Craig “The Professor” Jones entered this year’s English Nationals as the probable favorite. Unfortunately for Mr Helix, things went very badly. Today’s article explores the nature of “Playing on Tilt,” with reference to his horrendous day at the office. Are you a player that succumbs to emotion? Are you a player that lets the heart override the head? Never fear. Craig Jones can help.
In his quest to reach the mystical Level 4 of the Pro Player Club, Raphael Levy was willing to venture forth to the sweltering climes of Phoenix, Arizona, for his first taste of a U.S. Grand Prix. His trip was worth it… This report takes a final glance at the passing of Ravnica, and shares each of Raphael’s Coldsnap drafts. The Hall of Fame Pro Tour stalwart proved to himself that he can still rumble with the best. The best players, the best writers… only at StarCityGames.com!
After a brief break for a vacation, Rich returns to draft up a storm! As usual, the drafting maestro shares his picks from a triple-Coldsnap draft, one through forty-five, and tells us a little about his deck and performance. For more detailed analysis, visit the forums!
Josh turns his back on the usual strategy this week, instead concentrating on some of the more intangible measures of success. Be recounting his own experiences, he looks at the importance of player attitude and team (and community) testing. Just how far can one’s desire propel us in the pro arena? And is a healthy test group a sure-fire way to succeed? Read on to find out…
Mike discusses the fundamental differences between decks that are labelled under the same erroneous banner. When you face a deck such as Sea Stompy, your subtle plans for victory can be thrown off course if you don’t correctly assess your opponent’s true strategy. Incremental mistakes such as these can greatly impact your chance at success… An essential article for those serious about improving their game.
Jeroen has an enviable record at Dutch Nationals. However, this year saw a strong field in attendance, and an eventual Top 8 to die for. Mr Remie, on the back of a self-confessed poor year, turned up with a deck chosen on little more than a promise… and rocked the house. His report is full of interesting match data and deck strategy… and it’s only a click away!
Yesterday, the mighty Mr Card Game tackled some of the Standard metagame’s stronger contenders, discussing them in relation to the coming rotation. Today, he continues on his noble quest to dissect all things Standard in time for Champs, and peppers the reader with his usual brand of off-topic humor and anecdotal irreverence. All this, and cheesecake too!
Ted believes that the current Standard metagame is the true Golden Age. We are awash in a sea of playable decks and archetypes, and all manner of strategies are worth examination. Time Spiral approaches, and with it we wave goodbye to Kamigawa Block. Today, Mr Card Game takes a look at the stronger archetypes in the field. What suffers from the rotation? What benefits are gained? And what will make up the meta when Champs comes a’knockin?
After a barren spell in which your questions were thin on the ground, Jeroen now finds himself struggling to keep up. Today, he tackles thirty questions posed by a single reader! All manner of Magical topics are discussed, from Ravnica Block, to Coldsnap draft, to Time Spiral and beyond. As usual, send your queries to [email protected]… he may be swamped with inquiries, but he’s eager for more.
Vintage is the oldest and grandest format sanctioned by the DCI. It has a history as rich and varied as the game itself. Despite that background, it is in a constant state of growth and flux. In today’s article, Stephen reprises his Ten Principles of Vintage, investigating the very cornerstones that underpin Magic’s most broken format.
England’s finest Constructed mind, Stuart Wright, turns his eye to triple Coldsnap draft. Today’s article sees Stu share a number of winning strategies that have served him well at high-level events and on Magic Online. There’s something for everyone in this comprehensive article… is there a deck style for you?
In a break from high strategy, this week’s Moreno Monday chronicles Billy’s formative Magical years. He details his ascension from kitchen table player, to Pro Tour Qualifier attendee, to Pro Tour mainstay, in an evocative and honest style. While not loaded with top tech tips, this is a fine companion article that captures the beauty of our wonderful game.
Joe Black has been absent of late… he faced a writing conundrum. What does a self-confessed Constructed junkie write about when mired in a sea of Limited Magic? Thankfully, Osyp found solace in a 100+ player Legacy event… today he shares his thoughts on the format, plus his decklist of choice. As if this weren’t enough, he also shares some of the aborted articles he began in his creative drought, with his customary irreverent style…
Once upon a time, Mike told us that Sakura-Tribe Elder was the best card in Standard. Today, however, he reveals a new love… one that, he believes, will warp the Standard metagame for as long as it’s available. He supplies decklists and analysis to reinforce his claim… and one deck is heralded as both competitive and hideously fun to play. Intrigued? Then read on…
According to Josh, Coldsnap is “a Constructed format in which you have to draft your decks.” With many broken strategies made possible by the odd slanting of card numbers, it is hard to disagree with his convictions. Today, he examines one such Constructed Draft archetype – the Icefall deck. This strategy has reaped rewards on Magic Online… can it do the same for you?
