TOPDECK THERAPY

Justin McCall
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Two life long friends sitting down to talk about cardboard and how it shapes their lives. Friendships and even life totals aren't safe!

Episodes

  1. WUBRG Series: White- The Good, Bad, and Unique!

    4 DAYS AGO

    WUBRG Series: White- The Good, Bad, and Unique!

    In this episode of Top Deck Therapy, Justin and Kevin dive into the color white in Magic: The Gathering, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, and the evolving role in Commander format. Whether you're a white die-hard or just curious, learn about white's standout features and strategic potential. Key topics: White’s reputation for powerful removal, including board wipes like Wrath of God and Farewell White’s support for token strategies with iconic cards like Anointed Procession and Miral the Moonsilver The color’s strengths in reanimation—bringing back artifacts, enchantments, and creatures White’s stacks and group-hate strategies, including Winter Orb and Ghostly Prison, and how they affect gameplay The evolution of white ramp and card draw in Commander, closing the gap with traditionally faster colors Notable white planeswalkers, including Elspeth, Gideon, and the eternal wanderer, and their impact Famous white cards like Smothering Tithe and Enlighten Tutor that are game changers The future of white in Commander and its increasing synergy with other colors Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Wuburg series and White's themes 0:30 - White’s association with removal and board wipes 1:28 - White exiles and supports white's control aspects 2:22 - White's board wipes and support for fairness in gameplay 3:20 - Classic and modern white board wipes with support strategies 4:41 - The impact of white’s flicker effects and token generation 5:41 - The versatility of white reanimation and support cards like Sun Titan 6:39 - White’s card draw capabilities and ramp strategies 7:33 - The evolution of white ramps and their role in Commander 8:59 - Smothering Tithe and other game-changing cards 10:40 - White’s stacks strategies, how they shape game outcomes 12:07 - Token generation and the power of white tokens in Commander 13:32 - White’s life gain and big creature strategies with Miral 14:14 - Personal pet decks and white’s synergy with flicker and tokens 15:41 - The value of flicker effects and infinite combos in white 18:01 - White’s potential as a value engine and its evolving presence in Commander 19:57 - Reanimating across all permanent types with white 20:49 - Top white planeswalkers and their strategic importance 21:47 - Classic white reanimation spells and their synergy 22:46 - White’s token strategies with Rick, and their consistency 24:11 - White’s ability to protect and respond with flicker effects and protection 25:37 - White's stacks and control elements, including Winter Orb and Ghostly Prison 27:03 - Notable white commanders like Giada, Elspeth, and angels 28:22 - The importance of white’s token decks and synergy with anthem effects 30:21 - The fair and balanced personality of white in multiplayer settings 31:19 - Equipment strategies and blue-white synergy with artifact-based Voltron 32:45 - The future potential of mono-white decks and their growing strength in Commander 34:05 - Limitations and opportunities for white-based decks and how they're improving 36:03 - White’s game-changing cards like Enlighten Tutor, Smothering Tithe, and others 37:02 - The impact of stacks cards like Derevi and Winter Orb on gameplay 38:29 - Balancing white’s stacks and control without making games unfun 40:50 - The evolving role of white in Commander, from fair to powerful strategies 41:49 - What's next for white in Top Deck Therapy's journey into MTG colors Enjoy exploring the white archetype's evolution and potential in Commander! Stay tuned for more as Top Deck Therapy dives into each color’s unique traits.

    42 min
  2. Exploring the Commander Bracket System

    10 MAR

    Exploring the Commander Bracket System

    Keywords Magic: The Gathering, Bracket System, Game Changers, Deck Building, Commander, Casual Play, Competitive Play, Proxies, Power Levels, Intent In this conversation, Justin and Kevin discuss the intricacies of the Magic: The Gathering bracket system, focusing on its intent, power levels, and the importance of communication among players. They explore the definitions of tutors and game changers, the dynamics of different brackets, and the challenges of deck building in a competitive environment. The conversation also touches on the rising costs of Magic cards and the use of proxies to maintain a fun and engaging gameplay experience. Chapters 00:00 Return to the Podcast: Excitement and Updates 01:36 Understanding the Bracket System 04:44 Exploring Bracket One: Ultra Casual Play 07:28 Diving into Bracket Two: Average Pre-Con Level 09:45 Bracket Three: Upgraded Gameplay 15:08 Reflections on the Old System and Intent 18:20 The Importance of Pre-Game Conversations 21:14 High-Powered Gameplay: Bracket Four and Five 25:20 The Cost of Playing Magic: A Financial Perspective

    32 min
  3. Session Confessions: Kevin's Problem

    28 FEB

    Session Confessions: Kevin's Problem

    The conversation delves into the struggle of building decks and the desire for uniqueness in deck construction. Kevin's difficulty in building his own decks is explored, along with his inclination towards uniqueness and the challenges it presents. The discussion also touches on the impact of budget constraints and the complexity of the game. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of deck building, the importance of discussing ideas with friends, and the satisfaction and exploration of building unique decks. It also explores the struggles, mental blocks, and self-reflection involved in the deck building process, as well as the encouragement and support needed to overcome these challenges. Takeaways Struggle with Building DecksDesire for Uniqueness Deck building strugglesImportance of discussing ideas with friends Chapters 00:00 The Desire for Uniqueness29:35 Deck Building Challenges and Strategies35:14 Deck Building Process and Unique Decks40:25 Deck Building Excitement and Encouragement45:39 Deck Building Strategies and Encouragement

    46 min
  4. It Takes A Tribe!

    15 FEB

    It Takes A Tribe!

    In this episode, Justin and Kevin explore the various tribes in EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), discussing the unique characteristics and strategies of each tribe. They emphasize the importance of finding your tribe in the game, highlighting popular tribes such as elves, slivers, zombies, dinosaurs, goblins, merfolk, cats, dragons, angels, fairies, humans, and eldrazi. Each tribe offers distinct gameplay experiences, from the straightforward nature of elves to the chaotic speed of goblins, and the resilience of zombies. The conversation provides insights into deck-building strategies and the evolving nature of tribal synergies in Magic: The Gathering.

    44 min
  5. Open Ended Commander Series: Y'shtola Night's Blessed

    3 FEB

    Open Ended Commander Series: Y'shtola Night's Blessed

    Y'shtola Commander Brew and Strategy Breakdown: In this new Series Justin and Kevin will explore each others different build styles! Join us as we explore two unique Y'shtola builds for EDH, showcasing different approaches to leveraging this popular Esper commander. Whether you prefer clone-heavy tactics or spell-slinging control, this episode offers insights into deck construction, synergy, and strategic play. In this episode: Deep dive into Y'shtola, Night's Blessed and its abilitiesBuilding around cloning Y'shtola for exponential valueIncorporating non-creature spells to trigger damage and draw triggersStrategies for protecting your key creatures and combo piecesComparing the two deck archetypes: clone swarm vs. spell-based controlTips for managing life total and leveraging group slug effectsEssential mana rocks and utility lands for non-creature spell focusReflection on deckbuilding philosophies and community insights Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome back and episode intro 00:41 - Personal Christmas and New Year stories 01:39 - Announcing the Y'shtola series and expected exploration topics 02:07 - Discussing Y'shtola's abilities and card synergies 03:03 - Key themes: non-creature spells, damage, and card draw 05:00 - Deck stats overview, focusing on non-creature spell support 06:29 - Cloning Y'shtola for exponential value 07:57 - Clone options: Auton Soldier, Sakashima, Spark Double, and more 08:52 - Group slug effects and damage/relich gain strategies 09:22 - Highlighting Gixion Puppeteer for dual value 10:21 - Additional clones and synergy cards like Risky Shortcut and Pain's Reward 11:43 - Removal, counterspells, and mana ramp setup 13:37 - Artifacts for mana fixing: Chromatic Lantern, Bender's Water Skin, and others 15:05 - Utility and copy artifacts: Machine God's Effigy and Videlcan Ori 16:20 - Instant speed spells to maximize commander triggers 17:16 - Card draw and damage combos with Ophidian Eye, Helm of the Gaslord 18:42 - Group slug and life drain effects, with Sanguine Bond/Exquisite Blood comparison 20:10 - Protective enchantments and resilience strategies 22:30 - The impact of multiple Y'shtola and clone proliferation 23:58 - Land selection, including utility lands like Academy Ruins 24:28 - Justin's contrasting build: fewer creatures, more utility, and protection 26:22 - Deck themes centered on spells, damage, and recursion 27:47 - Counterspells, mass removal, and board wipe considerations 28:42 - Card favoritism: Desynchronization and Transpose 30:09 - Wizard tokens, additional damage triggers, and deck resilience 31:36 - Deck protection and slowing down opponents' strategies 34:23 - Enchantments and stax pieces for control 36:11 - Land choices and utility lands to enhance consistency 36:57 - Comparing deck strategies and build philosophies 38:00 - Reflections on protection, resilience, and the importance of cloning and control 40:25 - Final thoughts on multiplayer dynamics, threat windows, and deck versatility 42:30 - Encouraging individual deckbuilding and community creativity 43:00 - Closing remarks and invitation for community suggestions

    44 min
  6. Politics Around the Table

    24 JAN

    Politics Around the Table

    In this episode, Justin and Kevin discuss the art of politicking in Commander games. They explore the importance of social negotiation, precise language, and reading players. They also dive into the pitfalls of over-talking, the skill of making deals, and the role of threat assessment in the game. The conversation emphasizes the entertainment value of Magic and the importance of having fun while leveraging politicking to influence game outcomes. Takeaways Social negotiationReading playersPrecise languageBecoming the threatMaking precise deals Chapters 00:00 The Art of Politicking14:27 The Skill of Making Deals28:04 The Role of Threat Assessment41:34 The Entertainment of Magic

    42 min
  7. Keywords

    13 JAN

    Keywords

    The conversation covers a variety of keywords in Magic: The Gathering, exploring their significance and synergies in the commander format. The discussion delves into the impact of keywords such as lifelink, haste, trample, flying, menace, hexproof, indestructible, and more, highlighting their strategic value and potential synergies. Takeaways Strategic ValueSynergies Chapters 00:00 The Significance of Indestructible

    37 min
  8. Threat Assessment

    1 JAN

    Threat Assessment

    In this episode hosts Justin and Kevin talk about the critical role of threat assessment in Commander, emphasizing the importance of understanding and evaluating threats. It also explores the dynamics of politicizing and social interactions, shedding light on the complexities of emotional targeting and the art of becoming the threat. Throughout the discussion, the theme of adapting and reevaluating threat assessment is highlighted, providing valuable insights for mastering this essential aspect of the game. Takeaways Threat assessment is crucialPoliticizing and social interactions are integral to Commander Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Threat Assessment06:12 Assessing Threat from the Start11:33 Reevaluating Threat Assessment16:50 Emotional Targeting and Taking Things Personally26:24 Adapting Threat Assessment32:55 Becoming the Threat

    35 min

  9. 1 JAN

    Get to Know the Hosts

    The first episode of Top Deck Therapy is a get-to-know-us session where the hosts discuss their introduction to Magic: The Gathering, their favorite decks, and their goals for the podcast. They share personal stories, memories, and insights related to the game and its impact on their lives. Takeaways Community BuildingPersonal Connection Chapters 00:00 Favorite MTG Memories and Podcast Goals

    29 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Two life long friends sitting down to talk about cardboard and how it shapes their lives. Friendships and even life totals aren't safe!

Information

  • Creator
    Justin McCall
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Justin McCall