AuthorRoss Merriam

Ross Merriam has been a fixture on the SCG Tour since 2012 and is one of its most decorated players with over twenty top 8s. He currently serves as the beardliest member of Team BCW and a content creator for StarCityGames.com, focusing on the Modern format as well as Magic fundamentals and theory designed to help you elevate your game.

Video Daily Digest: More Than Token Opposition

Temur Energy, Ramunap Red, and U/B Control seem to have a stranglehold on the Standard metagame. Can a tokens strategy break through? Ross Merriam highlights a Top 8 list from the Magic Online PTQ!

Video Daily Digest: Ironwhirks

An intricate combo deck caught Ross Merriam’s attention. Who would’ve guessed? But this Krark-Clan Ironworks list went 5-0 in a Magic Online League. What could it do at SCG Charlotte? The answer: Win.

The Reality Of Energy Standard

Sultai Energy won SCG Dallas. Temur Energy won the World Championship. Ross Merriam explains why it’s better to accept Energy’s dominance in Ixalan Standard than fight it…and what you can do to adjust.

Video Daily Digest: Hulk Smash!

Ten years ago, one of the most broken Legacy decks of all time appeared at a Grand Prix and promptly was banned to oblivion. Ross Merriam highlights its Modern sequel ahead of SCG Charlotte!

Video Daily Digest: Changing Of The Guard

Red decks once splashed black for Scrapheap Scrounger. Ross Merriam highlights a deck that reverses the roles!

Video Daily Digest: Nobody Does It Better

Zac Elsik used the power of improvise take down last weekend’s Standard Classic at SCG Dallas! Get Ross Merriam’s take on this Texas-sized surprise!

Well, I’ve Got Some Bad News And Some Good News

If you’re a fan of exciting innovations in Week 1 tournaments, SCG Dallas may have seemed like bad news. Ross Merriam is here to show you the silver linings that point to an intriguing Standard future! We’re just getting started!

Video Daily Digest: C-C-C-Combo Maker!

What’s better than a combo deck? A two-combo deck! When Polymorphing into Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is your backup plan, you know you have something special. Ross Merriam explains all!

Video Daily Digest: Devoted To Green, But Playing Three Other Colors

Now with video! Devotion to a color doesn’t mean a deck has to stick to that hue. Ross Merriam highlights a confounding Vizier of Remedies combo deck in a Green Devotion shell that plays two other colors besides! When Utopia Sprawl and Oath of Nissa collide, anything is possible…

Video Daily Digest: A New Modern Opt-ion

There’s plenty of chatter about how Opt can slot into Modern combo decks, but aggro? Ross Merriam highlights a Week 1 Opt-ion for the SCG Dallas Modern Classic!

Revisiting Forgotten Standard Cards

The shiny new toys of Ixalan have everyone’s attention, but what about cards from Kaladesh and Amonkhet blocks that may have room to shine at last? Ross Merriam lights the way ahead of SCG Dallas!

Video Daily Digest: Seance, Back From The Dead

Seance became an infamous Magic meme, but Zac Elsik’s Five-Color Seance deck went 5-0 in a Magic Online League! Get Ross Merriam’s take before the SCG Dallas Modern Classic!

Video Daily Digest: You Don’t Make Friends With Salad

Jund DeathVine has hit a dead end in Modern. But what if eating your vegetables is bad for you? Ross Merriam highlights a wild new Hollow One deck ahead of the SCG Dallas Modern Classic!

Video Daily Digest: Blinky The Eldrazi

Sheldon Menery’s favorite Eldrazi is making waves in Modern! Ross Merriam checks out a successful mono-white list combining blink effects with the power of Eldrazi Temple-fueled Thought-Knot Seers!

Tribal, Schmibal!

In case the title didn’t clue you in, Ross Merriam isn’t a tribal believer for Ixalan Standard! Get the decks he thinks are really poised to succeed at SCG Dallas and beyond! Don’t get caught in the deckbuilding trap!