Road to Nationals 2023 Meta Analysis: Week 3

Road to Nationals has been one hell of a party so far, sporting a vast roster of very interesting guests. With so many different heroes running around it’s not surprising to see the three plagues from the Pits spreading faster than the flames of a Draconic combat chain. It’s like one of those chickenpox-fuelled birthday parties, where you don’t know who’s kid is spreading which germs, but hey, at least they’re all having a nice time.

But one guest in particular is having too good a time, so good in fact, that they don’t seem to ever want to leave! Briar has been the life of the party for some time now, but I think we can agree that she’s now outstayed her welcome. The party’s wrapping up now, Briar, it’s time to go.

As Briar balances delicately on the precipice of Mount Heroic, a mere 18 points (9 Road to Nationals wins) away from achieving Living Legend, one thing is clear - if she crosses over the line this weekend, things will never be the same again. With her goes Rosetta Thorn, a staple tool in the Runeblade workshop. For the first time in years, Viserai may need to stop playing with other people’s toys, and start using his own gear again.

We also can’t ignore a significant milestone reached on the leaderboard this week - EVERYONE IS NOW ON THE BOARD. No more scapegoats, no more punching bags, no more excuses. Every single Classic Constructed hero has made their mark and shown they are capable of winning. Of course, we have to take into consideration that some heroes are fresh to the game - but it appears that with Azalea moving on up in the world, nobody’s rushing to take her place as the underdog.

The Outsiders... On the Inside?

Word spreads quickly, and the Boss has definitely made a name for herself. Not only is Uzuri keeping the Ranger Danger at bay, but she’s finding new methods every week to deal with the haters who have placed a target on her back, such as Amnesia into an unsuspecting Katsu. We’ve talked before about how Uzuri has performed as a decent meta counter, but with her popularity rising quicker than a knee thrust, I think it’s safe for us to start ranking her alongside the likes of Lexi and Dromai as part of the top gang. Must feel good to be the Boss!

A quiet member of Uzuri’s merry little band has also emerged from the shadows. Having been overlooked by many due to their slower playstyle, Arakni seemed like they would be playing second fiddle to Uzuri’s sike tactics for a while. But they’ve just been biding their time, waiting for the right opportunity, then striking when you least expect it. Playing Arakni as a hard fatigue deck seems to produce the most consistent results, utilizing both OG classics like Unmovable, to modern tech like Frailty Trap.

Good things come to those who wait, and none are better at waiting than Riptide. It’s never a good idea to assume you’re safe from this lumbering, sore-ridden sadist, because a false sense of security is exactly what he preys on. Often the overlooked child of the Ranger family, Riptide lacked the ballistic go again of Lexi, or the overpowering dominate of Azalea. What he does have are traps, which although nasty, don’t always quite cut it. But Riptide’s greatest strength doesn’t actually come from his traps - it comes from his on-demand arsenal ability. By exploiting redline cards like Ravenous Rabble and Premeditate, Riptide has a beautifully efficient engine, and one that has snagged him points in the bag far quicker than any Ranger before him.

Old School Comeback - Bravo, Dorinthea, and Katsu

Most of the class of ‘19 is here for a reunion, and boy is it a show that keeps on giving. Just when we thought we’d seen the performance of a lifetime, the curtains raise once more for an encore like no other. Bravo doesn’t know when to quit, and nor should he. The Showstopper loves the attention of the adoring crowd, and it’s great to see him back in town not just for one show, but several.

Dorinthea’s specific playstyle can sometimes place her in precarious situations depending on the meta. Trained swordmasters know when it’s time to slice and dice, and when it’s going to be an uphill battle. Right now Dorinthea has strongly positioned herself on the frontlines. Sure there will be some tough scraps, but when are there not? That's why it’s so satisfying to see an army of Warriors taking home the Cold Foil Jubeel, Spellbane.

And the never-ending quest for answers continues for grandmaster Katsu. Hopefully his journey into the Pits and encounters with the three plagues have been helpful in finding a cure for the Mugenshi clan. Regardless, he’s certainly learned a new trick or two in his travels, and they’ve been keeping him alive and more dangerous than ever. Don’t go toe to toe with the master, or you’ll probably lose a few of them.

Running Up That Hill - Boltyn, Rhinar, and Levia

Although Boltyn has yet to win a Road to Nationals this season, we’ve seen him finish in the Top 4 multiple times (and in some cases, in pairs). Similar to Viserai and Dash, Boltyn is a deck that carries two separate gameplans in the sideboard. Favouring his faithful Raydn when he needs to charge headfirst into battle, or falling back to a slower plan involving Cintari Sabers with Lumina Ascension, the utility is definitely there. It’s just tricky when Frostbites come knocking at the door, but don’t lose hope - a true warrior always follows the light even when the path is dark.

This season hasn’t been starved of savages either. The king of the jungle knows how to throw hands when threatened, and although Rhinar has fallen short of a Road to Nationals victory so far, he’s still very much alive, feasting on dragons and roaring through Top 8 brackets until his last breath. Rhinar decks always seem to either follow the tried and true plan of tampering with your opponent’s blocks, or just bringing something completely bonkers to the table. While I don’t recommend inviting a Brute into your kitchen, I do think we should let him cook.

Speaking of food, I can think of one particular abomination that’s still hungry. While the other heroes have allowed Levia the occasional seat at the Top 8 table, she immediately gets too messy and is promptly delegated back to the kids table. But with new 6-power utility cards in Outsiders, Levia has started cleaning up her act. She seems to have more success with Pummel builds, focusing on big bunguses with on-hits and cheap pumps like Unworldly Bellow. Cutting down on blood debt also lets you banish from the graveyard only when it enables something juicy, instead of desperately scrambling to keep yourself alive every turn.

One more week to go folks, and the stage is set for a killer finale. We’re all on the edge of our seats - will Briar make it to Living Legend?

All in all, this has been an incredibly diverse season. It’s so exciting to see everyone playing the hero they love, and also winning! Never mind the Lexi doomscrollers, we have seen with our own eyes that almost all heroes are viable for making it to the Top 4 and landing that precious golden ticket to the National Championships!

With Oldhim on the way out, and Briar considering finally giving up the mantle of “Living Legend Hide and Seek Champion”, let’s enjoy these last few weeks. We’ve still got Calling: Singapore and a slew of Battle Hardeneds before we say goodbye to some old faces, and look forward to Dusk till Dawn and all the surprises it may bring.