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AuthorSam Black

Sam Black is professional Magic player who's known for his love of building decks that attack formats from unexpected angles. He's made the Top 8 of sixteen GPs covering every format as well as three Pro Tours, but he's particularly proud of his less common accomplishments, including a Top 4 at the World Championship, a win in the Team World Championship in 2008, and winning a car in 2007.

Tocatli Honor Guard Is The Best-Positioned Two-Drop In Core Set 2020 Standard

How do you stop Risen Reef decks from walking all over you? Stay on guard! Sam Black shares how Tocatli Honor Guard is ready to lock down Risen Reef and friends at SCG Worcester!

Leyline Of Abundance, Not Leyline Of The Void, Is The Leyline We Should All Be Talking About

Have we been looking at the wrong Leyline in Core Set 2020? Sam Black sees surprising potential in Leyline of Abundance, and he’s here to show you how to exploit it in Standard and Modern!

How Do We Use Chandra, Awakened Inferno in Core Set 2020 Standard?

Sam Black has his eye on Chandra, Awakened Inferno and is looking for the best shell to put her in. Can he find a suitable home that will dominate the upcoming Standard format?

Golos, Tireless Pilgrim Isn’t Just For Commander

Could five-color really work in the upcoming Standard? Sam Black gives it his best try while experimenting with Golos, Tireless Pilgrim. When a seemingly obvious Commander plant starts popping up in Standard, expect the unexpected…

Can I Play Fair In Modern?

With seemingly broken graveyard decks flooding the Magic Online Modern Challenge results, it’s time for some soul-searching among fair deck fans. But don’t fear: Sam Black is here!

A Deep Dive On Tribal Decks Brought To You By Modern Horizons

Modern Horizons has unlocked plenty of tribal possibilities! Sam Black explores Zombies, Goblins, Slivers, Vampires, and Faerie Ninja Wizards. No, there aren’t supposed to be commas between those last three…

Building Five-Color Snow With Prismatic Vista In Modern

When better to let your imagination run wild than preview season? Modern Horizons has inspired Sam Black to build a Five-Color Snow deck, and it’s hard to remember another brew this cool!

Urza, Lord High Artificer Is Bringing Artifact Combo Back To Modern

Tolarian Academy on a stick…in Modern?! Sam Black tells you how Urza, Lord High Artificer can bring back artifact combo like the format hasn’t seen since Krark-Clan Ironworks was legal!

Simic Mass Manipulation Is The Most Powerful Deck In Standard

Mass Manipulation in Standard? Sam Black is here to tell you how the double-X-spell is real and why SCG Syracuse is the perfect time to unleash its power!

A New Kind Of Sultai

Old-school Sultai Midrange may not cut it anymore, but Sam Black is taking it in a new direction with Tamiyo, Collector of Tales! Check out his spicy new Standard brew and sideboarding guide!

The Many Ways To Use Narset, Parter Of Veils In War Of The Spark Standard

Putting Narset, Parter of Veils in a Simic Nexus might be effective, but it’s also boring. Sam Black has bigger plans for the card-finding, draw-restricting planeswalker. Much bigger…

Death Has Many Faces: An Exploration Of Zombies In War Of The Spark Standard

What’s in your head for SCG Richmond? If a Zombie deck in the new Standard sounds intriguing, one of Sam Black’s brews might fit your needs!

Why Ashiok, Dream Render Is Better Than You Think

Magic’s original planeswalker of mystery is back to mill cards and take games! Let Sam Black explain the potential of Ashiok, Dream Render in Standard, Modern, and beyond!

Evaluating Evolution Sage In All Formats

Counters, counters, counters! Sam Black has his eye on Evolution Sage. See where he would take it in Standard, and what it might do in Modern and beyond!

Totally Lost: Experimenting With Fblthp

How wild can you get with blue’s answer to Elvish Visionary? From Mox Amber shenanigans in Modern to legendary sorceries in Standard, Sam Black is brewing with Fblthp, the Lost!