the versions without Esme are still performing exceptionally well and offer similar strategies. With disciplined snapping, there's no reason you can't achieve infinite with Mister Negative.
Surfer
Surfer
The Surge with Surfer deck is currently one of the most popular and best-performing decks, boasting an impressive win rate. If you can Surge into Galacta, it’s almost an instant snap. Following that up with a Surfer and an Absorbing Man makes this deck powerful. Surfer also tends to naturally run Killmonger, which can help the Thanos matchup and other strategies like Move Bounce that use Human Torch or Kitty Pryde as late game cheap power.
Thanos
Thanos Ongoing
Thanos
Thanos has become a significant figure in the current meta game, gaining both popularity and power over the past few months. There are multiple ways to build Thanos, and I have only shared two different versions here. Additionally, there is room for various card choices depending on what you have in your collection. For instance, Speed is an excellent option for ongoing Thanos builds, and Sam Wilson is also a strong choice to fill the 2-cost slot if you have access to him. Alioth is always a valuable addition to any Thanos deck as well. Ultimately, the combination of the Infinity Stones and tech cards creates a viable strategy that has dominated a large portion of the meta. Honestly, if you can't beat them might as well join them.
Move Bounce
Move Bounce
This is the list I used for a relatively easy infinite climb. While it leans towards the more complicated side and can occasionally underperform, the power output is consistently astronomical. Although it represents a small portion of the meta game, being the surprise deck can often catch opponents off guard. Many players are unwilling to deal with it or may give up easy wins because the math is typically harder to analyze. As a result, it tends to win more often in 4-cube matches, especially when opponents lean towards retreating due to the complexity of the situation or because Beast bounced all the power back to your hand, and it's a guessing game where that power will land.
I've won more games by just 1-2 power than I can count, often in lanes my opponent didn’t expect to lose. This is largely due to the deck's versatility and its ability to shift power effectively.
Affliction
Affliction
Affliction has been a strong contender for many months, and this season is no exception. The deck performs quite well when combined with Surge, but it remains effective even without her. So if you didn’t manage to pick her up, there’s no need to worry. However, many decks are currently using Luke Cage, so using Affliction might not be the best choice, especially if you encounter a lot of Victoria Hand decks that typically include Luke as one of their 3-cost cards.
Lower CL, less expensive decks
Clog
With Thanos being a staple in the current meta, Clog decks can perform very well, especially when incorporating Enchantress as a tech card to counter the ongoing cards that Thanos often utilizes. This version of the deck is slightly different from what I usually run, but it is more budget-friendly, featuring only one Series 5 card and one Series 4 card. All these cards have been available for several months, so many players are likely to have them. You can also substitute The Hood and Ravonna Renslayer for other cards if needed. Additionally, if you have Gorr or Red Hulk, they make great options as powerful cards that can typically secure a lane on their own.
Conclusion
Many players are reaching infinite rank using either Surfer or Thanos, with Thanos dominating the meta game, especially in the 80s and 90s rankings. The meta feels somewhat stagnant, but there are still plenty of viable options if you prefer not to play Thanos. However, be prepared to encounter him frequently while climbing the ranks. I found Move Bounce to be the most effective strategy, although that may not be everyone's experience. Regardless, filling your deck with tech cards seems to be the best approach for consistent wins, which can be frustrating for those who do not want to play that way. What deck did you use to reach infinite? Are you hoping for a shift in the meta, or do you enjoy the current state of the game?