On this episode, Maria and Meghan talk about all the new newness coming to Magic the Gathering in the coming months. And, spoiler alert: there’s a lot of new new. Hear about the new Lord of the Rings set (and what cards our two hosts would design), March of the Machine and just, where, exactly – we might be marching — as well as Commander Masters, Alchemy: Phyrexia, and Innistrad Remastered. And what about product burnout? Is it coming for you, too? PLUS: Brothers’ War St...
Feb 28, 2023•50 min•Ep 527•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan recap the first paper Pro Tour since November of 2019 — Pro Tour Phyrexia! Hear what it was like to be back in person playing real life Magic cards with the pros — and what the top memories of the big event were. PLUS: How to level up your Phyrexia: All Will be One Draft with data-backed science from 17 Lands. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Lo...
Feb 21, 2023•55 min•Ep 526•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for Pro Tour Phyrexia: All Will Be One this weekend! It’s the first paper Pro Tour since November of 2019 and the best-of-the-best will be back to battle with actual, physical, paper cards IN THE SAME ROOM! It is very exciting. Get caught up with the best strategies (backed up by lots of data!) on All Will Be One Draft as well as the constructed format for the tournament: Pioneer. PLUS: A Horse-themed Randomizer and love to our little green...
Feb 14, 2023•49 min•Ep 525•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan regale you with stories from their Phyrexia: All Will Be One prerelease last weekend! Find out what cards they believe over-performed and what the keys to this brand new Limited format may be. PLUS: Judge Rob stops by to talk MagicCon Philly next week and what the new planeswalkers mean for Oathbreaker (a super-fun quick multiplayer format!) – including a new Oathbreaker precon you can pick up at the fest with a charity donation. Become a GLH5 Patron Today...
Feb 07, 2023•53 min•Ep 524•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Judge Rob stops by to set us straight on all the rules and tricky new card interactions from Phyrexia: All Will Be One! Don’t head into your prerelease this weekend without it! PLUS: Cutest and Grossest (so many contenders!) cards are crowned — and an update on the 7 Layer Bar conspiracy we accidentally uncovered on this week’s episode of The Upkeep. Warning: what you hear may shock you. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Bu...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep 523•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan jump face-first into a pile of brand new Phyrexia: All Will Be One mechanics and cards! Find out all about the new and returning mechanics and how they work and which new cards our hosts are most excited about. It looks like White might finally have its day in the sun! PLUS: Just what, exactly, does Phyrexian oil taste like and how do YOU feel about the one-and-only Jace being compleated?! Thanks to Wizards Magic for the free preview content! Become a GLH5 Patro...
Jan 24, 2023•51 min•Ep 522•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan say a fond farewell to the planeswalkers that have officially been compleated in Phyrexia: All Will Be One. Which of the 10 showing up in this set are safe — and which are on their way to a more perfect state? Let’s just say: Maria is SHOOK. Plus: Storytime with Meghan continues as we venture into time time following the The Brothers’ War, and is Sixth Sense still a good movie? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Up...
Jan 17, 2023•59 min•Ep 521•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for Dominaria Remastered – dropping this week! Learn how to approach the draft environment — from the top-tier commons you won’t want to pass, to the synergies in different color pairs, you’ll hit your LGS feeling ready to rock and ready to thrown down with 30 years of Magic history. PLUS: it’s Storytime with Meghan as we move on to Chapter 1 of The Brothers’ War and Maria finds a new love in a Cutest Card prin...
Jan 10, 2023•57 min•Ep 520•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan kick of 2023 in style — by deciding not to compete in a decathlon. A sports decathlon, that is. A Magic decathlon — well, now that’s another story. Right now on MTG Arena, you can compete in a decathlon spanning 10 different ways to play Magic — culminating in a Finals event at the end of the month. Your hosts will let you know what events are on the proverbial table and what strategies might get you across the finish line. PLUS: Setting ...
Jan 03, 2023•48 min•Ep 519•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan hand out the extremely coveted Chrimby Awards! They celebrate the best and worst of Magic the Gathering in 2022 — from Best Art to Most Drama — it’s a walk down memory lane (what does your memory lane look like?) as the trophies are handed out. What will win Best Card Name? Best New Mechanic? Best New Deck? Grab a hot toddy or a glass of egg nog (barf) and curl up under a blankie by the fire for this episode that’s sure to keep you warm a...
Dec 27, 2022•58 min•Ep 518•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan look back on the year that was 2022 in Magic the Gathering. Relive the best and brightest moments as well as the game’s lowest lows. What were the best new mechanics and sets? Top decks and cards? Biggest mistakes? Find out! PLUS: Judge Rob stops by to share his Top 5 Most Confusing Cards of 2022 — with some excellent stories about each. Thanks for being our listeners this year! You’re all the best of the best, sir. With honors. Become a GLH5 P...
Dec 20, 2022•58 min•Ep 517•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a first look at Phyrexia: All Will Be One! We know you’re all spoiler’d out by now, but there is some gorgeous new artwork coming at you for January’s release of Magic’s newest set. We’ll show off new art treatments, new cards (hello, new Elesh Norn!) and new shiny lands that have Maria drooling. PLUS: the thrilling conclusion of the Dominaria story, and would YOU go backwards or forwards in time if it means you would be stuck ...
Dec 14, 2022•54 min•Ep 516•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with Desk After Dark ! Your hosts Maria Bartholdi and Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your questions about everything Magic coverage. From who they’d kill first in a game of Coverage C...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you ready to dominate in Arena Cube – running December 13th-January 1st. Learn what archetypes are the best to draft and what cards support each build. PLUS: Storytime with Meghan ramps up in Dominaria as the Phyrexian invasion grows ever more powerful, Maria can’t drink out of a can, and have you seen MTV’s newest hit Spider House? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out o...
Dec 06, 2022•56 min•Ep 515•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get back to paper play with a primer in Pioneer! (Is that enough P’s for ya?) After a couple of weekends of Regional Championships, your hosts recap the top decks in one of competitive tabletop’s biggest formats. PLUS: An update on the Dominaria and Brothers’ War Magic story, Flavor Text Theatre: Movie Pitches, and can playing The Randomizer really predict the weather?! It just might! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with...
Nov 29, 2022•55 min•Ep 514•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan attempt to evade a rogue wasp trapped inside their studio – all while trying to improve your Brothers’ War Limited game! Get the data behind big wins, as your hosts dive into 17Lands to let you know how to stop losing, already! PLUS: a crack-a-pack of the new Jumpstart set (ZOMBIES!) featuring new anime art and two brand-new-to-Magic cards. Judge Rob also stops by to teach you how to teach someone new how to play the game…just in time for the h...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep 513•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan give you a first look at Magic’s newest set: The Brothers’ War! Find out what kind of deck Maria built at her prerelease and hear her first thoughts about the format. PLUS: A guide on how to draft this set (including what all the color pairs want to do). Meghan gives us a peek at what’s going on with the Magic story and those pesky Phyrexians and a rousing game of Pick, Lick or Flick! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with...
Nov 15, 2022•54 min•Ep 512•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome back Judge Rob (wasn’t he just here?!) to go over the mechanics and tricky cards from The Brothers’ War! Get prepped for your prerelease this weekend with all the knowledge about the new set that you can stuff into your head thopter. From corner cases to common misplays, Rob walks you through everything you need to head into your LGS with confidence. PLUS: Cutest and Grossest Card are crowned and, once again, Maria will NOT be pandered to! SP...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 511•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan wrap up all the action that was Magic30 this past weekend! PLUS: A look inside the 2022 World Championship (the best decks, players & moments), an exclusive Brothers’ War preview card and a peek at some of the most exciting cards previewed so far! Thanks to Wizards of the Coast for the free preview content! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! I...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep 510•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get ready for the biggest Magic event in 3 years (!!): Magic30 and the World Championship! Find out who our hosts think will win, what the best strategies might be in Dominaria United Draft, and what decks they expect to see at the top tables in Standard and Explorer. If you’ve been looking for something fun to play on the ladder – they’ve got tons of awesome decklists for you! PLUS: Meghan will NOT stop saying *BLEEEP*. Become a GLH5 Patron To...
Oct 25, 2022•55 min•Ep 509•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome back very special guest (and Head Designer of Magic the Gathering) Mark Rosewater to answer YOUR burning questions! Find out what it’s like to design a set of Magic, what’s the best part about game design and what’s the worst — what it’s really like to work in “The Pit” and more! Special shout-out to our patrons who supplied us with these amazing questions. Mark also joins in for a game of Flavor Text Theatre: Mo...
Oct 18, 2022•58 min•Ep 508•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome two very special guests to the show: Ben Wheeler and Ben Ulmer of LoadingReadyRun! Whether or not you believe this quartet could be a great experimental jazz band or perhaps a gang of mystery-solving magicians, this episode is here to surprise and delight you. From a game of Stump the Expert, MadLibs that almost kill Meghan, to a few new additions to “Oops, This Card is Hot” — thankfully, as they say, everything that happens in Canada, ...
Oct 11, 2022•56 min•Ep 507•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome extra, super, mega special guest: Head Designer for Magic the Gathering: Mark Rosewater! Mark joins our two hosts to chat about the brand new and extremely fun un-set Unfinity . Learn about the format’s draft archetypes before you throw down with your friends, hear stories from behind-the-scenes of the set’s development, and laugh along with the man, the myth, the Mark — the person who just might love this game more than anyone else. Be...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 506•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome TWO very special guests to the show to learn all about the wide (wonderful?) world of Warhammer 40K! Minneapolis Warhammer expert and Demon Price Will Roberts joins the crew to teach everyone about Warhammer lore and the unique stories behind each of the four new Commander decks and their factions. Then, Judge Rob stops by to show you how to easily transform your Warhammer Commander precons into decks for Oathbreaker – a quick and easy multiplayer ...
Sep 27, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep 505•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate rotation with a look at the new & shiny decks hitting Standard after Magic’s yearly Fall cleanup! No matter what kind of deck you like to play, there’s an option for you on this list! PLUS: a first-look at an EXCLUSIVE Unfinity preview card, the first chapter of Dominaria United Storytime with Meghan, and Maria makes an unwise decision about additional arms. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Som...
Sep 20, 2022•50 min•Ep 504•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan make like Scrooge McDuck and dive deep into a giant pile of Dominaria United draft data! Find out what cards you should be picking, what colors you should be playing, and what 2-color pair you should avoid like the plague! PLUS: an appropriately spooky game of The Randomizer (Halloween is now officially 2.5 months long, ok?!) and Maria has a new…strange…pickup line she’s using on…herself. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic...
Sep 13, 2022•57 min•Ep 503•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan share their first impressions of Magic’s newest format: Dominaria United! Following a big prerelease weekend, find out what your hosts thought of this brand new Limited format — including what cards overperformed! PLUS: a look at the draft archetypes (including a few SECRET archetypes that are mega-powerful) and a very important question about what animal is the most religious. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep B...
Sep 06, 2022•52 min•Ep 502•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for your Dominaria United prerelease this weekend with the help of Judge Rob! Rob covers all of the new and returning mechanics as well as the tricky individual cards that might trip you up as you’re throwing down. Even if you think you know everything about how these new cards work, we promise you’ll learn something! PLUS: Cutest and Grossest Card of Dominaria United are crowned and a certain someone is Sleeveless in Seattle. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Ma...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep 501•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate the astonishing milestone of 500 episodes of this podcast! It is truly incredible – and everyone who’s listened (or watched!) over the years is to thank. Come hang out as they celebrate with a musical episode that touches on Magic turning 30, “bad guys” in the game, endless preview seasons and more! Oh…and did we mention there are some SICK giveaways?! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep...
Aug 23, 2022•39 min•Ep 500•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan ask the important question: Why do you play Magic the Gathering? Is it because of the challenge? The community? The look of pain in your opponents’ eyes as you kill them from 20? Whatever it is, it gets mentioned on this episode! PLUS: what will Maria say that will get her cancelled? Find out! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! 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 YouT...
Aug 16, 2022•51 min•Ep 499•Transcript available on Metacast 
