The Mana Pool

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Episode 352 - The Last Two Clans Dec 25, 2014

Show notes

This week we're finishing up our series about the clans of Tarkir with a look at the Mardu and the Temur. Again, we're looking at what each clan is trying to do mechanically and examining how the colors and guilds that make up each clan help or hinder that goal. If you haven't, I recommend you listen to the last two episodes to hear how we handled the other three clans.

That's only part of the episode though! The final thoughts this time took on a life of their own. The discussions range from the new Ninja Turtles and Hobbit movies to Final Fantasy games throughout the years to some Hearthstone (of course), we covered a lot of ground in nerd culture.

Happy winter-holiday-of-your-choice to all of you listening! We appreciate you guys being with us!

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - Aria Di Mezzo Carattere (Opera Theme) from Final Fantasy VI by Nobuo Uematsu

This episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-352 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-352-the-last-two-clans-t1053.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 351 - Not A Single Ruth Was Given Dec 21, 2014

Show notes

We begin this episode with another insanely adorable Sam Quiz. After that there's a bit of discussion about the recent tournament rules change regarding revealing Morph creatures.

Then we return to last week's topic, taking on the Jeskai and Sultai clans. We're looking at how each clan's constituent colors/guilds and their abilities work towards the overall goal of the clan. And since the Jeskai and Sultai are so incredibly different, this episode was a lot of fun!

Morph tournament rule change: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/telliott/2014/12/12/changing-morph-handling-in-the-ipg/ Star Wars: Episode VII Trailer - George Lucas' Special Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93Jh6JNBng

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftband Break Music - Not today, Galvatron!

This episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-351 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-351-not-a-single-ruth-was-given-t1052.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 350 - We Ignored the Milestone Dec 12, 2014

Show notes

Yeah, we didn't really care that this was a big milestone episode. It's like we've done six other 50-episode increments!

We started off this episode with a bit of news, then go into one of Brian's Magic Mad Libs! This one was pretty funny, so we hope you guys enjoy. All the links for the news are down below!

From there, we dove into the main topic of the episode. You know, once we finally all got on the same page during the musical break. We're taking a deep look at the Abzan clan (not tribe!) of Tarkir. More specifically, we're looking at how the colors (and guilds) that make up the Abzan work with the Outlast mechanic. This is a pretty good mental exercise that allows us to look at the fundamentals and see how all the pieces fit together, which is pretty nice.

Kenny McCormick invited to the Pro Tour - http://magic.wizards.com/en/protour/frf/invitationsWord Championships coverage - http://magic.wizards.com/en/events/coverage/2014WCWorld Magic Cup coverage - http://magic.wizards.com/en/events/coverage/2014WMCModern Masters 2015 FINALLY announced - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/announcing-modern-masters-2015-edition-2014-12-08

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - I Won't Do What You Tell Me (Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance theme) by Jim JohnstonThis episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-350 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-350-we-ignored-the-milestone-t1051.htmlCheck out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 349 - Dorksgiving Commander Shenanigans Dec 07, 2014

Show notes

Happy Dorksgiving everyone! Before Thanksgiving, Brian invited us all over to his house to have a big meal and some Magic. He also invited our good friend (and Monday Night Magic cohost) Bill Bloodworth (Squee) to join us. During all that time, we wanted to do a new installment of our Commander Shenanigans series, which we do whenever a new Commander product is released. To keep it from becoming an extra-long monstrosity of an episode, and since there were five monocolored decks, we decided to play a game of Star. If you don't know what that is, don't worry - we explained it in the show.

Since the Dorksgiving portion of the show was not an extra-long monstrosity, it just didn't feel right. So we decided to put one of our Kickstarter backer rewards on here too! Two people took the "Send us a decklist and we'll play it" reward tier - Michael Serrahn and Rachel Franzen. Michael sent in a mono-white Avacyn, Angel of Hope equipment-based deck, and Rachel submitted her "hippy-dippy Trostani EDH deck". So Mike came over to Chewie's house and after a VERY long setup time (holy crap), we knocked out a few games as promised!

Follow Bill @SqueeGoblnNabob

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - Time Travel from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time by Mutsuhiko IzumiThis episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-349 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-349-dorksgiving-commander-shenanigans-t1050.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 348 - Virtua Street Combat Legend of Immortal Fist Tournament Nov 23, 2014

Show notes

It's back! We haven't done one of these flavor-fights in a long time, so here's how it works:- We use the Random Card button on Gatherer to find 8 creatures that go into a tournament bracket.- We take their art, flavor text, and abilities into account and ignore their power and toughness.- We argue with each other until we determine a winner!Here's the bracket for this tournament:Deadly Recluse vs. Blood Celebrant Aven Mimeomancer vs. Gnat Miser Tar Pit Warrior vs. Meglonoth Megatherium vs. Duskrider PeregrineIntro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - Guile's Theme from Super Street Fighter IIThis episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-348 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-348-virtua-street-combat-legend-of-immortal-fist-t-t1049.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 347 - The Dorks Then and Now Nov 14, 2014

Show notes

It's our seventh birthday here on The Mana Pool! To celebrate, we're taking a look back at where things were way back when we started. How our personal lives were going, how Magic was looking, that sort of thing. We then take a look at where we are now and where we're going, both with life and Magic. It's a more personal episode, with less Magic than usual, but very much worth the listen.

Also, Sam Quiz and Hearthstone included at no extra charge!

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - We don't take breaks here, this is serious business

This episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-347 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-347-the-dorks-then-and-now-t1048.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Three Questions: GP Vegas - Sunday pt 2 Nov 12, 2014

Show notes

We're back at GP Las Vegas! As always, I’m asking Three Questions to anyone willing to answer them, whether they’re a listener, judge, pro player, innocent bystander, or just someone that catches my eye.

The real purpose of this show, like most of the stuff I do, is to entertain you – the listener. Rather than asking the same old questions that everyone else does, I’m looking to give you a slightly more off-the-wall look into these Magic players and judges and what-have-you by catching them off guard and putting them on the spot.

This episode covers the middle part of Day 2, which was Sunday. I was in a mad rush to make sure I found as many people as I could, and it shows. The episode kicks off with well-known MTG cosplayer Christine Sprankle and never slows down! I've got a few judges: Bryan Prillaman (just hours before he went L3), Cluze, John Alderfer, and the very intimidating Sheldon Menery. I talked to several members of the MTG community at large like Lauren Lee, Jonathan Richmond (Norbert!), Spencer Howland, and Jason Alt. I found a few more pros I hadn't bothered yet too: Willy Edel, James Searles, Reid Duke, and Andrew Cuneo. And finally, I ran into a couple masses of degenerates including but not limited to: Slick Jagger, Matty Studios, GingerItalian, Time_Elemental, Sup Stevie, and the incomparable Kevy Metal.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know what your answers would be! And keep an eye out for the last batch of Three Questions from Grand Prix Vegas coming soon!

Your host: Chewie Twitter: @TheManaPool Email: chewie@mtgcast.comMusic: The Journey Continues by Kazunaka Yamane (from Double Dragon)

Episode 346 - Or Be Doomed to Repeat It Nov 08, 2014

Show notes

The dorks are talking history this time around - more specifically the history of all the legends and planeswalkers from the new Commander 2014 decks. Wonder who Titania and Freyalise are? Want to know what's up with Ob Nixilis and his many forms? Think way too much about Lorthos' deal? Well worry no more, as we've got all kinds of stuff to tell you! Except for Lorthos, there is no deal. Sorry.

Not only are we talking Commander, but there's also a fair amount of other news that cropped up since the last time we recorded, so I hope everyone learns something this week!

Links!Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora announced - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/announcing-duel-decks-elspeth-vs-kiora-2014-11-03Dragons of Tarkir announced - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/announcing-dragons-tarkir-2014-11-03New card images from PAX Australia panel - http://imgur.com/a/r473G/allCommander 2014 Card Image Gallery - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/en-day-1-2014-10-23Commander 2014 Deck Lists - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/commander-2014-edition-decklists-2014-10-31Commander 2014 Tokens pt 1 - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/commander-2014-edition-tokens-2014-10-28Commander 2014 Tokens pt 2 - http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arc/commander-2014-edition-tokens-part-2-2014-11-04The Story of Ob Nixilis - http://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/101238052859/is-the-commader-ob-nixilis-card-before-he-went-to

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - No time for love Dr. Jones

This episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-346 Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-346-or-be-doomed-to-repeat-it-t1046.html Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Episode 345 - It's Morphin' Time! Nov 02, 2014

Show notes

This episode is all about the mechanic that caused many headaches back in the day and has recently started again - Morph! We're stepping back all the way to the Onslaught block to tell you about its origins, then jumping forward to Time Spiral to look at some of the insanity there, then moving on to the current take on Morph and what they've done to make it less painful for everyone involved.

Of course we begin the episode with a very silly Sam Quiz, then we end on the first batch of Commander 2014 previews. Yay Commander things and stuff!

Commander 2014 Card Image Gallery: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/en-day-1-2014-10-23

Intro & Outro Music – Diamond by Swift – http://www.myspace.com/swiftbandBreak Music - Unsolved Mysteries Theme by Michael Boyd and Gary Remal Malkin

This episode’s post: http://themanapool.com/podcast/episode-345 Forum thread for this episode: Check out our archive at http://themanapool.com/category/podcast Email us at dorks@themanapool.com Follow us on Twitter at @TheManaPool Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheManaPool Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManaPoolTube Our Google+ page: http://gplus.to/themanapool Cardshark Member Promotions: http://www.cardshark.com/Promotions/Member-Promotions.aspx Subscribe to our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

Three Questions: GP Vegas Sunday pt 1 (& End of Saturday) Nov 01, 2014

Show notes

This episode covers the end of Day 1 and the beginning of Day 2! My trusty digital recorder was perfectly timed, not running out of storage space until the end of the night on Saturday. This episode I snagged a lot of awesome people to interview, including some high-level judges (including former Judgecast host Sean Catanese), a YouTuber from Top and Go Productions, Pro Tour Historian and (sorta) podcaster Brian David-Marshall, Director of OP for WotC Helene Bergeot, and Magic entertainers Reuben Bresler and Nathan Holt! Of course I hit some big pro players too - LSV, Ben Stark, David Ochoa, and Shahar Shenhar! I'm pretty sure I left a few out, sorry about that.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know what your answers would be! And keep an eye out for the next batch of Three Questions from Grand Prix Vegas coming soon!

Your host: Chewie Twitter: @TheManaPool Email: chewie@mtgcast.comMusic: The Journey Continues by Kazunaka Yamane (from Double Dragon)

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