The Bolt Zone

Latest Episodes:

Episode 22: Comp. Event Testing with Team Odyssey Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes:

This week, Cody is joined by members of Team Odyssey to discuss competitive testing and everything that goes on behind the scenes of a Pro Tour caliber testing team. Special thanks to Noah Rabin and Ethan Jones for sharing their insights.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Follow Team Odyssey on Twitter/X: https://x.com/TeamOdysseyMTG

-Follow Noah on Twitter: https://x.com/RabinNoah

-Follow Ethan on Twitter: https://x.com/EthanJonesMtG

Episode 21: Standard Meta Check-In and Violent Outburst Ban Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

The Violent Outburst ban is shaking up Modern ahead of MH3. Meanwhile, Standard continues to evolve with new additions from MKM as RCQ season chugs along and RC’s arrive on the horizon. The boys break down what you should be doing in both formats.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

We’re also so excited to be partnering with TOA Magic. Check out their massive selection at https://toamagic.com/ and use code BOLTZONE at checkout to get 5% off ALL singles and sealed Magic products.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Standard Metagame: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/metagame/standard#paper

-New Modern Metagame: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/metagame/modern#paper

Episode 20: Nathan’s Player Card & Pro Tour MKM Recap Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes:

Nathan is back from the Pro Tour and is ready to talk about his World Champion card, Duelist of the Mind. Learn about how this card was created and how it will fit into constructed formats. We also dive into a recap of PT MKM and what decks ruled the weekend.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Nathan’s PT Phoenix Deck: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/370995

-Duelist of the Mind: https://scryfall.com/card/otj/45/duelist-of-the-mind

Episode 19: Building Better Magic Software with Ev from Spicerack.gg Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes:

With Nathan deep in PT testing, Cody is joined by a SPICY guest this week, Ev, the founder of Spicerack.gg. He talks all about building software for Magic players and unveils details about the new Spicerack tournament app.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

Check out Spicerack for finding and hosting events: https://www.spicerack.gg/events

Follow Spicerack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/spicerackgg

Follow Ev on Twitter: https://twitter.com/evan_mtg

Episode 18: How to Read Your Opponent’s Mind (and Hand) Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

We’re talking about the most broken thing in Magic… reading your opponent’s mind. No Jace’s here though. Learn how to analyze your opponent’s hand based on their play, pick up on body language tells, and disguise your own to gain an edge. Plus, a look at Modern ahead of a busy weekend of RCs.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode 17: Modern Yawgmoth Deep Dive with Brandon Osborne (aka Control4Daze) Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes:

In today’s episode, Control4Daze (aka Brandon Osborne) joins the show to talk about his pet deck in Modern, Yawgmoth. The boys are taking a deep dive into the archetype and offering tips and tricks to improve your play with one of the format’s most intricate decks.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Check out Brandon’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/control4daze/

-And Brandon’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkpqkKXH4TGcwJNBZgRwwQ

Episode 16: We’re So Back! Let’s Catch Up on Comp. MTG (Feat. Tandy) Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes:

The Bolt Zone is back after a few weeks off and we’re excited to talk about all three big competitive formats! Standard, Pioneer, and Modern all deserve some attention right now, so let’s look at what’s going on in each one and what you should be paying attention to. Plus, hear our interviews from the convention floor at Dreamhack Atlanta!

Use code BTBNewYear15 to get 15% in the merch shop at https://www.boltthebird.com/shop

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We’re thrilled to partner with Heavy Play to share their lineup of high-quality card gaming accessories. Check them out at https://heavyplay.com and use code BTB10 at checkout for a 10% discount!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode 15: B&R Reactions + Pioneer Boros Convoke Audio Deck Guide Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

Cody is flying solo this week as Nathan heads out to Eternal Weekend. In the wake of a big B&R announcement, he looks at the impact on Pioneer and Modern before taking a deep dive into the deck he plans on playing at the Regional Championship in Atlanta: Boros Convoke.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Generic Boros Convoke List: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/archetype/pioneer-boros-convoke#paper

Episode 14: A Pioneer Check-In and First Look at Lost Caverns of Ixalan Spoilers Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

This week, Cody recaps his RCQ win on Rakdos Scam. Then the guys take a look at what’s been happening in the Pioneer metagame, including talk about the Boros Convoke deck and how Izzet Phoenix is shaping the format. Lastly, they break down some constructed spoilers from Lost Caverns of Ixalan.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-Current Pioneer Metagame: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/metagame/pioneer#paper

-Lost Caverns of Ixalan Spoilers: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/spoilers/Lost+Caverns+of+Ixalan

Episode 13: Talking ‘Bout Deck Size. Is Bigger Really Better? Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

Magic is in a wild place right now and the decklists floating around prove it. Today, the guys look at some examples of decks going above 60 cards, talk about the theory behind numbering in deckbuilding, and help you understand why (or why NOT) you should be straying from 60 cards.

To support the show, consider subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/boltthebird.

Check out our new line of merch at: https://www.boltthebirdmtg.com/shop!

We are proudly sponsored by Boogie Board, makers of The Ultimate LCD Life Pad. Say goodbye to crinkly notebooks. Learn more here: https://www.myboogieboard.com/games.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Want to be a guest? Please direct all inquiries to cody@boltthebirdmtg.com.

Episode Links:

-4c Cascade Beans List: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5930917#paper

-Tristan Cascade Beans: https://x.com/Tristan_MTG_/status/1713397425090498966?s=20

-Xerk 12-card SB Yawg List: https://x.com/Xerk_MTGO/status/1711115563013935167?s=20

-Pioneer Rona Combo feat. Yorion: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/329581