On this week’s show, we manage to fill that awkward week between spoilers and set release by preparing for the upcoming RCQ season, which conveniently kicks off this weekend. We take a look at the Pioneer metagame going into the season, and some possible upgrades from Outlaws of Thunder Junction that could shake up the format too. Everything but the water and Clif Bars New season old decks D00m has prepared some new decks Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedived...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 271
We said we'd never lie to you, but maybe... maybe we'd forget that there were another 30 mythics left to talk about in this set. So we did it for you — more cards! This week Dave, Devon, and Shane talk about what might happen with some of these weird, weird cards from The Big Score. Do we tell a certain Jitte to stay lost? What happens when we break out the Synthesizer? What card that Devon loves left Dave and Shane quaking in their boots? After we discuss The Big Score, we take a quick trip thr...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 270
Our friends from across the Multiverse have flooded the desert sands of Thunder Junction, and brought a host of exciting new spoiler cards with them. We recap some of our favorite cards and other notable arrivals in Magic's 100th set. Are all the Spree cards great or merely good? Is the emphasis on Crime cards the latest symptom of Magic's moral decline? Have we lost the Plot or simply found a new way to cast spells for free? D00mwake likes Duelist of the Mind. Dave likes Requisition Raid. Shane...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 269
Results are in from LMS Prague and we break down the top decks at the 265 player event. Then chat about our experiences playing a couple versions of Domain Zoo. And D00mwake shares the secret to winning an RCQ. The Break Down: Legacy European Tour Master Series Prague, Grand Open Qualifier (Modern) The Dive Down: Takeaways - A Domain Zoo Experience Discussion The Wind Down: D00mwake won an RCQ! Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you'...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 268
This weekend was the annual Hunter Burton Memorial Open, the first large paper Modern tournament since the recent B&R. We dive into the tournament results to see where the format is headed, try out some of the latest versions of Rhinos to see if Cascade still works, and enjoy a little Goryo's Vengeance as a treat. Thanks to smarter people than us, we've reviewed a ton of Modern results and win percentages to get a sense for who's beating who in the latest Modern format. We review some of the...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 267
The mad lads did it, they banned our beloved Violent Outburst in Modern. We're not particularly happy about the outcome or its communication, but we discuss what it means for Cascade decks and the format moving forward. In today's episode, we delve into the somewhat surprising B&R announcement and discuss the survivability of Cascade strategies moving forward. We assess some potential winners and losers from the news, including some decks to watch out for in the coming weeks, including Yawgm...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 266
A discourse is brewing on this week's Dive Down, as the rhino boyz reflect on some of the issues Modern players seem to have with the current format and metagame. Can we close Pandora's box of free spells and triomes? Will MH3 save us? Or could WOTC do something more... drastic..? The Break Down: Devon asked, you answered. The Dive Down: Eight Hateful Hypotheses The Wind Down: Love that joker... for about 20 minutes. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown S...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 265
Last weekend was MagicCon Chicago — and wow are we tired, friends. Join the Rhino Boyz as we recap the main event, side events, and small events that made up what was a great weekend in the Motor City! Shane give a metagame breakdown of the PT. Stan takes a shot at the cup. D00m plays the hero. Dave falls in love with a bunch of real Jokers. • They Broke It • Rats, Assassins, Villians, and Free Spells • We Tried It Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Sho...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 264
The MagicCon is finally upon us. We prepare for a weekend full of side events by looking at the most exciting innovations for our favorite formats, and figure out how to win the most tickets for the coveted prize wall. We take a look at Modern and Standard results since the release of Murders, plus whatever Pioneer results we can get our hands on, to share our favorite decks in each format and what strategies appear to be performing best too. We also stop by the first NRG Series Open of the year...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 263
Join us this week as we discuss how Modern has gone rainbow. The full compliment of Rhino Boys — Dave, Devon, Shane, and Stan — are together for the first time this year. We're talking about Modern in upheaval and the results from all the RCs this last weekend. • thedivedown.com/chicago • Rhino Supremacy, Part XXIV • Lifelink, Hexproof, Trample, First Strike, Vigilance Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The ...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 262
RC Denver is coming up. MagicCon Chicago is coming up. As a bit of an amuse bouche for these giant upcoming events, this week Dave and Shane take a look at SCGCON Hartford — Modern $10ks, Pioneer Events — and talk about MKM cards that we've seen pop up across our formats. Leyline? Surveil? More? • SCGCON Hartford's Modern $10ks • Surveiling the Landscape • Leyline is where? Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 261
This week Shane returns, and in celebration we take a quick trip to Ghent to recap the Modern RC this week. What's going on in Modern as we make our way towards the next RC in Denver? But first (well, second, actually) — the last cards we like from MKM, and our top 5 lists! • The More Modern Stays the Same, the More it Changes • Rhino Supremacy, Part XVI • More Orrible Murder Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen ...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 260
It's a simple show this week... or is it? Dave and Devon dive into the previews to date of the latest set — Murders at Karlov Manor! Tune in as we discuss Disguises, Cloaks, and whether the Mole God lives up to the hype (spoiler: it does). 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.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 259
Join Shane and Devon as they embark on an epic journey through the realm of... Standard. Yes, Standard. With RCQ season in full swing, it's time to look over all the decks you need to know to be prepared. The boys look at the recent history of standard, how WOTC is trying to revitalize it, and provide insight on basically all the decks in the format. With everything from hyper-aggro to over-the-top ramp, this format has something for everyone! The Dive Down: It's Standard. Become a citizen of Th...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 258
It's time for The Dive Down to get back to work! We're fully into 2024 and this week Shane and Dave are diving deep into what Modern is right now. Tune in as we discuss SCG Cincinnati's 20K and 10K along with the most recent MTGO Showcase Challenge and try to answer some of the formats biggest questions. How dare Scam still exist? How did Rhinos get to be 14% of the meta at the 20K? Is Yawgmoth the new top moth? All this and more on this week's Dive Down. • Queen City Callbacks • Not Dead After ...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 257
This week's episode is not about about Modern or Pioneer! Instead, we fire off our free passes to MTGO's Vintage Cube and figure out how D00mwake became one of the format's trophy leaders. We also dust off our Arena accounts to play a little Timeless. Are we picking up new formats for the show? Only one way to find out! 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: h...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 256
Izzet Phoenix is back on the menu so we're diving back in for the first time in 5 years! Stan is joined by CCR from MTG Grindcast, along with the Pioneer trophy leader & Izzet Phoenix aficionado OafMcNamara to break down the deck in all its controlling glory. We chat in great detail about how to evaluate the cantrips and removal spells in a turbo xerox deck, how it pairs up against other top decks in the metagame, how to maximize its various flex slots, the benefits of Izzet over Grixis, and...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 255
With all the discourse swirling around Dreamhack Atlanta, the Dive Down boys decide to avoid it at all costs and just look at the cold hard facts - which decks did well, which decks did poorly, what did the matchup spreads look like, and where does Pioneer go from here. We also wrap up the show with an extended wind down recapping some of our favorite moments from Magic, podcasting, and pop culture. Finally, at long last, UW control is good (in Pioneer). Thanks to Temporary Lockdown lining up ju...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 254
RC Atlanta is looming, so this week the team is diving into Pioneer. Dave, Devon, and Shane take a spin through what's happened to the format since the bans early last week. Is Copter rising? Is Mono Green Devotion dead? Where's Phoenix right now? How did Shane like the new hotness Amalia Combo — a deck that Dave hated a couple of weeks ago? Turn in to find out. Don't worry if Pioneer isn't your thing, we still spend some time on Modern going through the results of the Legacy European Tour: Barc...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 253
The mad lads did it! Fury... banned. Up the Beanstalk... banned. Karn, the Great Creator... banned. Geological Appraiser... banned. Smuggler's Copter... once banned, now unbanned. We react to the bombshell B&R, consider which decks win and lose from the announcement, and think about what looks good for RC Atlanta. Our hands shook with anticipation as we vigorously refreshed the B&R URL on Monday morning. Wizards promised bans in Modern & Pioneer, and they practically told us they wer...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 252
On this week's show, The Dive Down breaks down results from a variety of Pioneer RCs that took place in Asia, Latin America, and Canada. Our eyes pop out at some numbers from the new Discover decks, and we check-in on the final NRG Series open of the year. Three regional championships in one weekend, AND an NRG Series open? Yes please! Shane, Devon, and Stan chat about results from the latest batch of high level Pioneer play, and focus on the best and worst performing decks internationally. Disc...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 251
On this week's show, the ha ha boys take some new cards from Lost Caverns of Ixalan for a spin in Modern and Pioneer. They cast Tishana's Tidebinder, Geological Appraiser, Warden of the Inner Sky, and more! Holy moly, LCI has already made quite the splash! In its first week live, it's already led to a huge disruption to Pioneer, along with some interesting upgrades for Modern. Stan and Dave chat about Pioneer Merfolk, playing Modern Rhinos with Tidebinder, and then Devon jumps in to talk about B...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 250
This week on The Dive Down we get back to basics. Stan and Shane focus on the three things The Dive Down does best: a) break down a large Modern tournament (SCG Pittsburgh), 2) give some takes about Rhinos, and iii) have a heartfelt conversation about MTG Universes Beyond. Mono White Hammer, Halo Forager, Sheoldred, and Captain America – what do they have in common? They're all here for this week's episode of The Dive Down. The Break Down: SCG Pittsburgh The Dive Down: New Cards, Old Rhinos The ...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 249
It's time for the final spoiler episode of 2023! We think? We go through the full spoiler from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and talk about the cards we think will have the most impact... that we haven't already spoken about. What lands from this lands set do we actually think could be worth trying? Did they finally fix Smuggler's Copter? How Bitter will our Triumphs be? Have we Lost any Corpses? Did we Cleave any Souls? Not really — but tune in to find out what we think of some of these cards! • W...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 248
For the 375th time this year, we descend into the madness of trying to work out what cards from a new set will make an impact in our formats. It's Lost Caverns of Ixalan time! Spelunk with us as Dave, Shane, and Devon debate the great questions of this set. Which removal card is better — Get Lost or Molten Collapse? Which combo piece unlocks more combinations — The Millennium Calendar or Bartolome del Presidio? Which Merfolk is the most... gilly (?) — Tishana's Tidebender or Cenote Scout? You de...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 247
Could the right move in Modern be... adding a 4mv black card to Rhinos? Playing a green 2 drop over Murktide in... Murktide? What is even going on right now? We believe there's new stuff to try in Modern even now! Tune in to hear Devon almost take Rhinos + Sheoldred all the way and hear Dave come to the grim realization that casting Divinations is the only thing that makes him feel something in this crazy world. We try out new lists, new ideas, all in a quest to somehow beat both Beans and Scam ...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 246
Come back home for some beans, ya hear? We know you've had a lot of legumes lately, but this week The Dive Down has a special chef here to cook for us — Evart Moughon. Evart joins Dave and Shane to talk through his Up the Beanstalk brews including Cascade, Calibrated Blast, and more. Since this was recorded on (Non) Ban Day, we also spend some time getting his reactions to the current state of Modern and what he really thinks about Scam/Grief. Lastly, to close out the show, we dip our toes back ...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 245
No one fully understands the timing of the upcoming B&R announcement, but public opinion in Modern is swelling around Scam. Is it time to make a change to Modern? We look at the deck's performance, play patterns, and popularity to consider Wizard's options. The Dive Down boys are divided. Some of us like the deck! But it's insanely popular right now, and the Grief play patterns can be pretty annoying. Messing with the ban list seems a bit awkward during the Modern RCQ season, but maybe savin...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 244
This week what's on the tin is in the show! We begin to dip back into Pio and cover the recent RCs in the EU and Canada, talk Modern Coffers and Scales, and finally chat a little about new cards from our imminent return to Ixalan. • LEC Lille Pioneer • Devon talks RCQs, Dave gets mathy • Cavern of Souls is back... but why? 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...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 243
We finally cast the new card in town and played a couple Up the Beanstalk decks in Modern and... Standard?! Plus some new Modern Prowess builds, and a recap of Stan's latest RCQ. Stan reached another top 8 finish in a Modern RCQ, and we recap his latest Rhino learning from the tournament. Then he keeps on casting free spells with a crazy Invasion of Alara Standard Cascade deck featuring Up the Beanstalk. Meanwhile, Shane learns to love 5C Bring to Light Beans. While d00mwake admits how much he h...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 242
