Methodology

Deck Rankings

Individual deck and team pages are ranked using a weighted blend of competitive signals rather than a single metric. We consider tournament finishes (1st, top 4, top 8, top 16), opposing field strength, sample size, ladder win-rate where available, and matchup spread across the active meta. A deck with a single small win does not automatically reach a high tier; consistency across events and opponents matters more than a single result.

We also weigh consistency (deck-builder reliability, dead-hand rate), ceiling (best-case turn plans) and floor (worst-case matchups). Beginner-friendliness is noted separately and does not raise or lower the tier — a deck can be Tier S and Advanced, or Tier B and Beginner.

Tier List Methodology

Each game's tier list is built by aggregating the tracked tournament results, ladder data and meta share available for that game into a Simbozz Meta Score per deck or team. The score weights recent events more heavily than older ones, normalizes for tournament size and discounts small-sample noise. Decks are then bucketed:

• Tier S — clear best-in-format with multiple strong finishes and favorable spread.
• Tier A — top-table consistent, reward strong piloting.
• Tier B — viable in the right hands or against the right field.
• Tier C / D — fringe or niche, usually outclassed.
• Promising — early data, small sample, watch closely.

Meta Analysis

Meta analysis on simbozz.gg combines hard data (tournament results, deck representation, win-rate by matchup) with expert judgment from actively-competing players. We pay particular attention to how the top 3-5 decks interact: a new Tier S deck that hard-counters the current Tier A field will reshape the entire meta, while one that simply mirrors existing strategies will not. We re-evaluate after every major set release, balance patch, ban announcement and major tournament weekend.

Data Sources

Data sources differ by game. For the Pokémon TCG games, tournament results are sourced from Limitless TCG and other public tournament platforms. Card data is sourced from official releases for each game and the public datasets we credit on our card pages. Where a game has no public tournament data yet, rankings rely more heavily on playtesting and community results, and we say so on the relevant pages. Ladder observations and matchup notes come from authors actively playing the game they cover.

Guide Creation Process

Deck guides start from a tested, format-legal list for the game in question with at least a few dozen recorded games across the current meta. Authors then write up overview, strengths, weaknesses, matchups, mulligan priorities, early/mid/late-game plans, common mistakes, card replacements and FAQ. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy before publishing and re-checked when the meta shifts.

For more on review and corrections, see our Editorial Policy and Corrections Policy.

Update Frequency

Tier lists and deck pages for every game are reviewed continuously. Major triggers for a re-rate include: new set release, balance change, ban announcement, and major tournament weekends. Smaller adjustments happen as ladder data and discussion evolve in between.