Duel Decks- Blessed vs Cursed: Cursed Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
As the previews for Shadows over Innistrad begin to be unveiled this weekend, it’s not hard to see that flavor- always a crucial component of Magic sets- once again comes to pride of place. There was something about the original Innistrad, released in 2011, that ignited the imagination of many, and we see cards already making a callback to the ideas and troped of its predecessor. Notice the art of Relentless Dead, picking up where Endless Ranks of the Dead left off. Or the Delver of Secrets/Insectile Aberration finding its maturity in Aberrant Researcher/Perfected Form.
Duel Decks- Blessed vs Cursed: Blessed Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
While most of the research I do comes from articles on the internet or firsthand experience, every now and then a little firsthand research goes a long way. The latest entry in the Duel Decks series has tweaked the expected pattern, established in 2012, where you have a Spring planeswalker-based product followed by an Autumn theme-based one.
With the change to the block structure that began with Battle for Zendikar, it appears that the Duel Decks were themselves caught up in the roil. Read more 
Oath of the Gatewatch: Desperate Stand Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s game time! I’ve been keen to put Desperate Stand through its paces following the disappointment from Battle for Zendikar, and at last I’ve got my chance. Standing between me and glorious White/Black victory is Phil, who’s going for the surge angle with Surge of Resistance. Can cohort carry the day? Read more
Duel Decks- Zendikar vs Eldrazi: Zendikar Deck Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back to the plane of Zendikar, but taking a step back just for a moment from the Oath of the Gatewatch reviews. Today we return with the Duel Decks: Zendikar vs Eldrazi, and have our first playtest. Joining me at the table to champion the Eldrazi is Phil. Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Vicious Cycle Review (Part 1 of 2)
Nearly four years ago, we reviewed a deck called Slaughterhouse from Avacyn Restored. It was a deck that played in a space we’d seen before with preconstructed Magic, although not commonly. Following in the footsteps of Mirrodin’s Sacrificial Bam and Coldsnap’s Beyond the Grave, we summarized this style of deck as follows.
The objective of these decks is simple- take advantage of permanents that don’t mind dying to feed ones that reward you for when they do. Towards that end, many of its cards involve sacrifice and sacrifice outlets, along with the fodder that drives the deck forward.
If we were to summarize the objective of today’s Oath of the Gatewatch deck, Vicious Cycle, we could do no better.
Oath of the Gatewatch: Desperate Stand Review (Part 1 of 2)
Black/White (“Orzhov”) decks seem to be having something of a renaissance these days. Historically one of the less-common two-color pairings in preconstructed Magic, they’ve been on the rise since Return to Ravnica block. Some of this shouldn’t be surprising- after all, Gatecrash brought back the Guild of Deals with all of its extorting glory, and the Orzhov made the 50/50 cut to have a second deck devoted to it in Dragon’s Maze.
But it didn’t stop there.
Oath of the Gatewatch: Twisted Reality Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s our next playtest for Oath of the Gatewatch, and this time I’m taking Twisted Reality for a run. Featuring Wastes and loads of Eldrazi, I’m up against Phil’s Vicious Cycle. Can the Eldrazi finish what they’ve started on the plane of Zendikar, or will they find a final, eternal sleep? Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Concerted Effort Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back with another playtest of Oath of the Gatewatch, the second and final set in the Battle for Zendikar block. We’re looking at the Green/White Concerted Effort deck today, which makes use of the support mechanic to grow its creatures over the course of the battle.
Joining me across the table is Phil, who has opted to go with the White/Black Desperate Stand, a Black/White deck looking to abuse cohort. Here’s how it shook out. Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Concerted Effort Review (Part 1 of 2)
Infect, from 2010’s Scars of Mirrodin, was an updated take on the poison mechanic introduced at the dawn of the game in Legends. It also has the distinction of being one of the very few mechanics in the game that intersects with planeswalkers. Dealing -1/-1 counters to creatures and poison counters to a player, attacking a planeswalker was indeed about the only way you’d see ‘normal damage’ from an infect creature being dealt.
Ertai's Lament 