The Best Death’s Shadow In Modern Is Not Grixis
It’s time to move past Grixis Death’s Shadow in Modern. How does Ben Friedman think you should switch up the colors?
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!
Crewing Up Rakdos Vehicles In Pioneer
Is Mono-Black Aggro not red enough for you? Ben Friedman and his crew have developed a Rakdos Vehicles deck for Pioneer! Get the list and sideboarding guide!
The Two Good Modern Decks
Want to win the Season Two Invitational at SCG CON Winter? Ben Friedman thinks there are only two rational choices for the Modern portion. Learn what they are and how to build them!
How To Win With Smuggler’s Copter In Pioneer
Is Smuggler’s Copter worthy of being among Pioneer’s most dangerous cards? Ben Friedman thinks so, and so do players on Magic Online! See the lists making the most of the “Looter Scooter” and learn why they’re so strong!
Examining Emry, Lurker Of The Loch In Pioneer
Throne of Eldraine’s artifact-loving combo enabler looks set to make waves in Pioneer! Ben Friedman has brews on tap and a warning: if you’re trying to play fair in Pioneer, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Did The Czechs Break Throne Of Eldraine Standard With Bant Ramp?
What made Bant Ramp so effective at Mythic Championship V? Ben Friedman dives into one of the strongest decks to survive Monday’s banning of Field of the Dead!
There’s Gotta Be A Way To Beat These Urza Decks, Right?
After the early Modern results at SCG Philadelphia, the metagame responded at SCG Indianapolis! If you want to beat Urza, Lord High Artificer at SCG Regionals, Ben Friedman has your metagame guide!
Every Format Is Broken. Here’s What To Play In Each Of Them.
After SCG Philadelphia, Ben Friedman’s verdict is in: every format is broken! So what are the strongest decks in Standard, Modern, and Legacy? Get his answers!
Dancing With Wolves In Eldraine Standard
A movie-themed Standard deck that isn’t a meme? Ben Friedman digs out the VHS tape of one of his favorite Academy Award winners to go dancing with Wolves ahead of SCG Philadelphia!
Yorvo, Lord Of Garenbrig Supersizes Mono-Green Stompy
One color, one plan: stomp the opponent’s face in! Ben Friedman shares how Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig can enable a Mono-Green Stompy strategy in the next Standard!
Tournament Grounds Will Make Knights A Contender In Throne of Eldraine Standard
Tribal synergies are often questionable at best in Standard, but Ben Friedman thinks we might have the start of something great! Will the Knights of Eldraine prove they have what it takes to be a successful deck choice?
The Eight Best Modern Decks That Survived Hogaak Summer
The sun has gone down on Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis, and it’s time for the rest of Modern to rise from the dead! Ben Friedman offers eight top picks for SCG Dallas, from tried-and-true to explosive brew!
The Wildest Modern And Standard Decks From Last Weekend
Now things are just getting weird! From Surge Node in Tron decks to Diligent Excavator-fueled Standard combo, last weekend was a triumph for the rogues, and Ben Friedman has all the highlights!
Introducing Four-Color Snowheeli
What’s Modern set to look like after an expected Hogaak banning? Ben Friedman reveals one of several wild possibilities: Four-Color Snowheeli! Can Arcum’s Astrolabe and snow lands turn the infamous Saheeli Rai – Felidar Guardian combo into a Modern contender?
Eight Decks That Can Compete With Hogaak
Can’t or won’t play with Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis in Modern? Ben Friedman has your back with eight lists that can take on the brutal zero-mana 8/8 menace!