Magic The Amateuring

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are fresh (??) off the plane from Barcelona, Spain and ready to spill all the hottest goss from Pro Tour The Lord of the Rings! Find out what the best strategies were in Draft and Modern as the pros battled their way to the Top 8. PLUS: What deck turned Maria’s head (and now she feels gross?), what experience in Barcelona will Meghan remember the most, and what match of Magic you should watch that may be among the best of all time. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for all the action at Pro Tour Lord of the Rings heading your way this weekend! Find out what the top decks are in Modern (yes, Modern! It’s not been played at the PT level since 2019!) and what exciting things you’ve got to look forward to on your screens this weekend. PLUS: the top 2 cards from the new set we expect to see on the battlefield and all the shenanigans you’ve come to expect from team GLHF. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan have a fantastic time exploring the world of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, as Meghan tries to tell you the entire story of The Hobbit and LotR in 5 minutes or less. Can she do it?! Find out! PLUS: many questions about Gandalf’s “God Vacation” and whether or not Hobbits really do have life all figured out. Your hosts also dive into the world of Historic Brawl with some super fun new decks and Commanders courtesy of Lord of the Rings. …did Hobbits have the printing press? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are back LIVE in the studio after a summer hiatus! They haven’t had much of an opportunity to play Lord of the Rings yet, so what are they to do?! How about cracking some Collector Boosters of the new set and guessing which cards are the best in Draft! Don’t worry, their guesses will be either validated or rejected by the cold, hard facts and data behind the best and worst draft picks. Their discussion will help kickstart your win rate in Limited play – and give you plenty of laughs along the way! PLUS: two exclusive Commander Masters preview cards! Thank you to Wizards of the Coast for the free preview content! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

Give this episode to your friend who you want to coerce… I mean…invite…to play Magic the Gathering! This episode covers everything about the greatest game in the world. From how set releases work to how and where to play, this podcast will start your buddies off on the right foot. Note: this episode does not teach someone how to play Magic, rather, it shows them the world of Magic – and how to best interact with everything the game has to offer. Remember: if you are already a player you are FORBIDDEN from listening to this episode!

On this episode, Maria and Meghan investigate the latest update to the Magic the Gathering Storm Scale – where lead designer Mark Rosewater tells players how likely a certain mechanic is to be reprinted. When can we expect to see Learn again? How about Adamant (remember that one?!) And how about Landfall? Find out! BONUS: you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly how much a cloud weighs. You’re welcome!!! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive face first into a giant pile of randomized Magic cards from throughout the game’s storied history. Who will be able to guess more cards correctly based on the art alone? Find out! A big prize is on the line as well as PRIDE! And BRAGGING RIGHTS! All hail The Mighty Randomizer! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob back to the show to talk about this weekend’s Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth prerelease! Rob will prepare you with all the knowledge you’ll need to walk confidently into your local game store (or Mount Doom)! Covering new cards, returning mechanics, NEW mechanic (singular) and tricky cards – with Rob’s preparations you won’t need second breakfast, but you’ll have one anyway. Just in case. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan catch up on all the Magic the Gathering story — from the very end of Phyrexia: All Will Be One to the end of March of the Machine (and a bit of Aftermath) — they’ll get you caught up on all of the happenings in the multiverse. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a good old fashioned storytime! PLUS: A GLHF exclusive preview card from Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Thanks to Wizards Magic for the free preview! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a first look at Magic’s newest upcoming set Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Hear all about the new mechanics, cards and magnificent art that graces this Modern-legal offering. PLUS: Meghan has a soapbox moment, Maria reads some Watto fan fiction, and which phase of the moon is the most hot? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with Desk After Dark! Your hosts Maria Bartholdi and Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your questions about everything Magic coverage. This episode, your hosts focus on Pro Tour March of the Machine in Minneapolis, featuring a historic win. PLUS, they welcome special guest and coverage legend Brian David-Marshall to the program. Want to submit a question for the next episode? Just ask Maria (@MissMariapants) or Mani (@zapgaze) on Twitter. 

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get ready for a brand new world of Standard ahead of Banned & Restricted announcement next week. What will get the hammer? What will be spared? And what will the world look like afterwards? PLUS: Lord of the Rings is nearly upon us and your intrepid hosts are ready with their predictions of mechanics and card designs for the new set. (Spoiler: some of these ideas are, like, really good!) And, tell me honestly, who doesn’t want to see a TNT-made featured film about a rich oil boy turned professor? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you an a magical journey through everything new that’s coming up this summer and fall for Magic the Gathering. From big changes to Standard, to Lord of the Rings, to the Wilds of Eldraine – your hosts guide you as they explore brave new worlds for the first time and peek at what’s ahead. PLUS: shouldn’t there be a downside for being the ring bearer? Just what exactly is Maria registered for at Williams and Sonoma? And which Doctor are you? All that and more on this week’s episode! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, coverage legend and Pro Tour Historian Brian David Marshall visits the GLHF crew to tell one of his favorite Magic stories and to make you a delicious cocktail! PLUS: All the tea from MagicCON Minneapolis and Pro Tour March of the Machine! Find out what decks destroyed in Standard and in Draft — and why the winner is such a big deal. PLUS: Maria doesn’t understand The Lion King. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria welcomes very special guest host Carolyn Pardee to the show to talk Pro Tour March of the Machine! Carolyn (3-time VML champion and excellent Magic the Gathering player) helps get you prepped for what to look out for on coverage this weekend. Between a super-cool (but weird!) Draft format and a Standard format that may welcome some exciting changes to popular decks, Carolyn has got you covered! PLUS: A special announcement about Season 10 of the VML and what pro players really talk about inside testing houses. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive deep into the draft data of March of the Machine to find out what cards to pick, what cards to pass, and which colors make everyone the most sad. The best color may surprise you! PLUS: a look at the best commons in each color as well as the Top 5 Best Cards overall which are truly something special to behold. This draft format is a dream, get out there and play! And win! With the help of this episode! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan relive Maria’s exciting prerelease experience playing March of the Machine for the very first time! Find out what kind of deck Maria built – including what cards majorly over-performed. Hear how you should approach attacking battles, whether or not to Backup and more! PLUS: Storytime with Meghan continues and Maria enjoys (?) it with a new cocktail you might just want to never try at home. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom Maria’s Prerelease Deck

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to the show to explain all of the tricky new & returning mechanics as well as cards that might trip you up at this weekend’s March of the Machine prerelease! This set features brand new card types as well as a BIG rules change involving tokens — so you’d better tune in before you throw down. PLUS: Cutest and Grossest card of the set are crowned and Maria scares some highly intelligent wildlife. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get pumped for March of the Machine with a look at the exciting new cards and mechanics of the upcoming set! See their ridiculously good preview card, find out what they think might be the best art of the YEAR, and learn how to properly Battle (with a capital “B”) your opponent. PLUS: A haunted Randomizer and chapter 2 of Phyrexia: All Will Be One Storytime where our planeswalker friends learn the power of walkie-talkies. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate the newest official Magic the Gathering format: Oathbreaker! Join Judge Rob as he walks our hosts through some amazing listener-submitted Oathbreaker decks and crafts decks specifically for Meghan and Maria. Want to guess which planeswalkers they chose? Find out – and get inspiration for your own spicy builds. PLUS: The first episode of New Phyrexia Storytime and a taste test that pits cookies against each other in an epic cookie war. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom