Episode 96: The Unifying Theory of Good Magic Formats

This week Stan and Shane pair up to explore what can make Magic great, and why Modern has been a fan favorite in 2020. Before that, we look at a quartet of Modern and Pioneer challenges to see where the meta is headed.

The Break Down: Breaking it Down

The Dive Down: Building it Up

The Wind Down: Moving it Around

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Timestamps:

4:43 - Housekeeping

8:44 - The Break Down begins

9:28 - Modern Challenges

22:37 - The Modern Challenge Meta

24:40 - Pioneer Challenges

28:02 - The Pioneer Challenge Meta

33:06 - The Dive Down begins - The Unifying Theory of Good Magic Formats

37:55 - Laying out the signs of a healthy format

44:38 - Evaluating diversity in Modern

53:46 - What is good gameplay?

1:03:47 - What are the different incentives to play Modern?

1:12:22 - What are the untapped possibilities in Modern?

1:21:48 - How can a good format go bad?

1:31:12 - The Wind Down - Moving it Around

1:40:56 - Closing Out

Links from this week's episode:

Modern challenge #1: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-12218052#paper

Modern challenge #2: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-12218058#paper

Pioneer challenge #1: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/pioneer-challenge-12218055#paper

Pioneer challenge #2: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/pioneer-challenge-12218059#paper

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

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