MTG Articles

Pattern Recognition #298 - Threads of Gold Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 September 28 by berryjon

What makes a Gold or Multicolored card work? It's not just a card by itself, that's for sure. It's a whole arrangement of moving parts that needs to be balanced, lest it all fall apart. Read about the details today!

Pattern Recognition #68 - Scry 1 Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 September 21 by berryjon

Hey everyone, today's Pattern Recognition is a repeat as I missed real world deadlines that ate my time. So here is an article originally published 24 May 2018, over five years ago! Let's Opt for a Scry, shall we?

Pattern Recognition #297 - Relentless Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 September 14 by berryjon

Rats! Err... I mean, today, berryjon examines a rarely used mechanic - of which there are only 5 actual examples in the game, and attempts to persistently explain their history. Or at least an approach to it.

Pattern Recognition #296 - Enchanté Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 September 07 by berryjon

Welcome back! Today, I will regale you with an enchanted story of an old archetype, who had the groundwork laid out in the earliest days of Magic, and has only grown since then!

Pattern Recognition #295 - Commander Samut Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 August 31 by berryjon

Well, here it is, the culmination of my work! A 60 card Brawl deck upgraded to a 100 card Commander deck! Come in and see what additions I made, and then make your own suggestions about what I could have dine differently.

Pattern Recognition #294 - Samut of the Brawl Video Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 August 24 by berryjon

Hello! Today, berryjon plays out five rounds with his Brawl deck! How well does he do? Tune in, find out, and make suggestions for improvements! And stick around after for a couple extra rounds with a different deck.

Pattern Recognition #293 - Samut of the Brawl Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 August 17 by berryjon

Another year, another (non)Rotation, and that means it's time for a new BRAWL Deck! Hop on in and have a look as I design a janky deck that shouldn't work, and probably won't. But hey, it'll be fun, right?

Pattern Recognition #292 - Soldier On Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 August 10 by berryjon

One of Magic's most eternal Creature types, and not much about them that's special. So, what makes _Soldiers_ tick? And

Pattern Recognition #291 - Some Banned Cards Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 August 03 by berryjon

Today, berryjon looks at some cards that are banned in some formats, and why they were hit. Feel free to chime in with your own examples and opinions!

Pattern Recognition #290 - The Cosmic Titans Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 July 20 by berryjon

Who is the biggest, most awesome kid on the block? Is it Urza's legacy? Jace's Plot Armor? No? How about the Eldrazi? Today, berryjon takes a look at the (known) history of the Eldrazi, and relates what we know, and what we know we don't know about them.

And the Precon for them is going to be spoiled in a couple hours from release, so you'll be prepared!

Pattern Recognition #289 - Voltron Expanded Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 July 13 by berryjon

A followup to an article from over three years ago, berryjon takes a closer look at some of the requirements of a Voltron deck and what may or may not be needed for it to work.

Pattern Recognition # 288 - Transmute Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 July 06 by berryjon

When is a card not a card? Not when it transforms into another permanent, like a Ninja, but when it can transform into (almost) anything else in your deck. Today, berryjon gives a short talk about this mechanic from OG Ravnica.

Pattern Recognition #287 - SuperFriends Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 June 29 by berryjon

Jace and his Friends (I'm sure he has some) are a cornerstone of the game today. But what makes a deck tick when it focuses on Planeswalkers? Today, berryjon summarizes how the Superfriends archetype works, with an eye to the future Precon deck!

Pattern Recognition # 286 - Rituals Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 June 22 by berryjon

Hello everyone! This week, berryjon talks a bit about the nature of Dark Ritual, how it works, why it works, and what has been done with it over the years. Come for the article, stay for the Apex of Power!

Pattern Recognition #285 - Aristocrats Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 June 08 by berryjon

Hello everyone! Today, berryjon looks at a classic archetype that wasn't really codified until 2012, when some noble vampires entered the scene.

Pattern Recognition #284 - A New Set - Blue Commons Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 June 01 by berryjon

Guess what I haven't touched in a year! My in-house developing set for Magic! Wow, some of my choices seem to be biting me in retrospect, but who cares? Welcome back to _Solle: The Rising Sun_!

Pattern Recognition #283 - Cascade Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 May 25 by berryjon

Ah, Cascade. Such a fun little mechanic that has had it's ups and downs. Today, berryjon takes a look at this card, from the cheapest outlet to the most expensive monster you can cast.

Pattern Recognition #282 - One Ping Only Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 May 18 by berryjon

What's better than tapping someone to let them know something bad is happening? When they see it coming a mile away! Today, berryjon looks at a tertiary effect in Red Deck Wins decks, and how they work.

Pattern Recognition #281 - Order Matters Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 May 11 by berryjon

What rule do all of you break, but never mean to? And yet in breaking this rule, you change nothing and no one cares? Today, berryjon cares enough to remind you that 404.2 is still on the books, and what it used to mean!

Pattern Recognition #280 - Yarr, What Do I See? Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 May 04 by berryjon

Today, berryjon puts on his Pirate hat, and goes looking for something that we can all get behind. And no, it's not Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, although come to think of it, he is relevant.

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