The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Bonus: Return of the Rhinos Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Rhinos is making a comeback and so are we! As we wind down from vacation mode, Stan and D00mwake warm up their podcasting muscles with one of their favorite topics: Crashing Footfalls in Modern. Enjoy this bonus minisode before our official feature length return next week!

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Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 302: The Mad Lads Did It Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

A B&R so hot we had to pause our vacation. The One Ring, Amped Raptor, and Jegantha are banned. Mox Opal is unbanned. Mox Opal, Green Sun's Zenith, Faithless Looting and Splinter Twin are unbanned. Discuss.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN_OBX
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:17 - Housekeping
8:38 - The Dive Down begins: Bans, and Unbans
10:15 - Before the announcement
16:38 - Getting into the meat of the announcement
45:38 - The unbans
1:23:22 - Hot takes and cool vibes
1:37:58 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/banned-and-restricted-december-16-2024

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 301: Standard Rules, Modern Drools, and Pokémon Fools Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

We kick off this week's show with an important announcement about the future of The Dive Down. Just listen since it's too long to explain in writing. Then we bemoan the B&R window before highlighting the fun times happening in Standard right now. And we wrap with a nice chat about our love-hate relationship with the new Pokémon TCG Pocket.

The Break Down: A really important announcement
The Dive Down: The new Foundations of Standard and Draft
The Wind Down: Pokémon Pocket is a bad game we are playing

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWNTEN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
6:27 - Let loose with Heavy Play
9:15 - This week's episode
11:51 - IMPORTANT housekeeping!
25:00 - The Break Down begins: Does Modern suck right now?
32:37 - Foundations is here, and impacting Standard
47:25 - D00m's Decks: The best decks in Standard
1:15:48 - Dave's Limited corner
1:25:25 - Pokémon Pocket is certainly a game to play
1:46:54 - Wrapping up

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 300: Magic as Richard Garfield Intended, ft. Richard Garfield, Ph.D. Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

The doctor is in. For a very special episode 300, The Dive Down sits down with THE Richard Garfield, inventor of Magic: The Gathering and great-great-grandson of President James A. Garfield. What is Magic as Garfield intended? We finally have the answer.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWNTEN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

1:25 - Richard Garfield does not need to hear about Heavy Play
2:43 - This week's episode - somehow this is 300
5:56 - The Dive Down begins: Our interview with Richard Garfield
43:56 - What is Magic as Garfield intended?
46:10 - Richard on other games

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 299: Stan Won an RCQ! Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

They said it couldn't be done, but one of the Dive Down boys (other than D00mwake) finally won an RCQ. On this week's show, Stan talks about piloting Boros Energy to qualify for RC Portland, and we break down the Standard metagame and results from the Magic World Championship in Las Vegas.

The Break Down: 6 Matches to Portland
The Dive Down: Congratulations, Javier Dominguez

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWNTEN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
6:15 - Allow Heavy Play to penetrate your pocketbook
7:59 - This week's show/housekeeping
13:04 - The Break Down begins: Some hot news!
18:55 - More takes on the Universes Beyond announcement
27:45 - Stan won an RCQ!
40:52 - The tournament report
58:10 - The next steps
1:03:22 - The Dive Down begins: The World Championship breakdown
1:12:50 - WC Standard winrates
1:16:23 - The top 8
1:23:12 - The Wind Down: Shane's Gadget Corner
1:31:38 - Dave also went to the RCQ, by the way
1:34:50 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
World Championship 30: https://melee.gg/Tournament/View/146430
Buy a Steam Deck or something: https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 298: The Foundations Era is Here Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Hot off the presses of WOTC's Foundations announcement, we break down and discuss the impact of Universes Beyond sets entering the Standard format in 2025.

The Break Down: Cards That Will Be Standard Legal for 5 Years
The Dive Down: Squidward Reborn

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWNTEN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

2:22 - Heavy Play, a Full Stack sponsor
3:48 - This week's show/housekeeping
7:03 - The Break Down begins: The Foundations Era React-A-Sode
8:40 - First, Foundations spoilers
16:38 - Some new Foundations cards
21:42 - The other announcement - The Foundations Era
28:10 - There sure are a lot of Universes Beyond sets coming out
35:30 - How are we feeling about so much UB?
1:22:26 - How long can UB last?
1:29:56 - Tying a bow on the convo
1:37:20 - Wrapping up

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 297: Modern: What to Play Before RCQ Season Ends Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

On this week's show, Dave tries to determine what to play during the one RCQ he can attend this season. We do our best to help him out by reviewing the latest Metagame Mentor, taking a closer look at Dimir Oculus, following in the steps of some Jeskai Control masters, and trying something new with Fear of Missing Out in Rakdos and Jund Delirium.

The Break Down: Frank Loves Stats
The Dive Down: Dave Needs a Deck

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWNTEN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

7:25 - Heavy Play is our actual sponsor
9:00 - This week's show/housekeeping
14:36 - The Break Down begins: no Pioneer RCQs in 2025??
22:35 - Frank analysis on Modern's current meta
34:22 - Current Modern winrates
41:54 - The Dive Down begins: Shane played Dimir Frogtide
1:04:32 - Dave and Devon played Delirium decks
1:17:30 - Stan played actual Jeskai Control

Links from this week's episode:

https://www.channelfireball.com/article/What-s-New-in-Modern-with-Duskmourn-House-of-Horror/80e67eba-474a-41bf-a704-15bc28755f02/
Jeskai Control by YungDingo/George Jabbour: https://x.com/YungDingoMTG/status/1844245120658653515
Dimir Oculus by Kane Daly: https://old.starcitygames.com/decks/159924
Jund Delirium by Offl1ne: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6682017#paper
Jund Delirium by d00mwake: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OFxKWf-jx0WIiWlS_TWENg
Rakdos Shadow by J from TDD Nation: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6701125#paper
Rakdos FOMO by @jacesdaddy from Twitter: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6701123#paper

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 296: RC DC: Demons, Trees, Cauldrons, & Company Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

In the last part of our mini-arc on the current state of Pioneer, Devon, Dave, and Stan dive deep into what happened at this weekend's RC in Washington D.C. We cover the decks that took too long, the decks that aimed too high, and the decks that took it all down. Will Demons remain are force in the meta? Will we keep paying taxes to Selesnya after this event? How soon until we all get annoyed with Tree of Perdition? And then lastly — and most importantly — is Pioneer right now the Magic everyone SAYS they want?

• 1,800+ Players
• 1h30m Rounds
• 3 Breakout Decks

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN_OBX
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
5:29 - Heavy Play is not cursed
7:40 - This week's show/housekeeping
13:30 - The Break Down begins - RC DC
39:17 - The outliers from RC DC
1:12:20 - Is Pioneer the Magic people want?
1:17:00 - Stan played Spirits
1:28:14 - Dave played Dimir Oculus
1:35:00 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
RC on MTGMelee: https://melee.gg/Tournament/View/63398
Pioneer Mono-Black Demons: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/434736
Pioneer Rakdos Tree: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/435309
Pioneer Selesnya Company: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/433930
Pioneer Spirits: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6677777#paper
Modern Dimir Frog-eye: https://x.com/DackFayden07/status/1841510715783299151

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 295: RC DC Preview & First Duskmourn Decks Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

It's time (for Devon) to get ready for the RC in DC this weekend, so we dive deep into Pioneer for the week. We talk through the RC that happened in Brazil last weekend, examine new/interesting decks, and go through some of Devon's considerations on deck selection. If you haven't been paying attention to Pioneer lately — post-Duskmourn seems like a good time to jump in!

• An RC in Brazil!
• Devon has been preparing!
• There are lots of decks!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN_OBX
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:28 - Heavy Play does not have art playmats (yet), but does have little windows
6:48 - This week's episode/housekeeping
11:56 - The Break Down begins: The City Class Games Brazil Pioneer RC
30:10 - The MTGO Pioneer Super Qualifier
34:28 - D00m's Decks: Gruul Delirium
47:08 - D00m's Decks continued: Boros Legends
52:33 - Cool Decks, Inc: Boros Tokens Control
56:30 - CDI, cont: Boros Aggro
1:04:05 - D00m's Decks, yet again: Bogles
1:09:03 - CDI, again! Rakdos Transmogrify
1:15:15 - Even more CDI: Rakdos Marvin
1:22:32 - Some Modern content: Abhorrent Oculus!
1:32:04 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
City Class Games Showdown VII Results: https://melee.gg/Tournament/View/136231
MTGO Super Qualifier: https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/pioneer-super-qualifier-2024-09-2912692890
Boros Control: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/432621
Rakdos Transmogrify: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6663193#paper
Rakdos Huh? What? of Perdition: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6663767#paper
Boros Leyline of Resonance: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6663759#paper
Gruul Delirium: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6665367#paper
Boros Legends: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/6655957#paper
Bogles: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/-07j5KR26E6G0EDjUNZLMg
UW Oculus: https://x.com/TandyMTG/status/1839511915803857113

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

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Episode 294: Working Not Playing, ft Mark Stanton Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

On this week's show, Stan and Dave are joined by a new guest to The Dive Down. Taking a break from preparing for Regional Championship Washington DC and next month's World Championship in Las Vegas , Mark Stanton stops by to talk about the competitive mindset and how to practice Magic better.

We chat about first impressions from Duskmourn, the current state of Pioneer leading up to the RC, and how to prepare for tournaments that matter.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN_OBX
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
2:34 — Mark Stanton is Here to Teach Us How To Be Good at Magic
3:45 — Meet Team Rampant Growth, Sponsored by Heavy Play
6:57 — Mark Triples Down
9:35 — Housekeeping
10:44 — The Dive Down Begins: Inside the Grinder’s Studio
18:38 — Testing with Duskmourn
28:15 — Duskmourn in Pioneer
31:05 — Phoenix at the RC?
33:28 — As the Dusk Settles
34:58 — On Developing Magic Practice
40:10 — A Different Kind of Fun
43:20 — Working Rather Than Playing
50:10 — Building Metagame Knowledge
57:35 — The Pro Tour: A Whole Other Game
1:01:38 — People Playing Better Decks
1:05:45 — Let’s Talk Teams
1:12:00 — Closing Thoughts: What Do You Want from Magic?
1:20:52 — Signoff

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

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedivedown

Support The Dive Down

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