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This Fire: Mono-Blue for a New Standard, Part One

Now that Affinity got the full axe in Standard, we have a more diverse and open format in which the question “Does this beat Affinity?” no longer has to be asked. This is probably a good thing overall, allowing for future deck innovation and the ability to be free of the “best deck” syndrome. However, it also means the Mono-Blue – a deck that was tricked out to beat Affinity – has to undergo some serious changes in order to retain its status as one of the best decks. Let’s take a look at how you should modify the deck to get the best bang for your buck in the new format, shall we?

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Sealed Revealed II: Betrayers Card Pool 3

Sealed Revealed returns today with an intriguing card pool that features solid cards in all five colors. How would you build your deck and what will the community have to say about this one in the forums? The answers are only a click away!

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SCG Daily – Diary of an Online nOOb: Day Three

My next step was to join an 8th Edition league. I had the packs and the tickets, and I mentally catalogued the cards I wanted to open. Wrath of God. Birds of Paradise (although I know the BB Birds will be appearing in drafts next fall, so that’s okay.) City of Brass. Phyrexian Plaguelord, because I loved them back in the day. Worship. Verduran Enchantress. And some of the basics, like Ravenous Rats, Rampant Growth and Wood Elves. I find the league, agree to squander my product, scritch the dogs and give them a cookie for luck, and open my packs. Rares, rares, what nifty rares do I have?

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The Most Annoying Cards Of My Career

The last definition of annoying cards for the day? “Cards that cost me games.” Doug Linn denigates the cards that handed him his most humilating losses in tournaments.

That’s three definitions, with three days left to provide your own. Do it… And you could win $20!

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What Can You Learn From A Man Who’s Played In Only One Tournament?

I have only ever played in one DCI- sanctioned tournament – and that was nine years ago. Obviously, my experience was less than stellar. But I want to relate my experience to you here and now because, from what I’ve been reading around the ‘net, the negative stuff I encountered long ago is still running rampant on the tourney scene today (though mostly at the lower levels of the scene). By sharing my story, I think some of you will be able to identify with me as I put into words the generally bad atmosphere that exists at many of these events. Also, I will provide a few pointers along the way that will hopefully help you improve your game and turn your tournament into a positive experience.

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SCG Daily – Dairy of an Online nOOb: Day Two

Yesterday’s installment was almost content-free. It gets better. To sum up, after years of being unable to connect, I finally got to play Magic Online. I have a budget of $100 per month, plus a little more in special circumstances. I had my account and was ready to go. Time to spend.

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The Color Wheel: White

My mission today is to expand on my perception of White’s problems, and to use Shining Shoal as an example of a weak fix (hopefully pointing us toward ideas for better ones). In the process, you will discover why creatures are the worst card type in Magic, and hopefully achieve a state of enlightenment.

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The Art of Team Drafting

The first decision of every draft is whether the team that wins the die roll wants to kick off or receive. There are those who think this is a decision, but I am not one of them. In this article I will explore one of the most crucial decisions you will face in Team Rochester and explain how this single choice determines the path of the entire draft.

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Weak Among the Strong: One Turn

Good players play tighter, make fewer mistakes. Good players understand matchups better, or know the correct draft pick orders, or have a deeper understanding of archetypes. Good players have a strategic plan. All these things are true, but sometimes I think the best description of the difference between good players and bad players is that good players don’t give you extra turns and find ways to get extra turns for themselves.

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Five Decks for Under Five Grand: A Look at Slaver in the New Standard

No one doubts the impact that Rich Shay’s Control Slaver has had on the Type One metagame. The idea was simple: an opponent can’t defeat you if he or she can’t actually play. So the question is simple: if it works so well in Vintage, can we do it in the new post-banning Standard?

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Warning! Standard Endangered Once Again!

What happens when everyone starts to remove the artifact removal from their maindecks in Standard? Adam shares his thoughts on this topic today, including an Isochron Scepter deck that could be very problematic in the end.

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Learning From The Flaws Of Aggro Decks In Vintage

Once upon a time, aggro decks actually succeeded in Vintage. Then people got smart and started playing the really good cards in the format instead of trying to simply beat for two every turn. Why do aggro decks fail today and what can be learned from these important flaws? That’s the topic we’ll be addressing today, class, so follow along.

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Shut Up And Play

Some multiplayer groups don’t allow table talk between teammates. Communication in a team environment isn’t about taking away an advantage from the opponent – it’s about working together to make a solid team that can win based on better skills, not less mistakes. Would you rather watch two football teams continually fumble the ball…. or would you rather watch great teams make shoestring catches, stellar breaks, and diving tackles?

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SCG Daily – Diary of an Online nOOb: Day 1

I have played Magic a long time. I’ve won a (small) collection of Top 8 pins from PTQs, and a lot of cards. I’ve judged at Worlds and PTs, and have been paid in cards. I’ve written over a hundred articles on Magic, and have been paid in cards. I have a really, really big collection. And I’ve been playing for a long time. I had never played online. This week I will take you through the highs and lows of my first Magic Online experience.

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Don’t Play That Deck! The Three Most Annoying Strategies In Magic

This week’s Casual Challenge is “The Three Most Annoying Cards In Magic” – and Kevin not only hates these cards, but the strategies that come with the cards. So what strategies invalidate your entire deck? Kevin told us, and he might win $20 for his complaint! How about you?

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