The Dive Down

Episode 136: Historic Horizons: New Cards Same as the Old Cards

Episode  |  August 4th, 2021  |  1 hr 46 mins

Jumpstart: Historic Horizons is upon us, and we are contractually obligated to have takes for you. So here they are. We go over the new mechanics, the economy issues, and, most importantly, the stand-out cards in the set. Before that, we look at some of the most recent high-level Historic tournaments to take a look at the current meta before it gets shaken up.
The Break Down: Historic Insights
The Dive Down: Seeking Perpetual Conjuration
The Dive Down, cont: Just a Whole Lot of Cards

Episode 135: Modern ManaTraders and Metagamers

Episode  |  July 28th, 2021  |  1 hr 43 mins

This week we do a deep dive into some STATS. We look at the big ManaTraders event from last weekend - what decks made it to the swiss, and how did they perform? We even get a tournament report from the one host who qualified! Following that, we take a look at the evolving Modern metagame from the last 3 weeks of tournament data to see how the format is shaking out.
The Break Down: Historic What?
The Dive Down: Crashing ManaTraders
The Dive Down, cont: Hammer Seems Good

Episode 134: Five Cards You Want Banned in Modern

Episode  |  July 21st, 2021  |  1 hr 50 mins

In this weeks ep, we reveal the results of The Dive Down Nation's Modern Ban survey. What are the five cards you voted on to be removed from Modern, and more importantly.... what are our takes on the results?! Before that, we go over some Tasha's Hideous Laughter math that citizen of the Nation Stefan generated, and briefly discuss Sunday's Modern Challenge Top 8!

Episode 133: Izzet You Glad We Played Murktide?

Episode  |  July 14th, 2021  |  1 hr 46 mins

First up this week, we take a quick spin through last week's Modern Leagues and pick out a few extremely cool decks to chat about. After that it's an Izzet world and we just delve right into it. That's right, it's UR week on The Dive Down (again) as we take a deep look at one of the latest best decks of Modern Horizons 2 Modern — Izzet Murktide. We discuss why we think the deck is suited to the meta right now, how to play it, and how to beat it (we think). Tune in to find out if this is a control deck, a midrange deck, or a tempo deck — we have a definitive answer! (Warning: We do not have a definitive answer.)

Shane loves Counterspell. Dave loves Garden State. Stan loves 8-2s.

Episode 132: Venture Into the Adventure: MTG n' D&D Spoilers v1

Episode  |  July 7th, 2021  |  1 hr 52 mins

Well, we've finally arrived at The Forgotten Realms, and talk about what mechanics and cards from the latest set we think have the potential to impact Historic, Modern, and Pioneer. Before that, we talk about the weekend's Modern Challenges to continue to keep up with the dynamic Modern meta.

Episode 131: Still Crushing on Modern Horizons 2

Episode  |  July 1st, 2021  |  1 hr 40 mins

SPECIAL NOTE: We had issues with Dave's audio this week, so he sounds bad! We are sorry!
In this week's episode we continue to explore the developments and decks of the Modern Horizons 2 metagame. We first explore 4 Modern events that took place over the last weekend, then talk about our experiences playing some of the latest contenders in Modern. Is Stan converting to a full-time Enchantress player? Did Shane purchase another set of Stoneforge Mystics? Did Dave.... oh wait Dave always loves Rakdos.

Episode 130: Sleeve/Believe/Heave Modern Horizons 2 Blue Decks ed.

Episode  |  June 24th, 2021  |  1 hr 50 mins

Stan and Shane played a whole lot of blue spells for the latest installment of Sleeve/Believe/Heave, featuring some emerging Modern Horizons 2 strategies. We chat about our findings with the Izzet Delver decks, Izzet Food, Jeskai Monkey Blade, and more!

Bonus 13: Filing Taxes with SpiderSpace

Episode  |  June 18th, 2021  |  1 hr 14 secs

In our latest bonus episode, we're joined by a genuine MTGO stalwart, Gabe Maxson aka SpiderSpace to chat about Modern, content creation, and white taxes decks.

Episode 129: The First Decks of Modern Horizons 2

Episode  |  June 16th, 2021  |  1 hr 54 mins

On this week's episode we attempt something ambitious - looking at every deck in the most recent Modern deck dump that features MH2 cards. And that's almost all of them! Join us as we talk about the latest decks, trends, and dare we say it, strategies in Modern.

Episode 128: The Modern Horizons 2 Full-ish Set Review, Part 2

Episode  |  June 9th, 2021  |  1 hr 53 mins

It's just Stan and Shane this week, and they tackle the second half of the Modern Horizons 2 full set review! Before that, there's a brief Cool Decks, Inc, where we cover 3 decks that made the top 8 of last weekend's Modern Challenge. We then plant some flags and light some takes on fire about the best and worst cards in MH2.

Episode 127: The Modern Horizons 2 Full Set Review, Part 1 ft. Aspiringspike

Episode  |  June 2nd, 2021  |  1 hr 59 mins

It's finally here!! The first in our two part FULL SET REVIEW for Modern Horizons 2. This week Shane's travel schedule kept him off the episode, but he's been replaced with our unofficial 4th host, Evart Moughon, aka Aspiringspike, one of the most respected and creative deck builders and streamers in Modern.

Episode 126: Modern Horizons 2 Previews Begin & Thassa's Oracle Banning

Episode  |  May 27th, 2021  |  1 hr 45 mins

This week we talk the banning of Thassa's Oracle in Historic and the first post-ban Historic tournament. Then we head into The Dive Down to discuss the early Modern Horizons 2 previews, and then tackle some listener questions in The Wind Down!
The Break Down: Oracle Nomoreacle
The Dive Down: Horizons for Yerizons and Ear...zons
The Wind Down: Your Questions, Answered

Episode 125: Hello Historic Anthology 5, Goodbye MPL

Episode  |  May 21st, 2021  |  1 hr 40 mins

Jobs were lost (after next year) and new cards are announced (for next week). We go through all 25 additions from Historic Anthology 5, consider their potential and their competitive past. We also reflect on what the competitive future looks like for casual spikes.

Bonus12: Going Optimal with Ryan Spain

Episode  |  May 14th, 2021  |  1 hr 22 mins

In our latest bonus episode, we're joined by a godfather of Magic podcasts, limited extraordinaire, and former member of WOTC's Arena team, Ryan Spain! We chat about how the platform works, whether or not it's out to get you, and how to use two Arena accounts to draft more.

Episode 124: The Summer of Legend Emergency React-i-sode

Episode  |  May 10th, 2021  |  1 hr 33 mins

We couldn't wait until Friday to get this out to you, so here's an early EMERGENCY REACT-I-SODE to Wizard's "Summer of Legend" announcement this past week. We talk about Modern Horizons II, the Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, the return of sanctioned Magic, Historic Anthology 5, and more!

Episode 123: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Strixhaven Modern Edition

Episode  |  May 7th, 2021  |  1 hr 48 mins

This week we are testing 2 new, and 1 not-really-new, decks featuring the latest cards from Strixhaven, and running them through the Sleeve/Believe/Heave ringer. Just how much DOES Dave love Magma Opus? Is Dredge back? Is Witchermancer the new Skelementals? Listen, and find out! Before that, we take a deep dive into the big weekend of Historic and analyze the winners and losers across the SCG Historic Satellite events.