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Insight References

5 Lessons Learned from PT Guilds of Ravnica

Event CoverageBy Toffel (2018-11-14)

Magic can be a tough game. There is a lot of uncertainty, and it's therefore hard to pinpoint the source of success or failure. Join Toffel for his journey leading up to PT Guilds of Ravnica and the events many ups and downs.

Dangerous Propositions: Punishing Fire

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-11-14)

The Modern ban list is a maximum-security prison with 33 inmates, some of which pose a potentially serious threat to the meta. But now that Big Jace is free, anything can happen. Let's review each of the offenders to see if they're eligible for parole. This time, we talk of the burn spell that won't stay away.

Why You Should Play Baleful Strix: Part 1

ConstructedBy ChristopherB (2018-11-01)

Looking at the current Meta, the two most played decks are control decks. One of them plays four copies of Baleful Strix, but why? A 1/1 isn't that impressive in Legacy. Well Christopher is here to tell you what Strix is the perfect card for control and why you should be playing it!

Myth & Magic: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Bump in the Night

EntertainmentBy JohnnyCroat (2018-10-31)

Lee is back with another take on the myth behind the Magic. Today he's feeling festive, looking at Vampires, Werewolves, and other things lurking under your bed just in time for Halloween.

Tribal Attractions: A Halloween Horror Story

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-10-30)

Happy Halloween! The boundary with the Otherworld is at its thinnest! Time to appease those mischievous spirits, lest they give us bad draws all year long! Let's do it with some sympathetic magic, by building a cool, spooky casual deck using the most holiday-appropriate of all the tribes.

Two Standard Decks You Might Have Missed

ConstructedBy JaminK (2018-10-22)

Since Guilds of Ravnica released, many have tried finding the best combination of cards to win in Standard. Some decks have become frontrunners of the format already but there is a lot left to be explore. Today Jamin introduces two decks you may not have seen before.

Reyhan and Ikra Budget Golgari Deck Tech

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-10-16)

Building a Commander deck is a fun, but daunting task, especially if you are on a tight budget. In this article, I will try to explain the thought process of building on a budget using cards which cost less than three euros each.

Melting Ice: Flipping Thing in the Ice in Legacy

ConstructedBy CabalTherapy (2018-10-11)

A 7/8 creature for two mana that does not see play in Legacy? That is totally unheard of! But that is currently the horror's fate. I think it is time to melt the ice.

Assassin's Trophy in Legacy: Is Sultai Viable Again?

SpoilersBy ChristopherB (2018-10-05)

Welcome to my first article for Cardmarket Insight. Loving Legacy, I want to take this opportunity and write about the impact of the new shooting star, Assassin's Trophy in Legacy. Hans talked about the possible changes in Modern, so I want to take this chance to write about one of my favorite colors in Legacy: Sultai or BUG.

Tribal Attractions: Vampires

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-09-26)

With its four-faction setting, Ixalan has been a very tribal block, and then Dominaria doubled down on the approach. Even with Guilds of Ravnica stopping the trend, it's still a good time to have fun with Modern concoctions in the tribal flavor. In this installment: the suckers that so rarely suck.

Grixis or Dimir? Preparing for Guilds of Ravnica Standard

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-09-26)

Are you ready for rotation? The new Standard will soon kick-off with cards from Guilds of Ravnica. And for those Dimir and Grixis mages that want to keep playing their favorite strategy, here's a recap of their losses and additions to determine which guild will be successful.

Dangerous Propositions: Umezawa's Jitte

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-09-17)

The Modern ban list is a maximum-security prison with 33 inmates, some of which pose a potentially serious threat to the meta. But now that Big Jace has been released, anything can happen. Let's review each of those offenders to see if they're eligible for parole. This time we talk about the most broken piece of equipment ever designed.

To Counter or Not to Counter: ANT's Dark Ritual

ConstructedBy CabalTherapy (2018-09-11)

It may just be a small step, but it affects the outcome of Legacy games tremendously. Do you counter Ad Nauseam Tendrils’ Dark Ritual or do you let it resolve?

Modern Metagame Review: 2018 Summer Edition

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-09-11)

Summer is over and the Guilds of Ravnica spoilers have officially begun. While waiting for new cards to improve or create new archetypes, let's review how the Modern format has been performing during the past three months divided into winners, losers, and new brews.

Lord of Specters: Nicol Bolas Commander Deck Tech

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-09-04)

M19 gave players the origin of Nicol Bolas his very own flip walker, to symbolize his getting a planeswalker spark. This means that commander players now have the opportunity to build Nicol Bolas decks with a decent Bolas commander. In this article, I will showcase a particular build for [Nicol Bolas, the Ravager] that focuses on hand disruption and reanimation.

Five Legacy Decks That Could Play Snapcaster Mage But Don't

ConstructedBy CabalTherapy (2018-08-29)

No other creature plays such an important role in Legacy and Modern alike. Snapcaster Mage truly is the most flexible creature in all competitive Magic and, for some reason, there are still some decks not playing him.

My Top 3 Modern/Extended Decks

ConstructedBy ChristianS (2018-08-27)

Christian has played Magic for a long time now. Last time, he covered his favorites from Standard. Here, he's looking at Modern and Extended. Read on to find out his personal favorites, from metal men to titans of Magic history.

Aftermath of German Nationals 2018

Event CoverageBy Andifeated (2018-08-21)

This past weekend, 548 Mages met in Marl, Germany in order to decide on the 2018 German national champion and which two players would join the pro point leader to earn glory at this year's World Magic Cup. Andifeated was there and tried to earn his spot on the team and tells you everything about one of the biggest National Championships in the world.

Better Call Souls - A Mardu Hollow One Tournament Report

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-08-17)

It's time for some report action! Last month I talked about Hollow One variants and now I am bringing you m y latest experience as well as some discussion regarding small communities and tournament organization. Want to know more? Just keep reading.

Top 3 Decks for Legacy from Pro Tour 25

Event CoverageBy CabalTherapy (2018-08-15)

The team Pro Tour 25 in Minneapolis featured Legacy and many players had feared drastic changes to the format once the pros start working on decks. In the end, we experienced a rather average snap shot of the meta paired with some smaller surprises. In the following, I present my top three conclusions from the Pro Tour and how they will affect the near future of Legacy.

A Forbidden Love: Krav and Regna Commander Deck Tech

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-08-15)

Battlebond reintroduced partner commanders and even though it was a bit different from their 2016 debut, the Partner mechanic did not disappoint. Having two commanders is a powerful option in the ever-popular Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH) aka the Commander format. In this article, I will be looking at an unusual pair: Krav, a demon and Regna, an angel – lovers and partners. Here's a casual fun Commander deck built around them.

Dangerous Propositions: Stoneforge Mystic

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-08-15)

The Modern ban list is a maximum security prison with 33 inmates, some of which pose a potentially serious threat to the meta. But now that Big Jace has been released, anything can happen. Let's review each of those offenders to see if they're eligible for parole. This time we talk of the infamous equipment dealer.

Top 3 Standard Decks I've Played at Pro Tours

ConstructedBy ChristianS (2018-08-10)

Standard has been pretty dull lately, turbo fog and paradoxical outcome aside. Christian has decided that instead of rehashing the same old broken standard decks sporting a certain whirling goblin, he'd look back at his favorite decks through the ages in this look back at Standard years past.

Surprises in Standard at Pro Tour 25th Anniversary

Event CoverageBy JaminK (2018-08-09)

M19 has been available in Standard for a bit and while it seemed like the existing decks were going to continue to dominate, there were many surprises during the Pro Tour. Jamin covers his expectations, the coolest decks from the PT, and a surprising Online PTQ metagame.

On Lower Tiers: Standard MBC

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-08-08)

Despite the clear dominance of a few lists, Standard is a surprisingly diverse format right now and features a handful unsung heroes. One of these is Monoblack Torment, the most straightforward ramp archetype in the meta. Let's see where it's at now, and where it will go after the October rotation.

MKM Series 2018 Prague: The Death of Delver

Event CoverageBy CabalTherapy (2018-08-02)

Shorty after the groundbreaking ban of Deathrite Shaman and Gitaxian Probe, the MKM Series visited Prague, eagerly awaiting a brand new Legacy format and the new brews it would entail. Miracles ended up the best-performing deck and carried the once mighty Delver to its grave.

M19 Standard for Pro Tour 25th Anniversary

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-08-02)

Pro Tour 25th Anniversary is just around the corner and constructed Team Trios will be the format of choice with M19 Standard playing a major role in the tournament. In this article, I will try to highlight the latest additions while guessing which archetypes could be chosen by the pro players of the event. Let’s break it down!

The Next Step for Storm

ConstructedBy CabalTherapy (2018-08-01)

No more Shaman, no more Probe. Storm lives on but will have to adapt and change much like everything else. Seizing opponents' thoughts and wrapping them in tendrils is still going to be one of the best ways of ending games of Legacy, even if its players are forced to adapt.

Tribal Attractions: Hydras

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-08-01)

With its strict, four-faction setting, Ixalan has been a very tribal block, and then Dominaria doubled down with some tribal focus of its own. Time for Kumagoro to have fun with Modern-legal concoctions for some less obvious tribes. In this installment: everyone's favorite polycephalous monstrosities.

Modern Shadows Part 1: Grixis

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-07-19)

Death's Shadow has been one of the most dominant cards in Modern these recent years. In this series of articles, Rone discusses its evolution and the various shells that thrive on self-inflicted pain. Part one is focused on the Grixis shell and its past, present and future.

Rogue Deck Review 2: Summer Notables

ConstructedBy HansD (2018-07-18)

Welcome to the second installment of Rogue Deck Review! Today we're taking a look at five rogue decks that are worth sharing, whether it's because of quirkiness, metagame viability, or accessibility. Without further ado, let's jump right in to our first list!

Going Rogue: Midrange and Budget Decks before M19 Standard

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-07-11)

Just a week before Core 2019 pre-releases and Standard is looking much better. Fresh cards will enter the format and maybe even a banning announcement? Either way, it's time to consider some rogue decks from the past two GPs and some cheap variants to power up with the new set.

Tribal Attractions: Demons

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-07-06)

With its strict, four-faction setting, Ixalan has been a very tribal block, and then Dominaria doubled down with some tribal focus of its own. Time for Kumagoro to have fun with Modern-legal concoctions for some less obvious tribes. In this installment: the big bad finishers from Hell.

Three Exciting Standard Decks

ConstructedBy JaminK (2018-07-04)

While thirteen of the Top 32 Standard decks at GP Pittsburgh included the mighty Goblin Chainwhirler, there’s still innovation to be found. Multiple decks only few people had on their radar made a splash this weekend including an old fan favorite.

Define This: Deck Categories

EntertainmentBy Moudou (2018-06-26)

Magic is a game of terms. There are dozens of aspects of the game that are poorly defined and many unoffical words have become standard issue. In this article, Moudou will define and codify various deck categories in this, the first part of a longer series on Magic terminology.

The Eldest Reborn - GP Top 32

ConstructedBy Toffel (2018-06-21)

It was love at first sight. A natural 3-for-1 with the ability to steal your opponents' planeswalker is a dream come true. Of course, it is not the easiest to build around, but the payoff is amazing. Well, our own Toffel is up to the challenge of talking about The Eldest Reborn in standard!

Zombie Armies in Dominaria

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-06-21)

The hot topic in Standard right now is the dominance of Goblin Chainwhirler and rise of a "solved" format. That's all fine and well, but our own Ryan S has other plans for Standard. In this article, He explores two casual Standard builds around his favorite Dominaria card and its zombie army.

Top 5 Aggro Decks in Dominaria Standard

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-06-20)

Standard is in a pretty rough spot right now. After Pro Tour Dominaria, the format looks solved. Goblin Chainwhirler is the new boogeyman and Red decks are everywhere. So, Rodrigo decided to take a look at Aggro in Standard and ranked his top 5 Aggro decks in Dominaria.

Burning Reanimator in 2018: A Dormant Monster

ConstructedBy CabalTherapy (2018-06-19)

Is there a Reanimator deck more powerful and brutal than the common black-red and blue-black variants? A deck that can choose to win via Empty the Warrens, Tendrils of Agony, and Griselbrand? Definitely! But it's remained underneath the surface for far too long.

A Step-By-Step Guide for Buying into Modern

FinanceBy HansD (2018-06-15)

Looking to buy into your first Modern deck? Don't know where to start? You're in luck because that's exactly what we're talking about in this week's article! Hans explains the step-by-step process of buying your first Modern deck for someone who's starting from close to scratch – take a look at what he has to offer!

Dangerous Propositions: Green Sun's Zenith

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-06-14)

The Modern ban list is a maximum security prison with 33 inmates, some of which pose a potentially serious threat to the meta. But now that Big Jace is free, anything can happen. Let's review each of those offenders to see if they're eligible for parole. This time we talk of green's best delivery service.

Deck Review - Hollow One in Modern

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-06-13)

Hollow One has become one of the most played decks in Modern since his first major appearance at Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan. Rodrigo has been spending tons of time with the deck and aims to explain its growing popularity alongside with some deck variants and sideboard strategies.

The State of Standard

ConstructedBy ChristianS (2018-06-01)

Dominaria dropped and immediately warped the Standard landscape around it. For the first time in a while, a set managed to shift the chokehold Kaladesh had on the meta. But how has it changed Standard and what decks should people be looking out for in this new landscape. Christian has the answers below!

Rogue Deck Review: The Recent Notables

ConstructedBy HansD (2018-05-24)

Looking for something spicy and different to play this week? Hans has you covered in this week’s article as he digs up the rogue decks that have caught his attention. The only way to find out if there’s something of interest is to take a look inside!

The Year of Living Dangerously: Mastering Mastery

ConstructedBy JohnnyCroat (2018-05-24)

Imagine not being able to lose the game. Imagine that every time you gain life, you draw extra cards. (Card advantage is great, right?) …but what’s this? I need to exile some cards in my graveyard? Okay, I can do that. Now my hand? Well, I guess since I drew extra cards, I don’t mind. My permanents too? Uh-oh…

Sealed in Dominaria - Part Two

LimitedBy ChristianS (2018-05-17)

Sealed in Dominaria is very different from previous sets. It requires a basic understanding of the Limited format in Magic the Gathering. Christian brings his 15 years of experience to bear in order to help readers understand some ways to successfully build sealed pools in Dominaria.

An Homage to the Strongest Card in Magic

EntertainmentBy SanchoN (2018-05-03)

Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, Timetwister and the five moxes are all powerful Magic cards. But one card stands above them all - the basic Island. Where would Magic be without the wonders of Counterspells, timing, priority and all the subtleties that come with the ability to tap an Island.

Playing Pauper with the Soul Sisters

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-05-02)

I came across an interesting Soul Sister’s combo deck at my local LGS. This got me thinking about Soul Sisters in Pauper and, in this article, I take a look at three different version of Soul Sisters for Pauper each a little different from the other.

Modern's One-Hit Wonders

ConstructedBy HansD (2018-04-18)

Every time a new deck pops up in Modern, there’s a rush to play the deck, it becomes a flavor of the month, and then is shelved indefinitely. This week Hans revisits four decks that saw some time in the limelight within the past year. Do any of these decks have any shot at redemption? Let’s find out!

Artifact Synergies in Dominaria

SpoilersBy ChristianS (2018-04-17)

Christian is back at it with Dominaria, this time looking at potential artifact synergies for the upcoming expansion. From Djinns to Planeswalkers, and even to the new Saga Mechanic, Dominaria looks to be an artifacts matter set, pairing well with Kaldesh and bringing new and old archetypes to life.

Choose Their Poison: The Collective Brutality Story

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-04-11)

Modal spells - everyone's favorite way to pack a bigger bang for your buck while dealing with the inherent available slot restrictions in 60-card decks. The best of such cards were frequently chase rares in the past and Collective Brutality is no exception; let’s choose to see why.

A First Look at Standard with Dominaria

SpoilersBy ChristianS (2018-04-05)

This week, I dive into the bevy of Dominaria spoilers available looking for interesting Standard-worthy cards that could shape the competitive meta in the months to come. Does Dominaria live up to the hype, or does Magic's most traveled plane come up short of expectations? Read on to find out.

What the Four Best Decks from GP Phoenix Say about Modern

Event CoverageBy HansD (2018-03-28)

GP Phoenix gave us an insight into how the meta has shaped up after the unbanning of Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Bloodbraid Elf. Hans looks at what he considers the four best decks from the tournament and discusses what kind of information we can wean from the results!

Dangerous Propositions: Birthing Pod

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-03-28)

The Modern ban list is a maximum-security prison with 33 inmates, some of which pose a potentially serious threat to the meta. But now that Big Jace has been released, anything can happen. I'll cover each offender in its own article to see who is eligible for parole, starting with the godmother of interactive combo decks.

Team Sealed in Rivals of Ixalan

LimitedBy ChristianS (2018-03-27)

Team Sealed is one of the most complex and deep Limited formats in Magic: The Gathering. It requires teamwork, compromise, and an extensive knowledge of Limited Magic. Christian sits down with a randomized sealed pool to show you the ins and outs of Team Sealed, just in time for the GP in Amsterdam.

5 Dragons You Might Meet on the Battlefield

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-03-23)

Dracarys! Despite their typical casting cost being midrange and beyond, Dragons always find a way to show up in decks of all kinds. Their current situation across the formats is not too shabby, and not just in red-based builds. Here’s a selection of the flying terrors all the cool kids are playing.

GP Madrid Aftermath: A Weekend Full of Magic

Event CoverageBy Rone (2018-03-19)

The Magic Grand Prix is the perfect excuse to spend a whole weekend enjoying our favorite hobby. Normally, the main event is what attracts most players’ attention – its coverage, Top 8 decklists, and of course, the GP winners. But there are many other things that one can have a go at aside from the competition.

UB Gateway Control in Standard

ConstructedBy ChristianS (2018-03-09)

When I started playing Standard after the release of Rivals of Ixalan, the first thing I wanted to do was to try out Azor's Gateway. In this article, I share the results of my testing and the deck that I believe is one of the best at utilizing Azor's Gateway.

The Reign of Four-Drops in Modern - A Guide to Survive

ConstructedBy Rone (2018-03-07)

Since the last banned announcement unchained Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Bloodbraid Elf, Modern has shaken up drastically - or has it? Although most players are brewing decks that include these cards, I've decided to make the ultimate survival guide for fighting against them.

There and Back Again: The Bloodbraid Elf Story

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-03-01)

If not exactly the Queen of Jund (that’s of course Liliana), Bloodbraid Elf was certainly its High Priestess back in the times. Now that she’s been unleashed on the Modern format once again, is she going to find a home in a drastically changed meta, or will she go the way of Bitterblossom?

Jace Jam: Slam Dunk Deck Lists for Jace the Mind Sculptor

ConstructedBy HansD (2018-02-28)

Well, it happened: Jace, the Mind Sculptor got unbanned and the world lost its collective cool. Now that we have a solid grouping of 5-0 MTGO decklists behind us, let's look at where the now-legal planeswalker shows promise. See for yourself what Jace has brought to the Modern metagame!

One Mean Deck: Grixis Energy

ConstructedBy TobiH (2018-02-12)

Grixis Energy picked up right where Temur Energy left us and has quickly become the new top dog of today's Standard. However, it's hard to tell what the best version may look like or even to know what to expect when playing against the archetype. Data analysis is needed!

BW Soul Sisters: No Grey Areas

ConstructedBy JohnnyCroat (2018-02-08)

Modern is a wonderfully vibrant format currently, with each new set seeing new decks and archetype variants getting more than a few plays online. Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan saw 5 Colour Humans as its most popular deck, with two such builds making it as far as the Top 8. But, once upon a time, there was a popular mono-White Humans deck: Soul Sisters. Does this deck still have legs? Or has its time passed?

Vampires in Rivals of Ixalan

ConstructedBy ChristianS (2018-02-07)

The new set Rivals of Ixalan contains a lot of good tribal cards, including fan favorite vampires. Cards like Legion Lieutenant and Radiant Destiny look really strong, but thats just to start. This article discusses the top 10 vampire cards of Rivals of Ixalan and shows a sample vampire deck, too.

Highlights in Bilbao: Modern at Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan

Event CoverageBy Rone (2018-02-06)

Last weekend, the best Magic players in the world gathered in Bilbao to fight for the crown at PTRIX. After two years without a Modern Pro Tour, everyone was excited to see if the Pros could shake up the format and bring new strategies and cards from recent sets. Here are the tournament highlights.

Alternative Facts err... Win Conditions

EntertainmentBy JohnnyCroat (2018-02-02)

The quick onyx goblin jumps over the lazy dwarf. If these words seem familiar to you, then you just might be a Johnny, that Magic personality type who simply loves brewing, tinkering, and tweaking, all for that moment where everything falls perfectly into place. You don’t just want to win, you want to win in style, and with the greatest amount of cheese possible!

5 Pauper Decks for Beginners

ConstructedBy RyanS (2018-01-29)

With the sudden spotlight on Pauper, the commons only format, a lot of new players want to give it a shot, but where to begin? What decks to play? Here I list 5 Pauper decks that are super cheap and provide a good introduction to the format, perfect for beginners.

My Legacy Picks for Team Trios Constructed GPs

Event CoverageBy Alakazimdk (2018-01-23)

This article will try to give you and your team some options for the Legacy component of upcoming Team Constructed events. I’ll give each deck two scores, the first for experienced Legacy players and the second for players who are not as familiar with Legacy as a format. As with all Legacy lists, expect a high learning curve in a format with Wastelands, Brainstorms, and consistent turn 2-3 combo kills.

The 5 Most Successful Modern Decks of 2017

ConstructedBy Kumagoro (2018-01-19)

For better or for worse, the year that just ended consolidated the current Modern meta. But who were the kings of the season? Meet the five decks that placed more consistently in the Top 8 of Modern events during 2017, while scoring victories at the largest tournaments.

Black Bases

FinanceBy DrHoeh (2018-01-13)

Modern decks have become so deadly, that you really want to disrupt the opposing game plan early and often.

Evolving Wilds

FinanceBy DrHoeh (2017-05-17)

Where is Standard headed after the Pro Tour?

GP Columbus and Prague 2016

FinanceBy DrHoeh (2016-06-13)

Let's look at the two GP winning decks, and see how much Eternal Masters will help you build these decks.

Abzan Masters

FinanceBy DrHoeh (2015-05-15)

What effect will Modern Masters 2015 have on Abzan prices?