Latest Articles
9 Mini Combos in Wilds of Eldraine Limited
The most important aspect of playing Limited is knowing how to squeeze the most value possible from your cards. Bombs are fantastic, of course, and removal is essential, but even the greatest bombs or a deck with all the removal
Land Destruction In EDH: You Need It!
Today’s topic is not nice. We are going to dive into the wonderful world of land destruction in Commander. Land destruction, like stax and hatebears often gets a bad reputation. A reputation that leads some people to dismiss the whole
MTG Meta Breakers: How to Beat Yawgmoth in Modern
Welcome to MTG Meta Breakers! This series is devoted to helping you take on some of the most common decks in your favorite formats (aka “the meta”). Whether you’re looking to grind competitive events on MTGO, want to win your
The Bolt Zone Episode 11: Modern Hammer Time Deep Dive with Travis Brown (aka DisgruntledElk)
In today’s show, Cody and Nathan are joined by Hammer Time aficionado Travis Brown (aka DisgruntledElk) to talk about the deck and its place in the meta. We take a deep dive into the archetype and help you pick up
MTG Meta Breakers: How to Beat Izzet Murktide in Modern (Updated September 2023)
Welcome to MTG Meta Breakers! This series is devoted to helping you take on some of the most common decks in your favorite formats (aka “the meta”). Whether you’re looking to climb the competitive ladder on Arena, want to win
5 Best Wilds of Eldraine Commanders You Need to Try!
Wilds of Eldraine is here! Today I would like to highlight six commanders from the set. Some of these cards give old classic archetypes a new spin. Others completely enable new strategies. With each commander, I have prepared a suite
How to Build a Competitive MTG Deck Part Five: Control
Hey guys, Welcome to the fifth and final installment of Bolt the Bird’s series on competitive deck building! Our final topic will be how to build a competitive control deck. If you missed the previous articles in the series you
The Bolt Zone Episode 10: Your Modern RCQ Season Primer
This week, Cody and Nathan are talking about all things Modern. With the next RCQ season about to start, they give you a rundown of the format and break down the top 15 most popular decks you should consider. Learn
Wilds of Eldraine Ultimate Draft and Limited Archetype Guide
Do you hear that? The raucous sounds of gingerbread knights mixed with the soft snoring of a plane deep in magical slumber. No elk this time around, though! Wilds of Eldraine is almost here and the Limited environment is shaping
MTG Meta Breakers: How to Beat Rakdos Midrange in Pioneer
Welcome to MTG Meta Breakers! This series is devoted to helping you take on some of the most common decks in your favorite formats (aka “the meta”). Whether you’re looking to grind competitive events on MTGO, want to win your
The Bolt Zone Episode 9: Wilds of Eldraine First Look + Latest Modern Antics
Nathan is back stateside from Barcelona so the guys recap his time at the Pro Tour, including Team Handshake’s deck selection process. Nathan also talks about handling the pressure of his recent winning streak while Cody talks about back-to-back weekend
EDH101: What is Ramp in Commander?
EDH is a format full of flashy spells and big plays. But, how do you get there? Ramp! Today we are going to discuss the role of ramp spells in EDH. How does each color tackle it? And finally, what
Our Favorite New Cards From the Commander Masters Precons
Commander Masters is out soon. With it comes four Commander decks. Each deck features various reprints, and more importantly new cards! Today let’s answer the question, are any of these new cards any good? Are there new staples hidden in
MTG Meta Breakers: How to Beat Rakdos Scam in Modern
Welcome to MTG Meta Breakers! This series is devoted to helping you take on some of the most common decks in your favorite formats (aka “the meta”). Whether you’re looking to grind competitive events on MTGO, want to win your
Tales of Middle Earth and How It’s Affecting Legacy
“Legacy is in a place where you can play anything you want.” -Andrea Mengucci, June 11, 2023 One of the competitors at the forefront of our format recently commented on the state of Legacy, and I could not agree more.
Boogie Board LCD Tablet Review: The Best MTG Life Tracker (and Reusable!)
If you’re a serious Magic: The Gathering player, you’ve probably seen your opponent show up across the table with a nifty tablet for tracking life. They write out two tidy columns, track life throughout the game, and with the press
Episode 7: Level Up Your Game By Gaining Small Edges
This week, Cody and Nathan take on a listener question, reflecting on times they’ve leveled up as competitive players. They talk about key concepts like using your resources and taking advantage of the stack then go on a few tangents
The Bolt Zone Episode 6: Improve Your Testing Process Feat. Javier Domínguez
We’re joined by the Fervent Champion himself, Javier Domínguez, to talk about everything you need to get ready for your next tournament! We dive into deck selection, the importance of a testing team, and how you should approach playtesting for
Commanders We Can’t Wait to Play: Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth
Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (LTR) is the latest cross-over expansion for Magic the Gathering. The set brings with it cards legal in Modern, Legacy, and the topic of today’s discussion: Commander. Is this set fantasy fluff or
MTG Legacy Metagame Highlights: June 2023 Update
Welcome back to BTB’s Legacy Roundup, I’m Curtis Ailes, the ringleader of this circus. What is Going On in Legacy? It’s been a month since I wrote about the Legacy meta and it’s a good time to step back and
Hippo Good? Hippo Good. Keruga Fires Pioneer RCQ-Winning Tournament Report
Riddle me this… Do you like casting spells like Atraxa, Grand Unifier and Koma, Cosmos Serpent for free? Do you like tutoring creatures from your deck for free? Do you like winning games against the most popular deck in the
The Bolt Zone Episode 4: You Need To Learn Your Pioneer Deck + LotR Spoilers First Look
With round three Regional Championships right around the corner, the boys are taking a final look at the Pioneer meta. And since this round of RCQs and the next RC is also Pioneer, they also discuss the importance of understanding
EDH101: An Introduction to Removal in Commander
Welcome back to another edition of EDH101. Today we are looking at removal. This topic can be a bit tedious to cover. Many Commander players claim folks run too little removal. Others run none at all. Today I will take
March of the Machine in Pioneer: What’s Hot?
It’s been just over a month since March of the Machine was released, and many of its powerful cards have made an impact in almost every constructed format. Let’s take a look at some of the latest cards to make
Modern Metagame: MTGO Challenge Champions 5/19-5/21
Every weekend, Modern challenges on MTGO showcase the format’s top decks and attract hundreds of great players looking to battle. What decks topped the tournaments this weekend? Murktide continues to show why it’s one of the most popular strategies in
MTG Meta Breakers: How to Beat Lotus Field in Pioneer
Welcome to MTG Meta Breakers! This series is devoted to helping you take on some of the most common decks in your favorite formats (aka “the meta”). Whether you’re looking to grind competitive events on MTGO, want to win your
How to Build a Competitive MTG Deck Part Four: Combo
Hey guys, Welcome to part four of Bolt the Bird’s series on competitive deck building! Today’s topic is how to build a competitive combo deck. If you missed the previous articles in the series you can find them here: How
5 Best Inner Sleeves for MTG (Best for Double Sleeving)
So you’re thinking about taking the leap into double sleeving your Magic: The Gathering deck? Welcome to the club. Many players take protecting their cards to the extreme by not only putting them in one sleeve but two. Is double
The Most Expensive Basic Lands in MTG: A Deep Dive!
Basic lands are an integral part of Magic. Even the greediest manabases will tend to play a couple of basic lands. This got me thinking, what are the most expensive basic lands? In this article, we’ll take a look at
[Standard] Esper Legends Deck Tech (with Sideboard Guide): I Need a Hero
Esper Legends is the antidote to the obsession of Standard (Grixis Midrange) and holds its own against the metagame at large as well. In the first round of Cycle 2 Regional Championships, it put two out of seven pilots into
EDH101: Best Utility Lands for Commander
Most EDH decks run somewhere from 30 to 40 or so lands. While many folks will simply include a smattering of basics, a handful of dual lands, and maybe some fetches if they have them, there is another facet to
Phyrexia: All Will Be One Ultimate Draft Guide and Archetype Breakdown
What’s that strange oil? Probably nothing. Or it could mean we’re finally ready to start cracking packs of Phyrexia: All Will Be One! Whether you’re heading to a pre-release event this weekend or are looking forward to drafting the set
Best MTG Playmats in 2023: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying
Anyone who takes Magic seriously knows having the right playmat can make all the difference in your gameplay experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the game, finding the perfect playmat is an important step in preparing for
Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeve Review: Protect Your Cards Like a Samurai
If you’re an avid card player, chances are you’ve heard of Ultimate Guard Katana sleeves. They are a popular choice for protecting your decks, and for a good reason! In this review, we’ll go over the features of Ultimate Guard’s
Forgetful Fish – What is Dandan and How to Play Magic’s Strangest Format
Magic: The Gathering is no stranger to unusual variants. Today, I would like to discuss a format that has found a new breath of life. Forgetful Fish is the creation of Nick Floyd. It is also commonly referred to by
10 Best Holiday Gifts for MTG Players in 2022 (According to an MTG super fan)
With the holidays right around the corner, you’re probably trying to find a gift for the Magic: The Gathering (MTG) player in your life. If you don’t play the game yourself, you’re probably feeling like you entered a different world.
Ultimate Brothers’ War Draft Guide and Archetype Breakdown
Magic’s latest set is taking us back in time to witness a battle of massive mechs and the grudge between brothers that would destroy the world. That’s right, it’s time for The Brothers’ War! It’s also time for our Brothers’
Dragon Shield Dual Matte Sleeve Review: The Best MTG Sleeves Around
Every Magic player knows that sleeves are essential. But they aren’t all created equal. Here at Bolt the Bird, we take the work out of testing sleeves so you don’t have to. Today, we’re looking at our top pick for
Budget Alternatives to Commander Staples For the Money-Conscious Brewer
Commander is often praised as a format for great diversity in playstyles and card selection. However, like any format, people tend to hone in on the most powerful and optimal cards. This unfortunately leads to price hikes. In fact, Commander
Best MTG Card Storage Case: 8 Options to Safely Store Your Decks
Earlier this year, we showed you some of the best deck boxes for storing your MTG cards. But what happens when you have too many decks to carry around or don’t want to throw them in your bookbag? You need
Every MTG Card Symbol Explained (yes, really)
If you’ve never looked at a Magic: The Gathering card, you’re probably pretty confused. It might feel like you are looking at another language or hieroglyphics from another civilization. How can seasoned Magic players know what a card does, what
Ultimate Dominaria United Draft Guide and Archetype Breakdown
Dominaria United is just around the corner. For Limited fans, its arrival will be a welcome one. We’ve suffered through two mediocre to bad formats recently in New Capenna and Crimson Vow. Neon Dynasty was a breath of fresh air
10 Best Deck Boxes for Magic: The Gathering Players
Just like card sleeves are essential for protecting your favorite pieces of cardboard, a deck box is a must-have for Magic players. Whether you’re double-sleeving a pile for Commander or need a way to safely transport your homebrew to FNM,
6 Best Card Sleeves for Magic: The Gathering
Playing Magic is most of the fun. However, a lot of players also have a sizeable financial investment in their cards. Playing with them unprotected can lead to damage and decrease their value over time. Those who want the option
EDH 101: How to Build a Commander Deck From Scratch
Commander is one of the most accessible and active eternal formats. It has all the infinite possibilities of a format like Vintage, but a more relaxed atmosphere like a board game. Its unique rules and banlist make it a format