Forcing Spike - A Wannabe Magic the Gathering Podcast: Recent Episodes
Forcing Spike
Forcing Spike is a weekly podcast about two guys, with professional jobs, who want to be better at Magic the Gathering. Join us on our journey to being better at the world's best card game, and maybe we can learn something from each other. Regular episodes will feature Chris and Justin talking about competitive MTG formats, and how they balance their preparation for local PPTQs, Grand Prixs, and whatever else may come their way with their day jobs and family lives. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-dunne/support
Chris Top 8's his first paper tournament in 2 years, and the duo are falling for Forgotten Realms.
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Justin and Chris spend a Sunday evening hanging out, and drafting.
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The duo dive into changes to tournament structures, the new summer super drop, and what we'd play in modern.
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Justin and Chris are back. Welcome to Forcing Spike 3.0. We dive into news updates, Historic bans, and Modern moving forward.
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Justin and Chris talk about how the only viable path to being a pro magic player is now content creation.
Apologies for the audio quality, something when wrong with Chris' mic. We hope to have it resolved next episode.
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Professor Sherman goes full Dubledore, and makes sure Chris doesn't flunk his Strixhaven draft.
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Chris and Justin hit the books, and dive into the impact of the Mystical Archives on MtG.
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Chris comes to terms with his mediocrity, and decides to do something about it.
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Universe Beyond isn't the end of the world, and the duo dive into TSP remastered.
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Disclaimer: This episode was recorded the night before the big announcement about crossover IPs. Look forward to that chat next week!
In the meantime, do we like Magic again? The duo take a look at the formats after Uro was deleted from the game.
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The duo dig into Kaldheim standard, and are stoked to see a good standard again.
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Boomer magic at it's finest.
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The duo talk burgers, buy-lists, and bi-frosts. It's the Forcing Spike Kaldheim first look!
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Happy New Year! Justin and Chris have a philosophical conversation about the pros and cons of Twitter and our favorite game, and we grade every product released in 2020.
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Chris made mythic, and wants to talk about it gosh dang it. The duo dive in to a Historic check in.
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Justin has done it. Chris embraces his full Timmy. We're starting....a commander league.
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You all didn't ask for it, but we're giving it to you anyway. Enjoy a bonus episode where Justin opens gold, and Chris opens pieces of cardboard that technically can be used to play Magic.
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We did it! Forcing Spike has reached episode 100, and we're celebrating with a listener questions episode. Enjoy!
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The duo discuss the surprise that is Kaladesh remastered, digging into what is, and isn't, in it.
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We're kicking it old school! Justin and I hadn't caught up in a few weeks, so this is a chat just like the old times. If you're a fan of OG Forcing Spike, this is for you!
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In the wake of the most recent bans, the duo think through a radical idea.
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The duo dig into their points of view on The Walking Dead secret lair.
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Hey all!
After a hiatus due to Chris moving, and Justin getting sick - we're back! Rather than speculate on the future of Standard, or a world where we have Walking Dead reserved list cards, we focused this week on diving into legacy. Siege Ryano joins with a "how to get started" primer.
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The duo react to Zendikar, and get super hyped about the 2021 release calendar.
Apologies for the late episode this week, I'm in the middle of moving and the releases might be off for the rest of this month. No worries though, we still plan to have an episode a week!
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Justin is super hyped about Commander Legends, so he tries to get Chris in to the format. Chris learns something about himself. Oh, and another card got banned.
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The duo discuss Maro's State of the Game, and whether or not remaster sets can save Magic as we know it.
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Coming down from the high of a "new" format, Chris realizes Standard is still....standard.
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The game is new again, and I don't know what to do with my hands.
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Diving deeeeeeeeep into Historic Goblins for the Arena Open.
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Justin and Chris dig in to Historic, in preparation for the Arena Open. Fun fact, there is not a ton of data on which decks play well in Historic!
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Tags: M21Ikoria
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Justin and Chris travel through time to give you thoughts on the B&R Update, and the current state of Standard.
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Hey all, sorry this episode is late. About two hours after we recorded, my wife's water broke and two days later Eleanor Dunne was here!
Hoping you still enjoy the cast, Justin and I dig into the rares to look for in limited, and have a hard disagree about the power of White in this set.
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Justin dives into the sign post cards for M21, and the duo consider a Forcing Spike Tournament.
Cast your vote for the tournament format on our discord!
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Justin finds out about F.I.R.E. design philosophy, and we rant. That's really it. This is a softball. If you want crunchy meta advice, just play Rec.
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The duo get in to how stoked they are for M21 (even if Standard will still be...well..uh...Standard, and Justin is jazzed about the Commander rules change.
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Hey everyone,
You'll hear it in the cast, but I wanted to post it in the show notes too.
Justin and I wanted to start this episode by reminding everyone that Forcing Spike is a place to pick each other up, and no one should be put down.
Black Lives Matter.
Racism is not a political issue. Systemic oppression is not a political issue. Violence is not a political issue.
These are issues of human rights, and human decency.
Violence of any kind, and that especially based on on race, gender, orientation, status, or belief system is not accepted, and will not be accepted in the Forcing Spike community.
Forcing Spike is a place where we're pros, just not at Magic.
We're certainly not professionals when it comes to the plight of black people and minorities in America - and I'm sure at some point I have unknowingly contributed to the problem. That is not ok.
Justin and I are looking for other ways to help our communities, but for now what we can do is provide a safe place to talk about our favorite game, and extend an invitation to others that are like minded to discuss and enjoy their favorite hobby.
If anyone in the Forcing Spike community has any recommendations on how to contribute, please let us know.
Thank you all for listening, and being here. Know this is a safe place to talk if you feel that you need to.
- Chris & Justin
Oh yeah, and there were changes to Standard.
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The duo discuss recent changes to OP, and take a look at the emerging Historic format.
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The duo react to the weekend's tournament frenzy, the first round of companion bans, and wonder if single set design is the reason Magic has been broken for a year.
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Chris is a sad bastard and Justin tries to cheer him up. The duo discuss, just what does it take to be a spike in 2020.
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The duo dig in to their feelings about companion, and long term effects they may have on the game. Then, Chris and Justin unpack the vision design hand off file for clues about what's to come.
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This week the duo dig in to:
- Where we are seeing some success in standard
- Why Chris is bad at this limited format, and Justin isn't.
- A look at our top 10 and bottom five set mechanics
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Ikoria is released! Player draft has arrived on MTG Arena! We look at cards that over and under perform, and discuss how Magic as a brand is changing the way the game is played.
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Join us as we dive into the common and uncommon set review of Ikoria! SiegRyano joins the cast for a MARATHON session that we hope helps your opening weekend games!
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The duo is stoked, and flabbergasted by Ikoria. Also, Cycling is the best MTG mechanic of all time, fight me.
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Team Forcing Spike takes a look at the many changes happening across the MTG landscape amid social distancing protocol.
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This was recorded on 3/15 - and we hope you're all staying safe as news continues to progress this week. We're digging in how to still enjoy our game in these strange times.
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Lots of cards were banned, Justin and Chris dig into how that might affect each format moving forward. The duo then dig in to a 70% WR arena decklist, and answer some listner questions.
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Justin and Chris try a new show format, and dive into how a ban might affect multiple formats, and how to stay healthy at Magic events.
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Justin and Chris mourn Pioneer, and revisit Ravnica's limited environment.
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Justin and Chris deep dive mono red in the current standard meta game, and debate if Paulo Vitor Damo deRosa is the best player of all time.
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Justin and Chris react to WoTC putting the kibosh on Karsten Math, and ponder how personalities in this game grow.
Here is the article Chris digs into: https://medium.com/@AmberHorsburgh/how-to-spend-100-000-to-break-an-artist-c093cf2d67f7
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Justin and Chris wonder where Justin's secret lair order is, and the duo review Players Tour Pioneer deck lists.
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Justin and Chris talk about the Magic Fest experience, and Chris dives into Modern and Standard Decks.
Check out the deck's discussed here:
Snowress (Modern)
UW Control (Standard)
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Justin and Chris take a look at early Theros standard, and wonder if cat combo is still the litmus test of the format.
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Justin returns this week, for his Theros Beyond Death limited preview!
If you prefer to read his hot takes, check out his post on Reddit.
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A Forcing Spike bonus episode! Justin and Chris react to the Mox Opal, Oko Thief of Crowns, and Mycosinth Lattice bans in modern.
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Justin is out this week, celebrating the birth of his baby girl! In his place, Annie Dunne (Chris' wife) joins the podcast to interview Chris about Magic the Gathering.
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Chris dives into the finer points of Historic (hint, it shares the constructed rank ladder!) and the duo lay out their new year's resolutions.
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Justin and Chris check in on Pioneer, and talk a little modern this episode.
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Chris is in a rut, and Justin gives him some sage advice.
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Justin and Chris were gone a week, and try to unpack everything that happened since the last episode. They cover:
- Theros Previews
- MC Decklists
- Pros and Cons of Suspensions
- Pioneer Bans & New Meta
- Bye bye byes
Join us in our discord to keep the conversation going!
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The Forcing Spike Podcast has taken a crack at a 2019 Holiday Gift Guide, and we hope we can help your non Magic playing loved ones find a great gift for a Magic player!
This guide is organized by general advice, and then type of player and price tiers. The types of players we have gift suggestions for are:
- General Advice - 4:00
- Kitchen Table or New to the Game - 15:00
- Fun with Friends - 41:00
- Tournament Players - 1:03:00
Fast forward to the section that is most like your family member, friend, or loved one, and happy gifting!
If you’d like to read these suggestions, check out the written transcript!
Happy Holidays!
Join us in our discord to keep the conversation going!
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The duo returns to tackle some listener questions, and dive into Pioneer, and post Oko standard!
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Turns out to have a Magic podcast, you need to play games of Magic. Justin and Chris are taking the week off to catch up on the changes to standard. They'll be back next week with a hands on look into post Oko Arena, and Pioneer impressions.
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Tournament report time! Chris and Justin recap their Standard, Modern, and Mystery Booster Richmond experience, and make a case for and against keeping Oko in standard.
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Justin and Chris welcome special guest, Ryan Owens, to talk through his prep for the Mythic Championship, deck selection, and sideboard meta game decisions.
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Chris reports back from a PTQ, and digs into the various Oko decks in the "very fun" standard format. The duo go over initial Pioneer lists.
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What. What?! WHAAAAT!
NEW ACTUALLY RELEVANT FORMAT HYYYYYYYPE!!!!!
The duo talk about the Standard bans, and the new Magic the Gathering format, Pioneer.
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The duo discuss potential bannings, and how to move forward in Standard and Modern.
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Justin and Chris talk about how to win, when you're stuck in Arena's Gold Rank.
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The duo discuss their first impressions of Thrones sealed and standard, and Chris fights a nasty cold.
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Justin dives into his limited archetype analysis for the new Magic the Gathering set, Throne of Eldraine.
Next week, updates on the arena meta game and our standard decklists!
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After an unexpected hiatus, the duo return to review their top ten constructed cards for Throne of Eldraine.
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Stalk Chris on his new Twitch channel!
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A survey episode of sorts. The duo talk about what's going on in various MTG formats while we wait for Throne of Eldraine to drop.
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Chris and Justin are back from GP Vegas, and feeling a little lost after the B&R announcement. The duo cheer the banishment of Hoggak, mourn the loss of Faithless Looting, and question the power of Stoneforge Mystic in modern moving forward.
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Stalk Chris on his new Twitch channel!
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What to do if you're not playing Hoggak - Forcing Spike dives into why sometimes not playing the best deck is OK, and what they'd play at GP Vegas.
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This is Justin's first GP Vegas, and for a ton of new players it'll be there first GP too!
The duo get into how to plan for a great, and safe time, at a large Magic Fest.
Join the Forcing Spike discord!
Check out Heelguns "Planar Adversaries" Kickstarter!
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A kind of "inbetween tournaments" episode. The duo catch up on Arena talk, and think about other ways to approach modern.
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We hope this podcast ages poorly, because we hope Hogaak gets banned. That said, here's how we would sideboard with and against it, in the most popular match ups.
Decks discussed this episode:
Hogaak: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2124866#paper
Izzet Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2125100#paper
Humans: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2125061#paper
UW Control: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2125000#paper
Tron: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2124945#paper
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After debating the merits of brawl as a competitive format, the team mulls over their less than winning record from the SCG open, and get into their thoughts on what it means to be successful as a Magic the Gathering player.
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Chris is finalizing his Standard deck for SCG Philly, and Justin has his locked in.
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Justin and Chris dig into the first few days of the M2020 meta, and offer some advice on how to spend your hard earned wildcards.
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Justin and Chris dive into the commons and uncommons of Magic 2020, to prep you for upcoming prereleases, and Arena events!
Text version available here.
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Modern feels like a new format, and the duo start from scratch.
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The duo discuss the eternal format implications brought on by Modern Horizons and War of the Spark, and talk MH Sealed.
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How to ladder moving forward in War of the Spark standard, and Justin's top synergies for Modern Horizons limited.
Join us in our discord! https://discord.gg/4xyG6A8
Check out Justin's commons and uncommons review for Modern Horizons!
https://www.reddit.com/r/spikes/comments/bvrj3h/sealeddraft_the_forcing_spike_modern_horizons/
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Justin and Chris prep for their last few MCQs left this season.
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Should the duo just play meme decks, or meta decks at MCQs? Also, Modern Horizons HYYYYYYYPE!!!!!
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Justin and Chris dig into the pros and cons of the two most popular decks for this MCQ season.
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Chris goes through the "top deck" meta game for this weekend's MCQs, and Justin talks about why this episode was late.
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Justin and Chris dig into week one of War of the Spark standard, and sealed. Chris dives into Grixis midrange.
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The duo deep dive War of the Spark limited by reviewing the set's commons and uncommons.
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Announcing: The Forcing Spike Discord Server! Feel free to join here: https://discord.gg/2kUkBg
It's a kind of "in between" episode for the duo. Justin and Chris talk about their plans for War of the Spark Standard, traveling to summer GPs, and thoughts on the state of Modern.
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The duo discuss their favorite standard formats of all time, before saying good bye to this one.
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Justin and Chris dig into the mythic grind one last time, and then go all hype train for War of the Spark spoilers.
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The duo get back to discussing our favorite casual formats, and Chris' grind to Mythic.
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The duo talk about Justin's plans (or non plans) for SCG Philly, dive into an Arena Esper deck tech, and talk about Bo1 tilt.
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The team reflects on their prep and performance at GP LA, and sets goals moving forward.
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Chris is frustrated with Pteramander, and the duo discuss options going into GP LA.
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The duo dig into their middling success (due to lack of skill or time is up for debate) on Arena, and dig into options for modern and Arclight Phoenix decks.
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This episode takes a break from the regularly scheduled Magic content, and the duo have a Q&A about what we do for a living.
If you're looking for more Magic talk, the stinger has our thoughts on Modern one week out from GP LA. We'll be back next week with deeper Magic talk.
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Justin is back from his brush with appendicitis, and the duo catch up on Standard Mono Blue Tempo, and our thoughts on how to change Phoenix for Magic Fest Los Angeles.
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The duo share their Magic Fest New Jersey experience, thoughts on the state of organized play, and the uncertainties we have moving into 2019.
So that the entire episode isn't a downer, we also talk about sweet Vannifar brews, and what we think of Modern moving into Magic Fest Los Angeles.
Sorry for the delay this week. Between travel, bad internet, and then of all things Justin's appendix having to get removed, it was a rough week to get a cast out. We hope you enjoy!
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The duo praise Fblthp, and celebrate the KCI ban before digging into week one sealed and standard for Ravnica Allegiance.
Come say hi to us in New Jersey! We'll be at the GP slinging some sealed. Hit up @ForcingSpike on Instagram if you want to play some games.
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Justin dives into his breakdown on gold commons and uncommons in Ravnica Allegiance, and the duo discuss which pre-release pack they'd pick, and their initial thoughts on sealed for Magic Fest New Jersey.
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Chris provides his report for GP Oakland, and the Sunday Mythic Qualifier. The duo debate what (if anything) should be banned from KCI.
Again, having some audio difficulties. Now that we have a few weekends to focus on the podcast quality, we will troubleshoot and be back to full strength soon. Thanks for listening!
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Chris is heading out to the GP at Magic Fest Oakland, and has some thoughts on side boarding Izzet Phoenix. The duo also nerd out about more Ravnica Allegiance spoilers, and can't wait to jump into sealed talk next week.
If you're at the GP - come say hi! Hit us up @ForcingSpike on Instagram, and Chris will be very happy to come say hello.
Quick note, we changed around some audio equipment, and there are some technical difficulties in this episode. Thanks for continued support, we hope to have everything back up and running correctly next week.
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Chris continues his (seemingly never ending) prep for Modern GPs, and the duo discusses their approach to the new Modern meta.
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Justin and Chris recap some of 2018, look forward to 2019, and dig into their preferred play styles.
Due to the holidays we'll be posting new podcasts towards the end of the week, instead of the regular Tuesday evenings. Thanks for the great 2018, and happy holidays!
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Chris comes back, defeated, after GP Portland, and the duo discuss emerging trends in the Modern meta game.
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In anticipation of GP Portland, Justin and Chris dig into their approach to preparing for large Magic tournaments.
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Justin fan boys over Snapcaster Mage and Jeskai decks (lol), and the duo dig into Ultimate Masters synergies prior to PAX Unplugged.
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Justin puts Chris through a sideboard gauntlet in preparation for GP Portland.
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Chris and Justin go over the Pro Tour meta game, and continue to discuss what to play in the upcoming Modern GPs.
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Chris starts his prep for upcoming Modern GPs by discussing the GP Atlanta results with Justin. In a meta that is becoming less interactive, what is the most unfair deck to play?
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Justin's back from GP New Jersey, and we have a pro point to celebrate! He recaps the tournament, and the duo discusses the standard meta moving forward.
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Justin toils over what to play at GP New Jersey, the first large Magic event since Guilds of Ravnica's release. We dive into Golgari, Izzet, and the larger meta as a whole. Will he come to a decision that leads him to day 2?
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In this bonus episode, Chris and Justin take a stab at turning Izzet Spells into Jeskai spells. This is probably a bad idea, but a fun exercise none the less. Check out Forcing Spike Episode 2 for the full conversation around Justin's prep for GP New Jersey.
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Chris and Justin (bravely) share their first ever attempt at a podcast, and introduce themselves, their day jobs, and their Magic the Gathering background.
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Chris and Justin take a look into week two (or is it three?) results from MTGO PTQ results, and pick favorite decks to watch moving into the new Standard format.
Thanks for listening to the first episode, we're still getting up and running! If you have any comments or feedback, please hit us up on Twitter or Instagram @forcingspike.
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