TOP 5 Brews to Try this 2025 in MTG Pauper

In my previous article, I introduced some Undefeated MTGO Pauper brews that you can play against the top meta decks in the format. Today, I present five additional post MH3 Pauper decks that you can test yourself and adapt to your local meta—or, why not, just have fun with.

Once more, I want to emphasize the following: it's important to note that league results can sometimes be misleading. 

For instance, favorable pairings can significantly influence outcomes. If your deck is strong against Mono-Red and you face that archetype three or four times, which is entirely possible in Pauper due to the format's nature, your results may not fully represent your deck's overall performance. This isn't inherently negative, as it reflects the current metagame, but it’s worth considering.

Another factor to keep in mind is the social dynamics of Leagues. In some cases, players at 4-0 may agree to split prizes, leading to one player conceding in exchange for having their deck appear as a 5-0 list.

Regardless of these nuances, the following are decks that have proven themselves through solid performance and creative design. 

Kudos to these amazing MTGO pilots for managing these awesome results: AguaTonificada, 19LNC91, darkiller456, Hot_Doggzz, and Cryomanc3r.

Table of Contents

Simic Advisors

I've seen this deck before, and it was… well, “interesting.” The win condition is pretty straightforward—mill an opponent out with [card]Persistent Petitioners[/card].

[cards]{{Pond Prophet}}{{Bellowing Crier}}{{Glistener Seer}}[/cards]

A few years ago, that strategy felt more like a joke, but with newer sets introducing more Advisors, it’s become a bit more viable. Cards like [card]Glistener Seer[/card], [card]Bellowing Crier[/card], and [card]Pod Prophet[/card] help support the plan, though [card]Pond Prophet[/card] is probably the only one that’s somewhat playable outside of this deck.

On top of that, [card]Winding Way[/card] is a great way to refill your hand. And if you need to survive, you can even mill yourself to dig for [card]Gnaw to the Bone[/card], letting you gain a ridiculous amount of life.

Temur Ponza

Temur Ponza is proof that any deck with [card]Writhing Chrysalis[/card] can be playable.

[cards]{{Writhing Chrysalis}}{{Azure Fleet Admiral}}{{Avenging Hunter}}[/cards]

While that’s a semi-serious statement about the card, the deck itself has a pretty straightforward game plan—destroy lands, stall the board, and then drop threats like [card]Azure Fleet Admiral[/card] or [card]Avenging Hunter[/card]. These creatures let you bury your opponents in card advantage through powerful mechanics like [card]The Monarch[/card] and [card]The Initiative[/card].

[cards]{{Pyroblast}}{{Hydroblast}}[/cards]

The deck’s color combination is also a major strength, giving access to [card]Pyroblast[/card], [card]Hydroblast[/card], and [card]Deglamer[/card]—arguably three of the best cards against the current meta.

Kiln Fiend

This is another deck that has benefited from recent set additions.

[cards]{{Crackling Cyclops}}{{Ghitu Amplifier}}[/cards]

While [card]Kiln Fiend[/card] remains the core of the deck, newer cards like [card]Ghitu Amplifier[/card] and [card]Crackling Cyclops[/card] provide even more explosive options. When paired with cheap, nearly free spells like [card]Mutagenic Growth[/card] and [card]Lava Dart[/card], the deck can go off quickly and deliver massive bursts of damage.

Mono Black Sacrifice

This deck isn’t new—the archetype has been around for a while—but it’s great to see it gaining more popularity.

[cards]{{Nezumi Linkbreaker}}{{Infestation Sage}}[/cards]

Recent set additions like [card]Infestation Sage[/card] and [card]Nezumi Linkbreaker[/card] have given it a solid boost, making it even more effective.

If you are looking for a cheap version of the deck, I got you covered!

Ulamog Dredge

I like this deck because it puts a unique spin on pauper dredge decks.

[cards]{{Molten Gatekeeper}}{{Ulamog’s Crusher}}{{Dragon Breath}}[/cards]

By integrating cards like [card]Molten Gatekeeper[/card], it adds a second win condition while also enabling an explosive way to bring back [card]Ulamog’s Crusher[/card]. Pair that with [card]Dragon Breath[/card] to give it haste, and you’ve got a game-ending threat that can close things out with ease.

How to Brew in MTG Pauper?

To brew an off-meta deck in MTG Pauper, start by understanding the current metagame. Check out the top decks and spot their weaknesses. This will help you build a deck that can catch opponents off guard. Look for overlooked synergies or cards—those often hold the key to your success!

[cards]{{Persistent Petitioners}}{{Crackling Cyclops}}[/cards]

Next, ensure your deck has a solid game plan with a clear win condition. Your cards should complement each other, and playtesting is essential. Test your deck against common archetypes and be open to tweaking it based on feedback, but stick to what works for your strategy.

[cards]{{Deglamer}}{{Hydroblast}}[/cards]

Don't forget about your sideboard! It's crucial in Pauper—make sure it covers big threats like artifacts, graveyards, or aggro decks. Finally, be patient. Off-meta decks can take time to perfect, and losing at first is part of the learning process. Most importantly, have fun! The creativity and surprise factor are what make off-meta decks exciting.

What are The BEST Decks in Pauper Right Now?

As of February 2025, the top-performing decks in Pauper are:

• Mono-Red Kuldotha Burn: This aggressive deck makes the most of [card]Kuldotha Rebirth[/card] and [card]Goblin Bushwhacker[/card] to swarm opponents quickly and hit hard.

• Glee Broodscale Combo: Built around [card]Sadistic Glee[/card], this combo deck aims to set up its pieces fast and protect the [card]Basking Broodscale[/card] to win the game.

• Grixis Affinity: This deck focuses on artifacts and combines cards like [card]Myr Enforcer[/card] and [card]Deadly Dispute[/card] to build a strong board presence and solid card advantage.

• Mono-Blue Faeries: A tempo deck that uses [card]Spellstutter Sprite[/card] and [card]Ninja of the Deep Hours[/card] to control the game with counterspells and evasive creatures.

• Gruul Ramp: By ramping up its mana, this deck aims to cast big Cascade creatures and spells faster than opponents can handle.

• Jund Wildfire: [card]Cleansing Wildfire[/card] is the name of the game here, disrupting your opponent’s mana base while you build your own.

• Rakdos Madness: With the Madness mechanic, this deck discards and recasts spells efficiently to keep up the pressure.

• Mono-Blue Terror: This deck controls the pace of the game with counterspells and big creatures like [card]Tolarian Terror[/card] cast for cheap.

These decks have been crushing it in recent tournaments and are definitely some of the top picks in the current Pauper metagame. If you want more detailed info on the Pauper 2025 meta, I’ve got an article that dives deep into it.

ALSO, don’t forget to look at my ultimate deck tech and sideboard guide for the VERY BEST MTG Pauper deck: Poison Storm!

Wrap Up

Diving into off-meta Pauper brews can be a blast! These decks offer a fresh take on the format, letting you catch opponents off guard with creative strategies and overlooked synergies. 

While they may not always follow the typical meta, they’re definitely capable of holding their own and keeping the games exciting. Whether you’re testing new combos, building around unique cards, or just looking for something different, off-meta decks are a great way to shake things up.

Thanks for reading until now, and as always, take care. We will meet again in my next article!

Where to Play Pauper?

While most games happen on MTGO, the presence of IRL communities is also significant. Because of this, I've listed a series of places that run Pauper events and that you can check if you live nearby or are traveling around these areas.