TagFundamentals

The Lone Wolf

In a world of super teams and Magic think tanks, Shaun McLaren has two Pro Tour Finals that include an outright win. What mentality does it take to go to the ultimate Magic test all alone? Shaun reflects on the mindset he’s used to conquer Magic nearly all by himself.

13 Pitfalls To Avoid When Playtesting

Patrick Chapin didn’t become a Hall of Famer by accident. If you want to succeed at Magic and #SCGRICH, it’s important to spend your time wisely. Read his invaluable advice about making the most of your preparation!

Having All The Answers

Pro Tour Champion Shaun McLaren knows Magic is a game of threats and answers. But what do you do if you’re the threat to yourself? Read Shaun’s priceless advice for solving your Magic woes by asking yourself the right questions.

The Finer Details

Ari Lax didn’t become a Pro Tour Champion by accident. Well, at least not entirely! Here he shares a few of the crucial details that made the difference between another decent PT showing and a novelty check for $40,000. Follow his advice and give yourself a good shot at #SCGMINN this weekend!

How To Attack

With creatures becoming the centerpieces of Magic more and more each year, the fundamental way to win most Magic games is to attack correctly. If you find yourself losing more than you’d like, there’s a good chance you could use Anthony’s advice about offense before #SCGMINN!

More Than A Game

Ross Merriam gives a fascinating look into the tension that competitive players feel between fun and dedication. Should you play Magic when you don’t want to? How important is resolve versus exhaustion in tournament Magic? What are you Magic goals and how far will you go to reach them?

Building For Endgames

Glenn Jones saw his theories put into practice during the Pro Tour! Read about the different ways current Standard decks align and take advantage of one another and how important it is for you to understand those dynamics before #SCGWOR!

Stealing From Starcraft

Carsten Kotter knows Magic theory looking at itself only goes so far. Here, he pays tribute to other games that have Magic fundamentals to teach us, and he applies these theories to common Eternal format decks! Check out his work before #SCGWOR!

Ghost Report From Pro Tour Magic 2015

The Pro Tour starts today, and what better way to learn about the struggle and the preparation required to succeed at such levels than reading the amazing Cinderella story of how a local Limited ringer learned Constructed nearly overnight on his way to reaching a Pro Tour final!

The Fault In Our Stars

With the Pro Tour looming large, Todd talks about team-testing flaws. But the thrust of what he wants to convey today involves Magic Online, its latest controversy, and the important steps that need to be taken in order to restore order to the culture surrounding the program.

Testing The Unknown

One of the interesting things about Pro Tour testing is that there is relatively little information to go on. What is the metagame going to be? What cards matter? Which cards are traps? In this great read, BBD tells you how to venture into the unknown and conquer it…without even really knowing what it is.

Fear The One-Of

Tom “The Boss” Ross is still at the height of his game after his back-to-back Invitational wins! Here, he explains to you why always jamming even the most important card as a four-of is often nonsense. Use Tom’s expertise to gain an advantage at #SCGNJ and #SCGINDY!

Selling It (And Other Intangibles)

There are still way too many Magic players who think playing their cards is all that matters. Try learning how to play your opponents. GerryT gives us another stellar look into the mind of professional Magic players and what they’re doing that you are not.

Tough Love

Anthony Lowry has some effective methods for optimizing Magic and life in general. Read his words of wisdom and discover how to prevent burn out, anger, and other negative emotions that have huge effects on your well-being!

How To Playtest Correctly

Work. School. Lots of things occupy our time so that Magic isn’t always able to. GerryT says that it doesn’t matter. With the right mindset, the right tools, and the right attitude, you can utilize great playtesting no matter what your situation!