Hello once again!
We're now just over a week on from the release of EX12, which means we're entering the experimentation phase of the format. Over the coming weeks, we'll start to see new decks emerge, while some of the more established strategies naturally dip in representation as players explore different options and settle on the decks and playstyles they want to take forward.
This is typically the most volatile stage of a format. Everyone is trying out their new toys, refining ideas, and seeing whether they have what it takes to dethrone the current top decks.
So, I think it's about time we dive into the stats and see what the early days of EX12 are telling us.
The Rising Decks
Share: 5.92% ↑1.35%
Jupitermon continues its volatile trend of peaks and troughs, but it's starting to reveal something more. If you smooth out that week-to-week volatility, a clear downward trend begins to emerge. Those fluctuations have been masking the bigger picture, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that Jupitermon is slowly losing representation.
Results-wise, however, Jupitermon remains remarkably stable, so this decline doesn't appear to be performance-driven. Instead, we're starting to see players disagree on how the deck should be built. The core remains largely unchanged, but the top end is becoming far more flexible, with different ratios of Aegiochusmons and additional Level 6s competing for slots rather than there being a universally accepted best-in-slot configuration.
Share: 4.60% ↑0.20%
TS Toolbox bounced back after last week's dip. While it hasn't fully recovered the ground it lost, the rebound suggests the deck is settling into a relatively stable position for the time being.
Its results have also improved this week, and it remains one of the most versatile decks in the format. That flexibility comes at the cost of consensus, with very little agreement on the "optimal" build. Local metagames and individual playstyles continue to shape toolbox choices, meaning there isn't a single definitive top end.
While it hasn't reached the level of representation it enjoyed during BT24, TS Toolbox remains a consistent and competitive contender in the current format.
Share: 4.44% ↑2.27%
One of the new contenders to emerge following the release of EX12 is already making waves, posting an impressive 66.67% Top 8 to Top 4 conversion rate.
We're also seeing the decklists converge remarkably quickly. Most builds are already very similar in both card choices and ratios, suggesting the community has reached a strong early consensus on the deck's optimal configuration.
It'll be interesting to see just how far this deck can climb over the coming weeks. Given the momentum it's built in such a short space of time, I'd fully expect its representation to continue rising into next week's snapshot.
Share: 4.06% ↑2.66%
This week saw a sharp rise in representation after the deck had spent the past few months hovering between 1.5% and 2%. The most likely catalyst is the release of the new Emblem:
Unique Emblem: Ragnarok Attainer - P-244 - P-244
Despite the new addition, we haven't seen a significant improvement in results. That leaves the deck at an interesting crossroads. Players may give it another week to prove itself, but if those stronger finishes don't start appearing soon, it's likely that many will move on and its representation will fall just as quickly as it rose.
The Falling Decks
Share: 11.14% ↓0.64%
Our most popular deck has seen a slight dip in representation this week, most likely as players experiment with the new additions from EX12. Even so, it still holds a comfortable lead of around 2.5%, giving it plenty of room to lose players while remaining the most represented deck in the format.
Its performance has also dipped slightly, but that's not unusual immediately after a new set release. Not only are some players moving to the latest decks, but those who stick with the established strategies also have to adapt to an evolving metagame. Learning how to approach new matchups often comes through experience, and sometimes the answers only become apparent after a few tournaments. With that in mind, it's too early to read too much into a single week's results.
Share: 8.61% ↓0.27%
This deck has taken a bigger hit than it did last week, marking its third consecutive week of declining representation. While the drop has been gradual so far, it's beginning to look like the trend could accelerate. That's not unexpected following a new set release, as players naturally shift their attention towards new strategies, but the early signs of a sustained decline are starting to emerge.
That said, I don't expect the deck to disappear any time soon. It continues to post strong conversion rates and has consistently proven itself as one of the format's best performers. Even if its representation continues to fall, its results should be more than enough to keep it firmly in the conversation.
Share: 4.81% ↓0.42%
The decline of Styracomon has become one of the defining stories across multiple formats. After first taking a hit following the release of AD01, the deck has continued a steady downward trend with each new set release introducing fresh competition.
Despite that, the deck itself remains strong. What has changed isn't its ability to win, but its share of the metagame. A deck that once made up almost one in every five opponents you faced has now fallen to under 5% of the field. It's a remarkable shift, and one that shows just how quickly even the strongest decks can fade as new strategies enter the format.
Overall Takeaway
Overall, the first full week of EX12 has played out much as we'd expect from a fresh format. Players are experimenting with new strategies, established decks are giving up a little ground, and we're starting to see which additions have genuine staying power and which may simply be early hype.
While it's still too early to draw any firm conclusions, the first trends are beginning to emerge. Some of the new EX12 decks have already found a solid footing, while long-time staples continue to prove that strong results are often enough to weather a drop in representation.
The next couple of weeks will be the real test. As experimentation begins to slow and players settle on their preferred decks, we'll get a much clearer picture of what the EX12 metagame is truly going to look like.
Submit Your Decklists
Every decklist submitted to DCG Nexus helps paint a clearer picture of the metagame. Whether you're playing the latest EX12 deck or sticking with an established favourite, your list contributes to the stats that make these snapshots possible.
As a thank you, every submitted deck also receives its own Deck Fingerprint. Fingerprints compare your list against similar decks in the database, highlighting what makes your build unique through metrics such as level distribution, colour ratios, card types, play cost curve, and more. It's a great way to see how your deck stacks up against the wider metagame and spot the subtle differences that make your build your own.
You can submit your own decklists, or create an event and invite your local community to submit theirs too. The more data we collect, the better the insights become for everyone.
Submit your decklists here: https://dcg-nexus.com/Event/Submit