Hey everyone! There is something in our loved game that I noticed for a long time and recently Im tracking numbers from MSA Meta Mondays to confirm:

Going first is generally better!

The EX Resource makes going second attractive... playing a higher-level Unit earlier sounds great and sometimes it really changes the game. But with decks of similar power levels, I would usually take first.

In almost 85k completed Ranked games on MSA, from November 1st to 7th, players going first won 55.6% compared with 44.4% going second. That difference makes sense when you think about how the game develops.

You get your cards and your board moving earlier.

The first player still draws on their opening turn. Both players draw once per turn, but you get access to your next card before your opponent gets theirs. Starting your second turn, you have already taken two natural draws while they have taken one. That timing matters!

With similar openings, your early Units also usually get their first opportunity to attack sooner. Links and effects can change that, of course, but being the first to develop pressure often makes your opponent spend their turn responding.

The EX +1 Level VS the cost of the decision.

Going second gives you the EX Resource and its level advantage, but also a decision: when should I spend it? Use it now to keep up or save it for something stronger? Spending, of course, also removes its contribution to your level and put you back to the original curve. This affirmation alone clarify how going first its so valueble!

Going first, with no EX, means one less timing decision to worry about while you develop your plan. The EX is valuable, of course, but the results suggest it does not fully compensate for the initiative.

Even in G Fighters, SF Blockers and so many other mirrors, the player going first won about 60% in this samples. So the difference also appears when both players are using the same archetype.

"But I do better going second!"

And that might be true for you! Your deck, your matchups and how comfortable you are with those openings matter.

Maybe it’s just habit, and getting used to going first could help you do even better. Give it a try if you feel like it, but stick to your plan and stay consistent. Dont let my pile of numbers override what you have built and learnd!

These numbers include different players and lists, so they do not explain every game. But as a general starting point, for me, with comparable decks and no specific reason to choose otherwise, Im taking first!

Every Monday I share a new Meta Monday post on my Patreon for Supporters with an EX version featuring extra numbers and statistics for Master! Come take a look if you enjoy this kind of stuff. Cheers, Doug!