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Positive EV – Sideboarding, Extended, and Alara Reborn

Read Manuel Bucher every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – In today’s Positive EV, Manuel Bucher touches on three topics of particular importance. The first section discusses sideboarding against a deck and player rather than an archetype; the second sees Manuel share two off-the-radar Extended lists for those still gunning for Hawaii. Finally, there’s talk on how Alara Reborn could reshape Quick n’ Toast… in theory.

Down And Dirty – Magic And Life

Read Kyle Sanchez every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – For Kyle’s 100th Magic article, he continues his intriguing musings concerning the place of Magic in the development of people across the world. He suggests a plethora of important lessons that can be learned via slinging cardboard, and places them in a structure that shows their relevance to our continued growth as people. Congratulations on the milestone, Kyle!

Drafting With Olivier – Shards/Shards/Conflux #13

Draft with Olivier Ruel... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – Hall of Famer Olivier Ruel takes us through an 8-4 draft queue on Magic Online. He shares some comprehensive thoughts about both the picks and the games, and talks us through each step of the way! If you’re looking to improve your Limited game, this is the article series for you!

At the Gathering – Standard of Living

Read Jeff Phillips every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – I love playing Standard, it’s easily my favorite format. It is the easiest to pick up as a new player, because the cards are typically still available as retail packs. It’s also easy to grasp, because you only have about 1500 cards to keep track of. Most importantly, the power level is pretty much exactly where I like it.

The Kitchen Table #279 – Red Shandalar Decks

Read Abe Sargent every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – Hello again, and welcome. This is the column with articles dedicated to the casual player every time. Today, I continue the series that began with the article from last week. I have begun taking the opposing decks from Shandalar, showing them to you, and then modifying them. Then I update the deck for today’s audience…

MTGCast #148 – Zendikar and Hybrid Hijinks!

Listen to MTGCast every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Wednesday, April 1st – Alara Reborn news is here, and we have some doozies. First, we have some scans of the Alara Reborn booster packs and starts the rumor of a potential return of Coiling Oracle. We also have 10 cards in the unofficial spoiler…

Black Magic – A Response to Triggers for Success

Read Sam Black every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Tuesday, March 31st – Last week, Hall of Famer Olivier Ruel outlined his triggers for success. He shaped the ten levels of Magic Player, and shared the important trigger points at which a player can move up from one level to the next. Today, Sam Black investigates exactly what’s required to take advantage of these trigger points, and gives us pointers on exactly how we need to approach our games in order to gain advantage over the competition.

Sullivan Library – Examining 432 Decklists: The Actual Standard Metagame

Read Adrian Sullivan every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Tuesday, March 31st – At the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open, an impressive 432 players came to battle it out for the top prize. Adrian Sullivan, armed with all 432 decklists, examines the statistics and trends behind those successful – and not so successful – archetypes…

Legacy’s Allure – The Merfolk Breakdown

Read Doug Linn every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Tuesday, March 31st – Merfolk, one of Legacy’s newest decks, showed up on the scene in Lorwyn and quickly made an impact in tournaments around the world. Today, Doug complies the results from over two dozen winning Merfolk lists and shows the most common cards, as well as some curious outliers. Take a look at the consistently-built archetype and gather insights about why the deck has become so strong. Doug presents a composite maindeck and sideboard for Merfolk, along with new and controversial additions to the standard list!

Removed From Game – Enjoying Your Pro Tour Experience

Read Rich Hagon every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Tuesday, March 31st – In this final article in the series, Rich walks you through the business of pleasure in a foreign country, allowing you to get your bearings, see the sights, put your deck together, win the Pro Tour, be interviewed by him, and still know where your passport is at the end of it.

Tribal Thriftiness #62 – The Gold Standard

Read Dave Meeson every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Tuesday, March 31st – With the all-gold Alara Reborn on the horizon, Dave can’t talk about anything but multicolored cards. Enclosed inside: enough gold decks to pay for a week’s worth of Cash4Gold commercials!

Innovations – A New Take on Doran in Standard

Read Patrick Chapin every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Monday, March 30th – At the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open in Indianapolis a few days ago, Patrick Chapin cast aside his Five-Color Control deck for something a little more aggressive. He piloted this new deck to a commendable Top 16 finish. So, what on earth could have persuaded the Innovator to leave his Cryptic Commands at home? Read on to find out!

So Many Insane Plays – Third Place at the Waterbury

Read Stephen Menendian every week... at StarCityGames.com!
Monday, March 30th – After diluting his format focus for Grand Prix: Chicago, Stephen Menendian returned to competitive Vintage with a fine performance at the recenty Mana Drain Open. Today, he shared the development stories behind his deck of choice, plus the usual intriguing play-by-play data for which Stephen is famed…

Drafting With Olivier – Shards/Shards/Conflux #12

Draft with Olivier Ruel... at StarCityGames.com!
Monday, March 30th – Hall of Famer Olivier Ruel takes us through an 8-4 draft queue on Magic Online. He shares some comprehensive thoughts about both the picks and the games, and talks us through each step of the way! If you’re looking to improve your Limited game, this is the article series for you!

Constructed Criticism – Standard Examined

Read Todd Anderson every week... at StarCityGames.com
Monday, March 30th – The format for Pro Tour: Austin Qualifiers is Standard. Can you believe it? For the first time in as long as I’ve been playing Magic, Wizards of the Coast has finally decided to make Standard the format of choice for players battling for a blue envelop. Seriously? Check. Awesome? Check again.