Through these links you will find all of the articles we believe provide good value on your time investment. This is an ongoing project, so if you feel that there are articles that we are missing, send the links to us here.
Also, please give feedback on the system. Currently all of the posts link directly to the content it references, but that stops you from commenting on individual articles, which may give a boost to other players as to if they should read it.
- PV’s Playhouse – Mulligans – by Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa (Paywall)
A good introduction or refresher to the baics of Mulligans and the decisions that go on behind them. A little out of date now, as it was written before the Vancouver Mulligan Rule came into existence, but still a solid starting point.
- The False Tempo Archetype – by Gerry Thompson (Paywall)
Thompson explains why linear decks are often not the strongest in any format. He uses this framework to explain why attacking on multiple angles gives your opponents more to think about, and making your games go longer means your opponents have more chances to make mistakes when they don’t know what you are doing.
“Being linear means you are the dead money in the tournament — the person everyone knows how to beat.” – Gerry Thompson, 2014
- Interaction Advantage – by Gerry Thompson (Paywall)
Thompson opens by explaining that the way your cards interact with each other dictates a level of power in your deck beyond stuffing it full of the most busted mythics you can find, but also beyond linear strategies where cards are too reliant on other pieces. The primary examples given deal with matching your removal to the rest of your deck, lining up your strengths and weaknesses in as advantageous as manner as you can, and then considering how this may be affected by what your opponent is doing. He also touches on the subject that is later explored in detail by Majors in the piece Traction.
- PV’s Rule – by Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa
Despite the name, Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa outlines 2 rules that help guide his decision making in game, explaining why it is often correct to make a worse play than one which appears available, if it takes away choice from your opponent. He also explains what to do when your opponent acts in a way that doesn’t force you into a line. At high level play this thinking is extremely useful, however it relies on both players agreeing on the value of pieces and plays, and can therefore be misleading when playing in a situation where you have a skill advantage over an opponent.
- Common Sideboarding Traps – by Jadine Klomparens
Recommended reading for every magic player. This article explains some of the key aspects of sideboarding, with excellent attention to detail.
- Thoughtseize You – by Ried Duke (Paywall)
A guide to (almost) everything you need to know about targeted discard spells. Recommended reading for anyone playing discard spells.
- Who’s The Beatdown? – by Mike Flores
One of the most oft referenced pieces of magic writing, this article formed the foundation for understanding of role assignment for many players when it was first published on The Dojo. While the examples used may be a little tough to understand for newer players, the lessons it teaches are timeless.
- Beating Thoughtseize And Other Discard Spells – by Ross Mirriam (Paywall)
Mirriam talks about fighting discard spells such as Thoughtseize, giving different advice for midrange, aggro, and unfair decks. While he avoids giving too many examples, all of the information is clear and well explained.
- Building Decks In The New Age: Combo – by Todd Anderson (Paywall)
Anderson takes an in-depth look at the type of combo decks in magic and explains their strengths and weaknesses He also takes a look at transitional sideboards in these decks.
- Do As I Say, And As I Do Part 1 (Paywall)
And Part 2 – By Brad Nelson (Paywall)
Nelson takes a lot of shallow looks at topics such as challenging your assumptions before deck choice, how to test ahead of a tournament, why he plays midrange, how to use the information you have earned to make in game decisions and sideboard, and then some tips on bluffing.
Honestly, a little hard to read and get information from owing to its fractured nature, but worth the effort. - Different Problem-Solving Perspectives In Magic – by Jadine Klomparens (Paywall)
Klomparens introduces us to the 3 styles of magic problem solver: the metagamer, the tuner, and the player. We are then given some examples which highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
- The Right Way To Consume Magic Content – by Emma Handy
Ever feel like you aren’t getting as much out of your time reading as you would like? You probably aren’t. Read this, and get more out of all the other content you consume.
- Coach Collins: How To Find The Best Line – by Collins Mullen
Reasonably useful short guide for an important concept which feels under explored in this article. First section is premise, last section is an example. The middle section entitled ‘Step by Step’ is of the greatest value, if you are short on time.
- Traction – by Michael Majors (Paywall)
An excellent article on how, in modern magic, simply drawing more cards doesn’t necessarily win the game. Instead Majors considers activated abilities and simply having a board presence may represent more cards than a Sphinx’s Revelation. He also talks about play patterns based on planeswalkers, some of the best card advantage engines available, both defending them by setting up multi turn sequences and how a board presence may make playing one unattractive to your opponent.
- How many mana sources do you need to consistently cast your spells? – by Frank Karsten
Seminal piece of work, one of the most important articles to have available while building decks. Karsten explains his method, before laying out the conditions for hitting your coloured mana on time, for limited, competitive constructed and highlander formats.