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Lessons from Worlds, Part One: Don’t be Cocky

Craig “The Professor” Jones’s preparation for Worlds was not as exhaustive as one might expect. With mere hours to go before the start of play, he audibled from his pet Reb/Back Pact Husk deck into what is inarguably the most powerful deck in the format – Dragonstorm. His Day 1 performance, while hardly blistering, smoldered along merrily. He learnt a few important magical lessons on his way to a 4-2 record, lessons he shares with us today. Fancy playing Dragonstorm in the current Standard? Prof has the tricks for you!

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Drafting With Tim – Time Spiral #10

Tim Aten continues his role as a substitute for the grumpy Canadian in the Drafting With Rich series. As usual, he covers each of his picks in a triple Time Spiral draft, from pick one to pick forty-five, and supplies a brief commentary on the draft at the foot of the article. For more enlightened evaluation, visit the forums. Enjoy Tim while you can… Rich returns tomorrow!

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The Magic Show #20 – SCG $1k Open Top 4

In a continuation of yesterday’s installment of the video article series The Magic Show, our genial host Evan brings us a Top 4 matchup from the recent StarCityGames.com $1000 Open. The decks on parade? Dragonstorm and Solar Fires.

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The Kitchen Table #158: The Mishra Challenge

Read Abe Sargent... every Thursday at StarCityGames.com!
I’d just finished my most recent entry in the Casual Metagame series, and was trying to brainstorm a cool idea for my next article. However, I didn’t really have any ideas. For a day, I wracked my head. On what should I write my next article? Then inspiration hit. Well, not really inspiration so much as a full-blown challenge. I read the following quote by The Ferrett in his article over at MagictheGathering.com…

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SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 4

Dave continues his entertaining series examining the origins of various Magical card terms and names. Today’s dalliance through the dictionary deals with the letters O through S (and probably the number 8, in true Sesame Street fashion). Are you still struggling over the correct pronunciation of Phthisis? Mr Meddish has all the answers…

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Time Spiral Draft – Red

After a self-imposed break from writing, Benjamin Peebles-Mundy is back with a continuation of his excellent Time Spiral Draft series. Last time out he tackled the pick orders for Black, now acknowledged as the red-headed stepchild of the format. Today’s offering focuses on the Red cards. So, which fiery biscuits tickle Mr Mundy’s tastebuds? Read on to find out!

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Boros Deck Wins in Extended – Examining the Numbers

If the coverage from Worlds is to be believed, almost half of the coming Extended field will comprise of Boros Deck Wins. Of course, whether that number is inflated due to the laziness of the players at Worlds remains to be seen (NB: I played BDW myself, and it wasn’t because I thought it was the best deck in the format). Josh brings us a detailed breakdown of the components present in the more successful BDW builds, and suggests his own composite build from the debris. BDW will be a force in the coming Extended season… are you ready for it?

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Drafting With Tim – Time Spiral #9

Tim Aten continues his role as a substitute for the grumpy Canadian in the Drafting With Rich series. As usual, he covers each of his picks in a triple Time Spiral draft, from pick one to pick forty-five, and supplies a brief commentary on the draft at the foot of the article. For more enlightened evaluation, visit the forums. Enjoy Tim while you can… Rich returns later this week!

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Magic Online Musings: This Week In Paris #1

Read The Blisterguy... every Wednesday at StarCityGames.com!

As you’re undoubtedly aware, Mr Blisterguy has spent the last week in Paris trying his hand at the Worlds competition. Today’s article shares some of the sights and sounds experienced during the fledgling days of his trip. While there are no Magic Online details here this week, the article is packed with the usual blisterhumor and photos.

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The Magic Show #19 – SCG $1k Open *9th*

This week’s installment of The Magic Show – Evan Erwin’s Video-based Magic series – concentrates on the author’s excellent performance at the recent StarCityGames.com $1000 Open Standard tournament. He outlines his deck and shares full video action of an important match…

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SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 3

Day three and we’re only up to the H’s? I’ve got time to make up. If you’re late to class, I’m explaining the origin and usage of various uncommon words that have been used on Magic cards. Pay attention, there will be a quiz later.

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From Right Field: Check’s In The Mail

Read Chris Romeo... every Tuesday at StarCityGames.com!Chris Romeo answers viewer mail? Well, it’s always fun to watch him toy with the readers. But Chris Romeo picking the Top Seven Must-Have Cards in each color? Oh, how can you stay away?

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SCG Daily Shot — What’s In A Name, Part 2

Our magical mystery tour through the ancient and arcane is only beginning! Admit it, this is much more interesting than Sesame Street (but not The Electric Company — The Easy Reader rules, man). We’re just starting with the C’s now in explaining the origins of Magic card names, so it’s not too late to catch up!

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Five Also-Rans

Behind the link are five decks that didn’t quite make it. They aren’t bad or anything; in fact, I think some of them have good ideas as jumping-off points, and one or more may even grow up to be great. But why did these decks fall short, and what can this tell us about Standard?

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The Glass Cannon

Bringing a deck that packs to a commonly played archetype is something I’ve come to term “bringing the Glass Cannon Deck.” It’s where you launch yourself head-on at the tournament with a deck whose only chance is to avoid your few nightmare matchups the whole way through. Encountering that matchup more than once — a possibility you can neither avoid nor control — will likely end your tournament on the spot. But when do you bring a Glass Cannon on purpose?

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