AuthorBrad Nelson

2010 Player of the Year Brad Nelson started his Pro Tour career as FffreaK on Magic Online and quickly catapulted to the top of international Magic success. He won GP DC, the 2014 Star City Games Players' Championship, and was 2nd at PT Amsterdam. He conquered Grand Prix Omaha in 2017 without dropping a single match, one week after winning the SCG Tour event in Baltimore. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest producing top-notch video and article content.

The Standard Test: Grading Fifteen Dominaria Cards

Don’t let the teddy-bear first impression fool you: when would-be standard cards turn in their tests, Brad Nelson is a strict grader! Get his insights into what’s good, what’s bad, and what needs to be held back a year!

To Dominaria Everyone!

If Brad Nelson were singing the praises of Dominaria any harder, this article would turn into a musical! What has him so excited about the set, and where does he see it fitting into Standard’s future?

Do As I Say, And As I Do, Part 2

Brad Nelson elaborates on the themes of last week’s notable article as he discusses information management, sideboard design, the value of free bluffs, and much, much more!

Do As I Say, And As I Do

We put our foot down this week: no more writing about The Scarab God, Brad Nelson! So today he’s serving up mini-articles with his insights into tournament preparation, questioning one’s assumptions, and much more!

The Scarab War

When The Scarab God takes two major trophies in one weekend, Brad Nelson is ready to give it some more digital ink! Get his insights on the decks looking to take the card down a peg and a complete Grixis Energy sideboarding guide!

All Hail The Scarab God

Brad Nelson can’t decide which deck to play in Standard, but he has one card on lockdown: The Scarab God! Today he shares his findings on two key archetypes and where he’s going next!

Evaluating B/U Midrange In Memphis

“There were many decisions leading up to final standings in Memphis, but only one that will haunt me for the foreseeable future. I just don’t know which one it is yet.” Get Brad’s insights on his oh-so-close B/U Midrange deck from Grand Prix Memphis!

Brad VS. Stevens: U/B Control VS. W/G Tokens – Round 1!

Stevens and Nelson have seen that Mono-Red isn’t necessarily the tier one force the world thought! They’ve brought their favorite contenders to pounce on the open slot! So who wins?

Your Complete Standard Metagame Breakdown

Brad Nelson is nothing if not ambitious! Today he unleashes his comprehensive Standard metagame analysis ahead of Grand Prix Memphis. What does he think people will play in Tennessee…and what should they be playing instead?

Ross VS. Brad: G/R Aggro VS. Sultai Midrange – Round 1!

It’s a matchup of the bold and the beardiful this week on VS! For Standard, Ross Merriam has borrowed a G/R Aggro decklist from Brennan DeCandio. Can it withstand Brad Nelson’s Sultai Midrange build?

The Complete Sultai Midrange Sideboard Guide

Are you battling with Sultai at the Standard Classic in Indianapolis this weekend? Brad Nelson doesn’t want you going in without his expertise! He’s got it all here for the taking!

Where Have All The Good Cards Gone And Where Are All The Gods?

If you’re holding out for a hero in the new Standard, Brad Nelson might have found it! Today he shares his post-banning metagame exploration, ending at an archetype with no Hazorets or Scarab Gods in sight! Try it at the SCG Indianapolis Standard Classic!

Your Sideboard Guide For Eldrazi Tron, Plus Some Honest Thoughts On Modern

Brad Nelson may be a Standard specialist, but he still knows his way around a Modern battlefield! Get his latest guide for crushing SCG Indy with it, as well as how he feels about all the debates surrounding Modern Pro Tours!

Tuning New Standard’s Top Tier

Brad Nelson has picked a handful of decks that found success in the MTGO PTQ! He’s adjusting them here and there so that your Standard team member can bring the glory at SCG Philly!

First Impressions Of New Standard

Brad Nelson goes to work on new Standard! SCG Dallas starts in a matter of hours! Will your Standard team member be ready? Consulting with Brad is the next best thing to testing!