Q&A for episode 568
Added 2020-10-29 18:56:07 +0000 UTCHey All,
Luis and I are doing our Q&A episode today so if you want a question answered on it, fire away here and we’ll get to as many as we can.
Mostly anything goes for the questions, so don’t be afraid to ask!
- Marshall
Comments
I remember an old sign off where LSV talked about his weight loss through the lens of magic (empty soda calories were like sleeving up a 50 card limited deck) and Marshall has mentioned his condo several times as well. What are some other real life ways in which the nuts and bolts spike mentality has benefited you?
Jackson Lipfert
2020-10-30 11:59:48 +0000 UTCThanks so much for answering guys. Really hit the nail on the head with it. Appreciate the in-depth response.
Andrew Raia
2020-10-30 00:32:27 +0000 UTCHow much value is there in seeing the opponents hand on discard spells? Would you agree, that for less skilled players that value is higher?
Peter Sievert
2020-10-29 22:00:08 +0000 UTCPlease let there be a power ranking of Halloween candy, Happy Halloween mates!
Matt Jeziorski
2020-10-29 21:19:12 +0000 UTCWhen a color or archetype in a format is deep, especially at common, I struggle to tell if it is open. For example, in a recent draft, I went roil eruption into grotag night-runner into another roil eruption into rockslide sorcerer into spikefield hazard. I thought “cool, red is open and I’m solidified into red now.” Those were the last good red cards I picked and I ended up with a D level Wizards deck. Are these sort of trainwrecks inevitable or do you have any advice?
Jonathan Montgomery
2020-10-29 21:13:32 +0000 UTCHey guys! In terms of constructed power level, vintage>legacy>modern>pioneer>historic>standard. How would the different cube formats slot in? Are vintage cube draft decks more powerful than modern constructed decks? Curious for your opinion! Thanks.
Jaeger
2020-10-29 20:56:29 +0000 UTCHey Marshall and Luis, I am wondering whether you guys would consider yourselves “readers,” and if so what sort of literary content appeals to you? Fiction? Non-fiction? Narrative non-fiction? Any favorite books or novels? What are the Marshall-iest and LSV-iest books you can think of?
Michael Bennett
2020-10-29 20:54:26 +0000 UTCIn the spirit of Halloween, do either of you guys have a ghost story or something spooky to share? The scariest thing I’ve seem is someone on stream play a Cleric of Life’s Bond on turn 2 instead of the Gloomhunter in hand. Thanks for everything guys!
Tommy
2020-10-29 20:37:00 +0000 UTCHey guys, wondering if you have any tips for introducing new players to drafting? And any recent sets that stick out as being particularly new player friendly?
Ivy Yandell
2020-10-29 20:19:16 +0000 UTCIf you need rules, half court, make it take it, shots are 1, threes are 2 and call your own fouls.
Ryan Glinski
2020-10-29 20:08:19 +0000 UTCHave you guys been to London? Any cool things you did while you were there?
Chris Fisher
2020-10-29 20:07:44 +0000 UTCIn a round robin of one on one pickup basketball with Marshall, Luis and Cedric Phillips, who beats who any by what margin?
Ryan Glinski
2020-10-29 20:07:14 +0000 UTCHello Marshall and Louis, so when can we expect among us resources? Also a more serious question, Why in a time where competitive formats are restricted more then ever (due to only having pro events on arena) has magic pro-play moved away from Limited? It seems like it would make sense to switch things up rather than having the same constructed format again and again form months (especially when it come the return of MPL/Rival League play). I've often heard that the biggest flaw of limited coverage in previous pro-tours is not being able to know what the cards do if you don't know the format and that the draft itself is one of the most interesting parts but is difficult to cover in paper events. It seems with small field MPL/Rival league play as well as digital draft logs and card readers it would be a great opportunity to reinvigorate limited coverage. What do you think could be done to push limited back into the world of competitive play from a coverage/presentation angle?
Carter S.
2020-10-29 20:01:33 +0000 UTCRecently in an interview, BDM lamented that signpost uncommons have taken some of the mystery out of drafting. Do you think they belong in all sets to help newer drafters, or should Wizards vary from this model? Love the show.
Dnd Northwest
2020-10-29 19:48:31 +0000 UTCI often find myself favoring various decks as a draft format evolves (for example rogues in ZNR because the deck tends to be under drafted and is good against some of the the best decks). It is play bias that is making me see that this deck is open or is it a result of reading the format? If I am unintentionally favoring this deck what would be a good way to break this pattern and draft better? Also what is the best among us headwear? Thanks Marshal and LSV keep on burrito mining.
Ryan F Stroud
2020-10-29 19:45:41 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Luis! Do you have a heuristic for determining how aggro a format is going to be, especially at the start of the format? I tend not to get the feel for the speed of a format until I lose a few times to much faster or much slower decks, and I'm wondering if you have a way to get a bead on a set — especially a format like M21 or ZNR that seem from the spoilers to lean either way — before getting your teeth punched in.
Steve Stormoen
2020-10-29 19:44:23 +0000 UTCI know there’s a fair bit of crossover between high level magic players and poker players. Am I imagining an unwillingness for magic content creators to talk about their other poker lives or a caginess about discussing earning a living that way? Is it a cultural thing within poker? A hesitance to talk about money? Am I just imagining this? Thanks for all you do.
Lewis Williams
2020-10-29 19:40:45 +0000 UTCI often find it harder to think strategically while watching magic than while playing it. What goes through your mind as you’re watching others play, and do you have any advice for how I can get more out of watching others?
Niko Reed
2020-10-29 19:39:01 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Luis! Any chance of a set review in any form on the Commander Legends draft format for Commander? It is also limited ... I am especially intrigued by how you would approach the casual mood WOTC seems to be going for in this format.
Vargtassaren
2020-10-29 19:36:47 +0000 UTCDude I know, and I resort to blaming the shuffler, opponents perfect draws, etc etc. I sometimes miss old school creature based paper magic with no stakes lol. I just want the draft experience and to collect cards.
Andrew Raia
2020-10-29 19:31:05 +0000 UTCHey guys! Longtime listener. I'd like to start by briefly saying that what you do makes a huge difference for me. The show has helped me through tough times, and each time I start up an episode, I feel excited to "hang out" with a couple of friends. My question has to do with getting a larger audience for my MTGA streaming and YouTube videos. Right now, it's focused on draft, though I have also started to pepper in some video essays here and there. Obviously both of you guys are way past the early stages of establishing yourselves as content creators, but what would you say to someone who is a little more than a year in and trying to gain greater traction? Thanks a ton for all that you do. Means the world.
McNerdy27
2020-10-29 19:29:39 +0000 UTCBoy, I feel this. Especially when I’m on 2 losses in a premier draft and the mana flood or screw shows up and I’m like, “Not like this!” It can be really hard.
Michael Rawdon
2020-10-29 19:28:41 +0000 UTCHow do you avoid ending up in a bad color pair archetype in draft - should you even try? For example, early in Zendikar Rising I had two black-green decks, which I got into with early black removal, and then green was the only open color. But both decks were ‘meh’ because that color combination isn’t really a thing. Should I have pushed to get into another color than green, maybe whichever was most open in pack 2? Or, when the open colors are a non-archetype do I just have to take my lumps and treat it as practicing my play?
Michael Rawdon
2020-10-29 19:27:43 +0000 UTCI find that there are certain foods that are solid indicators of how good the entire menu of a certain type of restaurant is likely to be. They're typically things I'll order when I'm not feeling adventurous at a new spot, and if they aren't good, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the menu. Some examples are the plain glazed at a donut shop and the General Tso's Chicken for Americanized Chinese. I have a friend who swears by potato salad as a barometer for southern cuisine. What are some of your favorite foods that serve this function? Have you experienced restaurants that have surprised you after a poor showing in one of these dishes?
Paul Barrett
2020-10-29 19:23:26 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Luis! What's the best concert you've been to (back when those were a thing)?
Parker Rhodes
2020-10-29 19:15:56 +0000 UTCI see lots of questions about avoiding tilt, which is fine, but what if I'm on a cold streak because I'm simply not drafting or playing my best? Are there clear signs of certain mistakes that can help me troubleshoot and improve?
Spencer Warriner
2020-10-29 19:15:07 +0000 UTCHey Marshall and LSV: first off thanks for answering my last question on the podcast. That was cool. My question for this week is: has an archetype ever burned you so badly that you just refused to draft it? I draft rw warriors in ZDR when it's open, and it burns me everytime. At this point, I think I'd rather just not draft it even if I see the signals.
Patrick Scioscia
2020-10-29 19:13:48 +0000 UTCKaladesh Remastered is almost here! What would y'all most like to see from the new (old) set? What are your fondest memories from classic Kaladesh?
Ben, Highspeed Hoverbike Pilot
2020-10-29 19:13:19 +0000 UTCWould you consider giving LR patreon's access to the written set reviews again please. I kind of want to stay and support Marshall, but feeling distinctly unmotivated to continue subscribing without the written version.
wantondevious
2020-10-29 19:12:53 +0000 UTCI’m noticing a pattern in my drafts, where I just never draw a key card (bomb rare or build around uncommon) and so it makes it very obvious that my deck’s plan was “draw that card” because I drafted lots of cards that support that missing card but on their own are just a pile playables lacking much synergy. How can I improve my drafting to ensure I’m not unconsciously drafting around one card?
Ryan
2020-10-29 19:12:16 +0000 UTCPros and cons and living in Denver and Seattle? Thinking of relocating to either and would appreciate y'all duking it out.
Glory Ancheta
2020-10-29 19:09:19 +0000 UTCHey guys, as an avid cube drafter and designer with multiple cubes, I‘d love to know what you think makes a draft format truly great from a design perspective. Also, do you have any pet archetypes or cards that you especially love seeing in cube draft?
Timothy Papich
2020-10-29 19:09:05 +0000 UTCHey Marshall and Luis! I've been a listener since Luis' first show, and you are doing great every show. Magic has changed a lot since then. The next big move in magic is perhaps when Arena comes out on mobile. Prediction time: How much do you think you'll end up using Arena on your phones? Do you guess you'll stay mostly on your computers? Perhaps you can revisit this question in half a year or a year. Have a nice day! Stay positive and test negative!
Søren Lahn Sloth
2020-10-29 19:08:36 +0000 UTCDo formats that encourage monocolor like Throne of Eldraine lead to healthier formats than multicolor sets like Ravnica and khans?
Matthew M.
2020-10-29 19:08:21 +0000 UTCHi guys, is there any possibility of getting a previous LR co-host update at some point in the future?
James Gardiner
2020-10-29 19:07:47 +0000 UTCI reached Mythic last night for the first time (thanks to some extra time at home) and wanted to thank y'all for the insight on this format. My question is that over this month of playing my evaluations of some decks has been significantly different than the outcome. I've had between 0 and 2 wins with some decks that I thought were quite good. On the other hand, I have a few 7 win runs with decks I thought were pretty mediocre. How do you recommend sorting out the noise from the data here? What is the balance for adjusting my perception of the format and understanding that variance is a part of the game? I know that some of my thoughts (especially earlier in the format) were just wrong and I try to use all my experiences to keep getting better. Thanks.
Eric
2020-10-29 19:04:29 +0000 UTC(this isn't a question, but please do a Team Draft with LoL once a format - that was insanely fun to watch)
Scott Pease
2020-10-29 19:03:47 +0000 UTCMy question is, which iconic duo do you and Luis most closely resemble, and why? This can be anything: Sonic and Tails, Holmes and Watson, Stockton and Malone, Animal and Hawk, Mario and Luigi. No restrictions for subject, time period, or whether the subjects actually exist. I'd be interested to hear both which duo you think is the best comparison, as well as which member of that duo you see yourself or your co host as. We're all unique, magnificent creatures so there won't be a perfect match here but I'd like to know what you think all the same.
Hayden Everly
2020-10-29 19:03:30 +0000 UTCI am getting interested in following pro MTG, Could you explain the format/league structure of the standard tournament that took place on Twitch last weekend? I enjoyed watching some of Luis's and Reid's matches. How do you guys think the tournament went?
awcheese
2020-10-29 19:03:19 +0000 UTCHow do you deal with streaks? Sometimes it feels like everything falls into place your way and can’t lose but other times it feels like you can’t catch a break. I know you have to just stay the course and keep making the best percentage plays, but any tips on how to cope with it mentally and emotionally?
Brandon Housman
2020-10-29 19:03:05 +0000 UTCThis was my question too! Except more specifically cocktails and craft beer..
Mo
2020-10-29 19:02:54 +0000 UTCHey Marshall and Luis! I was wondering if you think Draft or Sealed is a more skill intensive format? In a tournament with both (like a Limited Grand Prix) how do you balance your practice to feel prepared for both? Thanks for all that you do.
NicolaiBolas
2020-10-29 19:02:44 +0000 UTCHow many drafts does it take before you feel like you have a good enough understanding of the format to offer advice on it? How long until you've more or less "solved" it and feel like you can navigate any draft seat properly?
Scott Pease
2020-10-29 19:02:03 +0000 UTCI only recently learned about hand smoothing in BO1 in Arena. Is this something I should be thinking about when building my deck or deciding to keep an opening hand?
Jonathan Smith
2020-10-29 19:01:48 +0000 UTCHello Luis and Marshall, I've been struggling a bit with construction of aggressive decks. Is there such a thing as too many creatures? When should I go to 15 lands? Should I prioritize combat tricks more highly? Thanks again for all of the content.
Luis Goicouria (manowarelves)
2020-10-29 19:01:26 +0000 UTCI've been waffling on how open I should stay while drafting in formats that have archetypes that are clearly better than others. Is it better to try to stay completely open and draft the hard way or stay open in a way that puts you into better archetypes? I feel like it's hard to pivot if I'm drafting BW clerics or something like that. Thanks as always for the great info!
Andy Nash
2020-10-29 19:00:33 +0000 UTCIf you think it appropriate for your listenership, I would like to hear power rankings for alcoholic beverages! Be as general or specific as you like.
Luke Johnson
2020-10-29 19:00:25 +0000 UTCTo LSV, when you see other players in the MPL eating on camera, do you feel like they are basically “net decking” life from you? Follow up: do you feel like a proud papa when it happens to be a burrito?
Cory Enriquez
2020-10-29 18:59:26 +0000 UTCWhat was your earliest favorite Magic card, and do you think it has influenced what type of player you are today?
Jason Dooley
2020-10-29 18:59:23 +0000 UTCHow do you disconnect yourself from the emotional side of the game? I get pretty tilted when losing games where I am investing resources like gems or coins. I don't want to NOT enjoy the game, but it is a very hard line for me to walk sometimes.
Andrew Raia
2020-10-29 18:58:36 +0000 UTCHey guys, We've seen some recent formats that were tough on Constructed but good for Limited. Is there something about making good draft formats that puts pressure on Constructed or are they unrelated?
Alexander Ullman
2020-10-29 18:58:32 +0000 UTC
