Strictly Level Up – Mana Fixing a Bad Draft

One of the most common complaints I run into from drafters at local events is that they got mana screwed all night long.  Although it is mathematically possible to draw bad mana for an entire event, there’s usually a deeper cause than just bad luck.  Many times after someone complains about their mana situation at an FNM I ask if they mind if I take a look at their deck. Many things can be learned by analyzing a mana base of a draft deck, and it is surprising how many people just slap lands into their deck and hope for

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Strictly Level Up – Brewing a Competitive Deck

One of my favorite parts of playing this game is brewing my own decks.  Admittedly over the past few sets, there’s been little incentive to brew.  With WoTC’s recent Emrakul, Reflector Mage and Looter Scooter bannings Standard has really opened up. When you add the release of Aether Revolt, no one knows what could happen with the format. There’s a time and place for playing the best list out there, but right now the time is ripe for playing a rogue home brew. Instead of doing a cookie cutter article – listing four to five untested deck lists with a pile of cards

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Strictly Level Up–Play Better Players

I wanted to take a moment and offer you something slightly different than normal.  Most of my posts so far have been around trading and shipping habits, but I also get a ton of general Magic questions.  The most frequently asked question (that is unrelated to collection building and trading) is ‘How do I get better at MTG?’ This question used to make me uncomfortable because I know when it comes to actually playing the game I have so much more to learn and compared to most players. After all, I am just strictly average.  One compliment that I’ve gotten

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