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.
AuthorJohn Dale Beety
John Dale Beety is the Copy Editor for Star City Games.
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!
Talking Story
Magic’s story is going places it’s never been! John Dale Beety breaks down two recent tales that set the Internet abuzz and what they mean for the future of Magic’s creative side.
Worldbuilding, Or, Moby-Dick Is Magic
Magic’s worldbuilding is some of the best in gaming, but how does Wizards of the Coast adapt its inspirations? JDB explores the process using a classic of American literature, Moby-Dick!
Eldritch Moon Flavor Review
It’s that time again! When set reviews come you can count on tournament implications, metagame thoughts, and studies on new archetypes! But you can also count on JDB to talk story, art, and flavor text! If you’re a Vorthos, welcome home!