The Dive Down

Depending on who you ask, this is either a week off from Magic as part of a much needed summer vacation. Or it's the soft launch of our new talk show about preventing old dude loneliness. On this week's show, we talk about as little MTG as possible. And instead catch up on our wild and exciting lives. Stan and Shane confront Dave about video games. Dave shares some wisdom on basic interior design. Selena Gomez bakes a delicious Oreo. Check out our newest sponsor, CardMill—the first automated scanner and sorter built for everyday trading card players. Visit https://CardMill.com/thedivedown to learn more! Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Save 60% on your first subscription of Mental Performance shots at https://magicmind.com/divemf Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 4:55 - This week's episode 6:32 - CardMill - An upcoming automated card scanning and sorting device 8:51 - Stan confronts Dave: Video games, and gaming with kids 27:30 - Shane confronts Dave: No shrimp boil invitation 30:45 - Final Fantasy limited: is good 35:56 - Shane's Old House 47:10 - What's That In Your Mouth? 54:26 - It's 3-D printing time 1:05:54 - Wrapping up Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

On this week's show, we're doing it live. No notes, just vibes. After our weekly fast food check-in, we chat about Jeskai Affinity featuring Vivi Ornitier, good ol' fashioned Broodscale Combo, and Mardu Energy with Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN Use our code Dive60 to get 60% off your first subscription of Magic Mind, Stan's favorite mental performance shots, at https://magicmind.com/ And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 11:47 - This week's show/housekeeping 15:50 - The Dive Down begins: It's Vivi time 31:23 - Devon talks Broodscale combo 49:01 - Stan played Mardu Energy with Sephiroth 1:09:40 - Wrapping up Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

It's week 1 of Final Fantasy's legality in our formats — and these cards are popping up in way more places than we thought. This week we talk about the surprising places Sephiroth is soldiering, how Cloud (or Raubahn) is reviving Hammertime, and just how much we all wanted a 1cmc 2/3 reverse Jackal Pup with deathtouch... with a back side. Stan shares his conspiracies. Dave changes his mind while enjoying a shake, and Devon shows up 20 minutes late (which we all understand). • Cloud • Sephiroth • & Others with Excellent Hair Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 6:58 - This week's episode/housekeeping 10:41 - Final Fantasy hits our formats - Cloud in Hammertime 20:51 - Affinity upgrades, and a wild d00m appears 28:24 - Energy as well 38:01 - Final Fantasy in Pioneer Humans and others 49:15 - Rapid fire time 1:00:50 - What we're going to try 1:03:56 - Oh yeah, Devon won an RCQ 1:05:06 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode in no particular order Modern Hammertime https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7178353#paper https://moxfield.com/decks/ju7YAgVgJke5zA9oU7KoYw Energy https://moxfield.com/decks/oZVPGLmXcU6xSd4ZcvCNMg https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174740#paper https://moxfield.com/decks/pso7oB9JnEKtP8Uo6g2k-w https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177381#paper Affinity https://moxfield.com/decks/_HW5gjnOp0K90Ho2nYyYFA https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/modern-challenge-64-2025-06-16#paper WB https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177098#paper https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7178482#paper Domain/Zoo https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7171331#paper https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7176252#paper Twin https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7173848#paper Dimir https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7175642#paper Eldrazi https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7175986#paper 4C Omni Cascade https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174676#paper Pioneer Rakdos: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177603#paper Mono B Mid: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7177591#paper Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174822 Lotus: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7174812#paper 5c Humans: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/tournament/56523 Esper Legends: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7173618#paper Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

On this week's show, D00mwake discusses the latest innovations to Domain Zoo which got him back-to-back top 8s in a Modern Challenge and RCQ. Then we discuss a new rules change that makes Urza's Saga even better. And finally chat through a couple more Final Fantasy cards that we missed last time: Vivi and Joshua. The Break Down: Domain Zoo The Dive Down: Urza's Saga The Wind Down: Vivi and Josh Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN Try Magic Mind and save 60% off your subscription with promo code Dive60 or head to https://magicmind.com/divemf and sign up! And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 7:52 - This week's show/housekeeping 10:59 - Devon's been killing it with Domain Zoo 37:54 - Magic Mind is back! 43:28 - Urza's Saga is finally good 59:39 - Some more Final Fantasy cards 1:09:54 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: Domain Zoo: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7150288#paper Mono-Red Prison: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7155875#paper Izzet Saga Wizards: https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/magic-the-gathering/deck/UR-Saga-Wizards/510464 Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

Shane returns as the Dive Down triumphantly takes over the Motor City, while Dave and Stan play in the Secret Lair Spotlight Modern Open! We talk about our unexpected experiences playing in an unexpected metagame, and even sprinkle in a couple restaurant reviews. The Break Down: Voicless and Victoryless The Dive Down: St. Elmo's Fire? Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 8:04 - This week's show/housekeeping 12:24 - The SCG Indy Modern Tournament - Stan Can't Speak 18:00 - Stan and Dave's experiences 28:26 - The overall tournament 35:54 - The top 8 38:57 - Final thoughts 43:16 - The Wind Down begins: Our non-Magic Indy experience 1:00:09 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: e4cards.com/register Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

This week Stan and Dave discuss their upcoming road trip comedy as they prepare for the Spotlight Series: Secret Lair this weekend in Indianapolis. Dave is in love with Andrea Mengucci's takes on Prowess — and even tries to learn a little from them. Stan has thoughts, questions, and feelings. A pact to split the tournament winning prize is made. Other hilarity ensues. If you're planning to be in Indianapolis this weekend — reach out! Say hi! Let us know what's going on! • Movies? I Guess? • Prowess in Indianapowess • Other Modern Ruminations Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 9:24 - This week's show/housekeeping 14:23 - The Dive Down begins: A Modern Prowess overview 41:12 - Jeskai Prowess 43:16 - Some Prowess tips 45:49 - Combo decks are evolving 1:01:00 - Some final thoughts for Indy (the Motor City) 1:03:57 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: Andrea Mengucci's Prowess Deck Guide: https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/Modern-Izzet-Prowess-MTG-Deck-Guide/a628edac-c81d-4d52-b890-f2b2e157d905/?srsltid=AfmBOoovrEMPsgLSQYAiTfOg5DJ3TQ5u-WXbcDJvqf5TH0QqVpAaeKnv Skura's Prowess Deck Guide (the author whose name Dave forgot while recording): https://mtgdecks.net/guides/modern-mastering-izzet-prowess-skura-mtg-353 Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

On this week's show, we're looking at our favorite cards from the upcoming Final Fantasy set, and ask the question: can 15 JRPG games produce enough inspiration for 1 Magic set? We chat about Cloud and his Buster Sword, Tifa and her powerful fists, Sephiroth and his powerful wings, plus Astrologian's Planisphere, Cecil Dark Knight, and the most beloved Final Fantasy character of all... Dark Confidant. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 0:00 — Have you ever fantasied? 5:00 — Devon Vibes 7:50 — Housekeeping 10:17 — Connecti-Cut-ters 15:01 — Let's Talk Final Fantasy 18:20 — Starting Town 21:15 — Machinist's Arsenal 22:50 — Astrologian's Planisphere 27:07 — Buster Sword 29:20 — Cloud, Midgar Mercenary 33:37 — Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER 38:34 — Lightning, Army of One 41:50 — Cecil, Dark Knight 45:47 — Ultima, Origin of Oblivion 49:30 — Freya Crescent 52:30 — Stan's Just Another Blood Artist, etc. & Ambrosia 54:20 — Emet-Selch, Unsundered 57:57 — Dark Confidant 1:00:43 — Knights of the Round 1:04:25 — Suplex 1:06:00 — Tifa Lockhart 1:07:50 — Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: https://www.spicerack.gg/events/1879100 Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

This week we take a little break from Modern and dip our toes back into Pioneer, thanks to its official premier on Arena. The team discusses our impressions of Pioneer right now, our impressions of Arena right now, and, finally — you guessed it — our impressions of Pioneer on Arena right now. Dave uses his artist's talent to bring back the birbs. D00mwake finds some affinity for artifacts in Pio and Modern. Stan capably moderates a spicy discussion while remaining a healthy distance from any gem-based economies. • Camping Out • Checking Back in on Pioneer • A Little Modern Affinity as a Treat Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 7:10 - This week's episode/housekeeping 11:10 - Pioneer is (finally) on Arena (mostly) - what you need to know 1:00:29 - Did Devon crack Affinity in Modern? 1:07:12 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: Pioneer Izzet Phoenix: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7099222#paper Pioneer Hammer: https://moxfield.com/decks/-aHoUVoJD0a778bxN0RFqw Pioneer Metalwork Colossus: https://moxfield.com/decks/ANu8uz3DBEOE282I83OPgg Modern Jeskai Affinity: https://moxfield.com/decks/KhQsrh4AX0GqFn4d7EAkbw Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

This week we discuss a bunch of goings on from the weekend — Devon's trip to Minneapolis, Stan's trip to a local RCQ, and Dave's (power) trip about being the editor this week. We get into: 1) the last few cards in Devon's main deck in Standard and how he got there, 2) how Stan really feels after top 4'ing with 4x Voice of Victory in his Energy deck, and 3) one of the WILDEST Cool Decks, Inc. lists we've seen in awhile. • More Prowess in Standard • More Stats in Modern • More Energy & Prowess in Modern Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 3:00 - A Vertical Pickle Tasting 9:37 - Housekeeping 12:10 - Devon Goes Standard Prowess in Minneapolis 27:14 - Modern in Minneapolis 32:26 - A Single Cool Decks, Inc. 36:55 - Devon Goes Modern Prowess in Minneapolis 41:45 - Stan's RC Energy Experience — Top 4! 45:00 - A Few Thoughts on Affinity 47:50 - Modern is About: Big Dudes Links from this week's episode: Devon's Standard Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/272e9291-d938-4154-8603-b2d10033ae00 FabianPhyrexian's WUBRG Aggro List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/468d2c5f-40f9-42e9-8c97-b2d300d57352 Devon's Modern Prowess List: https://melee.gg/Decklist/View/4a859a46-0eaf-4269-aa8c-b2d2017f1e6e Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)

On this week's show, D00mwake walks us through his prep with Standard Prowess ahead of the Minneapolis RC. Then Stan goes over his top 8 finish at a Modern RCQ with Boros Energy. And Dave teaches us about Dragonstorm draft picks with Stan's prize packs. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 7:00 - This week's episode/housekeeping 11:02 - The Dive Down begins: Devon's playing a Standard RC 26:47 - Stan played in an RCQ 48:58 - Dave's limited corner 52:27 - Crack-a-pack(s)! 1:06:53 - Wrapping up Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com (mailto:thedivedown@gmail.com)