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A staggering amount of Magic content is publish each day each day on a plethora of content sites, blogs, podcasts, and discussion forums. No matter how honest an effort you make, it is very easy to fall behind and miss some incredible articles because there just isn't enough time to read everything. To that end, we've collected some of the best articles of the week covering a broad range of topics. If you're looking for articles, these are the ones you don't want to miss!
The War Between Analog and Digital
Sean Plott, better known as Day[9], is a well-established figure in the world of esports. What you may not know is that he's also passionate about Magic. He take on the game carries an outsider's point of view, one worth listening to.
TCGPlayer.com: Frank Lepore (@FrankLepore) - The Lepore Report – An Interview with Day[9]
Magic for Charity
Charity events are a great way to bring the community together for two awesome things: to play Magic and to raise money for important causes. For six years, Andrew Noworaj has run a charity event to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. In this article, he shares the story of how his event became as successful as it is, and then shares everything you need to get started on your own Charity event, from planning to advertising to awarding prizes.
ManaDeprived.com: Andrew Noworaj (@CharityMTGCAN) - Hosting a Magic Charity Event – Past, Present, and Future
Advertising is also key to building your brand. Use everything available from social media, printed posters, endorsements from well-known Magic celebrities, and anything else that can make a positive impact. Word of mouth is the hardest thing to generate, but will also be the most important – make sure that players leave your events wanting to tell their friends about how much fun it was.
Modern Musings
Matt “Kranny” Kranstuber is a fixture of the online community. He’s been playing Magic forever, and always has something valuable to add to conversations about Magic. Whether you’re interested in podcasts, trading, constructed formats, cube, or any other zany formats you can name, Kranny is a guy you want to listen to.
In this article, Kranny is turning his focus to the Modern format. He tells a great story about his overarching experience with Magic formats, why he believes they succeeded or failed, and what lessons can be learned from them. He touches on Legacy and the Reserved List, as well as the Modern banned list and the vision for the Modern as a format before diving into what he believes must happen to make Modern a successful, mainstream format.
Starcitygames.com: Matt “Kranny” Kranstuber (@kstube) - Mainstreaming Modern
Modern has only been in existence in its current form for the better half of a year. It took me a bit to shake off my usual dismissive attitude. After having my arm twisted a couple times, chatting with peers who I really respect, and allowing myself to blow off steam that I slowly allowed Modern to creep its way into my daily Magic time. Many of my initial thoughts on the format dissipated as I learned to enjoy Modern for what it is rather than what I want it to be. If I had written this article a year ago like I originally wanted to, it would have been rife with emotion. It was definitely too soon to have anything more than a passive opinion without being insincere. I am, after all, not the best with change.
Community Building Exercises
Darwin is at his best battling with cards and attacking the metagame. While he's known for his position in the Pro Tour Hall of Fame, his passion for making the game better is his highest achievement. Whether you're new to the game or one of its most distinguished veterans, Darwin's perspective on the community we build challenges us to help make a better place for all players.
GatheringMagic.com: Darwin Kastle (@DarwinKastle) - Community
Mustering the Forces of Light and Darkness
With information from the world around us only a few keystrokes away, it's becoming less important to find it than it is to share it well. James's latest infographic brings the Angels and Demon of Magic to life in a way you never expected.
GatheringMagic.com: James Arnold (@thatguyjames2) - Divine vs Demonic
In Memory of Japan’s Greatest High Schooler
Itaru Ishida, one of the great Japanese Magic players in recent memory passed away on January 13. This week Keita Mori produced a thorough and respectful tribute to Ishida, which was translated by Ron Foster. Keita covers absolutely everything about Itaru Ishida’s career: from the various decks that Ishida had a hand in designing, the impact he made on the professional Magic scene, and his absolute mastery of team limited.
Itaru Ishida had a large impact on the Magic community, particularly among the Japanese, and this is a fitting and reverent way to pay respects to a player who was truly great at the table and away from it.
DailyMTG.com: Keita Mori (Translated by Ron Foster) - In Memoriam: Itaru Ishida
If you have suggestions for next week's recap you can send them through to us on Twitter or share throughout the week in the comments below.
