Advertise on podcast: The Princes of Pauper

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?

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.

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.

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!

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

Sam Black's new white control deck splashing red has taken Mike's heart! Learn all about the best grinding deck in Standard.

It's a Red Deck. Mike makes Mythic! RCQ preparation. Who is the best deck designer in the world? The answer may surprise you.

Examples of how patient play can help win more games; and how impatient play is disproportionately punished and predictable.

Mostly about Modern Burn. Probably the best Magic: The Gathering article I've written in 15 years.

Mike recounts his sad story (so far!) with RW Astral Slide in Premodern. But like the title says... The Redeption Arc is about to begin! Victory! #spoilers

The ACTUAL title of this underlying article is "The Top 8 Questions (and Answers!) with Two-Time RCQ-winner, Roman Fusco" but try fitting that in anything reasonable. Roman won! The second one with Rakdos Midrange in Standard. Mike grills him about it. You'll love it.

Mike had quite the week in Premodern! He played Fluctuator at a local meetup on Tuesday, battled in his first match of #PSS4 on Thursday, and managed to win $200 with Survival Elves on Sunday. Probably you will love this so probably you should go listen RN tks.

What's "big"? What constitutes "Control"? What does all this have to do with winning in Dominaria United Standard?

Like the title says... With Dominaria United entering Standard, you can play ANY Liliana of the Veil deck that you want! From Mono-Black to Mardu, Mike talks about the new trends and specific decks out of the gate.

Mike talks about how not tapping out offensively sometimes makes for the fastest route to victory; how un-learning the general rules can be the best way to advance. And, of course, leaving up mana for Pyroblast or Snakeskin Veil.