Most Played Lord of the Rings Cards in Modern

The One Ring has proven to be a key card in multiple archetypes. Its protection ability against everything, combined with the card advantage it generates, makes it exceptionally efficient in any deck capable of mana ramping, as well as in control decks.

This are some of the top-performing decks that included it:

▶️ 4 Color Omnath By Hayato Igura (Japan Players Convention Winner - 500+ players)

▶️ Mono Green Tron By Kat Miller-Granger (Top 8 @ NRG Series)

▶️ Amulet Titan by HouseOfManaMTG(Top 8 @ MTGO Challenge)

▶️ Yawgmoth Evolution by Xerk (MTGO Challenge Winner)

▶️ UW Control by Jabjabber (Top 16 @ NRG Series)

But it's not all about the ring. Cards like Delighted Halfling have swiftly found their place in Omnath and Yawgmoth decks, with some players even experimenting with it in Saheeli Copycat.

▶️ Saheeli Copicat by Toshiki Nagai

Making planeswalkers and legendary creatures uncounterable significantly strengthens decks that rely on getting them into play to execute their gameplan as they become much better vs control.

It's also one of the key cards in the new Yawgmoth decks. A prime example of this is the following event, where it secured 5 spots in the top 8.

▶️ $5000 AIQ + RCQ @ Apex Gaming (Caldwell, OH)

Forge Anew has been prominently featured in Hammer Time, and for good reason. Its three abilities synergize powerfully with the rest of the deck, providing a level of consistency that surpasses other versions.

Many Hammer Time players have also integrated Boromir, Warden of the Tower into their decks.

For a good example of a high-performing deck that incorporates both, consider the following:

▶️ Hammer Time By Martin Bautista (Top 8 @  Unbox (Greenhills, Philippines) -  211 Players)

It was evident that a lot was at stake and indeed it was. This was the case in both Yawgmoth's decks and the Rakdos Scam.

▶️ Rakdos Scam by Dethfrmabove (Top 8 @ MTGO Challenge)

But it has also given rise to new archetypes around it. Notably, the Dimir Bowmasters decks, which made it to the top 16 in one of the MTGO Challenges.

▶️ Dimir Bowmasters by Wutup

Another deck where versions have also been seen incorporating them is in Cragganwick Shoot:

▶️ Cragganwick Shoot by Nikkuniku

And also in some Jund Saga, achieving a 5-0 in the MTGO leagues:

▶️ Jund Saga by symo991

Both the Generous Ent and the Oliphaunt have become staples in the Living End decks.

There are numerous examples, but the most notable is Shota Shirai's deck that made it to the top 8 at the Players Convention '23 Modern Open in Japan:

White card drawing and 'soft counter'?

Gradually, white is gaining ground over blue, and in this case, we have the White Remand!

It has started to be played in decks to protect the combo or key cards while having coverage with this pseudo-counter. Some examples include 4 Color Creativity, Hammer, and Saheeli Copycat decks.

You can see a list of all the decks it has been played in here:

▶️ Modern decks playing Reprieve.

This card has become a staple in Pauper, but it's also found a home in many Modern sideboards: Izzet Murktide, Creativity, Scam, Burn, etc.

One of its significant advantages of including it in your deck is that it is capable of removing the right, truly honoring all of the lore around it.

As we've previously discussed, there has been extensive play in some Hammer Time. However, it has also found a place in purely aggro decks like Mono White Humans.

Mono White Humans (Top4 — BreCH Cup) 

Or as a sideboard card in the Abzan Yawgmoth decks:

Abzan Yawgmoth (Top 4 - NRG Series $10,000 Showdowm)

This card has established a new archetype around it, thanks to its combo with Cauldron Familiar.

So far, it hasn't managed to break into any top 8, despite many players giving this archetype a shot.

The highest-ranked version is the following one, taken from an MTGO Preliminary (4-0):

▶️ Samwise Combo by jpsn54

A highly intriguing card that also employs the ring mechanic, making it appealing for aggro and midrange decks.

It's worth highlighting its role in some of the Death and Taxes decks that have achieved a 5-0 record in the MTGO leagues.

Death and Taxes by mtg-lukas:

▶️ https://mtgdecks.net/Modern/death-and-taxes-decklist-by-mtg-lukas-1680521

Death and Taxes by Card-wieldingcat:

▶️ https://mtgdecks.net/Modern/death-and-taxes-decklist-by-card-wieldingcat-1680504

Finally, to feature another common card, we have chosen Birthday Escape.

The ring mechanic can be particularly profitable in Merfolk decks, since they have elements of both aggro and tempo decks, where being tempted by The Ring really shines.

As an examples of the potential of this card, you can check this deck by Watahiki Saturo (Japan) that includes four copies of it and won the tournament.

▶️ https://mtgdecks.net/Modern/merfolk-decklist-by-watahiki-satoru-1680068