Fifteen Years, Fifteen Thoughts
Newly-minted Judge Emeritus Sheldon Menery reflects on the lessons he’s learned after a decade and a half of service to the Magic community.
AuthorSheldon Menery
Magic Judge Hall of Famer Sheldon Menery was one of the most influential judges in the history of the game. He pioneered Commander and was a founding member of the Commander Rules Committee. After a seven-year battle with cancer, Sheldon passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and respect, turning acquaintances into friends, and friends into family. “I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my good friends.” - William Shakespeare, Richard II
The DW Project
Sheldon helps his friend poker star David Williams by building a new EDH deck for him using Riku of Two Reflections. He goes for “epic without being broken” and gives it a test run.
Smithers… Release The Hordes!
Peter Knudson wrote about a Horde variant, which is a multiplayer cooperative game. This version is all about Zombies vs. Survivors! Read about it and try it out.
Other People’s Decks: Oh, Livia!
To keep things spooky for Halloween, Sheldon decided to review a deck by a fellow Armada Games Leaguer, Nathan Fons. His Olivia Voldaren deck is powerful and swingy, featuring lots of artifact acceleration.
What’s A World Head Judge Do?
Sheldon Menery will be judging his last tournament at Worlds in San Francisco. In this article, he gives you a peek of what it’s like to Head Judge a major tournament like Worlds.
Embracing The Chaos – Karador’s Angelic Performance
Karador and his Angels is a load of fun to play. It provides interaction, decision-making trees, beats, and the opportunity for the epic plays that truly Embrace the Chaos.
Embracing The Chaos – Karador’s Angels
After last week’s failure at Mimeoplasm and his Zombies, I was itching to get back on the Tribal theme train. I’ve wanted to make a Karador, Ghost Chieftain deck since I first saw it way back whenever I saw it.
Embracing The Chaos – The Deck That Didn’t Get There
Sheldon tries to build a Commander deck around The Mimeoplasm with a focus on milling, controlling the opponents’ creatures, and Zombies. He hits a stumbling point in the middle and asks you the reader for feedback.
Embracing The Chaos – Innistrad Cards Worth Playing
Innistrad is a set ripe for Commander play. Which cards is Sheldon most excited about? Which decks will be getting the most love?
Embracing The Chaos – Cheap Whiskey, Old-School Conan, And Erayo
Sheldon brings on a guest writer, Cassidy McAuliffe, for this week’s Embracing the Chaos. Cassidy discusses the trials of trying to play Commander while at a huge event like Gen Con.
Embracing The Chaos – The Philadelphia Story
Sheldon shares food adventures from Philly and his stories of much gaming at the venue. Check out notable Plays of the Week and his ratings of his own EDH decks by both quality and fun.
Embracing The Chaos – The Mimeoplasm
Sheldon wrote this article before Philly, and he made some predictions about the Pro Tour beforehand; did he get any hits? He includes his take on The Mimeoplasm in EDH and some eye candy alters.
Embracing The Chaos – Finding Two Decks and Your Tears
Sheldon busts out two Commander decks – Vorosh, the Hunter and Sol’Kanar the Swamp King – and builds the skeleton of a Nicol Bolas deck!
Embracing The Chaos – The Other Three Lists And A Farm Deck
Sheldon gives you three more Top Ten lists to complete last week’s set, and in addition, he shows you the best Commander deck he encountered at Gen Con: a farming-themed deck!
Embracing The Chaos – Some Top Tens
Sheldon’s 100th article contains seven Top Ten lists (not quite 100 items, but… close enough?). Fun tidbits include cards he’d consider banning, awesome people on the Pro Tour, and notable moments in the format’s early years.