On this episode, Maria and Meghan do the hard work so you don’t have to! They’ll walk you through all the data about what cards you should be drafting, what colors you should prioritize, and what stinkers to throw back. PLUS: Maria shows off some of her skele collection, Meghan becomes Jean Luc Picard for a second, and more X-Files talk! 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...
Sep 12, 2023•50 min•Ep 555•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan chat about their first experiences with Wilds of Eldraine! Hear Maria’s…wild…stories from the prerelease event and get ready for the release on MTG Arena with a helpful overview of the set’s two-color draft archetypes. Get ready to battle with your brain armed with the most powerful weapon: knowledge! (Or a very big sword. Either works.) PLUS: The X-Files discussion continues and why Adventure is more exciting than ever. Become a GLH5 Pat...
Sep 05, 2023•49 min•Ep 554•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome back Judge Rob to walk you through all the new and returning mechanics (as well as lots of tricky cards) for your prerelase this weekend! Get prepped for whatever might come your way after you crack those packs! PLUS: can someone please approve Maria’s voice line auditions for MTG Arena, Meghan finds true love in a very random horse shirt, and Rob eats coins. It’s all in here, folks. And you don’t want to miss it! Become a GLH5 Patron T...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 553•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan review the Magic sets for the 2023 design year — based on Head Designer Mark Rosewater’s yearly article! What mistakes were made? What lessons can Wizards of the Coast learn? What did we love and hope they bring back? Find out! PLUS: Turns out it’s not only David Duchovny’s face that Meghan doesn’t like…find out what other fictional character is in her burn book! And Maria invents a new, much worse, eating contest. Become a GL...
Aug 22, 2023•57 min•Ep 552•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you back…to the future! They’ll explore all the new sets announced at this year’s GenCon – from 2024 all the way into the start of 2026. From a pitstop in the Wild West to SPAAAAAACE! to creepy 80s horror, the upcoming sets do not disappoint. PLUS: Storytime with Meghan dives into Chapter 1 of the Wilds of Eldraine story and Maria becomes a Flat Plane-r. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 551•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan look ahead to all that’s coming our way for Magic the Gathering in 2024! Find out details about the fall and winter sets: Wilds of Eldraine and Lost Caverns of Ixalan plus the new Doctor Who Commander decks! What are we most excited for? What returning mechanics will we see? What relationship does one cookie have to another cookie if they are baked on the same sheet?! The important questions are never too tough for GLHF. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen ...
Aug 08, 2023•51 min•Ep 550•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan are fresh (??) off the plane from Barcelona, Spain and ready to spill all the hottest goss from Pro Tour The Lord of the Rings! Find out what the best strategies were in Draft and Modern as the pros battled their way to the Top 8. PLUS: What deck turned Maria’s head (and now she feels gross?), what experience in Barcelona will Meghan remember the most, and what match of Magic you should watch that may be among the best of all time. Become a GLH5 Patron Tod...
Aug 01, 2023•55 min•Ep 549•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for all the action at Pro Tour Lord of the Rings heading your way this weekend! Find out what the top decks are in Modern (yes, Modern! It’s not been played at the PT level since 2019!) and what exciting things you’ve got to look forward to on your screens this weekend. PLUS: the top 2 cards from the new set we expect to see on the battlefield and all the shenanigans you’ve come to expect from team GLHF. Become a GLH5 Patron Tod...
Jul 25, 2023•50 min•Ep 548•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan have a fantastic time exploring the world of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, as Meghan tries to tell you the entire story of The Hobbit and LotR in 5 minutes or less. Can she do it?! Find out! PLUS: many questions about Gandalf’s “God Vacation” and whether or not Hobbits really do have life all figured out. Your hosts also dive into the world of Historic Brawl with some super fun new decks and Commanders courtesy of Lord of the Rings....
Jul 18, 2023•47 min•Ep 547•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan are back LIVE in the studio after a summer hiatus! They haven’t had much of an opportunity to play Lord of the Rings yet, so what are they to do?! How about cracking some Collector Boosters of the new set and guessing which cards are the best in Draft! Don’t worry, their guesses will be either validated or rejected by the cold, hard facts and data behind the best and worst draft picks. Their discussion will help kickstart your win rate in Limited pla...
Jul 12, 2023•55 min•Ep 546•Transcript available on Metacast Give this episode to your friend who you want to coerce… I mean…invite…to play Magic the Gathering! This episode covers everything about the greatest game in the world. From how set releases work to how and where to play, this podcast will start your buddies off on the right foot. Note: this episode does not teach someone how to play Magic, rather, it shows them the world of Magic – and how to best interact with everything the game has to offer. Remember: if you are alrea...
Jul 04, 2023•46 min•Ep 545•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan investigate the latest update to the Magic the Gathering Storm Scale – where lead designer Mark Rosewater tells players how likely a certain mechanic is to be reprinted. When can we expect to see Learn again? How about Adamant (remember that one?!) And how about Landfall? Find out! BONUS: you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly how much a cloud weighs. You’re welcome!!! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep B...
Jun 27, 2023•59 min•Ep 544•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive face first into a giant pile of randomized Magic cards from throughout the game’s storied history. Who will be able to guess more cards correctly based on the art alone? Find out! A big prize is on the line as well as PRIDE! And BRAGGING RIGHTS! All hail The Mighty Randomizer! 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 YouTube Channel ...
Jun 20, 2023•45 min•Ep 543•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob back to the show to talk about this weekend’s Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth prerelease! Rob will prepare you with all the knowledge you’ll need to walk confidently into your local game store (or Mount Doom)! Covering new cards, returning mechanics, NEW mechanic (singular) and tricky cards – with Rob’s preparations you won’t need second breakfast, but you’ll have one anyway. Just in case. Become a G...
Jun 13, 2023•58 min•Ep 542•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan catch up on all the Magic the Gathering story — from the very end of Phyrexia: All Will Be One to the end of March of the Machine (and a bit of Aftermath) — they’ll get you caught up on all of the happenings in the multiverse. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a good old fashioned storytime! PLUS: A GLHF exclusive preview card from Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Thanks to Wizards Magic for the free preview! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Li...
Jun 06, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 541•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a first look at Magic’s newest upcoming set Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Hear all about the new mechanics, cards and magnificent art that graces this Modern-legal offering. PLUS: Meghan has a soapbox moment, Maria reads some Watto fan fiction, and which phase of the moon is the most hot? 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 ou...
May 31, 2023•51 min•Ep 540•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. This episode, your hosts focus on Pro Tour March of the Machin...
May 25, 2023•43 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get ready for a brand new world of Standard ahead of Banned & Restricted announcement next week. What will get the hammer? What will be spared? And what will the world look like afterwards? PLUS: Lord of the Rings is nearly upon us and your intrepid hosts are ready with their predictions of mechanics and card designs for the new set. (Spoiler: some of these ideas are, like, really good!) And, tell me honestly, who doesn’t want to see a TNT-made feature...
May 23, 2023•46 min•Ep 539•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you an a magical journey through everything new that’s coming up this summer and fall for Magic the Gathering. From big changes to Standard, to Lord of the Rings, to the Wilds of Eldraine – your hosts guide you as they explore brave new worlds for the first time and peek at what’s ahead. PLUS: shouldn’t there be a downside for being the ring bearer? Just what exactly is Maria registered for at Williams and Sonoma? And which Doctor ar...
May 16, 2023•48 min•Ep 538•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, coverage legend and Pro Tour Historian Brian David Marshall visits the GLHF crew to tell one of his favorite Magic stories and to make you a delicious cocktail! PLUS: All the tea from MagicCON Minneapolis and Pro Tour March of the Machine! Find out what decks destroyed in Standard and in Draft — and why the winner is such a big deal. PLUS: Maria doesn’t understand The Lion King. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GL...
May 09, 2023•52 min•Ep 537•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria welcomes very special guest host Carolyn Pardee to the show to talk Pro Tour March of the Machine! Carolyn (3-time VML champion and excellent Magic the Gathering player) helps get you prepped for what to look out for on coverage this weekend. Between a super-cool (but weird!) Draft format and a Standard format that may welcome some exciting changes to popular decks, Carolyn has got you covered! PLUS: A special announcement about Season 10 of the VML and what pro players re...
May 02, 2023•58 min•Ep 536•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive deep into the draft data of March of the Machine to find out what cards to pick, what cards to pass, and which colors make everyone the most sad. The best color may surprise you! PLUS: a look at the best commons in each color as well as the Top 5 Best Cards overall which are truly something special to behold. This draft format is a dream, get out there and play! And win! With the help of this episode! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News ...
Apr 25, 2023•53 min•Ep 535•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan relive Maria’s exciting prerelease experience playing March of the Machine for the very first time! Find out what kind of deck Maria built – including what cards majorly over-performed. Hear how you should approach attacking battles, whether or not to Backup and more! PLUS: Storytime with Meghan continues and Maria enjoys (?) it with a new cocktail you might just want to never try at home. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with ...
Apr 18, 2023•47 min•Ep 534•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to the show to explain all of the tricky new & returning mechanics as well as cards that might trip you up at this weekend’s March of the Machine prerelease! This set features brand new card types as well as a BIG rules change involving tokens — so you’d better tune in before you throw down. PLUS: Cutest and Grossest card of the set are crowned and Maria scares some highly intelligent wildlife. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! ...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep 533•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan get pumped for March of the Machine with a look at the exciting new cards and mechanics of the upcoming set! See their ridiculously good preview card, find out what they think might be the best art of the YEAR, and learn how to properly Battle (with a capital “B”) your opponent. PLUS: A haunted Randomizer and chapter 2 of Phyrexia: All Will Be One Storytime where our planeswalker friends learn the power of walkie-talkies. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! ...
Apr 04, 2023•45 min•Ep 532•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate the newest official Magic the Gathering format: Oathbreaker! Join Judge Rob as he walks our hosts through some amazing listener-submitted Oathbreaker decks and crafts decks specifically for Meghan and Maria. Want to guess which planeswalkers they chose? Find out – and get inspiration for your own spicy builds. PLUS: The first episode of New Phyrexia Storytime and a taste test that pits cookies against each other in an epic cookie war. Become a GL...
Mar 28, 2023•54 min•Ep 531•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan dig into second breakfast as they explore the upcoming Lord of the Rings Magic set! Some really exciting cards have already been previewed and let’s just say we’re dancing around the Party Tree. PLUS: Tips on drafting Shadows Over Innistrad which drops on MTG Arena this week, Meghan wraps up The Brothers’ War Storytime and Maria asks “which Magic creature would you most want to ride like a horse?” Only the most important topics on t...
Mar 21, 2023•55 min•Ep 530•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. This episode, your hosts focus on Pro Tour Phyrexia in Philade...
Mar 16, 2023•59 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a break from the 8th snowiest Minneapolis winter of all time to go on Spring Break! …Well, not really. They’re still in their studio. But they can pretend (*tears*)! Come hang out as they play tons of games to celebrate the lighthearted side of Magic the Gathering including an extended Randomizer, Flavor Text Theatre: MadLibs, and Cast, Reanimate or Kill. There’s also a storytime with Meghan and plenty of sunscreen and ear daiquiris to go ...
Mar 14, 2023•52 min•Ep 529•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a trip back to their favorite old Standard Corner…it’s just your average, everyday corner…for the first time in months! Find out why Standard is hot right now and what the most fun decks in the format are to play! (Spoiler: there are lots of good options! I know! We’re surprised, too!) PLUS: Meghan discovers clouds, and Flavor Text Theatre pitches a movie so good, no studio could possibly ignore it. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen...
Mar 07, 2023•57 min•Ep 528•Transcript available on Metacast 
