Ben Stark Questions!
Added 2016-05-31 21:26:52 +0000 UTCHey Value Fiends, We will be joined by Limited superstar Ben Stark on the show tomorrow. As supporters of the show you get first in line for questions. Fire away! - Marshall
Comments
Hi BenS, in SOI draft what cards do you find taking most often (indicating that they are undervalued b/c they keep falling to you) and what cards do you find yourself rarely taking (indicating that they are overvalued by the 'average' drafter)?
Kevin Bartram
2016-06-01 21:59:24 +0000 UTCMy question is not only for Ben, but for you and LSV as well. What is this biggest difference between a 3-0 deck and a 2-1 deck?
Andrew Leitner
2016-06-01 18:02:49 +0000 UTCHi Ben, thanks for joining us -- How do you evaluate going for delirium in a draft? What are the cards that would push you towards it? What are the traps? How do you think delirium stacks up against other popular draft archetypes? Thanks again!
Winner Winner
2016-06-01 17:46:05 +0000 UTCHi Ben, I wanted to ask for your input, sealed is my favorite format, however often I find myself with not a very good pool, maybe 1 or 2 removal spells, a bunch of lands or non playable rares, I guess it has happened to you, hoy do you approach it? I know is broad but do you have an srategy or emergency plan for the times when you face this? Thank you!
Leonardo Rodriguez Baca
2016-06-01 17:42:04 +0000 UTCBen, sometimes when behind the Best Play is a bad play- as in a high risk play to get back into the game. How do you decide when it is time to stop playing conservative and double down?
daniel rhodes
2016-06-01 14:58:38 +0000 UTCBen, LSV has mentioned that the book Blink, by Malcom Gladwell taught him how to trust his intuition and ultimately led to some of his success as a Magic player. What ideas or experiences outside of the game have had the most impact on your success within it?
Timothy Rice
2016-06-01 12:11:20 +0000 UTCHi Ben, I don't have any insightful or challenging questions. I'm just filling in this text box because I can.
Geoff Tindall
2016-06-01 10:28:43 +0000 UTCHi Ben. I remember an article a few years ago where you explained the differences between drafting the easy way and drafting the hard way and I think it would be great if you could elaborate on that theory on the show. Those series of articles for CFB where really, really good. Also, where does SoI land on those questions you want to know about a format (is flying particularly good? Is a particular ability or keyword important to have, is a lower curve necessary, is it important to draw more cards, is it bomb heavy?, etc...), how would you describe the format? Thanks a lot.
Karel
2016-06-01 09:43:30 +0000 UTCHi Ben, could you let us know your all-time favourite limited format/formats, and why? Thanks a bunch!
Charles Cope
2016-06-01 08:55:46 +0000 UTCHi Ben, in SOI p1p1 would you rather go with a removal (always safe choice) or with potentially more powerful card but that you have to work on (build around etc) Thank you. PS Loved your video on CHF :)
Marek Pieprzyk
2016-06-01 08:38:12 +0000 UTCHey Ben, how do you recognize not just a card's relative power level in the format but recognize it as a "build-around" for limited drafts, sealed, or even standard? Do you have any good examples of a build-around that may have gone unnoticed or undervalued in Shadows?
Jordan Reagan
2016-06-01 04:47:41 +0000 UTCHi Ben, I'm hoping to hear some sagely advice about what might be the part of my game I'm struggling the most with. That is about knowing when to get on the beat down. This is really a problem whenever I've drafted a more controlling deck and have gotten to the stage where I'm starting to stablise but, for example, my opponent has a powerful board presence and my life total is still in danger. The challenge for me is knowing when I'm stable enough, because I'm always drawn towards staying back until I've got inevitability on my side. In many games, it feels like there was a small window of 1 or 2 turns where I could have won if I'd just started attacking with a big creature but didn't because, for example, my opponent had cards in hand and was passing turn with mana up. What advice do you have about knowing when its time to be the beat down? Great to have you on the show! Loved your draft video!
Kanishka
2016-06-01 03:27:57 +0000 UTCHi Ben, I would like to know what you think is the most difficult aspect of limited magic. Additionally, I would like to hear what keeps you coming back to limited Magic. Why is it your favorite format?
Timothy Rice
2016-06-01 03:19:59 +0000 UTCHi Ben, Marshall and Luis often talk about level-up moments when a Magic skill or theory finally clicks and one's game takes a step forward. What would you consider your biggest level-up moment? My second question is: what is the biggest difference in your approach to limited compared to other Magic players? Thanks very much; I am really looking forward to this episode.
George Wright
2016-06-01 02:59:59 +0000 UTCBen, with powerful but conditional cards like Neglected Heirloom and Avacynian Missionaries. How much do cards like this effect your pick order once you have one piece. I often find myself with an Heir of Falkenwrath but not in R/B often GB with a couple of werewolves, how high would you pick Neglected Heirloom and with Missionaries how far if at all to you stretch to pick up an odd equipment? Thanks.
Braden Bronson
2016-06-01 02:28:07 +0000 UTCHey Ben, Any SOI specific suggestions/tips for someone hoping to make regional PTQ from sealed deck PPTQ's? It's a lifelong dream to be a pro and right now most of the qualifiers in my area are sealed deck. All y our thoughts are appreciated!
Ian Ferguson
2016-06-01 01:37:28 +0000 UTCHey Ben, Do you ever struggle to separate a card's constructed power level from its limited power level? Have you ever made a poor pick in draft due to how well a card had performed in constructed testing? Thanks!
NastierNate
2016-06-01 01:20:01 +0000 UTCHowdy Ben, what do you do when a limited format doesn't click for you? With SOI I've worked twice as hard but with half the results.
Olive the Hedgehog
2016-06-01 00:46:35 +0000 UTCDo you have a draft where you particularly regret taking a particular card in retrospect? Why do you regret the pick?
William McDuff
2016-06-01 00:34:47 +0000 UTC+1
Aaron Brottman
2016-05-31 23:39:47 +0000 UTCHi Ben, what do you think is the most underrated card for Limited in SOI?
Saralyn McKinnon-Crowley
2016-05-31 23:33:00 +0000 UTCHi Ben. Have you ever had to restrain yourself from physical violence because of a teammate's tendency to favor a terrible card very highly? Which teammate? Which card?
Jason Lee
2016-05-31 23:32:44 +0000 UTCHi Ben! In sealed, how many "synergy cards" would have to be in a pool for you to consider pursuing a synergistic strategy vs a more straightforward "put all my good cards together" strategy?
Tim Li
2016-05-31 23:24:56 +0000 UTCDo you have any advice in how to mentally and emotionally deal with mistakes and misplays?
Brien Howard
2016-05-31 23:19:45 +0000 UTCnever mind I get it. XD
Brien Howard
2016-05-31 22:48:34 +0000 UTCWhat debates are you still having with other pros about SOI limited?
Chris Oien
2016-05-31 22:41:58 +0000 UTCFrom a preparation standpoint, how do you first analyze a new set? How big is the difference in your thought process between a base set (like SOI) and an expansion set (Eldritch Moon)?
Celso Távora
2016-05-31 22:22:28 +0000 UTCWhich 3 cards would you most want to open together in pack one of an SOI Draft? How does your answer differ for sealed when you get to keep all 3?
Imogen Tilley
2016-05-31 22:09:06 +0000 UTCHow do you pronounce Pious Evangel?
Joe
2016-05-31 22:07:20 +0000 UTCWhat's your favorite food to eat before or during an event?
Adam the Mad Scientist
2016-05-31 22:06:30 +0000 UTCIf you could bring back Limited PTs, but at the cost of Chic Fil A going out of business, would you do it?
Andre
2016-05-31 21:53:35 +0000 UTCBen, whats your position on bottoms at the pro tour? Assuming my blazer reaches the coverage table, is it more advantagous to wear sweatpants, or do you think the value on basketball shorts outweighs the disadvantages?
Spencer Mahan
2016-05-31 21:50:38 +0000 UTCAs a counterbalance to LSV's Ben Stark stories, what is your favorite LSV story?
Grigorios Oikonomou
2016-05-31 21:50:21 +0000 UTCI find that I have a hard time deciding when to jump in on a build-around archetype that warps deck construction, such as Fleeting Memories or UR spells. How do you determine when to "go for it"?
Isaac lichter
2016-05-31 21:49:41 +0000 UTCI've been playing Magic for 16 years, but soon I'll be in my first large professional limited tournament (GP Sydney). What key things do I need to know about tournament play, that are not obvious or differ from online or LGS matches, in order to give myself the best chance to perform well?
Kyle Snow Schwartz
2016-05-31 21:48:58 +0000 UTCHello Ben and LR crew. For individuals who have relatively limited draft experience, are there two or three sets you would recommend above all others for developing drafting skills? I know original innistrad is touted as being the best set ever for draft, but are there any other sets that strike a exceptional balance between solid fundamentals and relatively deep customization? Thank you! Colin
Colin Miller
2016-05-31 21:47:25 +0000 UTCWhat is your opinion on hate drafting?
Matthew Hall
2016-05-31 21:47:20 +0000 UTCBen, Can you describe your "level up moment" where you went from taking good cards to drafting a deck?
Tyler Ward
2016-05-31 21:44:40 +0000 UTCAfter you've become more-or-less an expert in a format, do you tend to narrow in on a few favorite archetypes, or do you find yourself drafting a wider variety of decks than when you were learning the format?
Trevor Andersen
2016-05-31 21:44:04 +0000 UTCAs a highly regarded limited player, many other players defer to your expertise in limited. Are there players whose opinion on limited you regard equally or higher than your own? or are you truly the guru we have heard so much about?
Kevin Levesque
2016-05-31 21:43:38 +0000 UTCWhat is the difference in variance between sealed and draft, specifically sealed on day 1 of a GP versus draft on day 2 or drafting at the PT level of competition? Can you compare that to the variance you experience when competing in constructed formats? Thanks!
Ben Chelf
2016-05-31 21:43:33 +0000 UTCHi Ben, Did Luis or Cooperfauss contact you ahead of time about the way your words were going to be used during GPLA coverage? What was your reaction to the bit?
Jason McMullan
2016-05-31 21:41:24 +0000 UTCWhat do you do if you aren't getting clear signals in a draft? Just commit to the colors of the best cards you've got so far, or just keep taking the best cards in the packs regardless of color?
Bitera
2016-05-31 21:40:27 +0000 UTCHi Ben, Thanks for coming on the show, we've been looking forward to it for a while. What would you say your biggest weakness is when it comes to limited Magic? What is the mistake you most often catch yourself making? Thanks for stopping by, I look forward to more draft videos (the first was really good).
Timothy Rice
2016-05-31 21:38:47 +0000 UTCIn a perfect world, we as drafters would be aware and fluent in all the archetypes in any given format. However, this is not feasible for most of us, especially due to limited time. Are there times where it's actually advantageous to draft a mediocre deck in an archetype we know "perfectly well", as opposed to an otherwise open color combination that we have no experience with?
kyleinmke
2016-05-31 21:33:32 +0000 UTCWhat was the most difficult Limited habit you had to work to undo?
Matt Schneeweiss
2016-05-31 21:32:08 +0000 UTC
