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AuthorAdrian Sullivan

Pro Tour Dragons of Tarkir semifinalist Adrian Sullivan is considered one of the most influential writers and players in Magic history. Voted one of the Top 20 deckbuilders of all time by his Pro Tour peers, his decks have appeared in the Top 8 of major events for almost 20 years.

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: Beyond the Black Rack Transform

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With the Standard metagame finally taking shape in this Post-Tenth Edition era, Adrian Sullivan opens another weighty tome from the Sullivan Library. By looking back at some pre-Tenth Mono-Black shenanigans, he creates an exciting new deck that may just be the weapon of choice for 2007’s National champion! Intrigued? Then read on…

Sullivan Library – Overcoming the 4-1 Dogma in Numbers

Read Feature Articles every Monday and Thursday... at StarCityGames.com!
Perceived wisdom tells us that if a card is super-duper-good, it requires four slots in your deck. It also tells us that if you’re planning on the long game, a singleton copy of a game-breaker is also the way to go. Thus, if we have a deck packed with two- and three-of copies, aren’t we simply being wishy-washy, and diluting our chances at success? Adrian sets us on the right path, and also debunks the old chestnut that 60 cards is best…

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: Another Mono-Red Option in the Tendrils/Goyf Squeeze

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Mono-Red is getting the snot kicked out of it at tournaments across the globe… and every time a Tarmogoyf swings, Dan Paskins kills a kitten. What on earth can the Red deck do to contain the marauding Green/White menace? Earlier this week, we saw Dan Paskins’s take on things. Today, it’s the turn of Constructed master Adrian Sullivan. By presenting your opponent with a variety of interesting “shell-game” choices, can Sullivan Red catapult you to the top table at your next PTQ?

Sullivan Library – Back to the Pro-Tour: Baron Harkonnen in Time Spiral Block

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Adrian Sullivan rocked up to his local PTQ with a tricky little deck of his own design… but then, did we ever expect anything less? With a Time Spiral Block Constructed update to his classic “Baron Harkonnen” design, he waltzed through the Swiss like a hot knife through butter, and earned himself a place at Pro Tour: Valencia. If you’re looking for something cerebral with which to qualify, Adrian has the deck for you…

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: My Favorite Winners

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Adrian Sullivan, deckbuilding guru, takes a look at three of the winning Regionals decklists, and examines their particular strengths in the emerging metagame. He looks at the theory behind certain card choices, and offers what he considers to be beneficial changes to the seventy-five select. The Standard metagame is in a state of constant flux — With the help of Adrian, the choices become a little more straightforward.

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: Club Gitmo at Grand Prix: Columbus *32nd*

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When it comes to the big Constructed tournaments, Adrian Sullivan can always be relied upon to produce something special. Grand Prix: Columbus was no different, and Adrian rocked up the leaderboard with a spicy deck of his own design. It utilizes the silver bullet strategy powered by Enlightened Tutor, and it took him all the way to 32nd place! With Flash likely to disappear from view pretty soon, the future is very bright for Club Gitmo…

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: The Best Future Sight Constructed Cards, Part 2

Last week, Adrian brought us his personal Top 5 Constructed Future Sight cards for the colors White, Blue, and Black. Today, he rounds out the rundown with his Top 5s from White, Red, and the rest. Some of his choices will inspire heated discussion – there are some surprises on Adrian’s list, that’s for sure. He also brings us an interesting Standard deck that includes some of his stronger choices. Regionals is approaching fast: has Adrian created the Next Big Thing?

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: The Best Future Sight Constructed Cards

Adrian Sullivan, one of the game’s most inventive deckbuilders, takes us through his own personal Top 5 Future Sight cards for Constructed, color by color. Today’s article looks at the Top 5 Black, Blue, and Green cards, with the series rounding out next week. Some of the cards here are obvious calls, but others are much more surprising. Looking for those cards that may power out the Next Big Thing? Look no further!

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: Last Minute Yokohama Thoughts

With the Time Spiral Block Constructed now behind us, Adrian Sullivan brings us four nifty Block decklists that could have an impact on the metagame going forward. At the PT, the demise of White Weenie was evident, and largely unexpected. Adrian’s decks don’t pack to the Plains, and they give the top performers a run for their money too. Also, according to Adrian, Cancel is rubbish. Do you agree?

Feature Article – Sullivan Library: Forgiveness

According to Adrian, some decks treat us better than others. Of course, we know this to be true — Osyp’s famous Arcbound Ravager quote, likening the card to our Fairy Godmother, springs to mind. So how can we recognize such “forgiving” decks, and how can we maximize our chances to win in a tournament setting? Adrian is here to show us the way!

Sullivan Library: The Fun-Zees

Magic is fun. For most of us, fun is what got us into the game, no matter where we may have gone from there. There are a lot of old-school pros that have dropped the game over the years. They had lost the joy of the game, and had started looking at their Expected Values on Pro-Tour preparation and the return for time spent on playtesting, and they moved over to poker where they could expect it to be “worth” it. One funny thing, though. Magic is fun, even if they stopped having so much fun with it. These old pros keep showing up again and again, not treating it like a job, but instead just realizing and remembering what a good time it can be.

Sullivan Library: Lasik.dec — A Last Minute Combo Deck for Charleston

Adrian returns with his second article in two days. Not content with “merely” creating a tournament-winning Vintage deck, Mr Sullivan has focused his considerable deckbuilding talent on the Ravnica Block Constructed metagame. He presents Lasik.dec, a combo build that packs one hell of a punch. Undecided on what to play at Pro Tour Charleston? Maybe Adrian has the answer…

Sullivan Library: The Sullivan Solution to Vintage

In last weekend’s SCG Power 9 Rochester tournaments, Day 1 saw a rogue deck, designed by Adrian and piloted by Tommy Kolowith, take the top honors. Adrian is no stranger to deck success. Both Eminent Domain and Kooky Jooky made a splash in their respective Standard scenes. Want the lowdown behind this fresh and funky Vintage creation? Card analysis, decklists, and matchup info… only a mouseclick away!

Your Link-Happy Guide to Madison, Wisconsin

Planning to attend this weekend’s Grand Prix Madison? Adrian is here with all the information you need to ensure you have an excellent time! Useful tips on where to eat, where to drink, where to play, and where to party… all together in one article.