On 31 May 2025, 89 players gathered for the first major tournament featuring cards from Reign of Jafar, hosted by South Side Gaming. With the dust still settling after the ban of Hiram Flaversham and Fortisphere, and the excitement of Set 8 additions, the competitive field showed a level of diversity we haven’t seen in months.
For a long time, Sapphire/Steel dominated competitive play. It was reliable, consistent, and honestly, a bit too popular. But things have changed. This tournament offered a glimpse into a healthier meta. Decks were varied, creative, and clearly influenced by the newest set. Here's a deck breakdown:
Topping the list was Amber/Steel Steelsong, clocking in at 17% of the field. It's a clear sign that song-based value engines are thriving. Following close behind were Amethyst/Steel Tempo and Ruby/Sapphire Pawpsicles.
That’s 14 unique ink combinations represented, showing that no single strategy is running away with the format. The top archetypes are strong, yes, but not oppressive. That’s a great sign for the health of the game.
Set 8’s Impact – What’s Seeing Play?
The Top 8 players weren’t just sticking to old favourites. Many embraced fresh tech from Reign of Jafar, with several Set 8 cards making a meaningful splash:
Beyond the Horizon: A flexible draw option that slots neatly into slower decks looking to filter or refill.
Monstro – Infamous Whale: Big, scary, and hard to deal with. Monstro brings serious board pressure as a late-game threat.
Pull the Lever! and Wrong Lever!: Both offer cheeky disruption and fit beautifully into the set’s mischievous theme.
Rhino – One-Sixteenth Wolf: A cost-effective character with relevant traits that opens up new synergies.
Lady – Family Dog: A defensive utility piece that’s proving more effective than many anticipated.
These inclusions show that players are actively testing and innovating—not just slotting in new cards, but building around them. The fact that so many archetypes are represented in Top 8 suggests that Set 8 is enabling creativity, not narrowing options.
Standouts by Strategy
Here’s a quick look at what the leading archetypes bring to the table:
Amber Steel Steelsong: Leans on song synergies and value from characters like Cinderella to grind opponents down.
Amethyst Steel Tempo: Excels at bouncing threats, disrupting tempo, and keeping pressure on.
Ruby Sapphire Pawpsicles: Still strong despite the nerfs. Leverages draw engines and efficient removal to maintain board control.
And beyond these, we’re seeing some spice—Emerald builds, hybrid aggro decks, and off-meta combos that may just be one tournament away from breaking through.
Why It Matters
This tournament wasn't just the start of a new season—it marked a turning point. With the looming rotation in Fabled and the growing adoption of Reign of Jafar, we're entering a phase of true experimentation. Players are no longer chasing one meta deck—they’re exploring, adapting, and creating.
And as more tournaments take place and decklists become public, the community will continue to refine what works—and discover what surprises still lie hidden in Set 8.
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