The Dive Down

Episode 318: Cori-Steel Appreciation Podcast #1

Episode  |  April 24th, 2025  |  1 hr 9 mins

On this week's show, we tried a handful of new cards from Dragonstorm: Tarkir, but Cori-Steel Cutter continues to cut through the competition. Stan plays Jeskai Affinity, Dave plays Tron, and D00mwake casually top 8s an RCQ with Prowess. Plus results from the Laughing Dragon Modern $20K!

Episode 317: We Found the Good Cards (Dragonstorm ed.)

Episode  |  April 17th, 2025  |  1 hr 6 mins

Dragonstorm: Tarkir has some wild cards and on this week's show, we've played with a few of them! Stan and D00mwake have a blast posting their Ws with Voice of Victory. Dave cuts steel with Cori-Steel Cutter. We also mess with some Flamehold Grappler, Stormscale Scion, and Tersa Lightshatter.

Episode 316: The Quiet Before the Dragonstorm

Episode  |  April 10th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

We looked at nine Magic Online Modern Challenges that fired in the unique week between a Modern ban and Dragonstorm: Tarkir's online debut. On this week's show, we benchmark the current Modern format, and look ahead at some possible new tech from the upcoming set.

Episode 315: Underworld, Breached

Episode  |  April 3rd, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

This week we react to one of the least surprising bans in recent Modern history and say goodbye to Underworld Breach. Dave, Devon, and Stan react, predict, and talk. Tune in for those three things.

What's That In Your Pocket, Level 5: Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct

Episode  |  April 2nd, 2025  |  1 hr 2 mins

What's That Today's the day we take What's That In Your Pocket public! Formerly a Patreon exclusive, you can now find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy pods! Join us every 2 weeks as we get together to talk about handheld gaming and technology. Come hang out as we explore the wild world of handhelds together!

In this episode Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct announcement is finally here, and we're along for the ride with our analysis and hot hot takes regarding the upcoming system. Listen in as we talk the hardware, upcoming games, and ... the price we'll have to pay to enjoy it.

Episode 314: Staying Busy Until Bans & Dragons Burn it All Down

Episode  |  March 27th, 2025  |  1 hr 8 mins

On this week's show, we discuss how to approach deck practice in Modern and Standard even though both formats are about to see significant changes. Stan plays some Living End and Jeskai Energy, d00mwake plays Lumbering Worldwagon in as many decks as possible. Plus some Dragonstorm: Tarkir spoilers!

Episode 313: Is Ugin Sexy Enough to Save Modern?

Episode  |  March 20th, 2025  |  1 hr 7 mins

On this week's show, we review the coolest decks from the Hunter Burton Memorial Open, the Spotlight Series in Utrecht, and the Southeast Asia RC in Bangkok. Then we wrap with a first look at Dragonstorm: Tarkir and admire yoked Ugin.

Episode 312: Breach Takes Charlotte and Other Modern Tales

Episode  |  March 13th, 2025  |  1 hr 7 mins

The final Modern RC of the season is now behind us, but the story of Temur Breach's dominance continues. We chat about the event metagame, the incredible amount of Grinding Station decks in the top 32, and D00mwake's experience playing Eldrazi.

Episode 311: Eldrazi Innovations & A Modern Dose of Ketramose

Episode  |  March 6th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

With RC Charlotte on D00mwake's doorstep, Devon shares the results and findings of his practice for the one of the year's biggest Modern tournaments. Dave shares some meta data from last week's Modern RC in China, and Stan wraps up with his new found fondness and admiration for Ketramose in Orzhov Blink.

Episode 310: A Lot of MaRo in Chicago

Episode  |  February 27th, 2025  |  1 hr 58 mins

MagicCon: Chicago was the biggest MagicCon ever, in part because The Dive Down was there to experience it. This week's show features conversation we had at the Con with Mark Rosewater, Blake Rasmussen, and Athena Froehlich. We chat about a couple cards revealed from Tarkir: Dragonstorm and gather some WOTC insights following December's Modern unbans.

Episode 309: Aetherdrift & Green Sun’s Zenith: Not What We Expected

Episode  |  February 20th, 2025  |  1 hr 8 mins

On this week's episode, we discuss our mutual surprise over the impact of Aetherdrift on Modern. Then we wrap our series on Modern's latest unbans with a look at Green Sun's Zenith in Amulet Titan and beyond.

Episode 308: Portland RC: Reactions & Reflections

Episode  |  February 13th, 2025  |  1 hr 5 mins

On this week's show, we review the results of the latest Modern Regional Championship, along with the Sunday 10K, and kneel at the altar of our new format overlords, Underworld Breach & Grinding Station. Then we chat about Stan's experiences playing both events, and Dave shares some horror stories from drafting Aetherdrift four times.

Episode 307: Energy Bars: Prepping for Portland

Episode  |  February 6th, 2025  |  1 hr 7 mins

It's Portland time! Join us as we go deep on Stan's tournament prep for the Modern RC. We talk Stan's testing journey with Boros Energy, go deep on the mirror and the other top matchups, discuss the finer points of Stone Rains, card advantage options, and more.

Episode 306: You Can't Play Splinter Twin in Prague

Episode  |  January 30th, 2025  |  1 hr 10 mins

After a huge weekend of Modern Regional Championships, we're tripping over spreadsheets of matchup data. We discuss which decks impressed us, surprised us, and disappointed us from three huge tournaments in Prague, Canada, and Brazil. Then we wrap up with a chat about our experiences playing Splinter Twin.

Episode 305: Why Mox Opal Is or Isn't the Best Card in Modern

Episode  |  January 23rd, 2025  |  1 hr 8 mins

As we continue to play with Modern's latest round of unbans, something has become apparent. Mox Opal is a heck of a card. On this week's show, we play it in Temur Breach, Affinity, Hammer Time, and Broodscale to figure where Opal shines and where it feels dull. Turns out, the card is quite good even when its deck is bad.

Episode 304: Why Isn’t Faithless Looting the Best Card in Modern?

Episode  |  January 16th, 2025  |  1 hr 6 mins

In the first of our episodes diving into each card from the recent unbans, we take a deep look at Faithless Looting. What decks have been playing it? Why isn't it as powerful as it used to be? Where do we go from here?