11 September 2023
99. Early 17Lands Data Impressions (WOE)
Carl and Garrett set forth on the best adventures of all: data, numbers and charts provided by 17Lands for the new Wilds of Eldraine format.
29 August 2023
98. Wilds of Eldraine Preview Battle: Sleep-Cursed Faerie (WOE)
Carl and Garrett found one of the most contentious preview cards in recent memory so, of course, they battle each other to the ends of the earth.
8 August 2023
97. Limited Alchemy for The Lords of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (LTR)
Carl and Garrett suggest some buffs to rebalance LTR limited, and maybe make White and Green suck just a little bit less.
25 July 2023
Carl and Garrett debate the below-average-game-in-hand-win-rate cards of Lord of the Rings and when they are (and are not) playing them.
18 July 2023
94. Rally at the Hornburg vs. Voracious Fell Beast (LTR)
Carl and Garrett debate one of the best uncommons in the best performing color against one of the best commons in the second best performing color.
Check out Carl's article about forcing Blue Red on the Mystical Dispute website!
11 July 2023
93. Éomer of the Riddermark vs. Nazgûl (LTR)
Carl and Garrett debate which of two extremely powerful uncommons in two extremely powerful colors is more extremely powerful than the other extremely powerful one. And they also pronounce everything poorly.
3 July 2023
92. Generous Ent vs. Lórien Revealed (LTR)
Carl and Garrett debate which basic land cycler is best within its color, skillfully dodging any conversation about color power imbalance in the Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth.
Check out Sierkovitz's data evaluation on basic land cyclers on Twitter.
23 June 2023
91. Early 17Lands Data Impressions (LTR)
Carl and Garrett look at some, uh, lopsided early data points from 17Lands for Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth. Buckle up, butter cup.
12 June 2023
90. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Preview Battle
LIVE REACTION PREVIEW BATTLE - Carl and Garrett go at each other's throats again with very little editing to cover up their flubs and bad jokes as they battle over randomized preview cards from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth!
7 June 2023
Carl and Garrett debate the so-called Bad Cards of March of the Machine... if there are any? Hello? Where are you, bad cards??
25 May 2023
88. Random Debate Generator (MOM)
Carl and Garrett use a random card generator to randomly generate a few random debates on random cards in March of the Machine, randomly.
17 May 2023
87. Ephara's Dispersal vs. Deadly Derision (MOM)
Carl and Garrett debate a boring old removal spell vs. a surprise top performing common bounce spell. Guess who's on each side. Seriously, guess.
10 May 2023
Carl and Garrett debate all thirty-six Battles, the brand new card type in March of the Machine. Well, they all get mentioned at least.
3 May 2023
Carl and Garrett find another 1 mana 1/1 to debate over. Carl has drafted a lot of Omen Hawkers. Like, a lot. Whereas Garrett hasn't really drafted any.
24 April 2023
84. Early 17Lands Data Impressions (MOM)
Carl flexes those nerdy spreadsheet muscles and evaluates early 17Lands data for March of the Machine, while Garrett, who is not a nerd, and is actually super cool, has a few early data points of his own.
13 April 2023
83. March of the Machine Preview Battle (MOM)
LIVE REACTION PREVIEW BATTLE - Carl and Garrett once again draw swords and battle to the DEATH over three random March of the Machine preview cards! Live! Unedited! Unsavory!
26 March 2023
82. Obsessive Skinner with Ethan Saks (SIR)
Special guest Ethan Saks (AKA LordTupperware) returns to challenge Garrett, who recently questioned the limited design philosophy of downshifted-to-common Obsessive Skinner in a scalding hot take. Meanwhile, Carl tests standard (RIP Carl).
Check out Ethan's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/lordtupperware, Twitter at @lordtupperware and his podcast Lords of Limited at lordsoflimited.com.
12 March 2023
81. The "Bad" Cards with Greg Hatch (ONE)
Special guest Greg Hatch returns to describe his unique approach and journey through Phyrexia: All Will Be One, and how he leverages the maybe-not-so-great-cards, while Garrett watches incredulously and Carl is also there.
Check out Greg on Twitter at @HatchingPlans and as a frequent top performer on the 17Lands leaderboards!
3 March 2023
80. Blue Sun's Twilight vs. Hexgold Slash (ONE)
Carl and Garrett debate an incredible, game-ending, insta-concession-inducing bomb, vs. a common one mana removal spell. For real. This format is wild.
22 February 2023
Carl and Garrett debate the most Carl and least Garrett common in the format: Hazardous Blast. Is it good? Is it good for the format? That's like the point of the podcast... so maybe give it a listen?
13 February 2023
78. Early 17Lands Data Impressions (ONE)
Carl puts on his big nerd hat (just kidding, he's always a big nerd) and evaluates early 17Lands data and what insights it can provide into Phyrexia: All Will Be One. And Garrett once again calmly reacts to the generous reception that the new format was given (just kidding again, he goes on another rant).
1 February 2023
77. Phyrexia: All Will Be One Preview Battle
Carl and Garrett engage in a bloody, violent, horrifying battle over which preview cards will be better in the upcoming ONE format with new (and much simpler) preview battle rules.
25 January 2023
76. Variance and Tilt Part 3: The Shuffler
Carl and Garrett debate our primal brains one last time in the final installment of our variance and tilt series, where we go head-to-head with the most dreaded variance-factory in Magic: the shuffler. We even built a cool online tool called the R.A.D. (Reasonable, Acceptable Draw) Simulator to highlight the overarching point, and finish the episode with an in depth into our personal experiences trying to overcome tilt.
Check out the R.A.D. Simulator for yourself at rad.mysticaldispute.com.
19 January 2023
75. Variance and Tilt: Storytime
Carl and Garrett take a short break with a mini-episode intermission for our Variance and Tilt series as we cook up the finale, and Carl shares a very relevant and relatable story.
11 January 2023
74. Variance and Tilt Part 2: Alternate Universes
Carl and Garrett continue their debate against their angry brains in the second part of a series evaluating variance via data to combat tilt. Carl put together some high level math models to simulate Garrett's performance, a thousand seasons of Arena ranked draft from top 17Lands users, and the entire careers of the most prolific Magic pros.
5 January 2023
73. Variance and Tilt Part 1: What are the Chances?
Carl and Garrett debate their own illogical brains in the first part of a series about maybe the most important topic for improving at Magic: managing tilt from bad variance.
28 December 2022
Carl and Garrett round out 2022 with a mini-discussion about their second-favorite and favorite limited cards of the year.
21 December 2022
Carl and Garrett debate the very, very, very many bad cards in The Brothers' War limited, defending some and... not really defending others.
14 December 2022
70. Best-of-Three vs. Best-of-One in The Brothers' War (BRO)
Carl and Garrett debate how impactful the differences between Best-of-Three and Best-of-One are in The Brothers' War limited specifically.
7 December 2022
69. Splashing in The Brothers' War (BRO)
Carl and Garrett debate if you should avoid or prioritize splashing in The Brothers' War limited.
30 November 2022
68. Overwhelming Remorse vs. Excavation Explosion (BRO)
Carl and Garrett debate two incredible removal spells that are always great, but really shine in different archetypes from The Brothers' War.
21 November 2022
67. Prison Sentence vs. Scrapwork Cohort (BRO)
Carl and Garrett have a good old fashioned showdown between two powerful white commons in the new Brothers' War format.
18 November 2022
66. Early 17Lands Data Impressions (BRO)
Carl takes the stage like a big nerd and evaluates the approximately three days of 17Lands data we have available and what insights it can provide into The Brothers' War. But Garrett has some words before he starts.
10 November 2022
65. The Brothers' War Preview Battle
Carl and Garrett start the new format off right: with an epic duel over preview predictions for three commons in the upcoming format The Brothers' War.
2 November 2022
A (very, very) quick update from Magic 30 which Garrett attended and Carl did not (boo, Carl). Not really an episode but you heard it here folks: MORE. OF. THESE. EVENTS. PLEASE!
26 October 2022
Garrett puts Carl on trial: Why does he play more than forty cards in his limited decks so often? Or ever? Does he know he's allowed to play just forty? Has he abandoned math completely? Is it obvious who writes the episode descriptions? Find out!
19 October 2022
Carl and Garrett discuss, debate, deep dive and dissect counterspells in limited with a top performing common in Dominaria United: Essence Scatter.
12 October 2022
Carl and Garrett discuss a couple of the quote-unquote Bad cards in Dominaria United and finish off with a rapid fire list of the worst-performers in the format.
5 October 2022
Carl and Garrett discuss (in an extra long episode) one of the format-defining aspects of Dominaria United: the tricks. We debate how fun they are and some of the more influential tricks in this very unique format.
28 September 2022
Carl and Garrett determine the winner for the preview prediction battle and mini-debate a handful of some of the stranger cards in Dominaria United.
21 September 2022
59. Sunbathing Rootwalla vs. Yavimaya Sojourner (DMU)
Carl and Garrett debate between two Domain-fueled commons: a versatile 2-drop and a board-shaking 4/6 that can be played for cheap.
14 September 2022
58. Talas Lookout vs. Impulse (DMU)
Carl and Garrett debate between two similarly-performing blue commons: Talas Lookout and Impulse. A classic battle of pure baseline stats vs. synergistic upside. Take a guess who is on each side.
7 September 2022
Carl and Garett debate the tricky cantrip Timely Interference in the brand new Dominaria United format, and Carl deep dives on how to get the most out of this (surprisingly? unsurprisingly?) powerful single mana card while Gerit continues to be a curmudgeon (as usual).
31 August 2022
56. Dominaria United Preview Battle (DMU)
Back from the dead! Carl and Garrett return from their vacations to battle to the death with preview predictions for the next set Dominaria United. Five commons, one champion: Will Garrett win a second in a row? Will Carl get any right at all? Only time will tell.
3 August 2022
55. Spicy Hot Takes with Echo5Brav0 (HBG)
Special guest Tandy (AKA Echo5Brav0) debates with Garrett about a ton of hotly contested, much discussed and wildly volatile topics in the Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate format.
Check out Echo5Brav0 on Twitch at twitch.tv/Echo5Brav0 and Twitter at @Echo5B.
26 July 2022
Carl and Garrett take a trip down memory lane and discuss their favorite cards, and what made them great, from a bunch of old Arena limited formats.
20 July 2022
Carl and Garrett talk about the most appropriately-rated color in Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate - blue. Blue is bad. Blue is real, real bad.
13 July 2022
52. Alchemy in Limited with TheNerdySteve (HBG)
Special guest TheNerdySteve comes to the valiant defense of Alchemy, and debates with Garrett about the pros and cons of digital-only cards and mechanics in the new format Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate.
Check out TheNerdySteve on Twitch at twitch.tv/thenerdysteve, Twitter at @thenerdysteve and YouTube.
29 June 2022
51. Streets on Trial with Ethan Saks (SNC)
Special guest Ethan Saks (AKA LordTupperware) returns with yet another bone to pick about a format that had a... less than favorable reception, while Garrett defends the honor of what he considers a pretty fun Limited set.
Check out Ethan's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/lordtupperware, Twitter at @lordtupperware and his podcast Lords of Limited at lordsoflimited.com.
22 June 2022
50. Limited Alchemy for Streets of New Capenna
Carl and Garrett once again sum up a format by debating Alchemy-inspired changes and tweaks to a couple cards in Streets of New Capenna to improve on the (contentious!) format.
15 June 2022
Carl and Garrett discuss the many rares of Streets of New Capenna and how to get the most out of building around them and playing them in games.
8 June 2022
48. The "Bad" Cards with Chris Palmiotti and Benjy Jay (SNC)
Carl and Garrett welcome cameo special guest appearances from Chris Palmiotti (FloridaMun) and Benjy Jay (TaJoordan) to debate five different "bad" cards from Streets of New Capenna: sometimes undervalued cards with below average win rates.
Check out Chris' Twitch stream at twitch.tv/FloridaMun, Twitter at @FloridaMun and his draft team and podcast Draft Lab, and check out Benjy on Twitch at twitch.tv/TaJoordan and Twitter at @TaJoordan.
1 June 2022
47. Limited Brewers vs. Tuners with Sam Black
Special guest and professional Magic competitor Sam Black details the differences in philosophy between Brewers and Tuners to Carl and Garrett and how and when to brew in Limited.
Check out Sam's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/samuelhblack, Twitter at @samuelhblack and his podcast Drafting Archetypes here.
25 May 2022
Carl and Garrett individually ranked all twelve tricks in Streets of New Capenna and debate the differences, as well as the pros, cons and where and when you should play them.
17 May 2022
Carl and Garrett furiously debate the format all-star... Tavern Swindler? Listen to Garrett's entire Magic limited philosophy be put on trial as Carl picks apart boring vanilla filler creatures.
11 May 2022
44. Brokers vs. The World (SNC)
Carl and Garrett debate when you should NOT play the hands-down best color family in Streets of New Capenna, Brokers. Draft is self-correcting! Plus, the Preview Battle results are in!
Shoutout to Magic Data Science (twitter.com/mtg_ds) for their fascinating article on card and archetype strength that you can find here.
3 May 2022
Carl and Garrett have been enjoying (and crying at) the brand new format Streets of New Capenna and take a look at the color win rates as well as a weird card, the tax-paying 1/1 Sky Crier.
27 April 2022
Carl and Garrett polled the community for debate questions for the second ever quick-fire Grab Bag episode! Listen to them debate gripping topics from favorite worst Magic card to N64 vs. PS1. And maybe there's a surprise or something.
Completely unrelated, check out former Mystical Dispute co-host Zach's podcast Stream It!
19 April 2022
41. Streets of New Capenna Preview Battle
Carl and Garrett participate in glorious combat to-the-death for preview predictions for the upcoming limited format Streets of New Capenna. Five commons, one champion, can Carl keep up his undefeated streak?
12 April 2022
40. Limited Alchemy for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Carl and Garrett sum up Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty by debating Alchemy-inspired changes and tweaks to a couple cards to improve on the (pretty awesome!) format.
5 April 2022
Carl and Garrett debate a little-known edge case card called Basic Mountain in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Jokes aside, red is a hotly debated topic in Kamigawa, with many players avoiding it but still others finding a ton of success. Garrett usually avoids the color but Carl defends it.
29 March 2022
38. Dragonfly Suit with Greg Hatch (NEO)
Special guest Greg Hatch defends Dragonfly Suit and a unique limited philosophy and approach. Garrett is still very skeptical on the poorly performing card as Carl plays moderator for the first time.
Check out Greg on Twitter at @HatchingPlans and as a frequent top performer on the 17Lands leaderboards!
22 March 2022
Carl and Garrett debate six different "bad" cards: cards that have a below average win rate. Sometimes you have to play situational cards, and sometimes situational cards are good... in the right situation!
15 March 2022
36. The Fall of Lord Konda with Ethan Saks (NEO)
Special guest Ethan Saks (AKA LordTupperware) has a bone to pick with the white uncommon saga The Fall of Lord Konda. Carl defends its honor and Garrett does an excellent job as impartial referee.
Check out Ethan's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/lordtupperware, Twitter at @lordtupperware and his podcast Lords of Limited at lordsoflimited.com.
8 March 2022
35. Imperial Oath vs. Everything (NEO)
Carl and Garrett debate the pros and cons of Imperial Oath, the top performing common in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, with a strange new guest who is picking... everything over it.
1 March 2022
34. Blossom Prancer vs. Kappa Tech-Wrecker (NEO)
Carl and Garrett showdown over the top green (and overall!) uncommons in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Carl defends the pure value of Blossom Prancer, while Garrett defends the destructive ninja turtle Kappa Tech-Wrecker.
22 February 2022
33. Network Disruptor vs. The Modern Age (NEO)
Carl and Garrett pit top performing blue commons against each other: Carl defends the honor of the card selection engine saga The Modern Age, while Garrett defends the ninja-loving 1-drop Network Disruptor. Plus, who won the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty preview battle?
15 February 2022
32. Okiba Reckoner Raid vs. Twisted Embrace (NEO)
Carl and Garrett try a new episode format: pitting two cards against each other for a head-to-head debate! Each co-host picked a card to argue the pros and cons and why they think it's a better pick, this time with two top-performing black commons in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty — a powerful creature and a solid removal spell.
Plus, exciting news! Mystical Dispute has launched a Patreon, so you can support the show at patreon.com/mysticaldispute!
8 February 2022
31. Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Preview Battle
Carl and Garrett continue the tradition of an epic face-off of preview predictions for the next set Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, this time with cutthroat stakes! Five commons, one champion: Who will win? Plus: who won the Innistrad: Double Feature battle?
3 February 2022
30. Revenge of the Drowned (DBL)
Carl and Garrett debate an old all-star common which now lives in the new Innistrad: Double Feature format and how it might be shaken up in its brand new environment.
25 January 2022
29. Innistrad: Double Feature Preview Battle
Carl and Garrett begin a new tradition of facing off for a grand battle of preview predictions of the upcoming set Innistrad: Double Feature. Five commons, one champion. Who will win?
18 January 2022
Carl and Garrett asked for help with questions from the community for our inaugural quick-fire grab bag episode! Listen to them debate gripping topics from best format from 2021 to frog-flavored lollipops.
11 January 2022
27. Best-of-one vs. Best-of-three with Alex Nikolic
Special Guest and New Challenger Alex Nikolic debates Garrett in the faceoff of the decade: Best-of-one vs. Best-of-three! What are the pros and cons of each, which do you prefer, and what should Arena offer?
Check out Alex's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/chord_o_calls, Twitter at @chord_o_calls and his podcast Limited Level-Ups at limitedlevelups.libsyn.com.
6 January 2022
26. Wedding Invitation with Sierkovitz (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Special Guest and New Challenger Sierkovitz debates Garrett using the power of data on when and how to play the two-mana colorless cantrip common Wedding Invitation.
Check out Sierkovitz's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/sierkovitz, Twitter at @sierkovitz and YouTube at youtube.com/user/Sierkovitz.
29 December 2021
25. Syncopate (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett debate the strangely complex blue counterspell Syncopate, why it has good stats, and why Garrett hates it with the burning passion of a thousand mana.
21 December 2021
24. BOMBS, Pt. II with Ethan Saks (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Special Guest and New Challenger Ethan Saks demands a rematch with Carl and Garrett to defend the honor of Bombs in Innistrad: Crimson Vow from the so-called unfair treatment they received last episode. Grab your popcorn as Carl defends his position, Garrett plays the part of the completely impartial moderator, and Ethan lays down the heat in the showdown of the century.
Check out Ethan's Twitch stream at twitch.tv/lordtupperware, Twitter at @lordtupperware and his podcast Lords of Limited at lordsoflimited.com.
15 December 2021
23. BOMBS (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett discuss the defining characteristic of Innistrad: Crimson Vow: the BOMBS. Things get a little cathartic while they calmly talk through their feelings and maybe make some strategic suggestions.
8 December 2021
22. Ceremonial Knife (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett debate when and how you should use the blood-generating equipment card Ceremonial Knife, and have a broader discussion about the power of Blood in the current format.
2 December 2021
21. Estwald Shieldbasher (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett debate the community at large who seem keen on playing a very underwhelming card. Plus, bonus content: Lantern Bearer update!
19 November 2021
20. Traveling Minister (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett discuss yet another powerful one-drop common that's making waves, taking names, gaining life and pumpin' it.
15 November 2021
19. Diregraf Scavenger (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett discuss a surprising (or maybe not so surprising!) top performing common in the brand new format.
4 November 2021
18. Lantern Bearer (Preview Predictions — Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Carl and Garrett discuss a recently previewed card for the upcoming set Crimson Vow and give their predictions on where it will land in the new format.
31 October 2021
17. Tovolar's Huntmaster (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Midnight Hunt)
Carl and Garrett provide some extremely detailed insight into the the the hotly contested, much debated, divisive limited card Tovolar's Huntmaster in this must-listen bonus episode.
28 October 2021
16. Candletrap (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Midnight Hunt)
Carl and Garrett debate the white common removal spell Candletrap, does it need more than just a Coven of witches to make it work?
21 October 2021
15. Otherworldly Gaze (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Midnight Hunt)
Carl and Garrett debate the often last-picked Otherworldly Gaze— does it ever have a use, and if so, when?
14 October 2021
14. Lunarch Veteran (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Midnight Hunt)
Next on the chopping block: the hotly contested, very weird, meta-shaking all-star Lunarch Vetaran! Garrett and Carl debate this very weird and very divisive card with surprising data to back it up.
11 October 2021
13. Consider (Card Breakdown — Innistrad: Midnight Hunt)
We are trying a show format with short, bite-sized episodes to review and debate a card in the current limited format. Garrett and Carl consider the pros and cons of Consider, a blue common in Innistrad: Midnight Hunt.
9 July 2021
12. You Meet in a Tavern (Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Predictions)
Garrett and Zach review the preview cards from the new Adventures of the Forgotten Realms limited set and argue about their predictions.
6 July 2021
11. Flunk (Strixhaven Retrospective)
Garrett and Zach discuss the accuracy of their earlier Strixhaven predictions and look back on the format.
22 June 2021
Garrett and Zach discuss burnout with Magic and Arena, something that seems to be happening to a lot of people at the moment.
8 June 2021
9. Glimpse the Future (Future of Digital Magic)
Garrett and Zach discuss the future of digital Magic: what they would like and what they expect.
25 May 2021
8. Tournament Grounds (Organized Play)
Garrett and Zach discuss the future of Organized Play, their dream scenarios, and how likely they are to occur.
11 May 2021
7. Showdown of the Skalds (Magic Arena vs. Magic Online)
Garrett and Zach argue about the two main digital clients for playing Magic online: Arena and Magic Online.
27 April 2021
Garrett and Zach discuss a big concept in Magic: Luck. Garrett doesn't love it, but Zach does.
13 April 2021
5. Academic Dispute (Strixhaven Previews)
Garrett and Zach indepedently graded every card from the Strixhaven preview and argue about a handful of the cards where they most disagreed.
6 April 2021
4. Glimpse the Cosmos (Kaldheim Retrospective)
Garrett and Zach reflect on Kaldheim, a divisive limited format that was a lot of unbalanced fun.
30 March 2021
3. Miscalculation (Being Wrong)
Garrett and Zach discuss the many ways of being wrong in Magic: The Gathering, how it happens to everyone, and how it may actually be impossible to be right.
16 March 2021
2. Bound in Gold (Magic Arena Economy)
Garrett and Zach discuss the hotly debated Magic Arena economy and argue alternatives and improvements that could be made.
2 March 2021
1. Dissension in the Ranks (Magic Arena Ranking System)
Garrett and Zach discuss the pros and cons of the ranking system for limited drafts in Magic Arena.