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The Mana Pool — Games & Hobbies
The Mana Pool

Chewie, Mike, Brian, and Dirk have been talking about Magic: The Gathering on the internet for almost 10 years (at the time of this writing). Since there are so many shows about strategy and tournaments, these dorks focus on all the fun you can have with the game outside of that, from flavor to philosophy to game design to history to whatever else we can come up with. We’re funny, we’re serious about what we do, and we love it!

Latest Episodes:

Episode 495 - Ten Years Make a Difference Feb 04, 2018

Show notes

The dorks put TWO sets under the Mythic Conscription microscope, focusing on Homelands, originally part of Ice Age block, and Coldsnap, the eventual finish to the Ice Age block! With over a decade between the two releases, card and set design changed a lot, so let's take a look at each one and see what the differences are!

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-495 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 494 - Friendly Bannings Jan 28, 2018

Show notes

Has your playgroup ever issued a ban on certain cards or combinations of cards? Have you ever made the decision to stop playing something because, while it might have been effective, it just wasn't FUN? That's what the dorks are discussing this week with our own experiences playing lots of Magic as a group over the years.

Also WotC has revealed the structure of MTG Arena's in-game economy and card acquisition, so we spent some time going over all that. Seems workable, so we can't wait to see how it feels!

MTG Arena Economy: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-digital/developing-mtg-arena-economy-2018-01-17

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-494 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 493 - RIX Prerelease Field Recordings Jan 21, 2018

Show notes

It's time! Chewie & Mike went to the Rivals of Ixalan Prerelease, so that means the handy digital recorder went too! We recorded our thoughts & experiences after deckbuilding and after each round, with a super special surprise in round 1! What did Chewie do that was incredibly impressive? What insane bomb did Mike not play? Listen to find out!

After the tourney we went to have celebratory Mexican food, but we didn't record that.

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-493 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 492 - Horned Turtle Treasure Pirate Jan 14, 2018

Show notes

The full Rivals of Ixalan set is upon us! The dorks spend this episode going through the Card Image Gallery picking out more sweet cards that we feel like talking about! There are a few reprints from Ixalan in Rivals of Ixalan, let's talk about that. Also the RIX rules update happened. Also Patrick Sullivan rants about Ravenous Chupacabra. Also we miss Brian.

Rivals of Ixalan Card Image Gallery - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/rivals-of-ixalan Rivals of Ixalan Update Bulletin - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/rivals-ixalan-update-bulletin-2018-01-11 Patrick Sullivan on Game Design - http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/patrick_sullivan_on_game_desig.html

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-492 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 491 - Rivals of Insanity Jan 07, 2018

Show notes

The dorks are back! We have returned from our holiday break just in time to take a look at the insane cards from Rivals of Ixalan! Seriously, have you looked at these? There's a lot of concentrated awesome going on here. The mythics seem to be nuts. We have a cycle of Elder Dinosaurs.

Elder.

Dinosaurs.

So awesome!

Rivals of Ixalan Card Image Gallery - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/rivals-of-ixalan

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-491 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 490 - For the Alliance(s)! Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

It's the final TMP of 2017! We're talking about the newly revealed Rivals of Ixalan mechanic, Ascend. Then we have to talk about the end of Duel Decks, and how that's sad but not terribly sad.

The bulk of the episode is a Mythic Conscription for Alliances, the follow-up to Ice Age. This set...this set, man. It's uh...it's a set. Of cards. It's a tough one for the MC treatment because some of these cards are just..lame. Also, Force of Will? Uncommon. That's important.

We hope everyone enjoys the end of their year and any holiday celebrations you may partake in! Let's make 2018 awesome!

Ascend w/ Vona's Hunger - https://twitter.com/mtgaaron/status/942870273652436992 Duel Decks/Challenger Decks announcements - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/challenger-decks-and-final-duel-decks-2017-12-18 Some Disassembly Required - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/inkwell/gift-necromagi-2017-10-17

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-490 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 489 - Oh Is THAT What That Stands For? Dec 17, 2017

Show notes

We're back after Chewie's vacation! We begin with a Sam Quiz, like you do after a week off. We've got surreal Unstable variants to talk about. Like a lot of them. Holy crap these are insane. Then there's a tiny bit of Rivals of Ixalan. Then we have a long but well worth it listener submitted Magic Mad Lib, sent to us by Mike XIV. Thanks man!

We end the episode with some final thoughts as always. We have thoughts of bad news, of hope, of thanks, and of winning with your chin on the table. We love you all, and we're glad to have you with us!

Unstable Card Image Gallery - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/unstable Unstable Variants - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/unstable-variants-2017-12-06 Everythingamajig art, annotated - https://i.redd.it/4gldht8dbq201.jpg Rivals of Ixalan promos - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/rivals-ixalan-promos-packaging-and-more-2017-12-11

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-489 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 488 - The Terrible & the Ridiculous Dec 03, 2017

Show notes

We begin this episode on a much less happy note and address the current ugly situation in the Magic online community. Seriously though, why is it so hard to just be decent to people?

Then it's on to the Unstable cards! We're bouncing around looking at whatever jumps out at us in the full set. And since there's just SO MUCH lunacy in the set, there are plenty of things to do the jumping. Like a lot. Wow.

For reals, just be decent to each other. It's not hard.

Open Letter from Pro Players - http://www.starcitygames.com/article/36242_An-Open-Letter-From-Members-Of-The-Professional-Magic-Scene-To-The-Magic-Community-At-Large.html Unstable Card Image Gallery - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/unstable Unstable FAQAWASLFAQPAFTIDAWABIAJTBT - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/unstable-faqawaslfaqpaftidawabiajtbt-2017-11-22 Unstable Tokens - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/tokens-unstable-2017-11-21

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-488 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 487 - Doom Has No Snooze Button! Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

On this episode of TMP, the dorks are giving a eulogy. Actually it's another Mad Lib by lvl99luck, but it'll make sense when you listen to it. Good night, sweet Rogue Kavu.

After that we're off to talk about Unstable! It's the first Un set in the podcast's lifetime, and we're all over it. We're making sense of all the jargon surrounding Contraptions, explaining Rules Lawyer, and taking turns making Chewie fall out laughing. Join us!

Unstable Card Image Gallery - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/unstable Unstable Mechanics, pt 2 - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-preview/unstable-mechanics-2017-11-13 Re: Female Spike - http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167547562988/greetings-mr-rosewater-may-i-ask-why-spike-is Full Contraption Art - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-magic/un-ending-saga-part-2-2017-11-13

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-487 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

Episode 486 - Ten Years! Nov 10, 2017

Show notes

Happy Birthday TMP! After ten whole years of talking Magic almost every week, the dorks have decided to take a week off. Not from podcasting, from Magic-talking. Since we've been going for so long, we're looking back at the world of 2007 to see how things were back then. From there we sort of tangent off into things we've been into since then, things we're into now, and how we're all completely different people than we were back when. This episode is essentially an extended Odds & Ends, without the swearing.

Thank you all so much for sticking with us for so long! We absolutely wouldn't (and couldn't!) do it without you, and you mean the world to us. Here's to many more!

The Out-of-Time Commander Mention - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/casual-formats-2008-08-11 The New DailyMTG - https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/new-dailymtg-2017-11-09

Support us on Patreon! – https://www.patreon.com/themanapool

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – https://myspace.com/swiftband

This episode's post: themanapool.com/podcast/episode-486 Check out our archive at themanapool.com/category/podcast Subscribe to us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TheManaPool Follow us on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/themanapool Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/themanapool Email us at dorks@themanapool.com TMP Steam Group: steamcommunity.com/groups/themanapool Subscribe to our RSS feed: feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Brought to you by Mana Pool Productions

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