The Dive Down

We looked at nine Magic Online Modern Challenges that fired in the unique week between a Modern ban and Dragonstorm: Tarkir's online debut. On this week's show, we benchmark the current Modern format, and look ahead at some possible new tech from the upcoming set. Boros Energy is back on top but Eldrazi is not far behind. Can combo, midrange, or even control decks carve out a place for themselves...

This week we react to one of the least surprising bans in recent Modern history and say goodbye to Underworld Breach. Dave, Devon, and Stan react, make predictions about what we think is next, and talk a little about unbans and why they might not have happened this time. Once we finish up with Modern, we take a quick peek at Pioneer/Explorer (what is even going on there?) and answer a listener que...

Today's the day we take What's That In Your Pocket public! Formerly a Patreon exclusive, you can now find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy pods! Join us every 2 weeks as we get together to talk about handheld gaming and technology. Come hang out as we explore the wild world of handhelds together! In this episode Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct announcement is finally here, and we're...

On this week's show, we discuss how to approach deck practice in Modern and Standard even though both formats are about to see significant changes. Stan plays some Living End and Jeskai Energy, d00mwake plays Lumbering Worldwagon in as many decks as possible. Plus some Dragonstorm: Tarkir spoilers! Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that yo...

On this week's show, we review the coolest decks from the Hunter Burton Memorial Open, the Spotlight Series in Utrecht, and the Southeast Asia RC in Bangkok. Then we wrap with a first look at Dragonstorm: Tarkir and admire yoked Ugin. 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 final Modern RC of the season is now behind us, but the story of Temur Breach's dominance continues. We chat about the event metagame, the incredible amount of Grinding Station decks in the top 32, and D00mwake's experience playing Eldrazi. 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...

With RC Charlotte on D00mwake's doorstep, Devon shares the results and findings of his practice for the one of the year's biggest Modern tournaments. Dave kicks off the show a look at the metagame data from last week's Modern RC in China, then Stan wraps up with his new found fondness and admiration for Ketramose in Orzhov Blink. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/th...

MagicCon: Chicago was the biggest MagicCon ever, in part because The Dive Down was there to experience it. This week's show features conversation we had at the Con with Mark Rosewater, Blake Rasmussen, and Athena Froehlich. We chat about a couple cards revealed from Tarkir: Dragonstorm and gather some WOTC insights following December's Modern unbans. A Preview Panel! A Chat with Blake! MaRo's 20 C...

Magic never ceases to amaze us. On this week's episode, we discuss our mutual surprise over the impact of Aetherdrift on Modern. Then we wrap our series on Modern's latest unbans with a look at Green Sun's Zenith in Amulet Titan, Yawgmoth, and beyond. 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 wit...

On this week's show, we review the results of the latest Modern Regional Championship, along with the Sunday 10K, and kneel at the altar of our new format overlords, Underworld Breach & Grinding Station. Then we chat about Stan's experiences playing both events, and Dave shares some horror stories from drafting Aetherdrift four times. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patre...

It's Portland time! Join us as we go deep on Stan's tournament prep for the Modern RC. We talk Stan's testing journey with Boros Energy, go deep on the mirror and the other top matchups, discuss the finer points of Stone Rains, card advantage options, and more. • Energy at the RC • Mirror Matches • The Rest of the Field Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown...

After a huge weekend of Modern Regional Championships, we're tripping over spreadsheets of matchup data. We discuss which decks impressed us, surprised us, and disappointed us from three huge tournaments in Prague, Canada, and Brazil. Then we wrap up with a chat about our experiences playing Splinter Twin. The Break Down: 45 Minutes of Regional Championships The Dive Down: 30 Minutes of Splinter T...

As we continue to play with Modern's latest round of unbans, something has become apparent. Mox Opal is a heck of a card. On this week's show, we play it in Temur Breach, Affinity, Hammer Time, and Broodscale to figure where Opal shines and where it feels dull. Turns out, the card is quite good even when its deck is bad. The history of Opal. Breaching is easy! Other Opal decks are whatever. Become...

In the first of our episodes diving into each card from the recent unbans, we take a deep look at Faithless Looting. First we take a look at the history of the card — all the way back to spoiler conversations — followed by a dive into many of the decks trying to play it in Modern today. Creativity? Check. Hollow One? Check. Phoenix? You know it. Dredge? Well, we almost forgot Dredge, but we a...

We're back — to podcasting. But also Devon's back — to large eventing. And, in a way, Magic is back — with a 1,400+ person open tournament. We spend this week talking about what happened, what's going on in Standard (Modern next week!), what the return of opens like the Spotlight Series means, and more. Devon cheats in overlords. Dave considers what to do with his wild cards. Stan s...

Rhinos is making a comeback and so are we! As we wind down from vacation mode, Stan and D00mwake warm up their podcasting muscles with one of their favorite topics: Crashing Footfalls in Modern. Enjoy this bonus minisode before our official feature length return next week! Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of Th...

A B&R so hot we had to pause our vacation. The One Ring, Amped Raptor, and Jegantha are banned. Mox Opal is unbanned. Mox Opal, Green Sun's Zenith, Faithless Looting and Splinter Twin are unbanned. Discuss. 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....

We kick off this week's show with an important announcement about the future of The Dive Down. Just listen since it's too long to explain in writing. Then we bemoan the B&R window before highlighting the fun times happening in Standard right now. And we wrap with a nice chat about our love-hate relationship with the new Pokémon TCG Pocket. The Break Down: A really important announcement The Di...

The doctor is in. For a very special episode 300, The Dive Down sits down with THE Richard Garfield, inventor of Magic: The Gathering and great-great-grandson of President James A. Garfield. What is Magic as Garfield intended? We finally have the answer. 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...

They said it couldn't be done, but one of the Dive Down boys (other than D00mwake) finally won an RCQ. On this week's show, Stan talks about piloting Boros Energy to qualify for RC Portland, and we break down the Standard metagame and results from the Magic World Championship in Las Vegas. The Break Down: 6 Matches to Portland The Dive Down: Congratulations, Javier Dominguez Become a citizen of Th...

Hot off the presses of WOTC's Foundations announcement, we break down and discuss the impact of Universes Beyond sets entering the Standard format in 2025. The Break Down: Cards That Will Be Standard Legal for 5 Years The Dive Down: Squidward Reborn 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...

On this week's show, Dave tries to determine what to play during the one RCQ he can attend this season. We do our best to help him out by reviewing the latest Metagame Mentor, taking a closer look at Dimir Oculus, following in the steps of some Jeskai Control masters, and trying something new with Fear of Missing Out in Rakdos and Jund Delirium. The Break Down: Frank Loves Stats The Dive Down: Dav...

In the last part of our mini-arc on the current state of Pioneer, Devon, Dave, and Stan dive deep into what happened at this weekend's RC in Washington D.C. We cover the decks that took too long, the decks that aimed too high, and the decks that took it all down. Will Demons remain are force in the meta? Will we keep paying taxes to Selesnya after this event? How soon until we all get annoyed with...

It's time (for Devon) to get ready for the RC in DC this weekend, so we dive deep into Pioneer for the week. We talk through the RC that happened in Brazil last weekend, examine new/interesting decks, and go through some of Devon's considerations on deck selection. If you haven't been paying attention to Pioneer lately — post-Duskmourn seems like a good time to jump in! • An RC in Brazil! • Devon...

On this week's show, Stan and Dave are joined by a new guest to The Dive Down. Taking a break from preparing for Regional Championship Washington DC and next month's World Championship in Las Vegas , Mark Stanton stops by to talk about the competitive mindset and how to practice Magic better. We chat about first impressions from Duskmourn, the current state of Pioneer leading up to the RC, and how...