The Dive Down

Episode 163: Talking Magic in Trying Times

Episode  |  March 2nd, 2022  |  1 hr 45 mins

It's been a trying week. We needed a break. So this week, we're going to keep it positive by taking some time to discuss what we've been enjoying in Magic and beyond. It's a bit of a grab bag — we talk about the MOCS, Slogurk, Creativity, Oni-Cult, paper magic, hanging with Stan, hanging with Shane, and more. Stan gets a trophy. Dave loses creatively. Shane finds a deck he thinks is cool.

Episode 162: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Neon Dynasty pt.2 Ed.

Episode  |  February 24th, 2022  |  1 hr 44 mins

Turns out that sleevin' neon is so fun we had to do it for a second week. So here it is — three or four or maybe more new decks that feature cards from Neon Dynasty including Modern Assault Loam with Boseiju (and Slogurk!), Modern Death & Taxes with Boseiju, Pioneer Auras with Light-Paws, and Pioneer Burn with Reinforced Ronin. But before we state them and rate them, we first go through last weekend's Modern Showcase Challenge and discover many shades of innovation in... red... and... white? Dave has boeuf sweats. Stan believes it's slime time now. Shane plays a deck he hates... again.

Episode 161: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Fun With Artifacts ed.

Episode  |  February 17th, 2022  |  1 hr 44 mins

Turns out that Neon Dynasty may have had a little more impact on our formats than we originally anticipated. The reason why? Why, it's (mostly) thanks to Magic's favorite no-downside card type: Artifacts. Tune in as we try out builds of Urzaful/Urzaless Affinity and UW Hammer in Modern, Vehicle Tribal in Historic, and a whole new Ensoul Artifact build in Pioneer. But first, we take a look across 3 high level Modern MTGO events from the weekend. Dave asks for forgiveness. Shane withholds a harsh judgement. Stan gets chipped.
The Break Down: Not many NEO cards in the Challenges
The Dive Down: NEO cards in Leagues: Vehicles, Affinity, and Ensoul
The Dive Down, cont: Stan's New Love: 4-0in' Prelims

Episode 160: A Dynasty of Neon Spoilers, Vol. 2

Episode  |  February 10th, 2022  |  1 hr 48 mins

In the epic conclusion of our Neon Dynasty picks to click, we scan the complete set spoiler and shout out our favorite dragon, counterspell, samurai, and skyturtle. Before that, we kick off the show with break down of January's Modern MTGO metagame with another installment of the monthly report, and wrap up with a brief love letter to Legacy.
The Break Down: Monthly Modern Metagame: January
The Dive Down: Mode Cards Than You Could Ever Reconfigure
The Wind Down: Stan's New Love: Legacy

Episode 159: A Dynasty of Neon Spoilers, Vol. 1

Episode  |  February 3rd, 2022  |  1 hr 38 mins

It's time to head back to Kamigawa in the latest set... our Neon Destiny. I mean Density. I mean Dynasty. We take a look at cards from the first batch of spoilers we think are good in Modern, Historic, Pioneer, or just plain good! Before that, we break down the ManaTraders January Pioneer tournament.

Episode 158: We Thought There Would Be Bans, ft. SpiderSpace

Episode  |  January 27th, 2022  |  1 hr 49 mins

With Dave off this week, we are joined by streamer, former guest, and co-host of Mishra's Babble, Gabe Maxson, aka SpiderSpace! In the Break Down we talk about the (lack of) bans in Modern, then dive deep into the Modern Super Qualifier and SpiderSpace's second place finish. We then head into the Dive Down to discuss our recent play experiences, and in the Wind Down talk about the somber announcement from SCG of their ceasing their competitive content coverage.
The Break Down: Companions Live On
The Dive Down: And Spider Made the Finals!
The Wind Down: But Star City Though...

Bonus 17: The VML, Sloths, Moose(s), and Linguine ft Carolyn Kavanagh

Episode  |  January 25th, 2022  |  1 hr 6 mins

Stan and Dave sit down with the wonderful Carolyn Kavanagh to talk about the latest season of the VML, how we make new friends as adults, and which tree-dwelling mammal is the best animal of all. We also check in on Carolyn's current relationship with Modern and Mono-Green Tron.

Episode 157: Understanding the Pioneer Metagame ft. Dom Harvey

Episode  |  January 20th, 2022  |  1 hr 54 mins

The heat is on in Pioneer town. Is the format back from the dead? Seems like everyone is talking about it, and it’s this month’s format for the Manatraders monthly tournament series. So we’ve invited the incredibly wise and skilled Dom Harvey to share his insights and analysis of Pioneer’s most popular decks, including Jeskai Ascendancy, Izzet Phoenix, Boros Heroic, Lotus Field, and more.
The Dive Down, pt1: No Break Down This Week!
The Dive Down, pt2: Because the Whole Ep is Just Decks!
The Dive Down, pt3: Phoenix, Ascendancy, Heroic, Chonks, and More!

Episode 156: Yawgmoth: We Persisted

Episode  |  January 13th, 2022  |  1 hr 47 mins

Episode 155: 2022 Goals: The Nation Speaks

Episode  |  January 6th, 2022  |  1 hr 50 mins

It's 2022, and we're back with an episode that looks forward to the new year. We asked for listeners to submit their 2022 goals via audio and text, and everyone delivered! We give our thoughts and feedback on the goals of The Nation, and also discuss our own. Before that, we go over Stan's December 2021 Modern summary and the latest Modern Challenges. Here's to 2022!
The Break Down: December Modern Check-In
The Dive Down: Your Goals are Our Goals

Episode 154: Our Year End Extravaganza, ft. Aspiringspike

Episode  |  December 22nd, 2021  |  1 hr 50 mins

The end of 2021 is upon us, which means it's time for our annual year in review episode! And this time, we've brought a friend, our reliable unofficial fourth co-host, Aspiringspike. We first talk about the biggest releases, bannings, and changes in 2021 for Modern and Historic, then head into the awards show to hand out this year's Diveys. We talk about our favorite cards, decks, and events of the year, then discuss our goals for 2022. Thanks to all of you for another great year of The Dive Down!

Episode 153: We Did It For Science: Amulet Titan

Episode  |  December 15th, 2021  |  1 hr 46 mins

In the second installment of We Did It For Science, we explore... gulp... Amulet Titan. Yes, our most hated card goes through our rigorous experimental testing regimen. We go over what these decks are about, gameplans, threats, tips & tricks, and, most importantly, just how much we still hate Primeval Titan. Prior to that, we dive into the metagame of the latest Modern Showcase Challenge.
The Break Down: A Showcase Challenge
The Dive Down: No Idea How to Play This Deck
The Dive Down, cont: Look at This Cool Screenshot

Episode 152: Is Historic History?

Episode  |  December 8th, 2021  |  1 hr 54 mins

It's another in our awesome series of top-tier Patreon request episodes, as we take on Mickey S's (no, the other Mickey S) challenge to explore the decks and metagame of best-of-one Historic on Arena. We played a bunch of fun decks and faced off against even more, and have a lot of thoughts on the format. Prior to that, we break down the Innistrad Set Championship and go over the announcement of Alchemy and its impact on Historic, and perhaps all of Magic. Thanks again, Mickey!
The Break Down: Top 8s All Around
The Dive Down: Alchemical Explanations
The Dive Down, cont: Best of One, Best of All

Bonus 16: Magic, Games, and Culture (ft. the hosts of BAD END Podcast)

Episode  |  December 5th, 2021  |  1 hr 21 mins

In this latest installment in our series of bonus eps, Shane is joined by the hosts of the videogame and culture podcast BAD END, Josh Calixto and Kyle Kukshtel. They talk about BAD END and the Superculture network, their thoughts on what makes games and Magic work, and, most importantly, what their least favorite video games are. It's a great conversation, and we hope you like it!

Episode 151: TDD Live in Vegas, ft. Reid, Evart, Joe, Gal, Tannon, Sam, Eli, Michael, Joel, Levi, & Steven

Episode  |  November 24th, 2021  |  2 hrs 1 min

We come to you LIVE (well, sorta) from the recent MTG Las Vegas event, where we tapped some cards, hung out with friends, and talked to some big name players! We talked to some current and future household names about Modern, the decks they brought, and their tournament experiences. Thanks to our old and new friends Joe Lossett, Tannon Grace, Yamakiller, Aspiringspike, Sam Pardee, Reid Duke, Eli Loveman, Michael Rapp, and top 8 finishers Joel Lapray, Levi Sprung, and Steve Pearlman for the fun and insightful conversations!
The Dive Down: Shane & Stan went to Vegas!
The Dive Down, cont: For some reason Dave is here too!
The Dive Down, cont again: More interviews than you can shake your deck at!

Episode 150: The Road to Las Vegas IV: Preparing to Win, ft. Zach Allen

Episode  |  November 17th, 2021  |  1 hr 55 mins

It's episode 150!! In our final Road to Las Vegas segment, we are joined by SCG grinder, former host of Turn One Thoughtseize, and all around great guy Zach Allen. We first talk over the weekend's Challenges, then head into The Dive Down to talk about the decks of Modern, leveling up as a player, playing in a big tournament, why Aether Gust is the best card in Modern, and more. It's a can't-miss episode!
The Break Down: A Huge Challenge
The Dive Down: Preparation Makes Perfect
The Dive Down, cont: The End of the Road