Ikoria Lair of Behemoths Featured Image

Let's All Get Hyped for Nightmare Squirrels

On By matledgeIn OtherLeave a comment

Short post this week because I’m moving across the country in the time of coronavirus, but who cares because we’re getting a NIGHTMARE SQUIRREL y’all:

https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/612967583098011648/maros-ikoria-teaser

Everything is crazy right now, and we all have to find joy where we can. For me, that joy is located in the words “Nightmare Squirrel,” “different name(s),” and “X is the number of times this creature has mutated.”

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths seems set to include some straight-up weird Magic cards and mechanics, which is the kind of nonsense I specifically want out of new expansions. Give me your crazy creature types, your inventive mechanics, and your Johnny build-arounds. Prior to seeing this zany teaser list, I was not especially excited for Ikoria. Now, I’m incredibly hyped for it.

So after I finish moving, after the coronavirus recedes, after I find a job – BRING ON THE BEHEMOTHS. If Maro’s teasers are any indication, I am going to play the heck out of this Magic set. Which is good, because my new local game store is likely going to need my money.

magic-the-gathering-slang-beginners

Magic: The Gathering Slang for Beginners

On By matledgeIn OtherLeave a comment

As someone who has both learned and taught people how to play Magic: The Gathering, I can tell you that learning this game is hard. Even after learning the rules, there’s a wealth of Magic knowledge and sub-culture that new players have yet to absorb – complete with a set of game-specific slang.

To help Magic newbies understand at least some of this slang, I’ve listed some of the more popular Magic terms of the moment. I tried keeping this list to twenty or less terms, but ended up wanting to write about twenty-two. If you have no idea what a lord is, or what people mean when they tell you your deck is medium, you’re in the right place. And if you’re ready for a more comprehensive guide (beware – they might be overwhelming), you can check out some of the resources I used to assemble this list.

Continue reading “Magic: The Gathering Slang for Beginners” →
Delver of Secrets Featured Image

Getting Current with Pauper Mono-Blue Delver

On By matledgeIn PauperLeave a comment

Pauper Mono-Blue Delver took a bit of a hit last year, but now it appears to be back. Magic Online user JherjamesB has brought some new Throne of Eldraine tech and an old Time Spiral creature together to give Mono-Blue Delver new life, and I’m excited to sleeve up their list.

  • Mystic Sanctuary
  • Fathom Seer
Continue reading “Getting Current with Pauper Mono-Blue Delver” →
Uro Titan of Natures Wrath Featured Image

Updating Niv-Mizzet Reborn for Theros: Beyond Death Brawl

On By matledgeIn BrawlLeave a comment

Um … I’m actually not adding any Theros: Beyond Death cards to my Niv-Mizzet Reborn Brawl deck. I guess I’ll see you here again in a couple weeks? Thanks for stopping by?

Niv says it was nice to see you.

Wait, no, okay, wait – I do have an article for you. And it’s a good one, explaining exactly why no Theros: Beyond Death cards are making their way into my Niv-Mizzet Reborn deck.

Continue reading “Updating Niv-Mizzet Reborn for Theros: Beyond Death Brawl” →
MTG Goldfish Modern Archetypes Jan 2020

How to Get Back Into Modern After Months Away

On By matledgeIn ModernLeave a comment

It’s been nearly four months since I last played Modern, and in that time, the metagame has evolved quite a bit. So much, in fact, that I have nearly no experience playing against many of Modern’s current top decks. That lack of knowledge has me feeling a bit disadvantaged, as I prepare to re-enter my local Modern scene.

However, I’ve taken breaks from Modern before – and I have a system for learning as much as I can about the current metagame, recent updates to my deck, and how my deck matches up against the field. I’m going through this “Modern reorientation” process right now, and I figured it might be helpful to formalize it – so others can learn how to quickly catch up on Modern, too.

Continue reading “How to Get Back Into Modern After Months Away” →