Alex Ullman

Untitled Commander Series 3: Navigating the Narrows

How do you build towards narrow cards? This is the question that has enamored me since I was introduced to Commander. There’s nothing wrong with picking a legendary that offers multiple paths – I’ve have more than one deck where such a card is at the helm – but I also derive joy from findingContinue reading “Untitled Commander Series 3: Navigating the Narrows”

The First Two Weeks of Edge of Eternities

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. Normally when I start writing about a new season of Pauper Challenges on Magic Online I give the caveat that there’s not much to glean from one week of data. Two weeks in and we canContinue reading “The First Two Weeks of Edge of Eternities”

Untitled Commander Series 2: 99 + 1 Does Not Equal 1 + 99

Recently, after Commander night I was standing outside my local game store with a friend and regular podmate. We had just finished our third game of the night where the two of us were the last players standing. Piloting my Sek’Kuar, Deathkeeper Aristocrats deck, I was able to whittle him down from 60 life toContinue reading “Untitled Commander Series 2: 99 + 1 Does Not Equal 1 + 99”

The Final Fantasy Season Wrap

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. In the three weeks since my last post, nine Challenges and two other major tournaments took place on Magic Online. As of this writing we are staring down the barrel towards Edge of Eternities. As MagicContinue reading “The Final Fantasy Season Wrap”

The First Four Weeks of Final Fantasy

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. Change is a constant. While it sometimes moves slow – as it did for much of Pauper’s history – it still takes marches on. Entropy is a natural state and to defy it is to swimContinue reading “The First Four Weeks of Final Fantasy”

June 13-15 Pauper Weekend Recap

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. If I were more well versed in the games this is likely a spot where I would make a reference to the Final Fantasy series. Being the uncultured swine that I am you’ll have to settleContinue reading “June 13-15 Pauper Weekend Recap”

The Calm After the Dragonstorm

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. If you’re reading this, Final Fantasy has been released into the wild. We are already seeing new cards make their appearance in 5-0 decklists and I am interested to see if any of these cards canContinue reading “The Calm After the Dragonstorm”

May 30 – June 1 Pauper Weekend Recap

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. The calendar has turned from May to June which means we are that many days closer to Final Fantasy. Wow that feels weird to write. Anyway, there were three Pauper Challenges last weekend and if weContinue reading “May 30 – June 1 Pauper Weekend Recap”

Catching Up on Dragonstorm

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. Hello again. It’s been a hot minute. For those of you who don’t know, earlier this month I had some surgery. I thought that, in the run up to the procedure, I would be able toContinue reading “Catching Up on Dragonstorm”

April 11-13 Pauper Weekend Recap

Want to learn more about the metrics I use in tracking the metagame? You can find an explainer here. A new season is upon us with the release of Tarkir Dragonstorm. Due to the recent additions to (and subtractions from) the Banned List the format was primed to undergo a pretty significant shift. Despite thisContinue reading “April 11-13 Pauper Weekend Recap”