Information Processing In Magic
Ari Lax frames his article around the best five decks he’s ever played competitively and why they were good. Can you read your opponent’s hand without looking?
AuthorAri Lax
Ari Lax has been a Pro Tour mainstay for nearly the last decade. Over that time he has accumulated nine Grand Prix top eights and won Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir in 2014. Despite a long time affinity for combo decks, he approaches the game in methodical fashion, always looking for decks that play better than he does and make winning easy.
Worlds Modern Review
Ari Lax takes a comprehensive look at the Modern Worlds metagame, focusing largely on the direction of the format and interesting new decks / tech. Make sure you’re ready for PTQ season, and give this article a read through.
The Legacy Banned List: A Review
Ari Lax reviews the Legacy banned list in response to discussion on potentially banning Brainstorm in Legacy. Should it see the banhammer? In addition, he tells his top 5 best beats stories.
What To Expect From Worlds, One Last Time
Ari Lax goes through Standard, Limited, and Modern to give you a peek into Worlds in San Francisco this weekend. What should we expect to see and how should you prepare?
Evolving Aggro
Ari Lax thinks it’s time to update Legacy aggro decks to meet the new metagame. 2011 is not 2010. Find out how to evolve Goblins, Merfolk, Zoo, and Storm for the St. Louis Open a few weeks from now.
A Letter To Hasbro/WotC
Ari Lax puts his own spin on the Organized Play changes and their effects, focusing on Magic: The Gathering’s long-term health.
Over-Under
Ari Lax creates a list of both overrated and underrated cards in Innistrad Draft. Which cards should you be taking higher? Just in time for the Las Vegas Draft Opens!
Your Deck Isn’t Perfect, But That’s OK
Ari Lax helps you stay a step ahead of the Standard metagame before SCG Open: Kansas City. Your deck may be “bad,” but here’s why it’s okay and what you can do to fix it.
Pod Brews: A Template
Ari Lax is the man with a plan—to make Birthing Pod work in Standard. He lists every option up the curve available in every color, and before showing you some well developed decklists. If you’re planning on playing Birthing Pod in Baltimore this weekend, you need to read this article!
Tempered Steel Primer
Over the past few months, we’ve seen a slew of decks win events. Valakut, Caw, Red, Birthing Pod, and now Solar Flare. Tempered Steel is not on that list, but why is Ari so high on the deck?
A First Pick At Innistrad
Ari Lax hates pick orders. Instead, he lays out what each color looks like from a curve perspective and what the average deck will look like. This breakdown is invaluable for those looking to attend Sealed PTQs for PT Honolulu.
Out With The New And In With The Old
Ari Lax and AJ Kerrigan team up to give you this history and overlook of Legacy Storm decks. They provide you with lots of great options for this weekend’s Legacy Open in Indianapolis, so sleeve up!
All In For Modern
Ari Lax shows you all the combo decks that didn’t take the spotlight in Modern but are still viable candidates, even after any proposed bannings. Will Modern be an all-combo format even after multiple bannings?
Ten Questions From Philadelphia *35th Place*
Ari Lax took 35th place at the Pro Tour in Philadelphia with none other than an aggro deck called ErhnamGeddon by Brian DeMars. Find out where the Modern format stands now and why Ari is playing creatures of all things!
Sixteen Zendikar Plains, One Fourth Edition Plains – Grand Prix Pittsburgh *Top 64*
Given the recent metagame trend towards no one respecting it, Tempered Steel seemed very well-positioned.