So the world is on fire, but the game must go on. This week we talk about how Covid-19 is impacting the world of Magic. Then we cover the new Secret Lair product and how to speculate in a world of Secret Lair products. Next, we learn about James's new favorite sets, Mystery Booster. He talks about why he had such a good time with it this last weekend. Our Patrons had a question that we tried to answer for you about budget standard decks. Finally, we do a discussion about the updates to Arena wit...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 64
This week we touch on a number of topics. First, we talk the state of the podcast and beg from some interaction. Then we get back to the normal MTG Ban updates because it was a Monday and that is what happens on Mondays now. Someone at WOTC seems to have misplaced some Ikoria cards and we talk about the leaked new mechanic. We talk about the Mystery Boosters coming to stores. We let you know about how the packs are put together and where the value is in the set. Speaking of value, we get into th...
Mar 13, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 63
This week, we focus on the new challenger decks. We give you are impressions and tell you how we would upgrade the decks. There is a link to the upgrades below if you want to buy some of the cards. Then we breakdown what you should do with your cards from War of the Spark before rotation. Finally, we get into some Arena data and talk about what is going on. General Challengers Deck Thoughts - 4:24 Allied Fires - 7:24 Final Adventure - 24:35 Cavalcade Charge - 36:24 Flash of Ferocity - 42:36 Fina...
Mar 06, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 62
This week is all data all the time. We talk about how Magic handles data now, why it changed and how to find it. Then we talk about what to do with your cards from Ravnica Allegiance before rotation. Then we talk about Arena for the upcoming week. MTG Data - 6:23 Paper Magic Tangent - 45:10 Financial Hot Takes - 54:44 Arena - 1:09:59 To help support the podcast, please consider going to TCG using our link: tcg.casualtryhardmtg.com Facebook: Casual Try Hard MTG Twitter: @casualtrypod Email: casua...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 61
This week we have three main topics. First, we recap worlds. We talk about the metagame, what happened and what you can take from this event going forward. We next answer a listener question about when you need to win in a format. Then we give you some card by card advice on what you should buy, sell or hold from Guilds of Ravnica. Worlds Recap - 4:48 What turn do you need to win by? - 33:28 MTG Finance Hot Takes - 1:08:27 Arena - 1:22:59 To help support the podcast, please consider going to TCG...
Feb 21, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 60
This week there is no table required! We talk about the happenings in the Pioneer format from the events for the previous weekend. We had another PT, a GP and an SCG Open to look at. We then look at the other formats from the SCG open and take some time to talk about Modern and Standard. Next, we talk about a few MTG finance topics. First, we look at the new cards that are hot in Pioneer. Then we look at the price of Theros cards and how collector boosters have impacted them. We then discuss all...
Feb 13, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 59
You win some and you lose some and this week, the guys lost a lot. We spend a lot of time reflecting on the SCG Open and how we could have done better. Then we look at the PT metagame and discuss the new hot decks to come out of these events. We talk Arena and the data you helped generate about the standard format. Then we talk about James and his diet. SCG Richmond Format Analysis - 2:54 Player’s Tour Metagame and decks - 19:10 Pioneer Deck Prices - 53:07 The PT decks we plan to play - 55:48 Pi...
Feb 07, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 58
This week, we talk about James playing a ton a standard. James has been preparing for the standard portion of the SCG team tournament. He has been doing nothing but playing standard and has some insights. We breakdown the format and talk about the pillars of the format. Then you get the pioneer combo deck update. Bryan settled on a deck for the pioneer seat only to find out that it is the deck that everyone is playing. We touch on Modern, but honestly just hope that Cameron has it figured out be...
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 57
Well, Elspeth's Big Day Out is here! Theros was released and we want to talk about it all. We talk about our first impressions of the format. Then we get into the cards that impressed us that let us down. We touch on some Standard brews that we have seen or have been working on since the set has come out. The format is the normal wild place that it always in after a new set. We talk about how we approached the new set on Arena to maximize our collection of the set. Finally, we talk about where w...
Jan 24, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 56
This week we take a deep dive into Theros Beyond Death. First, we get everyone on the same footing by discussing the mechanics of the set. Then we breakdown the interesting constructed cards in each color. At the end, we briefly talk about our plans for SCG Richmond at the beginning of February. We then talk about the Modern Ban announcement and how this will effect the format going forward. We then check in on Arena and discuss and a certain email that is coming. Theros set mechanics - 2:10 Set...
Jan 16, 2020•2 hr 51 min•Ep. 55
This week we talk about why you should head out to prerelease and what to expect when you are there. We make some Magic resolutions for the new year. We want to be more organized this year. Then we talk about the state of Modern and how there seems to be an elk problem. Then we touch in with Arena to discuss what happened with the standard shake-up, Dominara drafts and how to get the most out of your prerelease on Arena. Prerelease Schedule - 3:19 Why Prerelease - 4:48 What to expect when prerel...
Jan 10, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 54
This is an entire Question and Answer Podcast. Our listens sent us questions and we worked through them. This is a great way to learn more about the hosts both in and out of magic. About the hosts - 3:21 What Accessories do you use - 10:03 Sideboarding - 16:38 Thoughts on Historic and eternal formats on Arena - 23:22 Live Performances in 2020 - 34:50 Best Beers - 37:55 Why does White Suck - 42:24 Brawl Ideas - 54:02 Other Tabletop Games - 103:33 How to build a collection - 1:10:58 Coping with fu...
Jan 02, 2020•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 53
This is a very special episode of the Casual Try Hard Podcast. We have compiled all of parts of the "Playing in Paper" series that we covered into one podcast for you. This is a great episode to share with new players or players transitioning from Arena. Part 1: How to play in paper - Where to Play - 2:07 Part 2: How to play in paper - Accessories - 18:40 Part 3: How to play in paper - Getting a Deck 36:43 Part 4: How to play in paper - Getting to your first turn - 48:18 Part 5: How to play in p...
Dec 29, 2019•2 hr 52 min•Ep. 52
This week, we add the final touch to the playing in paper series. We discuss the common Magic slang that you will hear during a game so that you are in the loop when you play in paper. Then we discuss some MTG finance developments. Why tell you why now is a both a good time to sell your standard cards and to buy some high-end cards. Speaking of high-end cards, we go into what a cube is and why you should be playing or at least watching the vintage cube. Finally, we check in with Arena and discus...
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 51
WOTC has done it now! They have introduced Double Secret Probation......I mean suspensions. So we talk about the cards that have been suspended in Arena's Historic format. Hint, it is all the stuff that is too good to play anywhere. Then we talk about the pioneer bans that happened Monday as well. Next up, we talk about small field tournaments and why they have different meta games than larger events. Speaking of small field events, we discuss GP OKC. This week, we finish up the playing in paper...
Dec 19, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 50
This week, we talk about MC 7 where emote master Kanister won. We discuss the ramifications on the MPL, Rivals and Worlds that this tournament had. We then talk about the removal of GP byes and how that is disappointing for players like us. We then touch on the changes made to the MTGO PTQ system. Next, we touch on pioneer and discuss what has been performing well post ban and where the format seems to be. Finally, we jump into Arena. MC 7 - 6:51 MPL 2020 - 20:57 Rivals 2020 - 28:50 Worlds 2020 ...
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 49
Bans are back, baby! This time Once Upon a Time and friends get banished from Pioneer. We talk about how this changes the format and take a brief visit to the Legacy GP. Then we work you through registering for a tournament and then working through your first few turns of a paper game. We then talk briefly about Arena. Pioneer Bans- 4:28 Legacy GP Aside - 14:56 Back to the Bans - 17:39 MC VII - 20:37 Part 4: How to play in paper - Getting to your first turn - 22:54 Part 5: How to play in paper -...
Dec 06, 2019•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 48
This week, we dive into fashion. Well, mainly, why you should put on pants and leave the house to play Magic. We talk about our last PTQ and then talk about some hot new standard decks that are floating around the internet. The main topic is week is how to get ready to play paper magic. What are the things that you are going to need and how to get them. We follow up with some Arena and end on the new product Secret Lair. PTQ for PT Phoenix - 1:50 New Standard Decks - 17:55 Part 1: How to play in...
Nov 29, 2019•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 47
Well this week was a long podcast, but we think you will like it. We start out by talking about the Monday bans across multiple formats and discuss why we are getting so many bans lately. Then we go into each format and talk about how the bans will impact the format. We spent the most time on Standard as we tried to determine what the new metagame was going to look like. We then broke down the SCG Invitational metagame in Modern and Pioneer. We focused in on Pioneer and how the lack of cheap rem...
Nov 22, 2019•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 46
We went on a Magical Mystery Tour this week. We cover the change in pioneer. Then do a deep dive on the Magicfest and Mythic Championship. We then work through why James landed on 4-color sacrifice and how what what going on in the format informed this decision. We talk about how to fix standards through bans or maybe dumping the London mulligan. Next up, we solved the mystery of the Mystery packs. Finally, it is Arena time and our data was really weird. Veil of Summer is Banned - 1:48 MagicFest...
Nov 15, 2019•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 45
This week the guys get a little focus on elk. Well, mainly the elk maker, Oko. Before we get too deep in our nature documentary, we discuss the recent Pioneer bans. We talk about why they happened and what this might mean for the format going forward. Then we start our standard discussion with a heavy focus on Oko. We set the scene with where the format is and talk about game play. Then James talks about why these things have made it hard for him to pick a deck for GP Richmond. If Oko is everywh...
Nov 07, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 44
This week we play a little catch up. First we talk about the Field of the Dead ban and how it will impact standard. Hint - OKO! We then spend the rest of the podcast discussing pioneer, magic's newest format. We walk you through what it is, how the mana is going to work and then go through the early possible decks for the format. The format is changing fast, so instead of going through decks card by card, we talk in broad strokes about what is available to different strategies. Finally, we talk ...
Oct 31, 2019•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 43
This week, we recorded a day early. So, we got to make the right call on the banning of Field of the Dead, but missed the announcement of Pioneer. We will cover that next week. We focused this week on trying to improve your limited game. We talk about drafting. We talk about reading signals, sending signals and what a reasonable draft deck looks like. Drafting the Hard Way - https://www.channelfireball.com/articles/stark-reality-drafting-the-hard-way/ Mythic Championship Almost Review 2:12 BR Ho...
Oct 25, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 42
Our trip through standard has hit a rough patch. We need to find a we to land this format. This week we talk about how standard has changed since the release of Arena. The earlier release of sets, the machine grinding games, play design and other structural changes. Many of these things have lead standard to get solved faster and break sooner. After we talk about how standard has changed we discuss what may get banned on Monday and what decks may exist after the ban. Then we change in on Arena a...
Oct 18, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 41
This week, we cover the Brawl precon's. We give you are thoughts on each deck, talk about the unique cards and provide possible upgrades for you to try. The lists are linked below.... Chulane - https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2327689#paper Korvold - https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2318537#paper Alela - https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2324631#paper Syr Gwyn - https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2324365#paper Then we get into the new standard format. We mainly talk about the dominance of Golos and...
Oct 11, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 40
First, the Wizard of Oz is a "modern day" fairy tale. Second, the guys are going to discuss their journey through magic the last few weeks. First, they walk through the highs and lows of their GP Atlanta performance. They circle back to who the magic homework (episode 36) helped them in this event. They touch on the mental side of the game when dealing with your bad match-ups and how to not let loses snowball. Next, they talk about good communication and not being afraid to call a judge. GP cove...
Oct 04, 2019•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 39
This week, the Casual Try Hards talk about the new set Throne of Eldraine. We go over the all of the cards that we think will make a splash in standard and some that may reach back into older formats. This was a video episode so if you want to see all of this sweet content with pictures, check it out at: https://youtu.be/5whwebDj0kQ Facebook: Casual Try Hard MTG Twitter: @casualtrypod Email: casualtryhardmtg@gmail.com You can find us on the Apple podcast app, Google Play, Podbean, Soundcloud, Sp...
Sep 28, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 38
This week with GP Atlanta right around the corner, we decided to try a new approach for preparing for a big event. This week is mostly about doing your homework. We came up with a method for determining what the format looked like and building all of the decks so we could see what their game plans are and how would could combat them. We talk about the process, the exercise and how it might be helpful for you. We then touch on how content: videos, articles and random things on twitter can help fi...
Sep 20, 2019•56 min•Ep. 37
This week the guys review all the announcements that came out of WOTC. We cover the sets that were announced, the mechanics of Throne of Eldraine and more. Then we start breaking down the cards from the new set. BRAWL! was up next. We give our impressions of the format and the decks that we were able to play. We have started cooking up some improvements that we tease. We then touch on the Arena meta game and discuss the Standard 2020 format and what we think it will look like. WOTC Announcement ...
Sep 13, 2019•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 36
This week, we cover a wide range of topics. First, we touch on the new modern format and discuss how the format is shaking out with SFM. We talk about the MTGO 5-0 deck lists and SCG Dallas to see where we stand. Then we talk about rotation on Arena. That led us to talking about the new historic announcement that happened. We go over what the format will look like, how WOTC plans to manage it and what it means for how you should prepare for rotation. We then talk about current standard on Arena....
Sep 04, 2019•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 35
