The Dive Down

Episode 98: Auditing Modern Mono-White Taxes

Episode  |  November 6th, 2020  |  1 hr 50 mins

We spend this week looking at an up-and-coming deck in Modern: Mono-White Taxes. We spend some time looking at the history of Taxes decks, how this deck works, and if we think it's actually that good. Before that we breeze through some Modern Challenge and Qualifier results from Magic Online.
The Break Down: Challenging Tournaments
The Dive Down: Challenging Sandwiches
The Dive Down, cont: Challenging Playpatterns

Bonus 10: Songs About Cards ft. MTGRemy

Episode  |  November 3rd, 2020  |  1 hr 11 mins

In our latest bonus episode, musician and comedian MTGRemy joins us for a conversation about making Magic-inspired parody songs and sketches for YouTube.

Episode 97: Pioneer: A G.O.O.D. Format?

Episode  |  October 30th, 2020  |  1 hr 50 mins

On the one year anniversary of Pioneer, we give the format a performance review. We look at what happened over the last year, and what are the Goals, Obstacles, Opportunities, and Decisions that we can evaluate and make for the newest competitive Magic format.
The Break Down: A Call From Corporate
The Dive Down: A History Lesson
The Dive Down, cont: A Performance Review

Episode 96: The Unifying Theory of Good Magic Formats

Episode  |  October 23rd, 2020  |  1 hr 42 mins

This week Stan and Shane pair up to explore what can make Magic great, and why Modern has been a fan favorite in 2020. Before that, we look at a quartet of Modern and Pioneer challenges to see where the meta is headed.
The Break Down: Breaking it Down
The Dive Down: Building it Up
The Wind Down: Moving it Around

Episode 95: We Did It For Science: The Titanic Power of Uro and Omnath

Episode  |  October 16th, 2020  |  1 hr 47 mins

In the first installment of "We Did It For Science," we look at two cards we just aren't (or weren't) that interested in playing with: Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath and Omnath, Locus of Creation. Are these cards good, REALLY good, or TOO good? You're going to have to listen to find out. Before that, we take a (fairly) quick look at a few recent Challenges to see what's going on in the metagame.
The Break Down: Always Challenging
The Dive Down: Jump Into the Pile
The Dive Down, cont: Four Arms to Hold You

Episode 94: Zendikar Rules! New Innovations in Modern & Pioneer

Episode  |  October 9th, 2020  |  1 hr 49 mins

Stan and Shane are on their own this week, so they talk about their recent playtesting in Modern and Pioneer in a vaguely Sleeve/Believe/Heave part two. Before that, they go over the weekend's Pioneer and Modern Showcase Challenges to see what's performing well and what the meta looks like. And then they finish with an extended Wind Down where they answer a bunch of listener questions.
The Break Down: Dave's Not Here, Man
The Break Down, pt. 2: Just Kidding
The Dive Down: Stan and Shane Play Decks!
The Wind Down: Getting Personal

Episode 93: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Zendikar Rising Edition

Episode  |  October 2nd, 2020  |  1 hr 48 mins

This week we apply our patent-pending Sleeve/Believe/Heave rating system to 3 potentially breakout Modern and Pioneer decks. Are they the real deal, or not worth your time? Only one way to find out. Prior to that, we look at the winning decks and statistics from the most recent Manatraders Modern tournament.
The Break Down: Manatraders Modern 15k
The Dive Down: Oops All Spells!
The Dive Down, cont: Oops No Life!

Episode 92: The Early Risers of Zendikar Rising

Episode  |  September 25th, 2020  |  1 hr 45 mins

We take a good, long look at the latest decks, trends, and strategies in Modern and Pioneer, but this time with the cards of Zendikar Rising! We start with Cool Decks (and cards!), Inc, as we look through 2 Modern and 2 Pioneer Challenges. Then we head into The Dive Down and do a mini-dive on Gruul Goblin Charbelcher, and look at changes to Jeskai, Mill, and Death's Shadow. And look suspiciously at Omnath...
The Break Down: Challenging Challenges
The Dive Down: Recrossing, Reforging, Rebelching
The Dive Down, cont: Other Concerning Things

Episode 91: Zendikar Rising Rises: Spoilers, Vol. 2 ft. Aspiring Spike

Episode  |  September 18th, 2020  |  1 hr 50 mins

Stan's on vacation, which means we get to have Evart Moughon (aka Aspiring Spike) on as a returning guest host to talk about the second week of Zendikar Rising spoilers. We revisit some cards from last week to get Evart's takes and give some more picks to click from the latest set. Before that, we look at some Modern and Pioneer Challenges to see what's happening in the meta.
The Break Down: Modern & Pioneer Challenges
The Dive Down: A Few Redos
The Dive Down, cont: The Last of the Spoilers

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.

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