The Dive Down - podcast cover

The Dive Down

The Dive Downthedivedown.fireside.fm
The Dive Down is a Magic: The Gathering podcast focused on the latest decks, trends, and strategies for the casual spikes in Modern and constructed! Each week your hosts Dave, Stan, and D00mwake discuss the latest innovations, competitive events, and level-up topics for paper and online players. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Proudly sponsored by Heavy Play, a new card gaming accessories brand that'll improve your gameplay and game day. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com/ We're also sponsored by ManaTraders, the best Magic card rental service for both Magic Online and paper! Get 25% cashback after 3 months of using ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown or use Manatraders coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 48: Sleeve It/Believe It/Heave It: Pioneer Edition

This week, the Dive Down gents explore three winning decks from the breakout new format - Pioneer! The Break Down: Veil of Summer banned, and the MTGO Modern Challenge The Dive Down: S/B/H Pioneer Edition! The Wind Down: Archival Masters Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Now get 15% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 2:16 - Housekeeping 3:06 - The Break Down Beg...

Nov 15, 20191 hr 52 minEp. 48

Episode 47: Spirits: Be Yourself, in Ghost Form

This week, The Dive Down gents do a patent-pending Dive into a fan favorite tribe - Spirits! We also discuss the first wave of Pioneer bans and the decks of the first Pioneer PTQ. Breaking News - The first Pioneer bans! The Break Down - The first Pioneer PTQ! The Dive Down - A Spooky Modern Tribe Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" T...

Nov 08, 20191 hr 41 minEp. 47

Episode 46: Threat Level: Oko

This week we dive deep on Magic's latest boogeyman — Oko, Thief of Crowns. Is it one of the best cards ever or just one of the goodest? We work it out in between tournament reports on SCG Atlanta and the first MTGO Pioneer Challenge. The Break Down: SCG Open Atlanta The Dive Down: Oko, Thief of Hearts The Wind Down: The First Challenge of Pioneering Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatrader...

Nov 01, 20191 hr 47 minEp. 46

Bonus 2: Modern Horizons Revisited: Mistakes Were Made

In our second monthly bonus episode, we revisit our Modern Horizons grades to see what we missed on - and why. The Dive Down: Modern Horizons Revisited Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 2:26 - Introducing this month's bonus episode 3:39 - Arcum's Astrolabe 8:45 - Aria of Flame 12:12 - Wrenn and Six 16:42- Marit Lage's S...

Oct 29, 201959 min

Episode 45: Pioneer Days: Fording Rivers, Dying of Dysentery

We talk the SCG Regionals, the decks that got away, and, oh yeah, an ENTIRELY NEW ETERNAL FORMAT - Pioneer! The Break Down: SCG Regionals The Dive Down: Welcome to Pioneer Town The Wind Down: White Whales Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 2:22 - Housekeeping 3:58 - The Break Down begins - SCG Regionals top 8 data 9:53 -...

Oct 25, 20191 hr 40 minEp. 45

Episode 44: Ascending Urza: A Whirld of Clicks

We go over the SCG Indy (AKA the Motor City) Open, then perform our patented deep dive process on the various Urza-based decks showing up in Modern! The Break Down: The Motor City SCG Open The Dive Down: Playing Vintage in Modern The Wind Down: How the podcast has impacted our play Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 1:54...

Oct 18, 20191 hr 43 minEp. 44

Episode 43: Comboing Off with Throne of Eldraine: Sleeve/Believe/Heave Edition

The crew talk about combo decks they have tested with new Throne of Eldraine cards. The Break Down: Modern Challenge The Dive Down: "Wait, do you just win here?" The Wind Down: I Don't want No Slump Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 1:31 - Housekeeping 3:25 - The Break Down - The Modern Challenge 23:10 - The Dive Down B...

Oct 11, 20191 hr 41 minEp. 43

Episode 42: Mono-Red Prison: A Guide to Turn 1 3-Drops

The crew do a deck dive into a personal favorite - Mono-Red Prison! The Break Down: #OkoWatch2019 The Dive Down: SSG Ritual Ritual Karn The Wind Down: Pocket Monsters Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 2:32 - Housekeeping 5:00 - The Break Down - The Modern Challenge 16:02 - The Dive Down begins - Mono-Red Prison 17:42 - ...

Oct 04, 20191 hr 39 minEp. 42

Bonus 1: Milling About

The Dive Down: Reducing Libraries to Zero With UB Mill Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=t ... and use code "thedivedown" Timestamps: 4:47 - What is Mill? 8:50 - Cards That Mill 14:20 - The Creatures 23:20 - Non-Creature Permanents 31:59 - The Planeswalkers 34:52 - Cards That Keep You Alive 51:09 - How to Mill 53:50 - The Sideboard 56:56 - How to Beat Mill 1:03:45 - Wou...

Sep 30, 20191 hr 14 min

Episode 41: Watch the Throne (of Eldraine) ft. Emma Partlow

The Dive Down: Our picks to click from Throne of Eldraine The Wind Down: What we plan to do with some downtime ** Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Get 10% off your first 3 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code "thedivedown"** Timestamps: 2:10 - Housekeeping 4:38 - The Dive Down begins - What makes a card appealing for Modern? 11:44 - The mechanics of Eldraine 24:43 - The Dive Down Nation's set review surve...

Sep 27, 20191 hr 32 minEp. 41

Episode 40: Modern Sideboarding: Going From Good to Great

The Break Down: GP Ghent discussion and analysis The Dive Down: Talking sideboarding in modern The Wind Down: Our favorite sideboard cards Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Timestamps: 1:25 - Housekeeping 3:29 - The Break Down begins - GP Ghent 8:40 - GP Ghent top 4 team decks 16:17 - Thoughts on the meta 19:25 - The Dive Down begins - talkin' sideboards 20:55 - Silver bullet cards 29:51 - Color hosers 35:55 - Building a sideboard 38:27 - Knowing your ...

Sep 20, 20191 hr 36 minEp. 40

Episode 39: Stoneforge Steve Austin: Live and Die by the Blade

The Break Down: GP Hoosier State The Dive Down: Wielding Swords The Wind Down: Heel Turn Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Timestamps: 2:36 – The Break Down begins: GP Indianapolis 9:49 – Our thoughts on the top 4 team decks 13:13 – The GP Indy metagame 22:28 – The Dive Down begins: The history of Stoneforge Mystic 28:44 – The Stoneforge unban in New Modern 32:59 – The Stoneforge Package 42:36 – New swords on the block 47:14 – Sword strats 50:55 – Slee...

Sep 13, 20191 hr 43 minEp. 39

Episode 38: Settling the Wreckage: Stoneforge Ahoy!

The Break Down: 24 to 32 Modern Decks The Dive Down: Reactions // Responses Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Timestamps: 2:35 - Housekeeping 4:17 - The Break Down begins - SCG Dallas Modern Open 23:35 - SCG Dallas Modern Classic 34:15 - MTGO Modern MCQ 46:09 - MTGO Modern Challenge 56:20 - The Dive Down begins - our initial thoughts 1:01:22 - Are you still playing graveyard hate? 1:04:03 - How does the speed of the format feel? 1:09:00 - Is this the n...

Sep 06, 20191 hr 37 minEp. 38

Episode 37: Eldrazi Tron: Smash Back to Reality

The Break Down: B&R Bonanza The Dive Down: All Hail Eldrazi Temple Timestamps: 1:44 - Housekeeping 3:54 - The Break Down begins - the B&R announcement 24:01 - GP Las Vegas 27:30 - The Dive Down begins - Eldrazi Tron 28:45 - What E-Tron Isn't 38:48 - What E-Tron Is 43:30 - The History of E-Tron 46:56 - Diving into E-Tron - The Manabase 57:06 - The Planeswalkers 1:05:42 - The creatures 1:17:19 - The non-creature spells 1:24:33 - The sideboard 1:30:35 - Playing with E-Tron 1:39:06 - Playing...

Aug 30, 20191 hr 47 minEp. 37

Episode 36: Modern in Mathmagic Land

The Break Down: GP Birmingaak with a special focus on Mardu Death's Shadow The Dive Down: Probably Correct Math The Wind Down: Comboing Out Timestamps: 2:15 - Housekeeping 3:58 - The Break Down Begins - GP Birmingaak 8:24 - Day 1 stand-outs 11:33 - Day 2 metagame breakdown and conversion rates 14:01 - Top 8 begins 14:57 - Discussing Mardu Death's Shadow 22:00 - 2nd place and beyond 24:14 - Post-GP discussion 26:11 - The Dive Down Begins - Probably correct math 31:52 - Why care about Magic Math? ...

Aug 23, 20191 hr 38 minEp. 36

Episode 35: Turn Zero Gaaktions: Leylines in Modern

The Break Down: GP Gaakiapolis The Dive Down: Leying Lines The Wind Down: What We Deck in the Shadows Timestamps: 1:40 - Housekeeping 2:38 - The Break Down begins - GP Minneapolis 10:56 - Discussing the lack of GP coverage 19:20 - The Dive Down begins - Introduction to Leylines 24:33 - The Guildpact Leylines 26:39 - The M11 Leylines 30:24 - The design of Leylines 35:20 - Leyline math! 42:16 - The Modern playable Leylines - Leyline of the Void 56:36 - Leyline of Sanctity 1:05:13 - Leyline of Abun...

Aug 16, 20191 hr 37 minEp. 35

Episode 34: All Decks Go To Heaven ft. Ross Merriam

The Break Down: The 8/4/19 Modern Challenge - only 38% Hogaak The Dive Down: I've Abandoned My Bird The Wind Down: It's Not Easy Being Fair Timestamps: 03:15 - Housekeeping 03:39 - The Break Down begins - 8/4/19 Modern Challenge 24:13 - The Wind Down begins - Is it time to put Izzet Phoenix down in Modern? 37:47 - The current and past Modern metagame 43:55 - Has Modern "rotated"? 49:16 - The impact of Modern Horizons 56:19 - Is Hogaak bannable? 60:55 - Making the most of Modern now 74:37 - Moder...

Aug 09, 20191 hr 47 minEp. 34

Episode 33: Jund: The Matriarch of Midrange

The Break Down: MC IV: Karn's Comeback The Dive Down: For Those About To Jund: We Can Help You The Wind Down: Practice Makes Perfect Timestamps: 1:51 - Housekeeping 5:10 - The Break Down begins - MC Barcelona 10:33 - MC Barcelona top 8 20:57 - SCG Columbus Open 23:44 - Discussing the weekend's results 28:40 - The Dive Down begins - Jund! 34:31 - Jund's Creatures 58:09 - Jund's Removal 1:06:56 - Jund's Planeswalkers 1:15:31 - Playing against Jund 1:23:03 - What Jund will do vs. you 1:27:03 - Our ...

Aug 02, 20191 hr 38 minEp. 33

Episode 32: Down and Out at the Denver MCQ

The Break Down: The Modern MOCS - Hogaak's Back The Dive Down: MCQs are Hard - Our experiences at MF Denver The Wind Down: The Modern Power 9 Timestamps: 02:13 - Housekeeping 03:42 - The Break Down begins – The Modern MOCS 18:30 - The Dive Down begins – Getting to MF Denver 22:45 – What’s a MF like? 35:30 – The decks we played during the MF 38:29 – What’s a MCQ like? 45:33 – What we played at the MCQ – Shane 48:50 – Dave 1:01:25 – Shane pt2 1:05:08 – Stan 1:16:39 – Zak 1:26:19 – The Wind Down – ...

Jul 26, 20191 hr 40 minEp. 32

Episode 31: How to Casual Spike a Tournament

The Break Down: MF Krakow's MCQ and Tobi Henke's GP Dallas Data The Dive Down: Deck Selection for GP Denver's MCQ The Wind Down: The Timing of MH1's Release Timestamps: The Break Down Begins – MF Krakow's MCQ: 2:36 Tobi Henke’s GP Dallas data: 18:08 The Dive Down Begins – Our deck selection process: 31:40 Shane: Timing your selection and metagaming modern: 35:00 Zak: Familiarity vs. Power and learning something new: 45:14 Stan: Playing the unfamiliar and tournament goals: 56:51 Dave: Finding you...

Jul 19, 20191 hr 36 minEp. 31

Episode 30: Cut to the Core

The Break Down: Analyzing the Bridge from Below ban The Dive Down: Our picks to click for Core Set 20 The Wind Down: What to do with all these cleared up sideboard slots Timestamps: Start of the Break Down - 2:21 Analyzing WOTC’s Announcement - 8:10 ELO Project - 24:18 Start of Dive Down - 27:20 Thunkerin Awakener - 29:19 Chandra, Awakened Inferno - 33:46 Elvish Reclaimer - 40:39 Fry - 46:25 Chandra, Acolyte of Flame - 51:48 Scheming Symmetry - 58:23 Leyline of Abundance - 1:06:28 Chandra’s Regu...

Jul 12, 20191 hr 27 minEp. 30

Episode 29: The Gaak Came Back

The Break Down: SCG Pittsburgh Open & GP DFW The Dive Down: Hogaak Bridgevine Deck Dive The Wind Down: Randomness in Modern Magic Timestamps: 2:07 Housekeeping 3:07 The Break Down begins: GP Dallas / Fort Worth 21:57 SCG Pittsburgh Team Open 36:59 The Dive Down: The Gaak Came Back 1:40:04 The Wind Down: Randomness in Modern Magic Links from this week's episode: GP DFW Top 2 decklists: http://coverage.channelfireball.com/event/22 SCG Pittsburgh Day 2 decklists: http://www.starcitygames.com/de...

Jul 05, 20191 hr 49 minEp. 29

Episode 28: Sleeve It / Believe It / Heave It: Modern Horizons Edition

The Break Down: We analyze the emerging meta and the Hogaak menace in MTGO tournament results. The Dive Down: Do we want to Sleeve, Believe, or Heave 4 Modern decks built around new Modern Horizons cards? The Wind Down: Mistakes were made. Timestamps: Break Down Starts - 3:39 Modern MCQ - 4:24 Modern Playoffs - 10:34 Dive Down Starts - 24:31 Sultai Snow - 25:38 RB Goblins - 27:25 RB Skelemental - 34:10 Mardu Octomancer - 52:18 Bant Infect - 1:06:03 Wind Down Starts - 1:23:56 Aria of Flame - 1:24...

Jun 28, 20191 hr 37 minEp. 28

Episode 27: Knights of the Necropolis ft. Riley Knight

The Break Down: We talk about the latest MTGO 5-0 deck dumps and the last MTGO Modern Challenge. The Dive Down: Stan and Zak chat with CFB's Riley Knight. Timestamps: 4:56 - Start of Break Down 5:32 - Sultai Snow 5:54 - Devoted Karnbo 9:27 - Jeskai Humans 14:08 - RB Goblins 17:22 - Mardu Octomancer 18:39 - Modern Challenge 31:20 - Start of Riley Knight interivew 32:15 - "What’s your favorite Modern deck to play?” 35:28 - “How often do you get to play?” 36:29 - “How has broadcasting Magic events ...

Jun 21, 20191 hr 47 minEp. 27

Episode 26: Reply Guys

The Break Down: We talk about the London Mulligan and the first Modern Horizons MTGO Modern Challenge The Dive Down: Modern Horizons Listener Questions! Timestamps: 03:08 - London Mulligan 09:18 - 6/8/19 Modern Challenge 12:09 - Modern Horizons cards show up 22:30 - Hogaak Bridgevine discussion 33:30 - The Dive Down begins 36:30 - Did Modern Horizons deliver? 47:01 - How will the meta shake out after MH1? 52:47 - Which tribe will see the most success? 56:48 - What would we play at the next large...

Jun 14, 20191 hr 30 minEp. 26

Episode 25: Modern Horizons Set Review, Part the Second

The Dive Down: The gang reviews the OTHER half of Modern Horizons using the beloved sleeve / believe / heave grading system. W: 4:04 U: 15:40 B: 41:42 R: 1:04:15 G: 1:17:23 Multicolor: 1:23:37 Artifacts: 1:34:27 Lands: 1:37:00 Links from this weeks episode: JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Modern Horizons full set: https://scryfall.com/sets/mh1 Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew , and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: ...

Jun 07, 20191 hr 46 minEp. 25

Episode 24: Modern Horizons Set Review, Part the First

The Dive Down: The gang reviews half of Modern Horizons using the beloved sleeve, believe, heave grading system. Links from this weeks episode: JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Frank Karsten on Collected Conjuring: https://twitter.com/karsten_frank/status/1131215587470970880 Modern Horizons full set: https://scryfall.com/sets/mh1 Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew , and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gma...

May 31, 20192 hr 19 minEp. 24

Episode 23: UW Control: My Son Is ALSO Named Teferi

The Break Down: 4 early preview cards from Modern Horizons. The Dive Down: The UW Control Deck Dive! What makes control decks tick, and why is UW seemingly better than ever? The Wind Down: A Patreon question about the Golden Age of Modern. Links from this weeks episode: JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown The UW Control list we ran: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1909178#online "The Deck" article on The Dojo: http://www.classicdojo.org/history/thedeck2.html Our opening music ...

May 24, 20191 hr 48 minEp. 23

Episode 22: Sleeve It / Believe It / Heave It: War of the Spark Edition

The Break Down: We look at some spicy new decks making their appearance in the Modern Challenge and the Modern MOCS Monthly. The Dive Down: Do we want to Sleeve, Believe, or Heave 4 Modern decks built around new War of the Spark cards? The Wind Down: When and how to buy into Modern? Links from this week’s episode: JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Modern Challenge: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/mtgo-standings/modern-challenge-2019-05-13 MOCS Monthly: https://m...

May 17, 20191 hr 42 minEp. 22

Episode 21: Humans: Be Yourself, In Card Form

The Break Down: 3 new decks courtesy of War Of The Spark The Dive Down: Deck Dives are back! We talk Humans - how it's constructed, some tips and tricks, and how you might try to beat this Tier 1 staple. The Wind Down: Why isn't UW Control more popular? Links from this weeks episode: JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Neoform Combo: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1885374#paper Wish Tron: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1879166#paper Narset Pitch Blue: https://twitter.com/Co...

May 10, 20191 hr 41 minEp. 21
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android