The Dive Down

A Magic: The Gathering podcast for the casual spike, focused on Modern, Pioneer, Explorer, and more!

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 THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com/

We're also sponsored by ManaTraders, the best Magic card rental service for both Magic Online and paper! Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown or use Manatraders coupon code THEDIVEDOWN_8LU

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Episodes and Blog Entries

  • Episode 254: RC Atlanta is Over and So is 2023

    Episode  |  December 21st, 2023  |  1 hr 48 mins

    With all the discourse swirling around Dreamhack Atlanta, the Dive Down boys decide to avoid it at all costs and just look at the cold hard facts - which decks did well, which decks did poorly, what did the matchup spreads look like, and where does Pioneer go from here. We also wrap up the show with an extended wind down recapping some of our favorite moments from Magic, podcasting, and pop culture.

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    Episode 253: RC Atlanta Preview: Amalia, Copters, & More

    Episode  |  December 14th, 2023  |  1 hr 31 mins

    RC Atlanta is looming, so this week the team is diving into Pioneer. Dave, Devon, and Shane take a spin through what's happened to the format since the bans early last week. But before that we spend some time on the Modern main from the LET in Barcelona.

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    Episode 252: Four Bans, Too Furious

    Episode  |  December 5th, 2023  |  1 hr 32 mins

    The mad lads did it! Fury... banned. Up the Beanstalk... banned. Karn, the Great Creator... banned. Geological Appraiser... banned. Smuggler's Copter... used to be banned, now unbanned. We react to the bombshell B&R, consider which decks win and lose from the announcement, and think about what looks good for RC Atlanta.

  • Episode 251: Regional Championships and Unusual Discoveries in Pioneer

    Episode  |  November 30th, 2023  |  1 hr 29 mins

    On this week's show, The Dive Down breaks down results from a variety of Pioneer RCs that took place in Asia, Latin America, and Canada. Our eyes pop out at some numbers from the new Discover decks, and we check-in on the final NRG Series open of the year.

  • Episode 250: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Lost Caverns Edition

    Episode  |  November 23rd, 2023  |  1 hr 25 mins

    On this week's show, The Dive Down take some new cards from Lost Caverns of Ixalan for a spin in Modern and Pioneer. They cast Tishana's Tidebinder, Geological Appraiser, Warden of the Inner Sky, and more!

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    Episode 249: These Rhinos Ride Again

    Episode  |  November 16th, 2023  |  1 hr 38 mins

    This week on The Dive Down we get back to basics. Stan and Shane focus on the three things The Dive Down does best: a) break down a large Modern tournament (SCG Pittsburgh), 2) give some takes about Rhinos, and iii) have a heartfelt conversation about MTG Universes Beyond. Mono White Hammer, Halo Forager, Sheoldred, and Captain America – what do they have in common? They're all here for this week's episode of The Dive Down.

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    Episode 248: The Last Caverns of Ixalan (Spoilers Part 2)

    Episode  |  November 9th, 2023  |  1 hr 16 mins

    It's time for the final spoiler episode of 2023! We think? We go through the full spoiler from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and talk about the cards we think will have the most impact... that we haven't already spoken about.

  • Episode 247: Getting Lost in the Caverns of Ixalan

    Episode  |  November 2nd, 2023  |  1 hr 31 mins

    For the 375th time this year, we descend into the madness of trying to work out what cards from a new set will make an impact in our formats. It's Lost Caverns of Ixalan time.

  • Episode 246: The Apocalypse, The Druid, and The New Cards

    Episode  |  October 26th, 2023  |  1 hr 27 mins

    Could the right move in Modern be... adding a 4mv black card to Rhinos? Playing a green 2 drop over Murktide in... Murktide? What is even going on right now? After that, we talk about the first batch of cards from Lost Caverns of Ixalan.

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    Episode 245: Never Play the Fourth Bean, ft. Aspiringspike

    Episode  |  October 19th, 2023  |  1 hr 41 mins

    Aspiringspike joins Dave and Shane to talk through his Up the Beanstalk brews including Cascade, Calibrated Blast, and more. Since this was recorded on (Non) Ban Day, we also spend some time getting his reactions to the current state of Modern and what he really thinks about Scam/Grief.

  • Episode 244: To Ban or Not to Ban, Scam is the Question

    Episode  |  October 12th, 2023  |  1 hr 32 mins

    We don't fully understands the timing of the upcoming B&R announcement, but it's coming and public opinion in Modern is swelling around Scam. Is it time to make a change to Modern? We look at the deck's performance, play patterns, and popularity to consider WOTC's options.

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    Episode 243: Pioneer RCs, Coffers, Scales, & One Huge Dinosaur

    Episode  |  October 5th, 2023  |  1 hr 40 mins

    This week what's on the tin is in the show! We begin to dip back into Pio and cover the recent RCs in the EU and Canada, talk Modern Coffers and Scales, and finally chat a little about new cards from our imminent return to Ixalan.

  • Episode 242: This Episode is Full of Beans

    Episode  |  September 28th, 2023  |  1 hr 33 mins

    We finally cast the new card in town and played a couple Up the Beanstalk decks in Modern and... Standard?! Plus some new Modern Prowess builds, and a recap of Stan's latest RCQ.

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    Episode 241: Don't Play Control in Modern & RCQ Prep, ft. George Jabbour

    Episode  |  September 21st, 2023  |  1 hr 40 mins

    President of the Narset fan club, George Jabbour, joins Stanislav to talk about tips to prep for the upcoming Modern RCQ season, a brand new sideboard guide tool, and why playing control is such a pain in the @$$.

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    Episode 240: WOE Betides Modern & Pioneer

    Episode  |  September 14th, 2023  |  1 hr 47 mins

    This week it's all about WOE and the new cards that are making an impact in Modern and Pioneer — some that are making more of an impact that we thought they would. Turns out that this return to Eldraine might actually be hiding a little bit of power in it after all.

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    Episode 239: Modern History: Infamous Sets & Iconic Moments

    Episode  |  September 7th, 2023  |  1 hr 52 mins

    This week we talk about the history of Modern through the lens of the most important — and infamous — sets from 8th Edition to now.