Good Luck High Five

On this episode, Maria and Meghan review the Magic sets for the 2023 design year — based on Head Designer Mark Rosewater’s yearly article! What mistakes were made? What lessons can Wizards of the Coast learn? What did we love and hope they bring back? Find out! PLUS: Turns out it’s not only David Duchovny’s face that Meghan doesn’t like…find out what other ficti...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you back…to the future! They’ll explore all the new sets announced at this year’s GenCon – from 2024 all the way into the start of 2026. From a pitstop in the Wild West to SPAAAAAACE! to creepy 80s horror, the upcoming sets do not disappoint. PLUS: Storytime with Meghan dives into Chapter 1 of the Wilds of Eldraine story and Maria beco...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan look ahead to all that’s coming our way for Magic the Gathering in 2024! Find out details about the fall and winter sets: Wilds of Eldraine and Lost Caverns of Ixalan plus the new Doctor Who Commander decks! What are we most excited for? What returning mechanics will we see? What relationship does one cookie have to another cookie if they are baked on the sa...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are fresh (??) off the plane from Barcelona, Spain and ready to spill all the hottest goss from Pro Tour The Lord of the Rings! Find out what the best strategies were in Draft and Modern as the pros battled their way to the Top 8. PLUS: What deck turned Maria’s head (and now she feels gross?), what experience in Barcelona will Meghan remember the most, and w...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for all the action at Pro Tour Lord of the Rings heading your way this weekend! Find out what the top decks are in Modern (yes, Modern! It’s not been played at the PT level since 2019!) and what exciting things you’ve got to look forward to on your screens this weekend. PLUS: the top 2 cards from the new set we expect to see on the batt...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan have a fantastic time exploring the world of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, as Meghan tries to tell you the entire story of The Hobbit and LotR in 5 minutes or less. Can she do it?! Find out! PLUS: many questions about Gandalf’s “God Vacation” and whether or not Hobbits really do have life all figured out. Your hosts also dive into the...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are back LIVE in the studio after a summer hiatus! They haven’t had much of an opportunity to play Lord of the Rings yet, so what are they to do?! How about cracking some Collector Boosters of the new set and  guessing which cards are the best in Draft! Don’t worry, their guesses will be either validated or rejected by the cold, hard facts and data beh...

Give this episode to your friend who you want to coerce… I mean…invite…to play Magic the Gathering! This episode covers everything about the greatest game in the world. From how set releases work to how and where to play, this podcast will start your buddies off on the right foot. Note: this episode does not  teach someone how to play Magic, rather, it shows them the  world of Ma...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan investigate the latest update to the Magic the Gathering Storm Scale – where lead designer Mark Rosewater tells players how likely a certain mechanic is to be reprinted. When can we expect to see Learn again? How about Adamant (remember that one?!) And how about Landfall? Find out! BONUS: you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly how much a cloud weigh...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive face first into a giant pile of randomized Magic cards from throughout the game’s storied history. Who will be able to guess more cards correctly based on the art alone? Find out! A big prize is on the line as well as PRIDE! And BRAGGING RIGHTS! All hail The Mighty Randomizer! Become a GLH5  Patron   Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with  The Upkeep B...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob back to the show to talk about this weekend’s Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth prerelease! Rob will prepare you with all the knowledge you’ll need to walk confidently into your local game store (or Mount Doom)! Covering new cards, returning mechanics, NEW mechanic (singular) and tricky cards – with Rob’s preparatio...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan catch up on all the Magic the Gathering story — from the very end of Phyrexia: All Will Be One to the end of March of the Machine (and a bit of Aftermath) — they’ll get you caught up on all of the happenings in the multiverse. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a good old fashioned storytime! PLUS: A GLHF exclusive preview card from Lord of the Rings:...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a first look at Magic’s newest upcoming set Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Hear all about the new mechanics, cards and magnificent art that graces this Modern-legal offering. PLUS: Meghan has a soapbox moment, Maria reads some Watto fan fiction, and which phase of the moon is the most hot? Become a GLH5  Patron   Today! Listen to Weekly Magic...

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with  Desk After Dark ! Your hosts  Maria Bartholdi  and  Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your q...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get ready for a brand new world of Standard ahead of Banned & Restricted announcement next week. What will get the hammer? What will be spared? And what will the world look like afterwards? PLUS: Lord of the Rings is nearly upon us and your intrepid hosts are ready with their predictions of mechanics and card designs for the new set. (Spoiler: some of these id...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you an a magical journey through everything new that’s coming up this summer and fall for Magic the Gathering. From big changes to Standard, to Lord of the Rings, to the Wilds of Eldraine – your hosts guide you as they explore brave new worlds for the first time and peek at what’s ahead. PLUS: shouldn’t there be a downside for being th...

On this episode, coverage legend and Pro Tour Historian Brian David Marshall visits the GLHF crew to tell one of his favorite Magic stories and to make you a delicious cocktail! PLUS: All the tea from MagicCON Minneapolis and Pro Tour March of the Machine! Find out what decks destroyed in Standard and in Draft — and why the winner is such a big deal. PLUS: Maria doesn’t understand The...

On this episode, Maria welcomes very special guest host Carolyn Pardee to the show to talk Pro Tour March of the Machine! Carolyn (3-time VML champion and excellent Magic the Gathering player) helps get you prepped for what to look out for on coverage this weekend. Between a super-cool (but weird!) Draft format and a Standard format that may welcome some exciting changes to popular decks, Carolyn...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive deep into the draft data of March of the Machine to find out what cards to pick, what cards to pass, and which colors make everyone the most sad. The best color may surprise you! PLUS: a look at the best commons in each color as well as the Top 5 Best Cards overall which are truly something special to behold. This draft format is a dream, get out there and pl...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan relive Maria’s exciting prerelease experience playing March of the Machine for the very first time! Find out what kind of deck Maria built – including what cards majorly over-performed. Hear how you should approach attacking battles, whether or not to Backup and more! PLUS: Storytime with Meghan continues and Maria enjoys (?) it with a new cocktail you...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to the show to explain all of the tricky new & returning mechanics as well as cards that might trip you up at this weekend’s March of the Machine prerelease! This set features brand new card types as well as a BIG rules change involving tokens — so you’d better tune in before you throw down. PLUS: Cutest and Grossest card of...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get pumped for March of the Machine with a look at the exciting new cards and mechanics of the upcoming set! See their  ridiculously good preview card, find out what they think might be the best art of the YEAR, and learn how to properly Battle (with a capital “B”) your opponent. PLUS: A haunted Randomizer and chapter 2 of Phyrexia: All Will Be One Sto...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate the newest official Magic the Gathering format: Oathbreaker! Join Judge Rob as he walks our hosts through some amazing listener-submitted Oathbreaker decks and crafts decks specifically for Meghan and Maria. Want to guess which planeswalkers they chose? Find out – and get inspiration for your own spicy builds. PLUS: The first episode of New Phyrexi...

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dig into second breakfast as they explore the upcoming Lord of the Rings Magic set! Some really exciting cards have already been previewed and let’s just say we’re dancing around the Party Tree. PLUS: Tips on drafting Shadows Over Innistrad which drops on MTG Arena this week, Meghan wraps up The Brothers’ War Storytime and Maria asks “which...

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with  Desk After Dark ! Your hosts  Maria Bartholdi  and  Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your q...