The Mana Pool

Have you noticed that all the planes in Magic are either terrifying or dangerous or miserable? We determined this during a discussion of which plane we'd want to live on that came from an email. It's like the Creative team at Wizards just wants to completely dry up the tourist trade on other planes! I wonder if the head of Zendikar could sue Wizards for libel. I'll have to get with Brian on that...Anyway, good old Jungle Rat Rob sent me a link to a Magic set based on Zelda II: The Adventure of Link over on Games Radar. If you wanna see it, just click here:http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-complete-zelda-ii-magic-the-gathering-card-set/a-2011011416369729007And of course we had some Prerelease experiences to discuss! By we I mean Brian and me, but that's still first person plural! He went Mirran and I went Phyrexian - who do you think came out ahead? Well I guess you'll just have to listen.And finally, we finish off on a special Mirrodin Besieged edition of Story Circle. I counted up the number of Rares and Mythics in MBS and put that number into random.org and it told me to use Shimmer Myr. We didn't so much build a deck as much as throw out a lot of different ways you could build a deck around the Shimmer Myr. You'll see what I mean when you give the episode a listen.Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music - Cranial Syphon (Kraid from Metroid) by Armcannon - http://www.armcannon.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-164-mbs-prerelease-and-story-circle-t642.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

On this episode Mike, Brian, and Dirk take a look at the colored cards of Mirrodin Besieged while I (Chewie) am sitting at home with NO INTERNET! But luckily the stupid connection kicked back in just in time for me to jump in at the artifacts. Then there's a little bit of discussion about a recent rules update wherein we figure out about when Wizards realized we were all perverts. But that's about it. I'm just happy I managed to make it onto my own freakin' show. At least the guys were able to cover for my shoddy ISP.Mirrodin Besieged Visual Spoiler:http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/mirrodinbesieged/spoiler#Rules Update Bulletin:http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/127aIntro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music - Bigger Boards [with Bigger Nails [with Bees in Their Mouth]] (Final Fantasy 7 Battle Music) by Armcannon - http://www.armcannon.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-163-all-of-mbs-and-half-of-chewie-t639.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Once again, we all gathered at Dirk's house for Magic playing and snacks, and so you get to listen to us do so on this episode. We start off with a nice LONG game of Elder Dragon Highlander, or Magic: The Gathering Commander if you prefer, or Dorky Card Game with Different Rules than Usual if you wanna be real about it. But either way, that's what we're doing. It's Fumiko the Lowblood vs. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund vs. Tolsimir Wolfblood vs. Sliver Overlord (Brian's a filthy whore) in this knock-down, drag-out, hyphenated-words fight to the death!Then we decided to show you guys that Brian isn't the only filthy whore and play a game of Archenemy. Mike built a deck that only a horrible horrible person would build, then supplemented it with a Scheme deck that only makes it more horrible, and we decide to let him kill us for your amusement. Well, I knew that's what would happen. Brian and Dirk were more optimistic, but you know what they say about ignorance in this particular case. But it does make for a good show, listening to Mike summon up a Shoggoth to have vicious sex with our faces while pouring sugar in our gas tanks and making us listen to miserble old twangy country music and Swedish death metal at the same time.Wow, that was out there. Uh, hope you enjoy the episode! Next time is a look at Mirrodin Besieged as a whole, with a full Chewie-less hour! *gasp*Intro by Tosus of Der Geek - http://www.dergeek.comIntro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music - Dutch Town (Tecmo Super Bowl) by Armcannon - http://www.armcannon.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-162-i-am-the-elephant-of-death-live-t638.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

I'd like to start off by apologizing for how scatterbrained I sound in this episode. I had just gotten back from the MAGfest trip roughly AN HOUR before we started recording, so I was still not quite with it. But that aside, we started off with a Mad Lib that Tosus wrote for us that had us giggling like idiots as per usual. Thank you Tosus!Then there's short Star Wars retelling featuring our faces that Patrick sent us that had us rolling in the floor laughing. You can see it here:http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/337a8koVbYL4PoLzAfter the rest of the emails, I go off on how awesome MAGfest was. It really was great. If you're interested, the website is here:http://www.magfest.orgAnd after all that stuff, we finally get into the heavy Mirrodin Besieged previews. And there is some crazy stuff here, let me tell you. Next episode won't be previews, so you better get enjoy these while you can. To see these cards and many more, click here for the Visual Spoiler:http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/mirrodinbesieged/spoiler#Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music (and End Music) - Smegmaman 3 by Armcannon - http://www.armcannon.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-161-mad-libs-magfest-and-mirrodin-t634.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Hello again, and welcome to the show notes! This is Mike, filling in for Chewie because he's out of town at MAGFest, having a nice time and being a generally all-around lucky jerk.We were all feeling kind of wiped out by our various goings-on, but we kicked things off in the usual way: random banter and listener emails. After that, we decided to take a look at the Mirrodin Besieged Mechanics article Wizards posted earlier in the week, which previewed a number of very interesting cards from the upcoming set.And finally, FINALLY, we get around to the mysterious topic that we keep mentioning having to put off because of time issues. Was it all worth it? Actually, that's kind of what the topic is about.Thank you all for reading, and go listen to some dorks!Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-160-an-early-preview-but-at-what-cost-t631.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Hello everyone! Chewie here. Welcome to 2011! We kick this thing off with some listener mail, some of which we've had since last year (sorry about that). Then there's a fair amount of other stuff to touch on, but nothing important enough to put in the show notes. Moving on!I got a copy of Stowaway from Cardshark for us to review a few weeks ago, and we finally got to get together and play! The full review is in the episode, but it's a lot of fun and I think it's well worth the small investment if you enjoy playing card games. You can check it out right here:http://www.cardshark.com/stowawayThen we've got the last color in the Core Set: Mana Pool Edition, and that color is Green. I know you're all really waiting to hear what Dirk had to say, so we made him go last in each category. Ha! So sit back, take a listen, and enjoy all of what 2011 has to offer.Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-159-obligatory-kermit-referencing-title-t630.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

For hitting 150 episodes and/or 3 years of being on the air, our old buddy Jungle Rat Rob of The Retro League podcast has put together another one of his awesome audio montages, spliced together with Praise You by Fatboy Slim. Lots of these clips came from our guest host episodes, so keep an eye out for some voices from other podcasts, including the Avant-Card Show, MTG Radio, and possibly even Rob himself. There may or may not even be other voices on here somewhere, I'm not entirely sure.As always, Rob has managed to capture the essence of the show's appeal. I really believe that people listen to us because we remind them of their own group of friends. We try to make each other laugh while we're sitting around talking about Magic. I think everyone can relate to that, because anyone listening to this show probably does that on a regular basis. Much like our podcast, there is very little actual Magic content here, so it's appropriate. It really seems like I spend a lot of time giggling, doesn't it? Thanks again to Rob for the most excellent hilarity, we appreciate it as always!

Just made it in before 2011! On this episode we take a look at some listener mail, check out how Worlds ended this year (complete with a quick look at some of the decks in the Top 8), take a look at the nonsense surrounding the next two Magic expansions, and talk about the recent rules changes to EDH (or Commander if you prefer). Then we have the Black installment of the Core Set: Mana Pool Edition. This time we have 6 staples from my favorite color! I've typed about this several times before, so if you have no idea what I'm talking about, check the last few episodes. I hope you guys enjoy it, and we'll see you again next year!Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music - Brinstar from Metroid by Hirokazu Tanaka - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_TanakaForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-158-the-last-show-of-2010-t617.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Just in time for Christmas, it's a late episode! Sweet! This episode has a lot of stuff going on, starting with emails covering everything from subliminal messages to holiday habits. Then we have news, which is really not news anymore but it's our take on these news items. We've got the big Commander announcement, some decks from the Star City Invitational, and a quick rant about Tomoharu Saito's non-induction to the Hall of Fame and how little Wizards said about it.Then there's a brief musical interlude and we go right back into Core Set: Mana Pool Edition. In case you don't remember, Brian came up with this idea a while back. For each color, he came up with six things that each color always does all the time, which I refer to as "staples". Then each of us took this list of staples and found cards to fit them. The catch is that each card we choose must be one that has never been printed in a Core Set. Easy, right? Well this time we're taking on Blue, and we've got lots of interesting choices. Let us know what you think or what you'd throw in a Core Set.Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comBreak Music - Zeromus by The Black Mages - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_MagesForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-157-blue-with-a-splash-of-news-t615.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Other than the random technical issues that caused us to start late, caused Mike to sound funny this entire episode, and caused Brian to be muted for most of the episode, it went off without a hitch! We went over a mess of emails, then did the White section of Brian's Core Set: Mana Pool Edition. And to go along with the White section of that, Brian requested an Out of the Deck Box for Mike's mono-green mana ramp deck.Yeah, it made no sense to us either. Check the forum post for this episode for the deck list as usual. Hope you guys enjoy!Intro Music - Diamond by Swift - http://www.swift-band.comForum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-156-white-with-a-splash-of-green-t614.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.libsyn.comEmail us at [email protected]Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/themanapoolVisit Cardshark! http://www.cardshark.comRead Chewie's 60 Card Challenge blog posts at http://themanapool.libsyn.com/category/60%20Card%20ChallengeCardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspxSubscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool