Nick takes a break from archetype breakdowns and card evaluations in order to break down some of the more nebulous aspects of draft strategy. Playing to your subconscious, controlling the pace of play, and the understanding the draft tendencies of your own game (and those of others)… it’s all here in this thought-provoking and masterful article.
Last week, Stephen Menendian walked us through five pre-sideboard games between the innovative Belcher deck and the perennial warhorse Gifts deck. Today, he continues the match-up analysis with a look at five post-sideboard games. In a format packed with ridiculous turns and ultra-quick wins, does Belcher have the tools to make a splash in the metagame?
I’d like to start things off by touching on last week’s official Future Sight previews, namely the latest ridiculous Blue wizard Venser, Shaper Savant. The online response seemed mixed, with a majority of people seeming to fall somewhere between “meh” and “ugh.” All I have to say is…
What are you, people? On dope?
A quarter of a year has passed since I started this weekly column. Over the last thirteen weeks I’ve presented you with all kinds of Magic puzzles, from the obvious to the obscure. I have only stumped you a couple times, while you have gotten the better of me at least three times! How, you ask? By submitting an answer to a puzzle that I did not at all expect. This week I will take the opportunity to revisit those three wayward puzzles, and attempt to set things straight.
Countdown to GP: Columbus! Christopher Coppola analyzes a successful Legacy deck that is also very easy to build, and discusses how to play the deck properly in a competitive environment.
Kyle Sanchez hasn’t written an article in a while… however, despite the long hiatus, it appears he is a crazy as ever. Today, he talks us through exactly what he’s been up to in the lost months, and walks us through a couple of TTP drafts. Be warned, folks… this ain’t Drafting With Rich! Plus, he spins some fun stories as only he can, and displays his prodigious artistic talent for the world to see.
Craig “The Professor” Jones is currently locked in his secret bunker, beavering away on his metagame-shaping creation in time for his triumphant performance at Pro Tour: Yokohama. With a week to go until the big event, he takes a sneaky look at the format, brings us an interesting deck, and waxes lyrical on the subject of Teferi…
Yesterday, Tim asked 21 Questions regarding Grand Prix: Massachusetts. Actually, he asked twenty, but what’s one question between friends? You can read the questions above. Today, in the form of a tournament report, he answers each and every question posed. Innovative in style and Old School in execution, this article is packed with Aten’s brand of in-jokes, stories, and irreverence. Enjoy!
You all know the drill by now… Rich Hoaen, Canada’s finest and grumpiest draft export, takes us by the hand and drags us through the rollercoaster ride of an 8-4 TTP Draft on Magic Online. From pick 1 to pick 45, Rich shares them all, and his final deck and draft performance are analysed in the article, the forums, and beyond. Come join in the fun!
Sean’s previous attempt to take a sledgehammer to Time Spiral Block Constructed involved pairing that perennial nuisance Teferi with the shambling behemoth Spectral Force. Today’s offering brings a little more finesse… actually, that’s a lie. This Block deck is Big, Green/White, and has a face that only Flores could love. However, is it strong enough to kick seven bells out of the prospective Yokohama metagame?
Hello everybody and welcome to another edition of the Magic Show. This week we’re taking a long, hard look at all of the numerous Future Sight Spoilers. With only two weeks to go a plethora of new, interesting cards are coming, so let’s get started.
There have been discussions about the relationship between spoilers and the health of Magic in the past, but never before from so many angles! Ben examines the pros and cons of having sets spoiled early from the perspectives of a player, a General Manager, and a writer set to official spoil cards!
Today’s Flores Friday sees Mike take three of the more popular decks in the current Standard environment and update them for the ever-evolving metagame. Boros, Orzhov, and the ultra-efficient Zoo all receive the Flores treatment, each with one eye on practicality and the other on the prize. If you were one of those players trying to port Raphael Levy’s Gaea’s Might Get There deck from Extended to Standard, then this is the article for you!
In a change from our usual program, Master Tim Aten brings us a Quiz… twenty-one questions (allegedly) on the subject of Grand Prix: Massachusetts. Part tournament report, part mental exercise, and part Atenesque nonsense. The answers will appear tomorrow, with the meat of this article… so if you wanna know if Tim had an insulting encounter with a cleaning lady, or if Rich Hoaen got knocked down onto his grumpy buttocks, come join us then!
With the Pro Tour Train making its scheduled stop at the Block Constructed Station in Yokohama soon, Benjamin Peebles-Mundy brings us an interesting look at a number of Gauntlet of Power decks. Not one, not two, not three… but four separate Block decks for your entertainment pleasure! Are you looking to rock Block with some top tech? Then smell the glove!
