You are really good at describing fundamental concepts needed to improve as a limited deckbuilder. I would be really excited to watch you do a video on how to think during a turn of magic. I know it cant be just described as do A. B. C. D. and "great success", but it would be nice to hear you explain a good "generic thought process" one could aim to take while playing magic. I realize that by listening to you, and some others speak, that I wont ever be able to reach the same peak as you (just like grandmasters in chess may be able to describe what they're doing, but most couldnt put it to the same effectice practical use in a game, some people just have a gift), and im sure you are aware of your intelligence, but I would be extremely grateful to hear your thoughts on how to think while playing magic. I have been playing since 1997, and some of the things you say are "way above my pay grade" lol, as in so complex I doubt I would have even sniffed thinking about something close to as smart or complex, but I have searched for such a video before, and they are either incomplete, lacking, or non-existent. I respect your work and hope you consider making such a video.
I've been looking for an in depth guide for a while, and this hits the spot. Thank you for this video. I've been in mythic during OTJ, and since then I started my own youtube channel. I will apply these rules, the "have a plan thing" really will help surely. I've learned by now to find open colours, mind the curve etc.. but somehow my decks don't function well during playing, I really run into this more during MH3 compared to previous sets.
The bit on synergy reminds me a lot of the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of the results comes from 20 percent of the effort, or 80% of the time vs 20% of the time, etc. Well with synergy the lesson should be...roughly 80% of the time, just ignore synergy. Draft the better card. But... be on the lookout, that 20% of the time, you can get that last extra bit of value if you alter your pick! Or--the old adage, learn the rules before you break the rules. Get the fundamentals, then start experimenting. A lot of what I've learned over the years and sets has been building my 80% knowledge base. I think a lot of what you're talking here, I think I have the foundations on. But every time there's one of those limited level up moments? That's pushing for that extra 20% in results. The learning isn't easy, you have to now put in 80% of the effort, but if you're a limited grinder, this is where you really get that last bit of edge!!
Good point expressed here, updated for LotR. A lot of tempt doesn't mean you're aggro. I have 7 creatures but 17 spells and 2 gandalf sanctions and a fiery inscription. One tempt critter will sometimes draw you into the spells you need to stabilize, and if you keep your opponents board mostly clear with all the blue and red removal, then the single mouth of sauron will close the door....even if you weren't amassing that much.
13:11 The one exception that I have found to using Cut Short in white aggro decks is when I have multiple Bola Slingers. It feels great to tap their blocker and then Cut Short post-combat, allowing the Slinger to target opp's 2nd-most-annoying creature next turn. Also - this combo protects your Cut Short, in a sense, because if opp can protect the blocker, it's likely being used vs the tap-down effect, so even though that interaction might hurt, your Cut Short won't be blown out and can be saved for the backswing or a later turn.
Thank you for all of this! Big help! Do you have any recommendations on trusted format specific archetype deck guides / resources? I'm not sure where to look to find quality examples of each archetype's deck and their relative (updated) rankings per format when "Deckbuidling begins in (and before) the draft." is so important.
It’s mostly the same imo. Your manabase can be slightly less “responsible” since you have slightly more time to set up (sealed is about a turn slower than draft on average) but most of these guidelines carry over!
Ok, but the problem Is Always...HOW-TO a have a....Good and fair Plan, in...Fieri? HOW-TO evaluate if a way to follow Is....Possible and EFFICIENT in a given pick-context we want to follow? Thanks for your interesting video!
i just wonder, why is it recommended to play 17 lands, i get mana flood like 25% of game when i do, i switched up to 15 land and i have more success with it
Discovered this channel yesterday and immediately become one of my favorite MTG channels for limited. Awesome content!
The best limited mtg knowledge on yt and it just isn't close at all
Alex is really underrated
You are really good at describing fundamental concepts needed to improve as a limited deckbuilder. I would be really excited to watch you do a video on how to think during a turn of magic. I know it cant be just described as do A. B. C. D. and "great success", but it would be nice to hear you explain a good "generic thought process" one could aim to take while playing magic. I realize that by listening to you, and some others speak, that I wont ever be able to reach the same peak as you (just like grandmasters in chess may be able to describe what they're doing, but most couldnt put it to the same effectice practical use in a game, some people just have a gift), and im sure you are aware of your intelligence, but I would be extremely grateful to hear your thoughts on how to think while playing magic. I have been playing since 1997, and some of the things you say are "way above my pay grade" lol, as in so complex I doubt I would have even sniffed thinking about something close to as smart or complex, but I have searched for such a video before, and they are either incomplete, lacking, or non-existent. I respect your work and hope you consider making such a video.
I agree. This would be a great video. I am not new to the game either and this woudl be helpful
I've been looking for an in depth guide for a while, and this hits the spot. Thank you for this video. I've been in mythic during OTJ, and since then I started my own youtube channel. I will apply these rules, the "have a plan thing" really will help surely. I've learned by now to find open colours, mind the curve etc.. but somehow my decks don't function well during playing, I really run into this more during MH3 compared to previous sets.
one the best episodes Alex, I'm high mythic player and I learned a ton, appreciate you man
I’d love to see an episode about the advanced thing you mentioned with Assimilate Essence! That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to get better at.
The bit on synergy reminds me a lot of the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of the results comes from 20 percent of the effort, or 80% of the time vs 20% of the time, etc. Well with synergy the lesson should be...roughly 80% of the time, just ignore synergy. Draft the better card. But... be on the lookout, that 20% of the time, you can get that last extra bit of value if you alter your pick!
Or--the old adage, learn the rules before you break the rules. Get the fundamentals, then start experimenting.
A lot of what I've learned over the years and sets has been building my 80% knowledge base. I think a lot of what you're talking here, I think I have the foundations on. But every time there's one of those limited level up moments? That's pushing for that extra 20% in results. The learning isn't easy, you have to now put in 80% of the effort, but if you're a limited grinder, this is where you really get that last bit of edge!!
Well said! I'd say this whole episode is all about 80/20s and learning the rules before you break them :)
@@limitedlevel-ups yah, this whole episode really clicked on that line, great as always !
fantastic channel with soooo much info. i'm a new players, maybe 3 months in. so helpful
Thank you for showing the hypergeometric calculator, this really opened my eyes on where those magic numbers are coming from.
A superior guide! Just beautiful
Good point expressed here, updated for LotR. A lot of tempt doesn't mean you're aggro. I have 7 creatures but 17 spells and 2 gandalf sanctions and a fiery inscription. One tempt critter will sometimes draw you into the spells you need to stabilize, and if you keep your opponents board mostly clear with all the blue and red removal, then the single mouth of sauron will close the door....even if you weren't amassing that much.
Thanks! Great video!
Great tips, very useful. Thank you for sharing.
Really great video! Definitely lots of things i forget to consider :)
YESSSSS HYPE
21:57 yeah I do
13:11 The one exception that I have found to using Cut Short in white aggro decks is when I have multiple Bola Slingers. It feels great to tap their blocker and then Cut Short post-combat, allowing the Slinger to target opp's 2nd-most-annoying creature next turn. Also - this combo protects your Cut Short, in a sense, because if opp can protect the blocker, it's likely being used vs the tap-down effect, so even though that interaction might hurt, your Cut Short won't be blown out and can be saved for the backswing or a later turn.
Also - Phyrexian Censor's tap-down feature. Opp creature comes in tapped; Cut Down thank you very much.
Excellent points! I agree
Frikken amazing episode
thx alex i continue to love the shirt and you def aren't wearing it too much (unironically!)
I’ll admit, it’s my 3rd time this week 😅
@@limitedlevel-ups hey just keep giving the people what they want
YESSSSSS
LIMITED PLAYERS UNITE
NO SLEEVES, NO COLLECTION, ALL FUN IN COMPETITION
Thank you for all of this! Big help! Do you have any recommendations on trusted format specific archetype deck guides / resources? I'm not sure where to look to find quality examples of each archetype's deck and their relative (updated) rankings per format when "Deckbuidling begins in (and before) the draft." is so important.
Drafting Archetypes, Sam Black's podcast is excellent for exactly this!
But cut short and phyrexian censor is such a good combo though :p
GOAT.
W video
Is any of this advice different for sealed? Literally building from a pile of cards feels harder than drafting. (No MoM day 2 for me!)
It’s mostly the same imo. Your manabase can be slightly less “responsible” since you have slightly more time to set up (sealed is about a turn slower than draft on average) but most of these guidelines carry over!
Ok, but the problem Is Always...HOW-TO a have a....Good and fair Plan, in...Fieri? HOW-TO evaluate if a way to follow Is....Possible and EFFICIENT in a given pick-context we want to follow? Thanks for your interesting video!
i just wonder, why is it recommended to play 17 lands, i get mana flood like 25% of game when i do, i switched up to 15 land and i have more success with it
This content is ridiculous. I can’t believe it’s free
The comment at 37:26 didn't age well with the current Writhing Crysalis I'd say. ;)
nice content but ads every 5 minutes
Huh, I don't actually have control over that, sorry for that :(
@@limitedlevel-ups Nummy found a way to fix his when his started doing that. I'm not tech savvy enuff