What to expect from standard 2024

What to Expect from Standard 2024

Tom AndersonStandard

In what has become an annual tradition, Wizards of the Coast launched an all-out barrage on content creators and Magic pundits like myself by announcing more than a year’s worth of new products in one go. The “Magic at 30” panel at Gen Con used the game’s 30th anniversary to preview major Universes Beyond tie-ins and the return of Modern …

Commander Masters Draft Guide

Commander Masters Draft Guide

Tom AndersonCommander

I’m not sure what percentage of the audience for Commander Masters is mostly excited about its Draft potential — but whatever size that minority is, I’m part of it. The first few Commander sets to introduce these modified draft rules were an unexpected hit, producing quality Limited gameplay filled with classic multiplayer moments.  Any of you shopping for a box …

Commander Masters Enduring Enchantment Precon Upgrade Guide

Commander Masters Enduring Enchantments Precon Upgrade Guide

Tom AndersonCommander

The headline act for Commander Masters is all the big-name reprints, giving us a much-needed chance to catch up on now-expensive cards from the precon decks of yesteryear. But that doesn’t mean this set won’t keep the cycle going with some flashy new precons of its own! So today we’re looking at Enduring Enchantments, including the best way to upgrade …

Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Satisfying Design

The Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Satisfying Design

Tom AndersonCommander, Modern

Tales of Middle-earth proved how well Magic can adapt itself to capture the identity of other blockbuster media products through its design. As with the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks last year, Wizards of the Coast bet a lot on their ability to draw in new and returning players from among fans of the source material. It’s a confident move; Magic …

The Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Hosts of Mordor Precon Upgrade guide

The Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Hosts of Mordor Precon Upgrade Guide

Tom AndersonCommander

The Hosts of Mordor Commander precon is marshaled and ready for an upgrade! Let Tom teach you how to be the best dark lord you can be as we review the deck and suggest new cards to add. I’d like to think I’m a fun and friendly presence in most Commander games… but I also relish when it’s my turn …

The Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Draft Guide

The Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle-earth Draft Guide

Tom AndersonLimited

We’re getting very close to the historic day when Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth releases, and looking over that full set spoiler has got to have any Tolkien fan rubbing their hands with excitement! Not only is having an entire set to explore this world great for characters and lore, but seeing Tolkien’s mythos through the lens of …

The Other Rings of Power in Magic

The Other Rings of Power in Magic

Tom AndersonCommander, Modern

Of all the new Magic cards spoiled from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, the most eye-catching is The One Ring itself. Potent, mechanically unique and with a mind-bogglingly valuable serialized Elvish printing to be found… who wouldn’t be tempted by such a treasure?!  All I’m saying is if my cousin was as annoying as Deagol, I’d probably …

Playing with Non-Permanents in Commander

Playing with Non-Permanents in Commander

Tom AndersonCommander

Quick question for the Commander players in the audience: without checking, what percentage of cards in your deck non-permanents? Does 50% sound right? 75%? Even higher? I know there’s some blue/red spellslinger players or cEDH decks with tons of instant interaction helping keep the averages down, but I’d guess most other decks the number is closer to 80% than 50%. …

Deification Across Magic Formats

Deification Across Magic Formats

Tom AndersonOathbreaker, Pioneer, Standard

Planeswalkers may have lost some potency in the multiverse of Magic, but they did receive one exciting new tool: Deification. Tom explores how this enchantment opens up lots of opportunities across formats to build novel decks. For the most powerful mages in Magic’s Multiverse, planeswalkers sure are taking some L’s lately. First March of the Machine thinned their ranks, and …