It started as a joke. My opponent would plop down a Helium Squirter or an Aquastrand Spider, and with my next creature I’d grin and say, “Sure you don’t wanna give me a +1/+1 counter?” But what I did not do was ask him the same dang question for every single creature that he cast thereafter: “Wanna gimme a counter? Wanna gimme a counter? Wanna gimme a counter?”
It seems that the Holy Grail of RGD Draft is to take the Red, Green, and Blue cards. With so many of the Pros believing the RUG archetype to be the powerhouse in the evolving format, Magic’s wonder-kid Julien Nuijten wades into the battle and shares his tips and strategies for success. Julien loves the RUG offensive… maybe the color combination will work for you!
Rick examines the results from Regionals, massaging the numbers and drawing some interesting conclusions regarding the Standard metagame. With extensive coverage of all the major archetypes, analysis of the stronger decklists, and a breakdown of thecards to fear in the coming months, this article is perfect for those attending the StarCityGames.com Amateur Challenge at Heroes Con!
My editor asked for this article some time ago… no one else followed through, so it fell to me. A Vintage primer, for those looking to begin playing Magic’s most venerable format…
Sean takes an in-depth look at the results from Regionals. His Excel muscles are working overtime, and his comprehensive breakdown poses some interesting theories about the state of the Standard metagame today.
According to Mike, there are only three possible ways to gain an edge on your opponent. Today’s article examines all three. With anecdotal evidence from Jon Finkel backed with mathematical analysis and matchup percentages, Mike debunks some of the more widespread myths that scupper our success. Is there really no such thing as a Great Play? And is the key to Pro success simply “winning the games we’re supposed to?” Read on to find out!
Magic: Online is falling short of what it should be in many areas, and I see little reason for it. From problems with bribery, to the recent redemption problems, to the weekly lag that causes drafts to be ruined, Magic: Online is riddled with long-existing and un-addressed problems that are shrouded in mystery.
Noah rounds of his intriguing series on the five senses of Magic with Sight. Are things always as they appear?
Did you know that Fish sucks? The format’s perennial Aggro strategy has taken a stout beating of late… but Josh believes the tools are there for the Fish decks to return with a bang! This interesting article examines the tools required to make Fish a competitor in the modern game, and presents three fresh Fish decklists for the old-school Aggro player. Perfect preparation for the upcoming SCG Power 9 events!
Limited maestro Nick Eisel rounds off this excellent three-part series by examining the original Heavy Metal guild: Rakdos. Hellbent flies in the face of all accepted Magic theories… can it be powerful if utilized as demanded? What are the best colors to pair with the hardcore beatdown of Ravnica’s true madmen? Sample decklists, card evaluations, archetype discussion, and more, all available a click away!
Today, Abe issues the First Abe Deck Challenge. Prove you can build a deck like Abe, and you’ll have your deck featured in a future column.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get cracking!
Noah continues his journey through the five senses of Magic. Today’s article concerns the stickiest of senses: touch.
American and Canadian Regionals have been and gone… where do they leave the metagame? As the decklists slowly trickle in, Craig examines the numbers to produce an overall metagame breakdown. Which strategies were successful? Which were failures? In Standard tournaments to come, where should you lay your hat? This article provides the lowdown on the fluctuating Standard scene post-Dissension, and is ideal preparation for those attending the StarCityGames.com Amateur Challenge at Heroes Con!
Jeroen delves deep into the mailbag, and answers some important questions on the subject of RGD Draft. When is it best to ignore a power-pick for a consistent workhorse? What are the benefits of signaling in Magic’s most colorful city? Handy hints and theories, plus the usual questions regarding the Pro Tour Lifestyle…
Jon doesn’t write often, but when he does you’re guaranteed good times. Today he shares his pre-Prague preconceptions, and explains how he was on the money with some opinions, but off the mark with others. He shares bad beat stories, bemoans the standard of spiders and toilet paper, and beats up the British in charismatic style. I’d take him to task over the last point… but as usual, he’s largely correct.
