The Princes of Pauper

Latest Episodes:

The Return of the Prince! Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Mike is Back! Rich is victorious (in one format at least), and the Princes talk Pauper metagame post Paupergeddon! Rich's Wall Spy: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/1b54f448-f7a4-4129-bb7b-b4220066b0f9 Ruby Storm by Data Pusher: https://moxfield.com/decks/05NObETYKUSEh3cPUE0EKA

Familiars Deep Dive with Kalikaiz Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Rich sits down with Kalikaiz who very patiently explains how Pauper Familiars works to a clueless Rich. They talk the different flavors of Fams, tricky Fams lines, and how you too can break into one of Pauper's most rewarding archetypes. Fams list: https://moxfield.com/decks/a__QgyuLsU-JsewyCLXBmw Kalikaiz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kalikaiz

Synth Gates Deep Dive Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

New York Pauper League Champion Colin Hostetter joins Rich this week: They talk about the innovative Synth Gates deck that Colin used to take down Season 4. Colin beat Mike so badly in the League playoffs that Mike didn't show up for this one, but will grudgingly add some links that Rich asked him to ("for the listeners, before they ask" or something). Colin's deck list: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/26efb639-a9a0-4a55-8beb-b3f101529475 The Upstate New York Pauper Open: https://www.spicerack.gg/events/3008876 "Are they paying us for this?" -Mike "No Mike, no one is paying us." -Rich "Shrug emoji." -Mike

Belief and Luck Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

It's an emergency episode of The Princes of Pauper! Rich has ended his damnable streak, defeating Mike at League... and wants everybody to know about it! Dimir is the best, Mike is the worst. As Mike has found an all-new way to lose (this time with the Wall Spy combo deck) we've added a classic episode, a la Ancestral Recall to this very special episode.

Elves Deep Dive with Bill Ellis!! Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

"Elves is terrible!" says the Light Prince*. "Another 1-2!" agrees the Dark Prince**. Such The Princes of Pauper has become a hotbed of Elves slander. Yet... Elves is one of the most popular decks in League play, recently won a Large SCGCon event, etc. Might Rich and Mike be missing something good about the Little Green Men? So we enlist absolute Elves assassin Bill Ellis!! for a deep dive on one of the most powerful and popular decks in Pauper (just one that hasn't served us quite yet). * Listen to the podcast! ** See the above note.

A Victory Lap Potpourri Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Mike takes a victory lap after his first-place finish at The NYCIS Heavy Play Championship (which, was, in fact, one-third Pauper; Mike played Dimir Terror). This episode scratches the surface of the Pauper Elves experience from both Mike's perspective and Rich's, updates and innovations to decksandthecity.org (shout out to Mike Evans) and is mostly an avalanche of love and admiration for the NYC Pauper community. Did we mention Mike won the big one though?

A Dimir Terror Deep Dive Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

In the vein of Ancestral Recall Mike starts out with the ancient mother ship article "UB Trippin'" and then challenges Rich to apply it to contemporary Pauper. How does the 1997 "Xerox" strategy innovated by Hall of Famer Alan Comer inform not just Dimir Terror... But so many great decks in Pauper? Find out, and how not to cast an Arms of Hadar in our latest podcast.

A Mono-Blue Terror Deep Dive Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

So Rich lent Mike his Mono-Blue Terror deck for a recent League tournament... To great result. Mike is hooked on playing Brainstorm and Counterspell again (not to mention casting "cantrip Black Lotuses") in one of the Pauper format's most popular decks. Check out this deep dive, Rich's recent innovations (goodbye Delver of Secrets) and Mike's unhinged plan for the mirror match.

Introducing... The Princes of Pauper Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes-professional Magic: The Gathering player Mike Flores joins professional game designer Rich Bucey on an adventure into "the people's format" ... Pauper! Join Mike and Rich as they battle week in and week out in one of Magic's best formats, armed with commons. What makes people love Pauper? We think this episode might tell you. Or at least why we love it!

Premodern Landstill Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Mike wins a Premodern meetup with the popular Control strategy. Learn all about this important deck, from Magic's bestest format.

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