About the show
The Dive Down is a Magic: The Gathering podcast focused on the latest decks, trends, and strategies for the casual spikes in Modern, Pioneer, Explorer, and more!
Each week your hosts Dave, Shane, and Stanislav discuss the latest innovations, competitive events, and level-up topics for paper and online players.
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Proudly sponsored by Heavy Play, a new card gaming accessories brand that'll improve your gameplay and game day. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com/
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Episodes and Blog Entries
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Episode 90: Zendikar Rising Rises: Spoilers, Vol. 1
Episode | September 10th, 2020 | 1 hr 51 mins
We take a look at the first batch of spoilers from Zendikar Rising and identify some picks to click from the upcoming set. Before that, we have a conversation about the 2021 Magic roadmap in a non-meta Break Down!
The Break Down: DDN FNM MTGG
The Break Down, cont: Cool Set, Inc.
The Dive Down: Spoilers, Spoilers, Spoilers! -
Episode 89: Return of the Living Dredge
Episode | September 4th, 2020 | 1 hr 49 mins
This week we revisit Dredge! In our first repeat deck dive, we talk about what's changed for the deck, how that makes it better.. or worse.. or just different? What did playing this deck feel like in the current meta? What's up with Silversmote Ghoul? Before that, we dive into 3 recent Modern tournaments to see what's up.
The Break Down: Modern MOCS & Challenges
The Break down, pt.2: More Cool Decks, Inc.
The Dive Down: Shane Beeps Returns to Play -
Episode 88: Gifts Storm: A Modern Ritual
Episode | August 28th, 2020 | 1 hr 41 mins
This week it's back to Modern for the TDD crew as they peruse Prelim pivots for a format pulse and then dive into one of the oldest and Izzetest decks in Modern — Gifts Storm. Stan gets emotional. Dave gets self-deprecating. Shane gets quiet. It's another week on The Dive Down.
Housekeeping: A Winner is Announced!
The Break Down: Surprises in the Modern Prelims
The Dive Down: Grapeshot: The Gift That Keeps on Giving -
Bonus 9: A Philosophy of Design ft. Patrick Sullivan
Episode | August 26th, 2020 | 1 hr 11 mins
For this bonus ep, we welcome Patrick Sullivan to the pod to talk Magic, game design, and broadcasting! He shares some great insights with us from his long career in gaming.
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Episode 87: The Buyer's Guide to Double Masters & Other Stuff
Episode | August 21st, 2020 | 1 hr 49 mins
First on this week's show, the TDD crew do a quick check in on Pioneer a couple of weeks after the bannings. After that they do a deep dive into the financial implications of Double Masters and chat about how they approach the most fun part of Magic in general — buying stuff. Turns out it's more complicated than even Shane thought.
The Break Down: Pioneer Challenges
The Dive Down: Double the Masters
The Double Dive Down: Putting the Fun in Financial -
Episode 86: Pioneer Format, Reborn
Episode | August 14th, 2020 | 1 hr 47 mins
This week we break down the post-ban Pioneer Challenges and Prelims and talk about what's over and under-performing. Then we head into the Dive Down to talk about our experiences playing Pioneer, our thoughts on the state of the format, and answer some listener questions!
The Break Down: Pioneer is Back, Baybee!
The Dive Down: Are We Having Fun Yet?
The Wind Down: Dive Down is that You? It's Me, Listeners. -
Episode 85: Pioneer Bans & Modern Prowess Stans
Episode | August 7th, 2020 | 1 hr 46 mins
This week we break down the 4 new bans in Pioneer, and talk about what this means for the format! In the Dive Down we go over the many flavors of Prowess in Modern: Red, Izzet, Gruul, Rakdos - how to choose?!
The Break Down: A Lovely Surprise Banning!
The Dive Down: Not Everyone's Tempo
The Dive Down, cont: We Could Bolt or Not Bolt Forever -
Episode 84: The Many Moods of Mystic Sanctuary
Episode | July 31st, 2020 | 1 hr 47 mins
This week we take a look at one of the most popular and powerful cards in Modern - Mystic Sanctuary. What makes it good, how is it being played, and what can you do with it? Before that, we break down the Manatraders July Modern 15k tournament.
The Break Down: Modern Manatraders
The Dive Down: Making Mystic Mighty -
Episode 83: That New Meta Smell
Episode | July 24th, 2020 | 1 hr 49 mins
On this week's episode, the team does a long break down on what's happened in Pioneer and Modern in the week since our most recent bans. Takes are given... and returned? Moods are had... and worked out? Then we talk about what we've been playing lately. Ponza! White Tokens! UR Prowess! Mono Green Devotion! We'll let you guess who is who!
The Break Down: Modern/Pioneer: Similar/Same
The Dive Down: Our Decks: That's the Same Picture -
Episode 82: Bans: 1 Mana Permanents Edition ft. Aspiring Spike
Episode | July 17th, 2020 | 1 hr 50 mins
On this week's episode, friend of the show Evart Moughon aka Aspiring Spike drops in for a reaction to the latest Banned & Restricted announcement. Then we talk about some of Evart's latest takes on Modern Control.
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Episode 81: A Dive Down State of Mind
Episode | July 10th, 2020 | 1 hr 50 mins
This week the team tries to just chill (for once) and ends up with a 60min+ Break Down of the last 6 months of Modern and Pioneer, some ban speculation (before the upcoming announcement was announced), and answering listener questions. Shane brings some takes. Stanislav disagrees with Dave. Dave opens packs on air in retaliation. It's another week on The Down Down!
The Break Down: 6 months of Modern + Pioneer
The Dive Down: Listener questions -
Bonus 8: Big on Tik Tok w/ Deezy_MTG
Episode | July 7th, 2020 | 1 hr 7 mins
In this bonus episode, Stan sits down with Nick Valdez, AKA Deezy MTG to talk about the art of content creation, MTG comedy, and what it's like being the #1 Magic Tik Tok account in America and maybe the world!
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Episode 80: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Core Set 2021 Edition
Episode | July 3rd, 2020 | 1 hr 52 mins
On this week's episode we take three (or more!) decks featuring Core Set 2021 cards through the Sleeve/Believe/Heave gauntlet. Did they have what it takes to get the coveted "Sleeve" rating? Following that, we discuss how new cards are impacting classic decks in Modern and Pioneer!
The Dive Down: Stanislav Snoops
The Dive Down, pt 2: Dave Stormwings
The Dive Down, pt 3: Shane Selesnyas
... And more! -
Episode 79: Naya Winota: Joining Forces in Modern & Pioneer
Episode | June 26th, 2020 | 1 hr 50 mins
This week we dive into both Modern AND Pioneer to explore Naya Winota! Did she successfully recruit us into joining her forces, or did we remain unaffiliated? We also do a quick break down of the latest Modern Challenge to explore the variety of decks finding success, and wind down with some Patreon questions.
The Break Down: Stanislav <3s Modern
The Dive Down: History's Best BoP Deck?
The Wind Down: A Few Questions -
Episode 78: Pioneer Possibilities & Core 21, pt. 2
Episode | June 19th, 2020 | 1 hr 51 mins
This week we receive a short but substantial ray of sunshine about Pioneer from Shane and then talk about our our second and final batch of picks to click from Core Set 2021!
The Break Down: Pioneer is Actually Good
The Break Down, cont: But What About Inverter? Stan Speaks
The Dive Down: Spoilers, Spoilers, Spoilers (again) -
Episode 77: Companions Crash & Core 21, pt. 1
Episode | June 12th, 2020 | 1 hr 51 mins
This week we look at the post-Companion metas for Pioneer and Modern, then talk about our picks to click from the first batch of Core Set 2021 spoilers!
The Break Down: Our Companions Leave Us Alone
The Break Down, cont: Modern & Pioneer Metas
The Dive Down: Spoilers, Spoilers, Spoilers