In this episode of Top Deck Therapy, Kevin breaks down his Zask, Skittering Swarmlord Commander deck and explains how it turns the graveyard into a second hand. The deck leans into green-based graveyard value, insect token production, and repeatable recursion to keep threats coming back turn after turn. You’ll hear how Zask enables land play and insect casting from the graveyard, why the deck can function without black, and how it wins by flooding the board, drawing cards, and overruning opponents with huge combat swings. Kevin also shares some of the key cards that make the list so consistent, including token makers, ramp pieces, graveyard enablers, and finishers.If you like Commander deck tech, graveyard synergy, and board states that keep growing back, this Zask build is packed with value.

Justin and Kevin are back again. This time the conversation delves into the topic of pet peeves, emphasizing the importance of open and honest conversations to understand and address pet peeves in gameplay and social dynamics. It explores table organization, cleanliness, and etiquette, as well as deck shuffling and turn duration etiquette. The discussion also touches on personal growth and reflection, concluding with an unboxing and expressions of gratitude.

Takeaways

• Open and honest conversations are essential for understanding and addressing pet peeves in gameplay and social dynamics.
• Table organization, cleanliness, and etiquette, as well as deck shuffling and turn duration etiquette, play a significant role in creating a positive gaming experience.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Pet Peeves
• 05:23 Information and Organization on the Table
• 10:34 Gameplay Etiquette and Consideration
• 19:25 Deck Shuffling and Etiquette
• 33:29 Personal Growth and Reflection

The conversation covers the introduction to the open-ended commander series, Andrew's inspiration for building the commander deck, an overview of the Thalia and the GitRog Monster card, card highlights, deck building strategy, and a detailed overview of Justin's modular deck. The conversation covers various deck building strategies, including the use of Rishkar's Expertise, plus one plus one counters, and artifact zone change. It also explores the Maze's End win condition, unique deck building, and the concept of brewing and learning in open-ended commander games.

Takeaways

• Deck building with existing cards is a cost-effective approach
• Card synergies and deck building strategy are crucial for a successful commander deck
• Modular decks offer unique and strategic gameplay opportunities Synergy over price
• Maze's End win condition
• Unique deck building approach
• Learning from different deck building approaches

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Open-Ended Commander Series
• 06:00 Deck Cost and Affordability
• 11:00 Card Synergies and Deck Building Strategy
• 18:36 Deck Overview: Justin's Modular Deck
• 25:32 Deck Building Strategies
• 31:51 Unique Deck Building
• 48:00 Brewing and Learning

Welcome Back to the WUBRG Series!

In this episode, Justin and Kevin discuss the power and strategy of the color blue in Magic: The Gathering. They explore the meaning of blue, its strengths in card draw, counter magic, and control, as well as its methodical and slow approach to the game. The conversation delves into the love-hate relationship with blue, its potential for future design improvements, and the game-changing cards that define the color's impact on the game.

Takeaways

• Blue is a versatile color with strengths in card draw, counter magic, and control.
• Blue's methodical and slow approach to the game allows it to outvalue and outtempo opponents.
• Blue's power lies in its ability to control the game, enforce rules, and disrupt opponents' strategies.
• Blue's strength in combo potential and its ability to win through combos make it a formidable color in higher-powered games.

Chapters

• 00:00 Designing Blue for the Future
• 34:26 Game Changers in Blue

The episode covers the hosts' experiences at Magic Con Vegas 26, highlighting the sense of community, the excitement of meeting content creators and celebrities, and the special moments and interactions that made the event memorable. The chapter titles capture the essence of each theme, providing a comprehensive overview of the Magic Con Vegas experience. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to Magic Conventions, including card collecting, nostalgia, deck composition, unique finds, merchandise, gameplay experience, reflections, and community engagement. The hosts share insights on the importance of using the event app and maps to navigate the convention effectively, as well as the treasure trove of rare and valuable cards found at Magic Conventions.

Takeaways

• Magic Con Vegas is a must-visit for Magic the Gathering fans
• The sense of community and shared passion at Magic Con Vegas is infectious Magic Conventions are a treasure trove for finding rare and valuable cards
• The importance of using the event app and maps to navigate the convention effectively

Chapters

• 00:00 Vendor and Merchandise Experience
• 50:10 Community Engagement and Event Highlights

The conversation delves into the impact of Universes Beyond (UB) sets on the realm of magic, exploring the journey of a player, the immersion-breaking effect of UB sets, and the rapid release of new products, leading to IP overload and attention grab in the magic community. The conversation delves into the concerns of power creep in Magic: The Gathering and its impact on the game's community. It also explores the future of UB sets, the evolution of Magic, the role of power creep in Commander, the impact of UB sets on the Magic community, and the potential of a Magic film/show.

Takeaways

• UB sets bring new players and OG players into the realm of magic
• UB sets break immersion of the realm of magic for some players
• The rapid release of new UB sets can lead to IP overload and a feeling of being inundated with new products Power creep concerns in Magic: The Gathering
• Impact of UB sets on the Magic community

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Universes Beyond Sets
• 08:16 The Good and Bad of Universes Beyond Sets
• 24:22 The Evolution of Magic Sets
• 30:55 Power Creep in Magic: The Gathering
• 36:01 The Impact of Power Creep on Commander
• 45:12 The Role of UB Sets in the Magic Community
• 54:23 The Potential of a Magic Film/Show

In this episode co-hosts Justin and Kevin have Andrew back on the show to discuss the dynamics of play groups and the roles within them, exploring the ecosystem of play groups and the various roles that individuals take on within these groups. It discusses the ever-changing and adaptive nature of play groups and the impact of social dynamics on the game. The conversation delves into the impact of winning and losing on the overall game experience, as well as the dynamics of playgroup interactions and their influence on gameplay. It also explores the concept of a game winner and reflects on playgroup interactions. The conversation delves into the self-regulating nature of the format and the importance of balancing the ecosystem to ensure a healthy and enjoyable play experience for all participants.

Takeaways

• Dynamic of play groups
• Roles within play groups Consider the impact of winning and losing on the overall game experience
• Reflect on the dynamics of playgroup interactions and their influence on gameplay Self-regulating format
• Balancing the ecosystem

Chapters

• 00:00 Roles Within the Play Group
• 28:00 The Concept of Winning
• 51:40 Ecosystem Balance and Self-Regulation

Episode 10 marks a milestone for the hosts, celebrating their journey and the Commander series. They present two unique decks: one focused on open-ended commanders and the other on Voltron strategy. The open-ended commander deck features Shiko and Narset Unified, emphasizing spell copying and enchantments. The Voltron deck focuses on auras, card draw, and protection for the commander. The conversation delves into the detailed discussion of artifacts, enchantments, and sorceries, as well as the strategic considerations and deck-building choices. The hosts share insights into their deck-building process and the unique themes and strategies they have employed.

Takeaways

• Milestone celebration and gratitude
• Unique deck strategies: open-ended commanders and Voltron Deck-building strategies
• Artifact and enchantment selection

Chapters

• 00:00 Milestone Celebration and Gratitude
• 22:18 Voltron Deck Strategy
• 29:24 Artifacts and Mana Ramp
• 44:17 Sorceries and Deck Strategy
• 53:02 Upcoming Commanders and Deck-Building Plans

In this episode of Top Deck Therapy, Justin and Kevin dive into the color white in Magic: The Gathering, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, and the evolving role in Commander format. Whether you're a white die-hard or just curious, learn about white's standout features and strategic potential.

Key topics:
White’s reputation for powerful removal, including board wipes like Wrath of God and Farewell
White’s support for token strategies with iconic cards like Anointed Procession and Miral the Moonsilver
The color’s strengths in reanimation—bringing back artifacts, enchantments, and creatures
White’s stacks and group-hate strategies, including Winter Orb and Ghostly Prison, and how they affect gameplay
The evolution of white ramp and card draw in Commander, closing the gap with traditionally faster colors
Notable white planeswalkers, including Elspeth, Gideon, and the eternal wanderer, and their impact
Famous white cards like Smothering Tithe and Enlighten Tutor that are game changers
The future of white in Commander and its increasing synergy with other colors
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the Wuburg series and White's themes

0:30 - White’s association with removal and board wipes

1:28 - White exiles and supports white's control aspects

2:22 - White's board wipes and support for fairness in gameplay

3:20 - Classic and modern white board wipes with support strategies

4:41 - The impact of white’s flicker effects and token generation

5:41 - The versatility of white reanimation and support cards like Sun Titan

6:39 - White’s card draw capabilities and ramp strategies

7:33 - The evolution of white ramps and their role in Commander

8:59 - Smothering Tithe and other game-changing cards

10:40 - White’s stacks strategies, how they shape game outcomes

12:07 - Token generation and the power of white tokens in Commander

13:32 - White’s life gain and big creature strategies with Miral

14:14 - Personal pet decks and white’s synergy with flicker and tokens

15:41 - The value of flicker effects and infinite combos in white

18:01 - White’s potential as a value engine and its evolving presence in Commander

19:57 - Reanimating across all permanent types with white

20:49 - Top white planeswalkers and their strategic importance

21:47 - Classic white reanimation spells and their synergy

22:46 - White’s token strategies with Rick, and their consistency

24:11 - White’s ability to protect and respond with flicker effects and protection

25:37 - White's stacks and control elements, including Winter Orb and Ghostly Prison

27:03 - Notable white commanders like Giada, Elspeth, and angels

28:22 - The importance of white’s token decks and synergy with anthem effects

30:21 - The fair and balanced personality of white in multiplayer settings

31:19 - Equipment strategies and blue-white synergy with artifact-based Voltron

32:45 - The future potential of mono-white decks and their growing strength in Commander

34:05 - Limitations and opportunities for white-based decks and how they're improving

36:03 - White’s game-changing cards like Enlighten Tutor, Smothering Tithe, and others

37:02 - The impact of stacks cards like Derevi and Winter Orb on gameplay

38:29 - Balancing white’s stacks and control without making games unfun

40:50 - The evolving role of white in Commander, from fair to powerful strategies

41:49 - What's next for white in Top Deck Therapy's journey into MTG colors

Enjoy exploring the white archetype's evolution and potential in Commander! Stay tuned for more as Top Deck Therapy dives into each color’s unique traits.

Keywords
Magic: The Gathering, Bracket System, Game Changers, Deck Building, Commander, Casual Play, Competitive Play, Proxies, Power Levels, Intent

In this conversation, Justin and Kevin discuss the intricacies of the Magic: The Gathering bracket system, focusing on its intent, power levels, and the importance of communication among players. They explore the definitions of tutors and game changers, the dynamics of different brackets, and the challenges of deck building in a competitive environment. The conversation also touches on the rising costs of Magic cards and the use of proxies to maintain a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
Chapters

00:00 Return to the Podcast: Excitement and Updates
01:36 Understanding the Bracket System
04:44 Exploring Bracket One: Ultra Casual Play
07:28 Diving into Bracket Two: Average Pre-Con Level
09:45 Bracket Three: Upgraded Gameplay
15:08 Reflections on the Old System and Intent
18:20 The Importance of Pre-Game Conversations
21:14 High-Powered Gameplay: Bracket Four and Five
25:20 The Cost of Playing Magic: A Financial Perspective