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AuthorBen Friedman

Ben Friedman, a.k.a. "The Skip Bayless of Magic: the Gathering", is a long-time professional Magic player, with eight years of Pro Tour experience and over 200 lifetime Pro Points. Coming at you with his flaming hot takes live from Las Vegas, he's had success in numerous formats to the tune of five Grand Prix Top 8s, two Pro Tour Top 16s, and numerous high finishes at SCG Tour Opens and Invitationals. Outside of Magic, you can find Ben listening to country music, heading to the gym, or playing with cryptocurrency - sometimes all three at the same time!

The Many Flavors Of Yorion, Sky Nomad In Kaldheim Standard

Yorion, Sky Nomad isn’t wandering off just yet. Ben Friedman explores the many ways to build 80-card maindecks in Kaldheim Standard.

Is Faceless Haven Magic’s Newest Mutavault?

Does Faceless Haven deserve the Mutavault comparisons? Ben Friedman weighs the two and builds Faceless Haven’s most likely home in Kaldheim Standard.

Stop! Hammer Time! — Exploring Colossus Hammer In Modern

Can Colossus Hammer really be more than a meme in Modern? Ben Friedman showcases various builds featuring the +10/+10 Equipment.

How White Is Upending Modern’s Pecking Order

Looking for a new Modern deck? Ben Friedman details why he thinks White decks are the way of the future!

Is It Time For Izzet Twin To Return To Modern?

Splinter Twin may be banned in Modern, but Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker is still around. Is that enough to revive the Izzet Twin archetype?

Has Oops All Spells Become Pioneer’s Deck To Beat?

The Pioneer metagame remains in flux. Which of today’s SCG creators recommends Oops All Spells, and what did the others say?

How Cleansing Wildfire Turbocharged Jeskai Control In Modern

Predicting Cleansing Wildfire as a Modern hit is among Ben Friedman’s best calls. How did he do it, and what does it tell us about future cards?

Four-Color Copy Cat Is Ready To Take Over Modern

Four-Color Copy Cat is a powerful midrange deck with the threat of a combo finish. Ben Friedman highlights a build with Jegantha, the Wellspring.

Are Uro And Omnath Modern’s New Destructive Duo?

Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath and Omnath, Locus of Creation are a deadly Modern duo, but other options abound. Seven SCG creators say what they’d play.

Everything I Know About Rakdos Death’s Shadow In Modern

Rakdos Death’s Shadow evolves the Modern archetype in a new and exciting direction. Ben Friedman breaks down the innovations.

Is Rakdos Death’s Shadow The New Deck To Beat In Modern?

Rakdos Death’s Shadow has become popular in Modern, but is it the deck to beat? Five SCG creators say what they’d play this weekend.

Death’s Shadow Is Back And Better Than Ever In Modern

It’s a super-sized What We’d Play as nine SCG creators give their picks for the weekend’s hottest Modern decks.

Is Dimir Mill The Real Deal In Modern?

Mill, Belcher…is this even Modern? With Zendikar Rising, it sure is. Seven SCG creators give their picks for a shaken-up format.

How Modal Double-Faced Cards Broke Goblin Charbelcher In Modern

Modal DFCs have made “zero-land” Goblin Charbelcher decks into Modern marvels. Ben Friedman breaks down the latest developments.

Cleansing Wildfire Is Prepared To Turn The Tables On Big-Mana Strategies

Tired of weak sideboard cards against Modern big mana strategies? Ben Friedman has a solution from Zendikar Rising: Cleansing Wildfire.