The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Episode 321: Pioneer Comes to Arena! Mostly! May 16, 2025

Show notes

This week we take a little break from Modern and dip our toes back into Pioneer, thanks to its official premier on Arena. The team discusses our impressions of Pioneer right now, our impressions of Arena right now, and, finally — you guessed it — our impressions of Pioneer on Arena right now. Dave uses his artist's talent to bring back the birbs. D00mwake finds some affinity for artifacts in Pio and Modern. Stan capably moderates a spicy discussion while remaining a healthy distance from any gem-based economies.

• Camping Out
• Checking Back in on Pioneer
• A Little Modern Affinity as a Treat

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

Timestamps:
7:10 - This week's episode/housekeeping
11:10 - Pioneer is (finally) on Arena (mostly) - what you need to know
1:00:29 - Did Devon crack Affinity in Modern?
1:07:12 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
Pioneer Izzet Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7099222#paper
Pioneer Hammer: https://moxfield.com/decks/-aHoUVoJD0a778bxN0RFqw
Pioneer Metalwork Colossus: https://moxfield.com/decks/ANu8uz3DBEOE282I83OPgg
Modern Jeskai Affinity: https://moxfield.com/decks/KhQsrh4AX0GqFn4d7EAkbw

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

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Episode 320: RC Minn & What's Modern All About? May 08, 2025

Show notes

This week we discuss a bunch of goings on from the weekend — Devon's trip to Minneapolis, Stan's trip to a local RCQ, and Dave's (power) trip about being the editor this week. We get into: 1) the last few cards in Devon's main deck in Standard and how he got there, 2) how Stan really feels after top 4'ing with 4x Voice of Victory in his Energy deck, and 3) one of the WILDEST Cool Decks, Inc. lists we've seen in awhile.

• More Prowess in Standard
• More Stats in Modern
• More Energy & Prowess in Modern

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 THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
3:00 - A Vertical Pickle Tasting
9:37 - Housekeeping
12:10 - Devon Goes Standard Prowess in Minneapolis
27:14 - Modern in Minneapolis
32:26 - A Single Cool Decks, Inc.
36:55 - Devon Goes Modern Prowess in Minneapolis
41:45 - Stan's RC Energy Experience — Top 4!
45:00 - A Few Thoughts on Affinity
47:50 - Modern is About: Big Dudes

Links from this week's episode:
Devon's Standard Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/272e9291-d938-4154-8603-b2d10033ae00
FabianPhyrexian's WUBRG Aggro List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/468d2c5f-40f9-42e9-8c97-b2d300d57352
Devon's Modern Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/4a859a46-0eaf-4269-aa8c-b2d2017f1e6e

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

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Episode 319: Dragonstorm Standard, Modern, and Draft May 01, 2025

Show notes

On this week's show, D00mwake walks us through his prep with Standard Prowess ahead of the Minneapolis RC. Then Stan goes over his top 8 finish at a Modern RCQ with Boros Energy. And Dave teaches us about Dragonstorm draft picks with Stan's prize packs.

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 THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
7:00 - This week's episode/housekeeping
11:02 - The Dive Down begins: Devon's playing a Standard RC
26:47 - Stan played in an RCQ
48:58 - Dave's limited corner
52:27 - Crack-a-pack(s)!
1:06:53 - 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

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Episode 318: Cori-Steel Appreciation Podcast #1 Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

On this week's show, we tried a handful of new cards from Dragonstorm: Tarkir, but Cori-Steel Cutter continues to cut through the competition. Stan plays Jeskai Affinity, Dave plays Tron, and D00mwake casually top 8s an RCQ with Prowess. Plus results from the Laughing Dragon Modern $20K!

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 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
8:35 - This week's episode/housekeeping
12:04 - The Dive Down begins
13:41 - The Laughing Dragon Modern $20K RCQ
22:45 - Devon's takes on Izzet Prowess
37:08 - Stan's takes on Jeskai Affinity
50:47 - Dave's takes on Ugin, Eye of the Storms
1:06:53 - 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

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Episode 317: We Found the Good Cards (Dragonstorm ed.) Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Dragonstorm: Tarkir has some wild cards and on this week's show, we've played with a few of them! Stan and D00mwake have a blast posting their Ws with Voice of Victory. Dave cuts steel with Cori-Steel Cutter. We also mess with some Flamehold Grappler, Stormscale Scion, and Tersa Lightshatter.

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 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
5:41 - This week's episode/housekeeping/a listener question
12:51 - The Dive Down begins: We played with new cards!
13:33 - Voice of Victory
27:25 - Flamehold Grappler
34:58 - Stormscale Scion
44:58 - Cori-Steel Cutter
54:05 - Mardu Pixie in Standard
59:20 - Tersa Lightshatter
1:03:23 - 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

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Episode 316: The Quiet Before the Dragonstorm Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

We looked at nine Magic Online Modern Challenges that fired in the unique week between a Modern ban and Dragonstorm: Tarkir's online debut. On this week's show, we benchmark the current Modern format, and look ahead at some possible new tech from the upcoming set.

Boros Energy is back on top but Eldrazi is not far behind. Can combo, midrange, or even control decks carve out a place for themselves in the format as Modern RCQ season goes into full swing? Will Ugin, Eye of the Storms put Tron back on the map? Is Stock Up poised to make a splash in Modern? What's the new Mox Opal deck? Tune in for another lively episode of ~~What's In Your Mouth?~~ The Dive Down!

• The Shortest Meta
• Rising Energy
• A Dragon Denouement

Timestamps:
5:18 - This week's episode/Dave's Tarkir Prelease/Housekeeping
15:24 - The Dive Down begins: The latest happenings in the Modern meta
34:21 - Cool Decks, Inc
45:40 - How will the meta change going forward?
1:02:43 - Wrapping up

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 THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code 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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 315: Underworld, Breached Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

This week we react to one of the least surprising bans in recent Modern history and say goodbye to Underworld Breach. Dave, Devon, and Stan react, make predictions about what we think is next, and talk a little about unbans and why they might not have happened this time. Once we finish up with Modern, we take a quick peek at Pioneer/Explorer (what is even going on there?) and answer a listener question about RCQ prep.

• A Modern Ban
• A Pioneer Break
• Some RCQ Prep

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 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
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 - This week's episode/housekeeping
11:16 - The Dive Down begins: Underworld Breach is banned in Modern
25:50 - The ban soapbox corner
29:57 - Other bans also happened
33:34 - What's happening in Explorer and Standard?
44:53 - Dave says goodbye to Aetherdrift limited
47:12 - The Wind Down begins: How do we prepare for RCQs?
1:02:14 - 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

Support The Dive Down

What's That In Your Pocket, Level 5: Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Today's the day we take What's That In Your Pocket public! Formerly a Patreon exclusive, you can now find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy pods! Join us every 2 weeks as we get together to talk about handheld gaming and technology. Come hang out as we explore the wild world of handhelds together!

In this episode Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct announcement is finally here, and we're along for the ride with our analysis and hot hot takes regarding the upcoming system. Listen in as we talk the hardware, upcoming games, and ... the price we'll have to pay to enjoy it.

Timestamps:
3:41 - Launch dates and pricing
10:25 - The hardware and some new social features
26:25 - The games!
31:10 - The cost of Switch 2 upgrades
36:31 - Mario Kart World
41:16 - Launch games and launch thoughts

Direct links to subscribe to WTIYP:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fiKmU1twCxUNKONu8Pgfa?si=5e684f0638384327
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-that-in-your-pocket/id1806174767
Add our RSS feed directly to your podcast app of choice: https://feeds.fireside.fm/whatsthatinyourpocket/rss

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Episode 314: Staying Busy Until Bans & Dragons Burn it All Down Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

On this week's show, we discuss how to approach deck practice in Modern and Standard even though both formats are about to see significant changes. Stan plays some Living End and Jeskai Energy, d00mwake plays Lumbering Worldwagon in as many decks as possible. Plus some Dragonstorm: Tarkir spoilers!

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 THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
4:56 - This week's show/housekeeping
9:23 - The Dive Down begins: Talking Modern bans/unbans
30:14 - Some Standard discussion
50:04 - More Tarkir: Dragonstorm spoilers
1:06:54 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
Gruul Hawk: https://moxfield.com/decks/STjZ2b_B7UOIB518BQYpLg
Selesnya Wagon: https://moxfield.com/decks/8XnQjL4pS0qgKD8eAYqUzw
Boros Monument: https://moxfield.com/decks/ycv8IOlQ2UKDxOhuli2phQ
Gruul midrange: https://moxfield.com/decks/o2UKm5ROIUGGXgDfAlQviA

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

Support The Dive Down

Episode 313: Is Ugin Sexy Enough to Save Modern? Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

On this week's show, we review the coolest decks from the Hunter Burton Memorial Open, the Spotlight Series in Utrecht, and the Southeast Asia RC in Bangkok. Then we wrap with a first look at Dragonstorm: Tarkir and admire yoked Ugin.

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 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
6:18 - This week's episode/housekeeping
12:28 - The Dive Down begins: It's time to talk Modern (again)
14:56 - Modern observations following Modern events, and Cool Decks, Inc.
46:38 - Some Tarkir Dragonstorm spoilers
1:04:04 - 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

Support The Dive Down

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