Monday, April 13th – We’re entering a very exciting period that puts Standard front and center, with Regionals leading into a PTQ Season featuring the most popular Constructed format on the planet. The month of March featured several large Standard events in the United States and Europe, and analyzing that data should give us an idea how the pre-Alara Reborn Standard format is shaping up.
Friday, April 10th – Last Friday night I was hanging outside Richmond Comix with Jay Delazier between rounds, and he mentioned he didn’t like last week’s column very much. When I asked him why, he said he thought I was contradicting myself…
Thursday, April 9th – You’ve been locked in a tight game three, but the match is edging towards an unfavorable closure. The last few turns have been an attrition war, and the life totals are close, but you look across the table and the sinking feeling that your opponent firmly has the upper hand sets in. As is, you’re dead on his next attack step… Or are you?
Tuesday, April 7th – Today’s Sullivan Library tackles the other Blue tribe from Lorwyn: Merfolk! While the Standard metagame doesn’t reveal their power at first glance, those in the know are aware that these fishes have teeth. Adrian contrasts a couple of successful lists, and suggests one of his own…
Monday, April 6th – With previews starting to sneak in, it looks an old aggro deck is set to pick up a few interesting weapons. Will Alara Reborn bring Blightning up to Tier 1 status? And can a budget version produce results?
Friday, April 3rd – Soon the collective attention of Magic columnists will turn to Standard, and likely stay there for quite a while since there is going to be a crush of Standard events in the next several months. Regionals is fast approaching, about a month and a half away, and we’ve also got the Qualifier season for Pro Tour: Austin starting in May, and that’s Standard too.
Thursday, April 2nd – For the first time in a long time, I know enough about a format to be able to write a serious, tech-laden article. However, by the time you read this, the Nix Tix queues will be gone, and the sealed Swiss probably as well. In other words, I’m going to concentrate on the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open.
Thursday, April 2nd – In the first of a new weekly column, Brazil’s finest Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa takes us through a hectic five weeks of Magic played in many exotic locations across the world. He also gives us a definitive examination of his current favorite deck, Standard Faeries. Welcome aboard, PV!
Wednesday, April 1st – I love playing Standard, it’s easily my favorite format. It is the easiest to pick up as a new player, because the cards are typically still available as retail packs. It’s also easy to grasp, because you only have about 1500 cards to keep track of. Most importantly, the power level is pretty much exactly where I like it.
Tuesday, March 31st – With the all-gold Alara Reborn on the horizon, Dave can’t talk about anything but multicolored cards. Enclosed inside: enough gold decks to pay for a week’s worth of Cash4Gold commercials!
Tuesday, March 31st – At the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open, an impressive 432 players came to battle it out for the top prize. Adrian Sullivan, armed with all 432 decklists, examines the statistics and trends behind those successful – and not so successful – archetypes…
Monday, March 30th – The format for Pro Tour: Austin Qualifiers is Standard. Can you believe it? For the first time in as long as I’ve been playing Magic, Wizards of the Coast has finally decided to make Standard the format of choice for players battling for a blue envelop. Seriously? Check. Awesome? Check again.
Monday, March 30th – At the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open in Indianapolis a few days ago, Patrick Chapin cast aside his Five-Color Control deck for something a little more aggressive. He piloted this new deck to a commendable Top 16 finish. So, what on earth could have persuaded the Innovator to leave his Cryptic Commands at home? Read on to find out!
Thursday, March 26th – Legion Events ran a $3k event last Saturday. The format was mixed – an Alara Sealed event in the morning, and a Standard event after lunch. I got to head judge the Standard, which means I got the decklists when we were done. I have the Top 8 lists, the complete field breakdown, and some just plain interesting lists.
Tuesday, March 24th – Last weekend, Adrian entered a $3000 Magic tournament in Wisconsin. Today, he shares his thoughts on his Sealed pool before moving onto an in-depth analysis of the successful Standard decks. With the StarCityGames.com $5000 Standard Open this coming weekend, it pays to be prepared!
