In preparation for his upcoming Pre-Modern tournament, Mike and Roman go back to Mike's first ever article for StarCityGames.com, and read an entertaining yet informative tournament report. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/sullivan-nimble-mongoose-and-sullivan/

Mike and Roman read Dan Paskins' 2004 article on sideboarding, and learn how to escape the fear of losing to sideboard threats that may not be as terrifying as they seem. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/whos-afraid-of-the-big-bad-circle/

Mike and Roman read Jon Becker's article on confidence, or in this case, "Tomfidence." The article focuses on PTQ player Tom Kelleher and why he had such outstanding confidence in competitive Magic tournaments. Mike and Roman examine the question of not why should you have confidence, but rather why shouldn't you? Original article: https://articles…

Following their back to back RCQ wins with Azorius Control, Mike and Roman take a look at how to maximize your sideboard decisions. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/flores-friday-seven-techniques-for-unbeatable-sideboarding-3/

Mike and Roman visit Pat Chapin's The Prime Directive, and learn how to avoid playing worse versions of decks that already exist. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/innovations-winning-a-ptq-not-violating-the-prime-directive/ Your hosts: ⁠@Roman_Fusco⁠ ⁠@fivewithflores

On this episode Mike and Roman read "Picture This" from Mike's SCG writing days and focus on how to better sculpt your gameplan in games of Magic. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/flores-friday-picture-this/ Your hosts: @Roman_Fusco @fivewithflores

Mike and Roman make their triumphant return to the Ancestral Recall podcast highlighting one of Patrick Chapin's all-time great articles - Information Cascades. Original article: https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/information-cascades-in-magic/

This is the final episode of Allied Strategies, and we have none other than the original co-host of the show, Neal Oliver, to reminisce about the past 6 years we’ve spent together! As the primary reason the show’s ending is that Benjamin is going to work for WOTC, we’ve also picked out some of our favorite Magic card designs to plant some good idea…

This is the final episode of Allied Strategies, and we have none other than the original co-host of the show, Neal Oliver, to reminisce about the past 6 years we’ve spent together! As the primary reason the show’s ending is that Benjamin is going to work for WOTC, we’ve also picked out some of our favorite Magic card designs to plant some good idea…

Benjamin’s competing in the upcoming Zendikar Rising Championship – learn about the decks he’s chosen for both Standard and Historic and hear some bold claims about the power level of his cards!By Allied Strategies

Benjamin’s competing in the upcoming Zendikar Rising Championship – learn about the decks he’s chosen for both Standard and Historic and hear some bold claims about the power level of his cards!By Allied Strategies

This week’s episode features the debut of a fun new magic-card naming game, inspired by Alex Horne’s No More Jockeys. There’s also sporadic discussion of magic strategy, but really not very much so skip this episode if that’s what you’re looking for!By Allied Strategies

This week’s episode features the debut of a fun new magic-card naming game, inspired by Alex Horne’s No More Jockeys. There’s also sporadic discussion of magic strategy, but really not very much so skip this episode if that’s what you’re looking for!By Allied Strategies

This week we’re taking a look at what went down at the MOCS, both in broad terms of how the metagames looked for the constructed formats and how Vintage Cube worked as a limited format, as well as some analysis of specific moments.By Allied Strategies

This week we’re taking a look at what went down at the MOCS, both in broad terms of how the metagames looked for the constructed formats and how Vintage Cube worked as a limited format, as well as some analysis of specific moments.By Allied Strategies

This weekend is the MOCS – read about it here: https://magic.gg/news/2019-magic-online-championship-viewers-guide In this episode, we break down how Modern, Pioneer, and Cube are looking going into the weekend.By Allied Strategies

This weekend is the MOCS – read about it here: https://magic.gg/news/2019-magic-online-championship-viewers-guide In this episode, we break down how Modern, Pioneer, and Cube are looking going into the weekend.By Allied Strategies

This week we’re taking a look at several of the decks that occupy the most sizeable portions of the Standard metagame. Though there are some clear pillars of the format, there’s a lot left to explore and a lot of opportunity for a savvy player to be rewarded for good deck selection, building, and tuning, and it’s shaping up to be a format that rema…

This week we’re taking a look at several of the decks that occupy the most sizeable portions of the Standard metagame. Though there are some clear pillars of the format, there’s a lot left to explore and a lot of opportunity for a savvy player to be rewarded for good deck selection, building, and tuning, and it’s shaping up to be a format that rema…

This week we’re busting out an old segment, Will of the Council, in which we present two options, vote on them, and then declare the loser stupid. We also discuss the new style of broadcasting for organized play, and some fun games to play during quarantine. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)…

This week we’re busting out an old segment, Will of the Council, in which we present two options, vote on them, and then declare the loser stupid. We also discuss the new style of broadcasting for organized play, and some fun games to play during quarantine. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)…

This week we’re taking a strategic look at the London Mulligan and discussing how it impacts gameplay, deck selection, deck building, and mulligan decision-making. This was inspired by a blog post by Alex Majlaton, read that here: https://neverdraftingagain.blogspot.com/2020/10/we-probably-dont-understand-london.html Here’s the reference image for …

This week we’re taking a strategic look at the London Mulligan and discussing how it impacts gameplay, deck selection, deck building, and mulligan decision-making. This was inspired by a blog post by Alex Majlaton, read that here: https://neverdraftingagain.blogspot.com/2020/10/we-probably-dont-understand-london.html Here’s the reference image for …

This week we covered the 2020 Season Grand Finals. Topics include Benjamin’s tournament results and deck thoughts, Intentional Draws in the digital age, and the future of Standard. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we covered the 2020 Season Grand Finals. Topics include Benjamin’s tournament results and deck thoughts, Intentional Draws in the digital age, and the future of Standard. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week Benjamin is getting ready for a tournament he’s decided to refer to as Worlds! Learn all about the Standard and Historic metagames he’s expecting and the decks he’s picked for each format. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week Benjamin is getting ready for a tournament he’s decided to refer to as Worlds! Learn all about the Standard and Historic metagames he’s expecting and the decks he’s picked for each format. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’re not going to dwell for too long on the state of standard, just for a few minutes at the start. Our main topic is a selection of cards from the new set that we think will be impactful in the Historic format. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’re not going to dwell for too long on the state of standard, just for a few minutes at the start. Our main topic is a selection of cards from the new set that we think will be impactful in the Historic format. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’re honoring (and dishonoring) some of the cards exiting Standard with this rotation. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’re honoring (and dishonoring) some of the cards exiting Standard with this rotation. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

We’re back with more Zendikar Rising individual card discussion! Join us again next week to see if we will repeat the pattern for a third time! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

We’re back with more Zendikar Rising individual card discussion! Join us again next week to see if we will repeat the pattern for a third time! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’ve picked out some exciting cards from Zendikar Rising to discuss, mostly in the context of constructed but with a little bit of limited discussion too! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

This week we’ve picked out some exciting cards from Zendikar Rising to discuss, mostly in the context of constructed but with a little bit of limited discussion too! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”)By Allied Strategies

Learn the strategic adjustments we suggest based on the power level of the format! Tips and tricks are given for formats everywhere on the spectrum from the highest power level formats, like Masters sets, all the way down to the most basic Core Set. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/allied…

Learn the strategic adjustments we suggest based on the power level of the format! Tips and tricks are given for formats everywhere on the spectrum from the highest power level formats, like Masters sets, all the way down to the most basic Core Set. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/allied…

This week we’re ranking stuff! Find out our top 5 Planeswalkers, Sweepers, Draft Commons, and more! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/alliedstrategiespodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/allied-strategies-253.mp3By Allied Strategies

This week we’re ranking stuff! Find out our top 5 Planeswalkers, Sweepers, Draft Commons, and more! Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/alliedstrategiespodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/allied-strategies-253.mp3By Allied Strategies

Here’s the B&R announcement: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/august-8-2020-banned-and-restricted-announcement This week we’re discussing these bans and the kind of cards and strategies that may be enabled by them. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/alliedstrategiespodcast…

Here’s the B&R announcement: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/august-8-2020-banned-and-restricted-announcement This week we’re discussing these bans and the kind of cards and strategies that may be enabled by them. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/alliedstrategiespodcast…

Benjamin has experienced some uncharacteristic success and will be making an appearance in the top 8 over at twitch.tv/magic this weekend as the first seed! This week we inflate his ego further by discussing this, though we make sure to keep it in check with frequent backhanded compliments. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) h…

Benjamin has experienced some uncharacteristic success and will be making an appearance in the top 8 over at twitch.tv/magic this weekend as the first seed! This week we inflate his ego further by discussing this, though we make sure to keep it in check with frequent backhanded compliments. Download this episode here! (right click and “save as…”) h…