The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Episode 223: Getting Weird in the Aftermath of MOM, ft. d00mwake May 18, 2023

Show notes

This week d00mwake joins Shane and Dave to go through a quick tour of the weirdness that happened in Modern and Pioneer MTG this week. We dive deep into the wild Modern Challenge on 5/13, a new + interesting deck d00mwake has been playing in Pioneer, and the somewhat surprising places new cards have appeared in the last few weeks. Dave declares his love for Sultai Shadow. Shane wonders if Ob Nixilis is really a win more. Devon takes us through an interesting new Boros Tokens list he's been working on.

• Adventures in Pioneering
• Surprising Modern Tricks
• Yargle's Vengeance

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
5:25 - Housekeeping
8:15 - Devon's adventures in Pioneer
8:40 - Boros Tokens
16:48 - Rakdos Sacrifice with Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
27:12 - Coppercoat Vanguard
33:45 - Some final Pioneer highlights
40:15 - Saturday's Modern Challenge highlights
40:51 - Sultai Traverse Shadow
51:07 - Hardened Scales makes a return!
55:14 - Weird Creativity tech
57:24 - Weird Rakdos Scam tech
1:02:03 - 4-Color Omnath with Nissa
1:04:05 - Some more weird Modern tech
1:11:34 - Sunday's Modern Challenge highlights
1:14:42 - Yargle's Vengeance
1:17:13 - Even more weird Modern tech
1:21:34 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:

Saturday 5/13 Modern Challenge
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-2023-05-13#paper

Modern Humans w/ Coppercoat Vanguard
jenesaisquoi, https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5612522#paper
Parrotlet, https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5610799#paper

Sunday 5/14 Modern Challenge
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-2023-05-14#paper

Coppercoat Vanguard in Pioneer
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5616010#paper
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5616016#paper

Rakdos Sacrifice w/ Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
ChiChiChi, https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5612490#paper
Shadowz2005, https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5612482#paper

D00mwake's Boros Tokens
https://twitter.com/d00mwake/status/1655674173904003106?s=20

Mason Clarke's NeoSoulflayerTraxa
https://twitter.com/masoneclark/status/1657193505695887360?s=20

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

Episode 222: Aftermath and LOTR: The Spoilers Will Continue Until Morale Improves May 11, 2023

Show notes

This week it's time for... you guessed it... more card talk on The Dive Down. With Dave out, Stan and Shane do double duty with a look at the cards that stand tall in the Aftermath of MOM and ask the question: how many bulk rares do you have to sacrifice to despark a planeswalker? After that we take a quick trip to Middle Earth to talk about some tempting new information. Listen. Now. You've been tempted.

• Some Aftermath
• Some Rings
• A Pack is Cracked!

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:55 - Housekeeping
7:24 - The Dive Down begins: March of the Machine: Aftermath
13:02 - Coppercoat Vanguard
15:57 - Vesuvan Drifter
20:12 - Ayara's Oathsworn
24:32 - Nissa, Resurgent Animist
27:48 - Tranquil Frillback
30:47 - Jirina, Dauntless General
32:41 - Calix, Guided by Fate
35:58 - Narset, Enlightened Exile
40:02 - Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
42:54 - Pia Nalaar, Consul of Revival
45:08 - Sarkhan, Soul Aflame
49:07 - Samut, Vizier of Naktamun
51:52 - Some final thoughts on Aftermath
53:32 - LOTR spoilers continue
54:30 - The Ring Tempts You
1:00:04 - Call of the Ring
1:01:54 - Delighted Halfling
1:08:10 - The Wind Down! Crack-a-pack!
1:15:01 - 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 221: Deckfest 2 (Pioneer ed.): Gruul Elves & Boats, Dimir Rogues, Izzet Pyro, and Naya Tokens, ft. d00mwake May 04, 2023

Show notes

We kick off the show with a chat about a ton of Modern data that's been collected since the Yorion ban, and review matchups for the top decks in the format.

Then we dive into four new Pioneer decks d00mwake helped put together to keep experimenting with cards from March of the Machine. Stan takes another Elves deck through the grinder, but Gruul with dinosaurs? Devon then plays his own Gruul dino deck, but with Reckless Stormseekrs and Esika's Chariots. Dave draws a bunch of cards with blue convoke spells. And we make as many tokens as possible in Naya.

The Break Down: Modern data post Yorion ban!
The Dive Down: Pioneer deckfest featuring more March of the Machine!

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:35 - Housekeeping
6:26 - Modern Meta Data Since the Yorion Ban
8:05 - Prevalence Data
15:25 - Win Percentages
18:05 - Matchup Percentages
26:05 - Barrister and Mann Welcome Spring
32:19 - Pioneer Deckfest Begins!
33:00 - Spirits, Rogues, etc.
38:50 - Gruul Elves w/ Imperiosaur
47:44 - Gruul "No Boats" w/ Imperiosaur
51:29 - Is Pioneer Becoming a Faster Format?
58:05 - Izzet Pyromancer
1:10:10 - Rakdos Ghalta
1:13:34 - Naya Tokens
1:16:58 - Wrapping Up With an Iron Bru

Links from this week's episode:
Anael Yahi's Modern data extravaganza: https://twitter.com/YahiAnael/status/1650601983697362956?s=20
Gruul Dino Elves (http://www.streamdecker.com/deck/gPcr1x_SO ),
Gruul Dino no elves (http://www.streamdecker.com/deck/KMSs8DSJ9 ),
Izzet Pyro (http://www.streamdecker.com/deck/DAjXwnxt2 )
Naya Tokens (http://www.streamdecker.com/deck/zIofmKPnZ )

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

Episode 220: Sleeve/Believe/Heave: Decks Go Marching (Modern and Pio) Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

It's Sleeve Believe Heave week for new cards from March of the Machine. We play Modern and Pioneer with cards like Ancient Imperiosaur, Rona, Herald of Invasion, Fairie Mastermind, and more!

The Break Down: Four Modern decks!
The Dive Down: Some Pioneer decks too!

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN2023
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:45 - Sleeve/Believe/Heave: MOM in Modern
7:36 - Stan plays Kuldotha Aggro
20:50 - Dave plays Jeskai Prowess
34:24 - Stan plays Baral & Kari Zev
44:33 - Dave plays Jund Indomitable Creativity
53:13 - Adagio and Presto
57:07 - Sleeve/Believe/Heave: MOM in Pioneer
58:51 - Shane plays Sultai Rona Combo
1:21:35 - Dave plays Dimir Rogues
1:34:31 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:

Modern
Kuldotha Aggro: httdps://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5569038#paper
UR Prowess/YungDingo: https://www.streamdecker.com/deck/fOnU-Zwd-
Baral & Kari Zev: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5565460#paper
Jund Creativity: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5569004#paper

Pioneer
Sultai Rona Tandy Deck: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5570816#paper
Dimir Rogues: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5566886#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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 219: Pio d00m Brews & Modern SCG Richmond, ft. d00mwake Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

This week we get to look at the first paper Modern tournament featuring the new cards of March of Machines - the $20K Modern RCQ that took place in Richmond this past weekend. We go over the metagame, the performances, and the top 12 decks! Following that, d00mwake is back to talk to us about a bunch of brews he has for Pioneer, featuring some hot tech from MOM. Is Jeskai Ascendancy back? Is Invasion of Tarkir going to change Pioneer? We don't actually know yet, but we sure can hope!

The Break Down: Modern Keeps Being Modern
The Dive Down: Devon Brings the Brews
The Dive Down, cont: You'll Never Believe the Most Exciting 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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN2023
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:29 - Housekeeping
8:53 - The Break Down: The SCG Richmond $20K Modern RCQ
9:37 - The overall metagame
27:41 - The top 12
43:08 - Cool Decks, Inc.
48:18 - Taxes... stink?
51:40 - The Dive Down: d00m brews in Pioneer
54:02 - 4C Ascendancy
59:39 - Rona Ascendancy
1:05:03 - Sultai Rona
1:09:24 - Gruul Dragons
1:17:02 - 4C Dragons
1:22:33 - Gruul Fling
1:27:36 - Mono-Green Scales
1:32:58 - Sorin + Ghalta
1:40:05 - Wrapping up

Find d00mwake on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/d00mwake

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

Episode 218: These Machines Are Making Me Marchy, pt 2 Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

The boys are back for some more spicy takes and overall expectations for March of the Machine. We chat about some new instant speed draw spells, some potential combo shenanigans, and our called shots on the set's potential sleeper hits. We pay our respects to Archangel Espeth, theorycraft what type of Izzet spells deck can play the new convoke draw spells, and recap some of the crazy new combo omens via Omen Hawker.

The Break Down: Dave is back to tell us we did a good job
The Dive Down: Shane and Stan continue to do a good job

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN10
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

4:08 - Housekeeping
9:16 - March of the Machines spoilers, pt. 2
12:15 - Meeting of the Minds/Transcendent Message
16:53 - Archangel Elspeth
20:09 - Zephyr Singer
23:26 - Khenra Spellspear
29:10 - Invasion of Gobakhan
34:22 - Urabrask
40:03 - Polukranos Reborn
43:17 - Sunfall
46:55 - Ancient Imperiosaur
50:16 - Tax Time
53:22 - Voldaren Thrillseeker
56:44 - Omen Hawker
59:35 - Kroxa and Kunoros
1:02:26 - Ozolith, the Shattered Spire
1:04:19 - Our top picks from MOM
1:10:56 - Sleeper picks
1:18:21 - 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 217: These Machines Are Making Me Marchy, pt. 1 Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

There's a new card in town, and we're here to chat about Battles (including the band) during our first look at spoilers from March of the Machine, a Magic set that comes out in April...

We kick with a chat about Battles in particular, and the type of questions we're asking before we trying playing these brand new cards in decks. Then we look at some new additions including Baral & Kari Zev, Halo Forager, The Sword of Once and Future, Elesh Norn, and more!

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN10
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

5:01 - Housekeeping
9:31 - March of the Machine - Another Event Set!
13:09 - Battles are here!
21:26 - The spoilers begin, sort of
24:22 - Ayara, Widow of the Realm
29:28 - Baral and Kari Zev
34:35 - Surge of Salvation
38:35 - Bloodfeather Phoenix
44:19 - Elesh Norn
50:16 - Halo Forager
55:26 - Faerie Mastermind
59:32 - Sword of Once and Future
1:03:39 - Wrenn and Realmbreaker
1:08:00 - Invasion of Tarkir
1:10:57 - Invasion of Karsus
1:12:30 - Change the Equation
1:18:45 - 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 216: Rhinos Overrun NRG & Pure Modern Preview, ft. d00mwake Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Devon O'Donnell returns to help us break down the results of this weekend's NRG Chicago Modern and Pioneer trials. Then chat about d00mwake's own upcoming Pure Modern tournament and what to play in a tournament without Modern Horizon cards.

The Break Down: NRG Mundelein: More Trials Than Salem
The Dive Down: Elevator Constellation Triggers
The Dive Down, cont: The Purest of Modern Tournaments

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN10
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

4:40 - Housekeeping
6:40 - The Break Down: Shane & Devon talk NRG Mundelein
10:01 - The 2023 NRG Series structure
13:35 - The Modern 10k metagame
36:53 - The Modern top 8
45:13 - The Pioneer 5k metagame
55:19 - The Pioneer top 8
57:30 - The NRG leaderboard
59:38 - The Dive Down: Stan & Devon talk Pure Modern
1:14:44 - What's good in Pure Modern?
1:49:30 - 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 215: New Sets, First Looks: Shadows Over Hobbiton Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Sure it's 3 months away, but if that doesn't stop WOTC from sharing The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth spoilers, what should stop us from talking about the summer's straight to Modern set? We chat about Frodo, Samwise, Gollum and the One Ring, and somehow convince ourselves that maybe these cards can work in a deck with other lands and spells..?

Then we dust off our old Arena accounts to play some new Innistrad cards. We break down which decks get the biggest boost from the latest update, bringing Explorer one step closer to Pioneer. And take count of which decks still have a way to go due to critical, missing pieces.

The Break Down: One supplemental set to rule them all and in the darkness bind them
The Dive Down: Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered but not forgotten

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN10
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
7:20 - Housekeeping
8:50 - Do we want Hobbits to shake up Modern?
25:19 - How can we evaluate cards in the post-MH2 era?
31:50 - The One Ring
43:18 - Frodo, Sauron's Bane and Gollum, Patient Plotter
46:05 - Samwise, the Stouthearted
49:21 - Reprieve
53:50 - Mount Doom
57:03 - Live smelling experiences
1:00:23 - Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered is here!
1:13:53 - Are we back on Arena?
1:18:25 - What does Shadows Remastered do for Explorer?
1:21:00 - The Pioneer decks you can play on Arena now
1:25:30 - Golden Packs are sweet
1:27:37 - 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 214: Deckfest 1: Tyvar Sac, Spirits, Elves, Calibrated Blast, and Humans, ft. d00mwake Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Our international relations split today's show into two sections, and a new episode tradition was born. Join us for a multi-format look at some our favorite tribes, a new take on Calibrated Blast, and the latest version of Pioneer Sac. Listen in as Stan and Dave discuss what they've been up to in Modern and Pioneer over the last couple of weeks. Hint: it's in the title. After that Shane and Devon go deep on the new Pioneer Sac decklists featuring Tyvar. It's like two shows in one — enjoy the Deckfest 1!

• Stan Loves Pioneer Now!
• Dave Gets Weird in Modern!
• Shane & Devon Break Down Tyvar Sac in Pioneer!

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
Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN2023 for 15% off your first order of some incredible fragrances, soaps, beard oils, and more.
Get 10% off your first 2 months of ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use code THEDIVEDOWN10
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:52 - Housekeeping
7:03 - Dave and Stan played some MTG
8:22 - Stan played... Pioneer Elves???
21:00 - Stan also played... Pioneer Spirits!
33:24 - Dave played Mardu Calibrated Blast
46:35 - Dave also played Mono-White Humans... in Modern?!
57:29 - Coming home to some Barrister & Mann
1:00:40 - Shane and Devon talk Pioneer Golgari Sacrifice
1:08:36 - Tyvar in Golgari Sacrifice
1:13:06 - Some mana dorks
1:14:52 - The sac engines
1:27:08 - The fodder makers
1:34:05 - The Collected Company
1:39:20 - The mana
1:43:20 - The sideboard
1:44:45 - So how do you play this deck?
1:54:50 - Matchups and sideboarding
2:01:00 - Why play this deck?
2:05:31 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
• Pioneer Elves by XBoxGreg: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5391892#paper
• Pioneer Azorius Spirits by ScouterTF2: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5471488#paper
• Modern Cottage Blast by Aspiringspike: https://twitter.com/Aspiringspike/status/1631397428585693188?s=20
• Modern Mono-White Humans by HanktheObese: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5471479#paper
• Pioneer Golgari Sac by d00mwake: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5460137#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

Support The Dive Down

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected