With several years and numerous changes to the RCQ system under our collective belts, we thought it was time to discuss what we have seen and what we are seeing. While this episode is centered solely around the LGS and only Thursty is part of day to day operations, Halt is able to weigh in having judged at least one RCQ in each season for the past several years.

With our insights combined, we put together a pretty tight list of what we have seen and experienced.

With the first quarter of 2025 in the books and a number of Collect-A-Cons across the United States behind him, Thursty breaks down and discusses the events and a number of notables from this time as a vendor on the circuit thus far.

In January of 2025, CGC Grading announced that they had received playtest cards for the first set release in Japan (October 1996). Discussed with a person close to the creation of the Japanese game, the cards were deemed "the real thing" and the grading process begin.

As linked, and discussed in the episode CGC subjected these cards to a bevy of tests to assure their authenticity but it wasn't until they made it into public hands that they were found to be counterfeit.

Is this episode we discuss what happened and what has happened to the reputation of CGC. How we view them currently. How we would handle their slabs. And most importantly, if we would trust them again.

https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/13730/

https://www.elitefourum.com/t/many-of-the-pokemon-playtest-cards-were-likely-printed-in-2024/52421

https://web.archive.org/web/20250116144948/https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/11742/pokemon-prototype-cards/

Tarkir: Dragonstorm, the 104th Magic the Gathering expansion is on the horizon, which means it's time to reivew our "hype" assessments for Aetherdrift.

How accurate were we? Were we off base or was it the children who were?

https://edhrec.com/commanders/hashaton-scarabs-fist

https://moxfield.com/decks/pdlVb5itR0OH1lBxug0zzA

https://edhrec.com/cards/full-throttle

https://edhrec.com/tags/extra-combats

The Hunter Burton Memorial is in its 11th year and shows no signs of stopping or slowing down; nor should it. Rooted in the knowledge that tragedy touches everyone, this even filled weekend brings people together in order to raise awareness, and funds, for the 988 Lifeline and charity.

This year over 1500 people competed in over 300 events and we were lucky enough to be in attendance. If you haven't been, you should, and please enjoy hearing about the experience. If you have been, please share your experiences.

https://988lifeline.org/

https://hunterburtonmemorialopen.com/

Having digested the information and ahead of the second announcement, we are taking a look at the Commander Brackets. We've had some time to discuss with our local players, from casual to cEDH stalwarts, and solicit their feedback and feelings, using them to distill down a few refined points.

Join us this week as we give you our thoughts about the system, what we like about it, and what we don't like about it.

https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-commander-brackets-beta

https://x.com/wachelreeks/status/1890851604867268713

With the start of the new year comes new shows, and this year, Thursty is not only attending a number of shows, more than in a number of prior years, but also shows that aren't just dedicated to Magic. Some aren't even related to Magic at all but different collectibles markets entirely.

Spend time with us as we discuss the shows that Thursty has been to, his upcoming February shows, the details about why they chose to vend them. and their expectations.

Aetherdrift, the 103rd Magic the Gathering expansion is on the horizon, which means it's time to reivew our "hype" assessments for Duskmourn.

How accurate were we? Were we off base or was it the children who were?

A few weeks ago, as proof we play Magic the Gathering, both Thursty and Halt took place in an off camera friends and family Vintage Rotisserie Draft. Split over two days, the in person draft took place the night before giving players several hours to build and test their lists before playing out the next days.

Seven rounds brought us a top four that included our own Halt_I_m_Reptar, though he lost his first match to Thursty. Recorded and commentated on for your enjoyment!

The draft document can be found below long with the moxfield link to Halt's list, the St Lotus YouTube and Twitch channels and as always, if you want to try your hand at rotisserie drafting, the Discord link can be found below as well.

Halt's Decklist: https://moxfield.com/decks/0Z7qGEuDeUKP9J4kZYN7ZQ

Full VRD Draft list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13k_ngNdcZ3ZO3Up29-ZAtXhs9ss2t55E_whbZitmPtE/edit?usp=sharing

Come Draft with us on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/nxBPYXn

St Lotus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpwS9X2A-5pmo1txhyD7eoA

Follow St Lotus on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stlotusmtg

With the first Spotlight Series event firmly in the past and an entire year of RCs and Spotlights ahead of us, we discuss what each of us is looking forward to in the coming year.

What at the LGS level is appealing with the OP roadmap laid out? As a vendor what are we excited to see with the coming sets and release schedule?

https://magic.gg/news/announcing-the-magic-spotlight-series

https://magic.gg/news/play-in-rcqs-earn-secret-lair-promos-and-qualify-for-pro-tour-3-in-2025