MTG Articles

Pattern Recognition #275 - The Cards that Actually Broke the Game Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 March 23 by berryjon

Today's click-bait title aside, berryjon looks at an overview of a set of cards, and a relevant mechanic that actually broke the game, necessitating some serious responses from Wizards.

Those were dark days, back in 2005, let me tell you.

Pattern Recognition #274 - Slow Grow 4 - The Finale Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 March 16 by berryjon

This week, berryjon ends his Slow Grow tournament! With a bang? With a whimper? Read inside to find out, and suggest anything he could have done better!

Pattern Recognition #273 - Slow Grow 4 - Weeks 3 and 4 Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 March 02 by berryjon

berryjon recounts his experiences with the middle third of this year's Slow Grow Tournament! And he has a special guest star at the end as well. Read, comment, suggest! There's still time for him to adjust things for Weeks 5 and 6.

Pattern Recognition #272 - Power Creep Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 February 23 by berryjon

Round and Round we go, ever upwards. And where we'll end, no one knows. Today, berryjon describes something has killed games in the past, and Magic itself is not immune to.

Pattern Recognition #271 - Slow Grow 4, Part 1 Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 February 16 by berryjon

It's here! My tournament! My people! My skill tested against other decks that start out just plain better than mine! It's Slow Grow, Weeks 1 and 2! I need help. Please send help.

Pattern Recognition #270 - Split the Difference Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 February 09 by berryjon

Hello everyone! This week's Pattern Recognition is a rehash of an old subject. Split Cards are not new to the game, but they have found a home in the design of sets, from colour fixing to various options for when you want one colour or another. They're good, solid and dependable, and today, berryjon takes a more in-depth look to them.

Pattern Recognition #269 - Hidden in the Fog Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 February 02 by berryjon

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you simply cannot land a blow. And it isn't your fault. No, it's that stupid card that only costs ! What is it? Look within for today's subject.

Pattern Recognition #268 - A Token of my Appreciation Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 January 26 by berryjon

Hey everyone! Today, berryjon talks about cards that don't exist, and because they don't exist, they're a vital part of the game. Yes, I know the title of the article is a giveaway, but it's still a valid subject.

Pattern Recognition #267 - Slow Grow 4 - Commander Options Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 January 19 by berryjon

It's coming! My Slow Grow Tournament is coming, and with the format rules in place, it's time to start making plans for how to go forward. And whoo-boy are there some options for me. Read within to see where I can take this deck, and then weigh in with your own comments.

Pattern Recognition #266 - Prowess Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 January 12 by berryjon

Cast Spells! Cast More Spells! Make your Creatures Big! This mechanic does everything you ever wanted and more, and today, I will gush a little bit about it.

Pattern Recognition #265 - Slow Grow 2023 Deck Choice Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2023 January 05 by berryjon

It's that time of year again, and berryjon is getting ready and amped for this year's local Slow Grow tournament. What is is going to run with this time? Grixus Control? Esper Artifacts?

....

Selesnya Cats?

Pattern Recognition #264 - Mishra and Phyrexia Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 November 24 by berryjon

And here we reach the end of the journey of Mishra. His life, his war, and now, his death. Read within for the events surrounding the end of The Brothers' War, and how it came to pass.

Pattern Recognition #263 - Mishra's War Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 November 17 by berryjon

Today, in Part Three of the life of Mishra, brother of some random dude named Urza, we look at the real start of the Brothers War, and the initial events that shaped how he would materially effect it for the rest of the conflict.

Pattern Recognition #262 - The Rise of Mishra Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 November 10 by berryjon

From Noble to Archeologist and beyond, Mishra's fortunes would rise after leaving Tocasia. But happened between that fateful night and the War? Read within to find out the highlights of this part of the life of Mishra.

Pattern Recognition #261 - The Life of Mishra, Artificer Features Meta Pattern Recognition

2022 November 03 by berryjon

While far less omnipresent and his brother, Urza, Mishra himself was no less important to the history of Dominaria and worlds beyond. Today, berryjon talks a bit about his early life, in the first of a small set about the Life and Times of Mishra, Artificer Prodigy.

Pattern Recognition #260 - Walls Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 27 by berryjon

Put up your defenses, berryjon is about to come huffing and puffing, so you better be prepared for something that just sits there, doing nothing until the end of the game.

Pattern Recognition #259 - Meld Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 20 by berryjon

When two become one, what do you really have to say for yourself and your cards? Today, berryjon looks at a mechanic that only has six examples across the whole of Magic's history.

Pattern Recognition #258 - The Lands that (almost) Broke the Game Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 13 by berryjon

What lands (almost) broke the game? Well, most of you already have an answer in mind, and it's probably the wrong one! Today, berryjon makes a case for the land cycle whose design still has repercussions to this day.

Pattern Recognition #257 - Player Types (Part 2) Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 29 by berryjon

Welcome to this week's Pattern Recognition, where berryjon summarizes the last three archetypes, and how they look at the game. And with all six looked at, where would you place yourself?

Pattern Recognition #256 - Player Types (Part 1) Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 22 by berryjon

Spike? Jenny? Timmy? What are you? Today, berryjon looks at the three primary player archetypes in Magic, and summarizes them for the people who have no idea who Vorthos, Steward of Myth is, and why they are all important to the game.