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AuthorDave Meddish

A former computer game designer, Dave is best known for his deck ideas for Standard and Extended and metagame and deck analyses. And, of course, his fabulous good looks.

SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 5

Valkyrie
From Norse mythology, the valkyries (multiple pronunciations, but stick with val-KY-ree and you won’t be slapped by any Norwegians) were Odin’s handmaidens who would escort the souls of fallen warriors to Valhalla and wait upon them for eternity.

So, if I get killed in battle, I’ve got Lucy Lawless at my beck and call until the end of time? No wonder the Vikings were so ferocious in combat.

SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 4

Dave continues his entertaining series examining the origins of various Magical card terms and names. Today’s dalliance through the dictionary deals with the letters O through S (and probably the number 8, in true Sesame Street fashion). Are you still struggling over the correct pronunciation of Phthisis? Mr Meddish has all the answers…

SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 3

Day three and we’re only up to the H’s? I’ve got time to make up. If you’re late to class, I’m explaining the origin and usage of various uncommon words that have been used on Magic cards. Pay attention, there will be a quiz later.

SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 2

Our magical mystery tour through the ancient and arcane is only beginning! Admit it, this is much more interesting than Sesame Street (but not The Electric Company — The Easy Reader rules, man). We’re just starting with the C’s now in explaining the origins of Magic card names, so it’s not too late to catch up!

SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name?

Language is the paintbrush by which we express ourselves to the word, so why limit yourself to the basic spectrum when there’s a panoply of colors upon which to call? If you’re interested in learning what many of these words and phrases you’ve encountered on Magic cards mean, then please, read on. I’ve tried to throw in a funny joke or two. You never know, if you’re not careful, you just might learn something.

The Block That Came In From The Cold: Coldsnap and the New ALICE Block

The release of Coldsnap means many things. It’s going to throw a monkey wrench into the works of Standard. It also means that I’m going to have to redo my set binders yet again. But what really got my thinking cap all a-twitter is that there can finally be an honest-to-goodness Ice Age Block tournaments without the three-Standard-worthy-cards abomination that was Homelands.

Maybe It Is As Simple As Black and White: Orzhov Control in Post-Honolulu Standard

While I was following the Honolulu coverage, I was immediately drawn to the presence of Dimir House Guard present in the large number of Orzhov-based control decks. These control decks were utilizing the Temporary Solution idea of having multiple maindeck tutor targets that were versatile against the field (Wrath, Fetters), as well as singletons or silver bullets. It was a brilliant strategy.

Not Quite Black and White: Two Takes on Orzhov for Standard

I’ve been rather surprised with the flexibility and diversity of the Ravnica guilds in Standard. Each with their own individual mechanic, you would think that would pigeonhole them into specific roles, e.g. beatdown, control, etc. Not so. Case in point: the Orzhov. You would think putting together an Orzhov deck would be as simple as black and white, but in reality, there’s several shades of gray.

The Mill by the Dross: Drafting U/B Control in Ravnica

I keep having success drafting Blue/Black decks online. I guess milling is not sexy enough compared to hasty fliers, Saproling generators or graveyard recursion. Anyway, here’s a draft article for the masses, for those of you keeping your winter nights warm with the magic of Ravnica draft.

Lightning Strikes Twice?: WW/r In Post-States Standard

Since States, White Weenie splashing Red has been relegated to Tier 1.5 status as the heavy hitters in the format — which are shaping up to be Flores Blue and multi-colored Gifts Ungiven decks, among many others in the wide-open metagame — have shown the ability to handle White Weenie, regardless of what color gets splashed into it. But its number of high finishes at Champs — if not overall wins — should be an indicator that a) the deck is good but b) people were ready for it. They adapted, so WW/r should adapt as well.

My Own Private Idaho (States, That Is)

I’d fallen hard for the speedy beats of WW/r (henceforth referred to, more eloquently and appropriately, as "White Lightning") ever since I got a hold of the Ravnica spoiler, well ahead of Knut’s extolling. I had a pretty well tuned version for almost a month. Unfortunately, you know how it goes with the latest “best deck”… I had a very bad feeling that I was going to be walking into the lion’s den wearing T-bone underwear, but it was far too late for me to scrounge up another set of Ravnica lands.