The Dive Down

By The Dive DownLeisure Games

The Dive Down episodes

July 18, 2025Episode 329: Summer Vacation 2: Permanent Vacation?
It's a new day in The Dive Down Nation! We kick off the show with some news about the podcast's new direction for the foreseeable future. Then Stan talks about playing Commander Cube. Shane shares his new found fondness for Deltarune. Dave plays some cover songs. And we all rock out to our favorite albums of 2025.
Check out our newest sponsor, CardMill—the first automated scanner and sorter built for everyday trading card players. Visit https://CardMill.com/thedivedown to learn more!
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Save 60% on your first subscription of Mental Performance shots at https://magicmind.com/divemf
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 - Dave plays bass... most of the time
4:32 - Leveling with our listeners
11:02 - Still slappin' the bass
15:34 - What's That In Your Pocket? - GeForce Now!
23:08 - Magic Mind - giving energy for gaming
26:23 - Back to video games - Deltarune is cool
35:22 - The Dive Down begins: No More Mr. Foxglove
42:08 - Commander Cube explorations
45:08 - Cardmill - an automated card scanner and sorter
47:05 - Music: The Gathering
59:15 - Albums we are liking
1:12:06 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
Commander Cube List: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/1009f24b-b320-4f15-8b60-fb627c778463
Our Current 2025 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hEG97QlUDI0wm28K0O5Og?si=1e49b57cfc3844f4
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 15 min
July 10, 2025Episode 328: Summer Vacation 1: Accusations, FIN Draft, Minecraft, & Oreos
Depending on who you ask, this is either a week off from Magic as part of a much needed summer vacation. Or it's the soft launch of our new talk show about preventing old dude loneliness.
On this week's show, we talk about as little MTG as possible. And instead catch up on our wild and exciting lives. Stan and Shane confront Dave about video games. Dave shares some wisdom on basic interior design. Selena Gomez bakes a delicious Oreo.
Check out our newest sponsor, CardMill—the first automated scanner and sorter built for everyday trading card players. Visit https://CardMill.com/thedivedown to learn more!
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Save 60% on your first subscription of Mental Performance shots at https://magicmind.com/divemf
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
4:55 - This week's episode
6:32 - CardMill - An upcoming automated card scanning and sorting device
8:51 - Stan confronts Dave: Video games, and gaming with kids
27:30 - Shane confronts Dave: No shrimp boil invitation
30:45 - Final Fantasy limited: is good
35:56 - Shane's Old House
47:10 - What's That In Your Mouth?
54:26 - It's 3-D printing time
1:05:54 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 9 min
June 26, 2025Episode 327: Unscripted: Vivi Affinity, Broodscale Combo, and Sephiroth Energy
On this week's show, we're doing it live. No notes, just vibes. After our weekly fast food check-in, we chat about Jeskai Affinity featuring Vivi Ornitier, good ol' fashioned Broodscale Combo, and Mardu Energy with Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
Use our code Dive60 to get 60% off your first subscription of Magic Mind, Stan's favorite mental performance shots, at https://magicmind.com/
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
11:47 - This week's show/housekeeping
15:50 - The Dive Down begins: It's Vivi time
31:23 - Devon talks Broodscale combo
49:01 - Stan played Mardu Energy with Sephiroth
1:09:40 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 12 min
June 19, 2025Episode 326: The Final Fantasies in Modern & Pioneer
It's week 1 of Final Fantasy's legality in our formats — and these cards are popping up in way more places than we thought. This week we talk about the surprising places Sephiroth is soldiering, how Cloud (or Raubahn) is reviving Hammertime, and just how much we all wanted a 1cmc 2/3 reverse Jackal Pup with deathtouch... with a back side. Stan shares his conspiracies. Dave changes his mind while enjoying a shake, and Devon shows up 20 minutes late (which we all understand).
• Cloud
• Sephiroth
• & Others with Excellent Hair
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
6:58 - This week's episode/housekeeping
10:41 - Final Fantasy hits our formats - Cloud in Hammertime
20:51 - Affinity upgrades, and a wild d00m appears
28:24 - Energy as well
38:01 - Final Fantasy in Pioneer Humans and others
49:15 - Rapid fire time
1:00:50 - What we're going to try
1:03:56 - Oh yeah, Devon won an RCQ
1:05:06 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode in no particular order
Modern
Hammertime
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7178353#paper
https://moxfield.com/decks/ju7YAgVgJke5zA9oU7KoYw
Energy
https://moxfield.com/decks/oZVPGLmXcU6xSd4ZcvCNMg
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174740#paper
https://moxfield.com/decks/pso7oB9JnEKtP8Uo6g2k-w
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177381#paper
Affinity
https://moxfield.com/decks/_HW5gjnOp0K90Ho2nYyYFA
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-64-2025-06-16#paper
WB
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177098#paper
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7178482#paper
Domain/Zoo
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7171331#paper
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7176252#paper
Twin
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7173848#paper
Dimir
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7175642#paper
Eldrazi
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7175986#paper
4C Omni Cascade
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174676#paper
Pioneer
Rakdos: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177603#paper
Mono B Mid: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177591#paper
Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174822
Lotus: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174812#paper
5c Humans: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/56523
Esper Legends: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7173618#paper
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 7 min
June 12, 2025Episode 325: How to Break Domain Zoo, Urza's Saga, Vivi, and Josh
On this week's show, D00mwake discusses the latest innovations to Domain Zoo which got him back-to-back top 8s in a Modern Challenge and RCQ. Then we discuss a new rules change that makes Urza's Saga even better. And finally chat through a couple more Final Fantasy cards that we missed last time: Vivi and Joshua.
The Break Down: Domain Zoo
The Dive Down: Urza's Saga
The Wind Down: Vivi and Josh
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
Try Magic Mind and save 60% off your subscription with promo code Dive60 or head to https://magicmind.com/divemf and sign up!
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
7:52 - This week's show/housekeeping
10:59 - Devon's been killing it with Domain Zoo
37:54 - Magic Mind is back!
43:28 - Urza's Saga is finally good
59:39 - Some more Final Fantasy cards
1:09:54 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
Domain Zoo: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7150288#paper
Mono-Red Prison: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7155875#paper
Izzet Saga Wizards: https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/magic-the-gathering/deck/UR-Saga-Wizards/510464
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 12 min
June 06, 2025Episode 324: Indiana is for Modern Lovers
Shane returns as the Dive Down triumphantly takes over the Motor City, while Dave and Stan play in the Secret Lair Spotlight Modern Open! We talk about our unexpected experiences playing in an unexpected metagame, and even sprinkle in a couple restaurant reviews.
The Break Down: Voicless and Victoryless
The Dive Down: St. Elmo's Fire?
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
8:04 - This week's show/housekeeping
12:24 - The SCG Indy Modern Tournament - Stan Can't Speak
18:00 - Stan and Dave's experiences
28:26 - The overall tournament
35:54 - The top 8
38:57 - Final thoughts
43:16 - The Wind Down begins: Our non-Magic Indy experience
1:00:09 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
e4cards.com/register
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 3 min
May 29, 2025Episode 323: The Spotlight's on Prowess
This week Stan and Dave discuss their upcoming road trip comedy as they prepare for the Spotlight Series: Secret Lair this weekend in Indianapolis. Dave is in love with Andrea Mengucci's takes on Prowess — and even tries to learn a little from them. Stan has thoughts, questions, and feelings. A pact to split the tournament winning prize is made. Other hilarity ensues.
If you're planning to be in Indianapolis this weekend — reach out! Say hi! Let us know what's going on!
• Movies? I Guess?
• Prowess in Indianapowess
• Other Modern Ruminations
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
9:24 - This week's show/housekeeping
14:23 - The Dive Down begins: A Modern Prowess overview
41:12 - Jeskai Prowess
43:16 - Some Prowess tips
45:49 - Combo decks are evolving
1:01:00 - Some final thoughts for Indy (the Motor City)
1:03:57 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
Andrea Mengucci's Prowess Deck Guide: https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/Modern-Izzet-Prowess-MTG-Deck-Guide/a628edac-c81d-4d52-b890-f2b2e157d905/?srsltid=AfmBOoovrEMPsgLSQYAiTfOg5DJ3TQ5u-WXbcDJvqf5TH0QqVpAaeKnv
Skura's Prowess Deck Guide (the author whose name Dave forgot while recording): https://mtgdecks.net/guides/modern-mastering-izzet-prowess-skura-mtg-353
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 7 min
May 23, 2025Episode 322: The Hunt for the Golden Chocobo
On this week's show, we're looking at our favorite cards from the upcoming Final Fantasy set, and ask the question: can 15 JRPG games produce enough inspiration for 1 Magic set?
We chat about Cloud and his Buster Sword, Tifa and her powerful fists, Sephiroth and his powerful wings, plus Astrologian's Planisphere, Cecil Dark Knight, and the most beloved Final Fantasy character of all... Dark Confidant.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 — Have you ever fantasied?
5:00 — Devon Vibes
7:50 — Housekeeping
10:17 — Connecti-Cut-ters
15:01 — Let's Talk Final Fantasy
18:20 — Starting Town
21:15 — Machinist's Arsenal
22:50 — Astrologian's Planisphere
27:07 — Buster Sword
29:20 — Cloud, Midgar Mercenary
33:37 — Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER
38:34 — Lightning, Army of One
41:50 — Cecil, Dark Knight
45:47 — Ultima, Origin of Oblivion
49:30 — Freya Crescent
52:30 — Stan's Just Another Blood Artist, etc. & Ambrosia
54:20 — Emet-Selch, Unsundered
57:57 — Dark Confidant
1:00:43 — Knights of the Round
1:04:25 — Suplex
1:06:00 — Tifa Lockhart
1:07:50 — Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
https://www.spicerack.gg/events/1879100
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 11 min
May 16, 2025Episode 321: Pioneer Comes to Arena! Mostly!
This week we take a little break from Modern and dip our toes back into Pioneer, thanks to its official premier on Arena. The team discusses our impressions of Pioneer right now, our impressions of Arena right now, and, finally — you guessed it — our impressions of Pioneer on Arena right now. Dave uses his artist's talent to bring back the birbs. D00mwake finds some affinity for artifacts in Pio and Modern. Stan capably moderates a spicy discussion while remaining a healthy distance from any gem-based economies.
• Camping Out
• Checking Back in on Pioneer
• A Little Modern Affinity as a Treat
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
7:10 - This week's episode/housekeeping
11:10 - Pioneer is (finally) on Arena (mostly) - what you need to know
1:00:29 - Did Devon crack Affinity in Modern?
1:07:12 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
Pioneer Izzet Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7099222#paper
Pioneer Hammer: https://moxfield.com/decks/-aHoUVoJD0a778bxN0RFqw
Pioneer Metalwork Colossus: https://moxfield.com/decks/ANu8uz3DBEOE282I83OPgg
Modern Jeskai Affinity: https://moxfield.com/decks/KhQsrh4AX0GqFn4d7EAkbw
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 9 min
May 08, 2025Episode 320: RC Minn & What's Modern All About?
This week we discuss a bunch of goings on from the weekend — Devon's trip to Minneapolis, Stan's trip to a local RCQ, and Dave's (power) trip about being the editor this week. We get into: 1) the last few cards in Devon's main deck in Standard and how he got there, 2) how Stan really feels after top 4'ing with 4x Voice of Victory in his Energy deck, and 3) one of the WILDEST Cool Decks, Inc. lists we've seen in awhile.
• More Prowess in Standard
• More Stats in Modern
• More Energy & Prowess in Modern
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
3:00 - A Vertical Pickle Tasting
9:37 - Housekeeping
12:10 - Devon Goes Standard Prowess in Minneapolis
27:14 - Modern in Minneapolis
32:26 - A Single Cool Decks, Inc.
36:55 - Devon Goes Modern Prowess in Minneapolis
41:45 - Stan's RC Energy Experience — Top 4!
45:00 - A Few Thoughts on Affinity
47:50 - Modern is About: Big Dudes
Links from this week's episode:
Devon's Standard Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/272e9291-d938-4154-8603-b2d10033ae00
FabianPhyrexian's WUBRG Aggro List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/468d2c5f-40f9-42e9-8c97-b2d300d57352
Devon's Modern Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/4a859a46-0eaf-4269-aa8c-b2d2017f1e6e
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 7 min

About The Dive Down

From the publisher's feed

The Dive Down is a weekly podcast for people who love Magic: The Gathering but like talking about other things too. From videogames, to parenting, to 3D printing, and beyond. Each week hosts Dave,…