The Brainstorm Show: Recent Episodes
The Brainstorm Show
Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Brainstorm Show! In this episode we chop through all of the hot takes about the post-Deathrite format, and distill down a list of the big winners, the bad losers, and everything in between. PLUS, we unveil two patented Brainstorm Show lists: Grixis Faeries and Grixis Control. … Continue reading Episode 040 — The Winners and Losers in the New World
Fresh off GP Toronto, Wilson shares his thoughts on the meta, team tournaments, and bad cards (read: Bomat Courier). We talk dice rolls, some hot new decks (find lists below), and somehow end on a note of disappointing the people we care most about. The cat’s in the cradle, y’all. Steel Stompy Courtesy of Jarvis … Continue reading Episode 039 — Dice, decks, and disappointing Dad
Hi listeners! We are sorry for the lack of content over the last 2 months. Here is Wilson for a solid 12 minutes to tide you over. Check out Wilson’s startup, Cardboard Live at https://www.facebook.com/cardboardlive/. Love, The BSS
We are sharing a “Leaving a Legacy” episode because Wilson Hunter sat down with Jerry Mee (“Leaving a Legacy”) and James Hsu (“Humans of Magic”) to talk about their experiences at GP Seattle! Disclaimer: All credit for sound editing and production goes to the hardworking folks over at “Leaving a Legacy” podcast (Jerry Mee and … Continue reading Special Hosted Episode — Crossing the Streams (From “Leaving a Legacy”)
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show! We appreciate your patience for this episode. In this edition of The BSS, we talk about our wonderful sponsors, upcoming events on the horizon, some newish key cards in Legacy, updates to the Grixis Control list, and a better Predict deck than Miracles: High Tide. We hope you enjoy. … Continue reading Episode 038 — The Rising Tide
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show! In this episode, we field a wide array of listener questions. We reference our colleagues over at Leaving a Legacy podcast. Check them out at https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/leaving-a-legacy/ We also make a couple updates to a sweet, non-Miracles, non-Baleful Strix control list we have been pushing for some months now. Find … Continue reading Episode 037 — Listener’s Delight
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show, ladies and gentlemen! We are excited to bring you a new episode covering the state of Legacy, deckbuilding at the Pro Tour, New Miracles, Search for Azcanta, and more! We hope you enjoy. Grixis Azcanta by Rugved Karhade 3 Baleful Strix 3 Snapcaster Mage 1 True-Name Nemesis 1 Gurmag … Continue reading Episode 036 — Once in a Blue Moon…
In this Brief Brainstorm, Paul and Wilson share their thoughts on the recent Popeye Stompy internet troll and its consequences for the Legacy community.
Wilson takes us through his EE7 Vintage Paradoxical Outcome list. Check it out! Vintage Paradoxical Outcome By Wilson Hunter 1 Ancestral Recall 1 Brainstorm 1 Ponder 4 Preordain 1 Gitaxian Probe 1 Mystical Tutor 1 Vampiric Tutor 2 Dark Ritual 1 Demonic Tutor 1 Chain of Vapor 1 Hurkyl’s Recall 1 Merchant Scroll 1 Time … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 010 — Vintage Storm with Wilson Hunter
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show. In this episode, we provide you with a look at Wilson’s EE7 experience, a starting point for Czech Pile, and take a large helping of listener questions. Hidden in this episode is the secret to becoming a better Magic player. Spoiler alert: it’s not much of a secret. We … Continue reading Episode 035 — The Best Laid Plans…
The Brainstorm Show boys get back in the pod-saddle for an episode with lots of updates, both personal and format-wise. We hope you enjoy while we get back on track with more regular competitive deckbuilding content!
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show. All eyes were on Las Vegas for cues from the first major tournament since the banning of Sensei’s Divining Top. The results didn’t disappoint. In this episode, we talk about D&T, Miracles, some surprises from the Top 64, and where we see Legacy going over the next couple months. … Continue reading Episode 033 — Lessons from GP Vegas
Wilson keeps The Brainstorm Show alive in the month of June with a brief overview of his predictions for GP Vegas. Some are bold, some are obvious, and some are downright bizarre — we will know soon if he’s a real Nostradamus. Check out this super fun Grixis Control list, too: Grixis Control 4 Deathrite … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 009 — Predictions for GP Vegas + Grixis Control
It is high time to revisit Storm, given that it has become a deck to beat over the past few weeks since Sensei’s Divining Top was banned. Find our list and sideboarding map below: Storm (ANT) by The Brainstorm Show 4 Brainstorm 4 Ponder 4 Gitaxian Probe 4 Duress 3 Cabal Therapy 4 Dark Ritual … Continue reading Episode 032 — Storm Reborn
Hello, everybody and welcome back to another episode of The Brainstorm Show. In this episode we take on the recent banning of Sensei’s Divining Top, and cover which decks get better, which get worse, and where you probably want to be when the dust settles out. Check out our latest brew, Natural Order BUG: NO … Continue reading Episode 031 — After the aTOPalypse
Hi loyal listeners! We are back with more in-depth content. This time we step away from individual decks and cards to take a look at how The Brainstorm Show constructs sideboards. We dive into the theory we employ to build an optimal sideboard plan for an anticipated metagame. Check it out!
Hello faithful listeners of The Brainstorm Show! Apologies for the extended hiatus while we got back into the recording booth. In this episode we take on a bunch of questions that were generated from the Facebook community we have been building. Check us out at The Brainstorm Show Community Board. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebrainstormshow/ Special thanks to all the … Continue reading Episode 029 — Listener’s Choice
Hello dedicated listeners! In this very Brief Brainstorm, Wilson introduces some limited content to our lineup. He recently became addicted to the current draft/sealed formats, and wanted to share his thoughts about them and his rankings for each color. Check out his spreadsheet (PDF or Excel) available via the links below. We will get back … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 008 — Kaladesh/Aether Revolt Limited Rankings
Hello loyal listeners! As a treat for those who enjoy Standstill, Wilson goes solo for 45 minutes and takes you through the ins and outs of BUG Standstill. You can check out the latest list we have been testing and tuning below: 4 Deathrite Shaman 3 Snapcaster Mage 2 Vendilion Clique 2 Leovold, Emissary of … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 007 — Deep Dive on BUG Standstill
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show, ladies and gentlemen! Three big topics in this episode: 1. Fatal Push and its place in Legacy 2. Three decklists to get you started brewing with Fatal Push 3. The role of cantrips in Legacy and the question of color balance Content Links: Sean Brown’s “This Week in Legacy” … Continue reading Episode 028 — How to (Fatal) Push It Real Good in Legacy
Welcome back to the Brainstorm Show. In this episode we talk about our results and experiences at GP Louisville. We also take on some important topics about our community, and recommit ourselves to innovating great decks for all players to enjoy. Below you can check out our Brainstorm Show lists for the GP: Wilson and … Continue reading Episode 027 — GP Louisville, a History
Quick bit of extra content for all the loyal Brainstorm Show listeners out there. We received a donation from a friend of the show, and we fielded his questions about Shardless BUG vs. Miracles in this Brief Brainstorm. Enjoy!
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show. We are excited to give our thoughts on the (surprising?) results from Legacy GP Chiba. Also in this episode: disappearing decklist/alternate timelines, a trademarked Wilson Hunter rant about Daze in ANT, and a spicy new brew. And we do mean brew… Feast your eyes: 4-Color Collected Company Creatures (25) … Continue reading Episode 026 — GP Chiba, Berenstain Bears, and Legacy Collected Company
In this episode we hit a wide range of topics, focused primarily around SCG Baltimore, where co-hosts Paul Michel and Phillip Braverman top 32ed and top 16ed respectively. Our lists can be found below, along with a spicy new brew (not ours) that popped up in the episode. Enjoy! Phillip Braverman’s 13th Place Miracles Deck … Continue reading Episode 025 — All the Parts of the Buffalo: SCG Baltimore, BR Reanimator, and more
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show! This episode we are very pleased to bring you an interview with author of “Magic: the Addiction” and host of the Humans of Magic podcast, James Hsu. We talk about his fresh take on Legacy podcasting, his experience writing a book about Magic, and his thoughts on Legacy past, … Continue reading Special Feature — Interview with author/podcaster James Hsu
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show. This week Paul gives his thoughts on the Miracles Slayer Delver deck he piloted to a Top 8 at the Baltimore Legacy Classic. Wilson updates us on MentorBlade finishes (including his own) and Phil tees us up for a brief rant about Storm. Here are the most recent Brainstorm … Continue reading Episode 024 — List updates, reports, and some rants
This week we talk about decks we might have played in alternate universes where Legacy bannings actually happened. We also present a brand new list for you to take to battle in THIS universe: MentorBlade, AKA “Bring the Hammer.” Check it out below. MentorBlade 4 Brainstorm 4 Ponder 4 Sensei’s Divining Top 4 Swords to … Continue reading Episode 023 — Alternate Universes
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show, listeners! This week we take the ceaseless chatter about Miracles bans head on by showing you how you can take a common archetype and rethink it to be more competitive against the “best deck in the format.” We built a BUG tempo deck, and in this episode we walk … Continue reading Episode 022 — Miracles-Slayer Delver
Welcome back to the show. This week we do a full 2-hour episode on Shardless BUG, running through all the popular matchups from both sides of the table. The list is below, along with a complete sideboarding guide. Enjoy! The Brainstorm Show’s Shardless BUG: Main deck (60) Spells (23) 4 Brainstorm 4 Ancestral Vision 4 Abrupt … Continue reading Episode 021 — Shardless BUG Deck Tech
Welcome back to the Brainstorm Show! This episode is a bit self-indulgent, but I’m sure our listeners will allow us to recompose ourselves after Wilson Hunter grabbed his 2nd Legacy GP Top 8. Next episode we look forward to coming back with a deck tech on Shardless BUG. Stay on the lookout.
Miracles players rejoice! The Brainstorm Show is back on the deck and this week we are providing you with a lengthy discussion about our approach to building the deck in anticipation of GP Columbus. Wilson and Phillip have worked to produce the leanest, most flexible list they could while still taking advantage of the heavy … Continue reading Episode 019 — GP Columbus Through a Miraculous Lens
In this episode, Paul, Wilson, and Phil talk about some lists they have been testing on MODO before exploring the “4-of” rule, a logical exercise to help you make better deckbuilding choices. 0:00~16:00 Intro & Current State of ANT 16:01~26:50: TES discussion 26:51~36:00: Dark Belcher discussion 36:01~52:00 Predict Miracles 52:01~1:03:00 Response to CounterTop DeMentor criticisms/praise … Continue reading Episode 018 — Lists and the 4-of Test
In this episode, we: 1) Catch up with listener questions 2) Talk about Wilson’s SCG Philly experience and the Eldrazi metagame 3) Discuss the DeMentor deck and lessons learned from testing 4) Unveil our newest creation: ShardStill. Decklist below: Creatures (18) 4 Deathrite Shaman 4 Tarmogoyf 4 Baleful Strix 4 Shardless Agent 2 Vendilion Clique … Continue reading Episode 017 — I, for One, Welcome Our Eldrazi Overlords! Plus a New Brew: ShardStill
Current List: Creatures (11) 4 Deathrite Shaman 2 Snapcaster Mage 4 Monastery Mentor 1 Vendilion Clique Planeswalkers (1) 1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor Spells (27) 4 Sensei’s Divining Top 4 Brainstorm 2 Ponder 4 Swords to Plowshares 4 Counterbalance 1 Counterspell 1 Dimir Charm 1 Vindicate 2 Painful Truths 4 Force of Will Lands (21) … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 005 — Listener update on CounterTop DeMentor
In this episode, the cast talks Phil’s pro tour success, Eternal Masters, and the newest Tier 1 deck in Legacy, Eldrazi Aggro. Feast your eyes on this beauty and tune in to SCG this weekend to see it in action in Philly. Creatures (22) 4 Eldrazi Mimic 4 Phyrexian Revoker 4 Endless One 4 Thought-Knot … Continue reading Episode 016 — Eldrazi Aggro is coming to Philly
Wilson brings our listeners a fresh look at the CounterTop DeMentor deck that we discussed in Episode 015. The current list is found below: 4 Deathrite Shaman 2 Snapcaster Mage 4 Monastery Mentor 1 Vendilion Clique 1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 4 Sensei’s Divining Top 4 Brainstorm 2 Ponder 4 Swords to Plowshares 4 Counterbalance … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 004 — Update on CounterTop DeMentor
The Brainstorm Show introduces its latest project: CounterTop DeMentor. The decklist can be found below. An updated sideboard is also provided. CounterTop DeMentor Maindeck (60): Creatures (11): 4 Deathrite Shaman 4 Monastery Mentor 2 Snapcaster Mage 1 Vendilion Clique Planeswalkers (2): 2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor Spells (26): 4 Brainstorm 2 Ponder 4 Sensei’s Divining … Continue reading Episode 015 — CounterTop Dementor Deck Tech
The Brainstorm Show makes its triumphant return. Wilson, Paul, and Phil talk changes since they left, the current Legacy metagame, and their foray into MTGO waters. Enjoy.
In Brief Brainstorm 003, Paul talks about the deck he is bringing to SCG D.C. Here it is below and the Carsten Kotter article that spawned it: Carsten Kotter Article Creatures (10) 4 Deathrite Shaman 4 Monastery Mentor 2 Snapcaster Mage Spells (31) 4 Brainstorm 4 Ponder 4 Gitaxian Probe 4 Dig Through Time 4 … Continue reading Brief Brainstorm 003 — Esper DeathMentor with Paul
Introducing the Brief Brainstorm! These will be short (5-10 minute) recordings where the hosts will share their thoughts on specific topics and answer listener questions/feedback. In this Brief Brainstorm, Wilson lets the listeners know what he has been testing in Legacy, answers some listener mail, and talks about decks as an extension of self.
Welcome back to The Brainstorm Show! In Episode 012, we dispel with some common misconceptions about the Legacy format and offer up some sweet lists to slay the Miracles monster. Dig Through Time is here to stay for the next two months at least, so don’t be afraid to engage in some “if you can’t … Continue reading Episode 012 — Legacy Misconceptions & Miracles Crushers
We’re baaaaaaack! Phil and Paul take on GP Lille and Magic: Origins. Looks like Dig Through Time is here to stay at least for the time being. As Phil says in the episode, though, the writing might be on the wall. We will have to see how things develop over the next few months. Hope … Continue reading Episode 011 — GP Lille & Magic: Origins
Welcome back to another episode of The Brainstorm Show. In this episode, courtesy of Reddit user mpaw975, we discuss how we approach brewing in Legacy and introduce a sweet new deck idea: Mentor Tempo. For some background on shells in Magic, which we use to frame part of our discussion, we would like to refer … Continue reading Episode 010 — Brewing with the Brainstorm Boys
Happy days! The Brainstorm Show is back in action. This episode, we talk SCG Worcester Top 8 decklists — what we liked, what we didn’t like, and what changes we would make. As always, we hope you enjoy and want to hear from you. Hit us up on Twitter and Facebook! Ideas for future episodes or … Continue reading Episode 009 — Deck Dissections for SCG Worcester
Hello loyal listener-folk and welcome back! We do apologize for the long wait between episodes. We had a long series of technical issues and scheduling conflicts, but we are back on track and back to our old habits. This week we take on Lands, specifically RG Combo Lands. Enjoy and as always your feedback is … Continue reading Episode 008 — Lands
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back! This week the Brainstorm crew talks GP Kyoto. There were some crazy card choices and a metagame very different from the US’s or Europe’s showed up. Given the limited information Wizards released about the event, we did our best to go over what was popular, what dominated, and what … Continue reading Episode 007 — Legacy in the Land of the Rising Sun
In this episode we take a freeform approach to discussing a few interesting Legacy and strategy topics. Join us on our quest to create the most awkward segues and puns available to the human race. We take on Dragons of Tarkir, mulligans, Extirpate effects, the hot new rW Death & Taxes, and we even brew … Continue reading Episode 006 — A Mélange of Myths and Mulligans
The Brainstorm Show is back after a weekend off playing at the SCG Invitational in Richmond. In this (much shorter) episode, we discuss how Phil and Wilson chose their deck, how the metagame felt, and which decks you should consider for the near future. The Richmond Invitational was full of bittersweet moments, and some utter … Continue reading Episode 005 — Invi (and Other Deadly Sins)
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Brainstorm Show. In this episode, we bring back Phil Braverman for his first episode as an official co-host! This week we give Miracles the same treatment we gave ANT, with deck building philosophy and two-way matchup analysis. If this show format appeals to you and you want us … Continue reading Episode 004 — Miracles
After a short hiatus, Wilson and Paul are back to talk about the “bad” decks in Legacy and why you should not only be prepared for them but also appreciate them. Phillip “Tremaine” Braverman is off galavanting on a nude beach somewhere with his parents, so Wilson and I decided to have a little fun … Continue reading Episode 003 — The Good Side of Bad