The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Episode 193: Creativity Can't Be Stopped feat. Zach Ryl Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Today is the story of a deck that has been floating around for a long time in Modern, a deck that we won’t let Dave forget about, a deck that inspired us to invite our old pal Zach "Manacymbal" Ryl... that's right, it's time for a Indomitable Creativity deck dive.

We chat about some of the different versions of the deck floating around, including the 5 color version with Leyline Binding and Grixis, sideboard strategies, tips and tricks with individual cards, and more.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:

Housekeeping - 6:56
Early History of Creativity - 8:00
X=1 (Velomachus Turns) - 12:22
X=2 (MH2/Emrakul/Serra’s Emissary) - 16:30
X= up to 4 (Archon of Cruelty Emerges) - 19:00
Fable and Leyline Binding Emerge - 21:30
Flavors of Creativity - 24:15
How the Deck Works (or Doesn’t) - 27:19
Back Up Plans - 33:02
Enablers (W6 + Fable) - 35:14
Protection Spells/Teferi - 45:10
Interaction - 48:38
How To Be Creative - 53:22
Is W6 the backbone of creativity? - 55:00
Sequencing land drops - 58:10
How Creativity is positioned - 1:01:30
Closing out - 1:07:15:03

Links from this week's episode:

5C: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5136656#paper
Introduces Leyline Binding, Boseiju, Nature’s Claim, Veil of Summer
https://mtgmelee.com/Decklist/View/246731

4C/Temur: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5136649#paper

Grixis: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5133050#paper

Kanister's list: https://twitter.com/kanister_mtg/status/1575123839968747521/photo/1

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

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Episode 192: NRG Minneapolis & Trying Out Scapeshift & MonoG Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

This week Dave and Stan review the results from the NRG Modern $10K in Minneapolis, where 5c Creativity beat Rakdos Scam in the finals. We also chat about the Sunday Pioneer $5K results, and other data that's been shared from across the weekend. Then we dip our toes in a couple new Modern decks to see if we like playing Scapeshift or Mono-Green Devotion.

The Break Down: NRG Minneapolis Modern $10k and Pioneer $5k
The Dive Down: Trying Out Scapshift (Modern) & MonoG (Pioneer)

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
Housekeeping - 4:45
NRG Minneapolis Modern 10K - 7:07
Modern Metagame Breakdown - 10:00
Modern Top 8 - 29:15
NRG Pioneer $5K - 46:40
Tournament Winrates Across Decks - 58:00
Stan plays Scapeshift - 1:12:36
Dave plays Mono-Green Devotion - 1:28:22

Links from this week's episode:

https://mtgmelee.com/Tournament/View/10501

https://twitter.com/jekleckner/status/1574519024452763648?s=46&t=LFo9NVqh6FHt7ERhNQEOJg

https://twitter.com/jekleckner/status/1574527119706804240?s=21&t=wjnnmBpxc8xzQekdAoEOqQ

https://articles.nerdragegaming.com/the-nrg-championship-series/nrg-championship-trials-standings/

https://twitter.com/GR_DONKIN/status/1572390053556457472?s=20&t=9-72YkHS22jcINubKZ7X_A

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 191: My Sweet Lord(s): Goblins vs Merfolk vs Elves Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

The introduction of three new lords in Dominaria United was all the incentive we needed to do a tribal week on The Dive Down. We tested some Modern and a Pioneer deck featuring Leaf-Crowned Visionary, Vodalian Hexcatcher, and Rundvelt Hordemaster for another edition of Sleeve Believe Heave.

We also kick off the show with a preview of NRG Minneapolis by looking at the recent Modern results from the LMS Paris Grand Open Qualifier.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:55 - Housekeeping
7:13 - The Break Down - NRG Minneapolis preview
10:16 - Talking about the Modern Grand Open Qualifier data
26:22 - What are we thinking about NRG Minneapolis
34:53 - The Four Horsemen
37:44 - The Dive Down begins - Stan with Leaf-Crowned Visionary in Elves
56:22 - Shane with Vodalian Hexcatcher in Merfolk
1:15:47 - Dave with Rundvelt Hordemaster in Goblins
1:34:00 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
NRG Series Trial Weekend Minneapolis: https://articles.nerdragegaming.com/event/nrg-series-15000-trial-weekend-minneapolis-mn-2/

LMS Paris Data: https://twitter.com/mtg_data/status/1571942341631516672

GB Elves
Modern: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5105536#paper
Pioneer: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5088823#paper

Modern Merfolk: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5105541#paper

Modern Goblins: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5073113#paper

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 190: Domainaria & More: First Impressions of DMU Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

This week it takes two to make a thing go right! And by two we me Dave and Shane. And by thing we mean podcast. This podcast. Stan is out this week, so Dave and Shane talk about early impressions of Pioneer and Modern with access to the powerful cards of Dominaria United. Topics covered include: Leyline Binding, Rundvelt Hordemaster, Boglins, Sheoldred, and more.

Housekeeping: We Sent Out a Lot of Boxes
The Dive Down: We Talk About a Lot of Cards

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:19 - Housekeeping
6:56 - An ultra-short Break Down
7:50 - The Dive Down begins: Leyline Binding
31:03 - Rundvelt Hordemaster
37:30 - Serra Paragon
39:40 - Yotia Declares War/The Elder Dragon War
42:27 - Voldalian Hexcatcher
44:00 - Dave only wears Russian Leather
48:15 - The MIA cards from Dominaria United
53:11 - Liliana of the Veil
58:28 - Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
1:07:04 - Phoenix Chick
1:10:22 - Jaya, Fiery Negotiator
1:13:11 - Pain lands
1:14:40 - Some final thoughts
1:19:39 - Closing out

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 189: NRG in STL & Dominaria United, pt 2 (ft Jesse Robkin & Aspiringspike) Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

Fresh off an amazing weekend at the NRG tournament in St. Louis, Jesse Robkin joins us to break down the Team Trios Trial and the Modern 5K. Then our old pal Aspiringspike drops in to go over the remaining cards from Dominaria United that have potential for constructed play.

Jesse and team reached the finals of the NRG Team Trios Trial on Saturday, where she piloted Mono Green Devotion in the Pioneer seat. Then on Sunday, she pulled out her trusty Izzet Breach deck and made the finals again in the Modern 5K. She walks us through her touranments, lessons learned with the decks she played, and the overall metagame from the weekend's events.

Then for the second half of the show, Evart Moughon AKA Aspiringspike drops in to wrap up our discussion of Dominaria United, now that the full spoiler is live. We go over the tribal lords, the white interaction, and more!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:17 - Housekeeping
5:06 - Introducing Jesse Robkin
9:35 - The NRG Team Trios event through Jesse's eyes
22:28 - The NRG Team Trios meta
27:32 - The finals winners
29:08 - Taking Izzet Breach to the finals of the 5k
35:48 - The 5K top 8
39:21 - Jesse's parting thoughts
42:48 - Well water woes
45:56 - Aspiringspike is back!
49:01 - Spike's thoughts on Modern
56:58 - The cards we're most excited about: Leyline Binding
1:07:56 - Aether Channeler
1:13:31 - Soul of Windgrace
1:18:25 - Founding the Third Path
1:23:48 - Balmor, Battlemage Captain
1:25:09 - Leafcrown Visionary
1:28:02 - Vodalian Hexcatcher
1:30:38 - Rundvelt Hordemaster
1:34:02 - Some cards we are excited for in Pioneer
1:44:53 - Temporary Lockdown and Karn's Sylex
1:47:43 - Good stuff for Pioneer or Modern if you're lucky: Serra Paragon
1:50:35 - Electrostatic Infantry
1:54:01 - Shore Up
1:55:54 - Ghitu Amplifier
1:58:38 - Academy Loremaster
2:00:23 - What we are excited for in Dominaria
2:03:55 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
Find Jesse Robkin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiddypills
Find Aspiringspike on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aspiringspike
Find Aspiringspike on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Aspiringspike

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 188: Dominaria United Untied: Spoilers, Part 1 Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

This week it's all about the first batch Dominaria United spoilers as Dave and Shane talk through what cards have caught our eye so far. How much of a lock is Temporary Lockdown? Does Cut Down make the cut? What other cards does Shane think aren't constructed worthy imo. imo bb. But before we get into all that we get a special RCQ report from Stan (still on vacation!) where he takes us through his last days of being a horn dog (and a top 8 finish!) in Green Bay. Dave and Shane also quickly check in on Frank Karsten's first pass at making sense of the modern meta.

Part 1: Our Final Horndog Update... For Now?
Part 2: A Frank Discussion About Modern
Part 3: A Lockdown, A Sylex, & More

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:44 - Housekeeping
8:22 - Stan talks his final (???) RCQ
29:02 - Frank Karsten analyzes the Modern meta
45:40 - Previewing the NRG Team Trio event
50:58 - A touch of patchouli
53:54 - Dominaria United spoilers begin
58:06 - Tolarian Terror, Writhing Necromass, Urborg Lhurgoyf
1:03:53 - Temporary Lockdown
1:09:53 - Karn's Sylex
1:13:55 - Rundvelt Hordemaster
1:17:03 - Founding the Third Path
1:19:45 - Phoenix Chick
1:23:33 - Cult Conscript
1:25:20 - Jaya, Fiery Negotiator
1:30:05 - Cut Down
1:31:52 - Astor, Bearer of Blades
1:35:06 - Rona's Vortex
1:37:20 - Shivan Devastator
1:39:02 - Twinferno
1:41:20 - Raff, Weatherlight Stalwart
1:43:30 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
Frank Karsten's Modern Meta Breakdown, 8/18: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/metagame-mentor-modern-roundup-august-2022

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 187: Liliana, Pain Lands, & Frank Karsten Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

Our exciting first bit of Dominaria United spoilers are here, and the gang reacts to the addition of three new allied pain lands, Liliana of the Veil coming to Pioneer, and more.

We also kick off the show with a Rhino tournament report from... Shane! The one and only took the deck out for his first Modern RCQ and did not disappoint us. Then we wrap up the episode with a discussion of a fascinating new article from our favorite Magic mathematician, Frank Karsten, who's latest foray into metagame reporting provides a new framework for deck and tournament analysis in the winner's metagame.

Part 1: Shane Says Things About Rhinos
Part 2: Stan Says Things Under Embargoes
Part 3: Dave Says Things About Adjusting Wins

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:38 - Housekeeping
7:32 - Shane talks his RhinoCQ
42:03 - Early Dominaria United spoilers begin
44:45 - The mechanics of Dominaria
48:21 - The World Spell
53:08 - Liliana of the Veil is back!
1:03:26 - The painlands are also back!
1:11:36 - The Phasing of Zhalfir
1:13:07 - Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
1:16:02 - Frank Karsten is our new Metagame Mentor
1:27:21 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
Shane's RCQ Rhinos deck: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5022278#paper
Frank's Pioneer Metagame Mentor: https://magic.gg/news/metagame-mentor-pioneer-metagame-roundup-august-2022

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 186: These Ends Were Made for Living, ft. Chris Castro-Rappl Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

CCR from MTG Grindcast joins us to talk about all things Living End. On the heels of his RCQ win with the deck, Chris helps us break down the cards, the sickest plays, how to beat common hate strategies, and more!

In another classic deck dive and pseudo follow-up to our recent episode on Rhinos, we discuss why the two cascade decks are fundamentally different, even though they share a common core. Chris was the perfect guest for this episode, not only because he's a seasoned podcaster with excellent mic technique, but he's been mastering various shades of Living End for years before Modern Horizons 2 took it to the top of the metagame.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code "DIVE8" at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
5:54 - Housekeeping
10:10 - The Dive Down begins - Living End with CCR!
16:18 - How Living End works
19:38 - The construction of the deck
25:18 - The Cascade engine
30:10 - Using the Cyclers (and a discussion about graveyard hate)
44:20 - CCR's approach to post-board games
46:13 - Back to the Cyclers
49:59 - The Elementals
57:08 - The lands
59:08 - The sideboard
1:09:53 - Strategic tips n' tricks - when to cycle?
1:14:06 - Using Grief
1:21:05 - When to Violent Outburst
1:25:34 - Mulliganing
1:29:04 - Matchups and sideboarding - 4 Color
1:39:46 - Most creature-based decks
1:42:52 - Izzet Murktide
1:47:15 - Other big matchups
1:50:11 - Our overall thoughts on Living End
1:57:52 - Let's talk Chris!
2:01:51 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
https://twitter.com/CCR_Grindcast

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 185: NRG Chicago: It's-a Me, Yorion. Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

This week it's all about the NRG Championship Series event in Chicago. We dive deep into the data, the most popular decks, the sickest plays, and the cherished friendships that make an event like this possible. We go over the top 10 (or so) decks of the weekend, break down the overall metagame, talk with a few players from the floor of the tournament, and hear how Stan did in the swiss (spoiler: pretty well!).

Intro: Number One Horn Player Meets Captain Cascade
The Break Down: Pivots and Points Per Pilot
The Break Down, 2: What Do We Think Now?

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

Timestamps:
4:23 - Housekeeping
9:04 - The Chicagoland NRG Modern 10k - Stan's tournament report
18:16 - The tournament meta report
24:50 - Stan talks to Zach Allen
34:21 - Stan talks to Jesse Robkin
41:25 - Back to the meta report
57:10 - Stan talks to Will Krueger
1:03:59 - More meta
1:14:22 - Beard talk
1:17:48 - Stan talks to Norman Cohen
1:29:37 - The top 8
1:33:38 - Cool Decks, Inc
1:37:11 - Parting thoughts

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 184: These Foots Were Made For Crashing Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Temur Rhinos are craschading onto this week's show, in a classic deck dive into the midrangy combo deck. Plus a preview of the upcoming Nerd Rage Series Modern Trial in Mundelein! Stan's been playing a lot of Rhinos lately, and some recent discounts on Force of Negation finally got Shane to pull the trigger on buying the deck. So Dave said "let's do a deck dive!" and in the ensuing practice matches, we discovered an amazing thing... everyone loves playing this deck! We also kick off the episode with some metagame predictions and leaderboard check-in ahead of this weekend's Nerd Rage Series Modern Trial in Mundelein.

The Break Down: NRG: Chicago Preview
The Dive Down: A Deck We Can All Agree On
The Dive Down, cont: Crashing in for the Win

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Check out our sponsor Barrister and Mann! https://www.barristerandmann.com/ Use code THEDIVEDOWN15 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 "THEDIVEDOWN15"

Timestamps:
1:38 - Housekeeping
6:58 - The Break Down begins: The NRG Modern 10k trial preview
11:48 - The potential NRG metagame
19:48 - What will the season leaders be playing?
23:00 - The Barbers of Seville
25:45 - The Dive Down begins - These Rhinos are Making me Crashy!
31:13 - What is this deck all about?
38:29 - The construction of the deck
42:14 - The interaction
50:50 - Additional threats and interaction
53:58 - Flex spots
58:43 - The sideboard
1:06:37 - Sweet plays and protips
1:10:44 - Keep or mull
1:16:14 - How to tempo your opponent out
1:24:16 - Buying yourself some time
1:28:15 - Matchups
1:37:03 - Sideboards
1:40:00 - Other Rhino variants
1:42:59 - Our takes on Rhinos
1:49:58 - Closing out

Links from this week's episode:
The NRG Chicago Modern 10k: https://articles.nerdragegaming.com/event/nrg-series-15000-trial-weekend-chicagoland-il/
Crashing Footfalls: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/4963081#paper

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

Watch us stream our episodes every Sunday night at 8pm Central: https://www.twitch.tv/thedivedown_shane

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

Support The Dive Down

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