Post SoB Meta Overview

Introduction

Long time no see fellow Champions! I would like to share with you guys some data, I would also like to thank following people who helped me with gathering replays to this metagame statistics project : enlite, zontik7, jkkk89, LQDBrunt. Based on those 2757 replays we can take a closer look at metagame.

Metagame divided by Factions

As we can see on 1st graph Inferno is the biggest participant in our metagame (34%), but don't get fooled there - it's not focussed on one subject and Inferno constructions represent multiple strategies (rushes, midranges, controls, stalls). The next played faction is Necropolis (20%), which got dominated pretty much by Mother Namtaru, looks like the best way to play this faction at this moment is rushing enemy as fast as possible. Stronghold is 3rd (16%) and looks like it will be less dominant than in previous meta, followed by Academy (13%), Sanctuary (9%). Haven is the least played, which probably doesn't surprise anyone (8%).

Metagame divided by Heroes

Since there are 40 played heroes in Standard we will look only at top10 most played. However, if you're curious about the rest of them, you can check previously posted data.
#1	Namtaru Rush	Mother Namtaru (11,31%) was the most played hero last month and I guess that everyone noticed her around.   Good starting stats allowing easy balancing between Might and Magic. One of the best, if not the best ability in the game allowing pushing damage since early game. Very good spell schools giving her access to various things, like: splash removal (Geyser, Icy Meteor); single target removal (Town Portal, Alone in the Dark, Soulreaver); utility (Dispels, Focused Mind) ; amazing finisher (Time Jump).
#2	Deleb Rush	I've to say that Deleb at 2nd place (10,37%) was a surprise for me, since Princess doesn't do anything better than Kiril, but I guess some people are still missing Kiril. Good starting stats for creature based decks: can play Lava Spawn on 1st turn or turbo Lurker in the Dark. Ability can give us some tempo, e.g. we can replace Lacerator with Hellfire Maniac/Bound Succubus for only 2 resources.
#3	Kiril Rush ; Kiril Midrange	Kiril (7,72%) decks offer us two playstyles: rush and midrange. As rush it's imho much better than Deleb, and as midrange it's working like old Adar, nothing amazing but good for creature decks spanking. Good starting stats for creature based decks: can play Lava Spawn on 1st turn or turbo Lurker in the Dark. Better stats than Deleb, because magic is more vaulable than destiny. Good magic schools for pushing damage and controling board if we decide to go midrange route. Amazing ability for swarming board.
#4	Kal Control	Kal (6,05%) is more controlish Kiril with access to Prime, but imho less viable in rushy meta and much better in more control/stall meta. Can't play fast Lava Spawn or Lurker. Good starting stats allowing easy balancing between Might and Magic. Ability isn't amazing, but may be useful. Has Prime.
#5	Dhamiria Control ; Dhamiria Mass Rage	Dhamiria (4,35%) is typical controlish hero offering us two paths: one full of creatures and other full of madness and rage. Access to Earth and Fire, which is the best combo for board clearing. Ability which can ruin any control/stall.
#6	Mass Rage	Asalah (4,02%) is mostly played as Mass Rage stall. Imho inferior compared to Dhamiria Mass Rage, because Asalah can't strip counters and doesn't have proper stall tools like Stone Shield. Can return Void Wraith multiple times. Has alternative win con as mill thru Memory Lapse if enemy refuses to deploy creatures.
#7	Kat Midrange	It seems to me that Kat (3,77%) is relict of old meta and some people used just to play her, so they play her. However she always has potential due to her starting two Destiny and Earth. Two starting Destiny, which allow surprise enemy with Broken Bridge and/or Campfire tempo gain. Earth, which gives access to Insect Swarm.
#8	-	Yukiko (3,30%) - doesn't offer anything special, she is pretty inferior compared to Irina, since we will go 5 magic for Icy Meteor anyway. Clearly relic of old meta.
#9	-	There is really no single reason to play Toghrul (3,28%) now when we have Sandor after SoB since Toggy ability isn't that great and Dark can be always useful since we play with magic anyway.... I guess people haven't realized that yet.
#10	-	After Dragon Coin's introduction Garant (3,28%) is much worse than it was before and he seems to be inferior to other Inferno heroes in Standard, so really - I can't understand such popularity.