Eternal Durdles

In this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the complexities of card game design, particularly focusing on the implementation of point systems and their implications for game balance. They discuss the challenges faced by competitive formats like Legacy, the importance of proper curation, and the role of ban lists in maintaining player engagement. The dialogue highlights the need for game designers to take decisive action to improve formats and enhance player experience, while also reflecting on the community's relationship with the game and its evolving dynamics.

In this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the complexities of card game design, particularly focusing on the implementation of point systems and their implications for game balance. They discuss the challenges faced by competitive formats like Legacy, the importance of proper curation, and the role of ban lists in maintaining player engagement. The dialogue highlights the need for game designers to take decisive action to improve formats and enhance player experience, while also reflecting on the community's relationship with the game and its evolving dynamics.

SummaryIn this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil discuss their excitement and strategies for the upcoming Eternal Weekend, emphasizing the importance of mindset, preparation, and the community aspect of Magic: The Gathering. They explore various deck strategies, the significance of emotional support cards, and reflect on the history of Magic while considering the current state of the game. The conversation highlights the balance between competitive play and enjoyment, as well as the evolving nature of deck building in Legacy and Pre-Modern formats.TakeawaysEternal Weekend brings excitement and anticipation.Having a no-drop mentality can enhance the experience.Records don't define a player's skill or worth.Preparation and practice are key to success.Emotional support cards can provide comfort during competition.Innovative deck ideas can surprise opponents.Testing is crucial for understanding the current meta.Magic's history influences current gameplay and strategies.Package decks are becoming

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnZac Clark and ForceofPhil discuss their excitement and strategies for the upcoming Eternal Weekend, emphasizing the importance of mindset, preparation, and the community aspect of Magic: The Gathering. They explore various deck strategies, the significance of emotional support cards, and reflect on the history of Magic while considering the current state of the game. The conversation highlights the balance between competitive play and enjoyment, as well as the evolving nature of deck building in Legacy and Pre-Modern formats.TakeawaysEternal Weekend brings excitement and anticipation.Having a no-drop mentality can enhance the experience.Records don't define a player's skill or worth.Preparation and practice are key to success.Emotional support cards can provide comfort during competition.Innovative deck ideas can surprise opponents.Testing is crucial for understanding the current m

SummaryIn this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the intricacies of the Stasis deck in pre-modern Magic: The Gathering. They discuss the mechanics of Stasis, card choices, and the importance of timing and counter magic in gameplay. The conversation also covers strategies for sideboarding and adapting to various matchups, as well as exploring alternative win conditions. The hosts emphasize the flexibility of the deck and the need for a deep understanding of its mechanics to maximize its potential. In this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the intricacies of various Magic: The Gathering matchups, focusing on the Stasis deck and its interactions with other strategies. They discuss the importance of countering key cards, the nuances of specific matchups, and the strategic decisions that can lead to victory. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding the mechanics of Stasis, the role of specific cards in different matchups, and the overall approach to deck build

SummaryIn this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the intricacies of the Stasis deck in pre-modern Magic: The Gathering. They discuss the mechanics of Stasis, card choices, and the importance of timing and counter magic in gameplay. The conversation also covers strategies for sideboarding and adapting to various matchups, as well as exploring alternative win conditions. The hosts emphasize the flexibility of the deck and the need for a deep understanding of its mechanics to maximize its potential. In this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the intricacies of various Magic: The Gathering matchups, focusing on the Stasis deck and its interactions with other strategies. They discuss the importance of countering key cards, the nuances of specific matchups, and the strategic decisions that can lead to victory. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding the mechanics of Stasis, the role of specific cards in different matchups, and the overall approach to deck build

Sahar's Links: https://linktr.ee/saharmirhadihttps://bsky.app/profile/saharmirhadi.bsky.socialThis week on Eternal Durdles, Zac Clark and returning guest Sahar Mirhadi take on the biggest question in Magic: the Gathering right now — do Universes Beyond crossovers actually belong in Magic?From Lord of the Rings and Warhammer (slam dunks) to The Walking Dead, Marvel, Sonic, and even Tomb Raider, we run down EVERY IP that’s made its way into MTG and ask three key questions:* Is it *Magic*?* Does it *belong* in Magic?* Are we actually *fans* of it?Along the way we talk power creep (Orcish Bowmasters, The One Ring), reskins vs. unique cards, what competitive players can’t opt out of, and why “let people like things” isn’t always the whole story.If you’ve ever looked at a Universes Beyond spoiler and thought “this doesn’t feel like Magic,” this is the episode for you.

Sahar's Links: https://linktr.ee/saharmirhadihttps://bsky.app/profile/saharmirhadi.bsky.socialThis week on Eternal Durdles, Zac Clark and returning guest Sahar Mirhadi take on the biggest question in Magic: the Gathering right now — do Universes Beyond crossovers actually belong in Magic?From Lord of the Rings and Warhammer (slam dunks) to The Walking Dead, Marvel, Sonic, and even Tomb Raider, we run down EVERY IP that’s made its way into MTG and ask three key questions:* Is it *Magic*?* Does it *belong* in Magic?* Are we actually *fans* of it?Along the way we talk power creep (Orcish Bowmasters, The One Ring), reskins vs. unique cards, what competitive players can’t opt out of, and why “let people like things” isn’t always the whole story.If you’ve ever looked at a Universes Beyond spoiler and thought “this doesn’t feel like Magic,” this is the episode for you.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnJoin Zac Clark and ForceofPhil as they dive into the intricacies of SWB's Parfait deck, a standout in the pre-modern Magic: The Gathering scene. Discover how this deck leverages Gush, Mox Diamond, and Oath of Druids to create a unique control strategy. Learn about the deck's evolution, its strengths against various matchups, and the clever card choices that make it a formidable contender. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the format, this episode offers valuable insights into deck building and gameplay strategies. Don't forget to check out our affiliate link in the first comment for your card purchases!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnJoin Zac Clark and ForceofPhil as they dive into the intricacies of SWB's Parfait deck, a standout in the pre-modern Magic: The Gathering scene. Discover how this deck leverages Gush, Mox Diamond, and Oath of Druids to create a unique control strategy. Learn about the deck's evolution, its strengths against various matchups, and the clever card choices that make it a formidable contender. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the format, this episode offers valuable insights into deck building and gameplay strategies. Don't forget to check out our affiliate link in the first comment for your card purchases!

TCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAn

TCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAn

Zac and Phil dive into the world of **budget-friendly Premodern decks** that can actually compete at the top tables. They break down why some expensive staples like **Mox Diamond, Gaea’s Cradle, Survival of the Fittest, and Phyrexian Dreadnought** push decks out of budget range, then showcase powerful alternatives you can build for under $400.Decks discussed include:* **Stasis** – a $150 control lock deck that still punishes unprepared opponents.* **Toginator (UB Psychatog/Reanimator)** – resilient, customizable, and surprisingly cheap.* **Landstill** – a control staple with Mishra’s Factories and Standstill value engines.* **Goblins** – explosive tribal aggression for under $200.* **Chance Control** – a spicy coin-flip combo deck with Frenetic Efreet and Chance Encounter.* **Burn** – fast, reliable, and always a metagame presence.* **Mono-Blue Tide** – a $250 powerhouse that’s proven it can win big events.Along the way, they share insights on **card choices, metagame calls, sideboard tweaks, and personal sto

Zac and Phil dive into the world of **budget-friendly Premodern decks** that can actually compete at the top tables. They break down why some expensive staples like **Mox Diamond, Gaea’s Cradle, Survival of the Fittest, and Phyrexian Dreadnought** push decks out of budget range, then showcase powerful alternatives you can build for under $400.Decks discussed include:* **Stasis** – a $150 control lock deck that still punishes unprepared opponents.* **Toginator (UB Psychatog/Reanimator)** – resilient, customizable, and surprisingly cheap.* **Landstill** – a control staple with Mishra’s Factories and Standstill value engines.* **Goblins** – explosive tribal aggression for under $200.* **Chance Control** – a spicy coin-flip combo deck with Frenetic Efreet and Chance Encounter.* **Burn** – fast, reliable, and always a metagame presence.* **Mono-Blue Tide** – a $250 powerhouse that’s proven it can win big events.Along the way, they share insights on **card choices, metagame calls, sideboard tweaks, and personal sto

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesZac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the myths surrounding the Legacy format of Magic the Gathering. They discuss common misconceptions about the cost of entry, gameplay dynamics, and the perception of Legacy as a dying format. The hosts emphasize the welcoming nature of the Legacy community and the opportunities for new players to engage with the format. They also explore whether Legacy is a solved format and how it continues to evolve over time, highlighting the diversity of gameplay and the importance of community support.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesZac Clark and ForceofPhil delve into the myths surrounding the Legacy format of Magic the Gathering. They discuss common misconceptions about the cost of entry, gameplay dynamics, and the perception of Legacy as a dying format. The hosts emphasize the welcoming nature of the Legacy community and the opportunities for new players to engage with the format. They also explore whether Legacy is a solved format and how it continues to evolve over time, highlighting the diversity of gameplay and the importance of community support.

This week on Eternal Durdles, Zac and Force of Phil tackle the biggest misconceptions about Legacy Magic: the Gathering — the ones you always hear from players outside the format.Is Legacy just a coin-flip combo format? Is it too expensive to ever get into? Do the same decks dominate forever? We break down each myth, explain where the truth actually lies, and show why Legacy is one of the most fun, skill-testing formats Magic has to offer.Topics include:* Why “turn-1 kill” decks don’t define the format* The real story behind Legacy’s cost (and why it’s not as bad as you think)* How the metagame shifts more than outsiders realize* Why Reanimator, Delver, and combo decks aren’t the whole pictureIf you’ve ever heard “Legacy is unplayable” — or said it yourself — this episode is here to set the record straight.Featuring: Force of PhilHosted by: Zac Clark | Eternal Durdles

This week on Eternal Durdles, Zac and Force of Phil tackle the biggest misconceptions about Legacy Magic: the Gathering — the ones you always hear from players outside the format.Is Legacy just a coin-flip combo format? Is it too expensive to ever get into? Do the same decks dominate forever? We break down each myth, explain where the truth actually lies, and show why Legacy is one of the most fun, skill-testing formats Magic has to offer.Topics include:* Why “turn-1 kill” decks don’t define the format* The real story behind Legacy’s cost (and why it’s not as bad as you think)* How the metagame shifts more than outsiders realize* Why Reanimator, Delver, and combo decks aren’t the whole pictureIf you’ve ever heard “Legacy is unplayable” — or said it yourself — this episode is here to set the record straight.Featuring: Force of PhilHosted by: Zac Clark | Eternal Durdles

Sahar Mirhadi and ForceofPhil explore the fascinating intersection of wrestling and Magic: The Gathering, discussing community dynamics, the need for a Legacy panel, and the importance of data transparency in understanding ban list decisions. They delve into the evolution of the Legacy format, the role of reanimator decks, and the significance of player experience in shaping gameplay. The discussion also touches on corporate decision-making within Wizards of the Coast and the future of Legacy as a format. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of the Reanimator archetype in Legacy, discussing the implications of recent band lists and the role of data in shaping the format. They explore the challenges of maintaining a balanced environment while addressing community concerns and expectations for upcoming tournaments. The discussion highlights the need for clear communication from Wizards of the Coast regarding the direction of Legacy and the importance of community engagement in shaping

Sahar Mirhadi and ForceofPhil explore the fascinating intersection of wrestling and Magic: The Gathering, discussing community dynamics, the need for a Legacy panel, and the importance of data transparency in understanding ban list decisions. They delve into the evolution of the Legacy format, the role of reanimator decks, and the significance of player experience in shaping gameplay. The discussion also touches on corporate decision-making within Wizards of the Coast and the future of Legacy as a format. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of the Reanimator archetype in Legacy, discussing the implications of recent band lists and the role of data in shaping the format. They explore the challenges of maintaining a balanced environment while addressing community concerns and expectations for upcoming tournaments. The discussion highlights the need for clear communication from Wizards of the Coast regarding the direction of Legacy and the importance of community engagement in shaping