TOPDECK THERAPY

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...

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 reflect...

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 count...

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...

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 to...

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 a...

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...

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 conversa...

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 Fare...

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 changer...

The conversation delves into the struggle of building decks and the desire for uniqueness in deck construction. Kevin's difficulty in building his own decks is explored, along with his inclination towards uniqueness and the challenges it presents. The discussion also touches on the impact of budget constraints and the complexity of the game. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategi...

In this episode, Justin and Kevin explore the various tribes in EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), discussing the unique characteristics and strategies of each tribe. They emphasize the importance of finding your tribe in the game, highlighting popular tribes such as elves, slivers, zombies, dinosaurs, goblins, merfolk, cats, dragons, angels, fairies, humans, and eldrazi. Each tribe offers distinct ga...

Y'shtola Commander Brew and Strategy Breakdown: In this new Series Justin and Kevin will explore each others different build styles! Join us as we explore two unique Y'shtola builds for EDH, showcasing different approaches to leveraging this popular Esper commander. Whether you prefer clone-heavy tactics or spell-slinging control, this episode offers insights into deck construction, synergy, and s...

In this episode, Justin and Kevin discuss the art of politicking in Commander games. They explore the importance of social negotiation, precise language, and reading players. They also dive into the pitfalls of over-talking, the skill of making deals, and the role of threat assessment in the game. The conversation emphasizes the entertainment value of Magic and the importance of having fun while l...

The conversation covers a variety of keywords in Magic: The Gathering, exploring their significance and synergies in the commander format. The discussion delves into the impact of keywords such as lifelink, haste, trample, flying, menace, hexproof, indestructible, and more, highlighting their strategic value and potential synergies. Takeaways Strategic Value Synergies Chapters 00:00 The Significan...

In this episode hosts Justin and Kevin talk about the critical role of threat assessment in Commander, emphasizing the importance of understanding and evaluating threats. It also explores the dynamics of politicizing and social interactions, shedding light on the complexities of emotional targeting and the art of becoming the threat. Throughout the discussion, the theme of adapting and reevaluatin...

The first episode of Top Deck Therapy is a get-to-know-us session where the hosts discuss their introduction to Magic: The Gathering, their favorite decks, and their goals for the podcast. They share personal stories, memories, and insights related to the game and its impact on their lives. Takeaways Community Building Personal Connection Chapters 00:00 Favorite MTG Memories and Podcast Goals