On this episode, Maria and Meghan recap the Magic the Gathering World Championship – with an in-depth look at the Standard decks that excelled and those that fell short. PLUS: a discussion about Yuta Takahashi’s big win, and a look at if Alrund’s Epiphany should be banned. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournaments! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel F...
Oct 12, 2021•43 min•Ep 455•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you ready for this weekend’s World Championship with all the info you need to know before you watch! Find out who the 16 players are and what fun stories they have from their Magic careers. Which player has famous bridge-playing parents? Which player thinks they will crush the draft? Which player played Worlds before and did SO badly he got -1 Pro Point? Find out! PLUS: A Draft and Doritos update! Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournament...
Oct 06, 2021•46 min•Ep 454•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan do a deep dive on Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Draft! Hear their woes about not having success on the ladder – and what their plan is to correct course. First plan of action: dive into the data! Using numbers from 17lands.com , our intrepid hosts try to nail down exactly what color pairs to play (and which to avoid) and if any clues can be gained by the success of various commons by color. It’s science! And science doesn’t lie! PLUS: an incredible ...
Sep 28, 2021•55 min•Ep 453•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan share their first impressions of Magic the Gathering’s newest set: Innistrad: Midnight Hunt! They’ve both been drafting like fiends (or werewolves?) and have lots of tips to keep in mind as you crack those packs — virtually or otherwise. PLUS: Meghan shares several decks as well as her win-rates to help you better construct your 40-card funsterpieces. …I do regret that portmanteau. I truly do. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our ...
Sep 21, 2021•54 min•Ep 452•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to walk everyone through all the new mechanics, cards and tricky situations you might come across with this week’s release of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt! Listen in so you’ll be better prepared for your prerelease! The new day/night mechanic is particularly tricky and you’ll be prepared to tell anyone exactly how it works. Rob also talks through some specifically tricky cards you might encounter. Cutest and Grossest Card are also...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep 451•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan walk through all the new mechanics, keywords and cards from Innistrad: Midnight Hunt! Find out what returning mechanic the hosts are most excited for and what new mechanic reminds them of something old. PLUS: Lots of chatter about the incredible art direction in this set, Maria commits to her first cosplay and Meghan is not a “Flat Plane-r”. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournaments! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some...
Sep 07, 2021•48 min•Ep 450•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan talk about the brave new world that is Historic after the release of Jumpstart: Historic Horizons! They’ll talk about playing with the new, digital-only cards and what Jumpstart packs were the most fun. Then the discussion turns to the sweetest new decks in Historic as players the world over try to find the best deck to use to destroy the ladder (and have a great time doing it!) Do you have a favorite new Historic decklist? Let GLHF know! Become a GLH5 Pat...
Aug 31, 2021•45 min•Ep 449•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan break down all the HUGE news about what’s coming up in Magic the Gathering in 2022…and beyond. Now you get the show’s title, right? They’ve got info on all the 2022 sets (Kamigawa Neon Dynasty, Brothers War, etc) and supplemental sets as well (Warhammer 40K Commander decks, et al.) Find out what they’re most (and least!) hyped about in the coming year. There’s lots packed into this episode, so strap in for a wild ride! BONUS: ...
Aug 25, 2021•53 min•Ep 448•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a page from the Marvel playbook and tell the origin story of Planeswalkers! These lovable (or hateable) plane traversing folks haven’t always been around — but how did they get to be the way they are today? And what road bumps did the design team have to drive over to get to their final form? The story behind their creation may surprise you! Filled with tons of fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode of GLHF is great for new and ol...
Aug 17, 2021•43 min•Ep 447•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan talk about newly previewed cards from the upcoming sets Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (yes, previews have already begun!!) and Innistrad: Crimson Vow. Find out what Maria thinks the new transform mechanic will be when it comes to Werewolves, and what both hosts think of Vampires who date teenagers. PLUS: a check-in of Adventures in the Forgotten Realms draft and a look at how to pick a deck for this weekend’s Patron Gladiator Tournament! This episode is full of...
Aug 10, 2021•44 min•Ep 446•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan prepare you for this weekend’s upcoming Challenger Gauntlet with a crash course in current Standard and Historic – plus all the details about what’s on the line for the 24 competitors (hint: it’s a LOT.) PLUS: A peek at the new digital-only cards coming with the release of Jumpstart: Historic Horizons – which is just around the corner! BONUS: Your lovely hosts chat about the reality of time and space as well as The Green Knight (for...
Aug 03, 2021•47 min•Ep 445•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan tackle one of the biggest Magic the Gathering changes to hit the game…maybe ever? Find out what your hosts think of the decision to include digital-only mechanics in a new Historic set dropping next month. PLUS: Meghan challenges Maria to guess the flavor text she wrote in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, a Summer Secret Lair Superdrop unboxing, and a basketball update because I guess we do those now? Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournam...
Jul 27, 2021•50 min•Ep 444•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan break down the basics of Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Draft! Want to know how to dominate on MTG Arena or at your LGS? GLHF is here to help! Learn about the ideal ways to draft all the different archetypes along with tips and tricks to help you take down your foes. PLUS: Meghan talks hiking and Maria wants you know about her baked bones. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournaments! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLH...
Jul 20, 2021•1 hr•Ep 443•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria welcomes super special guest Judge Rob back to the show! Judge Rob gives you the lowdown on all the new & tricky cards in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms that might trip you up as you play the new set. Plus, you might learn a little something about D&D lore along the way! Get ready to ace your next event by knowing all the rules (especially the ones Maria has already messed up!) and feel confident in your ability to play the game correctly. It’s the Judge ...
Jul 13, 2021•58 min•Ep 442•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a deeper look at Magic the Gathering’s newest set: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms! Hear all about a brand new type of Enchantment (Class cards!), how the hosts feel about rolling a D20 to determine what happens on a card, and what type of character in D&D they’d be! PLUS: Meghan unveils another piece of flavor text she wrote, the conclusion of Strixhaven Storytime and Maria writes some MadLibs! Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Ou...
Jul 06, 2021•49 min•Ep 441•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan explore the new headlining mechanic of Adventures in the Forgotten Realms: Venture into the Dungeon! How do our hosts feel about this flavorful (and weird!) new set of cards that will accompany Magic the Gathering’s new D&D flavored set. PLUS: A first look at some of the newest cards to be previewed, Meghan shows off some REAL flavor text that she wrote for this set and Maria unveils the secret name of this podcast. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Pla...
Jun 29, 2021•42 min•Ep 440•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan endeavor to answer the all-time important question: “What even IS an esport?!” But more importantly: how do you BE an esport? Could Magic ever really hope to truly battle in the “esports” arena – or was it doomed to fail? Find out! PLUS: Strixhaven Storytime with Meghan and the return of Flavor Text Theatre: Movie Pitches! Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournaments! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some ...
Jun 22, 2021•54 min•Ep 439•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan throw an end of the school year pizza party, complete with an AMA from listeners! Come hang out as our hosts pretend to go on summer break by kicking back with some za and some Claws and answering your burning questions. PLUS: A recap of our dynamic duo’s weekend Modern Horizons II prerelease on Spelltable. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournament! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Game...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 438•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan break down last weekend’s Strixhaven Championship and highlight the decks that are the best-positioned on the MTG Arena ladder right now! If you want to climb the ranks, we’ve got the (totally busted) decks for you! Especially if you like Historic! PLUS: A look at some more casual and fun Arena events on the horizon that you don’t want to miss! SPECIAL BONUS: your intrepid hosts write Die Hard 10. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our To...
Jun 08, 2021•40 min•Ep 437•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan put on their Car Talk hats (don’t draft like my brother!) to chat mechanics in Magic the Gathering. What are some of the all-time greats over the years? How about some of the all-time not-so-greats? And what makes a good mechanic, exactly? Find out! You won’t want to miss this interesting and illuminating discussion on how to craft an excellent Magic card. Become a GLH5 Patron Today & Play in Our Tournament! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The U...
Jun 01, 2021•56 min•Ep 436•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan share a smorgasbord of Magical goodness! First, Maria will tell the tale of beating a fan-favorite Hall of Famer in MTG Arena’s Draft Challenge. Then, your hosts will walk you through all the details about Modern Horizons II and why it’s so (SQUIRREL!!!) amazing. Next, Meghan will regale you with stories about the newest MH2 planeswalker on the block, Dakkon Blackblade (DAKKON BLACKBLADE!) as well as what’s going down in the Strixhaven story. S...
May 25, 2021•49 min•Ep 435•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan give their reactions to the huge news bombshell that hit the Magic the Gathering community this past week: the changes to Organized Play. What does the future of Magic look like without an official (or thriving) pro scene? What can we expect for the future of sanctioned tournaments like MagicFests or the Pro Tour? What do our hosts hope will happen in 2023? How does the move effect more than just the professional players of the game? Enjoy an in-depth discussion...
May 18, 2021•49 min•Ep 434•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you stoked for a “Summer of Legend” by previewing all the new Magic the Gathering sets heading our way this summer! Get all the deets on Modern Horizons II and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, the new D&D themed set! PLUS: Maria tells tales of a woe-ridden Sealed Arena Open weekend, your hosts re-evaluate Strixhaven draft (with an updated list of cards that are on the way up!), and Meghan brings birds into it. SPECIAL BONUS: an EPICALLY sw...
May 11, 2021•54 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for the Arena Sealed Open this weekend! Our hosts have got some surefire tips to improve your Sealed deckbuilding in Strixhaven! It’s a very strange Sealed format and you’d better go in prepared. PLUS: Meghan highlights some superfun Best-of-One decks she’s been rocking on the ladder that aren’t boring. Yes, you read that right, there’s exciting Standard decks inside this podcast! ALSO: How to compete in a very speci...
May 04, 2021•43 min•Ep 432•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan…attempt…to dive face first into a new Standard format following the release of Strixhaven: School of Mages. They run into a few stumbling blocks, however, given that the format dosen’t seem to be changing! NOT TO WORRY! Our intrepid hosts have uncovered some fun new decks in Standard (which may or may not be good) that definitely have spirit. PLUS: Meghan gives us a look into the halls of Stixhaven with a Storytime and Maria is SHOCKED to find ...
Apr 27, 2021•53 min•Ep 431•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan break down Strixhaven: School of Mages draft! After an exciting prerelease weekend, it’s full steam ahead in the MTG Arena draft queues (especially for Maria…holy cow!) Find out what our two hosts think are the best overall draft strategies, which commons and uncommons you should pick early, and why Strixhaven draft isn’t your grandmother’s draft anymore. PLUS: a new Draft Doctor segment has our hosts dissecting each other’s drafts ...
Apr 20, 2021•58 min•Ep 430•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to the show to talk Strixhaven: School of Mages! Learn everything you need to know before you play your Stixhaven prerelease this weekend. Judge Rob covers everything from new and returning mechanics to tricky cards that might trip you up at your event. Trust us, you don’t want to play before you listen to this! Judge Rob is all-knowing and all-seeing. He just is. Become a GLH5 Patron Today and Feel that Happy Feeling! GLHF Kitty Speaker ...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep 429•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan say goodbye to Kaldheim — with a recap of the entire story of the plane (who knew we might end up liking Tyvar?!), a look back at what worked (and what didn’t) in draft, and how the set impacted (or didn’t) Standard. PLUS: A look ahead to Strixhaven! We’ll take a look behind the scenes and learn how the School of Mages was developed, highlighting the big wins — and big misses. ALSO: sometimes you just can’t remember the name o...
Apr 06, 2021•52 min•Ep 428•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan jump into the deep end of Magic the Gathering’s newest set: Strixhaven! They do an unboxing of some Strixhaven swag, discuss the new mechanics of the game (hello, Learn!) and talk about the powerful new planeswalkers. PLUS: a recap of last weekend’s Kaldheim Championship – including the best decks in Standard and Historic if you’re looking to climb the ladder. Also, Meghan hates lawns. Become a GLH5 Patron Today and Feel that Happy Feelin...
Mar 30, 2021•52 min•Ep 427•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan give you a quiz! Yes, that’s right! It’s the return of the Cosmo Quiz on GLHF! Find out which Magic the Gathering “Player Psychograph” you best identify with and get better insight into you play style and the way you best connect with the game. That, and it’s just FUN! PLUS: a preview of this weekend’s Kaldheim Championship complete with an overview of the decks we might see in Historic and Standard – and predictions of ...
Mar 23, 2021•44 min•Ep 426•Transcript available on Metacast 
