After a dose of draft and a slice of Sealed deck, Nick delivers his preliminary verdict on the highs and lows of the new set. He theorizes that play skill is currently more important than deckbuilding considerations, and gives us a brief lowdown of each color’s strength for triple Time Spiral draft. Nick is practicing hard for Pro Tour: Kobe… expect future articles to break the format wide open!
Triple Coldsnap draft continues to divide the community in equal measure. Some love it, some hate it… but no-one can ignore it. Today, Nick takes us through a sample draft, one in which he eschews his usual strategy of “force Red/Green,” with mixed (and interesting) results. Do you agree with his choices and evaluations?
With the PTQs for Pro Tour: Kobe continuing apace, Nick Eisel presents his Ravnica Cardpool and Coldsnap Drafts from GP: St. Louis. He chronicles his performance in the event with detailed match data, and shares some handy tips for those hoping to do well in their upcoming Limited tournaments. Looking for an edge in your PTQ field? Nick can help…
Nick took a methodical, structured approach to Standard testing for the 2006 U.S. Nationals. His article today shares his process, step-by-step, with his thoughts behind a number of decks in the current metagame. He shares his test decks, and the list of his final weapon of choice, alongside some practical tips on preparing for large events. Invaluable advice for those working toward upcoming Constructed tournaments.
Nick brings us the stories from his recent PTQ win, qualifying him for Pro Tour: Kobe. After receiving a fine RGD pool, the first he’s received in some time, he highlights the cards that brought home the metaphorical bacon. With detailed match walkthroughs and some interesting Limited insights, Nick’s report is a fine primer for those attending RGD Limited PTQs in the future.
With two Grand Prix tournaments, in Malmo and St Louis, happening this weekend, and both featuring triple Coldsnap drafting for their Day 2 play, Nick Eisel brings us a timely article examining some of the tricks and traps of Magic’s newest Limited format. By now, of course, we’re pretty sure that Snow does, in fact, Matter… but what other information do we need to break through the ice?
The qualifiers for Pro Tour: Kobe are in full swing, and Nick Eisel is here to help! While Ravnica Block Sealed is a well-travelled format, there are still a few twists and turns that can catch an unsuspecting Mage unawares. Nick shares a recent MTGO cardpool which brings up a few interesting choices, and sheds new light on some of the cards that you may not be playing… I mean, Bronze Bombshell?!
With Ravnica Limited finally becoming a little clearer, it’s time to dust off our walkthrough shoes and watch Nick go though the paces. In today’s informative article, Mr Eisel presents every twist and turn from a successful RGD Draft. He examines each pick in detail, discusses some of the trickier deckbuilding decisions, and shares the plays and pitfalls from the resultant games.
While conventional wisdom tells us that a three-color deck is the RGD Draft path of choice, there is merit in ignoring such advice. Nick believes that utilizing a two-color strategy, while sacrificing power, can reap considerable benefits in tempo and consistancy. He breaks down two of the more successful two-color archetypes, providing pick choices and sample decklists, and does so without touching a drop of Blue mana!
Limited maestro Nick Eisel rounds off this excellent three-part series by examining the original Heavy Metal guild: Rakdos. Hellbent flies in the face of all accepted Magic theories… can it be powerful if utilized as demanded? What are the best colors to pair with the hardcore beatdown of Ravnica’s true madmen? Sample decklists, card evaluations, archetype discussion, and more, all available a click away!
While Nick is primarily known for his forty-card prowess, it wasn’t always that way… Constructed Magic played a big part in his development. Today, he gives us the lowdown on the base-Green Dovescape deck that propelled him to second place at Pennsylvania Regionals! In-depth game-by-game analysis, sideboarding tips, and a full matchup breakdown… what more do you need?
With Regionals now behind us, it’s time to turn to our Limited game. Qualifiers for Pro Tour Kobe are looming large, and the RGD Draft format is still a confusing miasma of ideas and themes. Today, Nick attempts to shine a torch through the fog, and shows us the strengths – and weaknesses – of basing your drafts in the traditionally control-crazy Blue White Azorius guild. Can the White guys live up to the crushing R/U/G archetype? Nick reveals all…
Limited specialist Nick Eisel takes us through the many options presented when drafting the Simic guild in RGD. While conventional wisdom shows us that doing so leaves us with a lack of guild picks from one of the first two boosters, PT Prague proved that the Green and Blue guild delivers strength in depth. What are the cards you need to succeed? Which picks have now risen in value? All this, and more, just a click away…
With the Dissension release now mere days away, and Pro Tour Prague just around the corner, eyes are turning to RGD Draft. The recent prerelease was the first time us mere mortals laid our hands on the cards. Today, Nick shares his prerelease experience, and runs through some of the strong (and weak) cards that’ll see Limited play in the weeks and months to come.
As the world waits for Dissension, Nick branches away from his usual Ravnica/Guildpact play to take part in the Visions Release Events on Magic Online. Are you tired of drafting RRG? Do you fancy shaking your booty with the older cards? If so, Nick has the low-down on the format, and the results to prove it. A break from the norm, before the Dissension madness hits town this weekend…
