The Gam Podcast

After some personal news (Gerry won an RCQ + both him and Dave are headed to the Hunter Burton Memorial Open), it's time to look at the metagame breakdown from Pro Tour Aetherdrift! An initial look at the numbers might make the format look boring, but there's a massive "other" category with plenty of spice. *** NEW SPONSOR vaultgamestore.com Use code "GerryT" for 5% off your order or 5% bonus credit on trade-in! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Gerry went to the Regional Championship in Portland and registered a deck where he found it difficult to answer the question, "What are you playing?" While often not a good sign, Gerry thought his deck was quite good. Dave had many, many questions... *** NEW SPONSOR vaultgamestore.com Use code "GerryT" for 5% off your order or 5% bonus credit on trade-in! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitter.com/michaeljmajors twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Michael Majors returns! Gerry and Majors are teaming up once again for RC Portland and they've been in the kitchen nonstop for a month or so. Together, they spent about a week on the spicy combination of Faithless Looting, Sneaky Snacker, and Flare of Denial, only to discover that Modern was overly hostile to that sort of thing. Ah, well. Some other time perhaps. *** NEW SPONSOR vaultgamestore.com Use code "GerryT" for 5% off your order or 5% bonus credit on trade-in! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitter.com/michaeljmajors twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

I don't know why this keeps surprising us, but unfair decks like Underworld Breach and Eldrazi Ramp continue to put up solid results in Modern. *** NEW SPONSOR vaultgamestore.com Use code "GerryT" for 5% off your order or 5% bonus credit on trade-in! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Even though Gerry didn't make it out to an RCQ last weekend, he's been trying to figure out how to build the perfect Dimir deck in Standard. Breaking it sometimes takes some... unique choices. Modern finally starts moving post-B&R! Overlord of the Balemurk and Eldrazi Ramp look like standouts. *** NEW SPONSOR vaultgamestore.com Use code "GerryT" for 5% off your order or 5% bonus credit on trade-in! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Gerry took his updated Dimir Enchantments to an RCQ and lost in the finals. Hear about his updates to the deck (including some very weird cards) and where he's going from here. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/g3rryt twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Gerry and Dave built the best deck in the field for Spotlight Series Atlanta, but unfortunately, they fell a bit short on having the best version possible. Card availability ended Gerry's tournament before it began and Dave finished one win out of Top 8. Find out how they got from Esper Pixie to the best deck in the room! *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

When it comes to Standard, Gerry prefers to be proactive, so he swore off the weird looking pile of Esper cards with Nurturing Pixie and Hopeless Nightmare. However, due to Dave's recent Standard Challenge Top 4, Gerry is seeing things a little different. It turns out, the deck IS proactive and maybe up Gerry's alley? *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

With the rough equivalent of a Standard Grand Prix happening soon in Atlanta, Gerry and Dave have been spending a ton of time trying to figure out what to play. Dimir Midrange is the clear best deck, but all the red variants aren't far behind. Not many other strategies appear close, so what's the play? Gerry has a plan. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

This B&R announcement is WILD. Gerry and Dave really wanted to talk some about Standard and MXP Houston, but they didn't have time. Two hours were spent talking about the all new Modern format and they still wanted to keep going. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

You might expect red aggro decks to start with 4 Monstrous Rage, but Gerry made Top 8 of an RCQ playing zero copies. He shares his decklist, the reasoning, and what he's looking at playing going forward. Also, MXP Houston is this weekend! Gerry and Dave are playing something Boros-adjacent, but there are a few interesting option. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

SCG Columbus was the first big Standard event of the new season. Surprisingly, Mono-White Caretaker's Talent got 1st and 2nd. It also happened to win the last two Magic Online Challenges... *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Foundations is out and Standard continues to impress. Mono-Red Aggro is the main thing you need to consider when choosing and building your deck, but is very, very beatable. Gerry has some technology after getting to play the format a bit on Tuesday. Meowodic's rank 1 Dimir deck on MTG Arena: https://x.com/meowodic/status/1854782894788555111?s=46&t=gkz_vd6GH3bDWWDP6kTTpw *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Even though Modern RCQ just ended, Gerry and Dave might have some big Modern events coming up, so Dave decided to give Boros Energy a shot. Spoiler: he thought it was quite good. Plus, Gerry went deep on trying to figure out which Foundations were going to make a real impact on Standard. 38:01 - Authority of the Consuls, Day of Judgment 43:59 - Ajani, Caller of the Pride 45:31 - Lyra Dawnbringer 49:21 - Opt 52:33 - Spectral Sailor 54:50 - Faebloom Trick 57:22 - Infestation Sage 58:33 - Vengeful Bloodwitch 59:13 - Massacre Wurm 1:00:50 - Ghitu Lavarunner, Viashino Pyromancer 1:01:45 - Boltwave 1:03:41 - Burst Lightning 1:03:45 - Ball Lightning 1:07:36 - Kellan 1:09:54 - Boros Charm 1:16:26 - Llanowar Elves 1:22:50 - Reclamation Sage 1:23:44 - Vivien Reid 1:25:36 - Scavenging Ooze 1:29:10 - Maelstrom Pulse 1:32:31 - Solemn Simulacrum 1:38:23 - Mazemind Tome 1:42:58 - Pyromancer's Goggles *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_

Gerry and Dave take a more in-depth look at the decklists from Worlds and what they're working on going forward. Despite not winning, Mono-Red Aggro made a huge impact on the format, and the format is struggling to adapt, but Gerry might have some answers. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Javier is too good... Gerry and Dave watched most of the Worlds coverage and plenty to say about recent announcements, how the tournament played out, and what's looking like the best choices for Standard RCQ season. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

What's got Gerry and Dave so excited? This announcement: https://magic.gg/news/play-in-rcqs-earn-secret-lair-promos-and-qualify-for-pro-tour-3-in-2025 Standard is back on the schedule in a big way, which might mean Standard stays relevant for the next couple of years. Ideally, we'd live in a world where your investment into a format would last longer than a single season, and we might be headed in that direction. Gerry's second RCQ report: https://www.patreon.com/posts/gerrys-second-114154508?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Gerry missed the RC, but Dave attended. Gerry had the bird's eye view from watching coverage and looking at decklists whereas Dave was on the floor. One of the decks from the event particularly caught Gerry's attention. *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Prolific shitposter and one of the best Magic coaches out there Mason Clark joins Gerry this week to help him get caught up on Pioneer for Regional Championship DC. Mason's been busting his ass for weeks leading up to this event and has plenty of great insights to share. *** Mason's Twitter: twitter.com/masoneclark Mason's podcast: twitter.com/CCMTG patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi

Both Gerry and Dave thought Boros was bound to get even stronger, and that might have happened... Gerry's RCQ report: https://www.patreon.com/posts/gerrys-boros-rcq-112200828 *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon *** Music: Mega Man 2 "Ending theme" Remix by zookun | Music composed by Manami Matsumae & Takashi Tateishi *** patreon.com/gerrytpodcast youtube.com/arenadecklists twitter.com/g3rryt twitter.com/_DaveShiels twitch.tv/gerry_t Edited by: twitter.com/heresasianjon