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 259: Only Murders in the Guilding (Previews, v1)

    Episode  |  January 25th, 2024  |  1 hr 37 mins

    It's a simple show this week... or is it? Dave and Devon dive into the previews to date of the latest set — Murders at Karlov Manor!

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    Episode 258: What is Standard Right Now?

    Episode  |  January 18th, 2024  |  1 hr 35 mins

    Join Shane and Devon as they embark on an epic journey through the realm of... Standard. Yes, Standard. With RCQ season in full swing, it's time to look over all the decks you need to know to be prepared.

  • Episode 257: What is Modern Right Now?

    Episode  |  January 11th, 2024  |  1 hr 22 mins

    It's time for The Dive Down to get back to work! We're fully into 2024 and this week Shane and Dave are diving deep into what Modern is right now.

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    Episode 256: New Year... New Formats?

    Episode  |  January 4th, 2024  |  1 hr 41 mins

    This week's episode is not about about Modern or Pioneer! Instead, we fire off our free passes to MTGO's Vintage Cube and figure out how D00mwake became one of the format's trophy leaders. We also dust off our Arena accounts to play a little Timeless. Are we picking up new formats for the show? Only one way to find out!

  • Episode 255: The Birds Are Back in Town, ft. CCR & OafMcNamara

    Episode  |  December 28th, 2023  |  1 hr 44 mins

    Izzet Phoenix is back on the menu so we're diving in for the first time in 5 years! Stan is joined by CCR from MTG Grindcast, along with the Pioneer trophy leader & Izzet Phoenix aficionado OafMcNamara to break down the deck in all its controlling glory.

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    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.