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 A little out of date now, as it was written before the Vancouver Mulligan Rule came into existence, but still a solid starting point.
Category: Knowledge
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.