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Questions for Guest Ben Stark for Tonight?

🕑 Added 2017-05-22 23:35:50 +0000 UTC

Comments

Carl Poulin

Hello, thank you for the podcast! How can you spot a cheater? While things like playing two lands in one turn or mis-numbering life total are somewhat easy to catch, I wonder how to spot players adding cards to their pool or draft? The group I play with is pretty good and I don't think many if any are necessarily cheating but I hate not knowing. I realize I'll never know for sure but knowing better how to spot them will at least make me enjoy the game more as it will increase my sense of fairness.

Jamie Waller

What habit or mistake would you like to see all Limited players stop making?

The Lorne

Is winter coming?

Kilian Johnson

Hey Ben! Do you ever feel like you have "solved" a limited format? I generally feel like draft is a constantly shifting game even within formats. Pros tend to use the term "solved" when they have had access to a format for a few months. Is this pure hyperbole or do you feel that you can know almost everything there is to know about a format after only a few months of playing with it? Thanks!

chitobein

Hey Ben, Marshall and LSV, How do you stay on top of your game when you don't actually LIKE to draft a particular set? Is it all business, do it anyway? I understand of course it's just a game for most of us, but its one we love to play. To consistently level up you can't realistically take a long break while a particular set runs its course. You still want to play Magic, you still want to improve, but you're getting tired of the set- fast. How do the 3 of you handle this? (and 'draft Cube' isn't the answer!) :D Thanks guys.

James Padilla

Hey Ben, what are some tips for getting out of a slump/cold streak? I feel like I Started the format off really well but all of a sudden in my last 5 or so drafts I am losing most of my games. I feel like my decks are reasonable good curve, some removal and tricks but I just keep getting flat run over. Thanks and I love the show and all of the other content you guys produce for CFB!

Philip Brissette

Hey Ben. Two questions: 1 - Do you have any strategies for someone who feels like they get up to speed really quickly in a format, but then struggle to adjust as others get better. I find I have an advantage early but later in a format I do more poorly and I can't seem to zig when others zag. 2 - I love Subway too! Do you think you will tell stories to small children in the future about how footlongs were $5 in your day?

Matt Stankey

You are regarded as one of the best limited players in the world. What sets you apart? Is it your deck building choices (ex. curve / consistency), card evaluation, or just overall experience? Do you have any advice for seasoned limited players looking to get to the next level?

SulliedPanda

Hi Ben! Do you think pros and players in general have overhyped/overcommitted to the mono red/ one drop hyper aggressive archetype? Thank you Marshall and LSV for all you do! Love the show, learn so much!

JeFF Stumpo

When you go to a new city, which is better EV: sticking to national chains like Subway or trying local haunts? I'd imagine the chains are more consistent- the Cs and maybe even B-s in your deck, but the ceiling and floor are both more extreme on the local restaurants.

David Zaslavsky

Ben, you're "on record" (I mean, Marshall mentioned it once on the show so it must be true) as saying that this limited format is fantastic and R&D did an A+ job creating it. Why? I mean, what about Amonkhet makes it such a good format? Personally, my experience with the format, mostly sealed, has been somewhat discouraging; it feels bomb-driven and a lot more reliant on having the luck to open good cards than I'd like. I consider that a strike against the format - yes, partly because I haven't been doing well, but I think even if I were winning more, I would prefer to play a format where the pools are more even so skill and experience play a bigger role. I'm curious whether you think the opposite is true, or whether you're looking at an entirely different aspect of the format that makes you like it so much. As a top limited player I think having your perspective would be really enlightening. P.S. Love the show. #teamharold

Adam hoffmann

What other "drafting" games do you guys like? Epic, 7 wonders, Sushi Go, etc...?

Adam hoffmann

Now that LSV is off the Pro Tour, how has his luckbox EV been distro'd amongst other players? Did any particular players gain most of his equity or did the entire field all just get a little luckier?

Ken Barker

+1 to James Jones question. Additionally, do you have any recommendations for drafting among the same set of friend?. None of us have a cube or are even close to it. We have a desire to get better at draft without spending a ton of money.

John de Jong

Were there any Core set draft formats that you particularly liked? I know that they're supposed to be a little more approachable, but surely some are deeper than others...

David Harris

How do you find holes in your limited play? I find that I am not always able to trace the root cause of my results. How do you identify whether a pattern (winning or losing) is due to variance, play, card evaluation, deck construction, mulligan threshold or side boarding? And how do you avoid overcompensating when your results don't support your beliefs?

Jaeger

What are your thoughts and goals when drafting Black/Red in Amonkhet? Is this an aggro, mid-range or control color pair? Thanks!

Nicholas Weber

Hey Ben, thanks for coming on LR! In one of your draft videos, you mentioned that you really liked drafting Eldritch Moon. Did that format hold up for you over time? What have been some of your favorite draft formats?

James Jones

Marshall, Luis and Ben, I have been playing for about a year and a half and am a big fan of the show. I do plenty of drafting and sealed in the online friendly and intermediate leagues as well as at my LGS. My son and I are going to Las Vegas to play in the Limited GP. What suggestions do you have for players new to the competitive REL? I am somewhat apprehensive about playing in a less forgiving and less friendly environment (not that online is terribly forgiving or friendly).

George Wright

Hi Ben, Marshall and Luis, What would say is the biggest misconception people have about Amonkhet Limited?

Ben Frazier

We as MTG players love to try and be one step ahead. Are there any techniques you use to change your limited play when the meta takes a hard stance on specific archetypes, cards, or colors? Specifically in reference to the aggro at PT AKH, or what you've seen on MTGO for AKH?

Troy Navarro

Hey Ben, I'm a big fan. Sealed is my favorite format to play in limited. Thanks to this podcast I was actually able to Day 2 my first GP in Salt Lake City for M15 Sealed! I have been playing A LOT of Amonkhet sealed on MTGO and I have been having trouble getting a good grip on the format. Usually after playing 10 sealed pools I can start to feel confident in the decks I build for the format, but I have been on a losing streak so far. Marshall and LSV have mentioned on the show that the format is pretty bomb-driven. I can definitely agree with that statement when, for example - I feel like I am in a good position in a game to win until they play a Glorybringer and just steal the game after that. My question is this: What can I do in order to build decks that can more consistently win in this sealed format? Is there a different way to build my sealed decks for this format compared to others that will give me a better win %? I will be playing in the sealed event at GP Vegas so I would like to get as much valuable practice in before I go. I think it was BDM that said you're not prepared to play a sealed GP until you have played 100 sealed pools right? Thanks!

NastierNate

Hey BenS, Marshall, and Luis. In formats with a well-known weak color/color pair (i.e. green in triple BFZ), what does it take to pull you into that color? Do you pass bombs because there isn't enough support for them at common/uncommon? Thanks!

Ben Frazier

Some archetypes are super powerful in this format and can be tempting if you see the keystone cards early. If you see one passed to you like Enigma Drake or Wayward Servant, when do you dive in on it and when do you think it is a trap?

John Barley

Hey Marshall/Luis! love the show. Ben, what tastes better? Eating as fresh as you can get at Subway or opening a first pick Glorybringer?

Golo Ebbing

Sorry I'm stupid, here comes the question. Let's assume we know we are 100% to either win or lose a game of magic. Are there good strategies to pick up further equity for later games? Like trying to get more information about their deck? Thx for all the great content.

Alex Wolf

What are your thoughts on the UG ramp archetype in this draft format?

Benjamin Santiago

I saw TDSL the other day, and I was wondering about different strategies (like what Team Madison seemed to accidentally do) where you for example, just try to have one person draft the best possible deck and forgo the strategy you and marshall talked about before the draft. How/when do you think raw_power.deck can overcome knowledge of the team draft format?

Golo Ebbing

Sorry, adding a question:

Golo Ebbing

Hi Marshall and Ben, really looking forward to hear this episode!

Fukata

If you were to rank your friends in order of importance, effect on your life, and emotional connection - just how many of them come below Subway?

Norman Fried

Hi I love the show and just started on patreon. I wanted to get your opinions on sealed for amonkhet and any tips and tricks you have for it. This is one of my favourite limited formats ever and I want to get better at t! Thanks for the show and helping me improve my game.

Chase Renner

My hotel is 10 minutes away from the venue. Should I wake up before or after 845 for a 9 o clock tournament?

William Gross

The man, the myth, the legend! I hope this doesn't stand in too stark a contrast to the other more serious level-up style questions but what is your all-time favorite draft-format and what was your favorite arch-type in that format?

Shawn Ilinitch

Are four Cartouches of Zeal too many?

Alex Middeleer

Hi Ben, I love your draft videos and previous LR interviews - thanks for doing another episode. I was wondering if there are any amonkhet cards you think are being under-utilized to provide midrange and control decks the defensive speed necessary to stabilize against the powerful aggressive decks in the format?

P

As part of a pro team, do you think there could be better ways to learn and understand a new draft format beyond just jamming a lot of verbatim drafts? For example, adding a copy of a rare to decks to try to learn how good it is, or similar manual intervention?

Mark Rosen

What is the highest EV sub at subway. Also, is a sub a sandwich. Great Show!

Mark Franklin

I absolutely loved your commentary from TDSL, and I'd really like to try the format. I tend to get tired of draft formats after a while, and I'm wondering what other different or unique takes on limited play you (or Marshall or Luis) enjoy or might suggest beyond booster draft and sealed.

Guillaume P.

Hey Marshall ! First of all, thanks for the show, I have listened to the show since the Louxeserous days and Im a proud Patreon since september (still didn't get my thank you card, but still love you ;) ) My question to Ben : I'm about to do a flashback Innistrad booster draft with some friends and I heard its one of the most fun draft format. First, do you agree and what makes a great draft format in you opinion? Second, what should I absolutly know about that format? By the way, i loved your comments on Reid team draft, really great stuff !

Mark Arucan

From your experience at PT-Amonkhet, would you say that the level of competition at the PT in the limited rounds is much tougher since the early release on MTGO? Or about the same? I'm wondering how much of a factor this is to determine if this gives the established teams that much less of an edge, since it's available to everyone sooner, or if this allows for more efficient preparation for the professional teams.

A.J. Frank

Did you lose any of your edge from Amonkhet's early release on Magic Online? Does the extra practice let the competition brute force their way to greater understanding, or does your unique drafting skill still keep you a step ahead?

David Lorenz Valdez

How much has cycling changed the floor of sideboard cards, possibly pushing them into making a main deck cut?

Celso Távora

When you first look to a brand-new MTG set full spoiler, what items or hints do you pay attention to in order to obtain an initial understanding of its limited environment?

Shane B

I've been noticing the phenomenon of limited formats either appearing to become "solved" fairly early on, or a self-reinforcing cycle of conversation leading to a format being pegged as fast or slow. For instance, Amonkhet is currently being called a fast format and the draft streams we watched on the PT pushed even more people into thinking this is the case. How does one best balance drafting the best deck vs. what is open, when groupthink might be pushing many people into trying to draft similar decks? I know it's easy to say "just stay open because a great blue-white deck is better than a bad red-white", but in practice there can be a struggle to want to be in one of the best types of decks in the format and drafting what might, eventually, be more open.

Norman Dean

What do you think is the most unique aspect of Amonkhet Limited?

SligoYanks

This is really for all three of Ben, Marshall, and Luis. Is this one of the more surprisingly aggressive formats you guys have seen? Initial looks at the set showed a lot of 2/3s and 2/4s, high toughness creatures, and cycling that I think had a lot of people expecting a far slower format than it has ended up being. Are there any other examples of recent limited formats where first impressions and actual format speed have been so wildly different? Thanks, and good luck to all of you in TDSL this season, I thought Marshall and Ben's commentary on Reid's draft was very insightful last week.

Jonah Lipton

How do we know how deep a limited format is? Is it dependant on the quality of the archetypes, the number or quality of build-arounds, or something else? What recent sets have been particularly deep or shallow?

Matthew Hall

Do you think "Gust Walker" should be called "Dust Walker", because it looks like it is walking on a cloud of dust? I ask this because I know place a very high value on the art and flavor of the cards.

P

Will you ever revive your old web site TheStarkingtonPost?

Austin Cook (patriotfan09)

What, in your opinion, is the best way to improve at limited? What's your favorite limited format? Least favorite? Favorite non-limited format? Also, when can we get some Battle Box updates?

Joel Tucci

When testing for the pro tour on MTGO, have you found any significant differences between the leagues and queues? Does this vary from format to format?