Barbarian Class

Remember that time the Princes got specifically Hawkeye's Bow banned in Pauper? Yeah, well... Neither do we. See you at PauperGenesis!

In case you've been living under The Rock, there is a new weapon from Marvel Super Heroes that threatens to warp the Pauper format. This episode starts with Mike and Rich talking about some of the different Hawkeye's Bow decks but then descends into an issue of What If? regarding the upcoming PauperGenesis. PauperGenesis in just a couple of weeks is going to be the largest Pauper event ever outside of Italy. The Princes believe that at its best an event like this (co-organized by our own Jenn the Judge mind you) can help recreate what Jenn has done so lovingly in New York City... But maybe not if Hawkeye's Bow is legal.  Ideally you'd want to see the breadth of the Pauper format, a battle between Terrors and Guttersnipes; or a cool new combo deck like Ruby Storm that comes completely out of left field. Pauper has mid-range. Pauper has pure aggro. Pauper has Mono-Blue with only four hard counters... For newcomers to buy into what makes Pauper so great, we believe we want to see that in action at the top tables and the Top 8... Not just a splashy new combo that is about to get banned. Hawkeye's Bow has already won 100% of the MTGO Challenges that have occurred since the card has become legal, and the Princes outline at least 3-4 different takes on building it in just this episode, a mere two days since it's become legal in paper. Our conclusion? Our plea? Ban Hawkeye's Bow before PauperGenesis. Thanks!

Mike is reminded by his old Star City broadcasts partner Joey Pasco that a Mono-Red Madness primer was promised way back in the first episode of The Princes of Pauper! So our Princes go down the road of one of their favorite decks. It's all Guttersnipes and Fireblasts in this one. Is Voldaren Epicure the weakest card? How do you contend with combo? Find out in The Mono-Red Madness Deep Dive! Here's a link to Mike's most recent list: https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/michaelflores-04022026-revisiting-my-pauper-burn-deck

Mike and his triad are victorious in Hex and Co's Team Trios Event! Mike played Walls Spy so the Princes put their heads together and deep dive on a deck they both know and love. Mike also takes a little foray into goldfishing Ruby Storm, which he has only played one game of (but HAS watched Jon Finkel goldfish)! Mike's Spy article on Coolstuff: https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/michaelflores-04102026-a-deep-dive-on-pauper-walls-spy Rich's Spy List: https://moxfield.com/decks/zDlcEVO4NEa2UUn7_9BwvA Mike's Ruby Storm List: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYAHW2xgLBo/  

Mike is Back! Rich is victorious (in one format at least), and the Princes talk Pauper metagame post Paupergeddon! Rich's Wall Spy: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/1b54f448-f7a4-4129-bb7b-b4220066b0f9 Ruby Storm by Data Pusher: https://moxfield.com/decks/05NObETYKUSEh3cPUE0EKA

Rich sits down with Kalikaiz who very patiently explains how Pauper Familiars works to a clueless Rich. They talk the different flavors of Fams, tricky Fams lines, and how you too can break into one of Pauper's most rewarding archetypes. Fams list: https://moxfield.com/decks/a__QgyuLsU-JsewyCLXBmw Kalikaiz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kalikaiz 

New York Pauper League Champion Colin Hostetter joins Rich this week: They talk about the innovative Synth Gates deck that Colin used to take down Season 4. Colin beat Mike so badly in the League playoffs that Mike didn't show up for this one, but will grudgingly add some links that Rich asked him to ("for the listeners, before they ask" or something). Colin's deck list: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/26efb639-a9a0-4a55-8beb-b3f101529475 The Upstate New York Pauper Open: https://www.spicerack.gg/events/3008876 "Are they paying us for this?" -Mike "No Mike, no one is paying us." -Rich "Shrug emoji." -Mike

It's an emergency episode of The Princes of Pauper! Rich has ended his damnable streak, defeating Mike at League... and wants everybody to know about it! Dimir is the best, Mike is the worst. As Mike has found an all-new way to lose (this time with the Wall Spy combo deck) we've added a classic episode, a la Ancestral Recall to this very special episode. 

"Elves is terrible!" says the Light Prince*. "Another 1-2!" agrees the Dark Prince**. Such The Princes of Pauper has become a hotbed of Elves slander. Yet... Elves is one of the most popular decks in League play, recently won a Large SCGCon event, etc. Might Rich and Mike be missing something good about the Little Green Men? So we enlist absolute Elves assassin Bill Ellis!! for a deep dive on one of the most powerful and popular decks in Pauper (just one that hasn't served us quite yet). * Listen to the podcast! ** See the above note.

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.

Mike's first foray into Premodern is the largest tournament on record! He does pretty well, with a third place finish. But if ever there was a case where journey went before destination, this is it. We really hope you enjoy the adventures.

Mike thinks Rakdos Ob Anvil is the best deck in Standard. Mike KNOWS many players are getting some big things wrong with, and about, it.

Only listen if you want to get better at winning close races! MIke borrows tech and terminology from some other popular games to illustrate how to win more / closer races in Magic.

In the tradition of Deadly Dispute and Rite of Oblivion comes a new way to blow up your own stuff... To blow up their stuff.

Den of the Bugbear and Kumano Faces Kakkazan in Standard and Pioneer! How to play your first turn depending on what Companion the opponent presents (in Modern) A novel way to approach attrition

Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance ... and Tasha's Uncontrollable Laughter

The Top 8 Reasons Esper kind of sucks... Plus! The secret best card in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.

Take a trip down memory lane as Mike somehow crushes casting various Boomerang and / or Unsummon effects for 1U. Who is the Unlikely Hero at that casting cost in Standard right now?

The most immediate impact to deck construction coming out of new set Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty is at Magic's most fundamental point... The mana base.

It's a new set! It's a Red Deck! Join Mike for adventures with Reckless Stormseeker, Reinforced Ronin, Rabbit Battery, Roil Eruption, and more!

Roman and Flores visit a modern -- and Modern -- classic from Mike's CoolStuffInc era. One of Mike's favorite articles, with this revisit coming on the heel's of Roman's success at MTG Las Vegas.

Mike revisits some favorite memories from Champions of Kamigawa, Ravnica Block, and their "Tier Two" metagame. Plus some failed art and a story or two... All with an eye towards the hot pink new set.

What exactly is "Paleolithic" Burn? Whether you want to call it Boomer Burn or just plain Boros Burn, the classic r-w deck might be one of the best options despite encroachment from so many Modern Horizons II options at R. Find. Out. Why!

What is the Limit of Almost Every Deck? Why is that a super cool thing to talk about in 2022? And what does Halana and Elena, Partners have to do with Chaplain of Alms and Legion Angel, anyway?

What do the current Blood Money (and surprisingly successful non-Blood on the Snow) black decks look like? How might they look with some additions from Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty?

If Mike had to play one game of Standard for his life, he'd pick Izzet Dragons. Still, Hullbreaker Horror and Cemetery Protector make a strong case for Number Two

Everybody hates Izzet! Or, at least most people have to have a plan for Prismari. This week Mike looks at an emerging Dimir discard deck, comments a little on what makes Izzet so hard for control to compete with, and reveals a weird new solution from -- gasp -- Mono-White!

A secret sideboard in Venice. The principles of Barbarian Class. Making your own luck, making your reputation, and making it go faster, Faster, FASTER at the Innistrad Championships

Mike and Roman revisit a classic article about decision fatigue, an Israeli parole board, and eating snacks during a tournament... Because of course young Roman did just that to break through to Top 8 of MTGVegas! This podcast celebrates his amazing accomplishment and sets up lessons as we return to "The Gathering" half of Magic.

With MTGVegas in the books, Mike addresses tips for long paper tournaments, presumably for a public increasingly interested in "The Gathering" half of Magic

Mostly about the early popularity of White Weenie in Crimson Vow Standard

Roman joins Mike in a redux of his best article in years! Plus, the onetime Ancestral Recall duo starts off on some honest to gosh BARBARIAN chats! Fewer lies (hopefully) more steel mace swinging? Stay savage

About half fun old stories. About half secret meanings and play patterns to new Innistrad: Crimson Vow cards, like... By Invitation Only Cemetery Protector Old Rutstein Manaform Hellkite

Don't make any of these all-too-common mistakes! From Izzet grabbing the wrong land to StOmPy playing the wrong land, these are errors even MC Champions make... Learn them, avoid them, and make your own luck!

Four different looks at Blood on the Snow-based Control decks for Standard! A lot has changed since Mike made Mythic with Golgari Snow... #4Blood4Meathook4Life

Roman joins MichaelJ to discuss his Magic: The Gathering World Championships 2021 article... And really talk all things Standard and even Limited on Arena. Will Mike get to Mythic in Limited? And when?