Alpha Beta Limited

We were able to amass enough components for an Iconic Masters discussion, outlining a few of our favorite draft archetypes as well as one card interaction Joe uses that is so crazy, YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT HASN'T BEEN BANNED YET! (DECKBUILDERS HATE HIM!). 

After Channeling our enthusiasm for a sweet draft format, (SIT DOWN, IXALAN, NOT YOU!), we boom-flingered our way into an Unstable conversation on which of these wacky/sweet cards we'd like to see show up in black-border cube. (YOU WON'T BELIEVE #31!)

So please, cuddle up with your half-kitten, half-jellyfish and enjoy this gluten-free episode of Alpha Beta Limited!

If you have any questions for James or Joe, send them to:

[email protected]

Connect with us on Twitter!

James - @ablmtg

Joe - @Joe_ABL

We lost Joe somewhere deep in the MTGO Pauper Leagues, so I met up with Max Mick, a young but highly skilled Magic the Gathering player with a pedigree uniquely related to this great game. Max has already made a name for himself by Top 8'ing a Grand Prix last just year, and you can check out a brief article about him at the event here: https://goo.gl/QoRhdw

In this episode we discuss the current state of Ixalan limited, known around my treehouse as Attaxalan, and share a longing for the days when it wasn't insane to put a 6 or 7-drop in your deck. There is fun to be had though, and Max gives us his evaluations of the Ixalan archetypes along with some specific cards that have changed in his estimation since the set's release. When in doubt, grab the cutlass!

If you have any questions for James or Joe, (or Max!) send them to:

[email protected]

Connect with us on Twitter!

James - @ablmtg

Joe - @Joe_ABL

We lost Joe somewhere deep in the MTGO Pauper Leagues, so I met up with Max Mick, a young but highly skilled Magic the Gathering player with a pedigree uniquely related to this great game. Max has already made a name for himself by Top 8'ing a Grand Prix last just year, and you can check out a brief article about him at the event here: https://goo.gl/QoRhdw

In this episode we discuss the current state of Ixalan limited, known around my treehouse as Attaxalan, and share a longing for the days when it wasn't insane to put a 6 or 7-drop in your deck. There is fun to be had though, and Max gives us his evaluations of the Ixalan archetypes along with some specific cards that have changed in his estimation since the set's release. When in doubt, grab the cutlass!

If you have any questions for James or Joe, (or Max!) send them to:

[email protected]

Connect with us on Twitter!

James - @ablmtg

Joe - @Joe_ABL

No need to be the judge of this episode because we brought our own, thanks! Coming to us from Greeneville, Tennessee, Derrik "Smitty" Smith is a Level 2 Judge for Magic the Gathering and a multi-format menace (though a friendly one). We discuss Ixalan mechanics both new and old, while trying to brace ourselves for the pirate invasion of Dinotopia. And also vampires. 

Join us as Smitty shares on his experience with the Judge Program, hints at which new merfolk might make a splash in Modern, and explains why the FTV: Dryad Arbor is the only time you should ever play "lands in front" (JK, Depiazza).

 Smitty at GP Charlotte 2016

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

- Voltaire

Send us questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!

[email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

James - @ablmtg

Joe - @Joe_ABL

No need to be the judge of this episode because we brought our own, thanks! Coming to us from Greeneville, Tennessee, Derrik "Smitty" Smith is a Level 2 Judge for Magic the Gathering and a multi-format menace (though a friendly one). We discuss Ixalan mechanics both new and old, while trying to brace ourselves for the pirate invasion of Dinotopia. And also vampires. 

Join us as Smitty shares on his experience with the Judge Program, hints at which new merfolk might make a splash in Modern, and explains why the FTV: Dryad Arbor is the only time you should ever play "lands in front" (JK, Depiazza).

 Smitty at GP Charlotte 2016

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

- Voltaire

Send us questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!

[email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

James - @ablmtg

Joe - @Joe_ABL

This episode ain't for squares, because we decided to talk Cube this week. Not only will you get insight into our misguided pick orders, you'll have no way to immediately tell us we're wrong! Our Cube opinion echo chamber is QUITE COMFY. Join us as we go through a couple of highly randomized Legacy Cube packs, and please try not to slam your fists in outrage or confusion. Could it really be that bad? Only one way to find out!

The Cube is an imitation of life itself - or even an improvement on life.

- Erno Rubik

Send us email questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!  --> [email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

             James - @ablmtg

             Joe - @Joe_ABL

This week, we managed to talk James Steele into joining us for another round. How, you ask?  -- With a stack of Glassdust Hulks and a well-placed tripwire. We go around the table for some insight into Standard brews that we played in the past (all to varying degrees of victory, grief, and shouting). You'll learn secret tech against Haunting Echoes, what Steele is hiding in his vaults, why vampires don't make very good guards, and much more!

“Hulkamania is running wild, Brother!”

- Glassdust Hulk Hogan

Send us email questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!

[email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

             James - @ablmtg

             Joe - @Joe_ABL

This week, the Durham brothers grapple with the pros and cons of both Magic Online and playing with physical "real cards" in-person. Having experience with both allows you to appreciate each form for the role that it can play in increasing your overall enjoyment and understanding of this great game. Whether you've played Magic in paper, online, both, or neither, listen in and maybe you'll be inspired to get shufflin'. 

[Real photo taken at the Mirrodin prerelease at my LGS]

"No choice is the wrong choice as long as you make a choice. The only wrong choice is choosing not to [play Magic]."

- Jake Abel

This week's... "Busted Booster"

Send us email questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!

[email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

             James - @ablmtg

             Joe - @Joe_ABL

This week, the Durham brothers grapple with the pros and cons of both Magic Online and playing with physical "real cards" in-person. Having experience with both allows you to appreciate each form for the role that it can play in increasing your overall enjoyment and understanding of this great game. Whether you've played Magic in paper, online, both, or neither, listen in and maybe you'll be inspired to get shufflin'. 

[Real photo taken at the Mirrodin prerelease at my LGS]

"No choice is the wrong choice as long as you make a choice. The only wrong choice is choosing not to [play Magic]."

- Jake Abel

This week's... "Busted Booster"

Send us email questions and we'll answer them on an upcoming episode!

[email protected]

Connect with us!

Twitter:

             James - @ablmtg

             Joe - @Joe_ABL