Good Luck High Five

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a deep dive into the draft archetypes of Lost Caverns of Ixalan! Get a great roadmap about how to approach this shiny, new draft format — complete with interesting facts (which uncommon appears 20% more often than the others?) and stories from the fields of battle. PLUS: Meghan gets all Shakespearean up in here and Maria says Axe-Blaster far too many times to feel good about. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan talk the newest set on the block: Lost Caverns of Ixalan! Find out how Maria did at her prerelease and what kind of deck she built. Plus, get her thoughts on all the new mechanics and over-performing cards ahead of the Arena release this week! BONUS: What assigned reading traumatized you in high school? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom Maria’s 4-0 Sealed Deck

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome back Judge Rob to walk us through all of the tricky new cards and mechanics from Lost Caverns of Ixalan! Get prepped for your prerelease this weekend with the best primer in the biz! As always, you’re sure to learn something that will come in handy as Magic sets continue to increase in complexity. PLUS: Maria and Meghan scale back their yacht plans and Rob is a secret poet?? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate Halloween by bringing you the most shocking new preview cards from Magic’s upcoming set: The Lost Caverns of Ixalan! You! Will! Be! Terrified! Hear all about some very exciting new cards that may find homes in Standard, Limited or Commander. PLUS: Meghan details a museum field trip and Maria recieves a very…interesting…gift in the mail. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, get a first lewk at the newest upcoming Magic the Gathering set: Lost Caverns of Ixalan! Learn about the set’s new (and complicated) mechanics, new cards (including an Elephant planeswalker!), and some pretty stunning art. PLUS: our hosts discuss Magic’s newest Universes Beyond property: MARVEL. Yep, it’s a big one! What does it mean for the game and how do we feel about it? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan tackle the new type of booster rocking the Magic community: Play Boosters. What will this change mean for our favorite format (Draft?) What will it mean for Sealed? What will it mean for how players approach the game in general? Strap in for an in-depth discussion! PLUS: your intrepid hosts pitch a few genius ideas for future Universes Beyond collaborations. Manifest it, people! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan rank things like nobody’s ranked things before! Get yourself ready for a whole slew of Top 10 (and Top 5) lists from Wilds of Eldraine! Topics include: Cutest Cards, Oops! They’re Hot!, Most Intimidating, Worst Adventure (by name alone) and more! Sit down with your hosts for an excellent hour of judging others. It’s therapeutic! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan give you a first look at The Lost Caverns of Ixalan! Hear about the most exciting cards from the new set that have been previewed so far — and learn what your hosts’ favorite dinosaurs are! AN IMPORTANT FACT!!! PLUS: Meghan gets spicy with an X-Files update, Maria initiates an Eldraine Pack Battle, and why you should probably never go into a mine shaft. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan specifically violate the sacred code of Las Vegas by spilling the beans(talk) about anything and everything that went down in Sin City for MagicCON: Vegas! Find out what the heck happened at the World Championship (including the best-performing Standard and Draft decks), what kind of partying was had, and what Meghan will now never stop bragging about. Ever. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you ready for World Championship 24 this weekend with a comprehensive guide to all the top decks in Standard! More than 100 players will battle it out in Las Vegas for a prize pool of $1,000,000 and the title of Champion! Find out what you can play along with the pros — there’s a deck for every play style right now! PLUS: your weekly X-Files update, a secret dragon keeps burning down parties, and why pay full price when you can Casade? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom Top Standard Decks

On this episode, Maria and Meghan do the hard work so you don’t have to! They’ll walk you through all the data about what cards you should be drafting, what colors you should prioritize, and what stinkers to throw back. PLUS: Maria shows off some of her skele collection, Meghan becomes Jean Luc Picard for a second, and more X-Files talk! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan chat about their first experiences with Wilds of Eldraine! Hear Maria’s…wild…stories from the prerelease event and get ready for the release on MTG Arena with a helpful overview of the set’s two-color draft archetypes. Get ready to battle with your brain armed with the most powerful weapon: knowledge! (Or a very big sword. Either works.) PLUS: The X-Files discussion continues and why Adventure is more exciting than ever. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom Maria’s Sealed Deck Forced Fruition Tough Cookies

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome back Judge Rob to walk you through all the new and returning mechanics (as well as lots of tricky cards) for your prerelase this weekend! Get prepped for whatever might come your way after you crack those packs! PLUS: can someone please approve Maria’s voice line auditions for MTG Arena, Meghan finds true love in a very random horse shirt, and Rob eats coins. It’s all in here, folks. And you don’t want to miss it! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan review the Magic sets for the 2023 design year — based on Head Designer Mark Rosewater’s yearly article! What mistakes were made? What lessons can Wizards of the Coast learn? What did we love and hope they bring back? Find out! PLUS: Turns out it’s not only David Duchovny’s face that Meghan doesn’t like…find out what other fictional character is in her burn book! And Maria invents a new, much worse, eating contest. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you back…to the future! They’ll explore all the new sets announced at this year’s GenCon – from 2024 all the way into the start of 2026. From a pitstop in the Wild West to SPAAAAAACE! to creepy 80s horror, the upcoming sets do not disappoint. PLUS: Storytime with Meghan dives into Chapter 1 of the Wilds of Eldraine story and Maria becomes a Flat Plane-r. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan look ahead to all that’s coming our way for Magic the Gathering in 2024! Find out details about the fall and winter sets: Wilds of Eldraine and Lost Caverns of Ixalan plus the new Doctor Who Commander decks! What are we most excited for? What returning mechanics will we see? What relationship does one cookie have to another cookie if they are baked on the same sheet?! The important questions are never too tough for GLHF. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are fresh (??) off the plane from Barcelona, Spain and ready to spill all the hottest goss from Pro Tour The Lord of the Rings! Find out what the best strategies were in Draft and Modern as the pros battled their way to the Top 8. PLUS: What deck turned Maria’s head (and now she feels gross?), what experience in Barcelona will Meghan remember the most, and what match of Magic you should watch that may be among the best of all time. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for all the action at Pro Tour Lord of the Rings heading your way this weekend! Find out what the top decks are in Modern (yes, Modern! It’s not been played at the PT level since 2019!) and what exciting things you’ve got to look forward to on your screens this weekend. PLUS: the top 2 cards from the new set we expect to see on the battlefield and all the shenanigans you’ve come to expect from team GLHF. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan have a fantastic time exploring the world of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, as Meghan tries to tell you the entire story of The Hobbit and LotR in 5 minutes or less. Can she do it?! Find out! PLUS: many questions about Gandalf’s “God Vacation” and whether or not Hobbits really do have life all figured out. Your hosts also dive into the world of Historic Brawl with some super fun new decks and Commanders courtesy of Lord of the Rings. …did Hobbits have the printing press? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan are back LIVE in the studio after a summer hiatus! They haven’t had much of an opportunity to play Lord of the Rings yet, so what are they to do?! How about cracking some Collector Boosters of the new set and guessing which cards are the best in Draft! Don’t worry, their guesses will be either validated or rejected by the cold, hard facts and data behind the best and worst draft picks. Their discussion will help kickstart your win rate in Limited play – and give you plenty of laughs along the way! PLUS: two exclusive Commander Masters preview cards! Thank you to Wizards of the Coast for the free preview content! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

Give this episode to your friend who you want to coerce… I mean…invite…to play Magic the Gathering! This episode covers everything about the greatest game in the world. From how set releases work to how and where to play, this podcast will start your buddies off on the right foot. Note: this episode does not teach someone how to play Magic, rather, it shows them the world of Magic – and how to best interact with everything the game has to offer. Remember: if you are already a player you are FORBIDDEN from listening to this episode! 😉 Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan investigate the latest update to the Magic the Gathering Storm Scale – where lead designer Mark Rosewater tells players how likely a certain mechanic is to be reprinted. When can we expect to see Learn again? How about Adamant (remember that one?!) And how about Landfall? Find out! BONUS: you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly how much a cloud weighs. You’re welcome!!! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive face first into a giant pile of randomized Magic cards from throughout the game’s storied history. Who will be able to guess more cards correctly based on the art alone? Find out! A big prize is on the line as well as PRIDE! And BRAGGING RIGHTS! All hail The Mighty Randomizer! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob back to the show to talk about this weekend’s Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth prerelease! Rob will prepare you with all the knowledge you’ll need to walk confidently into your local game store (or Mount Doom)! Covering new cards, returning mechanics, NEW mechanic (singular) and tricky cards – with Rob’s preparations you won’t need second breakfast, but you’ll have one anyway. Just in case. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan catch up on all the Magic the Gathering story — from the very end of Phyrexia: All Will Be One to the end of March of the Machine (and a bit of Aftermath) — they’ll get you caught up on all of the happenings in the multiverse. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a good old fashioned storytime! PLUS: A GLHF exclusive preview card from Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Thanks to Wizards Magic for the free preview! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a first look at Magic’s newest upcoming set Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth! Hear all about the new mechanics, cards and magnificent art that graces this Modern-legal offering. PLUS: Meghan has a soapbox moment, Maria reads some Watto fan fiction, and which phase of the moon is the most hot? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with Desk After Dark! Your hosts Maria Bartholdi and Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your questions about everything Magic coverage. This episode, your hosts focus on Pro Tour March of the Machine in Minneapolis, featuring a historic win. PLUS, they welcome special guest and coverage legend Brian David-Marshall to the program. Want to submit a question for the next episode? Just ask Maria (@MissMariapants) or Mani (@zapgaze) on Twitter.

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get ready for a brand new world of Standard ahead of Banned & Restricted announcement next week. What will get the hammer? What will be spared? And what will the world look like afterwards? PLUS: Lord of the Rings is nearly upon us and your intrepid hosts are ready with their predictions of mechanics and card designs for the new set. (Spoiler: some of these ideas are, like, really good!) And, tell me honestly, who doesn’t want to see a TNT-made featured film about a rich oil boy turned professor? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take you an a magical journey through everything new that’s coming up this summer and fall for Magic the Gathering. From big changes to Standard, to Lord of the Rings, to the Wilds of Eldraine – your hosts guide you as they explore brave new worlds for the first time and peek at what’s ahead. PLUS: shouldn’t there be a downside for being the ring bearer? Just what exactly is Maria registered for at Williams and Sonoma? And which Doctor are you? All that and more on this week’s episode! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, coverage legend and Pro Tour Historian Brian David Marshall visits the GLHF crew to tell one of his favorite Magic stories and to make you a delicious cocktail! PLUS: All the tea from MagicCON Minneapolis and Pro Tour March of the Machine! Find out what decks destroyed in Standard and in Draft — and why the winner is such a big deal. PLUS: Maria doesn’t understand The Lion King. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria welcomes very special guest host Carolyn Pardee to the show to talk Pro Tour March of the Machine! Carolyn (3-time VML champion and excellent Magic the Gathering player) helps get you prepped for what to look out for on coverage this weekend. Between a super-cool (but weird!) Draft format and a Standard format that may welcome some exciting changes to popular decks, Carolyn has got you covered! PLUS: A special announcement about Season 10 of the VML and what pro players really talk about inside testing houses. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dive deep into the draft data of March of the Machine to find out what cards to pick, what cards to pass, and which colors make everyone the most sad. The best color may surprise you! PLUS: a look at the best commons in each color as well as the Top 5 Best Cards overall which are truly something special to behold. This draft format is a dream, get out there and play! And win! With the help of this episode! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan relive Maria’s exciting prerelease experience playing March of the Machine for the very first time! Find out what kind of deck Maria built – including what cards majorly over-performed. Hear how you should approach attacking battles, whether or not to Backup and more! PLUS: Storytime with Meghan continues and Maria enjoys (?) it with a new cocktail you might just want to never try at home. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom Maria’s Prerelease Deck

On this episode, Maria and Meghan welcome Judge Rob to the show to explain all of the tricky new & returning mechanics as well as cards that might trip you up at this weekend’s March of the Machine prerelease! This set features brand new card types as well as a BIG rules change involving tokens — so you’d better tune in before you throw down. PLUS: Cutest and Grossest card of the set are crowned and Maria scares some highly intelligent wildlife. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get pumped for March of the Machine with a look at the exciting new cards and mechanics of the upcoming set! See their ridiculously good preview card, find out what they think might be the best art of the YEAR, and learn how to properly Battle (with a capital “B”) your opponent. PLUS: A haunted Randomizer and chapter 2 of Phyrexia: All Will Be One Storytime where our planeswalker friends learn the power of walkie-talkies. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan celebrate the newest official Magic the Gathering format: Oathbreaker! Join Judge Rob as he walks our hosts through some amazing listener-submitted Oathbreaker decks and crafts decks specifically for Meghan and Maria. Want to guess which planeswalkers they chose? Find out – and get inspiration for your own spicy builds. PLUS: The first episode of New Phyrexia Storytime and a taste test that pits cookies against each other in an epic cookie war. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom  

On this episode, Maria and Meghan dig into second breakfast as they explore the upcoming Lord of the Rings Magic set! Some really exciting cards have already been previewed and let’s just say we’re dancing around the Party Tree. PLUS: Tips on drafting Shadows Over Innistrad which drops on MTG Arena this week, Meghan wraps up The Brothers’ War Storytime and Maria asks “which Magic creature would you most want to ride like a horse?” Only the most important topics on this show, folks! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a big Magic the Gathering tournament? Wonder no more with Desk After Dark! Your hosts Maria Bartholdi and Mani Davoudi want to shed some light on what it’s like to actually produce a Magic tournament, from start to finish. With a combined decade+ of experience covering the best game in the world, Maria and Mani are here to answer your questions about everything Magic coverage. This episode, your hosts focus on Pro Tour Phyrexia in Philadelphia, showcasing a new (and improved?) game angle, no sitting through lengthy mulligans, and Pioneer on the biggest stage for the first time. Plus, your listener questions are answered! Want to submit a question for the next episode? Just ask Maria (@MissMariapants) or Mani (@zapgaze) on Twitter.

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a break from the 8th snowiest Minneapolis winter of all time to go on Spring Break! …Well, not really. They’re still in their studio. But they can pretend (*tears*)! Come hang out as they play tons of games to celebrate the lighthearted side of Magic the Gathering including an extended Randomizer, Flavor Text Theatre: MadLibs, and Cast, Reanimate or Kill. There’s also a storytime with Meghan and plenty of sunscreen and ear daiquiris to go around! Don’t ask! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan take a trip back to their favorite old Standard Corner…it’s just your average, everyday corner…for the first time in months! Find out why Standard is hot right now and what the most fun decks in the format are to play! (Spoiler: there are lots of good options! I know! We’re surprised, too!) PLUS: Meghan discovers clouds, and Flavor Text Theatre pitches a movie so good, no studio could possibly ignore it. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan talk about all the new newness coming to Magic the Gathering in the coming months. And, spoiler alert: there’s a lot of new new. Hear about the new Lord of the Rings set (and what cards our two hosts would design), March of the Machine and just, where, exactly – we might be marching — as well as Commander Masters, Alchemy: Phyrexia, and Innistrad Remastered. And what about product burnout? Is it coming for you, too? PLUS: Brothers’ War Storytime and a discussion of baby Sphinx. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan recap the first paper Pro Tour since November of 2019 — Pro Tour Phyrexia! Hear what it was like to be back in person playing real life Magic cards with the pros — and what the top memories of the big event were. PLUS: How to level up your Phyrexia: All Will be One Draft with data-backed science from 17 Lands. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for Pro Tour Phyrexia: All Will Be One this weekend! It’s the first paper Pro Tour since November of 2019 and the best-of-the-best will be back to battle with actual, physical, paper cards IN THE SAME ROOM! It is very exciting. Get caught up with the best strategies (backed up by lots of data!) on All Will Be One Draft as well as the constructed format for the tournament: Pioneer. PLUS: A Horse-themed Randomizer and love to our little green friends out there that may or may not be currently getting shot down. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan regale you with stories from their Phyrexia: All Will Be One prerelease last weekend! Find out what cards they believe over-performed and what the keys to this brand new Limited format may be. PLUS: Judge Rob stops by to talk MagicCon Philly next week and what the new planeswalkers mean for Oathbreaker (a super-fun quick multiplayer format!) – including a new Oathbreaker precon you can pick up at the fest with a charity donation. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom New Liliana Oathbreaker Deck

On this episode, Judge Rob stops by to set us straight on all the rules and tricky new card interactions from Phyrexia: All Will Be One! Don’t head into your prerelease this weekend without it! PLUS: Cutest and Grossest (so many contenders!) cards are crowned — and an update on the 7 Layer Bar conspiracy we accidentally uncovered on this week’s episode of The Upkeep. Warning: what you hear may shock you. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan jump face-first into a pile of brand new Phyrexia: All Will Be One mechanics and cards! Find out all about the new and returning mechanics and how they work and which new cards our hosts are most excited about. It looks like White might finally have its day in the sun! PLUS: Just what, exactly, does Phyrexian oil taste like and how do YOU feel about the one-and-only Jace being compleated?! Thanks to Wizards Magic for the free preview content! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan say a fond farewell to the planeswalkers that have officially been compleated in Phyrexia: All Will Be One. Which of the 10 showing up in this set are safe — and which are on their way to a more perfect state? Let’s just say: Maria is SHOOK. Plus: Storytime with Meghan continues as we venture into time time following the The Brothers’ War, and is Sixth Sense still a good movie? Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan get you prepped for Dominaria Remastered – dropping this week! Learn how to approach the draft environment — from the top-tier commons you won’t want to pass, to the synergies in different color pairs, you’ll hit your LGS feeling ready to rock and ready to thrown down with 30 years of Magic history. PLUS: it’s Storytime with Meghan as we move on to Chapter 1 of The Brothers’ War and Maria finds a new love in a Cutest Card printed long, long ago. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan kick of 2023 in style — by deciding not to compete in a decathlon. A sports decathlon, that is. A Magic decathlon — well, now that’s another story. Right now on MTG Arena, you can compete in a decathlon spanning 10 different ways to play Magic — culminating in a Finals event at the end of the month. Your hosts will let you know what events are on the proverbial table and what strategies might get you across the finish line. PLUS: Setting SMART (and Magical!) goals for 2023! Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom

On this episode, Maria and Meghan hand out the extremely coveted Chrimby Awards! They celebrate the best and worst of Magic the Gathering in 2022 — from Best Art to Most Drama — it’s a walk down memory lane (what does your memory lane look like?) as the trophies are handed out. What will win Best Card Name? Best New Mechanic? Best New Deck? Grab a hot toddy or a glass of egg nog (barf) and curl up under a blankie by the fire for this episode that’s sure to keep you warm at night. Or during the day. Or even the afternoon. Become a GLH5 Patron Today! Listen to Weekly Magic News with The Upkeep Buy Some Sweet GLHF Merch Check out our Board Games YouTube Channel Look! It’s our Magic YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Peep Our Insta Be our Facebook Friend Watch us play on Twitch Everything GLHF is on our Website Get the Best MTG Gear with UltraPRO Visit our sponsor Card Kingdom