Why Are There So Many Fair Decks In Pioneer?
Pioneer is starting out with only five fetchlands banned, and predictably, the format is totally…fair? Sam Black explains why fair decks have emerged as Pioneer frontrunners and highlights key lists.
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.
Unpacking Urza In Modern, And Its Conflict With Emry
Urza, Lord High Artificer and Emry, Lurker of the Loch seemed like the perfect Modern match. On the contrary, says Sam Black, and he explains why the two are in tension ahead of SCG Atlanta!
Oko, Thief Of Crowns Is The Strongest Planeswalker Ever Printed
Sam Black has never shied from speaking his mind, and he’s not stopping for Oko, Thief of Crowns! He builds the case for Oko as a Standard and Modern powerhouse, including two new brews!
My Top 10 Throne Of Eldraine Cards For Modern After SCG Philadelphia
With the conclusion of SCG Philadelphia, Sam Black has some serious thoughts about the impact of Throne of Eldraine on Modern. This week, he’s made his own Top 10 list and goes over the results that back it up!
People Are Sleeping On Mystic Sanctuary
Patrick Chapin tried warning everyone about Mystic Sanctuary. Sam Black thinks he didn’t go far enough! He tries breaking the card in half with a series of Modern decks ahead of SCG Philadelphia.
A Deep Dive Into The Graveyard In Throne Of Eldraine Standard
How important will the graveyard be in Throne of Eldraine Standard? Plenty, if Sam Black has anything to say about it! You won’t want to miss his latest brews!
Meet Castle Garenbrig: Primeval Titan’s Best Friend
What’s better than a Prime Time on turn 4? How about turn 3! Sam Black is all-aboard the Castle Garenbrig hype train and has a few spicy brews to prove it!
Emry, Lurker of the Loch Is The Best Modern Card In Throne of Eldraine
Not much in Magic surprises Sam Black, but with self-mill, a reduce-able casting cost, Artifact synergy and more, Emry, Lurker of the Loch certainly has his attention. Could this be the strongest card previewed in Throne of Eldraine so far?
Cards I Want To Play In The New Modern
Sam Black is brewing up a storm in the new Modern! See how he’s experimenting with Smiting Helix, Springbloom Druid, and more in the search for the format’s next great deck!
My Top 8 Winning Cards From Monday’s Modern Changes
Which cards are the biggest gainers after Faithless Looting and Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis got the boot from Modern? Newly unbanned Stoneforge Mystic tops the list, but Sam Black’s other choices may surprise you!
Kethis Combo: The Amazing Deck That Almost Never Was
The Hidden Hand almost kept this powerful Standard decklist concealed until it was too late to play it! But Sam Black is here to share the secrets of the quirky combo that Mox Amber was waiting for all along…
Reactions To The Future Of Magic Esports
After yesterday’s blockbuster announcement of the future of competitive Magic, Sam Black has plenty of thoughts! See his likes, dislikes, and diagnosis of the problem still plaguing Organized Play!
Why Nexus Ramp Is The Best Core Set 2020 Standard Deck You Haven’t Seen Yet
Sam Black, self-described “Magic hipster,” just can’t stick with a popular Standard deck! Instead he’s always off exploring, and today he’s brought back a remarkable build he calls Nexus Ramp!
I Told You Scapeshift Was Coming To Core Set 2020 Standard. But How Do We Beat It?
Don’t say he didn’t warn you! But now that Scapeshift has embedded itself in Core Set 2020 Standard, what’s a player to do? Sam Black has options for beating them and joining them…with a twist, of course!
Why Scapeshift Is The Next Big Thing In Core Set 2020 Standard
While Field of the Dead and Scapeshift are in Standard together, it’s time to have some fun beating opponents with your lands! Sam Black explores this powerful pairing ahead of SCG Philadelphia!