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AuthorJohn Dale Beety

John Dale Beety is the Copy Editor for Star City Games.

Reintroducing…Nicol Bolas

Don’t call it a comeback! One of Magic’s biggest baddies and craftiest chessmasters is set to take center stage in Amonkhet. JDB has your (re)introduction to the notorious Nicol Bolas!

Full-Art Cards In Focus

Most Magic cards have separate art and text boxes, which makes rule-breaking full-art cards all the more exciting! JDB explores the history of full-art cards from the beloved Unglued basic lands to upcoming set Amonkhet!

The Gatewatch Era, So Far

Has Magic entered a new era of storytelling? JDB thinks so, and today he’s serving up a crash course on the game’s past lore as he explores where the game’s plot might go next and why!

The Doctor, The Monkey, And The Pirate Queen

When a doctor’s fever-dream proves all too real, he finds himself the prisoner of an adolescent pirate queen and her goggles-wearing monkey.

Aether Revolt Flavor Review

SCG’s resident Vorthos expert is back, and he has a new set to examine! Which artists made their Magic debuts in Aether Revolt? What flavor text echoes a moment in India’s history? And whose revolution is it, anyway?

A Footsoldier’s Confession

A footsoldier captured by renegades admits his role in a war crime, the burning of Bunarat Village. Yet he will not make a full confession…

A Tile In The Mosaic

Kaladesh has many more stories than Wizards of the Coast can tell! Today JDB imagines what life might be like for one lonely Dwarf on the streets of Ghirapur!

Even More Turn 1 Fun!

JDB is quickly becoming the world’s biggest fan of having all spells in Legacy! His latest list yet again caught the metagame off-guard, and he’s telling you how here!

A Cultural Critique of Commander 2016

Commander 2016 granted a lot of longtime wishes! But what else did it give us? JDB returns to discuss the finer points of this year’s Commander release!

Single-Color Stories And The Flat Character Trap

Magic has pushed characters as part of their new storytelling strategies, but not everything is perfect. JDB stops in to talk about what Jace and friends sacrifice by being who they are to the game!

Single-Color Stories And The Flat Character Trap

Magic has pushed characters as part of their new storytelling strategies, but not everything is perfect. JDB stops in to talk about what Jace and friends sacrifice by being who they are to the game!

Birthstone Magic

Magic is a game with huge monsters, world-ending spells, and…rocks? JDB has provided an absolute gem of a guide to the Magic jewels that matter most to us! Which Mox would you be?

The Kaladesh Flavor Review

A new set means it’s time for a flavor review! JDB takes a deep dive into Kaladesh, exploring the contradictions of its setting, flavor text favorites, and a storytelling trend he hopes ends sooner rather than later!

Fifteen Years Of Magic And The Return Of Myr Enforcer

Myr Enforcer isn’t part of Affinity anymore…is it? JDB explores an unusual build that pairs the seven-mana robot with Sanctum of Ugin and takes a moment to reflect on his fifteen years playing Magic.

Conspiracy: Take The Crown Flavor Review!

Behind every great Magic set is a lot of artwork, world-building, and flavor text! JDB breaks down the best and worst of Conspiracy: Take the Crown’s creative side!